The Diary of a Frog Prince part 11 (The End)

A Frog Prince's Diary

Jaden's diary

Day 59

Curse me for a weak idiot! Yes, I was still at the well in the morning. I tried to tell myself to stop waiting and leave. When I finally galled myself into starting, I was going so slow, that a grandmother snail with her house, all her grandchildren and their houses, on her back could have overtaken me. Yes, I'm a fool! Living at the palace is a really bad idea!

Suddenly, I heard this shuffling noise in the leaves. Whoops! To late! Might as well not go not! Was what I was thinking. That is until I turned around. You would never believe who it was! Guessed wrong! It was not Elaine! But rather a tiny little girl! Sheesh! Where did that come from?

“Foggy?” she calls and shuffles towards me. A strange terrified sensation entered my heart. Little children and animals do not mix! Anyone can tell you that! If that child got her paws on me- squish- I would literally be as good as dead. With one great hop I leaped over the well. Two more hops and I was leaving her in the dust.

Splash! The sound literally stopped my heart! The surprised screams that followed, literally stopped everything else. I felt so stiff and frozen as I awkwardly shuffled around. The child was in the well, of course, where else would she be when there was no one but yours truly to rescue her. She was splashing about and drowning! What really bad mother let her midget down here in the first place? Well, I couldn't let her drown, but I was to small to pull her out. What was I supposed to do? Well, I thought of everything in one split second. Actually, I made it up as I went along.

I hopped into a tree, grabbed hold of one end of a vine and dived into the well. I found the drowning child and wrapped one end around her. It was work, believe me. She kicked, struggled and generally swallowed more water then I would have though possible. But in spite of these discomforts, I secured her. She was now stuck. Her nose was just above the water line. Not the best of positions, but a lot better then drowning. The next thing to do was go to the palace and find help.

“Princess?” a high pitched voice of an old woman screeched. I jumped. I had been so busy with my work that I had not heard these nurse come down the path.

“Ma-am?” I began. She hardly noticed me.

“Princess Vianna?” she screamed and rushed to the well. So this was the nurse that let the child wander off. If it was my daughter, I would have had the woman fired instantly in disgrace. But at least she was there to rescue the child. Of course I got no thanks at all as the nurse untangled the child and rushed her, dripping in the direction of the palace. Then it occurred to me, that if Vianna was a princess, then she was probably Elaine's sister. I felt a little put out. How come no one told me she had a sister?

I was settling down for the night, when Elaine came. I felt awkward. I had totally forgot about telling her that I would go back to the palace today. What with the excitement of almost witnessing a drowning and taking a hand in the rescue, I had completely forgotten. Well, anyway, Elaine got right down on her knees in the mud.

“That would be your dress, you're ruining!” I pointed out. She ignored me, which I found weird. Instead she picked me up in her bare hands and kissed me! Weird! I can't say I've ever experienced a kiss in human form, but it was not anything like I expected it to be.

Suddenly, a tremor ran through me and I leaped into the air. Elaine made a grab and we both went tumbling into the pond! To my complete dismay I realized that I couldn't breathe underwater. What a fine time to change back into a man. I splashed to the surface, and shook my reddish blond hair out of my eyes. About this time Elaine started screaming. I dragged myself out of the well. How could I have ever found that water comfortable? It was cold, dark and deep. I shivered and wished I had a cloak. My clothes were thin dinner garments, now sopping wet. They had not been made to get wet or wear after the sun went down. I pulled Elaine out of the water. She had stopped screaming and was staring at me with an incredulous look on her face.

“My name is Jaden!” I said, and started sneezing.

“Did I just kiss you?” she asked, her eyes narrowing, “Or was it a frog? Are you a frog? Or were you a frog? I am so confused!”

Day 60

Well, the king is happy. His daughter is getting married. Apparently he had trouble finding her a suitable groom. Plus I guess he thought it was a bonus, that I turned out to be a prince. Yes, I am marrying Elaine. I suppose she is happy that I am willing to marry her after having seen her at her worst. We were eating breakfast this morning in the sun room. I was feeling uncomfortable not being able to flick my tongue in and out at juicy pieces when there was a flash and the fairy appeared. Elaine stood up and curtsied politely.

