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Thank you for your consideration. ------------------------------------------------------ Beauty, Sleeping and Otherwise (MF, mast) By Heatheranne (hthranne@aol.com) An erotic story for adults only. A retelling of the story of Sleeping Beauty. Clifford picked up the quill pen and carefully dipped it into the bottle of ink. He made one last notation on the parchment that lay before him and then he set the paper aside to dry. He glanced at the sunlight as it shone through the window of his tower room and reckoned that it was mid-afternoon. Clifford put away the quill, and smiled to himself. It was time for a break. He went to the only door to his chambers and carefully threw the bolt that would lock out any visitors. What he was about to do was for his eyes only. Clifford was a wizard. In fact, he was a very good one. He just didn't look the part. Instead of being a tall, imposing figure with strong features like the classic idea of how a wizard should appear. He was short and scrawny with a nose that was too large for his face. His thin hair defied any brush or comb to tame it, and the wispy strands stuck out from his scalp at all angles. His unfortunate looks drove away any desirable females, but children just loved him. Clifford always had an endless supply of tricks and magic to astound and amaze their young minds. But tricks for children were far from his mind this afternoon. It was definitely time for adult play. As he did a little dance step back across the room, Clifford sang tunelessly to himself, "What does a wizard wear beneath his robes?" He grabbed the opening of his voluminous robe and whipped it away from his body. "Why nothing," he announced to the air as his naked and very pale body came into view. He came to a heavy cabinet, the door of which would open only to his magical touch, and from there he removed a candle and a leather wallet. Moving to the wide cot that served as his bed, Clifford lit the candle and placed it on a nearby table. He opened the wallet and removed one long, dark human hair. He grasped the hair by one end and swung it into the candle flame. There was a puff of smoke that grew all out of proportion to the material burned. The smoke thickened and expanded and began to take on a human form, a very feminine human form. In seconds a simulacrum to Clifford's Queen stood before him. The candle was powerful magic and the hair he had used was from the real Queen. "Hello, Clifford," she said in a sultry voice. "Hello, Anna," answered Clifford, using the Queen's given name. Clifford was in his late forties and the real Queen was almost twenty years younger. The double that stood before him now was slightly taller than Clifford and just as nude. Her thick, dark hair fell to her waist. She had flawless skin and a generous figure that had Clifford hard and throbbing in seconds. They came together in a deep kiss that became wetter and more frenzied with each second. Anna reached between their bodies and gabbed his rigid cock. "Make it bigger, darling," she whispered in his ear. Clifford responded by muttering an incantation that made his cock grower longer and thicker with each stroke of her hand. It was a conceit on Clifford's part, of course. Anna's double would have loved Clifford's cock no matter its size, but the growth added to the excitement of his fantasy. His cock enlarged until it was longer and thicker than his arm and its fist-sized head was trying to burrow its way between Anna's breasts. She stepped back and used both her hands to stroke the giant member. A gush of precum erupted from its tip and Anna swirled the clear liquid around and over his engorged cock-head. "Oh, Anna" moaned Clifford, the sensations from his oversized cock were almost more than he could stand. Anna wrapped her arms around his cock and clasped it to her breasts. When another pulse of precum washed over her breasts, Anna smiled and said, "I think you better fuck me before you waste anymore of this." She teased his huge cock head as she used it to rub the hot cum into her creamy skin. "I think you're right," said Clifford as he led her to his cot. Anna lay down and spread her legs wide for her lover. Thanks to his magic, Clifford's enormous cock slipped effortlessly into Anna's steaming hot pussy. He lowered his weight onto her pillowing breasts and stuffed his tongue into her mouth. Their bodies hunched and flopped around on the cot in a graceless rhythm. Clifford knew that he couldn't hurt Anna and he banged and thrust at her as hard as he could. All he wanted now was to drive his body to an orgasm that would have him streaming cum like a fountain. He was oh so close to his release when the door to his chambers rattled. Clifford's eyes flew open and his body went rigid. Damn, damn and double damn, he thought. He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound normal and polite. "I'm very busy," he called out. "Please come back later." The door rattled impatiently and a commanding voice said, "It's me Clifford." "Oh shit," Clifford gasped, and his stiff body quivered in surprise. It was the King at his door. He starred down at Anna. The King's voice hadn't bothered her of course. She wasn't the real Queen. In fact, her face was contorted with sexual pleasure and her pussy was in constant spasm trying to urge the cum from his body. But it wasn't going to happen. Clifford couldn't have produced an orgasm at this moment if his life depended on it. He sighed and stretched out his hand to snuff out the magical candle. Unfortunately, when the flame disappeared, so did Anna's body. Clifford fell onto the edge of the cot and then toppled onto the floor. He scrambled to his feet, and called out, "Just a second, Sire." Clifford threw on his wizard's robe and ran to the door. In his haste, Clifford had forgotten about his freakishly huge cock and before his hand could reach the bolt, his cock fell from his robe and thudded painfully onto the door. "Damn it all to hell," muttered Clifford as he rubbed the hurt. He waved his hands meaningfully over the huge organ, and it quickly shrank back to its normal size and disappeared into his robe. Clifford threw the bolt and opened the door. He bowed as the King strode into the room. "Clifford, is everything all right?" asked the King as he glanced around the room. "Everything's fine, Sire," said Clifford. "I was just working on a particularly sensitive spell." "You're not going to make half the castle disappear again, are you?" chided the King, referring to an unfortunate episode from his and Clifford's younger days. "It was hardly half the castle, Sire. And as I remember, you were right there, urging me on." "But I'm not the one who substituted ingredients in that spell." "But you were the one who was so hot to see Lady Farvish in the nude." Both men laughed. It was an old argument between friends. They reminisced and spoke of this and that until the King remembered why he had come. "Clarence," he said, "as you know, my daughter will be one year old a month from now. There will be a festival and of course we'll have her naming ceremony at the same time. I would like for you to send an invitation to the Fairies of the forest, and ask their blessing." It was a tradition among royalty and commoner alike to ask the Fairies to watch over newborns, however the Fairies seemed to help or hinder humanity at their whim. Clifford could contact the Fairies of course, but he had no illusions that he could induce them to do anything; their magic was superior to anything he could conjure. "Sending the invitations is no problem, Sire. But I can hardly guarantee that they'll attend, and you may not know it even if they do." The King nodded. "The Fairies do as they wish, of course. However, the Queen insists that we try." Clifford cringed inwardly at the mention of the Queen. He felt guilty at using a simulacrum of his friend's wife as a sex toy, but he could hardly wait to resume his play. Outwardly though, he smiled and said, "I will attend to it immediately." After a few more pleasantries the King took his leave. Clifford remained extremely horny, but he put duty before pleasure and went straight to work on the invitations. First he went to his window, and using a minor spell as well