The Beast Who Guarded the                    Princess 

By:Leanna Bohannon 

Abigail: Visual Helper 

Shae Van Devender: Editor 

In a far away castle lies a princess named Lyra. She was sweet as cake and sugar, but she was trying to figure out how to escape the dreaded, cursed castle. There was a dragon that was going to eat whoever came in or left the castle. 

However, the dragon was very misunderstood. He only wanted what was best for the princess; he never ate anyone or tried to hurt the princess. One night under the bright moon-lit sky, without a knight coming to save her, she left the castle without a trace.  But she didn’t want to be saved or be the damsel in distress. The dragon never noticed that she was gone.

She was out in the free world, and had new freedom to do what she pleased. She started to climb trees, run, or anything else she wanted. That’s all she ever did for the whole day, until the sun started to set. Then a voice from the forest traveled through the wind, almost like a deep growl of a bear. A person came out that looked like a bear until he got closer. 

He wore armor and was tall. Lyra spoke out towards the knight, “Ser, are you lost or trying to save a damsel in distress?” Her voice was soft and very curious, and she looked over at him making sure he was not hurt. The knight looked back confused, and tilted his head, “You can see me? I’m… not a bear to you?"

Lyra looked at the knight confused, never hearing about curses in her life. “Wait, what? What do you mean you are a bear?” she said with almost humor in her tone. She started to laugh, until she saw the serious look on the knight's face. She almost saw the bear, but not enough. She took a deep breath, and straightened her posture.

“What’s your name, ser?” She smiled warmly at him, and he looked back at her softly, bowing down slowly. “My name is Ser Tristan. What’s your name, your Highness?” Lyra smiled warmly at him, “My name is Lyra, but you don’t have to call me your Highness, or princess. I don’t care about formality.” She curtsied towards the knight. Proving that she didn’t care about her own status, but being respectful towards him. 

“I will be of service to you, Ser Tristan.” She wanted to show that she was  independent and didn’t truly need his protection, but she wanted  someone to stay with her to help. Though she smiled warmly at Ser Tristan. He looked at Lyra and smiled. “Prince…” He stopped himself and let out a low, soft laugh. “Lyra, I’ll be at your service as well.” There was a sharp roar but Lyra and Ser Tristan didn't notice it, since it was not loud enough for them to hear fully.

Back at the Castle the dragon finally noticed Lyra was gone. The dragon was pacing back and forth, angry, and frightened. He was loyal to her through everything. He held her the best he could through the night when she had a nightmare, when thunder rolled across the sky, and importantly the dragon… was cursed as well. He muttered to himself how he didn’t notice Lyra was gone, and how quiet it truly was. In a beat of a second he left trying to find her desperately.