The Prancing Princess Part IV by Linear Z

		Author Name: Linear	4 Comments
		Date Added: December 08, 2007 09:12:41	Average Score: (Needs 2)
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The Prancing Princess Part IV

Armed guards, with swords drawn and expressions grim from experience, surrounded the Elf Princess and her two companions.

“Hello, good sirs, may I help you?” Zewril asked.

“It was her, officers!” Alice said, pointing at the blond princess.

Turning to address the merchant beside him, the captain of the guards asked, “Is she right?”

“Well,” the merchant said, adjusting his glasses, “I thought the woman who robbed me was shorter, with red hair, wearing shoes, and with smaller breasts… but I guess that could be her.”

“Right, arrest that woman!” The captain bellowed.

As the guards bound Zerwil’s wrists, Alice, leaning across her friend she whispered, “Don’t worry, we’ll come and rescue you.”

“But I never stole anything,” the princess replied. “I thought that was you?”

“Let me put it this way; would you rather be relaxing and waiting for rescue, or stressed out, thinking up a brilliant rescue plan?”

As she thought about it, the young Elf could see her friend was right, “Perhaps it is more logical for you and Max to be on the thinking team.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll have you free in no time.”

Day 37, Secret Prison Journal of Princess Zerwil Ager.

Still no word from my good friends Max and Alice, I do hope that nothing has happened to them.

I feel that the weeks I have spent here in the prison mines of ghastly woe, have brought me closer to the common working-class people of the kingdom. Digging the coal from deep under these mountains may be difficult work, but it is very satisfying to know my work will achieve something.

They say the coal is used to incinerate the corpses of those prisoners that die from exhaustion each day.

I only wish less of my fellow miners would collapse, because I really have to work hard to keep up with the demand.

Day 40,

Instead of parties, hunting and other social gatherings, there is only the eighteen hours of backbreaking labour each day. But I think life in the prison is not so different to being back in the palace.

Sadly when I arrived at the mines, I was not issued with a maidservant. I have registered several complaints with the guards, but they are not taking the grievance seriously. It is their own time they are wasting when it takes me over an hour each morning to prepare my hair in the proper Karmosian style.

Still no word from Max and Alice, I think it is time I came up with my own escape plan.

Day 78,

I have a idea! It came to me during the exercise break today, when the guards allowed us to run around the main yard in a triple-time march, to give us a break from the mining.

By collecting scraps of discarded leather, I will fashion myself a guard’s uniform. Luckily I was an expert at embroidery and am sure stitching leather will be no problem.

Day 79,

Success! I have finished my design.

Day 91,

I have been masquerading as a guard for almost two weeks, and it has been an interesting experience.

At first I enjoyed the more relaxing atmosphere and not having to hack at a coalface with a pickaxe for hours. But this has given way to a feeling of boredom.

Watching the dozen, half-naked women in my area as they work, their bodies glistening with sweat and oil as they moan and grunt, is very uninteresting. I have newfound respect for the other guards who are able to put up with these monotonous views.

Day 92,

Reminiscing on my time as a prisoner I’ve realised that when I was working in the mine, it was tough, but it kept me active. The only exercise I am getting as a guard is when I whip a prisoner, and I think that is giving me repetitive strain injury.

Plus all the mead and pudding the guards eat has gone straight to my hips.

Day 93,

I have returned to the jail cells as a prisoner. There may be more rats than in the guards barracks, but at least the colour scheme does not clash with my hair. It was nice to have a break, but ‘prison guard’ is just not the job for me.

Still no idea on how I can escape this place. Perhaps I will have better luck thinking of one now I am back in the secure confines of my cell.

Day 143,

Things have been a little slow around here recently, the place has certainly lost the lively spirit it once had. It seems to be taking longer and longer to find coal each day. If things continue at this rate we will be out of work in a matter of days.

Day 146,

We are out of work…

As she wrote in her secret journal, princess Zerwil was approached by another prisoner.

“We have run out of coal,” the other woman said. “You have to tell the governess.”

“Why is it that I have to tell her whenever we find a problem?” said Zerwil.

“Because you drew the short straw, remember?”

