. . . the lake mirrors the silvery moon  whose crystal light shimmers  upon her ivory feathers  her eyes are darkened by sorrow  as memories float like ghosts  from the past to haunt her  locked into this curse  for all eternity  she sings a mournful  Swan Song  for if she can not be free  she would rather die . . .'

 

 
 
  Part I Episode I - Heir  
 
 

In a time when kings ruled supreme and lands were fought by the blood of men, there lay the Kingdom of Ether. It was the most splendid of all the kingdoms that surrounded it, and because of that, it had many enemies who wished to possess it. It was a prosperous kingdom with rich fertile fields for growing corn and grains, a deep wide valley where fruit orchards flourished, great mountains where precious jewels and metals could be mined, thick forests of timber and it was bordered by an expansive inland sea of fresh water, that was plentiful with fish of all varieties.

King Logan was the sovereign lord of the Kingdom of Ether and with his beautiful wife Queen Evaine, he ruled the land with kindness and wisdom from Castle Bijou. Under his charge the kingdom did not fear from his neighboring enemies for King Logan was a very powerful leader skilled in the ways of war and good to his army of solders. But alas, as King Logan grew older he became concerned that once he died his kingdom would fall into the hands of his enemies. For try as they would, he and his beautiful queen could not conceive a child to become heir to his throne.

So it was that the king, in desperation, sought another means by which to conceive an heir. It was rumored in his kingdom that there lived a powerful sorcerer in the great dark forests that bordered his lands to the west: Nomansland. It was said also that this sorcerer could perform amazing feats of magic, even perhaps sow the seeds of life into a barren womb.

So, King Logan set out to find this sorcerer. With a caravan of men and horses to carry his most precious jewels, gold, exotic spices and rich tapestries, he traveled deep into the great dark forest to the west and into Nomansland. Many days and weeks passed as the king and his servants traveled without any sign of human life, and indeed, no sorcerer did they find. Finally, when King Logan was about ready to turn back home defeated, he came upon a beautiful garden well hidden behind a wall of trees. The king thought it strange that such a garden could flourish without the sun's light to sustain it. He thought surely it was a garden nourished by sorcery. In this garden was a large luminous lake and beyond it a castle made of crystal. King Logan felt certain that this must be where the great sorcerer dwelled.

He told his men to stay put and unwrap the precious gifts he had brought as he ventured to the crystal castle. As he approached the portal of the castle, a thunderous voice cried out: "Who is it that dares enter my lands uninvited?"

The king could see no location from which this voice had come and he thought the owner of it must be powerful indeed.

"I am King Logan, from the Kingdom of Ether. I have traveled long and hard for many weeks to find the great sorcerer who is said to live in these very woods. I beg pardon of you, but in my desperation, I wish to seek his favor."

At that the Sorcerer Razvan materialized beneath the great crystal archway before him.

"I see." stated the sorcerer, "And, what favor is it that you seek?"

King Logan explained his dilemma to the sorcerer.

". . .And, so you see, I knew of nowhere else to turn."

Sorcerer Razvan seemed to consider the king's words for a long time, then said, "The price for this gift will be very high. It may be more than you wish to give."

King Logan said, "Great Sorcerer, look yonder at my servants and see what precious gifts I have brought for you in return. I am a great king, and have much wealth and can give you anything your heart desires."

"Hmmm. . ." pondered the sorcerer, "but, it is not wealth, nor jewels nor gold that I desire. It is a flesh and blood woman that is my want, a beautiful woman with which to spend my days and nights."

The king smiled easily, for there were many beautiful women is his kingdom that would gladly marry a great sorcerer. He thought himself very fortuitous that the sorcerer had wanted so very little. So it was that King Logan agreed to the sorcerer's bargain, in exchange for a precious vile of green liquid, that would grant the imbiber fertility and bear him an heir.

"In exchange for this fertility potion I will come to the Kingdom of Ether in a decade and an half from the birth of your heir and take a woman of my choosing, as is our bargain. Remember, it will be my right to choose whomever I wish."

King Logan hesitated for a moment, for if the sorcerer could take any woman he wished in his kingdom, this also meant he could take his beautiful Queen Evaine. But, he considered, he and his queen were already beyond their years of youth and in a decade and a half they would be even more so. Surely the sorcerer would want a woman who was young as well as beautiful. He concluded that his beautiful Queen would be safe from his promise and agreed to the sorcerer's demands by taking the vile of green liquid.

With the arrangement finalized, each man giving his word of honor to hold up his end of the deal, King Logan and his entourage packed up their belongings and began the long journey back to the Kingdom of Ether. On the final day of the journey King Logan had a fresh steed made ready for him and, in his enthusiasm, he rode ahead of his men all day and all night until he was well within the walls of Castle Bijou, built high upon a hill overlooking the rich lands of his kingdom.

