Illustrea

The trumpets sounded in the far off distance.  She listened intently, but heard nothing other than chirping birds and the clip clop of her sturdy unicorn.  The wind rustled the golden leaves, twirling and swirling them around.  "Oh Uni, where is my Prince?" Uni whinnied and trotted in response.  Suddenly she heard the clip clop of other hoofs upon the ground.1

She galloped toward the sound, even though her unicorn seemed to resist. She thought excitedly,” My prince, my prince has come for me!"  But all was not well.  She came around the riverbed; she saw a man, but not her prince. She gasped in horror for she saw the black hooded Demons of Galdor.  She turned and snapped her unicorn’s mane. They galloped swiftly across the great forest.  The Galdor Demons followed closely behind, catapulting a black flame from their palms.  One managed to graze her neck and shattered the necklace she had gotten from her Prince. Blood spilled from her soft skin upon the necklace as it scattered atop the moist, sodden ground.2

****3

Prince Olander searched for his forbidden love. She was nowhere to be found. The sun was setting in a blazing rainbow of color, as he sought out once more to find her.  All of a sudden his unicorn halted.  The Prince asked,” What do you see Cladeuos?”  His trusty friend whimpered and neighed.  On the ground he spotted an object shimmering.  His unicorn knelt down so he could scoop it up.  He found it to be his love’s necklace, the one he had given her.  “Something is not right,” He exclaimed.  He noticed the spotted rose red blood upon it and knew she was in trouble. He rode off into the wilderness to save his dear Annabelle.4

      ***5

Annabelle rode off into the darkness fending off the Galdor Demons. She hadn’t gone far when one of the Demons struck Uni, her unicorn. She fell with great pain as Annabelle stumbled and rolled off. Uni tried to stand but to no avail.  The Galdor Demons halted as dust flew in the air.  Annabelle struggled to regain her balance and stature.  She wanted to run but she didn’t want to leave her poor Uni.  She prepared to fight; she raised her hands and flattened her palms. “What do you want with me?”  “ We want nothing to do with you, but your Prince, we do!” the Galdor Demons chuckled.6

****7

Prince Olander frantically sped through the forest in search of Annabelle as he heard a shrill scream.  He came upon his love laying on the ground and her unicorn limping about.  He jumped off Cladeuos and rushed to Annabelle’s side. “What happened my love? Are you hurt?”  Annabelle seems dazed but answered, “I was riding through the forest and the Galdor Demons attacked me. I ran for my life and one of them hit my unicorn.”  Prince Olander scanned her body, looking for the wound that had stained her necklace.  “Did you have a wound on your neck? I found blood splattered upon your necklace.”  Annabelle stuttered, “Oh, yes I did. I healed myself with my magic right before you came here. It hurt badly.”  The Prince thought that was strange considering she used her magic wisely since she had little power and she was strong willed. She had no need to heal herself, but he shook it off for he was just glad she was not harmed.  He heard Uni’s whimpered cries and calmly walked over to her and kneeled down. “Be still, I will not hurt you.” Uni had a knack for knowing someone was pure and she trusted him and stood still.  He held his arms out, inches away from the wound, with palms facing the silver blood seeping out of her leg.  A soft bluish white light spread brightly between his palms and the wound.  A minute later, he slowly lifted his hands away from the wound and Uni pranced around happily.  8

The Prince held a hand out for Annabelle; she took it as he lifted her to her feet.  “My love, it is getting too dangerous to meet like this anymore.  I do not wish to see you hurt.”  Annabelle replied, “My Prince, I love you and nothing will come between us nor prevent me from seeing you.  Why do we have to meet in secret?  It is not fair.”  “You are a commoner and I am a Prince, you know as much as I know my father would not approve.”  “Then I will just have to prove to him our love is strong and nothing will come between us.”  She hopped onto her unicorn and started riding off towards the castle.  “But my love, he will not approve…” She was not listening; she seemed not to be herself tonight.  He jumped on Cladeuos and rode after her.9

****10

The Galdor Demons had ridden off into the darkness, leaving Annabelle behind. They had now snuck into the palace to find King Grandla.  King Grandla, a heavy man, was strolling along the corridor eating a turkey leg and a glass of wine.  The Galdor Demons were dark and invisible as night.  One had a dust like substance in his concealed hand.  As the King passed by, the Demon swiftly and quietly poured the substance into his glass and promptly made his way across the palace wall.  The other Demons followed, as one glanced back toward to King.  He noticed a medallion around his neck, which glowed a burgundy color; he squinted his eyes, hissed at the wretched thing and went on his way.11

