The Sad Princess

(Note: strong themes of death and grief) 

Riley was ready to save her sister from the dragon. Even though Riley was younger, and smaller, and scared out of her mind, she knew she had to be brave. The dragon, Onyx, had stolen her sister, Rosalie, from the edge of the castle grounds. It was an act of retaliation because their father, King Richard, had been sending his army farther and farther east into the mountains. He wanted to expand the kingdom and secure passageways to the far ocean. The dragons were angry at the men for encroaching on their territory. It had turned into a war with losses on both sides. 

Riley and Rosalie had been playing at the river. They knew they weren’t supposed to be that far from the castle. They knew it wasn’t safe. But Rosalie was stubborn. She wasn’t scared of dragons, and she wanted to swim. Riley begged her to stay home, like they were supposed to. But when Rosalie left the castle, Riley went with her. Riley knew it was all her fault. If she had argued better, if she had screamed, if she had told someone about Rosalie’s plan… maybe her sister would still be here. 

Now, it was up to Riley to fix this. Her father was inconsolable, and the army was in chaos. Only Riley was ready. She stole the smallest leather armor she could find, some that the boys would wear for training. She had her mother’s ruby-encrusted dagger, which wasn’t as good as a sword, but she didn’t think she could lift a sword. The only thing left was a horse. 

Riley walked–

~~~

~~~

“Riley!” her grandmother called from downstairs. “Sweetheart, it’s time to go.” 

Riley sighed. She closed her book, sliding her favorite hand-drawn and laminated bookmark in between the pages. 

Her grandfather appeared in her bedroom door. “Riley? You ready?” he asked. His eyes were red-rimmed. He was in a suit and tie. 

“I guess so,” Riley said quietly. 

Riley followed her grandfather downstairs. Her grandmother was waiting at the front door. She had a long black dress and a large black handbag. She kept fidgeting, and didn’t make eye contact with anyone. 

“Let’s get in the car. We can’t be late,” her grandmother said. 

~~~

~~~

Riley walked out to the stables. All the strongest horses were with the army, but there was an older, undersized white horse with black freckles. Her name was Domino, and she had always been grumpy. 

“Okay, girl,” Riley said to the horse, approaching slowly. 

Domino flicked her tail back and forth, but didn’t look over. 

“I need your help,” Riley told her. “I have to go to the mountains. Rosalie is there, and I have to save her. I can’t walk there. I need you to go with me.”

Domino’s ears perked up, but she still didn’t move. 

“You will be a hero!” Riley encouraged. “They will tell stories about you, the horse who rescued a princess. Domino the Daring, Domino the Dragon Slayer.”

Domino huffed. 

“I also packed you a bunch of snacks in my bag,” Riley promised. 

Domino stepped forward out of her stall and allowed Riley to put a saddle on her. She would not, however, leave the barn before Riley gave her a treat. 

“Okay, Domino. You have to be brave. Can you get us to the mountains?” 

Domino started–

~~~

~~~

“I just don’t know how you can read in the car,” Riley’s grandmother said. “It makes me nauseous!”

“I don’t mind it,” Riley mumbled. 

“I can’t believe this weather,” Grandmother said. “It’s a monsoon!”

“It’s fitting, today of all days, don’t you think?” Grandfather said grumpily. 

“Hopefully it stops soon, or we’ll all be soaked out there!” Grandmother said. 

~~~

~~~

Domino started trotting away from the castle. Riley kept looking over her shoulder to see if someone was coming after them, but no one appeared. She was grateful to not be caught or delayed, but also a little sad. Riley was the only princess left in the castle, and no one seemed to care where she was. 

They traveled east. By lunchtime, Domino did not want to go any farther. She stopped at a creek to drink. Riley unpacked two sandwiches, one for herself and one for the horse. As they ate, Riley consulted the map she brought. 

“I think we’re halfway to Onyx’s lair,” Riley said between bites. “If we can get there before dark, we will have time to look around. Then, once the sun goes down, I can sneak in and find Rosalie without being seen.” 

“You cannot sneak past a dragon,” a small voice said. 

Riley jumped–

~~~

~~~

“We’re here,” Grandmother said, though she didn’t move to get out of the car right away.

Riley looked through the window at the beige building. It looked a bit like an elementary school. A single story building, lots of big windows, and a circular driveway leading to the front door. But a school would have crayon pictures in the windows. This building had lots and lots of flowers outside, making the beige walls not seem so boring. 

“Do we have to?” Riley asked. 

Her grandmother started crying, and Riley regretted her question. 

“Yes, Riley,” her grandfather said patiently. “We have to.”

~~~

~~~

Riley jumped up and looked around. She couldn’t immediately see who the voice belonged to. 

“Who’s there?” Riley called out. 

“Just me,” the small voice said. It sounded closer now. 

“Who are you? Where are you?” Riley asked, spinning in circles now. 

“Stop!” the voice told her. 

Riley froze, and a fairy appeared in front of her face. She was about 6 inches tall and glowing purple. 

“Oh, hello! What’s your name?” Riley said. 

“Good afternoon! I am Emmeline. And you are Princess Riley,” the fairy said. 

