Saving Teddy

It was not too long ago since Beatrix, Jade and their parents had visited Tika at her castle. They were all satisfied that she was doing quite well for herself, and was proud of her. King Phoenix thought of Tika as very strong and brave after all that she had been through. “Her parents would be very proud of her,” he thought.

Queen Missy on the other hand, thought that Tika would be a beautiful bride someday, but still the warrior princess she was also meant to be. Beatrix and Jade looked up to Tika as their big sister, because of their admiration they had for her strength and bravery. Both hoped to be like her someday.

A few months later Tika sent for the girls help, also asking for the King and Queen’s permission for the Beatrix and Jade to join in on a rescue. Tika explained, in the message that Teddy was in trouble, and needed to be saved from the witch who had put a spell onto the forest, because the villagers thought he was now considered a threat to the community. The witch wanted to turn him into the meanest creature that ever lived if he did not do what the witch had asked of him. Tika also mentioned, that the witch promised Teddy that she would break the spell from the forest if he would devour anyone that entered there.

The girls wanted to help because they loved Teddy as he was, and could not imagine him as the horrible creature that their grandmother talked about. Well, actually they could, but did not want to, since he was so gentle and kind once they got to know him. The girls explained who Teddy was, and begged their mom and dad to let them help in his rescue. Beatrix pleaded with them until they would give in, but there was no sign of them giving in, so she added,

“Tika and C.B Avalon, taught us some battle moves, and how to protect ourselves from danger.”

“Yeah, we can take care of ourselves now. I’ll even show you what we have learned,” added Jade, excitingly.

Quickly Jade tried convincing her parents that she and Beatrix can take care of themselves now as she began to pose in a fighting position as she jumped, stomped, kicked while flying, in mid-air until she bumped into a tree, and bounced off it almost knocking herself unconscious. When everyone ran to her side and realized that she was alright, they laughed while helping her to all four paws. They all thought her to be very silly, but at the same time they were quite impressed off what she was capable of doing.

After dinner, the king and queen had some time to think about it, and came to an agreement. The king had finally given in as he turned to both girls, and said,


“Okay, we have decided to let you go. But I am sending a couple of guards to escort you there. Now, if you’re going to help, you will need to leave bright and early in the morning. So come on, go get yourselves washed up for bed and get to sleep. We’ll prepare everything for your journey.”

While the girls settled in for the night, King Phoenix had a short discussion with a couple of his guards about guiding the girls to Tika’s castle. Queen Missy gathered some food and snacks, and stuffed them in a sack, along with some herbs; in case they were to get injured on the way, or during the rescue.

When morning arrived, Beatrix woke up to the sun shining brightly into her eyes. She then jumped off the bed, washed up, quickly got dressed and ran to Jade’s room. She was surprised to see Jade up and dressed.

“Oh, you’re already dressed? Why did not you come wake me?”

“Well I was just coming to, but you are already here.”

“Oh, okay. Well we better get down for breakfast before we head out on our journey.”

“Okay, but I did not pack yet.”

“I don’t think we’re going to be there long. We’ll probably just be there for the rescue, and for one night; so don’t take too much. It may weigh you down during our travels.”

Beatrix then went to her room, and grabbed her bag with just a few items, and met Jade at the top of the stairs. When they reached the kitchen, Queen Missy already had breakfast laid out for them, and the sack filled with edibles and herbs waiting beside the table. The girls ate to their hearts’ content, since they did not know how long it would be before they had a chance to fill their tummies again.

Before long, the girls were on their way to Tika’s castle riding on one horse with two guards at their side. Beatrix knew that the guards would keep close watch on them, so she had to figure out how to get rid of them when they got to Tika’s. After all, she wanted to feel that she did not need their protection every minute of the day. She believed that since they were not tiny kits anymore; they did not need to be babysat. Then an idea came to mind as she thought and thought. She can have them stay back at Tika’s castle as extra help to protect it. Then they would be able to go on with Tika on their own, to the forest.

At first, it felt like a long journey, but soon they became excited when they saw Tika waiting for them at the entrance of her castle with C.B. Avalon, standing at her side. They all quickly hugged one another, and then set off toward the forest. By this time, Beatrix persuaded the guards to stay back,

“Tika, can use some extra guards here to defend the castle, and don’t worry we’ll be fine. We’ll be back before you know it.”

The guards did not like the idea of them going off like this, but remembering Tika’s bravery, they felt that the girls were in safe company, and agreed to stay behind.

When they arrived at the forest entrance, they noticed the witch talking to Teddy. He looked worried and sad. They quietly hid behind the tree, and overheard him telling the witch that he did what she asked of him. The witch then removed the spell from the forest and flew off while yelling in a horrible high pitched voice.

“Heee, Heee, Heee, Heee, Too late girls, there is no hope for the beast, now!”