****12

“Let me through, you ugly brutes! I demand to see the King,” Annabelle steamed. Prince Olander came upon his guards and Annabelle arguing.  The guards saw the Prince and stood at attention.  “My lord, this woman demands to see the King. She is very persistent sir.”  The Prince sighed, “Let her through, she is with me.”  He waved them to open the gate and they rode through to the castle.  The Prince whispered to Annabelle, “ I do not think this is a wise decision on your part. Will you please consider another way?”   She did not answer and turned away as she smirked.13

The King had just finished his turkey and wine and he sat on his throne.  Annabelle marched in and told the King, “Sir, I love your son, Prince Olander. It should not matter if I am a mere commander or not. I wish to marry him and he loves me dearly. Please my King, understand.”  The King seemed not to hear a word she had said. He seemed to be in a daze, his mind a blank.  The King heard a voice within his head; “You will love Annabelle with all your soul, for she will marry your son and be with child.”  When the last word was said, the King snapped out of it and looked down upon Annabelle.  “Annabelle, I would be happy for you to be a part of this family and marry my son.”  Annabelle crossed her arms and put on a satisfied look.  Prince Olander was surprised; he thought this conversation would go in a different direction.   Then he thought, “How did my father know her name was Annabelle, unless he knew all along we were meeting each other.”   Prince Olander stepped forward, “Father, I am sorry I kept my relationship with Annabelle from you. I was afraid you would not except a prince to marry a commoner.”  “My son, this woman, I see the love between you in your eyes. She is quite beautiful. I could not be more proud!”  This did not seem like his father, something was wrong. His dear Annabelle and his father seemed to be acting as if they were not themselves.   He couldn’t put his finger to it, but he knew something was amiss.  Before he had more time to think, a guard rushed into the palace, “Sirs, one of the unicorns has just escaped. We tried to stop her. Her eyes were wild with rage.”  Prince Olander and Annabelle rushed out, with the King stumbling after.  Uni had escaped and bitten her way out of her rope.  She was still weak from the wound the Galdor Demons had inflicted and would not be able to run far.  Prince Olander got onto Cladeuos and spoke, “I will catch her my love do not worry. I will bring her back to you. Something must have spooked her. GUARDS! Keep a look out for enemies. Annabelle, you should stay here with my father. It should be safe in the castle.”  Annabelle objected, “But Olander I want to…” She was cut off by the King who exclaimed, “Oh good then, this could be for the best. I can get to know my future daughter-in-law!”  He gave Annabelle a warm hug as she gave a weak smile.  14

Prince Olander rode off into the darkness once more.  It was very late and very dark.  He could not see anything. He was as blind as a bat.  He said aloud as he raised his arm, “Light! Let it be known, let this night be bright!”  His palm lit up as his surroundings became vivid with illumination.  He thrust the ball of flame into the air and it hovered above his head so he could use both hands to steer.  He saw hoof prints in the mud and followed them into the darkness. 15

Prince Olander rode for quit a distance before he realized what direction he was going in; He was going right towards the Galdor Demons territory.  “Why is Uni going there?” Prince Olander thought to himself.  He galloped through the forest until he saw a burning light and a strange music playing in the distance.  He got off Cladeuos, extinguished his light and tiptoed to the edge of the forest. He heard the loud roars of Demons.  The Galdor Demons were herding Uni, surrounding her into the middle of their circle.  They threw a rope around her neck. She struggled and blew an angered noise from her nostrils. Her silver horn glowed vibrantly as she resisted their capture.  Cladeous witnessed Uni’s capture and started off to save her.  The Prince held his hand out to stop him and looked up into his eyes.  His gold horn was glowing vibrantly as well as Uni’s was.  In a whispered voice he told, “You cannot save her right now. If you go out there, you will be captured as well; do not worry Cladeuos, I will save her...some how.”   Prince Olander made his way around the chaos to the huts and dwellings they called home.  He was careful not to make any noise.  He had left Cladeuos in the forest seeing he was white and an eye sore.  He crouched behind a wall and peered out within the circle of Demons.  His medallion jingled and made a little noise, but too soft to be heard by the Demons. He held it in his hand and asked, “Oh Ancestors, please help me for what I am about to do. I need your strength, through this medallion I pray.”   Right after he put his medallion in his shirt he heard soft sobbing within the hut he had crouched behind.  “Who… Who is there?” A scared voice asked.  The Prince’s heart jumped, “It sounded like Annabelle’s voice!  It could not be though; Annabelle was safe within the palace.”  He heard the body inside shuffle and move.  He raised himself toward the barred window.  He peered in and to his surprise it was his dear love, Annabelle!  “How…how can this be?”  The Prince was astonished and confounded.  “I can explain my sweet love.  The Galdor’s have done a horrible spell. They have rewritten me into one of their own so you would fall in love with one of the Demons, instead of me!  They have also put a spell upon your father, the King! They hypnotized him to make him believe he loves me as his daughter-in-law and will be joyous to have myself in the family and have your baby!  Oh my love, they plot to take over the Kingdom.  What do we do?”  The Prince was still overwhelmed with all she had told him.  “We fight. Uni has been captured by the Galdors, so we need to rescue her.”  “But my love, we cannot defeat all of these Demons by ourselves.  You are strong, but not strong enough for them all. And I, well I have little magic which I do not know anything about.  You have been taught a wide variety of magic by wise Masters and how to harness your power and magic, I am just a mere commoner.”  “You are no mere commoner to me Annabelle. I will teach you to grow with your magic and you will learn your own strength but I have to fight now. If we do not, they will kill Uni and replace her with one of themselves.” 16