“How are you my dear?” the fairy asked her.

“Fine thank you, and you?” Elaine said politely.

“Beautiful!” the fairy cooed, “I just knew that if the two of you met you could cure each other!” she said.

“Huh?” both Elaine and I chorused.

“I just explained to Justin that he wasn't really cursed a few days ago, and a couple weeks before that I explained the same thing to James.” the fairy said, as she turned towards me. My eyes narrowed. “Now I'm explaining to you, that you would have eventually changed back with or without a kiss!”

“You're invited to our wedding!” I said icily, as I took Elaine's hand. “Since you did help set in motion the events that led to our meeting, you of course will always be welcome!” I didn't really mean that, it was just a polite thing to say. The fairy nodded.

“Well then my dears, I'm off to help Joseph learn to think about others.” She vanished.

“He's your brother isn't he?” Elaine said as she glanced at me. I nodded. The king laid down his fork.

“That little thief was your brother as well, wasn't he?” he accused me, “You were using my daughter to help you get what you wanted! You are so wretched!” I shrugged. I saw no sense in trying to explain everything to him.

“To bad, I'm still marrying her!” I said. Elaine smiled at me.

To Be Continued

With

The Diary of Rapunzel's Prince

Joseph's one passion is hunting. He never thinks about others at all. That is until he meets Rapunzel. He must learn to put others before himself and rescue the girl from the tower, where she is imprisoned by an evil fairy styling herself as the girl's mother.

The Diary of a Frog Prince part 10

A Frog Prince's Diary

Jaden's diary

Day 52

Perhaps I was wrong about Elaine. Today, when we were setting out, she bent down and picked me up. Sure, she had a cloth covering her hand, but she still did it.

“I never thanked you for rescuing me.” she said humbly, “If you still want to, you are welcome to come back to the palace.” I didn't tell her that her father and I had already discussed the reward.

“That would be nice!” I said dryly.

“If you want-” she hesitated and her face turned bright red, “I will give you that kiss you asked for once before.” I was delighted. One kiss and would be free. But suddenly it was my turn to hesitate. I couldn't let her kiss me. That was basically the same thing as forcing her to marry me. If I turned back into a man, it was proper protocol that she marry me. What if she really did want to marry Joseph.

“Thank you your highness.” I said miserably, “But if you do that you will regret it, so please don't!” So she didn't.

Day 53

We arrived back at the palace. The king was overjoyed and promptly had me knighted. I, being a prince had already been knighted, but it was the thought that counted. Besides, I couldn't really tell him that I was a knight. He probably wouldn't believe me anyway. I am feeling rather bitter. Perhaps I should have asked for that kiss after all.

Day 54

Jerome was released today. Since my every wish was granted these days. I insisted he be given clothes fit for a prince and a bath. Phew! He smelled terrible after rotting in the dungeon for so long. I think some of the servants are beginning to event wild stories about Jerome, because I wouldn't satisfy anyone's curiosity by telling them why I was patronizing him. Elaine has been really nice to me. A little too nice. I'm beginning to be uncomfortable.

Day 55

Ugh! I know, Elaine thought she was being nice, and generous. She is really trying to be kind, but I really didn't want sleep in her room. She literally had a silken pillow set up for me in the corner of her room. I'm not sure what is a nice way to say it, but NO WAY! I got out of it by saying I preferred the balcony. I get plenty of fresh air that way. I hope Elaine won't be to embarrassed when I return to my true form. That is if I do.

Day 56

I was playing fetch with Elaine and her golden ball, in the garden, when it occurred to me that I am nothing but a house pet! I was so shocked by this that, I rushed off without an explanation. Tonight I plan on staying at the well. This whole experience is just getting to awkward. Besides, I just realized something. I love Elaine! Staying at the palace isn't fair to either of us. I can use the pet experience as an excuse to leave.

Day 57

I awoke this morning, cramped and uncomfortable for sleeping outside after spending so many nights on a silken pillow. By the edge of the well, was a golden plate and cup. Both were filled with my favorite delicacies. Not flies! I ate the food and drank the wine. But didn't go back to the palace.