With the precious vile carried beneath his exalted robes he entered the bedroom chamber which he and his queen shared. He gave the vile of green liquid to his trusted valet and directed him to combine it with corn liquor in two crystal goblets as he'd been instructed to do by the sorcerer.

The night was well into it's twelfth hour and the moon shone bright onto the huge bed of cherry oak with four posts carved like the necks of swans and a feathery canopy above. There, buried beneath layers of pearly satin his queen lay fast asleep, her silvery tresses splayed out upon the feather pillow like fine spun silk. King Logan hastily unencumbered himself of his robe and lay down beside his queen. He awoke her quietly with a kiss. Queen Evaine thought she must be dreaming as she awoke to see her husband, the king beside her after so many months. The king related quickly his tale of finding the sorcerer and of the precious vile of green liquid that he had been granted. The queen was overjoyed with the prospect of at last being fertile and being able to bear her king an heir to his throne.

The king and queen cheered their good fortune with the crystal goblets of the tincture which had now lost its emerald glow and become quite frosty and pale. As soon as they partook of the fertility potion, both became wild with lust. King Logan ripped the pearls from the queen's bodice of her sleeping gown in his haste and buried his face between her full soft breasts. Queen Evaine moaned with rapture as he bruised her breast with his large calloused palm and suckled her greedily. The king ground his painful erection against her bared thigh wanting only to find root in the moist opening of her flesh.

Queen Evaine parted her thighs and lead her husband's huge penis into her smooth vagina. The king raised himself up over his queen on strong arms and thrust deep into her womb. The feel of her was more snug and hot than he had ever before remembered. The queen cried out with pleasure and pain for the king himself seemed more swollen and hard than ever she could recall.

Their bodies slick with the sweat of their labors slid together with frantic passion. It seemed to King Logan that he could last forever as each thrust seemed to take him deeper and deeper into her very core. Their mouths ground together feverishly as they joined their bodies in the most intimate of pleasures.

The moon fell beyond the western horizon and the dawn emerged over the eastern Sea of Tranquillity, its tangerine glow echoing off the surface of the water that lay as smooth as glass. Still the crowned couple consummated their passions with their lusty coupling. Finally, when the king believed he could thrust no more, he envisioned the son that would be heir to his kingdom and his seed erupted from his mighty staff into the deep recesses of the queen's receptive womb. Queen Evaine's hungry netherlips drank greedily of his seed at the moment of his release and her womb tightened in spasms of ecstasy as she succumbed to an onslaught of convulsing orgasms of which she had never before been the beneficiary of.

The couple lay exhausted amidst the turbulent satin sheets now damp and aromatic with the memory of their joining. They fell into a deep exhausted sleep, close in each other's arms and dreamed of the son they were want to receive.
 

* * *  
 
 

The seasons changed slowly, from spring to summer to autumn, when at last, nine cycles of the moon to the day when she had first conceived Queen Evaine went into labor. It was late October and the leaves of the orchards were painted with new frost. The King, who had been away on a hunting expedition, was summoned at once and rushed home to his queen to witness the birth of his heir. King Logan was filled with torment as he listened to the screams of his queen from outside the birthing room. He cursed his own desire of wanting an heir many times as the hours passed and still the queen cried out in anguish. At last, he could stand it no more and he burst into the room where a midwife and many servants were gathered around his suffering queen. The look of her shocked him and hurt him deeply for she seemed to have aged many years. Her skin was deathly pale and her thin robes were saturated with sweat and blood. Her beautiful face was contorted into a hideous mask of affliction. King Logan nearly fainted at the sight of her.

Instead, however, he gathered his strength and went to her side. The queen eyes were shut tight as she tried desperately to thrust the life within her free. Her breath came in shallow gasps. The king enclosed her slender hand in his own and pleaded with her to beg his forgiveness. Queen Evaine opened her eyes, lashes wet and fluttering against her cheek.

"My king," she whispered, her voice now so weak, "do not blame yourself. I wanted a heir as much as you. . . and now, with your strength beside me, he is nearly here."

With that, the queen bore down hard and gave one final thrust and the newborn babe was freed of her womb. The queen lay back heavily within the arms of her king and smiled. A small cry filled the room and King Logan laughed and wept with gratification. The midwife cut the cord that lay planted in its mother's womb and then entrusted the new babe to the servants to clean and bathe. She then quickly began the task of thwarting the flow of blood from the queen's battered womb.

Too soon, however, the midwife cried out, "There is too much blood! I cannot halt the flow!"

King Logan's sudden exuberance dwindled quickly into shock and fear. Forgetting his newborn babe, he held his queen and smoothed the lines from her clammy brow. Queen Evaine lie still in his embrace, her breath barely a whisper.

"My love!" the king cried urgently, "Do not leave me now, when all our dreams have been fulfilled! Do you hear me woman?"

The queen's eyes fluttered operand she motioned for him to bend his ear to her. "Do not be sad my king, on this the most glorious of days. I will die a happy woman knowing we have at last the son we have always wished for."