as a sprinkle of seeds, he lured several pigeons into a cage. He wrote out the invitations for the Fairies on a special parchment, and then he ground the parchment into powder, and mixed the powder with various potions. He fed the concoction to the pigeons and then one by one he removed the birds from their cage. He murmured a spell of protection over each bird, and then released it into the open. Each bird would fly to an area of the kingdom where a Fairy dwelt to deliver its message. Unfortunately, the closer Clifford got to the end of his labors, the hornier he became and the faster he worked. As a result, his spell of protection over the last pigeon wasn't worded perfectly. But Clifford didn't notice. He had already flung off his robe; regrown his cock back to its former stature, and relit the candle that brought the Queen's hot and eager double back to his cot. Clifford ravaged Anna's pussy with his rock hard penis until a magically enhanced orgasm overtook him. For a full minute he squirted copious amounts of cum into a pussy that sucked on his cock better than any ordinary mouth or pussy could have managed. After that, an exhausted Clifford fell asleep. He had no way of knowing that several miles south of the castle, his last pigeon had become a falcon's dinner. ** It's not easy to ascribe human emotions to a Fairy, but the one named Elise seemed to be both pissed off and jealous. She was jealous because the other Fairies had received invitations to the King's festival and she had not. Elise was pissed off because she hated feeling jealous concerning anything to do with humans. Oh they could be amusing, but like any inferior and self-aware species, they thought that their antics actually had meaning in the grand scheme of things. The lack of an invitation certainly couldn't stop her from attending though, so Elise showed up at the festival after the other Fairies had departed. Once there she entered the mind of an elderly woman who had stood in line for hours to catch a glimpse of the new Princess and the babe's proud parents. A Fairy could enter the mind and body of a mortal at will. She could simply observe or she could control the mortal to whatever extent she wanted. When it became her turn Elise, as the old woman, peered into the child's crib where the Princess was quietly content to suck at a toy and watch the parade of adults pass by. "She is really such a beauty, Sire," said the old woman. The King nodded, "Thank you madam, many people have said that very thing today. In fact, I'm beginning to think that we should call her Beauty." The Queen shook her head vehemently, "It would be cruel to saddle a girl with a name like that." The King laughed, "I suppose you're right, my dear." Much to the Queen's chagrin however, their conversation was overheard, and despite the fact that the Princess was given a dozen other names that day, she was known as 'Beauty' from then on. As the King and the elderly woman chatted, Elise studied the baby. It had been her plan to curse the child so as to make her father pay for his slight. However, she could tell that the other Fairies had blessed the child with beauty, intelligence and good health so there was nothing that she could do immediately. But Fairies lived long lives and Elise was willing to be patient. ** It was Beauty's sixth birthday. There was no grand festival this time. The affair was a birthday party geared for children instead of their parents. The children played in the castle courtyard, while the adults stood around the edges and talked amongst themselves. Currently, both groups were watching Clarence as he performed a series of magic tricks for the children. They giggled and laughed as he made flowers grow out of ears and buckets of sweet, brightly colored goop suddenly appear and pour their contents over unsuspecting heads. For his last trick, Clarence placed a box that was no larger than his fist on top of a small table that he had been using. After warning the children that magic could be dangerous and that things didn't always go as planned, he flipped open the box then jumped back in terror as a huge tiger flowed from the small container and perched right on top of the table The big cat casually licked one paw, and then the children gasped as it roared and sliced through the air with its bared claws. Suddenly the tiger roared again and leapt from its spindly perch to soar over the head's of the children. They shrieked in delighted fear as the tiger looked as if it were about to eat them all. At the apex of its leap however, the tiger exploded into hundreds of candies and treats - the children scrambled from their seats to grab up the goodies. The King watched the children with quiet amusement. He motioned Clarence over and pointed to one of the children. "I know that boy in the blue shirt, who is he?" Clarence followed the King's gaze. The boy in question had garnered more than his fair portion of the candy, but he was sharing his gain with the smaller children who hadn't been able to get as much. "That's Hal, the son of stable-master Harold." "Oh yes, now I remember. A well behaved and intelligent lad, I hear." "Yes Sire," agreed the wizard. The King looked thoughtful. "I want you to cast a spell on Hal. Beauty needs a companion from among the commoners. Bind him to her, lightly and subtly of course." "Without his father's consent?" Clarence was surprised. The King was usually very conscious of his subject's freedom of choice in such matters. "I'll take care of the boy," said the King. "He may attend school with Beauty and the other children of the nobles." "Yes Sire," said Clarence. There wasn't much else he could say. Anna, the King's beloved queen, had passed away while attempting to give birth to a male heir for the throne. The child had died as well and in his grief the King had become fixated on his daughter. She was going to be his heir and the queen of his kingdom when he was gone and that was that. Whatever the King thought had to be done toward that end was to be done. ** Hal stood and stretched his lanky frame. Two horses, which were tied behind him, whinnied and stepped about nervously. Hal turned and patted one of the horses on the nose. He said, "Don't worry, she'll show up eventually." For the last decade Hal and Beauty had seen one another almost every day. They had school together in the mornings. And then in the afternoon, Beauty was tutored in the art and science of ruling a country, while Hal spent his time either in mock combat with the young knights in training, or he helped his father in the stables. Twice a week it was his job to saddle a riding horse for the princess and accompany her on a ride through the royal forest that surrounded the castle. Hal looked at the lengthening shadows in the courtyard and decided that they best cut this afternoon's outing short. He heard a door open and turned in time to see Beauty stomping down the steps from the castle. She was dressed in her usual riding attire, which tended to be more practical than fashionable. She was wearing a man's plain cloth shirt with long sleeves. The shirt was tucked into what looked like a mid-calf length skirt, but was really a pair of pants with large, pleated legs. Her boots were scruffy, but well used and comfortable, and she wore a large cloth hat like ones that the peasants used to keep the sun off their heads. Her only concessions to fashion were an embroidered vest that fastened beneath, and accented, her ample bosom and a colored ribbon that tied back her dark hair. Hal could tell by the way her boot heels smacked on the stones, and the way that she jabbed her hands into her riding gloves that she was definitely not in a good mood. She threw up her hand to forestall any comments from him. "Yes, I'm late," she said. She grabbed her horse's reins from his hand and threw herself into the saddle. "I don't know why I have to know the history of every square foot of land in this kingdom. Even father has advisors. And then the politics of ..." She went on and on as they trotted away from the castle. One of her many instructors had put her in a really petulant mood. Hal knew from long experience not to say anything beyond making agreeable sounds. They had been on the trail for an hour when he realized that she had