The Hopeless Knight

Lillian Merrill

Dedicated to aspiring authors
Keep up the aspirations

The knight rode into town. His armor was askew and dirty, and he looked very beat up. And crispy. He attempted to give a charming smile to the townspeople, but it came out more as a creepy grin, since some of his teeth were missing. He smelled disgusting, and to be honest, he had never smelled good anyway. Nonetheless, the townspeople gathered around them - though they were careful to stay a good distance away. A few people from nearby towns were also there, and spread the news, because none had expected him to return. Waiting a few hours, the knight judged a sufficient crowd to be gathered around him, and he began to speak.

“Gather round, all, and hear the tale of how I, the Mighty Knight and hero of this village, have rid you of a great pestilence!”

His voice was raspy, and one of the townspeople scurried up and offered him a pitcher of water. The younger kids edged closer, waiting for the story to be continued.

“It all began on a dark and stormy night. The wind was howling something fierce, and the rain came down in torrential bursts. The lightning ripped the sky, setting trees on fire and creating loud bursts of thunder. Still, the mighty noise of the storm was not enough to drown out the most terrible sound of all."

"As people huddled in their beds, waiting for the storm to pass, a tremendous roar ripped through the storm. The roar was too big for any natural animal. No, only a monster could have created that noise. Indeed, the very next morning, claw marks, huge and menacing, were found on the ground. A dragon had come to the town that very

night. Each day, more families were set weeping at the loss of small, innocent children to the wretched dragon."

"After that first tragic disappearance, everyone searched far and wide, but the child was not found. Indeed, three more people disappeared. The only thing that was found were more dragon tracks leading up to the peak of the Mountain of Doom. A huge, decrepit, abandoned cave had long stood there, abandoned, and clearly that was where the dragon resided."

"The townsfolk were dumbfounded. Truly, what could they do? Some sent their children away, but that did not stop the dragon. Indeed, if the dragon couldn’t find any children to eat, it stole and devoured adults. If no one was readily available, the dragon would eat an entire household, and burn the house to the ground. The good people of the village were driven to submission and forced to start sacrificing children to the dragon every day. The dragon, sated, ate only one child a week. But he was angered if they did not offer up a child for sacrifice every day."

Here the knight paused his tale. He had stripped off his armor, which now lay in a pile under his horse. Striking a pose, he became truly introspective. What could he tell them about himself? Where to start? He figured he had already done so much for the villagers. “No one had yet seen the dragon and lived to tell the tale. That was soon to change. One day, a mighty knight rode into town."

"'Hail, good folks,' he said. A more handsome face had never been seen, even in the capital city! His hair was a fair, gentle color, his eyes as fiery as a flame. Indeed, the knight was fair, not just in looks but in deed. Truly, the people

beheld the noble steed and shining armor! The chivalry shown surpassed even that of the king, though the poor villagers could not know, because they were mere townspeople. This knight had stood in the presence of the king! The knight demonstrated true greatness of heart, soul and mind. While others had rested, he had worked tirelessly for the safety of others, all the while flashing his beautiful smile! Indeed, this knight is none other than I."

"The townspeople all gathered around me at my arrival, awed by my brilliance, as you do now. They carried their pitchforks and hammers and tools from their work with them, so eager were they to greet me. 'Hail, fair knight. From whence do you come? Have you been sent by the king to rid us of our troubles?' I gave a charming smile. 'Indeed, I am just the knight to help you. What are your grievances?' The rough farmers glanced at each other. 'You mean, the dragon?' 'Ah!' I shouted in delight. 'Only a dragon? Child’s play.' Suddenly, a dark shadow passed over the town. I gathered the children around me, comforting them. The shadow passed, and the townspeople cheered."

"'So scared is that dragon to face me, is it? Well then, I must face it! Give me provisions, and I will go and fight the dragon!' I announced to the folk. Quickly they assembled a humble sack for me, filled with bread and other such lowly foods. But I did not complain. I have eaten the meals of kings, and I have eaten the meals of peasants. All food is alike unto me, whatever it is.

By this time, the sun was setting, and I asked the folk for a bed for the night. So many people offered their house that in the end, I chose to sleep outside, to show my fairness and nobility.”

***
Hello, fabulous me.
Today I was riding around the countryside when I came upon a town that had very clearly been attacked by a dragon. I was about to turn around and ride out before I got eaten, but some of the townspeople saw me, and my horse, who never listens to me anyway, refused to bolt. They asked me if I would fight the dragon, and of course I said no and tried to turn my horse around and ride out of there. However, the townsfolk got their pitchforks, gave me a sack with some bread, and were about to force me to go up the mountain when I appealed to them that since the sun was nearly set would they not let me sleep the night first? They consented to that, but they made me sleep outside so I could “warn them if the dragon came.” I’d love to take off now, but they also set a guard on me, and I can’t sneak past them. The disgrace!
***
“The next morning, looking radiant as ever, I ate a humble breakfast and took off for the mountain. The kind folk showed me to the old beaten path up the mountain, and I set off on my horse.

Soon, the path fell away, and a dark forest surrounded me. As I fought through the forest, slashing down vines with my sword, a rock flew through the forest. I quickly dodged it, but then rocks began flying from all directions. Surely a numerous host had me in their clutches. I fought as best I could, but strategically saw that it would be best to let them think they had me in their grasp, and so I faked weakness, and collapsed to the mossy floor."

"I woke up in a dark cave, chained to the walls on both sides. Of course there was a key to unlock the chains. It’s fairly obvious. Alas, my feet were also chained together

and the key was hanging on a hook out of reach even for someone with amazing athleticism, such as me."

"A parade of dwarfs soon came in and marched around me, sticking out their tongues. They were the strangest creatures. All covered in fur, they were the color of rock so that they blended in with the stony cave around me. They made strange noises and grunts, and danced in strange patterns. These hideous dwarfs were miniscule, and it seemed impossible that they could have captured me as quickly as they did. However, I was soon to discover what had happened."

"They unchained me and dragged me through a maze of corridors. It quickly became clear to me that I could not have escaped without following one of them through the tunnels. Right after the dwarfs left the tunnels, they came into a wide clearing. As soon as the sun hit their ugly bodies, they began to grow, until they were as tall as the trees around the clearing. They grunted at me, but recognizing my opportunity, I dashed into the tunnels and took the first turn. The dwarfs all rushed in after me, yet they were far too large and had to wait while they regained their small stature. They rushed into the tunnels, but I was well hidden in the shadows. The beasts ran right past me! As soon as they were past me, I dashed out of the tunnels and through the forest, searching for my horse. I heard my horse call. It must be in danger! I found horse grazing in another clearing in a large field of flowers. I called to the horse, but it only glanced at me and went back to grazing on the flowers."

"The flowers smelt very sweet, and I could only conclude that they must have bewitched my poor loyal horse.