Ana Queen

By [another brick in the wall]

[now with footnotes @ end of chapters]

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This so far is the crowing acheviment of my work. In my opinion this is by far the best work I've ever made, and I'm very proud of it. It is a lose basing off the Romanian Gyspy fairy tale of the fairy Princess Ana whom was so beautiful that the King of Demons fell in love with her and took her by force to be his bride, which is my favorite fairy tale of all time. Though honestly I was not at all intending it to be about that at all when I started it. It was originally entitled The Hunt for the Tirasilk (and many many title changes later it became Ana Queen) and was at first only suposed to be about a hunt for the mythical bird of my imagination called the Tirasilk, which is now only the introduction of the story, and was inspired after reading the Russian Fairy Tale called The Horse of Power, the Fire-bird, and the Princess Vassilissa, but after I finished the hunt, the story just took off without me knowing at all where it was going, and due to a crush I had at the time of a girl named Anna, I ended up writing it about the Fairy Queen Ana (I originally chaged her name to Anna in the story, but while typing it up recently, long after the crush was lifted, I changed it back to the folkloricly corrent 'Ana').

this is not only the best story I've written to date, but also the longest, and the only one I ever wrote in chapters, which I did to style it after my other favorite classic fairy tale, Snow Queen, by Hans Christian Andersen. (in addition I also wrote the name 'Ana Queen' as a play off of 'Snow Queen', as well as basing the character called the 'Cutthroat Doll' (whom juxtaposes herself as her dule role is based off St. Joan of Arc) after the 'Robber Girl' from the Snow Queen.

With the two main inspirations of the Snow Queen and the tale of Princess Ana, it it also littered with historical and mythical places and people, aswell as religous and pacifistic morals interwoven, which reflects my great passion with history, Christianity, and pacifism. Though I will say this story should not be considered a religous, or pacifistic one, it is not about morality, they were simply added to be intreeging, they are not at all the center of the story, and Ana Queen is not at all to be regarded as an allegory with a moral to be taken away by the reader. The religous references and the pacifistic preaching are only to be respected as artistic, not morally.


well, I hope you enjoy. here is Ana Queen.

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I- Arrows from the heart

Once upon a time there ruled a powerful lord. His reign was of the time when Europe was land of Romantic tales and castles of grandeur. And among this lord’s vassals was a noble knight, Loherngrin. Loherngrin was once marching through the black forest, bound for his lord’s palace in Burgundy. He strode in fair armour, with a broad, large spade-shaped shield, which he suddenly used to block a deathly blow from the claws of a lion! He drew his sword, in major need of whetting, in the blink of an eye, and the two warriors engaged in fierce combat. While Loherngrin dueled for his life, he noticed the scenery of which his battlegrounds were among. There were shields hanging from trees, swords thrust into the earth, and armour plates and bones scattered across the land. This beast, whom wore iron gauntlets over his paws, was certainly a skilled warrior, and Loherngrin was not is first victim.

But the knight was not only strong and skilled, but he had the Holy Spirit in him and with that he prevailed against all odds. When he had the beast caught, before any deathly deliverance could have come forthwith, the lion roared, “Thy yield! Spare me! Mayest thou be intrigued with a treasure thy hold close, close but not as close than to thyn life.” And the lion drew from its satchel at its side a copper feather, shown bright like the heavens. “The down of the Tirasilk.”

Loherngrin raised his face guard and clutched the feather with his own hands, inspecting it in disbelief. It appeared copper, yet silk to the touch, and whistled to even the slightest movement in the wind. “I must lay this before my lord. And you beast, you shall take me to him.” With that said, Loherngrin fastened the treasure in his tasset, and mounted the woodland lion, riding off to the lord’s gracious castle.

“My Lord, I bring you a great gift: a feather of the Tirasilk.” The lord stood astounded, only for a moment. “But,” he questioned the knight. “What is the use of the feather without the rest of the bird?” overtaken by the newly conjured lust for the sacred bird, he decreed to Loherngrin. “Capture me the Tirasilk, or by my sword I shall have your head.”

Loherngrin left tacturned, until the lion came and said “Do not fret, I have a plan and know how to capture the Tirasilk. Ask the lord for reigns and saddle that should fit me, for within my thickest fur, lay two majestic wings that which we can use to chase the flightful Tirasilk. And request as well for psalm books, for songful prayer is the Tirasilk’s only hunger.” Loherngrin thus did so, and reign and saddle were made to fit the lion, and not only were psalm books procured, but the cathedral choir was assembled as well.