Day 58

Jerome and Elaine came down to the well today. I was surprised that the king would let his daughter hang around in the company of a notorious criminal like Jerome. Elaine looked sad and sat down on a rock. Jerome headed straight for my camp. I wished I could throttle him, but of course my webbed hands were to small. He crouched down next to me.

“I'm off home!” he whispered.

“About time!” I retorted. He gestured at the princess.

“I told her, that I would bring her to you. She wants to talk to you.” he said. I scowled.

“Why did you do that?” I demanded, “I was comfortable-” Jerome stood up, so I shut up. He obviously wasn't listening.

“You can come on over.” he said, then strode off into the trees.

Elaine picked up her skirts and scurried over to me. I crossed my arms, which probably looked ridiculous, considering that I was a frog.

“You are mad at me, aren't you?” she said softly.

“Why did you come down here with him?” I asked jerking my head in Jerome's direction.

“I don't think he is dangerous!” she said crossly, “If anything he is a sweet little boy.” I rolled my eyes. Jerome would have thrown a royal tantrum if he heard that.

“He ought to be, he has six older brothers!” I said before I could stop myself. She stared at me strangely. I started coughing.

“You left because I was treating you like a lap dog!” she accused, luckily dropping the subject of Jerome and his family.

“Er- more or less.” I said vaguely.

“Please come back!” she pleaded, “You are so much more then a lapdog! You are a friend!” I hesitated. That wasn't exactly what I wanted to be. I shook my head. I couldn't go back.

“Tomorrow!” I blurted out. Mentally, I kicked myself. Why had I told her that. But she looked pleased.

“I will come back tomorrow to fetch you!” she said, then turned and ran back in the direction of the palace. I cursed myself for a twice cursed idiot, and wondered if I should be long gone by morning.

To Be Continued

Sky and Companions series, part 2

I finally finished drawing two more covers for the "Sky and Companions" series. These are books six and seven.

 Book six of the "Sky and Companions" series. The people on the cover, from left to right. Dill Clearwater, Spring Sweetflower, Sky Heavenview, and Fall Laughingbrook. Winter Farsight is standing in the back. These five people spend the entire book either running from dragon-slayers or floating on a raft. They don't do much else, until they reach the shore of Nimrode. While there, they meet someone very unexpected, and the boys volunteer to help fight a war, in exchange for help defeating Daisy Blue-Eyes.

Book seven of the "Sky and Companions" series. The people on the cover from left to right are, Rain Black-Eyes, Peony Appleflower, Summer Sweetwater, and Cypress Rainwater. Daisy Blue-Eyes, the villain who was supposed dead, is back, and has Jess, Peony and Summer a prisoner. She has some plot for revenge against Peony and her cousins, because their grandfather stole her son, or so she says. But first she is forcing her prisoners to fight a war for her against the invading fleet from Nimrode.

~E

The Diary of a Frog Prince, part 9

A Frog Prince's Diary

Jaden's diary

Day 46

Today the kidnappers caught up to me. I lit the leaves on fire. Immediately I had a nice row of roaring flames. Unfortunately only one stepped on it, the other swines managed to turn about, with the princess. My victim screamed and cursed, while hopping up and down on one foot. I threw three flaming darts at him. While I was chasing him, the other two escaped with the princess. What rotten luck. But at least I could hunt down my victim and administer swift and well deserved punishments!

Day 47

There are still two kidnappers to go, and I am exhausted. What I need is a horse. Well, anything that can carry me. Is Elaine really worth this? Of course not! What had she ever done for me? If I don't think she is worth this pain, why am I still following her? Ugh! Why can't I answer my own questions?

Day 48

Ta Da! I am now the proud owner of a beautiful reddish stead! The terrible and dangerous squirrel! It's nice to relax on something soft while charging through the forest. This time I'm not going to set a trap. They will be expecting it. This time I am riding into battle, mounted on my glorious steed. Please don't ask how I caught and tamed this majestic stead. It's embarrassing and frankly I don't want to share it! But I hope you are curious now! If frogs could look evil, that's what I would look like at the moment.

