Authors: Alaina Stanford
“How about you and
me
checking out
that
patch of brush?" Hopper said to Jack as Sarah moved closer
to
the fire and opened her book.
Jack and Hopper headed into the thicket, taking two thin logs from the fire to act as torches. Surprised at the dampness inside the underbrush Hopper thrust his makeshift torch ahead of him and moved inside. The bushes gave
way
quickly to reveal the narrow entrance to a cave in the side of the knoll. Smiling in triumph the two friends headed back to inform the women they had found the entrance to the cave.
"I guess Dr. Strong's taken pity on us." Hopper said.
“Or you had a better idea of where you were going than you realized.” Jack countered as they cleared the brush and glanced around.
Sarah sat before the fire studying her book, Nicole was nowhere in sight. Looking up, she smiled and beckoned them near. “I've found the incantation to set the Elf Queen free. There's
an emancipation
spell that sounds right."
"Great! We found the entrance.
"
Hopper announced, “
its
right behind the brush.”
“Where's Nicole?" Jack interrupted, searching the darkness surrounding them.
Sarah frowned. "She insisted on taking a look around. I told her it was a bad idea, but she wouldn't listen."
“Which way did she go?" Jack asked as he pulled his sword free.
"Calm down, she can take care of herself. She promised she'd stay within hearing distance." Sarah reasoned.
"I'm going after her. You
keep
your eyes open. If anything happens head for the cave." Jack ordered and headed in the direction Nicole disappeared.
"Should I go with him?" Hopper asked, staring after him.
“No, Jack can handle it. Sit down and relax." Sarah tugged at his enormous hand.
"Tell me about the spell." Hopper asked as he settled down beside her.
The mist caressed Jack, embracing him with its musty scent as layers of dampness penetrated his clothing. The coolness sank into his muscles sending them into spasms of
protest against the further strain of his search
.
The twisted trees thickened as he entered an area of tiny knolls and hollows. Climbing the embankment Jack followed an unknown path, not thinking, only searching. The trees grew sparse, revealing a small glen carpeted with tall grass. The moon broke through the thin layer of clouds to reveal a white fog laying low along the length of the glen
.
The silence of the forest gave way to the songs of
its
creatures as Jack realized his search had ended.
In the center of the flowing grass Nicole stood, swaying to the music of the forest. Jack stood at the edge of the glen, frozen at the sight of the dark nymph dancing in the pale light. Her movements, subtle at first, changed to a graceful array of swirling limbs as she moved slowly across the glen. She danced as if making love to the darkness, offering her delicate talent to the gods of the night. Her long ebony hair swirled around her as their eyes met. Jack's breath left him as her glowing emerald eyes searched his.
Si1ently, ceasing her dance of enchantment, she reached out a delicate arm toward him. Without hesitation , he crossed the glen and took her in his arms
.
Her kiss burned like fire, he pulled back, uncertain. What was the magic she held over him? Since the first time he’d laid eyes on her, no other woman had interested him
.
She gazed up at Jack, her eyes compelling him back toward her. They fell into the mist as their lips met, oblivious to all that surrounded them.
Hopper gazed into the fire as he gathered Sarah in his arms and pulled her to him. "This would have been the perfect adventure . .
. "
He began, quietly.
“If you hadn't been turned into a troll?
"
Sarah finished his sentence for him.
"You've got to admit, I'm not one of the best looking guys you've met today." Hopper said, twirling her curling red hair around a long black claw.
"I don't care what you look like, Todd. You're still the same old hockey jock to me." Sarah snuggled into his large hairy chest.
"I'd planned something special for this journey. Something I've been planning for a long time.
"
Hopper whispered as he cupped her chin in his hand and turned her face toward him. "I hope you understand why I
can't
see it through like this."
"What could be so important that how you look would affect it so drastically?" She asked.
"I've never been able to express how much I care about you, Sarah.” Hopper began, "The words ' I love you' just don't describe the depth of emotion I feel. I thought this weekend I could finally show you how deeply I care about you."
"There's no doubt in my mind how much you love me, Todd. I see it in your eyes every time you look at me." Sarah sat up and turned to face him. "Actually I was going to tell you this weekend, I’m ready to take our relationship to another level.”
Hopper pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. ''The truth is . . . I was going to propose."
Sarah leaned forward and whispered, "What's stopping you?"
“It doesn't bother you that our memories of this moment could be overshadowed by the fact that I look like a bobble head Big Foot?"' Hopper stared at her, unsure.
"We'll have the most original, romantic, tale of ‘love conquers all' to tell our grandkids.” Sarah smiled.
Hopper jumped up and pulled the beautiful blue-eyed
sorceress
to her feet and knelt before her.
"Sarah Sims, the love of my life, the only woman that I will ever, could ever love, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Even if you stay a troll forever, yes.”
Sarah answered as she reached down to caress his cheek.
Letting out a hoop that echoed through the valley, Hopper leapt forward and took her into his arms, completely unaware of the approaching shadow.
The darkness deepened, Nicole felt the presence of another. Dressing quickly, she left Jack asleep in the grass and moved toward the stand of trees at the edge of the glen. A tall, ancient looking
elf emerged from the shadows as she neared
.