Prince Olander lifted his hands in the air and took a deep breath.  Annabelle was amazed to see the power from Olander. She noticed his medallion glowing a bright burgundy as he gathered his energy and power.  The Galdor Demons sensed it and halted.  They looked around until they saw Olander.  “Get back Annabelle!” Prince Olander yelled.  She scrambled backwards as a hole was made in one of the walls.  Annabelle was scared as she escaped from her prison.  Burning flames were flying everywhere; she hoped her Uni was not hurt.  She tried to remember the spell she taught herself as a white power ball flew into the hut she had just escaped from.  The ball was so powerful that the hut exploded, catapulting Annabelle back into the dark forest.  She hit her head against a tree and passed into unconsciousness. The last thing she remembered was the fragments of the hut raining down on her as the world turned black.17

Prince Olander heard the explosion, so he glanced back as magic light was being thrown towards him.  His heart sank, for he could no longer see his beloved Annabelle.   Right then a Demon came straight at him and tackled him to the ground. The others swarmed in on him, rendering him defenseless, and powerless to resist.  They ripped his medallion off of his neck and took it away.  They put magic braces on his wrists to keep him from escaping and threw him into a hut and closed the door into darkness.18

****19

Annabelle woke with a pounding ache in her temples.  She saw nothing other than gray as she wondered where she was or what had happened.  She tried to move, but seemed crushed beneath something heavy.  She finally realized what had happened, her heart raced.  “Where is my Prince, what has become of him?” She thought this between the painful throbbing.  She struggled with all of her effort to break free of the mass on top of her.  She was blinded by daylight as the sun blazed upon the land.  She scanned the area, no one could be found. The Galdor Demons were not fond of the daylight.  Annabelle did not know what to do. Her Prince was nowhere to be seen but she did see Uni and Cladeuos so that gave her a good idea that her Prince was a prisoner.  She pondered, “If they have rewritten my body, they would have surely rewritten my Prince.”  She could not do anything to save her precious Uni or Cladeous for if she rescued them, the Galdor’s would know she were alive, and come looking for her.  She could not walk to the palace, it was too far away and she had not enough magic to fly.  She decided to hide in the shelter of the forest until nightfall and then she could find her Prince.20

****21

Annabelle awoke that night to a foreign music and a strange sound coming from the Galdor territory.  She swiftly came upon the crowd and what she saw made her heart sink to the ground.  Her Prince was suspended mid air by means of a magic glowing rope.  Uni and Cladeous were punctured with dark magic thorn tubes.  Their blood was draining out little by little, the silver and gold liquid spilling on the floor and filling the bowls the demons had put there.  Unicorn’s blood is magical and holds great power within.  Annabelle could not stand her love and her loyal friend and pet being painfully harmed.  She did not know what to do, she was growing frantic, “I cannot watch them die in front of my eyes, and I cannot listen one more minute to their agonizing cries!”  A single tear fell from her cheek, bright as a star in the sky.  Annabelle did not notice this astonishment for she ran blindly into the open toward the Galdor Demons.22