Day 49

The sun was already high in the sky when I charged up into the kidnappers camp. The rotten no good sons of peasants had tied Elaine to a tree, and weren't sharing food with her. She still looked haughty. A pity, I had this ridiculous hope that she would have changed some. Oh well. I forced my stead to leap at the nearest lout's face. He screamed something about rabid squirrels. If I wasn't so busy stabbing at him with my dagger, I would have covered the squirrel's ears. He was to young to be hearing that kind of language. Anyway, what with a squirrel clawing at his face, and my valiant sword stabbing at his throat, he fell to the ground.

“It's another possessed frog!” his companion screamed.

“It's gotta be the same one!” he fallen companion screeched while trying to shove me away. I hopped off the squirrel. He was doing fine, ripping chunks out of the man's face. Then I leaped at the other man. By the time I reached the spot he had been standing, he was long gone. Racing through the forest for dear life. I raised my sword high in the air and hopped after him.

Day 50

I caught up to the man this morning and we battled. He tried to smash me with a log, but I leaped over it and caught hold of his boot. He slashed at me with his sword, and cut his own leg. He screamed, and limped away. I followed, stabbing and shouting at him to surrender. He wouldn't! By and by, a horseman came by, and hulled the unfortunate man up beside him and the two of them bolted off. The new man shouting at the other one, for being an idiot and fighting a stupid frog.

“I shall hunt you down, and justice shall be served!” I shouted grandly after them, then added in a whisper, “Just as soon as I'm a man again.”

Day 51

By the time I arrived back in the camp, the other man was long gone. The squirrel was sitting on its hunches, licking itself like a cat. I grinned in a froggish sort of way, then patted him.

“You are free to go.” I said gallantly. He ignored me. So I hopped over to Elaine. A pity that she had been tied up to the tree for a few days with nothing to eat. Maybe that would make her more mellow. But for some reason she didn't look pleased to see me. Oh well, it's not every day that your typical handsome prince is just a slimy little frog. Besides I had left her alone, with nothing to eat. Can't say I blame her much. Although a simple thank you would have done wonders.

“So you came back?” she croaked. I cut her ropes and let her gorge herself out of the kidnappers supply wagons.

“Tomorrow we return you home!” I said, but she was to busy eating to listen.

To Be continued

The Diary of a Frog Prince part 8

A Frog Prince's Diary

Jaden's diary

Day 42

It was nightfall when I hopped into an open window of a hunting shack, found some rope and brought it to the trail. I know there won't always be a shack handy to get tools from, but I shall take advantage of it, when there is.

I climbed up into a tree, by doing a lot of hopping, bouncing and detouring. I would do anything for a nice pair of hands. Have you ever tried to climb a tree, while carrying a rope and tie a knot, with webbed feet? It's not even half as easy as it sounds, believe me! I hopped up onto a bush, while carrying one of the rope in my mouth. From the bush, I hopped to a low hanging branch. I heard that some kind of frogs live in trees, but I know that is just a bunch of oily rust! Frogs don't climb! I ought to know! I am a frog! I got up to the top of the tree, and tied that miserable rope in a sailors knot, nearly breaking my neck in the process. Once the rope was tied, I slid down the rope to the ground. Then I pulled it back. Have you ever tried pulling down the branch of a tree, while being no bigger then an average kitten? Sure, I was a big frog, but I was only a big frog, not a giant! Once the snare was set, I collapsed. I was completely ready to die! And for what? A spoiled rotten princess, who deserved a spanking!

Day 43

I awoke to a loud yelled and snapping noise, followed by a massive crunch, as if something big and smashed into something else and broken. I blinked, the first streaks of dawn were just appearing on the horizon. But I hadn't come to admire the sunrise. A massive man was swinging from one end of my snare, two other massive men were dancing around him, trying to catch him, I suppose. Three other men had Elaine, bound and gagged between them. I drew my knife. It was time to fight. I launched into the air, caught the swinging man by one of his flailing arms and stabbed at his neck as I swung passed it. There was a gurgling noise. Red dribbled from his wound. Then I realized that he had already died. Probably broken his neck when he struck the tree. What a disappointment! By the time I leaped to the next man, Elaine's three captors were disappearing into the trees and I was left with the two big ones.