The girls looked at each other in surprise at the fact they had been seen; thinking that they were absolutely quiet when hiding. Once the witch was gone far away they walked up to Teddy, but he looked happy now and said,

“Don’t worry girls, I did not hurt anyone. The witch only thinks I did. She thinks I devoured some of the villagers already, when they came to collect some herbs, but I did not. She told me that she would release the spell from the forest, if I killed some villagers. We must do something quickly before she realizes that I tricked her. She would not be too happy,” he exclaimed in a deep, but soft voice.

“Don’t worry we’ll think of something,” replied Beatrix as she turned to Tika, “Right?”

“Right, but we will need to come up with a plan though; one that’s going to work, otherwise who knows what she would to do us. I’m afraid to even think about it.”

“Me too, we are too young to die. I don’t want to die,” said Jade as she thought of all the things that could go wrong.

Beatrix abruptly rested a paw on Jade’s shoulder as to comfort her and said, “Don’t worry sis. Nothing is going to happen. We will be fine. I promise.” She just did not want Jade to worry too much, otherwise whatever plan they might come up with, may not work if anyone of them, was distracted. While they thought and thought of what to do, Gats and Linx, came by to help.

“We heard that Teddy was in trouble, and we want to help too.”

“So do we have a plan yet,” asked Gats getting ready to battle with sword in hand.

“Unfortunately no, but we’re working on it,” replied Tika

“I know! Why don’t we make a visit over to the witch and put an end to her, once and for all.”

“Good plan, but it would be very risky. We would have to destroy her when she least expects it, and only if we can get to her unnoticed first," said Tika.

Beatrix then remembered the cloaks that Layla had given them, but realized that she had forgotten those at the castle, and heard herself saying out loud, “Layla, if you can hear us, we can use your help about now.”

Within a few minutes Layla showed up with three cloaks and gave them to the girls while Jade asked,

“But what are we going to do once we’re there?”

“I know, we can trap her in a corner, before she gets to her magic room,” cried out Linx excitedly.

“Magic room,” asked Jade curiously

“Yes, where she does all her magic. At least that is what I call it. If we can corner her before she gets there, with Teddy right by our sides entrapping her, you girls can sneak into the magic room, and destroy all her spells, and everything else she uses for magic. Once that is done, Gats, and I can fetch some water to dump on her while Teddy keeps her cornered.”

The girls thought that it might just work, and agreed with the plan. “Okay then, it’s all set. Let’s go get that witch,” Gats, exclaimed in excitement.

Once they neared the witch’s home, Gats, and Linx became invisible with a snap of a finger, and entered into the cabin through an open window. Teddy then followed behind stomping, and tore the entrance apart with the swing of one arm. The witch was not there though. Instead, she had sneaked up behind the girls and unveiled their cloaks. The girls were shocked and wondered how the witch knew where they were hiding. The witch then led them to her front door, but before the witch could do anything to the girls, Teddy came rushing at her. Before he got to her she flicked her wand to one side and sent him flying into a large tree which soon came crashing down onto the witch. Now this was something they did not plan, but glad it did. The mean witch was down and helpless now.

By this time, Teddy got to his feet and rushed to where she was trapped. The witch was lying unconscious, so Teddy thought that before she wakes up and was able to escape he rested his foot onto the tree. Just then the girls quickly ran into the magic room and destroyed everything in sight. While Gats, and Linx fetched a bucket sitting on the side of the witch’s cabin. Being quite surprised seeing that the bucket was already filled they looked around and saw the spirit of Layla winking at them from behind the trees. The boys smiled in a “thank you” type manner, and ran to where the witch was lying to dump the water on her. She then screamed in agony as she began to melt. The girls heard the scream from inside, and ran out just in time to see the witch melting away into nothingness. Everyone danced, including Teddy as he shook the forest ground and gleefully singing,


“Yay! The witch is dead, the witch is dead,” and repeated it a couple more times.

Tika soon realized, how dark it was now, and wanted to get Beatrix and Jade back to the castle safely. “Okay everyone you’re all invited to a big feast at my castle,” yelled Tika in utter excitement.

It was not long that they reached the castle, celebrated and made merry. They had a great big feast and danced for about three hours before Teddy, Gats and Linx said their good-byes, at least until the next time they meet again. Tika then led the girls up to their rooms for the night, and talked, and talked for a little while longer until they all fell sound asleep.

By the next morning, after saying their good-byes to Tika and C.B Avalon, they were guided back home with the king’s guards at their side. When they arrived home, the king and queen were already at the castle’s entrance waiting for them. Beatrix and Jade jumped off the horse and ran to hug their parents. King Phoenix and Queen Missy were delighted to see Beatrix and Jade return home safely, and although the girls missed their friends, they were glad to be home once more.

Impressum

Texte: Indira Nankoosingh
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 26.11.2012

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This collection is dedicated to, my cats who inspired me.