Midnight fell a fortnight later, and their plan was put into work. The reigns and saddle were placed on the mighty lion, and with Loherngrin mounted upon him, the psalms were recited by the church’s choir. They sung so beautiful, even the beasts of Tiffaugues Castle were put to awe. But the bird did not come. The choir kept singing, there was not sign in the sky. One would seem to then lose hope, but to Loherngrin, every moment to pass away, only made hope that much more important. The Choir was nearly fatigued, though they never ceased their song, their devotion and faith was too strong to be overcome by even the fear that they may sing themselves to death. Finally, Loherngrin dismounted, and fell to his knees in prayer. He called to the heavens, for the saints of victory, and his prayer was answered.

The night sky slit open as it was only dark clouds, and the light of the heavens shone through. Twelve angels, dressed in armor, descended from the Lord. Their very essence seemed to emit an angelic chorus, so beautiful that all the earthly ears could not be so pure to hear their song to its fullest, true extent.

The Tirasilk couldn’t have come more quickly. But the lord, upon seeing the bird just right over the courtyard, thought no better opportunity to snatch the great majestic treasure. He drew a bow, and from his window, lined an arrow and sent it forth at the great bird. His missile, he had not known was made not of wood, but came only from the malevolence in his true heart, solidified into matter. And that is why his arrow was too weak to withstand the open air, and broke to pieced in front of the Tirasilk’s view. When the bird saw this miserably constructed arrow, it realized it had been brought here to be executed, and fled quicker than it had arrived. Loherngrin mounted on his lion took after it.

After a most perilous chase, the Tirasilk was taken down, and brought alive back to the lord’s castle. Loherngrin with the mighty bird, bound but still beating, upon his back presented himself before his lord, who was greatly pleased. Before a reward was ordered, the winged beauty broke free, and flew through the great window, after snatching the lord’s only daughter away with it.

“After her!” the lord shouted at Loherngrin. “Make no harm cone to my daughter, and return her to me, and I shall grant you her snow white hand!” Loherngrin mounted his noble lion, and took to the skies. It was still night. he carried a bow of his own, and an arrow, this time made from the care and love he bore for the wonderful princess whom he always held in affection. His arrow went soaring and jabbed the Tirasilk’s arm. From fright, it dropped the true treasure of this story, and she fell right into the tallest tower of the frightening Tiffaugues castle.

II- The Princess Tower

When Loherngrin tried to rescue the maiden, the lion shouted. “I cannot land upon her tower at the speed needed to fly. We are going too fast to land on such a small space.” So they were forced to descend, to the main gates and batter the large doors- The only barrier they had between themselves and the vilest of creatures roaming the chateau. Tiffauges Castle is known throughout the land as pit of all beasts so wicked and twisted on earth. Creatures so sadistic that rage has clouded their minds so they can no longer think before striking anything with a heart.

The Doors went down, and the arms went raised. The dullest of swords that Loherngrin held, smote the Greatest of wickeds. No demon had a chance to strike, and no life had a worthy reason to fall, not in Loherngrin’s eyes. He’d parry not only his enemy’s, but the lion’s death strikes as well.
“Never take more than you need. We’re not here to kill.” The knight said at last when they reached an empty courtyard, free of fight for a moment. “Death, this knight cannot endure, thus death shall not he let others endure. Not even the wicked.”
“Those are compassionate words. Bah, Compassion is a weakness!” defies the lion, annoyed at the knight’s interference of his fights.
“Disillusion, it seems, is your weakness.”
“Foolish youth. No good comes from letting the wicked live. If they kill, they must be killed.”
“You forget who was at the end of my sword morrows past, whom the ideals of a foolish youth hath spared. It was not the offer of that feather that spared your life, it was compassion.”
“Humph. But if they don’t die, they get back up!”
“Then you knock them down again.”
“Tis a waste of time, and a job more difficult.”
“Time?! What is the concept of time to the eyes of our Lord? And ease? You wish for ease? The path to eternal flame is the easy way to go. God wants strength in us. You cannot grow strong if your opposition grows weaker. Kill them, how are you to grow? It is the truly stronger that can live passively in a world of war, than the king of such a land. I am the strongest, for the warriors can only cut their enemies down once, while I can cut them down a thousand more. I do not thrust with all my might, and yet I still prevail.”
“I see not how holding back is a strength.”
“It in its self is not, but a show of strength. Who is stronger, one that fells a dragon with all their might, or the man that can overcome the dragon without using his full strength to kill it?”
“But doth thou barest the strength” the lion roars. “That living this life of forbearance requires?”
“Did you not see the angels of last night? That was not the slightest full glory of the power of God. And I am a knight for the Holy Spirit; I am guided by that power. Enough talk, we must make haste, there be a life, a lady, in despair.” And with that they flew, back to battle, through the chasms with a strike to every step.

