In The Magical Land Of Make Believe

In the magical land of make believe
You'll find more than sugar or honey
The king could tell you stories of horror
Which the kids of today would think funny

I remember one such story he told
The queen's version found in her diary
I was a child of such tender years
I dreamt a boogie-man came after me

You see this kingdom had more then humans
It had creatures of all sizes and shapes
The queen got to meet them up close and first hand
Hearing her story I still get the shakes

The royal ball had become a disaster
The weather was so bad very few came
So much of the prepared food was wasted
Carriages got stuck in mud from the rain

Lightening crashed and the wind started howling
And soon those that had arrived were leaving
Capes, hats, bonnets, and gloves were protection
From the cold damp air that they were breathing

Just a handful of guests to stay the night
Not wanting to venture out into the storm
The maids led each of them to their quarters
A hot brick in each bed to keep them warm

According to the queen it was midnight
She was having trouble falling asleep
Her ears were picking up funny noises
Howling, a door opening, a stair creak

Slipping from her bed pulling on her robe
She slid her feet into satin slippers
Hesitating, her hand on the door knob
She heard something that sounded like whimpers

Cautiously so as to not make a sound
She turned the knob and cracked open the door
Moving closer, she peered out through the crack
A silent scream, lodged tightly, through her tore

Rooted to the spot, she stood there transfixed
A minotaur was stomping down the hall
He was bright red and so very angry
And he had to be at least six feet tall

Now there was a knight standing on duty
He was stationed just outside the queen's door
Drawing his sword he stood at the ready
He would fight to protect his queen, and more

The minotaur charged, the knight raised his sword
And then risked one more look back at his queen
Suddenly, whisked off his feet, his sword fell
The queen not believing what she's seeing

The knights in the mad Minotaur's clutches
And he's been lifted high off the floor
By his neck, he's spun around in circles
Fainting, the queen didn't see anymore

Upon waking she felt as if floating
After a moment she opened her eyes
Being carried in the Minotaur's arms
Well, you could imagine her great surprise

She kicked and she screamed to no avail
Her attempts made no impression at all
The minotaur was strong and strode swiftly
Straight to the room at the end of the hall

Hearing the knights coming up the staircase
The queen felt that her rescue was at hand
Her knights were the bravest in the country
But the minotaur had his moves well planned

Entering the room he kicked the door closed
And lowered her gently onto the bed
He rushed back to turn the lock on the door
And it was then he was hit on the head

Now, the red minotaur was not evil
He had only come to talk to the queen
He had hoped to secretly talk with her
But couldn't take the chance of being seen

Coming to on the floor of the throne room
An evil spell was put on him he said
He said a queen's kiss was the antidote
That without it he would rather be dead

The queen listened so very intently
Her kind heart was known by one and all
She said she'd give the kiss he desired
Standing next to him the queen looked so small

As she looked into the Minotaur's eyes
Hands on his shoulders she stood on her toes
Not taking for granted his good fortune
He held his breath and stood there as if froze

One sweet little kiss was all it took
For the magical spell to be broken
Knowing the fits of the king's jealous rage
None of this to his highness was spoken

A smile lit the face no longer red
Thanking the queen with a kiss on her hand
He asked for a horse and bid her farewell
Minotaur turned prince returned to his land

© 2004 Linda Ritnour/RainbowQueen
(All rights reserved)