Chapter 8

The prince was coming back with all the knights and they were all ready to check every woman's hand in all the land. Arden gave some random orders, but his words all faded together when he saw a glowing white mare cantering out of the near-by woods. Arden noticed her then warned his men. " Keep as good hold on your horse. This mare often steals-"

" Excuse me." The mare said.

" I am trying to tell my men about when you stole Hakeye and-" Arden was rattling on. " You talk!"

" Yes, but we don't have any time for this you to save my daughter."

" I can send some of my men to recue you daughter, but I have to find-"

" Mati, I know. She is my daughter!"

" Will you stop interrupting me! Wait did you say that Matilda, I mean Mati, is your daughter?"

" Yes, but if you can't get to her before, well. It would be dangerous to try to take your horses over the fastest route, it's to muddy and they don't know the terrain."

" So what are you saying?"

" I say that Mati is in danger and the only way to get there before they kill her, is for you to ride me."

Arden looked very suspicisly at Lady Arabella. " I'm sopposed to ride this talking horse who has stolen my horse right out from under me. How do I know that anything you say is true?"

" You just have to trust me." The prince looked hesitant, so she added, " Mati does." Arden was now convinced, so he told his knights to take the long way around the muddy area. Then to find them when they got to the more populated spots. Arden then dismounted and leaped onto the mare gripping hard so he wouldn't fall as she galloped across the sloshly field between the palace and the witch's house. The mare galloped long and hard jumping rocks that were to big to go around. The prince was a amazing rider and just stuck to it. When they got to the town Lady Arabella halted.

" Where are we going?" the prince asked.

" To the witch's house. I believe you were there earlier?"

" Mati is being held captive there?" Arden was very confused.

" Well that, and she is currently being beaten within an inch of her life." At that Arabella galloped over and Arden jumped off before she even stopped. He raced into the building. He heard Mati screaming and followed the sound until he came to a door. He drew his sword and charged inside.

" Release her!" He yelled as he stuck his sword in the niece's face.

" Why, your highness, what are you doing here?" she said innocently.

" I'm here to rescue Mati. Don't get in my way!"

"But she isn't in any danger." The witch said. She was trying to use mind control to convice him of Mati's safety.

"Arden, don't believe them!" Mati cried.

" Silence!" The witch cast a spell to keep Mati from talking.

"No, my magic is stronger." Her power was stronger. " You can't control me completely." Tears were streaming down Mat's face as she turned her attension to the prince. " Arden don't listen to them!" Mati was in tears, but she was still more powerful than the witch. The prince looked between the witch and Mati. Then finally went over to Mati, and let her lean against him and calm down as he and his newly arrived men took custody of the witch and her niece. He called for the local doctor. When the eighty year old man arrived to care for Mati's torn up back and arms he collapsed at the sight of her. The gaurds carried him out of the room to a cot. When he came to he said he felt much younger then he could ever remember. But they kept him in the best care they could, but who was to doctor the doctor? Meanwhile the matchmaker was arrested and to their surprise at the very moment ahe was being read her rights, the old doctor's age clearly started to fade intil he was a man half the age he was before. When he woke and saw Mati, she cried when she saw her own father alive and well. Her mother then changed back from the stated she had disappeared into in ordeer to avoid her evil adversaries. Lady Arabella was very beautiful. Then the whole family was very happy to be together. Within a week Mati was presented to Arden's parents and later to the entire kingdom. They got married soon after that and the kingdom never knew a greater king and queen.