“STOPPPP!!!!!! I CANNOT TAKE THIS ANYMORE. LET THEM GO AT ONCE!”  Annabelle screamed with a thunderous power.  The Demons were taken aback and were surprised by her presence.  The Prince weakly raised his head and saw his Annabelle  “Annabelle, You…you are alive,” he managed to say.  The Demons could sense her anguish and sorrow in her heart.  They also felt an escalating power within this woman.  As she screamed, tears fell to the shriveled, sandy ground.  Each tear grew brighter and brighter as the Demons sheltered their eyes from the light.  A gust of wind propelled from the delicate figure, fierce enough to blow the Demons backwards.  Her lengthy golden hair blew wildly in all directions as a symbol shown silver and gold upon her forehead. Prince Olander winced, trying to catch a glimpse of the foreign symbol upon her forehead, as the gust of power from Annabelle swung him from side to side.  He finally realized the symbol and his eyes grew wide as he gasped.  The show was amazing to see and quite powerful.  As Annabelle took a breath and panted rapidly, the wind calmed down and her hair collapsed upon her face.  Her head was bowed slightly; the delicate movement of her hair veiled her rapid breathing.  The Galdor Demons were frozen in place, taken aback by this marvelous power they felt from this petite girl.  The Prince stared in awe, waiting to see her face.  Her breath slowed and she raised her head, her hair swiftly falling from her face.  Her eyes glowed a vibrant silver and gold, seeming to hypnotize every eye that fell upon her stare.23

Annabelle spoke with anguish in her voice, “I will not have you inflicting pain on them. You will not go on with this torture any longer!”  Her hand rose and with a gesture seemed to take hold of the Prince, break him free of his magical chains and gently lower him to the ground.  Witnessing this, the Galdors seemed to snap out of their hypnotic state.  They started throwing transparent oval shaped magic towards her, but all of the magic just absorbed into an invisible shield around her.  The Galdor Demons were stunned to see such power.  She grinned and started walking gradually toward the uncertain Demons.  They threw their most powerful magic in her direction, but nothing fazed her.  She pointed her palms in the direction of each Demon as silver and gold translucent magic appeared from her palms.  They hit every single target that made a sizzling noise as the Demons dissipated into dust and then disappeared.  Prince Olander glimpsed an object in the air, far above Annabelle’s head.  He strained to focus on the object; it was the leader of the Galdor Demons.  He was powering up a large black energy ball the size of the sun.  The Prince tried to warn her but she could not hear his weak hoarse voice over the commotion and by the time he mustered up enough strength to warn her, it was too late.  She looked up and saw a great black flame coming her way.  The Prince saw it hit Annabelle and explode in the air as tall as an old oak tree.  He whispered, “No…” The rest of the Demons cheered in victory and Olander hung his head in heartfelt pain.  The smoke cleared and there was nothing to be seen.  Then all of a sudden the leader shouted in agonizing pain and then fell silent.  The Demons watched him fall to the ground with a thud and pain and horror upon his face.  They gathered around him and saw his face was distorted.  Yellow blood was seeping out from under him.  There was a gaping hole in his stomach.  They all were silent now as they looked up.  Annabelle was hovering in the air where the leader had been.  She quickly flew down to the ground, shaking the earth and lifting dust, landing next to the dead leader and watched him turn to powder.  She killed every last one of the Demons as she calmly walked toward her Prince.  On the way she knelt down and seized Olander’s medallion from the neck of the leader of the Galdor Demons.  She dangled his medallion by his head, “ I believe this is yours.”  He gently took it and put it around his neck.  She held out her hand to him and he took it with his mouth gaping open.  Her palms were ice cold to his surprise.  He stumbled to his feet, regaining his balance for he was still weak from the Demons torture.  Annabelle looked straight into his eyes and asked, “Are you ok my love?”  He shook his head yes.  She nodded back and started toward the unicorns.  She kneeled down; with palms facing the thorns she magically pulled them gradually out.  The unicorns whimpered in pain.  She then healed their wounds that were releasing their precious golden and silver blood.  She gently petted the two unicorns as she gave a sorrowful, caring look.  A tear fell from her cheek once more as brightly as her other tears.  She took the bowls of blood and put them in front of each unicorn to drink.  By drinking their own blood their strength would return once more.  They started lapping it up as they regained their strength.  24

