Chapter Three

As my years went on I found myself asking less questions and listening less to what grandma was saying. I was more into hanging out with my friends and playing in town.

My world was about to be turned upside down and yanked everyway it knew how. The adventure I was about to take would change me for all of time.

'Yes, I can do that.'� My mother said on the phone.

'Um, are you sure you can handle that?'� pointing at the phone while asking her question.

'Okay, then tomorrow. Love you see you then.'� My mom hung up the phone and turned to call to me. 'Joey!'�

'Yeah, you don't have to yell I am in the kitchen.'� I spoke with sarcasm.

'Tomorrow I'm taking you to grandma's and you'll finish the summer out there. Grandma says she needs the company.'� Finishing her sentence and turning to leave the room before I could make a rebuttal.

'What? No way mom. I have plans and I have places to be.'� I slammed the fridge door and ran to her side as she was climbing up the stairs.

'I do not care what your remarks are Joey you are spending the rest of the summer with grandma.'� Swinging her finger at me she finished with, 'Grandma won't be around much longer she is getting up there in age and for some reason grandma wants to spend it with little old you.'�

'Fine, cramp my life style!'� I threw myself onto my bed with such a hard flop my stuffies all went flying into the air and onto the floor.



Chapter Four

All my items packed and my whole summer uprooted and to a nowhere town in the middle of a dieing village. Heck grandma didn't even live in the dieing village no she had to live two miles further back away from the village.

Okay I admit when I was little I loved going out there but that was when I enjoyed the simple things of getting dirty and playing with my imagination. And boy oh boy did I ever have a vivid imagination. And with the help of grandma telling me those stories I could create tons of characters to play with.

Hey, now that I am twelve and almost a teenager I don't create imaginary creatures or listen to fairytales. I listen to music and talk gossip on the phone. Spend hours on my wardrobe and have slumber parties with my friends. You know eating tons of popcorn while watching girly flicks.

We finally arrived to that run down cottage of grandma's. My mother pulled up in the driveway and began to open the door when grandma yelled from around back, 'I'm not inside. I am out back.'�

'Take your clothes into your old room Joey, while I talk to grandma.'� The queen of do what I say ordered.

'Yes, my queen.'� I whispered low enough so she could not hear. Knowing if she did I would die with daggers driven into my heart from her dagger driven eyes.

It took me twenty minutes to put all my items away and I slid down the banister and landed on my butt, a little rusty I was.

'Give your grandma a hug Joey. And tell her thank you for having you.'� Mommy dearest said as she hugged me good-bye.

'Leaving already? Trying to rush out are we? Why not stay for dinner mom?'� I said sarcastically.

'No, I best get back on the road. I have to go to a party tonight with dad.'� She smiled and waved good-bye from the outside of the door.

Quick get away, got to admit she is good at that. Take a mental note remember that move.

'Hello, Joey.'� Grandma puffed out as she sat down to take a break in her chair.

'Hi ya grandma.'� leaning in to give her a hug.

'You hungry my dear?'�

First thing grandma always did was feed your face. That was her way of making you feel more at home with a full stomach, I think that was because she knew no one could run on a full stomach.

Giggling, 'No grandma, I am fine.'�

'Hush now Joey you know you will eat a piece of my strawberry rhubarb pie.'� Grandma pushed me down into the chair next to her as she stood and walked to the stove where she had the pie sitting.

Cutting the pie into pieces big enough to fill you up for a year. Grandma turned her head back and smiled and not so wonderful smile. Her eyes where sad and her cheeks where pale. He hands fragile and her posture worn. This is not my grandma I thought something is dreadfully wrong.

'Okay, grandma spill the beans. I know something is up with you otherwise you would never of asked me to visit for the rest of the summer.'� I said with a cheerful disposition.

'You know me to well Joey, you know me to well.'� Placing the piece of pie in front of me she took her seat.

I cut into the pie and began to take a bite.

'The time has come for you to take command.'� Grandma spoke with a softness in her voice I had never heard.