“How do you know me?” 

“Everyone knows King Richard and his daughters. We also know Princess Rosalie has been taken by the dragon Onyx.”

“I’m on my way to get her back,” Riley said bravely. 

“I see,” said the fairy. “But you cannot sneak into a dragon’s lair. It has never worked before, and it will not work now.” 

“Then what do I do?” Riley cried. “I have to save Rosalie!”

“Dragons want–

~~~

~~~

The scent of flowers inside the beige building was overwhelming. Roses and gardenias and other old-people scents. Riley kept rubbing her nose, hoping it would go away.

Her grandparents were talking with the nice people at the front desk. Calming instrumental music played over unseen speakers. Riley was sitting in a formal chair in the waiting area. She stared out the window, imagining what it would be like to just walk out and leave. 

~~~

~~~

“Dragons want treasure,” the fairy explained. “Right now, Princess Rosalie is the treasure. You need to offer something that Onyx would be willing to trade your sister for.” 

“But…” Riley said, thinking. “But I don’t have anything. I didn’t pack any gold.”

“Treasure needs to be valuable, but not necessarily expensive.”

“That doesn’t make any sense!”

“Then I hope you figure it out before Onyx finds you. Otherwise, you will be the treasure,” the fairy laughed. 

Before Riley could argue, or ask questions, the fairy flew away. 

“Stupid fairies,” Riley grunted. “Come on, Domino. We need to keep going.” 

Domino stared at Riley until she was given another treat. 

They continued traveling toward the mountains. Riley watched the sun move across the sky as they went. The closer they got to where Onyx was known to live, the less wildlife they saw. Larger animals, like deer, disappeared first. Only the occasional finch flitted by them now. 

As the sun was starting to go down, Riley and Domino approached a small lake. On the far side of the lake, an iridescent black dragon was getting a drink of water. 

“That’s Onyx!” Riley whispered. “Do you see that cave behind her?”

Domino did not answer. 

“That must be her lair. Rosalie will be in there.” 

Riley stared at the dragon. Even from far away, she could tell the creature was enormous. Onyx could probably step on Riley by accident and not even notice. Maybe sneaking into the cave wasn’t a great idea. 

“I think–

~~~

~~~

“We get to see them before the service starts,” Grandmother said. 

Riley froze. No. She didn’t want to see them. Not now. As if this wasn’t already a living nightmare. 

“Come on,” Grandmother said, holding out her hand. “We’ll all go together.”

Riley stood up slowly. She knew she didn’t have a choice. 

Riley, her grandmother, and her grandfather walked to a room in the back of the building. It had warm, low lighting. There were various small tables around the edge of the room with bouquets of flowers and boxes of tissues. 

In the middle of the room were two identical white caskets. Riley’s mother was on the left, and her father was on the right. 

Riley didn’t realize she was crying until she couldn’t breathe. 

She looked upon her dead parents. It was a different kind of grief, this heavy unease that overwhelmed her whole being. It was the most unsettling paradox of seeing her loved ones right in front of her, but also knowing they weren’t there. Their bodies were empty. They were recognizably her mother and father, but they were not her parents anymore. Her parents were gone, and Riley hated seeing these perfumed shells. 

~~~

~~~

“I think we need a new plan,” Riley told her horse. 

Domino did not respond. 

“The sooner we get Rosalie back, the sooner we can go home,” Riley snapped. 

Domino looked at Riley, huffed, and began running toward the dragon. 

“Domino!” Riley yelled. “Stop! What are you doing?!”

Riley fled after the horse. They ran through the trees that lined the edge of the lake. Domino was not running at full speed, but just fast enough to always stay ahead of Riley. Riley was panting, her legs burning, and covered in scratches from running through the forest. 

Riley didn’t see the edge of the tree line until she was already past it. 

Domino had found the clearing where the dragon lounged between the lake and the cave. The horse slowed and casually veered over to the water for a drink, not the least bit concerned about the monstrous predator nearby. 

Riley skidded to a stop and froze. She could feel the open air, warm sun, and gaze of the dragon upon her. 

Onyx looked curious, if not amused, to find two small creatures suddenly appearing beside her. Not an army, or even a knight, but a scared girl and bored horse. 

“Hello,” Onyx–

~~~

~~~

Riley’s grandmother made her close the book when the pastor stepped up to begin the funeral. 

They were seated in the front row. Riley looked up at the two caskets, oversized photos, and giant bouquets of flowers. She put her head down again as tears returned.

Riley hated the kind words the pastor said in a kind tone about how kind her parents were. She tuned him out. None of them had ever met him before, he wasn’t their pastor, he was just reading the script. One corner of her paperback book cover was bent, and she fidgeted with it. 

~~~

~~~

“Hello,” Onyx said sweetly to the small girl staring at her. 

Riley thought she might vomit. She was still frozen, wondering how this rescue mission could’ve gone so wrong so quickly. 

“Are you lost?” Onyx asked, feigning concern. 

Riley just stared at her. Domino continued to drink water. 

“Are you mute?” Onyx asked, sounding less sweet. 