stopped ranting and was actually talking to him. "How was your day?" she asked. "Oh just the usual, tactics and strategy after lunch, and then swordplay. We were on the practice ground when..." He launched into a story that ended with a particularly unlikable mutual acquaintance lying face down in a puddle of mud. Beauty giggled and then laughed out loud. Hal congratulated himself on lightening her mood. They arrived at a fork in the trail and reined in their horses. One trail wound its way deeper into the forest, and the other was a shorter route that paralleled a stream that ran back to the castle. Hal said, "We better go down to the creek. We got a late start and I think it's going to rain." He frowned at the darkening sky. Beauty shook her head. "I've been looking forward to this ride all day. We can hurry," she argued to his disapproving countenance. "If you can keep up, that is," she laughed as she kicked her horse into a gallop down the longer trail. Hal shook his head. She was a good rider, but not in his class. He caught her soon enough and they slowed to a more reasonable pace. They had reached the halfway point in their outing when Hal's prediction of rain came true. They found shelter and waited out a thunderstorm. Unfortunately, the storm turned into a drizzle and as the day grew later and darker they had to take to the trail without any sort of rainwear. Slowly but surely their clothing became soaked. The brim on Beauty's hat grew heavy with rain and flopped around her face. Her shirt became plastered to her breasts and the cool temperatures made her nipples stand out. Hal took advantage of the erotic view to keep his mind off his own discomfort. In fact, the sight of Beauty's breasts bouncing and swaying with the motion of her horse gave him an aching erection. I was nearly dark when they slogged back to the castle stables. When they were finally inside and out of the rain, the riders dismounted. They looked around but there was no one to be seen. Apparently the inclement weather had driven any other riders in early, and the grooms on duty had left for dinner or a warm fire somewhere. Beauty took off her hat and wrung the water out of it. She ran her fingers through her hair and said casually, "Hal, put up my horse, I'm liable to miss dinner." Hal snorted. He had always treated Beauty with the respect due a princess but he was miserable and in no mood to let her get away with this stuff. "Put up your own damn horse. You have a hundred servants to bring you a hot meal whenever you like. I'm the one who's liable to miss dinner." Beauty's eyes flashed. She took a couple of quick steps to stand directly in front of Hal. She planted her hands on her hips and said, "I know that's not true. I hear the young maids talking about you. 'Did you hear what Hal did? He's so nice. He's so clever and handsome,'" she mocked in a high girlish voice. "You're the one who's more likely to get his supper and his other appetites satisfied by the castle staff." Hal blushed, he'd had his way with more than one of the pretty young chambermaids in the castle, but that had little to do with who was going to care for two wet and hungry horses. "Jealous?" he asked in a mocking tone. Beauty's eyes flew open in rage. She took a deep breath, which thrust her breasts even more tightly against the clinging wet material of her shirt. She was about to verbally lash Hal, when he grabbed her around the waist and kissed her hard and fast. Hal couldn't believe that he'd given in to his lust like that. But she was just so beautiful and regal and desirable and vulnerable right now that he couldn't resist. He half expected Beauty to struggle and scream for help, but she didn't. In fact, when Hal thrust his tongue into her mouth, she returned the kiss just as ardently. They couldn't hold each other closely enough. Beauty's breasts pillowed against his chest and he could feel her hard nipples through their clothing. He had one hand around her waist and the other was on her ass, pressing her hips against his raging cock. Her hands were all over his back and in his hair as she pulled their mouths together even more tightly. Physically, Beauty was no little girl. She was as tall as most men and her clothing was leaden with rain, but Hal easily swept her off her feet and carried her into one of the empty horse stalls. Without breaking their kiss, he laid her in clean straw. Their tongues dueled as Hal caressed her breasts. She moaned when he pulled the wet material of her shirt across her sensitive nipples. Hal's cock was so hard it felt numb. If Beauty had been one of the castle maids, then he would have been pounding away at her pussy by now. But she was no chambermaid who was looking for a quick thrill; she was a princess and soon-to-be queen. He had too much respect for her and her position to assume that she wanted him to go farther. If she would just give some sort of signal, he thought. Beauty used both hands to push Hal away. He rocked back on his heels and made ready to give an abject apology. Beauty glared at him and said in a hiss, "Will you please hurry before someone comes along?" She began to fumble at her clothing and in seconds her riding pants/skirt were gone. And a sign is what I got, thought Hal as he tugged at his pants until they were around his knees. He waddled between Beauty's thighs and was surprised when she grabbed his cock and pulled it into her. After the coolness of the rain, Beauty's pussy was like liquid heat. He was going to ease himself inside her slowly but Beauty had other ideas. She hunched her hips up to his and hissed in his ear, "Come on, fuck me hard." Her nails bit into his back to urge him on. Hal responded eagerly. He pounded into her as fast as he could move. He knew that he couldn't last long at this pace, but it didn't matter. Beauty wrapped her arms and legs around him in a quivering embrace as she came, and he followed seconds later. The couple rolled on their sides as Hal's softening cock tickled its way out of Beauty's pussy. They embraced and kissed again, but more with affection than sexual heat this time. Beauty whispered, "Now we're really late. You really wouldn't mind putting up my horse for me, would you? Please?" Hal caressed her cheek with his fingertips and flicked bits of yellow hay out of her dark hair. He looked dreamily into her eyes and whispered back, "Put up your own damn horse." ** Although Hal and Beauty thought they were being discreet, most anyone who knew them noticed the change in their relationship. There were shared smiles and whispers and a certain glow on their faces when they were in the same room. It took a while, but eventually even the King noticed a change in their attitudes towards one another. And when he did finally take notice, he called for Clarence. "Clarence," said the King, "I want you to remove the spell that binds that Hal to my daughter, and if they still spend time together after that I want you to do some of your spying on them. I want to know what kind of a relationship they're having." "Yes, Your Highness," was what Clarence said, but what he thought was: That little binding spell wore off years ago, and any young man Hal's age would obviously be doing his best to get his hands all over the aptly named Beauty. So the wizard went back to his room and prepared to do a bit of snooping. He captured another pigeon. And the next time that Beauty and Hal went on one of their little rides, Clarence cast a spell on the bird and set it to follow the young couple. Clarence was able to see what the pigeon saw through the use of a magic mirror. At first the bird had to swoop and dive and circle to keep the couple in sight. The jerky motions were enough to give Clarence a headache and a queasy stomach. But then Hal and Beauty left the main trail and picked their way slowly through heavy growth along a small stream. The bird had to take to hopping from branch to branch when the foliage closed in, and the couple left their horses tied to some brush while they continued on foot. After traveling for a few minutes, they popped through the dense growth and into a clearing. Hal spread out a heavy ground cloth that he'd been carrying and the couple smiled at one another. Beauty gave Hal a curtsey, complete with a dainty finger