Once upon a time in a far away land, lived a princess named Jolene. She had long blonde hair like a river of gold flowing down her back, her eyes were as blue as the ocean. Every prince in the land longed to look into her blue eyes, for she was the most beautiful princess. She never knew her mother and father, as an evil troll called Vladimir had kidnapped her when she was a baby and locked her away in a castle made of stone. The king and queen searched for their daughter for years, but were unable to find her. Eventually, they both died of broken hearts, for they grew apart after they lost the princess and felt empty without her. The town grieved for months after the deaths of their rulers.

Years and years went by and the townsfolk had forgotten about the princess. People just assumed that she had died because no one had ever even caught a glimpse of her. Then a group of travellers from a foreign land came to the town with great news. One of their men had stopped for a rest near a castle in the hills. Feeling thirsty, he went to gather some water in a bucket from the moat, when he looked up and saw the most beautiful creature. It was the princess peering from a window in the castle. The traveller explained how she looked sad and very lonely and how her sparkling blue eyes had lit up when she saw the man. The townsfolk stood in awe and listened contentedly as the traveller went on. He began to explain how the princess had shouted down to him from the window. She told the traveller that she was the princess and that he should tell the people of the nearby town that she is still alive and in need of help. The troll was very mean to her and was planning on marrying her on her twenty first birthday because only then would she become heir to the throne. The traveller told the townsfolk that the princess would marry the man that could save her from the evil troll.

The townsfolk couldn’t believe what they were hearing. The princess was still alive and any man that could save her would become a prince. Every living soul in the town spoke of how wonderful it would be to be a prince, or to even be related to royalty. Every mother and father prepared their sons for the mission, every sister told their brothers to try their best to save the princess. Many brave men tried to save the princess, but failed. The first task was to cross the moat, which many men were unable to do and met their death by drowning in the waters. Others got into the castle, but were killed by Vladimir before they even got to the princess. Who was destined to save the princess? No one knew. Months passed, along with the seasons, but no one had been able to rescue the beautiful princess from the troll.

One day, a young man called Henry from a neighbouring town was walking in the enchanted woods near to the town where the princess lived. He was a farmer and had heard about the princess in the castle. He hoped he would be able to save her, but he knew that he was too weak to cross the moat and climb the stone stairs up to the princess’ room to rescue her. He had walked for miles and felt very tired & hungry. It was starting to get dark in the woods, for nightfall was approaching. The trees were swaying gracefully in the autumn breeze and in the distance an owl was hooting. Henry felt some spots of rain on his bare arms, which felt refreshing, for his travelling had made him feel feverish. He decided to carry on until he found shelter. He walked in the direction of the town, treading on golden autumn leaves that had gathered on the ground. The stars had appeared in the sky and a full moon shone like a candle, lighting the way. Henry was too busy looking at the sky & didn’t notice the large branch that had fallen from a tree in front of him. He tripped over it and began to pick himself up, when his eyes met a cave. He felt relieved, as he thought he could shelter in it over night.

The cave was home to a white witch known as Jenevieve. She was very young for a witch, but was very wise and knew a lot about magic and potions. She knew that Henry was travelling to the village, for she had felt his presence and she thought that he was the man that was destined to save the princess. She was not surprised when Henry walked into her cave. She welcomed him and introduced herself to the young man. Henry was slightly scared of Jenevieve, for he had heard stories about witches and how some were evil, but she explained to him that she was a good witch and that she used her powers to help others. As she was talking, Henry looked around the cave. A lantern in the corner lit up the whole room and he could see plants hanging from the walls, which he assumed were used in potions. A raven was perched next to Jenevieve and she occasionally petted it.
“Now my child, you have come to save the princess, have you not?” asked Jenevieve
“Yes, it is my dream to rescue the princess and marry her, for I have heard that she is the most beautiful creature in this land.” replied Henry.
“Then we must get to work.” said Jenevieve.
Henry looked rather puzzled. He didn’t know what the young witch was planning, but knew that she was willing to help him save princess Jolene.
“Now, I have prepared a potion for you, as I know that you are weak. You need to be strong to rescue the princess and sweep her off her feet.” said Jenevieve.
Henry watched as she went to collect the potion. Her hair was like a long, black veil and her skin was as white as snow. Her robes were long and black.
“Now drink this.” She said, handing the potion to him.
The taste was disgusting, but Henry was willing to drink every last bit if it meant he could have the princess.
Jenevieve picked up an object from a dusty table at the back of the cave.
“I have made this fine sword for you to slay the troll. It has been crafted by me, for I know that you are the one that will save the princess”. She handed the sword to Henry. He looked impressed and admired the sword for a while. Jenevieve then handed him some armour and told Henry that he should wear it for protection. So he climbed into the armour and was ready for his mission.

Jenevieve wished him well and watched him as he set off for the castle. The road to the castle was long, but Henry was determined to get to the princess. The sun was beating down on his head and he stopped to wipe his brow, looking at the castle in the distance. He knew he was getting closer. He couldn’t wait until he saw the princess. But what if he couldn’t kill Vladimir? He carried on with his journey, until he eventually got to the moat. He began to cross the moat, not knowing what creatures were lurking about underneath the murky waters. He didn’t stop until he entered the castle. It was very dark inside and very dusty. The walls and floors were made from grey stone and Henry felt a shiver down his spine as a gust of wind entered the castle and swept past him. He began to climb the stairs, not knowing what would be lurking around the corner. He got half way to the top when Vladimir appeared brandishing a large stone. He was a large grey troll with dirty, disgusting hair and features. His teeth were large and yellow and he smelt like sewerage. He threw the stone at Henry, but he managed to duck out of the way. This angered Vladimir, so he charged at Henry with his fists clenched, ready to kill him with one lethal blow. Henry found himself being able to block all of Vladmir’s punches. The potion that Jenevieve had given to him enabled him to do so. Vladimir was beginning to grow tired and breathless and as he stopped for one last breath, Henry reached for his sword and drove it into the troll’s heart.

Henry couldn’t believe what had happened. He never would have thought that he would be able to kill Vladimir. He was exhausted from his fight and sat down to catch his breath, until he realised that the princess was still locked up upstairs. So he ran to the top of the castle and waited at the door where the princess had been held captive all these years. He stood in front of the door before entering, not knowing what to say or do when he finally saw her. He could hear her singing. Her voice was soft and beautiful & he fell in love with every word she sang. He closed his eyes and imagined her face. A voice inside his head. He reached for the door handle and entered the room. It was small and cold. The princess was combing her hair in front of a mirror; she turned as she heard the door open.

“I have come to save you.” said Henry, looking into her blue eyes. She smiled at him. Her lips were as red as a rose and as soft as the petals which grow upon it. He reached down and kissed her, before sweeping her off her feet and taking her to the town. The town which was now hers.

Princess Jolene and Henry got married & everyone in the town celebrated, for they were glad that the young man had saved the princess from the evil troll. They all lived happily ever after.

-The End-

Jennifer Shaw