“You have my sister!” Riley blurted. 

“I do?” Onyx questioned, innocently. 

“My sister, Princess Rosalie of the Pacific Court. You stole her from us.” Riley sounded brave, but her hands were shaking. 

“Ohh, yes,” Onyx said with a laugh. “She’s just inside the cave, probably still asleep. Would you like to go in and get her?”

Riley looked–

~~~

~~~

They were walking outside now. It had stopped raining, like Riley had stopped listening to strangers tell her condolences. 

Riley spotted the two deep holes in the ground. The gravesite. She turned and ran back into the building. 

“Riley!” her grandmother called after her.

“Let her go,” her grandfather said. “She’s too young for this part.”

~~~

~~~

Riley looked at the entrance to the cave, wide open and inviting. 

This was absolutely a trap. 

“You can bring her out to me,” Riley told the dragon. 

“Oh, can I?” Onyx replied, sounding delighted by the unexpected command from the young human.

Riley quietly swore the one bad word her older sister had taught her. This is not going well, she thought. 

“I am going to take my sister home with me. You need to release her,” Riley said, forging ahead with this new not-plan. 

“I’m afraid I cannot just give her away,” Onyx told her. “The princess is part of my collection. If she disappears, I will be missing a piece.”

“But…” Riley started, not having an argument for this. 

“Do you have something to replace her in my collection?” Onyx asked. 

“No, I–

~~~

~~~

Riley’s grandfather loaded the car with photos, cards, flowers, and leftover finger foods. The backseat was full, except for just enough room for Riley to get in. 

Her grandmother was still talking to people inside. Didn’t she ever get tired of talking? 

~~~

~~~

“No, I… I didn’t know I needed to bring something,” Riley told the dragon.

“Don’t your tutors teach dragon lore anymore?” Onyx asked. “The education system is appalling these days.” 

“We have lots of things at the castle. Jewels and art and gold. Anything you want,” Riley promised. 

“And I’m sure they’re all lovely,” Onyx replied, “but I have two problems with your plan. Those expensive things are, firstly, not here. Secondly, they are not special. Your sister, the Princess of Kicking and Screaming, she is very special.” 

“She’s special to me!” Riley yelled. “She was special to me first! She’s my best friend!”

Onyx looked at the girl, considering something. 

“What did you bring with you?” Onyx asked. 

“My horse,” Riley said, pointing at Domino, who was eating grass. 

“I don’t believe I need one of those,” Onyx said, eyeing the horse with disdain. “What is in your satchel?”

“Treats… for the horse,” Riley said, her face reddening. 

“My dear,” Onyx said, “You’re lucky to be a pretty princess, because bargaining is not one of your strengths. You would make a terrible merchant.”

“The only other thing I brought was my mother’s knife,” Riley said, pulling the dagger out of her belt. 

Onyx looked–

~~~

~~~

“It was a very nice service,” Grandmother said, looking out the car window. 

“Yes,” Grandfather replied, focusing on driving through the rain. 

Neither of them could think of anything else to say. Riley returned to her book.  

~~~

~~~

Onyx looked interested, peering down at Riley. “Queen Renata’s knife? The Ruby Dagger?”

“Yes,” Riley confirmed, holding the knife lightly. “My father’s swords were too heavy, so I brought this.” 

“Do you know the stories of that dagger?” Onyx asked, an edge in her voice now. 

“Not really,” Riley admitted. “My father always kept it locked away. He told us not to play with it.” 

“Of course you can’t play with it!” the dragon roared, steam emerging from her nostrils. “The Ruby Dagger is over a thousand years old! It has slain everything from foreign emperors to newborn dragons! And you nearly forgot you even brought it with you on your journey to rescue a princess from a dragon’s lair?” 

“...Yes,” Riley confessed. 

Onyx glared at Riley. “You are but a child.” 

“I will give it to you!” Riley said quickly. “If you let my sister and I go home, you can keep the dagger.”

Onyx didn’t respond right away.

“I don’t need it,” Riley continued. “You can keep it in your collection. Then it could never be used against you.” 

Onyx kept staring at the girl and the dagger. 

“Please,” Riley begged. “I just want my sister back.”

“I will accept your trade,” Onyx finally said. “You may take your sister home, but leave the Ruby Dagger here.”

Riley started to cry with relief, and set the dagger down in the grass in front of her. 

Domino, apparently done eating grass, trotted into the cave. 

Onyx hissed at the horse, but did not stop her. “What is your companion doing?”

Riley didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. Instead, she stared at the cave, looking horrified at the horse’s stupidity. 

Moments later, Domino trotted back outside. A sleepy but angry Princess Rosalie followed behind her. 

“Your sister is here,” Onyx told Rosalie. “You are free to go.” 

Riley backed away from the dagger in the grass and joined her favorite sister and best horse.

“Thank you!” Riley cried. 

“Tell King Richard to remove his armies from the mountains,” Onyx commanded. “I will not show mercy a second time.” 

Riley nodded in agreement, too happy to speak, before turning to go home again. 

~~~

~~~

Riley closed her book, hid under the blankets on her bed, and cried.