5 Years later...
A prince ascended a mountain on foot, followed by an entire army. They'd started out on horses, but the trail had grown too narrow and they'd had to continue on foot. The terrain was rocky and the air grew thinner as the men neared a cave.
"Here we are," the general muttered to the prince, who drew his sword. He signaled to the army, who drew their swords and bows stealthily. The prince led his men into the cave.
All was still, except for a flaxen-haired maiden sobbing in the far end of the cave.
"We're here to rescue you!" the prince called.
His called echoed, bouncing around the damp, empty, walls.
Then the dragon came.
It roared in the prince's face. It's breath was much too hot and stank of sulfur.
"Charge!" the prince yelled, slashing at the dragon. He could've swore his sword glanced off it, but blood welled from the wound and the dragon roared in pain.
Of course, there was no way he could have noticed that the maiden's lips mouthed mysterious words every time he cut the dragon.
With one final swipe of the prince's sword, the dragon gave one final roar and fell on the ground, dead.
The maiden ran to him, laughing joyously.
"You saved me!" she cried, embracing him.
"I could've sworn that was too easy," the prince said, glancing at the dragon's dead body. "It was almost as if my sword couldn't pierce its skin,"
"You're just too good at this," the maiden said, eyes sparkling.
Of course, there was no way he could have noticed the disappointment in her eyes when she glanced at his ruby red signet ring.
"I must go now," she said. "My kingdom awaits,"
"Wait!" the prince said. "Couldn't I escort you?"
"Thank you for your offer, but I'll be fine," the maiden said. She walked out of the cave and began the treacherous climb down the mountain.
"I can't let you do that!" the prince cried. "It's far too dangerous!"
But the maiden didn't turn around. The prince began to run towards her, but a heavy fog swept in for just a few minutes. When it blew away, the maiden was nowhere to be seen.
"Buck up, young sir," the general said. "There's more fish in the sea,"
The prince sighed, mounting his horse. "I suppose you're right."
And although they had won the battle, a cloud of defeat followed them all the way down the mountain.
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The maiden burst back into the cave.
"Hansel!" she said.
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