A last breathe escaped her lips with these words and Queen Evaine died in her husband's arms. For a long time King Logan wept and held his dear wife in his arms. His shoulders shuddered with each heartfelt cry of deepest sorrow. His tears drenched his dead queen's silvery tresses so that they clung to his cheek.

Finally, the midwife gained her courage and brought the newborn babe swaddled in rich fabrics befitting a monarch to the king.

"Here, Sire. . ." she said, "This is your child, the love of your loins and the sacrifice your queen so humbly gave."

King Logan looked up unseeingly at his newborn child. Then his eyes beheld the beautiful pale creature with silvery curls held within the arms of the midwife and he felt his heart swell immediately with love and pride.

"He is beautiful as his mother!" he gasped, "He is perfect."

A look of plain shock widened the features upon the midwife's face. "But, Sire. . ." she began, "You have not a son, but a daughter!"

Suddenly, the words of the sorcerer echoed back into his mind: "In exchange for this fertility potion, I will come to the Kingdom of Ether in a decade and an half from the birth of your heir and take a woman of my choosing, as is our bargain. Remember, it will be my right to choose whomever I wish."

The king now realized his mistake in trusting the sorcerer. The price was indeed terribly high and much more than he wished to give. He had lost his most adoring queen, and now, because of his stupidity, he may even loose his new daughter. He had been tricked. Enraged, King Logan roared loud and long. His voice bellowed through the walls of his castle, shaking the thin glass of the window panes and echoing out into the courtyard. With it, could be heard the high-pitched wail of the baby, Princess Aaleigha.

Part I Episode II - Betrothal  
 

The years passed like a dream within the Kingdom of Ether and young Princess Aaleigha grew from babe to toddler to a child of ten. She was every thing her mother Queen Evaine had been and more. She was the palest of creatures with long silvery tresses and eyes as pale as a winter's sky. Even her lips were of the palest hue as were her cheeks just slightly blushed. She was surely the most enchanting princess in all the kingdoms of the world. That combined with her sweet and inquizitive nature made her the king's pride and joy.

King Logan had worried desperately for her future as he was sure the evil sorcerer Razvan would make good of his promise and take his daughter as the woman of his choice. So, in order to thwart the sorcerer's plan, the king devised a scheme where he would save his daughter and his kingdom at the same time.

He had been busy over the past decade using his diplomatic skills to arrange a betrothal with the son of a neighboring king. It had not been easy at first, for the two monarchs had long been rivals. But, his proposal of uniting the kingdoms under the rule of a new sovereign upon his death—the prince that Aaleigha was to marry—was too good of a inheritance to pass up. In this way, his daughter, the Princess Aaleigha, would be spared of his promise and his kingdom would be spared falling into the hands of his enemies. There was one slight problem however, and that was that the Princess Aaleigha could not be wed until the day of her fifteenth year, as was the custom of their land. For a woman-child could not marry until she bled as does a woman. And, until that time, she was to remain in the Kingdom of Ether under his care. But King Logan, so sure of his shrewdness believed he would be able to prevent the evil sorcerer from carrying out his plan.

From the age of five years the princess had known of her betrothal to Prince Jaiden from the mountainous Kingdom of Vesusius that lay west of Nomansland. And, every year since then Prince Jaiden had been their guest during the long summer.

Now, Aaleigha was a pleasant child; sweet, kind, lighthearted and bright. She had tried to like Prince Jaiden, but he was the most dislikable child. He was a dark, surly boy two years her senior. He was tall were she was petite and he used his advantage of size to bully and boss Aaleigha around. He was arrogant and spoiled and did not take discipline well. It seemed his only pleasure was to tease Aaleigha and trouble her. And, this he did well.

By the age of ten the princess Aaleigha had grown up quite well. And, that summer when Prince Jaiden came to visit she and he were both surprised to find that she now stood two inches taller than he. Of coarse, this angered the belligerent prince. He had always had an advantage over her until now.

Princess Aaleigha's favorite pastime was to stroll down by the Sea of Tranquillity. Often, she would slip away unseen and go to the beach where she would spend hours. She loved to watch the swans that lived there. She would sit on a rock and sing to them and feed them crusts of stale bread. This one day Prince Jaiden followed her. The princess lay on the beach after a long swim. It was a peaceful day and the sun was high in the sky. A sultry breeze blew in from the water and seemed to blanket her in calm.

Suddenly, a dark shadow lay over her. The princess looked up and there was Jaiden standing above her, his hands arrogantly placed on his hips as he gazed crossly down at her.

"So this is where you come, when you sneak away!" he spat.

The princess knew well it was no use exchanging cross words with him so she said nothing.

"Do you hear me, girl?" he said, "Do you know that I am your master! Do not simply lay there and ignore me for soon you will belong to me and you will know who your master is! Get up now! And, give me the respect I deserve." Jaiden's chest puffed up like a bird in a mating ritual.