under her chin, and said, "May I suck your cock, kind sir?" Hal returned her curtsey with a sweeping bow and said, "It would be a pleasure, my lady." Beauty fell to her knees and unfastened Hal's pants. His cock popped into view, rampant and pointing at the sky. Beauty pulled it level with her mouth and wrapped her lips around the throbbing head. She slid her lips down his cock, twisting her head first one way and then the other. Clarence's eyes flew open wide in surprise. He'd expected some adolescent kissing and fumbling and giggling, maybe even some heavy duty groping, but not this. I guess there's no question now as to how intimate they are, thought Clarence. Hal stood there with his hands on his hips, eyes closed, as Beauty bobbed her head on his cock. Hal began to grind his hips in slow circles, and then to pump them back and forth. He grabbed Beauty's head began to fuck his cock into her mouth faster and faster. "Ohhh...here it comes...here it comes," he moaned. Hal shuddered and convulsed as Beauty sucked and swirled her tongue around Hal's spurting cock. "Oh shit, oh gaaah..." he protested as Beauty continued to play with his swollen dick. Finally she released him and stood up. She slid her arms over his shoulders and gave him a hard kiss. She said, "Too much for you?" Hal shook his head. "It feels like you're trying to swallow my dick when you do that." He kissed her back and then said with a grin, "But I like it." "And now it's my turn, kind sir," said Beauty as she gave Hal another curtsey, and then she began to disrobe. Clarence pulled open his wizard's robes and brought his fully hard cock into the open. "Oh my word," he said in an awed voice as Beauty's breathtaking body was revealed. The little girl he had amused with simple magic tricks was now a complete woman. Chestnut hair fell across her broad shoulders and swirled around her proud breasts that jutted out firmly. Clarence grabbed his cock and began to rub it as Hal put his hands on Beauty's waist and ran them down her full hips and ass as he kissed her. Beauty lay on the ground and pulled Hal down with her. She spread her legs and he immediately covered her pussy with his mouth. Clarence, through the eyes of the pigeon, could only see the back of Hal's head, but it was obvious that he must have his tongue buried in her pussy or whipping at her clit. Beauty rolled her head from side to side in excitement and rubbed her palms across her nipples. Clarence jerked at his cock with a steady rhythm that already had dribbles of precum lubricating his fingers. Beauty arched her back and moaned out her orgasm. It went on and on until she finally relaxed and Hal stopped tonguing her pussy just long enough to stick his newly hardened cock in it. He humped madly between Beauty's thighs until she came alive once more. "Oh yeah, honey," she moaned. "Slow down a little and I'll cum with you." Clearly, Hal didn't want to hear that. His hips continued to beat out a steady slapping sound against Beauty's body. Beauty put a hand and a foot squarely on the ground and gave a good push. In a second she was the one on top and they hadn't even broken their cock to pussy connection. "Hey," yelped Hal in surprise. "Sorry," said Beauty in a tone that inferred the she wasn't the least bit sorry. "I told you to slow down." "Well, please don't stop altogether," pleaded Hal. "I'm hardly finished with you," Beauty assured him. She sat up straight and began to lazily roll her hips on Hal's cock like she was riding a horse. She put one hand on her hip and began to rub her clit with the other. Clarence flailed his fist up and down his cock as he watched Beauty arch her back, her tits pointing nearly straight up, as she came once more. Then Hal's face screwed up and it was obvious that he was pumping his second load of the afternoon into Beauty's grasping pussy. Clarence's cock gushed and cum spilled all over his fingers and dripped onto the floor between his legs. He sighed deeply and then he began to worry about what he would tell the King. Not the truth obviously, the King would probably have Hal beheaded. He would have to think of something very circumspect to say in his report to the King. ** "So what you're telling me," said the King, "is that Beauty and Hal are screwing their brains out." Clarence winced, "I never said that, Your Highness." "You didn't have to, Clarence," said the King with a sigh. "I threw those two together, I suppose that I should have seen it coming." Like a knight on horseback charging though the throne room, thought Clarence, but he said nothing. "Well they can't go on," said the King. "Beauty must marry a noble from one of the baronies in order to strengthen the political ties of the kingdom. Once he's taken her supposed virginity and sired a successor to the throne, then she can discreetly take all the lovers that she cares to." The King stared thoughtfully into space for a moment and said, "I'm going to give Hal a commission in my army and send him to Gorgia. Then I'll make Beauty one of my official advisors. That should keep those two separated and too busy to think about each other." Clarence could only nod in agreement. Gorgia was the southernmost barony of the kingdom. Beyond it lay a desolate mountain region that was home to outlaws and petty tyrants who would constantly plunder the richer land to their north if it weren't for Lord Vance, the Baron of Gorgia. Lord Vance was a brilliant military leader and fiercely loyal to the King. Elements of the King's army were constantly rotated into Gorgia in order to give them training and to keep the southern raiders from growing too strong. It was dangerous work, Hal could advance himself nicely in Gorgia, or he could die there. ** Two years passed and Beauty attended another ball in celebration of her birthday. She was breathtakingly stunning in an off the shoulder white gown decorated in pale blue gemstones. She spent the evening surrounded by most of the nobility of the kingdom. They knew that she was assuming more and more responsibility for running the country, and they all wanted to be near her. For her part, Beauty tolerated the attentions of the powerful, the near powerful and the mere sycophants with grace and charm. Throughout the evening she danced and chatted with those men her father had deemed most acceptable as suitors. Some of them were fat and smarmy, some of them charming and handsome, but none of them were Hal. Beauty was very careful not to mention Hal to anyone, especially her father. She knew that Hal was exiled from the castle because of her, and she knew that the less she appeared to care, then the more likely it was that he might return some day. That was also the reason that she hadn't tried to contact him, and she hoped that that was the reason she hadn't heard from him. It was a mighty thin thread of logic she was clinging to, but it was the best she had. The Fairy, Elise, arrived at the ball unnoticed. She was still enraged at the King, and now more than ever it was evident that the best way to strike at him was through his daughter. She didn't have to read very many minds to find out that not only was Beauty the most desirable woman there; she was also unattached. And, thought Elise, there was nothing like a sex scandal among the high and mighty to bring them humiliation. Elise studied the men in the room and picked out a handsome military officer in his twenties. She entered his mind and body. Beauty was sitting alone for once that evening. Alone except for the half dozen servants hovering nearby. Then, from around a clump of partygoers, a man in uniform approached with a goblet in hand. For a second her heart fluttered, she thought that Hal had miraculously appeared, but then the man drew closer and she realized that the soldier wasn't her beloved. The man stopped before Beauty and gave her a low bow. He said, "Forgive my impertinence, Your Highness, but I thought that you might like some refreshment." Perhaps because the officer reminded her of Hal, Beauty reacted before her keepers could shoo the man away. She said, "Thank you," and took the goblet. She examined the wine and its container and said, "I appreciate your gesture, but I'm afraid members of royalty can hardly afford to accept drinks from strangers, Lieutenant...?" "Miller, Your