Annabelle sat by Uni and Cladeuos’s side, petting them with love.  The Prince walked little by little to Annabelle’s side and plumbed down next to her.  He took her hand and held it in his.  He took his other hand and gently took her chin and moved her face towards his.  She looked down in shame, seeming to start to cry.  “I am sorry if you are afraid of me now.  I never knew such power existed.  It scares me even to think I hold such power. I am surprised by what I yield and I do not understand it at all.”  The Prince starred into her eyes with affection, “My dear Annabelle, I love you.”  He closed in and sweetly and softly kissed her, his lips upon hers.  They both closed their eyes taking in the moment; the unicorns whinnied in approval.  They parted, slowly opening their eyes with a smile upon their faces.  Olander spoke, “Annabelle,” she looked into his eyes, “I know what has happened to you.”  She gave him a questionable but interested gaze.  “When you received your power a symbol appeared upon your temple.  It was an unicorn hoof, partially silver, partially gold.”  She did not understand but she knew it had something to do with the unicorns.  “You have inherited the mighty power of Lady Unicornus.”  Her eyes grew wide for she knew the story all too well.25

*26

The story went, for her father told her it a many times as a nighttime story.  Lady Unicornus was the almighty powerful good witch of all time.  But she was getting old and could not retain her power much longer, nor control the great energy within her.  Before her death, she split her power, sharing it with all unicorns within the land.  She did not want to give her power to just one person for her power was just too enormous to hold.  The unicorns of the land obtained her power, it surged through their blood becoming a powerful asset for enemies to attain.  So the unicorns needed a strong woman to guide them and keep them safe from all harm and that is where one woman acquires Lady Unicornus’ power.  It has been told that when a unicorn finds one women who is strong, loving, and caring to all unicorns and people, they will bring their power together and bestow Lady Unicornus’ power to her.  When that woman dies, they search for another there living days until they find their protector.27

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Annabelle knew she had shown the strength and love the unicorns needed to feel to attain Lady Unicornus’ power.  She looked affectionately at Cladeuos and Uni, “Thanks you two. I could not have done it without you. I am honored you have chosen me to be your new Lady Unicornus.”  Olander sifted his hand through her silky hair in longing.  Annabelle took hold of his arm and pulled him in to her and they embraced each other.  Olander closed his eyes, just being thankful he was able to hold her once more.  Suddenly she grew limp and he pulled away, holding her shoulders.  “Annabelle!  Annabelle!” He said alarming.  He gently lowered her head to his lap and stroked her hair.  He thought, “This new power has exhausted her.  I will let her rest.”  He smiled as he starred at her striking beautiful façade.  The unicorns drank the last drops of gold and silver blood and returned to their feet.  Olander turned his medallion in circled, looking at it with comfort.29

****30

The sun rose brightly yellow and orange upon the sky.  Annabelle awoke, blinded by the sun.  She looked around, wondering what had happened.  Olander spoke, “You passed out after you fought the Demons.  The power was just overwhelming your body.  I let you rest. You are beautiful when you sleep, so peaceful and calm.”  She blushed and she went to stand up. As she did, she wobbled, feeling a bit dizzy.  Olander caught hold of her hand and helped her balance.  “I must still be fatigued by the power I yield.  I should take it easy for now.  At least I have killed all of the Demons.”  Olander started nodding in agreement, but halted.  “No, I have forgotten!  There is still the Demon at the palace with my Father, the rewritten Annabelle!”  “We must hurry then to the palace. Who’s telling what has happened.  The Demon no doubly sensed his fellow Demons and leader are no longer.  We must hurry to save you father!”  Annabelle turned to Uni and Cladeuos, “Are you two well enough to ride back to the palace?”  They neighed in reply, ready to gallop, but Annabelle now having Lady Unicornus’ powers knew better.  She held her palms facing the two unicorns and a stream of energy exploded from them.  Uni and Cladeuos were illuminated with a bright gold beam and then it disappeared.  “Now you are ready to go.”  Annabelle had given them more energy to ride the distance without getting weaker or tired. 31

They rode off into the distance, their destination far ahead.  When they finally got to the palace gate, there were double the guards.  They started for the gate, but the guards held their defense and would not let them through.  The Prince asked, “What is the meaning of this!  Why will you not let us pass?”  The guards replied, “The King has given orders to not let anyone in, including you Prince Olander.”  Annabelle and Olander looked at each other in knowing the truth behind it.  They snapped their unicorn’s manes and went the opposite direction.  They rode into an alley and Annabelle whispered, “We must sneak into the palace and take the Demon by surprise.”  Prince Olander agreed and realized, “There is a secret entrance to the palace.  It goes into the ground through tunnels and into the dungeon.”  “Then we must go, show the way my love.”  Olander took Annabelle’s cheeks into his hands and pulled her toward his lips and they quickly kisses.32

