"Wrede,.Patricia.C.-.Chronicles.Of.The.Enchanted.Forest.v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

Cimorene decided to try a more direct approach. She went to see Prince
Therandil. He was in the castle armory, looking at swords. "Good
morning, Princess," he said when he finally noticed Cimorene. "Don't
you think this is a lovely sword?"

Cimorene picked it up. "The balance is off."

"I believe you're right," said Therandil after a moment's study.

"Pity; now I'll have to find another. Is there something I can do for
you?"

"Yes," said Cimorene. "You can not marry me."

"What?" Therandil looked confused.

"You don't really want to marry me, do you?" Cimorene said
coaxingly.

"Well, not exactly," Therandil replied. "I mean, in a way. That is-"
"Oh, good," Cimorene said, correctly interpreting this muddled reply as
No, not at all. "Then you'll tell your father you don't want to marry
me?"

"I couldn't do that!" Therandil said, shocked. "It wouldn't be
right."

"Why not?" Cimorene demanded crossly.

"Because-because-well, because princes just don't do that!"

"Then how are you going to keep from marrying me?"

"I guess I won't be able to," Therandil said after thinking hard for a
moment. "How do you like that sword over there? The one with the
silver hilt?"

Cimorene left in disgust and went out to the castle garden. She was

very discouraged. It looked as if she were going to marry the prince
of Sathem-by-the-Mountains whether she wanted to or not.

"I'd rather be eaten by a dragon," she muttered.

"That can be arranged," said a voice from beside her left slipper.

Cimorene looked down and saw a small green frog looking up at her.

"I beg your pardon. Did you speak?" she asked.