The mighty duet advanced to upon a stone stairwell descending bellow. “We will save the belle within this chasm.”
“How? She’s in a tower, not a dungeon.”
“We will.”So below they went, and there they met the lord of the castle, Barron, demon and lowly prince of hell. Barring a braquemard* in his mighty clutch, and an arm with which a harp had been held. “When he in not at pleasure with slaughter, he finds it in music.”

A battle broke out, the deux valors valiant verses the vicious. Victory The hearted have! With the decisive stroke of Loherngrin’s pitiful sword sharpened at the moment by divine will, felled Barron’s armed limb. With him handless, he’ll never wield a blade again, without letting go his heart for art. And Loherngrin Recited, “For it is better to enter the gates of heaven without a fleshly hand, than to suffer eternal flame.”
And thus Barron was tamed, for a man's malice only lies in his arm's clutch to his weapon, and this disconnection broke his curse, and he saw, for the first time, through eyes reborn. In his ferocious voice, he vowed to a requiem for all the soul he had slain. His heart re-open, also was the door behind him. Among a vast treasure of little value, there was a stairwell that led to the tallest tower of Tiffaugues.
Once after Loherngrin left behind a bible for Barron to embrace, he and the lion set out again to the maiden's tower.

Braquemard: sword desigened specifically for decapitation.
III- The Vampire King

“So, the princess is locked in Tiffaugues.”
“Nowhere else can she be. We've taken Malmort, Champtoce, La Suze, and we're at Malchecoul. Tiffaugues* is all there is left. As have prophesied, she'll be at Barb-Bleu's castle, king Tamaris” The herald from the Vampire Country proclaimed to his king.
“Of course, the one fort we failed to siege. It’s so much more well fortified, as if for every one beast we faced at Malchecoul, there's seven more fierce at Tiffaugues. But if my prize lies there, I have no choice, we will send all forces to Tiffaugues, and with haste, I had desired to have been there before she had ever arrived,”
“Right away, sire.” with that, the herald flees leaving the Vampire king to counsel his situation privately.
“I reckoned the key, conjured the great prophet to be foretold by him of this event years ago, and prepared I for this ever after. And still, I miss my day to Catch Ana out of the sky. Could it be an omen? I fear this union is not to be. But no matter the consequences, I shall take you for my own."

--So, The lord's very daughter is none other than Princess Ana, Future Queen of the Keshalyi, and the most wonderful, beautiful, precious girl of all the earth. A maiden so fair and dashing, that the Demon king himself could not resist falling love-struck to such a princess. However it came to be that she came to the hands of Loherngrin's lord is beyond the knowledge of this tale. She as a child perchance was abducted by the mischievous ferriers and abandoned at the lord’s estate perhaps, but that is all speculation and few can know for sure and those that do have not revealed it.

The vampire lord, King Tamaris, ruling member of the Rosemaery family, has been in search of a new bride after his late queen, Victoria, was slain by his own hand. He set his sights on the graceful princess Ana, the most beautiful belle in all the world. Tamaris had killed his wife Victoria for the sake of continuing the vampire bloodline. And explanation is at hand, but can only be done so with a spelling of the vampire heredity. A vampire feasts on blood for sustenance, but their victim does not become a vampire themselves. The method of becoming of vampiric state is to be borne by one. By nature, a vampire lass may conceive only one child in their life time, thus the Rosemaery family is the only Vampiric blood on earth. When Tamaris wedded Victoria, a human lady, she was conjoined to the Rosemaery family and made a vampire (for in wedlock, all nonvampiric blood is made otherwise.) Victoria then conceived a daughter, Lili, and from Lili with a lover unknown, a son Dantallion was born. But Dantallion was a bastard child, born out of wedlock, so his father, a fairy Lili had fallen in love with, was not transfused into vampiric blood, thus Dantallion was only half Vampire. For this, and his fairy heritage, he was branded by his ruling grandfather Tamaris as the Vampire Faery, and none could be fooled to think it not true, as great gossamer fairy wings sprouted from his back, to prove his fairy heritage and his mother’s crime. But graver than the state of the sin he was conceived was the state of the Rosemaery family. Tamaris was without full-blooded heir, and no child more could be borne of his wife and daughter. So to divorse his Queen Victoria, he slew her with his blade, along with his daughter Lili, but Dantallion fled from the vampire realm, north into Kiev, with few loyal contacts still within his grandfather’s court, by whom he learned of Tamaris’s venture to steal the princess Ana in France through military might. Believing it no method of proper courtship, Dantallion sped forth to save the fair princess by all means he may have.

