(no subject)

[toothycat]

Original here.

The noise from the cave entrance finally died down, and the Princess risked a peek outside.
The dragon lay on the threshold in a bloody, mangled heap. A group of men with a battering ram crowded around it, staring.
"Oh...", the Princess said. "But where is the prince?"
"Far", one of the the men replied; a hulking bearded lout in a kosovorotka.
"But how... I mean, he was supposed to rescue me, carry me off to his castle and marry me!"
"Oh, yeah!" the bearded one grunted. "We'll all marry you shortly, never fear. Hang on a minute, now."
He signalled the others, and the men, cursing happily, started to carry the dragon's treasures out of the cave.
"Load 'em all up on the cart. Carefully, mind!", the bearded one ordered before walking up to the pricess, scratching his belly.
"Luverly... Right, get'em off, then."
Shaking, the Princess gripped the hem of her dress tightly.
The man spat regretfully.
"Pah, women! What do they think of? There's no time for loving now. Get your bling off, I'm telling you. Lovemakin' comes later."
The princess quickly loaded the outstretched palm with rings and brooches, which the man hid in a pocket with a satisfied grunt.
Sounds of horns came from around the bend, and a troop rode into the gulch.
"Look what the cat dragged in!" The bearded one spat bitterly and swore.
The most smartly dressed of the riders came forward and squinted, sneering, at the men.
"Hello, hello, hello... Looting an' thievin', are we?"
"No looting here. This is our spoils, this is."
"I think not", the rider responded. A small squad detached themselves at his signal and surrounded the cart.
"When they informed me that a dozen peasants with pitchforks and slings had set off for the mountains, I knew right off what was coming. Secretary, remind me, what does the law say of treasure troves?"
"These are our spoils, fairly won", the bearded one repeated stubbornly.
"The law, your highness, says", an elderly rider spoke, ignoring the man, "that all that is hidden within the earth on Your land belongs to the Crown. Be it treasure or ores. Moreover, the property of the dead dragon, for the lack of immediate relatives, according to the law reverts to the state..."
"You understand? And the state - that is me."
Veins throbbed on the bearded man's neck.
"That's..."
"Shut up!" the prince interrupted him sharply, and the man shut up.
"I see you understand your situation", the prince nodded. "I have here with me twenty cavalry and as many crossbowmen. WE would be grateful to you if YOU would be so kind as to assist us in returning OUR spoils to the castle."
"YOUR spoils?!" the man howled.
"Secretary, explain to this imbecile what transpired here."
"His highness the prince, in his concern for the good of the people, came to this gulley with a troop of loyal soldiers and, challenging the monster to a fight to the death, defeated it in fair battle", the secretary intoned. "Anyone who dares doubt this heroic deed is a treacherous revolutionary and a traitor to the crown."
"You see?"
"I... see", the man muttered, peering at the crossbowmen.
"That is good. Load up the cart. Perhaps we will repay you for your work, after."
The prince giggled nastily and turned his attention to the princess.
"What's this girl you've got with you? She doesn't look like a peasant."
"That's my girl!", the bearded one sulked.
"I'm a princess!"
The prince sat up in his saddle.
"What princess?!"
"Olivia, daughter of king Leonard!"
The prince turned towards his secretary, grabbed him by the collar and held a knife to his throat.
"You snake!", he hissed through his teeth. "You said none of the heirs were left alive!"
"Your... high... ness..."
"Silence, worm."
The prince pushed his secretary aside, nearly pitching him off his horse.
"Never mind. It is all for the best. You!" He pointed a finger at the princess. "You're coming to the castle with me. There they'll dress you up and explain what's what. I'll marry you tomorrow. Then no-one will dare call me a usurper."

The gold was loaded on the cart, and the men, swearing bitterly, dragged it down the valley. The princess was frisked, and, after no weapons were found, hoisted up on the prince's horse. The trumpets sounded once more, and the cavalcade retreated.
The princess sat behind her rescuer, holding his waist, and sobbed quietly.