Aaleigha did not want to argue with him, so she stood. Jaiden however, became more irate as she now stood over him.

"You think you are better than me, I know it, princess. But rest assured that I am the man and someday this beach you lie upon and everything in this kingdom will belong to me! Including you! Do you hear me?"

Aaleigha was patient, but she could only take so much abuse.

"If you are stronger as you say," said Aaleigha, "then prove it!"

"What! Do you wish to fight me, girl!" Jaiden laughed because he knew that even though she was taller, he was more burly and stronger than she.

"No," said Aaleigha, "I challenge you."

"So, it's a challenge then is it." the prince smiled.

"Yes. Let us see who can swim out the farthest without turning back first."

"Swim?" baulked the prince. He was not an expert swimmer, for the land in which he lived there was no sea and he had not wanted to show his weakness before by practicing here. But, if he didn't take her challenge now he would be giving in to her superiority. And, that he would never do. He had too much pride, even for his own good.

"Very well." he said and quickly he removed his leather boots, leggings and princely garments so that he stood in front of Aaleigha in his undergarments as well.

The two rivals stood before the sea as waves gently lapped at their feet. It seemed to Jaiden that the water went on forever, as far as he could see. She might be a better swimmer, thought the prince, but he was stronger and eventually he would win.

Princess Aaleigha dove into the water not waiting for the prince. Quickly he followed at her heals. He came up for air and sputtered water from his mouth. Already, the princess was two body lengths ahead of him. What his arrogance before had not allowed him to do his fear of losing did. The prince soon found he was not as bad a swimmer at he had thought. Still he trailed behind Aaleigha. He pushed harder and harder to catch up with her whereas she seemed to glide easily through the water. He choked back mouthfuls of water, thrashed his arms and legs, yet he could not catch her.

Soon, she was far ahead of him. The prince's arms grew weak and heavy and his lungs were sore and burned with exhaustion. He looked back towards the beach and a sudden panic seized him. They were very far out; too far for him to swim back now. He thrashed madly in the water, struggling to keep his head above, but the harder he tried it seemed, the heavier he became. His head went under water and he sucked liquid into his lungs. Just when he thought the sea would claim him a hand grasped him by the back of his collar and pulled him to the surface. He coughed the water from his lungs. Princess Aaleigha pulled him towards the shore, her strokes long and strong, even with him in tow. Surrounding them were a flock of swans and he knew somehow he was safe. He did not want to admit defeat, but then, he was not so foolish as to refuse her help and die.

The princess dragged Jaiden's body onto the sandy beach. The prince lay exhausted, his arms splayed out from his sides, his eyes closed, his breath ragged, his heart hammering within his chest. Finally, he looked up and there stood Aaleigha above him.

"Say it then!" he cried, "Tell me you are better than me." He hid his head from her in shame.

"Jaiden." the princess spoke, her voice soft and calm. "I do not wish to be better than you. I only wish to be your equal. I know that you are more skilled than I in many things. I only wished to prove to you, that we can be peers and not enemies. Do you wish to marry a woman who will hate and resent you?"

Jaiden pushed himself up to sit. His head hung low in shame. He thought about what she had just said, and for the first time, he realized she was right.

"No. . ." he began, "I don't want you to hate me. I am sorry Aaleigha. I have been a foolish boy. I promise I will never try to hurt you again, as long as I live. And, I owe you my life. . . someday, I will repay you."

"Fine then!" laughed Aaleigha. "That is settled. Now, come, I will race you home."

With that Aaleigha grabbed her garments from the sand and took off in the direction of the castle, laughing as she went. Jaiden grinned sheepishly then grabbed his clothes and sped off after her. He won the race. But to him it didn't matter anymore. That day he had learned much from Aaleigha. And, with it, he had gained a new admiration and respect for the girl who would one day be his queen.

Each summer came and went and soon the bethrothled couple became friends. No longer did Prince Jaiden taunt Aaleigha in a spiteful way. No longer did he try to prove that he was better than she. The two played as children do, building forts where they ruled as king and queen, exploring nature and the many wonders it held and climbing trees as if they could touch the sky. The prince even allowed Aaleigha to teach him how to become a better swimmer and he in turn taught her archery and swordplay. Often, they could be found down by the sea. There, Jaiden would play his flute while Aaleigha sang and they would dance and laugh before their audience of swans. During the long winters they dreamed of summer and waited for the time when they could be together once again.

In the summer of Princess Aaleigha's fourteenth year Jaiden did not come. Word was sent from his father King D'arc, from the Kingdom of Vesusius, that due to the preparations of the couples' approaching nuptuals the prince was far too busy to visit that summer.

For Aaleigha the summer dragged by and she was not her usual cheerful self. Inside she felt a terrible loneliness and something else that she could not define. She felt as if her heart were sick, as if she'd been abandonned, as if she were empty; but putting it to words seemed shallow and inadequate.