Olander guided her into the dark woods facing the rear side of the palace.  He took his hand and spoke a chant in front of an old large oak tree.  The tree opened magically and a door swung creaking open.  They got off their unicorns and started down the dank dark tunnel.  Before Annabelle shut the wood door, she turned to the unicorns, “Now Uni, Cladeuos, you two stay out of trouble and out of sight.  I trust your will and power will be with me, assisting me all you can.  Do not worry, I will be safe and I will come back to you both.”  She kissed her hand twice and blew a kiss to each one of them.  They brayed in response and rode off into the woods to gain shelter.33

Olander and Annabelle made a bright bluish light from their palms to guide their way.  They ran into cobwebs galore and rats the size of cats.  They were splattered with musty water trickling from the rounded ceiling.  They went along the tunnel for about 20 minutes more and then Olander told Annabelle to extinguish her light for they were behind the secret entrance of the dungeon.  He put his ear to the cold damp brick wall to listen for guards.  Annabelle closed her eyes and listened.  Her power was strong, she saw within her mind through the wall and into the dungeon.  She seemed to have projected her spirit into the room.  She looked around with hazy vision, noticing no guards but saw a man in one of the cells.  He seemed to stare straight at her, but did not see her.  Olander turned around and whispered, “I cannot tell if anyone is in there. The walls are too thick, ca…” He looked at her strangely, she seemed to be dead, just standing up, she was not there but she was.  “Annabelle?”  Annabelle shot open her eyes and took a deep raspy breath.  Olander jumped back, his heart raced like beating drums.  She blinked a couple of times and cleared her vision.  “There are no guards but there is a man in one of the cells.”  Olander gave her a questioning look but did not ask how she knew.  He knew it was another powerful spell of magic she inherited.  “I will trust your judgment.”  He felt along the wall on their right side and finally found what he was looking for.  He pushed in a brick and the wall ejected slowly.  They walked cautiously into the dungeon.  Olander saw the man in the cell and knew immediate who it was.  He rushed to his side and said, “Father!  Are you ok?  We have come to save you!”  The man turned to him and then saw Annabelle, “She...she is evil! She cannot be trusted!”  They both understood what he was trying to say.  “Father, she is not who you think.  She is not the enemy.”  Annabelle took the palm of her hand and placed it on the lock of the metal gate, it glowed and broke open.  Olander helped his father to his feet and explained the whole story of the Galdor demons trying to take over the kingdom by rewriting Annabelle and placing the King under a spell to except them and have a baby which would be half Demon which would enable the Galdor’s right to the kingdom.  How Annabelle inherited Lady Unicornus’ power and how she saved him too.  The King finally understood and was grateful to Annabelle for saving his son.  He then said, “Annabe…” He caught himself; “the demon has somehow taken over my palace and my guards and has thrown me into this dungeon.”  Olander and Annabelle knew exactly what had happened.  Olander asked his father, “Did the Demon take your medallion?”  He nodded yes.  Annabelle replied to the gesture, “The Demon has rewritten you. He could not before because of the protection of your medallion.  Now he has gotten close to you to steal it and rewrite you, it’s the only explanation for this all.”  The King understood now and led them to the throne.34

They headed up the winding stairs toward the Demon.  There were guards on the way that did not recognize the King with out his fancy clothes so Annabelle went to put them under a sleeping spell, but the Prince stopped her.  “Let me do this.  You need to save your energy and power for the Demon.”  Annabelle nodded and the Prince put the guards under a sleeping spell.  They finally got to the throne where the Demon was expecting them, “I have been waiting for you.  I have sensed your power…demon killer.”  Annabelle starred with angry eyes.  The Demon turned, facing them in the throne.  “I know you have killed all of my kind and you will pay for that.  You will not get in my way of ruling this land!”  He shimmered and became a Demon once more other than the rewritten King.  He catapulted a black energy ball toward Annabelle.  She did not move but said, “Go my love.  King Grandla, go with your son.  You will be safe.”  They ran and took cover behind a great pillar.  The ball hit her dead on, but it did not phase her one bit.  The Demon seemed a little taken aback, but showed it only for a second.  He flew up in the direction of the mosaic ceiling but Annabelle did not move.  She followed his every move with her eyes.  He saw her stare and did a speed spell to catch her off guard and hit her from behind.  Annabelle followed his every move, knowing what he was going to do.  The Prince and the King tried to follow him but finally lost track of his movements.  The Demon came swiftly behind her, charged up a powerful attack and thrust it into Annabelle’s back.  Annabelle closed her eyes and felt herself shimmer and move quickly across the room.  The Demon stopped abruptly and turned behind him to expect Annabelle lying on the floor.  She was nowhere to be found.  He looked frantically around him, searching for her body.  “Are you looking for me?”  He snapped around and saw her calmly standing there with a smirk upon her face.  He chuckled, “I see I have underestimated your power.  I will show you mine now, for you do not understand.  Since you have killed my fellow kind and my leader, all of their spirits and power have centered into my body.  You have made me strong and unbeatable!  All I need to do is awaken this power!”  He made an evil laugh that chilled the Prince and the King.  Annabelle was not afraid; she had the power of every unicorn and Lady Unicornus’ soul within her.35

