CHAPTER 16
THE RETURN
After several hours sleep, Michael, Aaron, Zachary, and Alethia awoke from their much-needed rest. Following a quick breakfast of some water, bread, and a little honey, they said words of hope over the grave of their companion, Alexander. They committed his spirit to the King of Heaven.
They mounted their horses and began their descent down the mountain trail headed toward the East and the King’s Province. They soon reached the town of Shocho. As they rode through, Michael noticed the people seemed different. They looked to be happy and free of the bondage they had been in because of the dragon.
As Michael and his companions passed through the town, the people gathered about them. The tiny woods folk, who usually stay hidden in the forest, had already delivered word that Michael killed the dragon. Though it was clear the town’s folk wanted them to stay, Michael and his group received their thanks and continued on their way to take part in the great battle for the Kingdom of El.
Soon they were once again riding through the barren plains, at which time Zachary commented, “I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be happy to see these barren plains, but now I am.”
As night came they made camp. As soon as they could safely travel again, they were once again on their way. While they rode along, they enjoyed each other’s company and Princess Alethia told of how she had been kidnapped while on a trip in the Northern Kingdom, and how she was presented at the place of the dragon. She also told of how the King of Heaven revealed to her that a young prince would save her.
While they enjoyed their talk and the relief of having accomplished their task, they were all concerned for the welfare of the kingdom, for they had no word on the outcome of the battle.
They traveled eastward for two days and two nights. On the evening of the third day they saw Nekrosis in the distance and the entrance into the King’s Province. They noticed discarded swords, lances and armor all about the field, and in the distance they could see the remnants of the army of El clearing the battlefield.
“I fear we are too late to assist in the battle,” Aaron commented as they slowly rode toward the army’s camp.
Looking up to see the four drawing closer, John yelled at the top of his voice, “It’s Michael!”
Seeing his brother a short distance away, Michael jumped from Noble and ran to meet his brother.
Hearing the commotion outside, the king and Mary stepped out of their tents, unsure of what they would see. When they saw Michael and John running to greet each other, they also joined the rush to meet Michael.
As John reached Michael, he embraced him and said, “It seems like years since we parted at this very spot. Now you’ve been restored to us, and the war is over.”
Soon the king and Mary joined them in the embrace. Enjoying the presence of his family once more, Michael looked about and asked with haunting concern, “Where is Lionel?”
“Lionel fought bravely and fell on the field of battle,” The king responded with a choking voice.
They all again embraced and wept over Prince Lionel. Aaron, Zachary, and Alethia also shed a tear at the sight of their grief.
After a brief moment of looking at his son and thanking the King of Heaven for his safe return, the king said, “Let us return to the castle. Your mother is not yet aware of your safe return. She is concerned and needs the comfort.” So the king turned over the remaining cleanup operations to Artemus, and the seven returned to the castle together.
When Queen Debora looked out her window that evening she was relieved to know the battle was won. However, she continued to grieve for her youngest son Lionel and longed to see Michael’s return. Suddenly she heard a voice that sounded like Lionel’s saying, “Michael is coming!”
“I’m imagining voices now,” she said to herself as she looked up at the stars. They were just beginning to come out. Gazing at the sky, she thought she could see a group of stars that seemed to be smiling at her.
She thought to herself how odd the stars looked and that she had never seen a grouping of stars like this before. She next looked down and saw a group of riders coming toward the castle.
“Another group of wounded coming for treatment?” she wondered to herself. As she looked closer she saw the blond head of her son, Michael, and the gleam from the pommel of Avenger. “Michael!” she exclaimed as she turned to run down to the entrance to the castle.
Running to meet her son, she cried out his name in excitement and embraced him as soon as he dismounted from Noble. “When your brother, Lionel, died I feared more than ever for you,” she said, “but now the King of Heaven has returned you to me.”
“Mother,” Michael said with a smile and a tear, “I’m sure on two occasions I heard Lionel’s voice. Once when fighting the giant and then again when fighting the dragon. Each time, his voice saved my life. We must believe that he is in the presence of the King of Heaven.”