Choking on the piece of pie I was chewing I said, 'Umm..what are you talking about?'�

'I can no longer hold him off and the land is in danger. I only have a short time to teach you everything that should take you a lifetime to know. It is up to you and the other few who guard this land and hold the keys to our salvation.'� Grandma folded her napkin while she spoke keeping her eyes held low.

'Me and a few others you say?'� I was in shock.

'Up hold this land and guard the keys?'� I muttered out loud.

'Yes.'�

'Grandma have you lost your mind?'� I sputtered.

'No.'�

'I know you have been telling those fairytales to long and now at your old age you believe them to be true.'� I tried not to laugh for that would be rude.

'Um'�my dearest grandchild those fairytales as you call them are so very much true. They are the stories of this wonderful land I cherish and tend too.'� With a tear rolling down her face grandma continued, 'I blame myself for not telling you sooner but, I was hoping this day would not come until you where much older and wiser.'�

I finished the piece of pie and walked to the sink to rinse and wash my plate. Turning around to notice she had not moved nor tried to look up at me. I placed my hands behind my back leaning on the sink. I just stood there, not knowing what to say.

'We can talk more about this tonight at dinner my child just go take a walk and enjoy the view. Your horse is out in the field roaming free waiting for you to ride her like you use to.'� Grandma motioned for me to leave her with a swoop of her hand pointing to the back door.

I always did as grandma asked.

So, out the back door and running down to see Cheerytree. Now don't laugh I was five when I named my horse. She had a mark of a cherry on her back and she loved to stand under my favorite tree. Hence the name Cherrytree.

I picked an apple from the tree as I walked by this was always my way of saying hi to Cherrytree when I came to ride. There she was standing under my favorite tree with her white fur all shinny like a big cloud up high and her mane flowing in the breeze she whinnied as she trotted towards me. Without pausing Cheerytree grabbed up the apple and chewed it up fast then placed her head in my arms and I began to pat her down.

'Long time no see my Cheerytree.'� I whispered into her ear.

'You miss me?'� I looked into her eyes and at that moment they sparkled and she bowed down to let me jump up.

I climbed her with pride and yelled, 'Take me for a ride you are my lead.'�
With that said Cherrytree snorted and began to stride off into the forest.


Chapter Five


I just let my hair ride the wind as if it where a ride and I gripped Cheerytree with my legs and held my hands up in the air. I felt so alive and so free. Then it all came to an abrupt stop. Cherrytree came to a standstill in a matter of seconds and shook her head side to side as something was spooking her.

'What is it girl?'� I asked.

She just kept shaking her head and clomping her hoof down on the ground.

'What? We always use to go into the woods. Something spooking you?'� I smoothed her neck as I asked again.

Stepping backwards trying to flea from the edge of the woods I glanced up for a second from rubbing her neck when I saw it'�yes I saw eyes staring back at me.

'Do you see those Cherrytree?'� I whispered

Cherrytree took two more steps back. I blinked and tried focusing my eyes in to the woods even harder. Yep, there way off in the woods where two green eyes staring right back at me.

I slide down off of Cherrytree not hearing her snort I pushed her face behind my back and took a few steps forward to the edge of the trees. Cherrytree nipped at my shirt and nipped some more until she had a hold of me, trying to pull me back.

I gripped her mouth and pulled her off of me. 'Now, now Cherrytree.'�

I kept my eyes on those green eyes looking back at me.

Five more steps into the woods I felt the air change, birds hushed, squirrels scampered off, and rabbits hid.

I still kept my view on those two little beady green eyes.

Pausing I noticed those green ugly eyes where coming closer to me. For every step I took they took one too.

Is this a game of chicken?

To see who blinks first or runs and hides?

Which of us will it be?

In the background I hear Cherrytree making all sorts of sounds and her hoves clamping down hard on the ground. She only did that when she was trying to warn something to turn and run.

Those little ugly beady green eyes where growing bigger in size. I still could not see what they belonged to and that is what kept me walking in one step at a time.