But what became of Princess Ana after the fall from the Tirasilk’s clutch? Back upon Tiffaugues, Loherngrin unlocks the entrance to the highest Tower's chamber, and finally has his princess in sight, only to have a star-point rapier thrust at him. In the same motion in kneeling before the Majesty of Perfection, he had dodged the vampire’s strike that was aimed to his throat. When the attacker witnessed Loherngrin's show of honor to the lady he, for a time, beheld the pure-hearted aura of the chivalrous knight of the Lord, and realized he and the lion are not assailants, but assistance.

“I apologize ever so. I did not believe a friend could be found in an abode such as this.” The youthful vampire spoke and then introduced himself. “There is little time to explain all, but I am Prince Dantallion, grandson of the current King Tamaris, whom is advancing on this castle in much haste. By magical means, he has become aware that this princess Ana is here at Tiffaugues, and he is after her. He comes to wed her against her protests, but I swear I will not let him take her.”

With little deliberation, this union was dissolved with a thunderous roar of lighting that struck the tower and felled the chamber in two. Loherngrin and the lion fell south, upon the chapel. Dantallion, with Ana fell forth, into the ballroom. Whilst Loherngrin fell from the desecrated tower He braced and once the sign of the cross had been made, he landed on one knee, so gentle not even the dust below him stirred. As for the lion, a more terrible tumble he had, from which he never rose. With his fallen companion on his back, Loherngrin again fought his way through the hordes of Tiffaugues, and finally finding the moonlit corridor of deliverance from the cursed dungeon, by dawn did he pass his way through it.

Malmort, Champtoce, La Suze, Malchecoul, and Tiffauges: All were castles owned by the murderous Giles "Barb Bleu" de Rais.

IV- The Cutthroat Doll

Loherngrin strode through the forest carrying the lion over his back. He gave his friend a proper burial and paid his respects before continuing his quest. At a time he heard a clamor of battle in the forest. He followed the sound and he found a small herd of Gabriel Hounds attacking a sinewy young girl clad in armor and wielding an iron tipped lance. Loherngrin rushed in to her aid. Lunging to protect the girl with his shield arm, then with a spin of his sword he knocked the lance right out of her clutch, catching it in mid air and casted aside his own arms. Something larger and more blunt, in his opinion, would serve his intentions greater. Within moments Loherngrin had all the Gabriel Hounds unconscious strewn about the woodland clearing. He returned the sterling lance back to the clad maiden before retrieving his own arms from the ground, and commenting to the gal. “Better keep them alive. No need to kill them now.”

The Cutthroat Doll would normally have gutted any man where he stands if he interfered in her frays of sport, but was instead taken aback in surprise of the knight’s queer finale, or lack thereof. Watching him prevail over the hounds while wielding her own lance, she sized him up and concluded that he was a fair warrior with great expertise, much greater than any of her men in her own brigade. She looked at her lance in her child hands, and then back up at the knight, and smiled.

“O I never thought to let them live before. Brilliant. Ha, we can have so much more fun with ‘em now!” With the thoughts of new possibilities of her new play things already forming in the Cutthroat Doll’s mind, she couldn’t help but to let out a squeal of laughter. After initial joys died out, she leered back to the knight and snickered.
“You’re one brave knight, stealing the maid of lorraine’s lance.”
“The maid of lorraine?”
“Christineer d’Archet before your very eyes.” The Cutthroat doll introduces herself in a haughty fashion, giving a moment to let it set in the air, then going back to speaking of the lance, “but seeing your display with it, I’m much more impressed than anything so I’ve decided not to gut you just yet.” After a brief time of exchanging of words, Christineer led her new knight deeper into the woods to her campsite where her motley, rag-tag army has set up fort. She called to her captain “Some maggots better go collect a score of Gabriel Hounds a ways back. I’d like to keep them. Chain them up and drag them back here.” She then turns sharply to Loherngrin and cheeps, “So what did you have in mind with our new pets? ‘cause I was thinking mayb-“