By August however, the entire kingdom became absorbed with the preparations for the two-month-long journey to the Kingdom of Vesusius and the upcoming wedding that would soon follow. Aaleigha was kept busy with the fittings of her wedding gown and with choosing what she would bring with her, for her move would be a permanent one. King Logan could not allow her to return while the sorcerer remained alive. A dozen seamstresses were employed with the huge task of designing the perfect wedding gown suitable for a princess who would one day be queen of two mighty kingdoms. Exotic fabrics of all kinds were brought in from faraway lands. Finally, a fine brocade as soft as butter was decided upon. The color was a pale dove grey that complimented the princess's fairness. The bodice was embroidered with tiny fresh water pearls in the design of a swan, its wings outstretched as if in flight. The skirt was layers upon layers of transparent silk that spilled out behind her like the tail feathers of a bird. A long cloak with a high, fanned collar was fashioned to compliment her gown. It was made from the pure white feathers of swans, that had been painstakingly collected from the beach where they washed ashore. The swans were not to be harmed—for they were sacred birds—but their feathers were considered fortuitous and a cloak of them was a good omen for the princess. All her jewels where made from the same matching iridescent pearls: choker, earrings, bracelet. Her tierra was made of silver so fine, it was as thin as wire and it too was encrusted with pearls in the emblem of the swan.

The activities within the castle never seemed to seise. Princess Aaleigha found herself more and more seeking the company of nature when she had a spare moment. It was not that she disliked being with people, but their exuberance was a constant reminder of the one person she could not be with. . . yet.

One day Aaleigha stole away unseen and found herself at the beach, an old habit she found hard to break. For some odd reason the sight of the swans swimming peacefully upon the water comforted her. It was her quiet time, alone, when she could simply just be. She enjoyed the fresh smell of the air here, so clean and pure and good. Not being close to the water would be the pleasure she would miss the most when she went to live in the Kingdom of Vesusius. It was only a week away until they would begin the long trip and she felt a mixture of excitement and saddness.

Aaleigha stripped away her clothes and stood gazing out toward the eastern horizon. The sun was low in the sky and the air was cool on her naked flesh. As she dove into the water, its icy fingers enveloped her and trickled down her torso. It felt so good. After a brisk swim she lay floating on her back, her small budding breasts pointing skyward, her body softly buffetted by the current. She closed her eyes and thought about how her life was about to change. She thought of Jaiden and a thrill swept through her. She tried to picture his dark, somber face but his memory elluded her as if the act of trying itself was what hindered her.
 

* * *  
 
 

Prince Jaiden strode purposefully towards the beach. He could not contain his excitement of seeing Aaleigha again. It had seemed so long this time. It had taken quite a lot to persuade his father, King D'arc, to allow him to personally escort Princess Aaleigha and King Logan on their journey to their kingdom. Finally, his father had given in. Jaiden had been so pressed for time that he had not even had the time to send message of his arrival. He had simply come.

The beach stretched out before him. Seeing it again, brought forth the many memories of his summers spent here with Aaleigha. He easily found the small sheltered cove that he knew to be the princess's farvorite swimming spot. At first, all he saw were her clothes cast recklessly upon the sand. His eyes searched the water for her. Instead they found a woman floating on her back, wearing nothing but the water that surrounded her. It did not look like the girl he remembered.

Suddenly, the woman turned and began to swim to shore. She stepped out of the surf, rivulets of water flowing down her soft feminine curves. Jaiden gulped. Surely this was not Aaleigha! He knew he should look away but somehow his eyes would not obey him as they remained locked on the vision of loveliness before him. The girl did not notice his presence as he remained half-hidden behind a tree stump that had washed ashore and lodged itself deep in the sand.

Gods! But she was beautiful. The woman-child bent to retrieve an undershirt and slowly toweled herself with it. Her breasts were perfectly round like ripe peaches, the pale pink nipples pointing brazenly towards him. Her waist was delicate then flared slightly towards the gentle curve of her hips. Between her thighs was the silkiest silvery-blond peach fuzz. Jaiden felt his manhood swell with arrousal within his riding breeches. He bent forward to see her more fully and tripped against a root that was sticking out.

Aeleigha looked up startled and saw a strange man stumbling behind the tree stump. Quickly, she tried to cover herself with the undergarment she held.

"I'm sorry Aaleigha. . ." Jaiden sputtered, "I knew I'd find you here. . . and when I came upon you. . . I . . . I . . . I know I should have turned away. . . but. . . well. . ."

She barely recognized the man who now stood with his back towards her, but the voice. . . the voice she was sure of. Perhaps it was deeper, yes, but it was Jaiden's.

"Jaiden!" Aaleigha cried out as she quickly began to clothe herself. "Could it be?"

"Yes, my princess, it is I. . . I don't know what got into me. . . please beg my pardon. . . it was just, well, you have changed so. . . and, I guess I was surprised. . . and. . ." his voice stumbled on and on but the princess heard not a word. She was trying to imagine the boy she had known in the man she now saw.

