Nightmare

But the prince did not know her....looked straight through her and walked on by...the princess was startled at first...didn't know what to think..this was her dream...why didn't the prince know her...why did he walk away...
She turned and watched in the direction the prince went...he turned left and entered a house...the princess wondered whose house it was....so she turned and walked by it...in front was a sign...
Mr. and Mrs. Prince....he was married...and not to her...the princess cried out and ran away...not caring where she went...she ran and ran...finally falling to the ground in exhaustion...I don't like this dream she cried...I want to wake up now...but she realized it wasn't a dream...she was awake...the prince had someone else...he was lost to her...no more could she dream...no more hope of him returning...no more could she believe he would come after her...all was lost...she was devastated...

All she had hoped for...prayed for...her love was gone...no more would she be able to pretend he would come back...she wasn't even a memory to him...he had looked right through her and showed no recognition at all...the only thing left for her was to go home...back to the wizard and hope she could survive...so, the princess got up and started to head home...but which way was home from here...nothing looked familiar...she was lost and alone...again...what had happened to her animal friends and the fairy...where was her garden...she had felt safe there...wait, she remembered she had only to close her eyes and remember her garden and she would be there...so the princess closed her eyes and pictured the Rose of Sharon in the middle of her garden...her breathing deepened and she felt peaceful...the princess opened her eyes and she was once again in her garden...and the animals were still there...what was that the princess asked...a dream...what...
Not a dream the wolf told her, but a warning...you can't keep dreaming of the prince...it will get you nowhere...there are other things to take care of right now...the future will take care of itself...so, close your eyes and think of home...go back to the Wizard, for he is waiting impatiently...he thinks he has won...but you have grown strong...let him think he is winning...but secretly...build and tend you garden...grow strong inside and one day you will be able to defeat him for the final time...
So the Princess closed her eyes and thought of home...thought of the Wizard...

The princess opened her eyes and she was back home..back with the Wizard...and he was in a foul mood...dark eyes flashed lightening at her...storm clouds darkened the sky...she could hear the thunder rumble as it came closer...the wizard came over to her and took her by the arm...
It's about time you returned he snarled...you have kept me waiting too long...I am not happy with you and for that you will be punished...
But, dear Wizard...I was only gone a little while...I played with my animal friends....I am home now...
Your animal friends....they are stupid creatures with no minds of their own...they are puppets of the Wicked Queens...she is using them to further torture you...I am the only one who can take care of you and keep you safe...but you must obey me...no more journeys for you...no more dreams...
Yes, my Wizard...
The Wizard looked at the princess...he raised his arm and flung his hand towards her....smoke rose up and covered her..she started gasping and choking...he grabbed her around the throat and pulled her out of the black mist...that is just a taste of what awaits you if you stray again my sweet...with his hands still encircling her throat...he squeezed tighter until she couldn't catch a breath...then as suddenly as it began he stopped and flung her down...
I'm going to bed...come join me....
Now...
and the princess picked herself up off the floor and followed him...defeated...