He wore long velvet robes similar to Sarah's
.
He was a sorcerer, yet his eyes were soft and guileless. His long white hair stretched out to encompass his shoulders and arms.
His high cheekbones and pointed ears told her al
l
she needed to know. He was with their pursuers.
He waited patiently for her to approach. This could not be the evil wizard that Dr. Strong had spoken of, her elfin senses found no danger
.
Yet suspicion lingered inside.
"What do you want of me?" She asked, as she stopped mere inches before him.
"Freedom.
"
He answered, simply
.
A light breeze came from behind. His long white hair flowed at its touch.
"You are unencumbered I see no need to assist you." She answered, staring into his deep blue eyes.
"I seek your assistance none the less." He replied. His voice was calm. Wisdom seemed to radiate from him.
''In what way?
"
She hesitated and took a step backward.
"Deliverance.
"
He whispered, closing the gap between them.
"You wish me to rescue you?" Nicole asked.
"To rescue us all.
"
He finished.
"From whom?"
''From the evil that threatens to consume this land and all who dwell within." The wizard's eyes narrowed as he spoke. "The one that sent you here has deceived you, as
he has many others before you."
“Dr. Strong?” She smiled, coldly, understanding.
"Puissant, as he is called here. He is evil."
"You are a deceiver." Nicole countered.
"He was banished from this land."
"Just as the Elf Queen was I suppose."
"Queen Briees is unharmed and living in the comfort of her palace." He stated.
"You lie!" Nicole reached out and took hold of the front of his robes. "I am here to end your reign of terror
.
I will free the Queen and break your hold over her warriors. "
"I am brother to the Queen." He said calmly. "I am her protector, tutor of the prince, sorcerer, only for their protection."
"Fabricator of tales, propagator of deceit.
"
Nicole refused to release him.
"You will find only death in the Cave of Sorrows. It would be a true pity. Your people cannot afford to suffer such a great loss. There
is
merely a handful of woodland elves left to walk these mountains
.
You may well be the last female among them.
That
is why you have appeared. Not to free the beast, but to continue the woodland heritage
.
I see that now. My magic has worked its own will. I have made you what you are. You would have been lost as a sorceress.”
“What?” Nicole stammered, caught off guard.
"A woodland elf has been hiding inside you all of your life. The unexplained anger you have felt since birth was the elfin magic trying to surface."
He raised his hand and a
spark lit the air. The vision of their arrival filled the ball of 1ight before her
.
Nicole saw herself screaming with rage and shoving the others from her.
"My spell shifted your transformation, freed your magic. It was here that it battled your fears, ambitions and the disappointment of your real life. Only here can you be truly happy. Free the beast in the Cave of Sorrows and you will return to a life you were never to lead."
"There is no beast in the cave. We are here to free the elf queen, you have imprisoned there.
”
Nicole shoved him backward as she released her grip. “Your lies do not affect me old man." She pulled her short sword from her belt and held it to his throat.
"Move on or die.”
"It would be wise to listen to me.” He answered.
"I take it by your resistance that you choose death." She whispered.
"I will leave you, but heed a warning. Your peril begins here and will end in death if you continue toward your goal
.
The only way to freedom is through me."
“We will continue and we will succeed.” Nicole shoved him from her, watching as he moved back into the shadows.
Nicole glanced back toward Jack and considered the old man's words.
Hopper
was violently jerked
from Sarah's arms. He screamed in pain as the
Giant black beast buried its teeth into the back of his neck. Sarah stood frozen in horror. The large black serpent-like monster threw Hopper across the hollow as if he were a rag
doll
.
Rolling with the impact, Hopper landed on his feet and turned to meet the charge of the giant creature, ignoring the pain and blood that flowed down his shoulders.
Its long jawed snout reached out in front of it, snapping viciously as it neared. The firelight reflected off its long razor-like teeth. Suddenly it rose on its short back legs and raced across the clearing,
its
thick tail snapping in its wake as it emitted a shrill howl that stung Sarah's ears jolting her into action.
The beast locked onto Hoppers legs, diving under him, sending them both rolling back down the embankment and into the dying embers of the fire. Tumbling with the beast, Hopper managed to encircle its thick throat with his hands. The long black snout
swung
from side to side, snapping at his face and arms as he attempted to strangle the beast.
Crawling-on top Hopper sat on its chest and continued to squeeze, digging his claws into its scaled flesh. Shifting its long body with a jerk, it sent the sting of its tail into Hopper's eyes, sending him reeling as his vision darkened with blood.
Sarah's screams filled the air as the beast jumped onto Hopper's back and shredded the flesh of his already blood soaked shoulder with its massive jaws.
A spell
!
She must use a spell to save Todd! Sarah snatched up her book and tore it open. She screamed the first incantation she came across. The beast jerked, dropping Todd as it turned to stare at the sorceress screeching words of magic
.
Falling to the ground it began to writhe, shrieking in pain. As she watched, the black beast became covered with large open sores, its claws and tail began to decay from the potency of her spell
.
In its anguish, it rose and charged her.