“Let them go.” He casually yet vindictively said which juxtaposed greatly to the Doll’s enthusiastic and ecstatic speech.
Christineer broke in laughter. “Why would we do that?”
“Because the only goal in subduing them was for your protection. You are now safe, thus their being is no longer of consequence.”
The Doll glared at Loherngrin. “You know, not a single soul would dare talk like that in a place like this. You really are brave.” She then jumps on a platform before her band of warriors and shouts. “D’ya hear that boys? Our new comer wants our new pets to go free!” a roar of disapproval passed through the crowd. “He’s got to have some guts to say a thing like that in our midst.” More shouts came forth. “Let them go? Ha” then suddenly it clicked into the mind of the Doll. Won’t it be fun to tease these little babies and let the hounds go without any blood sport? The ideas of tormenting the captives transferred to tormenting her men who were craving some action for weeks, and she thought of how hilarious it would be to see all their faces if she were to let them go. “We shall let them go free.” So Christineer lunged a dagger that cut the bonds of the hounds and they all leapt to freedom into the woods. She scans the faces of the crowd and fills with laugher at all their disappointment. The doll twirls to Loherngrin behind her. “Oh who’da thought virtue could be so thrilling?” she giggles and continues. “I love it! Knighty-boy, you have to intrigue me more on this chivalry sort of thing.” As she spoke the doll made her way to the headquarters with Loherngrin following behind where her lieutenants debated a plan of action against the invading armies of the Rose Knights of the north that have been threatening the sacred crown of France for over a century and persist still to claim the nation for their own red rosy hands.

“Sire,” projected the maid’s advisor. “the enemy amasses heavily in Flanders and has a firm grip still over Île-de-France. What action shall we take, fair maid, to prevail over this mighty force?

“I say we launch a campaign to retake the Île,” suddenly the Doll takes on a serious and patriotic persona. “it is the heart and symbol of our great and wondrous nation. We must reclaim it to replenish the hearts of the French People.” Then eagerly she claims. “Now hush up and let me play with my new knighty.” She takes Loherngrin by the hand and scurries like a child to her tent. After she gave the knight a chance to glance around the oddly decorated room, Christineer spoke out to break the silence. “Now, I want to hear all about this lion heart of yours, sir knight. Tell me of your grandiose exploits and fair adventures.” So then Loherngrin took the time to tell the maid his journey and quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Ana, a story the doll heard keenly and with great fascination. After he brought the tale back to the present, Christineer rushed to a bookshelf and drew out a large map of Eastern Europe and strewn it across the table. “Alright, if your princess was taken by some vampire fairy Dantallion, and if he really is a good guy meant to protect her, he’s probably take her to Château Vallyea*, the Queen of the Keshalyi’s palace. Unfortunately it is in the far off realm of Wallachia, not far from Poienari Castle** where the evil Vampire Lord reigns. If we mean to protect your princess we best ought to head forth tonight.” So then Christineer showed the knight to the stables where after she returned mounted on a reindeer and with the reins of a mare following behind her. “This is my little baby Furfur” she nuzzled the deer’s neck. “And the gal’s Novena. I think you’ll like her. She was the ride of a parson whom we stole it from a few weeks back. Plus she’s the only one that can keep up with my Furfur.”
“You’re coming along?”
“Of course. There’s no chance I’ll pass on a quest like this.”
“What of your men? They need you.”
“That motley crew? Ha, I’d abandon the bad long before I’d abandon the brave. I’ll return once this is over anyway.”
And with that said the two rode off through the countryside, making one stop upon a certain meuse fortress, upon Christineer’s behalf. “It’s Château de l’Ile, and it’s where I was born. I just need to find one thing. It’ll be worth the stop, I promise.” It was a banner, the standard of the great maid of Lorraine, which was blessed by the heavens to decree it to never fail when on a mission for the sake of goodwill. But before they could behold its power, they needed the blessing of the king and bishop. “It’s fine, I’m the king’s daughter, I’m the maid. We’ll face no trouble with that.”

They rode through the town, neared the keep, escorted within and taken before the king. Christineer hastened toward his majesty with her arms stretched open ready to embrace him. “Father! I’ve returned!” But only malice was her warmth met with. As the king sees his daughter nearing him, he leapt back and placed his hand on his hilt. “Halt! Don’t dare approach me! He shouts in fear. The Daughter taken aback, Loherngrin senses danger and heads to Christineer’s side. “Witch!” the king cries. “She doth ride upon a demon! She’s the Cutthroat Doll, no Maid at all!” From this strike against Christineer’s heart her face filed with tears, realizing the wrong path she stumbled down. “Witch! Seize her!” The royal guard leapt at the couple. Christineer showing no resistance only feel to her knees and wept while Loherngrin drew his sword and with his shield defended the girl, warding off the enemy’s halberds. In a weak tearful voice that somehow was heard clearly by the knight, Christineer pleaded. “Loherngrin, Don’t. Just give up.” And in that moment the knight’s battered sword finally fell as the blade broke four inches from the hilt. Loherngrin reluctantly heeded the maid’s words and ended his resistance and bent to the floor at her side as the guards hastily overtook them and carried them away.

*Chateau Vallyea: The only fictional location in the story, made up by the Author.
Poinari Castle: The most famous of all Vlad "The Impaler" Dracula's fortresses.