Highness, James Miller - if I can't serve you drink, can I offer you a refreshing walk on the terrace?" That sounded like a wonderful idea to the hot and tired princess. She took James' arm and they strolled to a terrace just off the ballroom. The couple followed a low wall, which surrounded the terrace, until they found a dark corner. It was the first time in ages that Beauty had had a chance to talk to someone near her own age. The young officer was kind and charming, not - it seemed to Beauty - because he was out to advance his career, but because he was genuinely interested in her. Thanks to some magical assistance from Elise, the terrace soon cleared of everyone except James and Beauty. "You must have danced with every eligible nobleman in the kingdom tonight," said James. Beauty laughed. "Yes, I'm afraid that I have to pick out a husband from amongst that lot." "There must be dozens of them, it'll be quite a chore." "Not really," said Beauty. "Only a few of them meet my father's approval." "And which one meets your approval?" asked James. Suddenly reminded of the conflict between her duty and her own desires Beauty said, "I'm not sure." "I wish it could be me," said James. And with that Beauty was in his arms. They kissed as if they were old lovers. Their bodies meshed perfectly. Beauty ran her hands up James' arms to his shoulders and pulled him to her urgently. She could feel her juices begin to flow and her knees weakened. It was all she could do to break the passionate kiss and draw away from James. Beauty loudly cleared her throat. She avoided James' eyes when she said, "Please escort me back inside." James didn't speak, but he offered his arm and they reentered the ballroom. Two hours later Beauty was in her bedroom. As she sat in front of her mirror combing out her hair, Beauty replayed every second of her encounter with James. Her breathing became faster as she remembered how his tongue had wrapped around hers. Beauty shook her head and looked at herself in the mirror. You meet a guy and two seconds later you're so horny you can't stand it, she thought. "You need to get laid," she advised her image in the mirror. There was a tapping at her door. Beauty frowned, wondering who it could be, her maid had gone to sleep long ago. "Come in," she called out. The door softly opened and James Miller slipped in. He smiled at Beauty. "How did you get in here?" she asked. There were guards at the base of the tower that lead to her rooms, and her maid always locked the outer doors to their suite. James shrugged and began to remove his jacket. "I'm a trusted officer of His Majesty's Army, and by definition a very resourceful chap." He continued to strip off various pieces of clothing. "What...what are you doing?" Beauty said. She tried to sound demanding, but the words came out breathlessly. "Exactly what you want me to do," said James. By now he was down to an undergarment that did nothing to hide his erection. Beauty took in his broad shoulders, flat stomach and the impressive tent in his shorts. She remembered his kisses and how he had felt in her arms and said, "What I want you to do...is to wait for me over there." She pointed to her oversized bed. Beauty stood beside her bed and stripped off her bed robes. James took in every luscious curve of her body as he slowly stroked his cock. When Beauty joined him on the bed, James kissed her mouth. Their lips and tongues melted together. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once and then suddenly he had a finger in her pussy. He found a particularly sensitive spot and he lingered there, bringing her to orgasm. Then he kissed her neck and her breasts and trailed his lips across her stomach until his tongue touched her clit. Minutes later Beauty moaned, "Ohhh...do it again." She'd lost count of the number of times that her body had shaken with yet another orgasm. James seemed to know just when and where to touch her swollen pussy and clit to bring her off, but now she wanted more. "Fuck me," she demanded. "Do it now." James manipulated her clit until she was at the brink of another cum and then he slid his cock into her aching pussy. It filled her perfectly, as she knew it would. James began to fuck her with slow steady strokes. Despite the fact the his cock had been swollen and stiff and drooling precum ever since he had entered her room, James was certainly in no hurry to cum. "Harder, damn you," urged Beauty, but James held her on the edge with his slow strokes for what seemed like an eternity. When she finally came, Beauty passed out and then fell into an exhausted sleep. James dressed back into his uniform with jerky, wooden movements. Elise was having trouble controlling his tired limbs as she looked into Beauty's mind. Elise couldn't believe it, James was everything that Beauty could want in a lover. He was handsome, charming, caring and he'd just fucked her until she literally couldn't stand it anymore, but James wasn't the lover in her heart. It was some peasant whom she hadn't seen in months, someone who was too far away to figure into Elise's scandalous plans. She studied Beauty's sleeping form and decided on another tact. Elise summoned her magic. Very well, she thought, you'll sleep and sleep forever unless this true love of yours comes to rescue you. She spread a pall of gloom and malaise over the palace and then she enchanted the surrounding grounds and forests. Elise flew from James's body and her invisible spirit hovered over Beauty. You're in love with this peasant boy? We'll just see how much he wants you, she thought. ** Hal's horse picked its way through the main camp of Lord Vance's army. It had been two years since he had heard of the mysterious deaths of Beauty and her father, the King. Hal had had little time for mourning because war between the barons of the leaderless kingdom had broken out almost immediately. Lord Vance, the Baron of Gorgia, and his allies had fought to keep the kingdom together until a new king could be named. Under the pressure of war, Hal's military career with Lord Vance had advanced rapidly. He had become one of the baron's aides. Hal pulled up before a large tent in the center of the camp and dismounted. He turned his horse over to a soldier and entered the tent. Lord Vance and a number of his officers were standing around a table that held a map of the surrounding area. "Hal," called out Vance when he saw him. "What news do you have?" The men in the tent grew silent as Hal approached the map table. He pointed to road on the map and said, "We engaged Lord Rupert's men here and fought a delaying action through Green Valley until we reached the river. It was a bloody two days, but when we reached the river your trap was sprung." Hal allowed himself a brief smile. "Your plan worked, Lord Vance. Rupert surrendered when he saw that his men would be crushed." A cheer went up in the tent. Several of the men slapped Hal on the back and congratulated him. Hal appreciated the acclaim of his fellow officers, but to him the victory was just another battle in a long and bloody war. Vance roared over the clamor in the room, "You don't understand, Hal. It's all over. With Rupert out of the way, the rest is simply a mopping up. I'll be able to call an enclave of the barons before the summer is through. We should have a king before the first snows fall." Hal was stunned. The battles and bad food and hardships of the field had seemed interminable. Lord Vance put his arm around Hal and said, "I'll want you at that enclave, but for now I want you to go home. You certainly deserve a rest." A few hours later Hal was headed out of the encampment on his way north. After days of travel he entered the village of Leedston. It was the last independent village that he would pass through before he reached the castle district. He decided to stop there for a meal and to wipe away the grime of the road. With any luck he would be seeing his parents the next day. Hal had reached the center of the village when he saw a group of small children being entertained by some sort of street showman. The children shrieked as a tiger leapt over their heads and burst into a shower of candy and small toys. Hal smiled; there was only one person who could do that trick. He waited until the show