The Demon held out his arms and yelled.  An aura of black energy surrounded him and seemed to seep into his body.  The light died down and he breathed in deeply, “This is what true power feels like!”  He grinned widely.  Annabelle felt the power growing inside of his body, she was not afraid.  He charged toward her, she shielded herself and went to jump in the air, but he twirled around her and hit he with a powerful glowing arm attack right across her head.  She snapped forward and hit the ground with a thud.  She gasped with pain.  The Demon stood there and laughed, “It seems I am too much to handle.  You cannot win.”  The Prince hit the pillar with a tight fist.  The King put a comforting hand upon his shoulders, “My son, if you love this woman, nothing will stop her from defeating this Demon; if you believe in her.”  He nodded and thought in his head, “My love, get up.  You are strong. I love you, GET UP!”  Annabelle suddenly got up hearing her love’s thoughts.  She told the Demon, “I will defeat you.  I cannot and will not allow you to prevail.”  She propelled into the air and did a half circle over his head.  She shot power balls at him as she was flying over him.  He held his arms up and shielded himself with a black shield.  “It will take more than that to destroy me.”  They went back and forth, taking turns at hitting each other.  They both dodged each other’s attacks and where going nowhere.  They were breathing heavily with every blow they attained from the other. 36

Annabelle was growing tired and the Demon could see this.  He took an opportunity to catch her off guard.  He magically appeared behind her and grabbed her by the throat.  She struggled and grasped his arm and tried to pull him off.  He was too powerful and strong; she could not pull his hand from her throat.  She gasped for air as he squeezed harder with each attempt she made.  The Prince ran out and struck the Demon in the back, he did not even budge.  He turned his head toward him and laughed.  He took his free arm and struck him across the head, he was catapulted, slamming against a marble wall and fell unconscious.  Annabelle began to cry for she felt her time was at an end.  She grew weaker and weaker with every short breath, then she heard a voice within her, “Do not be afraid young one.  You have nothing to fear.  Just believe in yourself, believe in the unicorns strength.  We are with you always.”  As fast as it came, it went.  Annabelle’s sight was fading, but when she heard the voice, she was vibrant with life once more; she made a hoarse sound, “NO.”  She held out her arms and a burst of light flowed from her body, catapulting the Demon across the room and slamming him with great force, embedding him in the wall.  She was glowing vivaciously with gold and silver energy.  “No more of this.  It is time to end this.”  She started toward him as he struggled to reclaim his composure.  He ran after her and tried to hit her, but all she did was block and dodge every blow with ease.  She rammed his chest with her palm and he flew once more to the floor and slid across it.  He through energy balls as fast as he could and as many as he could but all she did was put her palm up and they easily dissipated in her invisible shield.  She came up to the Demon and he struggled to step back until he was trapped between her and the wall to his back.  “No, no, please spare me.”  She grabbed his throat strongly with great power.  She raised her hand and made an energy sword with her arm, she went to thrust it into his heart but suddenly he shimmered away.  She looked around the room and did not see him, as not did the Prince or the King.  “Ha, ha, ha, do you think it was going to be that easy to kill me!?  His voice seemed to echo around the room, he could be anywhere.  She starred straight in front of her, she knew exactly where he was.  Her hand was still in the shape of a sword as she hid it behind her back.  All of a sudden she whipped her head to her left and took her sword hand and thrust it in the air at nothing.  A strange sound came from the room and the Demon was found, hanging from the sword with his hands grasping it, as his yellow blood dripped from his mouth.  He looked into her eyes with hatred and remorse and he spit at her face.  She shut her eyes as yellow blood splattered her visage.  With her free hand she wiped it off and wiped it back into his face.  The last thing he saw was a smirk upon Annabelle’s face and Lady Unicornus’ symbol upon her forehead.  He dissipated into the air and was never seen again.  The King’s medallion clinked to the floor, making an echoing sound in the great room and then fell silent.  Annabelle looked down and saw her reflection within the ruby diamond incised in the metal, her flowing golden hair had gold and silver streaks within it now; she smiled.  She turned toward the Prince and the King, who was helping his son get up from the floor. Olander gained his composure and ran to embrace her, but before he could reach her, she collapsed upon the floor.37