V- The Maid’s Heart

Within the Dungeon of Chateau de l’Ile the knights, both Christineer and Loherngrin, sat in wait of their fate. The guards asleep, Christineer speaks to her companion. “He’s right. My father. I’m no maid, I am the cutthroat doll. I wasn’t a savior. I will never be a savior.” She predicts Loherngrin to object, and foils his chance. “How? How can I become a savior? I’m imprisoned and condemned. I’m going to be killed!” After a sigh and a silence she continued. “You don’t have to freight. They’ll spare you. I’m sure of it.” Loherngrin queries what she meant and thus she explained. “Because you will have the Saint’s Crucifix.” From her tasset she brandishes an elegant wooden cross. “It’s the symbol of sainthood. All of the Lord’s saints have one. Michael gave me mine when I was 13. If you show it to the people, they will then be sure of your innocence and release you.” She hands over the crucifix to her beau knight, who then is at a loss of words and accepts it without question, something he regretted nearly ever after. That night was spent silent in each other’s arms, until the dawn came and with it the Bishop and his retinue who proclaimed to the prisoners “The stakes have been raised. You are all to die today beneath a thousand flames. The guards carried the two prisoners to the courtyard towards the stakes erect in the square. Loherngrin squirms free and procured the Saint’s Crucifix. He held it high and it’s unpolished wood glimmered in the light. All around looked upon in awe and knew at once he must work on the behalf of the king of Heaven, and they freed him in haste. But the procession still carried the maid along, and without stripping her of her armor bound her to the stake and set it ablaze.

The knight’s pleas and vouches on the girl’s behalf were over masked by the roar of the crowd, and no one heard his objections which turned into sobs as the fire blazed higher. He could only watch in horror as his companion, and beloved, was martyred that day. But as the flames engulfed the little girl’s body, a dove built like a falcon lunged down at Loherngrin and with an iron grip clasped the cross out of his clutch. He chased it in despair but the bird evaded him. Upon the beginning of the last breath of the Cutthroat doll the dove droved the Saint’s Crucifix into her very heart and she perished. Loherngrin without a thought more dove desperately into the pyre; the flames extinguished only an instant before. All there was left of the saint besides blessed ashes was the cross and her pure heart unburned. The knight clutched it in his hands as he wept.

VI- Falling for the Princess

Before any soul of this tale left Tiffauges, after the tower collapsed and separated the brief fellowship of the heroes, while Loherngrin with lion upon his back fought his way to safety in the nightly sky, the vampire faery and the princess fell from the destroyed tower. Dantallion in mid air clung to the flower of his heart, the princess Ana. Around them an aura encircled them that procured from their hearts, and the fall to the earth was made a soft and graceful landing. The two arose from the tumult still embracing each other and perceived they had landed in the ballroom of the castle Tiffauges, where the doors were closed and no beast ever managed entrance. With a glare into each other’s eyes in the silence of the gaudy and gloomy sepulcher-esque hall in misty cool air, they found their hearts gleam in their caressing eyes. The vampire faery, caught in the moment, took his princess by the hand and hip, and led her in a slow waltz to a silent serenade in the lonesome ballroom. It was clear then that these souls were meant to be, and they were destined to live in each other’s arms. When their lips met in a passionate kiss, they froze in time and the joy disembodied as they rose in bliss. But alas this gave the darkened armies of wretched king Tamaris the time to storm the castle and thunder into the ball room, shattering the lover’s moment. Tamaris himself ran to tear his bride from his grandson’s embrace, and casted him to the ballroom floor, shattering his moment of rapture.

Sheathing his sword, Tamaris clasps Ana in his clutch and carries her off to his war chariot outside, while his fiendish, soulless subordinates restrains Dantallion in his spot. With the strength of love, he breaks free and takes flight on his gossamer wings through the breach in the ballroom’s roof, and darts towards his wicked emissary who is already off on his hastily venture back to his homelands. Tamaris glances back to see the persistent lover gaining on his tail. He draws his sterling pistol and fires back at his own grandson. The ball strikes the vampire faery in the chest, and he plummets to the ground as an inhuman shriek comes from his lover’s terrified, beautiful face.

The Vampire Faery crashes to the ground. As he rises to his knees with tears in his eyes, he looks off at the cursed chariot with his beloved princess trail off in the distance. He says under his breath as the words sting in his mouth “I have failed.” And falls to the ground in defeat.