was over and approached the short, wild haired performer. "Clarence," he called out. Clarence studied the young man before him. It took him a few seconds to realize that the young man with the thin, haggard face and tired smile was Hal. "My boy, I'd hoped that you would come through here one day." The two men went to a nearby tavern and talked at length about the war. Hal told his story and ended with, "...and Lord Vance felt that he could convene an enclave of the barons before the end of summer." Clarence suddenly looked shocked. "That means they would pick a new ruler," he said. Hal shrugged. "Of course." "But Beauty is still alive!" Hal felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. He shook his head. "Clarence, Beauty's dead. Everyone knows that." Clarence shook his head violently. "Yes, that's what everyone thinks and feels, but here's the truth. I was summoned to Beauty's rooms on the morning following a ball that celebrated her eighteenth birthday. No one could awaken her, and some of the servants were sure that she had died in her sleep. It was very difficult for me to detect her breathing and heartbeat, but I could tell that she was barely alive." "Some sort of enchantment?" asked Hal. The wizard nodded. "Yes, and a very powerful one at that. The King and I stayed by her side day and night. I tried everything I knew to bring her out of her state, but nothing worked. She still lies in her rooms at the castle. An incredible feeling of loss and hopelessness filled the castle and the surrounding forest. It was much more than the natural feeling of loss for a loved one. A number of people committed suicide and the rest fled in despair." "My parents?" asked Hal. "They were among the last to leave. When the King died, it broke their spirit. Your father saved as many of the royal horses as he could and fled. He breeds and cares for them at a farm not far from the castle." "Thank goodness for that," said Hal. "And you say that the King is truly dead?" Clarence nodded. "Yes, he stayed by Beauty as I tried to arouse her. Neither one of us rested for days; I had my magic to sustain me, but the King died - more of a broken heart than anything else I think." Hal stared hard into Clarence's eyes. "We have to try to help Beauty, you know that don't you?" "I've been preparing to do that for the last two years. I have several new spells that I can try on her, but the truth is that I'm an old man and I won't be able to fight the enchantments that surround the castle and the dragon at the same time." "Dragon?" said Hal. "Yes, a rather large one I'm afraid." Hal shook his head. "Dragon's don't live this far north." Clarence smiled thinly. "Perhaps he'll toddle on home if you point that out to him." A few small dragons could be found in some of the wetter areas in the south of the kingdom, but the truly large beasts, the ones that gave the dragons their fierce reputations, lived in the swamps far beyond the southern border. One of Hal's soldiers had been a dragon hunter. The man could tell tale after tale of harrowing escapes from the beasts that could kill a man with claws, or teeth or fiery breath. He'd made it clear that it took a team of men working in concert to bring down a large dragon. Hal said, "I suppose I can get together some of the returning veterans to take on a dragon, especially if it means helping Beauty." Clarence shook his head in disagreement. "You don't understand, anyone who nears the castle is filled with dread and foreboding. They become absolutely certain that there is neither anything nor anyone worth finding in the castle. And don't think that people just haven't tried. I watched as hundreds of adventures tried to reach the castle. The overgrown forest and their own fears repelled most long before they even came within view of the castle. A few strong willed individuals reached the walls, but the dragon either killed them or drove them away. You'll never get a group of men to the castle, much less have them work as a team once they get there." Hal frowned in frustration. "How do we - or I - do it then?" "I do have something up my sleeve," said Clarence as he actually reached into one of the voluminous sleeves of his robe and pulled out a small leather pouch. He opened the pouch and poured a red jewel as big as his thumb into Hal's hand. "I got that from a wizard who was fleeing the war. He said that if you could get that into a dragon it would die almost instantly," continued Clarence. "Any chance he was lying?" said Hal as he looked askance at the small stone. Clarence gave him wicked smile, "Wizards rarely lie to one another; the consequences are too severe." Hal replaced the jewel in its pouch and put the pouch away in his jacket. "Alright then," said Hal. "I'll take care of the dragon and you revive Beauty." Clarence nodded and looked out a nearby window. "I have to get going. I have to give at least one more performance this afternoon, or else the children will be in here after me." "And I need to eat a meal," said Hal. He looked around for one of the serving wenches. "I haven't eaten since dawn." ** Elise had been alerted to Hal's arrival in Leedston. Her thirst for revenge against the King had been quenched when he had died miserable and broken. But she had found the predicament in which she had placed Beauty most amusing. Now she was going to find out how faithful Hal could be to his quest. Elise flitted about the tavern, looking at the available women. It was in the upstairs quarters of the owner that she found her mark. There was the tavern owner's daughter. Elise entered her mind and body. The girls name was Rebecca. She was a pretty but headstrong and conceited girl. Her father was no doubt anxious to betroth her to the first eligible man who came along. Unfortunately, she looked nothing like Beauty, but Elise decided to use her to entice Hal anyway. Rebecca was short and bit plump with blonde hair. Elise used that extra weight to her advantage. She moved pounds of flesh from the girl's stomach and thighs to her breasts. Now the bosom of her dress was filled to near bursting. Next, Elise smoothed out her skin and made her butter-yellow hair fairly glow. ** Hal had finished his meal and he was contemplating what to do next when someone walked up to his table. He turned his head and looked up into an enormous pair of breasts. It took a moment before he realized that their owner was speaking. "Excuse me?" said Hal. "I said, 'Did you enjoy your meal?'" came a high-pitched voice from above the breasts. Hal dragged his eyes upward until he was looking into the face of a lovely young lady. "Oh, it was good...good, thank you...uh?" he prompted. "My name's Rebecca," said the girl as she sat opposite Hal. "My father's the owner here." "Oh really," said Hal, and a second later they were discussing the pros and cons of the life of a tavern owner's family. Hal couldn't get his fill of Rebecca's stunning figure and beautiful features. For the last two years about the only women he'd seen were camp followers of Lord Vance's army. The hard lifestyle they had to endure wasn't conducive to making a woman attractive. As they spoke, Hal felt a pressure against his boot. The pressure traveled up his leg until it was obvious that Rebecca was feeling him up with her bare foot. As she pressed her toes against his crotch, she said, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" Hal could have sworn that he heard his cock moving in his pants as it became instantly stiff. For two years the thought of Beauty's death had driven away his sexual desire, but now with the idea that he might see her again and this exquisite pubescent female making a pass at him, he was suddenly aching with lust. He took a deep, calming breath and said, "I may spend the night; do you have any rooms available?" Rebecca jumped up and grabbed Hal by the sleeve of his coat. "We have lots of nice rooms; let me show you," she said, as she dragged him up the stairs. She ushered Hal into a spacious room and locked the door behind them. Hal looked around room. He was almost certain that he was about to get lucky, but he wasn't sure what his next move should be. The matter was resolved when Rebecca sat on the edge of the bed and pulled the top of her dress off her shoulders and down