Posted: June 2004
Title: The Dark Heart
Author: Estella Greenleaf

*****

Day gave way to night; the brave knight hardly even noticed as his group raced towards their quarry. He knew he mind should be centered on the confrontation at hand; by all accounts, the vampire that kidnapped his Prince was a powerful one. Yet, his mind drifted as his heart bled; so many years of silent woes, all in vain.

The mercenaries under his command shouted in excitement; the carriage bearing the vampire and his Prince was within sight. Once again, the knight hardly noticed. Consuming his senses were the King's spiteful words, calling the legendary Vampire Hunter Karl the spawn of Satan that corrupted sweet young Orlando. His Prince in the arms of another male, a half-vampire even less deserving of the youth's vibrant love than himself, such cruel mockery was more than the knight could bear. All this time he had held back, believing that fate would bring his Prince a fairytale Princess and a happily ever after. If only he had known…

Regret…it was the only sensation Viggo knew. What if he had spoken of his feelings? What if he had never left his Prince's side? The answers to those questions, he would never know. But one thing he knew for certain, once given, Orlando's love could never be rescinded. His Prince's happiness laid with the half-vampire Karl now.

The knight smiled grimly; he knew what he must do. His vow was to serve his Prince; and for Orlando's happiness, he would fail this quest. With his death, he would give Karl a chance to earn the King's respect and take a place of honor in the world of men.

*****

David smiled. Everything was as he had planned. As much as he disliked meaningless slaughter, he would make examples out of the humans the King sent to retrieve Prince Orlando. He would do what he must to make the stubborn old man understood that only a true Vampire Hunter like Karl could save the dark-haired beauty's life.

An explosion rocked the earth; the vampire's carriage came to a screeching halt. The time to feed had now come. He turned his attention to the bound Prince opposite him. He had to admire the dark-haired beauty's courage; there was no fear in the youth's fiery glare. Indeed, his dear Karl had chosen well. With a soft sigh, he pushed aside his hopeless love; he had a role to play. He let out a malicious chuckle as he pulled the helpless Prince to him. "It is time to greet our new friends."

*****

Orlando's heart stopped as he saw Sir Viggo with the riders. He knew the powers of the vampire. With a single glance, the creature could freeze a man's movement. No matter how skilled the brave knight was, he would be no match for the beast; but unlike his guards, Sir Viggo would die before he surrendered. Even if Orlando no longer loved the brave knight, even if his heart solely belonged to Karl now, he could not bear the thought of seeing Viggo die; the sight would surely destroy him.

The mercenaries behind Sir Viggo made ready to fire their weapons. The vampire let out a chilling laugh. This was all a game to the beast; it even promised not to move and allow the men to fire their first volley from their ‘stake guns'. Before a single shot was made, the knight stepped forward and commanded, "Wait. Our mission is to rescue Prince Orlando. I will not risk his Highness being hit in the cross-fire."

Orlando could not see the monster's expression; but when the creature spoke, he could detect a hint of amusement in its icy voice. "What do you propose then, my brave knight?"

"We settle this like civilized beings. I, Sir Viggo Mortensen the Second, will challenge you to a duel."

Orlando wanted to cry out, to beg the brave knight to run and save himself, but his body would not obey. Try as he might, he could not break the vampire's evil spell. He could do naught but watch with misted eyes.

The vampire chuckled; Orlando knew the beast took perverse pleasure in toying with men's minds. "A duel? How interesting. You are very brave, my dear knight, but very foolish. It is almost a shame that I must kill you."

Sir Viggo looked completely undaunted; calmly, he drew his sword. "Let us begin."

"Yes," whispered the vampire as chill permeated the air.

‘No,' Orlando cried inwardly as he shuddered. The cold heralded the monster's paralysis spell. Almost immediately, dark magic began to take effect; the men cried out in confusion as their limbs froze. The vampire left Orlando's side to stroll leisurely towards the paralyzed knight. With all his will, the young Prince tried to close his eyes against the inevitable conclusion of the ‘duel', but to no avail.

The beast was now in front of Sir Viggo. A scream choked in Orlando's throat as he helplessly watched the vampire stroke the brave knight's jaw. He knew the beast meant to toy with its prey before ending his life. Tears rolled down the young Prince's cheeks as the monster stole a kiss from his hero. "No…no…no…no…" he chanted in his mind; he would do anything, die a thousand painful deaths if it meant saving Sir Viggo.

To his surprise, his prayers were answered. The vampire took a step back; by the full moon, Orlando could see the beast looked shocked. The monster put an unconscious hand to its lips as he took a step back; all the while, his ice-blue eyes never left Sir Viggo's intense steel-gray orbs.

"I have lost my appetite" was the announcement the beast made before it knocked the knight unconscious. Before Orlando could rejoice, the vampire took Sir Viggo in its arms and made towards the carriage.

After securing its new captive, the vampire returned to drag Orlando back into the carriage. In a venomous hiss, the beast warned the remaining men. "Run back to your castle and tell your king, he will have to do better if he wants his son back. And spread the word, I will not be so merciful next time."

In an act of defiance, the young Prince shifted the unconscious knight with his bound hands until Sir Viggo's head rested comfortably upon his lap. The vampire paid him no heed; its attention was clearly elsewhere. Tenderly, Orlando's finger stroked the older man's hair; for so many years, Sir Viggo had protected him; now was the time to repay his brave knight. He would die before he allowed the vampire to hurt Sir Viggo again.

*****

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