VII- The Falconer

As Loherngrin lay by the ashes the dove of before returns. It slips the cross from the knight’s hands once more. This time it carries it into the clutch of a falconer. Andras, the fallen angel falconer. He’s come to collect the heart of St. Christineer d’Archet, for when the angel condemned his fate to follow the wicked rogue and fell from grace but was not as ill willed to burn in brimstone so instead he was given the task to roam the world and gather every saint’s heart and cross that emerge for 10,000 years thereafter. If only even one was missing, he may not be redeemed by the Lord and cannot regain his grace.

“But, kind knight, it seems you deserve this holy sentiment so greater than I.” Andras, so moved by Loherngrin’s remorse for the little saint, surrenders his key of salvation with a tear in his eye, knowing well of what this means of his own fate. “keep your beloved’s heart as ultimate token of the love you bore; bear it in her memory.”

After a moment of silence, as both figures were speechless, one by sullenness, the other out of wonder and admiration. Loherngrin looked on the tainted angel, his gray wings protruding from his back, his somber face weighed from long, long hours of remorse and penance.
Then, the falconer broke the silence with a note of hope to the knight.

“She can be risen once more. I know how, and you will need the cross. Come venture with me to Lagny-Sur-Marne. There we can resurrect your saint.*”

The two embarked then to the Île-de-France, where they arrived upon the village of Lagny-Sur-Marne. But greeted were they only by a brewing battle. It was the Cutthroat Doll’s own motley men clashing with the invading Rose Knights.

“The altar of the church is where we must be. And so we must raise arms and muster our way there, if we are to resurrect the saint.”
“No, we can surely swift through the fray with no swords needed.”
“If the knight of the Lord’s judgement is so, I shall not object.”
The knight and the fallen made their way through volley of bolts, rows of pikes, storms of sword, axe, mace, cavalry and beast, evading all mortal strokes, until they reached the corridor of the church and arrive safely inside. Loherngrin ventured up the steeple where he was able to overview the battle, watch all the good men slay their brothers-in-Christ, and witness all the carnage of war.

The fallen placed the cross and recited the word’s of Christ, but seised. He beckoned to the knight. “I am but a tainted being, I deserve not, I cannot not, invoke the might of God. You must do it. Loherngrin stepped down and spoke the beautiful words of Peter to Dorcas. Then the saint came down, in splendid armor, and her body drifted into Loherngrin’s arms, and there she awoke. As the doll reborn she yawned thrice and all the roosters of the land crowed that moment her eyes opened on the face of her knight, “long before the rise of the sun, as if to herald in a new type of dawn.” The sound was universal, and all knew it’s meaning. The battle that ensued ensued no longer, and all were at peace. It marked the birth of the never broken brotherhood and covenant between the maid’s men and the Rose Knights.

*Lagny-Sur-Marne- Befitting for a resurection of a St. Joan character, as it is said it is there that the real saint once resurected a dead baby to be baptized.


VIII- A Child is Born

The Wedding bells chimed, the castle of Poienari was draped in white. The long awaited union of King Tamaris and Princess Ana was nigh. And thus was the start of the king’s joy and his bride’s utter misery. She pined day and night for her beloved Dantallion, and never would her wicked husband find a smile on her face in all their days together. After years of their marriage, it was finally concemated that a son shall be born of it. Three days before their child Pereskoro saw the sky, that is before he was born, a star came forth, bright in the nightly air, and from it rang a bell toll. All the heroes herd it’s chime: Loherngrin and Christineer, Andras, and Dantallion. It was for Dantallion that it shone the brightest and rang the loudest. They all sought out to follow this light, and were taken to the gates of Poienari, where the child then was born.

Dantallion, who has been roaming the land mindlessly and sulkenly all these years, praises his reunion with the knight, as a sentiment of that joyous night of the past before it was shattered.. “We’ve been united once more, O Loherngrin, and with numbers.” He gestured to the companions of the knight and the maid’s armies. “Pray, we may save the princess this night.”

“It shant be a difficult task.” Said the maid, with her brothers and the Rose Knights together in bondage, rallied under the white banner of the savoir. “Though the Vampire lord hath greater armies and in his service a fire drake, but our hearts are strong and our resolve is great. We shall triumph this night.”
“A battle? Is bloodshed not avoidable on this day?”
Then Andras spoke. “Not so. No death may come if you wish. I say this; coat every arm in our arsenal with this incense. All our enemies thus will fall in slumber when struck, instead of in death.” Andras' instructions were heeded and soon the armies were pacifist prepared.
Then the fallen took his dove in hand, and spoke to it caringly. “I dismiss you, dear friend. I wish not you to see this battle ensue. Flee now, I will return to you.”