to her waist, revealing her magnificent breasts. As she eyed Hal's tented pants, she said, "I bet you can't wait to fuck my titties." Hal waited only the length of time it took him to cross the room, pull down his pants and gather up the plump fullness of Rebecca's breasts in his hands. He wrapped her tits around his throbbing cock and sighed. Her skin was like warm silk on the head of his dick. He thrust his hips a dozen times and then it felt as if something hot and almost solid was surging through the end of his cock. A half dozen full, scalding jets of cum followed the first one. Hal withdrew his cum-slick cock from between Rebecca's breasts. He felt embarrassed. "Well, that was a little quick," he mumbled. "It sure was," giggled Rebecca, as she massaged his massive load of cum into her breasts. "But that's alright," she said, and promptly grabbed Hal's dripping cock and stuffed it into her mouth. Hal grunted in surprise, but he quickly gave into the sensations that her tongue and lips were creating. In a couple of minutes he was as hard as ever. Rebecca released his cock and said innocently, "Do you want to fuck me now?" "Oh baby," said Hal as he took his cock in hand to keep the feeling going. It took only seconds for Rebecca to drop her undergarments to the floor and gather her dress around her waist. Hal maneuvered himself between her legs and slid his cock into her pussy with surprising ease. He'd expected that the little lady's pussy would be really tight on his cock, but it wasn't. It was certainly hot and liquid but he wasn't getting all the friction that he wanted. Rebecca didn't seem to suffer from any lack of stimulation. She lifted her hips and knees until her legs slipped over Hal's shoulders. Her nails scratched at his arms as she chanted, "Come on Hal, fuck me faster - harder - fuck me, fuck me..." Hal pounded straight down into Rebecca's relaxed pussy. He went harder and faster until the screwing couple were bouncing of the bed with each thrust. Sweat formed on his well-muscled torso and dripped onto Rebecca's pillow sized breasts. By the time Hal shot his second charge of cum she was enjoying continuous orgasms. Well spent, Hal fell on his side and promptly went to sleep. Rebecca stood and arranged her clothing back into shape for public viewing as Elise left her body. Rebecca looked at herself in the room's mirror. It was as if she had been in a dream for the last couple of hours. Somehow, every wish she'd ever had about her body had come true. Her face and hair were flawless and her body would cause a man to start drooling at a hundred yards. She looked at Hal as he dozed on the bed. He was cute, and if he hung around, she might give him a tumble or two. But he was obviously not a rich man, just a soldier home from the war. She knew that her father was aching to marry her off, but she wasn't going to become involved with Hal just to spite her father. Rebecca arrogantly flipped her hair over her shoulders and strolled out of the room. It was time to tell her father that she wasn't about to settle for just anyone. Elise let the girl wander off. She was getting bored with her little game. If Hal awoke to go panting after the gorgeous Rebecca, then so be it. If he still wanted Beauty, then he was going to have to overcome Elise's spells and dragon to have her. Either way, the affairs of humans were beginning to pale. She disappeared from the tavern as quickly she had appeared. Hal slept through the evening and didn't arise until daylight the next morning. He ate breakfast in the tavern. Rebecca was there. She was flirting with a half- dozen men on the other side of the room. She didn't seem inclined to seek him out, and that suited Hal. He paid his bill and left. He sought out Clarence and they made plans in the event that Hal was able to reach the castle and subdue the dragon. Then Hal went to the town's local fletcher. He had the man tip an arrow with the dragon-killing jewel that Clarence had given him. He also purchased a heavy long bow and a quiver of ordinary arrows. With that business out of the way, Hal was off. It was late that day that Hal arrived at his parent's home. They had a tearful reunion and Hal was relieved to see that they were doing well. They spent hours and hours discussing the events of the past two years, but when Hal told them about his discussion with Clarence they looked at him with a mixture of pity and indulgence. Hal's father said, "I'm afraid that Clarence went quite mad with grief when he failed to save the princess. He would go on and on about how she was under a spell. Of course everyone knew that she was dead." "Did you go to her funeral?" asked Hal. "Oh no," said his father. "We had to get away from the castle, everyone was leaving at that point." "But why?" insisted Hal. His father looked frustrated and confused, as if he was tired of answering the questions of an overly inquisitive child. "We just left, we had to take care of the horses didn't we?" Hal dropped the subject. His father wouldn't have abandoned his place at the castle so quickly without some magical influence, so Hal kept his plans to go to the castle to himself. He spent his days honing his archery skills, claiming that he was planning a hunting trip. A week later he assembled his gear and headed out. Hal had to approach the castle on foot. The surrounding forest had become more like a jungle than woods with the widely spaced trees of his youth. A trip that would have been a pleasant morning's ride two years ago became a two-day ordeal. Hal had to hack his way through undergrowth that seemed determined to trip his feet and block his progress at every turn. More than once he almost gave up. His attempt seemed more worthless with each step. But then he would remember Beauty and his resolve would strengthen. Late on the second day Hal cut through an overhanging vine and the castle was suddenly there across an opening of trampled down vegetation. He sheathed his sword and took several steps toward the huge main entrance. He had completely forgotten about the dragon until he felt the ground shake. Then it trembled again and again in a plodding rhythm until the dragon made his appearance. It filled the main gate to the castle. It was higher at the shoulder than Hal was tall and it's head was at least twice that high above the ground. Hal had only a second to appreciate the dragon's size before he turned and ran for his life. He could hear and feel the dragon thudding after him. When Hal reached the screen of leaves and branches of the forest, he took a hard left turn and dove for the ground. There was a tremendous whoosh of flame from the dragon that crisped the vegetation immediately above and behind him. It would have burned him alive if he'd continued to flee in a straight line. As it was he could feel the heat singeing his unprotected skin. Hal crawled to a point in the jungle like vegetation where he could see the dragon without being seen. Twice more its neck arched back as it inhaled deeply. Then its head would jut forward as its tail arose and flame would shoot out of its mouth. It watched the forest intently for several minutes. At that point it seemed that the dragon was satisfied that Hal had fled for good or was a pile of charred flesh. It huffed mightily, smoke puffing from its nostrils, and made its way back into the castle courtyard. Hal retreated into the woods to think things over. He'd hoped that Clarence had exaggerated the size of the dragon, but the wizard certainly hadn't. The scales of a dragon grew larger and tougher as it grew older, and the one guarding the castle was one well-aged, well-armored beast. The jewel tipped arrow that Hal carried would only bounce off its hide if he attacked it directly. He would have to use his backup plan. It wasn't nearly as simple as shooting the monster from a safe distance, but it was all he could come up with. Hal spent the night inaudibly moving about in the forest that abutted the clearing before the castle. He found a sapling in just the right position, and he trimmed it so that it would hold his jacket in place with its arms outstretched. Then he bent the sapling to the ground and tied it there with a rope that he had carried from home. He wrapped the rope around a couple of small bushes and