“Not really. But I remember you saying you drew straws the day before I arrived, and I lost.”

“Exactly, it’s only fair. When we draw again, next century, I may be the messenger, and I assure you I will not complain.”

“Of course, I am sorry,” the princess said, bowing. “I will deliver the message immediately.”

Moments later in the governess’s office, the young elf addressed the prison leader.

“…no more coal in the entire mountain,” the princess concluded.

“This is serious,” the governess said, turning to look out of her office window at the prison camp and mines. “No, it’s more than serious, this is terrible! With no coal to mine what will I do with all these prisoners?”

The princess was startled, no one had asked her for advice on utilisation of manpower before. “You could let us all go?” she suggested.

“Of course!” the governess turned to face the young prisoner. “I could let you go scout for minerals.”

“A brilliant idea.”

“And of course you will inform me as soon as you locate a likely spot, so I can move the prison there?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Zerwil replied, cunningly crossing her fingers behind her back as she said it.

Two days later, the princess Zerwil arrived back at the Dark Inn of the Forrest City. Seeing two familiar faces at the bar, the young elf waved cheerfully. “Hello, Alice and Max.”

“Zerwil!” Alice exclaimed, “We were just about to head off to rescue you.”

“It is a good thing I arrived when I did, or you may have had a wasted journey,” the princess replied, taking a seat beside her friends. “How is the Sweet-smelling-potion going?”

“Very well,” Max said, after ordering another round of drinks. “I have just this afternoon completed my first batch.”

“That is great,” Zerwil said, taking a bottle of green liquid from the young alchemists bag. “They forgot to issue me with a maidservant, so I was unable to bathe properly during my stay. This potion will be very appreciate… it tastes kind of funny though…”

“Tastes!” Max exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “It’s a bloody sheep suppository, you’re not supposed to drink it!”

“That might explain why everything looks pink,” the princess hiccupped, a cluster of rainbow bubbles bursting from her mouth.

“Are you ok?” asked Alice, the brunette thief stifled a giggle as she watched her blonde friend.

“I feel fantastic!” said Zerwil, her head tilted, green eyes darted from side to side. Tracing her fingers over the curves of her body the princess purred, “I feel like a goddess!”

“Maybe you should go to bed, Zer, you look kind of funny.”

“I should go to bed!” the young elf punched the air, nodding her head vigorously. “But I’m going to need a little company to help pass the time!”

Alice laughed, “good luck, Max, it was nice knowing you, kid.”

“Not Max…”

Author's Notes:

Stay Tuned for
The Prancing Princess V:

Once again I have to thank the the Bad Penny Idea Girl, Jolen, for the inspiration to this story.

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Comments:

	Comment By: Shanna McCormick on December 26, 2007 10:24:18 PM	Report
	I only wish less of my fellow miners would collapse, because I really have to work hard to keep up with the demand. Must be most difficult. I'm not sure if the princess or the commoners are smarter... I can see the mark of the sorceress, but you certainly do bring it to life!! ~Shanna Respond To This Comment

	Comment By: b doneff on December 9, 2007 07:29:09 AM	Report
	LMAO, ohhh Linney.. bb Respond To This Comment

	Comment By: Leonard Wilson on December 9, 2007 05:28:06 AM	Report
	“Well,” the merchant said, adjusting his glasses, “I thought the woman who robbed me was shorter, with red hair, wearing shoes, and with smaller breasts… but I guess that could be her.” That's why eye witness accounts are so unreliable, Alex...Hey, that ending has me wanting to read with whom the princess goes to bed...I have my hopes up, and that's not all. So many funny and clever lines in this.I just love that batty elf princess..What a babe in the woods..Brilliant, buddy.. “Zerwil!” Alice exclaimed, “We were just about to head off to rescue you.” “It is a good thing I arrived when I did, or you may have had a wasted journey,” the princess replied, taking a seat beside her friends........Oh yeah, this pixie don't miss much...hee hee Respond To This Comment

	Comment By: Zyskandar A Jaimot on December 8, 2007 10:19:36 AM	Report
	to l - better leaves the reader wondering thanks for sharing regards zaj[some minor typos] Respond To This Comment