She studied him hard. He was no longer the gangly youth she had known. No, he was most definately a man. He stood tall and regal, dispite his uneasiness. His shoulder were broad and strong, his thick dark hair hugged his shoulders in waves. He had an air of quiet arrogance about him. She could just barely make out his profile. He still had the same dark swarthy skin, but now the features were firm and bold. His jaw was square and had a days growth of dark stubble upon it; his nose straight, his cheekbones high, his heavy brow furrowed.

Aaleigha tied the ribbons beneath her breasts to her gown and picked up her lace sandles from the beach. She walked towards him barefoot.

". . . and, I know you will probably never forgive me for my indulgence. . . God's truth I should be brutally flogged then fed to angry savage wolves—"

"Jaiden. I am dressed. You may face me now."

Prince Jaiden turned and his voice halted as if lodged in his throat like a thick chunk of meat. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

"Are you trying to catch flies?" Aaleigha laughed.

Jaiden realized how ridiculous he must appear and his face colored darkly. Then he burst out laughing himself. Aaleigha came forward and hugged him. Gods, she smelled so good. Like wind and sea and sand. He buried his face in her silvery tresses, trying to drink in her essence.

"Aaleigha. How I have missed you. I didn't know how much until I saw you now." he breathed, brushing soft kisses in her hair. His arms wound around her and held her tight. She felt so wonderful, so delicate and soft.

"Oh, Jaiden!" she pulled away eyeing him crossly, "Do you realize what you put me through this summer?"

Aaleigha then laughed at his mock bewilderment and hugged him close. She was afraid if she let him go this would all be just a dream and he would disappear as quickly as he'd come.

Jaiden pulled her down into his lap as he sat upon the trunk of the washed up tree. He brushed the strands of tousled hair away from her face and gazed deep into her pale grey eyes. He had always taken her beauty for granted before, but now he realized just how exquisite she really was. Aaleigha smiled up at him expectantly as if waiting for an explanation. Jaiden was dumbstruck by her and at a loss for words. But then his tongue found the means to language once again and his words poured out of him.

"Oh, dearest princess." he began, "What an awful child I was. I don't know how you ever put up with me! I don't know how I can ever thank you for your patience and kindness towards me, when I was so bad-natured towards you. It makes me ill to think of it!"

"You are forgiven my prince." said Aaleigha as she cuddled close to him listening to the beat of his heart through his shirt.

"I will not forgive myself. I just want you to know that I have done nothing but think of you this past year, every waking moment, every dream I have dreamt. . . I have been captivated with thoughts of only you and walk around in a daze and. . . now that I have you close to me again, I swear we shall never part."

"Aaleigha!" he turned her head towards him suddenly, held her with desperation, his voice hoarse with emotion, "I love you impossibly, so much that I would die if I lost you ever."

"My dear Prince," the princess smiled, "you will not lose me. Now stop this insane talk!"

And then she kissed him on the lips and Jaiden pulled her down on top of him as he fell to the sand. He was so eager to taste her, to devour her. Their mouths were wet and soft and all-encompassing. Their tongues touched and Aaleigha was suddenly aware of their bodies pressing close, of the smell of him like horse-flesh and scented oils, the rough stubble of his jaw and his musky male odor. She could feel every hard inch of his body pressing against her, yet she felt the need to be so much closer, to swallow him, to melt into his flesh, to be one.

His hands were gentle as they wandered over her body, touching her intimately, gliding along the length of her legs, up her hip to the curve of her waist, up to feel the swell of her breast. Jaiden rolled on top of her and kissed her throat, running his hot tongue down her skin. It seemed she could not grasp any air and yet the last thing she cared about was the ability to breathe. Her belly was alive with a pleasurable fluttering, as if a cage inside of her had been unlocked and one hundred birds set free to swoop and soar and beat their wings in all her hollow spaces. She could feel a hard bulge against her thigh as he rubbed against her and she longed to feel his hardness enter her and engulf her at once.

His face was between her breasts. His breath was sultry and she could feel her nipples harden beneath the fine soft fabric of her empire gown. He unlaced the ribbon that held the front of her gown together and unveiled her firm, swollen breasts. For a moment he only gazed at them, as if to capture their beauty in his sight. Then he bent his head and kissed the pale rosy crest of one and then slowly enveloped it in his warm wet mouth. His tongue was hot and demanding—nudging it, licking it and sucking it—and Aaleigha felt an exquisite pleasure penetrate the heart of her. She felt his strong hand reach up under her skirts and part her thighs. His fingers stroked her soft downy curls. A heat spread from her stomach to her groin and the folds of her sex grew wet and steamy. She ached there so deeply, yet, at the same time felt such exquisite pleasure. Although she knew no the name for it, if she could have she would have asked to be royally fucked.

