Free Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl Page B

on," said the Prince. I made a grimace of distaste, but reluctantly continued:

"Angels in air
Have locks less fair,
Than my hair!"
    "Twas most excellent well said, that bit," the Prince whispered. "Now apologize."
    "For what?" I demanded, outraged.
    "Hush!" He flapped his arms at me. "Do not undo the good you have done. Did you not tell me that you spoke harshly to your tresses?"
    '"Twas entirely justified."
    "Grovel, Goose Girl, if you wish to be free."
    "O very well," I said. Was it my imagination, or was the Prince enjoying this?
"Grieved I should be [I snarled]
Did I hurt thee,
O my hair!"
    "Now get down on your knees," suggested the Prince.
    I ignored him. I would make my request and have an end, for good or ill.
"Let me go free,
I do beg thee,
Good, kind hair!"
    I could not resist pointing out an obvious fact in my last stanza:

"Please hear my prayer;
One fate we share,
O
wise
hair!"
    Reflect upon
that
awhile, O my hair!
    Nary a thing happened. I stood there gawking at the loop of hair like a loblolly on a lamppost for what seemed a lifetime. Then I sank, groaning, to the ground.
    "Woe is me," I mourned. I dropped my head into my hands. "O woe is me, for I fear that I must die."
    A soft swishing sound and a gentle brush 'gainst my cheeks and arms could not rouse me from my grief. I huddled miserably against the door frame, waiting for eternity.
    After some time, I heard the Prince clear his throat. I must order him to leave me, for the night was wearing on.
    "I do beg your pardon, Goose Girl. It pains me to interrupt your reverie, but ought we not to be going? You might not have noticed, but the night is wearing on."
    "You go, sire," I said without opening my eyes. "There is no reason for you to perish too. You are unfettered; go." A large diamond rolled down my cheek and into my lap.
    "But Goose Girl," he protested. "I know that I did most faithfully promise to do all you command; however, I must say that under the circumstances I really do not see—"
    "O, wilt thou go!" I scrambled to my feet and shook my
fist under his nose. "Thou gomeril! Thou goop!" He stepped back several paces. "Thou art like to drive me mad! Go! Go! Go!" I gave him a hearty shove with my hands.

    "I pray you, mercy," said the Prince, offended. "If that is your wish, then I must." He bowed so low that he nearly toppled over. "I will hope to hear you overtaking me, for the night is long and the woods are dark and deep. I speak merely out of concern for
your
welfare."
    I watched him retreat, anger vanquishing fear at least for the moment. I shook my head, unbelieving that so much folly could exist in one human brain.
    And as I shook my head I felt a sensation I had not known these past twelve days. My hair was tickling my arms. I wheeled about. Yea, verily, I was bound no longer. I was as free as a dandelion seed, floating on the wind.
    "Wait! Your Highness! Wait for me!"

    I had to return to get my possessions, but soon we were hurrying through the dark valley, he laden with the saddlebags and I with my sewing kit. The Prince had eyed this bag with what I fancied was the light of criticism in his eye. 'Twas true that crowns and gowns and suchlike fripperies were of little use in the wilderness, but I had worked so hard on the cursed golden dress that I could not bear to part with it, nor could I bear to leave the tiny gowns and tiaras belonging to my Geese to be despoiled by the Ogresses. O, perchance the feathers, pebbles, and eggshells were of small
value, but yet they were the only mementos of my Geese that I had left.

    For some time I was too grateful for my freedom to do aught but rejoice in the beauty of the night and the pleasure of being abroad in it. A full moon rode the crest of the hill and the wood was streaked with silvery light. Yet after a while I began to be a mite uneasy.
    "Halt, my lord," I said at last. "Do you hear aught?"
    "Tis only the wind in the trees, Goose Girl," said the Prince.
    "But there is no wind," I