@owasco wants folks to continue her story.
Hope to see a few other fun stories?? @kemmyb
@kaerpediem
@deeanndmathews
Original prompt
Bullfrog looked up at Princess with cloudy eyes.
"Darling, you really must have those eyes looked into, and deeply."
"Why don't you do that for me dear. It's so very difficult for me to get up these days. I feel a terrible pain in my neck when I do."
"I'll be right there. Give me one moment to stretch a bit... Ugh, Oh! Ahhhh... There dear. Here I come."
Princess pushed up from her armchair using her right arm, her best arm; the rheumatoid arthritis had gotten the better of her left. She drew erect, all creaking and moaning and sighing and tiny laughs. Her steps were also tiny, at first. Princess made sure to stay close to solid objects that she could steady herself on this time. The last time had involved some bruising.
Thus went another trek over to the love of her life, Bullfrog.
Princess had always been Princess, but Bullfrog came by his name quite unexpectedly. Unexpected to him at least. Any reader of romance novels would have seen it coming from page one.
My continuation
Princess whispered into Bullfrog’s ear (quite loudly, because these days he was a little hard of hearing) darling, my darling “big boy”, we have to ride, we have to take up the ultimate challenge and see if your name rings true across the valleys and over the mountains. She kissed the top of his balding head with affection.
“You must be joking, my love, I can hardly hear you. How do you think I’m supposed to understand you?”
“Humor me, there’s not much time”.
And so the geriatric pair made their stallions ready and rode out against a backdrop warmed by the setting sun. Of course it was an omen, but who knew?
The pair rode hard, the road was long and arduous, but they persevered.
The innocent baby girl-child was in the eye of the dragon, their granddaughter; they had only one course.
Mist (of course) swirled, rain swept their path and magnificent winds tried their best to deflect them, BUT THEY PERSEVERED.
Finally, they reached the dragon’s lair, all hot, smokey and evil. The dragon held the child, the heir to the famous frog magic, in his dirty talons.
Princess screamed.
Bullfrog coughed
They both ached all over, but they persevered.
Dragon fire scorched the earth at their feet. Princess wanted to beg, but realized that weakness was dragon “food”. She held her tongue.
Bullfrog cleared his throat.
“Mighty dragon, ruler of the plains, fields and lands. I offer you one wish, you can wish for anything you like and I will grant it to you.”
“I’m no fool,” said the fearsome dragon “I know of your magic, but how can I be sure you won’t trick me?”
Bullfrog coughed and cast his rheumy eyes at the dragon.
“Because I want to exchange magic for a mere child, even you must know that’s a great bargain. What do you say?”
The dragon pondered. He let out a huge lightening of a sigh, electrifying the sky for miles around (Princess nearly went into cardiac arrest, but she persevered.)
The dragon was a great warrior, he had slayed many a mage, but his brain was small, his greed immense and his faith in the Bullfrog’s renowned magic, respectful. But then he thought to investigate the offer more deeply.
“If I keep the child, I’ll have all the magic I want. Why should I believe you?”
“Oh it’s simple...the child will only come into her magic when she comes of age, twenty years from now. Also, as you know, not all frog-children hold the magic key.” He lied.
The dragon let out another mighty bellow.
“Okay. Take her and give me your magic in exchange?”
Bullfrog conjured a harmless but impressive blue razor of light in the palm of his hand. Azure edged and magnificent in hue it drew the dragon in.
“See my magic, it’s yours for the taking. Hand over the girl.”
The dragon cast the child high, she flew heavenward, but then, thank god, she fell softly towards the stallion's harness. Princess caught her in one swoop. She was ever so nimble for such an age afflicted gal.
Bullfrog held the razor of light while they readied their horses. With a radiant beam he blinded the dragon while they beat a hasty retreat. Before the dragon realized he’d been cheated they were more than a mountain away.
Princess giggled like a girl. She held her granddaughter to her heart.
“Fortunately, my dearest, darling Bullfrog, few people know that you got your erstwhile name by talking absolute bull with so much conviction.”
And they all lived happily ever after.