then stretched it out along the forest floor to a point where he could watch the clearing. At that point Hal ate his dinner and fell into an exhausted sleep. It was well past dawn when he awoke. He stretched and scratched and watered a nearby tree. After a meager breakfast, Hal decided that he'd better tackle the dragon before he gave it too much thought and lost his nerve. He made sure that his bow and arrow were ready and then took up the end of the rope. He took a deep breath and yelled, "Hey ugly, you awake in there?" Almost immediately he felt the ground vibrate to the dragon's steps. The dragon emerged from the main gate of the castle and covered half the distance across the clearing before it stopped and began to look for the source of the noise that had disturbed its day. Hal gave several light jerks on the rope and twenty yards away bushes rustled. The dragon moved closer, its head turning this way and that, looking for whatever was making that sound. Hal continued to tease the dragon and the beast moved a few steps to one side so as to peer into the forest at a different angle. When the dragon was facing away from Hal, he gave a good hard pull on the rope and the knot that was holding the sapling down came loose. Hal's jacket arose from the forest floor and waved its arms about in front of the dragon like someone who was bent on suicide. The dragon roared and then its head came back as it began to inhale. Hal took that as his cue and he broke cover; he ran to within twenty feet of the rear of the dragon. When the beast's tail arose and the dragon began to destroy Hal's jacket with gouts of flame, Hal set his feet and pulled back his bowstring. He tried not the think about the fact that he would have only one shot. When the arrow steadied on target, Hal's fingers released it. The arrow covered the distance to the dragon in less than a second and disappeared into the beast's asshole. The roar of flame from the dragon turned into a roar of pain. It spun on its hind legs much more quickly than Hal would have given it credit for and came face-to-face with its attacker. Hal realized that he'd made a fatal tactical error. He'd made his attack, but then he'd forgotten to retreat. He dropped his bow and sprinted for the woods as fast as his adrenaline-flooded muscles would take him. After the second step though, he knew it was useless. The dragon would have him squished flat, clawed into little chunks and nicely barbequed long before he could reach safety. Clarence had said that the jewel would work almost instantly. Of course one man's 'almost instantly' was another man's 'takes a while'. The distinction, Hal thought, was about to get him killed. Then something shoved him hard in the back and he went flying through the air. Hal tumbled through the weeds and when he stopped he desperately looked around for the dragon, but it wasn't there - at least not in one piece. Something red and bloody thudded on the ground next to him, and then the sky began to rain chunks of exploded dragon flesh. Hal shook his head in an effort to clear his thoughts. Whatever spells had been cast around the castle had certainly addled his brain; he'd almost gotten himself killed. He stood and gathered his few provisions. Now that I've slain the dragon, he thought, I might as well look around the castle. He entered the main gate and wandered into the great hall. He had known that the place would be deserted, but he hadn't been prepared for the emotional impact. For his entire life, this huge room had been full of energy and bustling with life, and now it was as quiet as a tomb. Hal strayed into what had been the living quarters of the castle's inhabitants. It hardly seemed worth the effort, but he took the time to wash away the grime of the last two days and to put on fresh clothing that someone had left behind. Then he resumed his tour of the castle. He walked about until he came to a flight of stairs that climbed into one of the castle towers. It seemed to him that there might be something up there of interest. But the stairs looked so steep, and he was leg-weary from his exertions. He very nearly turned away, but then he found himself trudging upwards in what he knew would be a useless quest. At the top of the stairs there was a suite of rooms. There were rooms filled with feminine furnishings and clothing. There were other rooms with enough books and charts and maps to stock a library. But there was nothing in the suite that he wanted. He was about to head back down the stairs and out of the tower, when he saw one last unopened door. Just to be thorough, he unlatched the heavy, ornate door and peered in. Across the room, in a wide bed, was a woman who appeared to be sleeping. Hal smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand so hard that the back of his head crashed into the doorframe. He cradled his head in pain as he stumbled into Beauty's bedroom. How could he have been so stupid? He'd completely forgotten the reason he was here, not to mention the woman who was his reason for life. Hal neared the bed and took Beauty's hand. It wasn't cold in death, but it certainly wasn't the warm hand that he'd held so many times. And it certainly wasn't the hand, hot with sexual fever, which had stroked his erection so many times. She's in a coma and she can still give me a hard- on, thought Hal. He stroked her hand as he said, "Don't worry, I won't forget you again. Now that the dragon's dead, Clarence will be able to come and remove the spell." He held her hand and studied her face for long minutes. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Finally he murmured, "I'd better go. The sooner I leave, then the sooner I can get back." He carefully laid Beauty's hand back beneath her breasts and then he softly kissed her cool lips. Hal was about to pull away when he thought that he had felt Beauty's lips move against his. He kissed her harder and was amazed when he found that her lips were warm and moist and responding. He felt her arms move and then they were around his neck as she pulled his face fiercely to hers. After a long minute they broke their kiss and gazed into one another's eyes. "You know that I love you more than anything, don't you?" Beauty whispered. Hal nodded. "And you feel the same way about me?" she continued. Hal nodded again. "Then where the hell have you been?" she said as she gave him a healthy slap on the shoulder. "I...I..." began Hal, but then they both began to laugh and weep as they held each other tight. ** With Hal's kiss, Elise's spells were broken. The people of the kingdom wondered why they ever thought that Beauty had died and she was crowned Queen in short order. The castle staff, including Hal's parents and Clarence, returned to their former lives. Hal was made the captain of the Queen's personal guard. He was very diligent in his duties, especially at night when he made sure that he stayed very near the Queen. Beneath the sheets of Her Majesty's bed, Hal slid his leg between Beauty's. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close until her breasts were spread across his chest, and her face was next to his. As he spoke his lips brushed hers. "When are you going to marry me, and make an honest man of me?" "It has been arranged," said Beauty, "for me to marry Limner, the son of Lord Willowbrook." "What?" cried Hal. "You can't be serious." "Have you ever seen Limner," asked Beauty with a sly smile. "Of course," said Hal. "He's a fop and a dandy, and he surrounds himself with young boys who look just like..." Hal stopped for a second and then said, "He doesn't like women, does he?" "Not in the least," said Beauty. "He likes the hard work that comes with being a leader even less. I've arranged with Lord Willowbrook that one of our children - that you would be yours and mine - to be the next Lord Willowbrook. Our family will be even more powerful and the crown will be even more secure." "You're certainly your father's daughter, aren't you?" Beauty nodded. "It's what he would have wanted." "Then I'll never get to be a king, or prince, or whatever?" "You want to be a king?" asked Beauty. "Yes, I think so," said Hal in mock seriousness. "Get your own damn kingdom," said Beauty, then she squealed with laughter as Hal hugged her even harder." End