Cherrytree was hushed and not a sound was being made from the forest any longer.

This is not good, no this is not smart.

I should stop, I should turn and retreat until another day.

But, no I kept walking that straight away.

A cloak of black all weathered with a hood over his face I saw in the distance for this is how close we where getting next to each other.

His face was scared with warts and divots. His lips cracked and skin hanging (well at least I think it is skin) off like this was normal for him. Those green eyes where slanted and the body was covered and not noticeable to my eyes.

I knew I had about twelve more feet and I could get a birds eye view of this person who spooked my precious Cherrytree.

A hand grabbed my shoulder and a cry came from behind, 'Leave us you miserable beast, leave us before we call out the worriers to take you to the dungeons.'�

I swiftly turned to see who had me and was yelling next to my ear. I could not believe what I saw'�.

I was in shock, I had to be dreaming, this could not be possible, this had to be a memory of one of grandma's fairytale's she use to tell me. I had to of fallen off of Cherrytree and hit my head.

Checking my head with my hands not feeling a bump, not even a mark on my clothes, I muttered, 'How, who are you?'�

'Joey, you know better then to peer into the eyes of that evil creature.'� Said this strange yet wonderful creature standing next to me.

'Who? What? How can this be?'� I stumbled the questions out.

'Joey.'� With a hug he said.

'You know me?'� I begged.

'What? What are you getting at?'� The creature demanded.

I rubbed my eyes and started to walk back to the edge of the woods where Cherrytree stood. I shook my head and glanced back at the marvelous creature that I left behind.

'Where you getting off to Joey? I have been waiting for you?'� With his hand held out in front of him.

I turned around as swiftly as I could to ask just one question that was on my mind, 'How do you know me?'�

'We use to play together you and I. Don't you recall all of our fantastic journey's threw the woods and to the castle?'� He pleaded.

'I can't believe what I am seeing. What am I seeing?'� I asked myself out loud.

'It's me Barefoot Jordan, prince of the dragonflies.'� Jordan recited as though it was a common thing for him to say.

'I don't recall ever knowing or playing with a creature as yourself. Heck I don't believe I am talking to you for there is no way you can be real. I need to go lie down for some how I have hit my head.'� I mumbled as I walked to the side of Cherrytree and climbed aboard.

'Take me home Cherrytree.'� I demanded.

The look on Barefoot Jordan's face of shock not understanding why I would say such words. He hung is head down in sadness then remembered that Evil Ranweed was lurking in the forest. And flew back to the castle to warn his father King Torrel of the dragonflies.

I left Cherrytree in the field knowing she could find her way back to the barn as she always does.

I walked into the house and headed up to my room to lie down for a spell. I laid at an angle on the bed as I have done time and time before.

Replaying what had just happen over and over in my mind. I closed my eyes to get some rest when next thing I knew I was flying over the trees and throwing seeds from a bag and laughing, 'Take me higher. Take me higher.'�

Lifting my head up to show Barefoot Jordan I was all out of seeds and pointing down at the landing strip ahead and waving for a clear landing. I shot up out of bed.

'Oh my gosh!'� I yelled.

I heard footsteps scampering to my door and my door go flinging open.
'What, what is it?'� My grandma huffed and puffed.

'I just had a dream grandma that is all. Sorry to have scared you.'� I apologized.

'Would this be a dream remembering all the things that happened here in the enchanted forest of Dragon Woods?'� She smiled.

Dragon Woods those two words kept flowing through my mind as if they where to mean something.

'Grandma I think I might lay back down for a spell do you mind?'� I asked.

'No my child sleep get your rest I shall wake you when dinner is on.'� She chuckled as she closed the door.

Walking down the stairs to tend to her doings, grandma knew it had begun the moment of truth was about to unfold.

Would I remember what hid in that forest of enchanted woods or could I recall how I was meant to honor the family tradition that only called upon those pure of heart.
In which last member was grandma and now should it be dropped into my lap?

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