After a period of introductions and a meal, everyone retired for the evening relieved that their time of testing was over. Michael and his friends were so tired they could hardly remain standing.
The next day the court was filled with the noble people of El, and everyone spoke of Michael and his companions’ mighty conquest and of the great victory the king had over Diabolos.
Zachary was busy telling some of the ladies of the court about his part of the adventure, while Aaron and Prince John spoke of ideas and philosophy.
Michael and Alethia, however, were spending considerable time together. The more time Michael spent with Alethia, the more he found he loved her and hoped she felt the same way.
Suddenly, a bright light filled the court and the messenger from the King of Heaven stood in their midst with a young man beside him. Once everyone regained their sight they realized the young man with the messenger was Prince Lionel. When Queen Debora recognized Lionel, she wanted to embrace him so much she could hardly bare it, but she restrained herself.
The messenger began to speak, “King and people of El. Your time of peril is past and Prince Michael and his companions have fulfilled the king’s will. Prince Lionel has taken the place prepared for him in the king’s court and will ever be in the Great King’s presence, for he too fulfilled the king’s will. There is one last command from the King of Heaven to Prince Michael. He is to marry Princess Alethia, and her kingdom will be his to care for and protect.”
When the messenger finished speaking, Lionel, in dazzling white clothing, walked to his mother, held her in a warm embrace that seemed to radiate throughout Queen Debora’s body, and said, “Please don’t cry for me, Mother. You have not lost me. We shall still have each other. It was meant for me to take my place before the Great King and he has also prepared a place for each of you to take at your appointed time.” Still holding his mother’s hand, he looked about the court and continued, “All of my companions are with the Great King including Michael’s friend Alexander. He gave his life fighting the giant. Please, do not weep for those who reside in paradise and are full of great joy.”
Lionel walked back to the messenger’s side and departed with the words, “I love you all.”
Though no one understood exactly why, there was no more sadness in the court regarding the prince and the many men who died in the great battle. Queen Debora also had a curious feeling as she remained filled with the warmth of Lionel’s embrace.
The court continued to celebrate the victory over the dragon and Diabolos, as they realized nothing was lost.
After some time at the castle, Michael and Alethia were joined together in marriage. When they left the king’s province, Aaron and Zachary departed with them, for Michael requested that they be his champions in his court in the Northern Kingdom.
Though there would be some hard times ahead of them, none were as hard as they had just been through. They all lived happy lives and again enjoyed peace in the land. Michael was remembered throughout the land for slaying the dragon, though
if one should ever ask him he gave all the credit to his companions.
“So, Prince Michael became King Michael, and he was a good king, just as Alethia was a good queen.
This ends the story of Prince Michael and the dragon.”
I realized as I finished the story, I had actually lost myself in telling Michael’s adventure with the dragon. I looked over to see both Michael and John were fast asleep. I should have known as I went along with the story, it was a little too long for two young boys ready for bed. Yet, as I thought about the story I’d just finished, I thought I could feel a warm sensation, perhaps some inner healing.
The empty spot that Lionel had occupied was still there, but I somehow felt comforted. As I thought back on the adventure I had just made up, I realized the story was not just for the boys. It was also for me.
Then quietly looking over my sleeping sons I whispered, “Lionel is still with us.”
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About the author
John Christian (Chris) Orndorff is a retired Air Force Officer and AFOSI Special Agent. In addition to his Air Force career, Chris has traveled all over the world conducting antiterrorism activities in support of the U.S. State Department. He is presently an Air Force Junior ROTC instructor and author. In addition to Prince Michael and the Dragon, he is the author of the following books:
Prince John’s Quest
Princess Mary and the Prophet
How Have the Mighty Fallen
Terrorists, Tornados and Tsunamis: How to Prepare for Life’s Danger Zones
The Gilgamesh Epic
Prince Michael and The Dragon Page 17