Jaiden loosened the ties to his breeches and rubbed his naked cock against her thigh. It was so incredibly hard against her softness. His fingers explored her warm wet folds and the tiny budding nub of her pleasure. His wanted so to drink her sweet virgin nectar. He groaned letting her nipple pop from his lips.

Suddenly Jaiden pulled away and looked down at her.

"Aaleigha. It would delight me immeasurably to pleasure you and love you as a man does with a woman. But, you are too sweet and pure and I love you too much to take from you what you would freely offer in your innocence."

He lay back and gazed up at the darkening sky, a look of pain shadowing his features.

"Soon dearest, you will be my wife and my queen as now you are my heart's desire. . . and then I will show you the depth of my love for you. . . but I will not take you now, here. . . like this. . ."

Jaiden frowned deeply.

The princess braced her weight on her elbow and leaned over him.

"Have I done something to upset you?"

The birds inside of her still fluttered madly and the last thing she wanted right now was to be apart from him.

Jaiden looked at her and laughed at the seriousness of her sweet face.

"Gods, no!" And he took her in his arms and held her.

"My princess. . ." he whispered against her silvery hair. "You could never upset me, as hard as you tried. I could simply never steal your flower until it rightfully belongs to me and is ready to bloom. Surely you have been told of these things?"

Aaleigha remembered her governess Lizbet speaking of the joining of men and women. It had both fascinated and repulsed her. Yet now it felt so right. But she knew in her heart that he was right. Now was not the time for such pleasures. She had waited her whole life. Surely, she could wait two more months until they were rightfully wed.

"You are wise my love." she whispered and she lay down between the hollow of his arm and chest.

Jaiden brushed her hair with his fingers. Soon, Aaleigha relaxed into his embrace, although her need to be fulfilled was far from forgotten.
 

* * *  
 
 

The week following Jaiden's arrival the kingdom was buzzing with preparations for the journey. Still, the prince and princess managed to find time to be together. They would sit in the garden surrounded by the heady perfumes of dying blooms and talk of small things or plan their future together. They would stroll through the orchards where ripe fruits were being harvested for their journey and feed each other the flesh of a peach or an apple. But their most treasured place to go was down by the sea where they would sit in silence and gaze out at the water longingly. Both knew that soon they would leave this most sacred of places and perhaps it would be a long time before they ever returned.

On the day before they were to leave the pair sat on the beach, arm and arm, Aaleigha's head resting upon Jaiden's strong shoulder. The sky was grey with clouds that promised rain.

"I will miss this place dearly." said the princess.

"I too. It holds the most wonderful memories for me." he said this in such a way that their intimacy was implied, yet his words meant so much more as well.

"I will only be able to leave," Aaleigha sighed, "if I know that someday we will return and live here again."

Jaiden looked at her earnestly, "I promise you, my beautiful princess, that once we are wed we will return here again."

Aaleigha's face brightened and she kissed him.

"I love you my prince Jaiden."

Jaiden hugged her tight. His heart felt like it would burst in his chest. No matter what he swore to himself that he would keep this promise to her, even if it killed him.

Part I Episode III - Nomansland  
 

By the end of the week all preparations had been made for the long journey ahead of them to the Kingdom of Vesusius. King Logan decided to go north and cut through the Persius Mountain Range instead of due west which would have taken them through Nomansland. The promise of the sorcerer was never far from his mind and he hoped by taking this longer and indeed, most difficult route, that the sorcerer would have much trouble ever finding them. They still had to pass through the upper slice of forest of Nomansland to reach the Kingdom of Vesusius, but the journey through it would take them only two days instead of the weeks it would have taken them otherwise. He intended to be as far away from the sorcerer's lands as possible on the anniversary of Aaleigha's birth.

Because the mountain passes were treacherous and sometimes narrow they could hardly take the royal carriages during their journey. Instead, they had to rely on horses to carry them and pack animals to carry the provisions they would need. Princess Aaleigha was required to repack her belongings many times until she had finally reduced the size to what two animals could carry. Many beloved things she left behind, taking with her only her wedding ensemble, a few keepsakes of her mother's and a bottle of sand from the beach. The remainder of the space was packed with the warm clothes she would need on their travels.

King Logan lead the entourage with six of his best men, armed and ready for any trouble. Prince Jaiden rode beside Princess Aaleigha with a servant each and three more armed men from his entourage brought up the rear with a dozen pack animals to carry their supplies.

As they reached a mountain pass and began to descend Aaleigha took one final look at the home she was to leave. It lay out before her like a colorful quilt with all the rich colors of autumn. She could see the castle in the distance, it's stone turrets rising into the sky, and beyond it she saw a thin strip of white that was the beach. The edge of white blurred into what was the sea and she could not tell if it was the distance or her tears that obscured it from her.

Jaiden reined his horse beside her.

"It is beautiful." said Aaleigha tears trickling over her pale cheeks.

"Do not worry princess. You will see your home again. I promise."