****38

Annabelle awoke two days afterward.  Her Prince was by her side holding her hand.  She raised her head and smiled affectionately at him, he embraced her, hugging and kissing her all over.  She giggled, “I’m glad to see you too.”  “I thought I had lost you my love. I was afraid.”  “Oh Olander, you have nothing to fear.”  She smiled at that for she remembered Lady Unicornus’ words to her.  She would never be afraid again.  As she remembered that she also recalled something else, “Olander, where are Uni and Cladeuos?”  “They are safe eating in the palace corral.  Come I will show you.”  He reached for her hand and guided her to the corral.  They turned the corner as Annabelle heard high-pitched neighing.  She gasped in surprise and put her hands to her mouth, astounded.  She set her eyes on five little unicorns prancing about the corral.  “This is wonderful, how precious are they!”  She scurried to their side and they all surrounded her and licked her face.  She giggled and laughed for they tickled her face.  Olander smiled with pleasure to see his love laughing and smiling once more. “It seems these two were doing more in the forest than we thought!  Olander joked.  She rose to her feet and went to Uni and Cladeuos.  She smiled and winked at them, “I should have guessed.  You have made some very cute little guys.”  Uni whinnied.  “Oh, ok, not all guys huh?! She covered up a giggle, “Oh, so there are two boys and three girls, I see.”  She gave them both a warm kiss and said, “Thank you.”  They knew what she meant and they pranced about.  She kneeled once more and started playing with the baby unicorns.  The Prince just watched, overjoyed, then he felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned around, it was his father.  Grandla gave him a nod and Olander called to Annabelle, “Annabelle, someone would like to talk to you.”  Annabelle looked up and her smile disappeared.  “Come.”  He started walking away.  Annabelle got up and gave a nervous look to Olander.  He whispered, “Don’t worry.”39

She trailed behind the King to his throne where two guards were on each side.  He gestured them to go away and left him and Annabelle alone.  She bowed in front of him and said, “Yes my King.”  He cleared his throat as Annabelle swallowed hard, “I wanted to say thank you.  You saved my son and saved this Kingdom from the Galdor Demons.  You showed bravery and true love towards my son.  You fought with courage and strength and I admire that.  You have proven to me that you care for my son, this kingdom, and myself as well.  You have shown you are not a mere commoner, He paused, “You will make a fine queen someday.”  She smiled at this for she knew he had accepted her.  She went to hug him and he started to say something and hesitate to hug her back but refrained and embraced her with a smile he tried to hide.  “Oh thank you, thank you.”  Then she realized what she had just done and quickly pulled away and she composed herself as well did he.  He cleared his throat and made a fake cough, “Well then, let’s just be glad no one saw this bonding, shall we?”  Annabelle nodded her head with a serious look upon her face trying to cover up a giggle and smirk.  The Prince came in and Annabelle ran to him, they hugged each other and Annabelle said excitedly, “Did you hear?  Have you heard the news your father has said!”   “Yes my love, we can finally be together…and not in secret.”  They kissed longingly and the King muffled, “Uh-hmmm.”  They parted from each other seeming guilty.  40

They ran off hand in hand in the direction of the balcony.  The guards made the trumpets blow and the people below gathered under there watching eyes.  After there were more than enough people, Olander raised his hand to hail everyone to quiet down.  The crowd silenced and listened intently.  Olander spoke out to the crowd, “I have an announcement to make to all people of Illustrea.  I am to be wed tomorrow and this land will have a new queen!”  He held out Annabelle’s hand in the air and showed her face. The crowd roared with excitement and adoration for the beautiful woman they set eyes upon.  They clapped in encouragement and agreement; they had accepted their new queen.  She smiled brightly and looked at her love and they passionately kissed.  The crowd clapped and applauded at the site of the wonderful love.  They looked at each other adoringly, hand in hand.  Annabelle looked at Olander with adoration, “I guess this is the best time to tell you the good news then.”  Olander looked at Annabelle with wondering eyes.  She closed in on him and whispered in his ear, “You are going to be a father.”41

THE END42