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RIP VAN DUGAN
In the time of fairies and goblins, elves and mystical beings, there was a land of perfection. Waters foamed and bubbled over waterfalls higher than the very trees, falling with the steep dive of birds to the fish below. Lush emerald mountains cut by clear streams overruled the land; the home of spectres and elves could be nothing short of perfect.
There, in those wonderous mountains, young Rip Van Dugan escaped his eternally reprimanding mother. He and his only connecting companion, his dog Pip, would frolick in the nearby wooded area, where legend told that the most magestic of creatures lived. Rip would tell his mother he was going to fish for their supper, and run off into the woods with Pip, where the two would fish for hours on end. His mother, Sae, was never pleased with his efforts though; at best he would bring home three, perhaps four fish. He despised doing his chores. But, this was not due to his lack of responsibility. Rip loved to help others, and would nearly jump at the chance to help out someone in need.
One day, while Rip was hunting for squirrels with Pip in the woods. The two comrades wandered over to the mountains on the east edge of the wood, and were just about to shoot the largest squirrel either of them had ever seen when a tall dark man on a black steed came by. At first, Rip thought the stranger was an angel of death coming for him, which his mother had always told him to fear for they only came after those who were lazy and disobedient. But as the man entered the dim rays of light let through the branches of the trees, Rip recognized him as Count von Baron, a dear friend of his late father. The two warmly greeted eachother, and began a conversation catching eachother up on all that had happened within the lapse of time they had been apart. The Count, sho was riding alone, eventually asked Rip to accompany him on his journey to The Castle where his betrothe awaited him. Rip readily agreed, being an adventrous boy of eightenn, and mounted the black steed behind the Count. With Pip joyfully romping beside them, the small band began their way to The Castle.
When they reached a clearing, Pip suddenly began a low, almost inaudible growl; soon, he was barking at the top of his lungs and bearing his sharp teeth with a determined look in his eyes. Rip and the Count looked as far as their eyes would strain, but it was useless. They could not see what Pip was barking at until, out of the mist, jumped a band of robbers. The threatened the Count with knives and daggers for his money. The Count was carrying none with him, but they did not believe him. One of the robbers drew his arm back to stab the Count when Pip jumped for his throat; but he was too late. As the robbers retreated, Rip tended to the wounded Count. They were able to reach sanctuary at a nearby cathedral, but the Count was dying. He willed his final words to his betrothed, saying, "Rip, tell my betrothed what has passed, or I shall never rest easy." To honor his wishes, Rip and Pip set off for the Castle on his mighty black steed. They could hear loud crashes in the mountains on their way over. Rip thought nothing of it, assuming it was merely the elves of the mountains playing their game of nine-pins.
When they finally arrived at The Castle, they were taken aback by its appearance. It was enormous, and elegant. Everything was made of white brick, and the gates were intertwined with well-kept vines. The two were heartily welcomed into the castle, but their identity was mistaken. Despite Rip's poor attire, he was thought to be the Count. He was tall, physically fit, and had a certain gleam of life in his eyes. His hair was mangled from the difficulties of the day, but he still was a handsome boy. As he tried to explain to the Duke what had passed, he suddenly turned to the Castle and was caught face to face with his daughter, the Count's betrothed. At first sight, the two were locked in a stare that lasted a second, but felt as an eternity; all of their thoughts and emotions came rushing into the other's soul. They were each flooded with love for an instant. When that moment ended, they blinked, and blushed uncontrollably. The Duke then introduced them, as though they still needed an introduction, and showed Rip into the Dining Hall where guests were awaiting him. Rip forgot completely about the Count, and his mission. No one else was in his thoughts save the Duchess Laien. Throughout dinner, the two were locked in a discussion of ideas, feelings, and past experiences. After the few hours they had known eachother, they were completely caught up with eachother's life. After dinner, when it was his time to depart, he explained to Laien all that had taken place that day. He asked her to leave with him, and head for the mountains. The Dutchess Laien accepted, and Rip, Laien, and Pip rode off and were not seen for 20 years.
When they finally returned to the castle, they had changed very much. Rip and Laien had been married, and conceived seven children; four boys and three girls. They had built a house in the mountains near the woods and raised their family there, free of all civilization. Laien's features had aged, but not by much. Her dark shimmering hair now gleamed with gentle streaks of gray, and her figure had thinned and grown taller, but that gleam in her eye that attatched to Rip's had not grown any dimmer. The two were greeted by the Castle congregation, and continued to raise their family there. They told their stories of the mountain and wood folk, the elves, the spectres, the angels of death, and were believed by all. They lived happily ever after, and Rip was never bothered by his mother again.
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