War broke out, as drums shattered the air, and the castle gates came down, fell to a ram, and the armies of love and destruction clashed. The soldiers advanced their way through the mountain fortress on a relentless path to save the princess. The Vampire king standing within the high keep perceived the battle in astonishment. “How in all hell's stone do these assailants slay my men to the ground without a single full stroke? Mine are felled and not even touched by blade or blunt. That banner. Crusaders? ... a saint.” He shouts to his herald. “Gaprel! Secure my son and queen within the inner keep. And prepare Draculcalvna. I fear we may need him.” The Herald sped off to bring the son Pereskoro and the Queen Ana, whom by the wedlock of Rosemaery has now lost her fairy being and now breaths as a vampire like her wretched husband.

As the innocent army won the open courtyard, the great characters regathered before the doorway into the keep. St. Christineer and Loherngrin dismounted to continue forth. As they proceeded to the door demolished by the ram, Andras intervened. “No, let me lead the way. Safer for all of you that I take first whatever tricks the demon king lay in wait.” So the fallen took first step inside and led the way through the castle corridors.

When the lovely troupe battled their way through the castle interior they came upon the causeway over a chasm that was the final stretch to inner keep throne room where their treasured companion awaits. But from the depths of the chasm arose the Fire Drake Dracucalvna, in his red fiery and rosy scales. As the beast held the heroes at bay and defended well the doors behind him, Dantallion saw no time to waste and with a heart yearning to see his beauty again, lunged at the dragon and impaled his rapier through the throat in a mortal wound. Dantallion hastily flew across the body and ran to the door between him and his love. At the sight of a lifeless being, Loherngrin fell to his knees, Christineer filled with tears, and Andras froze stiff.

The vampire prince turned back to face his victim as the remorse finally settled in. He walked back to Dracualvna and pressed a hand on the red iron scales. Then the eyes flaired open on the drake in one last thrust of life, the rose thornéd tail whipped and lashed and pierced the hero’s chest, leaving him vanquished in an instant. If only had not Andras thrown himself before the barbed tail, it would have slain the lover prince instead. But Dantallion, the fallen felt, had a princess to live for, more than he had himself. So he placed himself with inhuman speed to take the death strike and spare it from the vampire. With everything Andras the Falconer sacrificed for the sake of love, perhaps now he shall ascend back prodigally to his throne to an overjoyed Lord in heaven.

This act of taking one more death onto the brow of the demon snake Dracucalvna, his soul was weighed down all the heavier with the added death toll from the angel, that it strained to greatly on the causeway he was perched on, and it collapsed underneath his rosy belly, casting him down the great chasm to the bowels of the mountain Poienari was built upon.

After a mourn for their fallen comrade, Dantallion embraced his two friends and ferried them over the chasm upon his gossamer wings, and they walked on to conclude their journey as they opened the doors to the throne chamber where Ana and her maleficent keeper sat.

Ana was the first to been seen by the prince, and when she caught sight of her savoir her face lit with extraordinary shimmery incandescence. She smiled with joy the Vampire king never saw before. He then realized she never had smiled since the day he stole her. The dark king then that instant beheld a revalation, a realization. He saw now for the first time how unfulfilling was his marriage, how much his majestic wife was sorrowed from it and what he had taken her away from. He came to admit that she must be able to live her own life, whether with or without himself at her side. He then decreed to his wife that she is free and will no longer be pained to stay at his side.

Of course, his views might have been much different if only he realized that the soul that stole Ana’s heart was his own grandson, but thank the Lord that Tamaris was always too cold to bother with his only daughter’s only son, and couldn’t recognize his face when he stood the throne room length away. Perhaps if he knew he’d be less partial to allowing his wife to divorce him to live with his grandson, and probably have the heroes slain where they stand in his amassing might. But instead, he had not known, and he let his Ana go with the one she truly loved, and let all the virtuous characters safe leave of his castle, where they left to live out the rest of their prosperous lives together and forever.

The End

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leave any questions, comments and critiques in either a comment or message directly to me. I am very eager to hear of what you all think.

Things I'd like to change in it, are as follows: (if you have any ideas of your own, they'd help me greatly)
-I need to change the Rosemaery Family name. I feel I used Roses too much in this story, so if you have any other vampire-like name that isn't already taken in other stories would be great.
-I need to change King Tamaris's name aswell, to something after an actual evil mythical being's name. Tamaris I stole from a video game thinking it was from folklore but recently realized it was only created out of the imagination of the game makers.
-I'm changing Andras' name aswell, but I'll find a new one on my own. I have to change it to a fallen angel that is associated with love. (you wont believe how many of them there are.)
-I lastly want to change Draculavana's name to have a real Romanian suffix in it instead of "avana" which I just created on the spot temorarily. so if you by any chance know any Romanian, that would be a help. (as if any of you do :P)