“Oh come on!” I grumbled. After all my hard work, all I got was a dead body and two ruffians to fight.

“Why, ish a froggy.” one of them slurred.

“Yeah in ish talking!” the other hooted. He reached down and picked me up by one leg. My day just wasn't getting any better. I was a good deal to close to his breath, which smelled like a barrel of very old very stale bear. Besides, being held by one leg is a painful process. The one thing useful for being in that humiliating situation was that I was literally in his face. I stabbed, then went flying through the air as he bellowed and screamed.

Whoever the kidnapper was, he should have been ashamed of himself. Who would be stupid enough to hire three henchmen that were weak enough to be killed by a frog? I seriously did leave them gasping out their last breaths in the clearing. I didn't waste much time on sorrow either. There was a law about drinking in the kingdom! Someone had to punish the drunks!

Day 44

Guess where I am today? Right! In the forest chasing the kidnappers again! If Elaine doesn't kiss me when this is over with, I will do something drastic! I feel as if I earned my human shape back, twice over! Will this hunt never end?

Day 45

I am past the kidnappers again. Sure enough there was no shack waiting for me at my set ambush place, so I decided to play with fire. I collected several sharp twigs. Then I stabbed them into the ground, in a nice little row. Actually it was a long row. I cleared aside the grass and weeds in thirty foot row. Then I pounded the sharp twigs in the ground. I also feel like I should mention that I do have a plan here, I'm just not sharing it! Once all the twigs were set up, a put try leaves and bits of grass around them, until you couldn't see the twigs at all. Then I went to one end of the pile, and used two rocks to get a tiny spark of a fire going. It was a small fire for me, but it would have been literally invisible to any human. I carefully tended it, making sure it grew no bigger or smaller. I had a great plan!

To Be Continued

~E

Book titles

Synopsis 1 was "The Beast Within" based off of  "Pride and Prejudice" and "Beauty and the Beast.
Synopsis 2 was "The Broken Bridge" based off of "The Burning Bridge" (Ranger's Apprentice book two) and "Beauty and the Beast."

Guess the books

I was bored one day, and started taking book titles and/or fairy tales, mixing the plots and coming up with my own retelling of them. Here are two synopsis, can you guess what books I based them off of?

Synopsis 1

Katherine Hawk is the youngest of four beautiful sisters, in a middle class early 1800's family. But the family falls upon hard times, Mrs. Hawk falls ill, medicine is expensive, Mr. Hawk gets into debt with Mr. Craven a cold hearted rich man, who is known for being strict and cruel. Without her parents permission, Kitty does the unexpected, she offers to work her father's debt off for him, so her father won't have to go to the debtor's prison. Much to everyone's surprise including Mister Craven, he excepts her propitiation. Three years of hard service in exchange for her father's freedom. Kitty soon discovers that there may be a spark of human kindness in Mr. Craven's dark soul. He did not need any servants at all. Ivy Park, has never been opened up. Mr. Craven prefers to stay in the hunting lodge. He never has any visitors, he rarely goes visiting. Can Kitty discover the mystery of Ivy Park and find happiness? Or is she doomed to be a maid forever?

Synopsis 2

Ranger Captain Shamus Beast is truly a beast, he hates everyone and everything, if the kingdom of Arolin didn't need him so badly he would have been executed, now he is about to set out and claim aid from Hale the neighboring kingdom. But he needs two companions. But no one wants to travel with him, so names are chosen. When Lord Raven is selected, his daughter Rose insists on taking her father's place as he is needed in Arolin. The other companion is a deformed young lordling, he sees his chance to make his father proud of him. But something strange is going on in Hale everywhere they go, cities have been reduced to ashes. The one survivor a timid red haired girl. Leaving his three companions to return home, Shamus cuts across the country to warn the king of Arolin. Meanwhile, the three children run into a pack of fire breathers wearing the sign of the war lord Calvin, enemy number one of Arolin, they follow the fire breathers and discover the swinging bridge. Can three very different young people defeat the prejudices surrounding them and save Aralin from complete destruction?

Hint:  Each synopsis is based off one fairy tale and one book. Both synopsis are based off the same fairy tale. 

If you can't guess I will give you another.

~E