Aaleigha tried to smile but her lip trembled.

"Come. We must not fall behind the others." Jaiden said as he took her reins and lead her away.

They traveled by day and made camp by night. As each mountain came and went they progressed further and further into the Persius Mountain Range. The mountains here were high and rugged and it took them a while to get used to the altitude and the thinness of the air. It tired them immensely and they found themselves resting more than they traveled. It was much colder here than it had been at home as well. The jagged mountains pierced the clouds with snowcapped peaks. In some parts of their journey they had to travel through knee-deep snow. The trails that cut through the sides of the mountains were narrow and treacherous and their travel was very slow. Yet, they kept on despite the hardships they faced.

About halfway through their journey a freak autumn snowstorm befell them. The sky had darkened all of a sudden it seemed and they sky, laden with heavy snow, fell down upon them. The blizzard lasted for four days while they remained huddled in their make-shift tents to keep out the cold. Once the weather cleared they had to dig themselves out of the snowdrifts that were high enough in places to bury a man as he stood. This unexpected catastrophe delayed them more than a week. It would cost them dearly in the end.

Finally the entourage turned west and the mountains soon fell away to forest. They had reached Nomansland a week and a half late and would be traveling through it on the anniversary of the princesses' birth. King Logan urgently pushed the procession forward not allowing for rest, but soon both horse and traveler became exhausted. After a day and a half of non-stop riding they had to stop and make camp for the night. They could just go no further.

It was late when they stopped in a dark ominous patch of forest upon the eve of Aaleigha's birthday. The trees towered over them like enormous demons as the group curled up in bedding around the fire. A few men stood guard around them. The horses were oddly nervous as if sensing danger beyond the wall of trees. A full silvery moon rose high above and stared down at them.

Aaleigha was nearly asleep from exhaustion when she heard the single piercing howl of a wolf. Then a chorus of mournful wails echoed through the night, although this time they seemed menacingly close. Aaleigha sat up straight, wide awake. The armed guards quickly spun into action, grabbing their swords at the ready. King Logan stood among them. Jaiden, who had been lying beside her, got up and reached for his sword.

"Jaiden!" Aaleigha exclaimed, "Stay here with me!"

"No princess. I must do my duty to protect you. If we make a circle around you, whatever lies out there will not be able to harm you."

"But, I will die if any harm comes to you."

"Do not worry. I don't plan to die tonight!"

With that Jaiden strode into the large circle of men that surrounded her. Aaleigha cowered close to her governess and waited.

Soon a rustling through the tress could be heard; branches snapping, crisp leaves crackling underfoot. A low feral growl crawled up her spine and Aaleigha shivered, for it seemed so very close. Then beside her, the fire burst up high into the night, a huge inferno contorting and grasping at the air. Aaleigha scrambled backward in the dirt. The circle of men turned inwards in alarm, their swords ready. In the fire a slow form emerged. King Logan soon recognized the face he was loath to see again. The Sorcerer Razvan!

He rushed forward, grabbed Aaleigha and hauled her away. The armed men rushed the fire, swords swinging, arms raised against the heat. But their swords only swished through the flames blackening the steel. The sorcerer's flickering, smiling face remained unharmed. All of a sudden a roar broke behind them. Two dozen wolves sprang from their refuge in the trees and attacked the unprepared men from behind. The image of Razvan dissolved and the fire sputtered low so all was in shadow.

"A trick!" someone shouted into the darkness.

Aaleigha felt her father's hands release her as he turned to confront a large black wolf. Too late! The enormous beast knocked him down and swiftly ripped out his throat.

"Nooo!" cried Aaleigha, as she watched in horror as the terrible wolf shook her father like a puppet. And then it dropped him and turned to her. Its yellow eyes were awful as it gazed at her with intelligence and vile intent. It came close to her, pushing its bloody snout into her face, its breath hot and foul. Then it seized her by her long, silvery hair and began to drag her kicking and screaming to the edge of the forest.

Jaiden fought madly, thrusting his sword through the heart of a wolf who leapt towards him. He saw the king go down and the wolf grab Aaleigha. He struggled to go after her, but wolf after wolf charged him and it was all he could do to fight them off.

"Aaleigha!" he bellowed, but quickly she was disappearing through the trees. The wolf had somehow maneuvered the princess upon its back and was speeding away. The princess was still as if she had fainted, or. . . as if. . . dead.

Jaiden fought with renewed vigor, but it was too late. By the end he stood alone covered in blood amidst a forest of broken bodies, both of wolves and of men. Even the horses had fled. He searched the forest day and night but saw no sign of her disappearance. Finally he collapsed, injured from battle, lost amidst the woods, his heart fractured into splinters of loss and agony, too exhausted to even weep. Without Aaleigha, he wished only to die.
 

END PART I

Stay tuned to BMZ for the second half of A Swan's Song that will appear in Issue IV, Springtime 2000.