“Do you think you can hold her while I go fetch the wizard?”

“Why don't you hold her while I go fetch the wizard?”

“Because she's still fighting and stronger than I thought and I don't know how much longer I can last!” Alberic sounded winded and pained.

Kerin shook her head, opened the door long enough to yell for one of the spectators, told the one who answered to go fetch the wizard, then re-latched the door. Walking over to the bed, she grabbed the edge of the quilt and tossed it over Tamlin, and then grabbed the other side. Alberic saw what she was doing and helped, and they soon had the Princess wrapped up so tightly that she couldn't move her arms, which made holding her down on the bed a lot easier. The maid looked somewhat horrified, but when Kerin asked if she wanted to stay alone with her lady in this state, she rapidly shook her head no, her eyes wide.

Alberic finally took a deep breath. His jacket was torn and a bruise was raising along his cheek. “I don't think I've seen this much energy in Tam in my whole life.”

Alberic and Kerin sat on the bed, still pinning a squirming Tamlin to the mattress. The maid, for lack of anything better to do, started to unpack the one trunk that had made it up before the door was shut. When someone finally knocked on the door, the maid went to open it carefully, after receiving a nod from the Prince.

The Wizard was let into the room, followed by the Queen. “What in the world is going on here? What is wrong with Tamlin?”

Alberic considered for a moment, then replied, “We aren't sure. We were hoping the wizard could tell us.” Kerin gave him an odd look but stayed silent.

The Queen looked upset, and Alberic didn't blame her. This was the most uncharacteristic behavior he'd ever seen from his sister, and he at least had some small hint of what might be causing it. Still, causing her mother to panic wouldn't help anything. But he couldn't bring himself to just tell the whole story of the rose bush, because it was a bit embarrassing and he didn't want his parents to think that he couldn't handle whatever came up at the castle. “Mom, you could probably go to your own room, Kerin and I have this under control. You could rest from your trip. This is probably just stress for Tam, too.”

“Young man, if you think I am leaving this old bat of a wizard alone with my daughter, you have another thing coming.” The Queen shot the wizard a rude look and huffed herself up to look bigger than normal, impressing no one.

“Mother, honestly, I'm right here, I won't let anyone hurt Tam.”

“I'm staying. That's that.” And Alberic knew that was that, and gave up.

The Wizard cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him. “What is the problem?”

There was an awkward silence for a moment until Kerin finally spoke up. “She seems to be under a spell.”

“Ah, a spell. I know something about spells.” The Wizard nodded.

“I should hope so?” Kerin looked skeptical.

The Wizard continued to nod as he looked at the struggling Princess thoughtfully.

Alberic finally snapped, “So, can you please do something about it?”

“Oh? Hmm. Perhaps. Did she drink anything glowing?” asked the wizard.

Both shook their heads. “Not that we know of.”

“Was she cursed by someone?”

“Probably not. Mother doesn't let her out of her sight.” Alberic answered, and the Queen confirmed it.

The wizard just nodded as a reply to each question. “Ah. Hmm. Prick her finger on something?”

“No. And wouldn't that make her sleep, not fight us?” Kerin replied with an exasperated tone.

The Wizard perked up. “Oh! You know about spells too? We should compare notes!”

Alberic let his head fall down onto Tamlin's shoulder and sighed. Kerin looked annoyed but refused to give up. “Yes, I do. I think that she is enchanted to go to the rose bush outside and pick a rose. Can you tell me if I'm correct?”

“Hmm. That is an odd one.” The wizard started nodding again.

Kerin looked like she was resisting the urge to strangle him. “Sir, maybe you should go inspect the rose bush. It is near the gate. See if there is a way to break the spell from there.”

“Yes, that is an excellent idea. Uh, could someone show me to the gate?”

The wizard was sent off with another servant. Tamlin still struggled, though she seemed to be getting weaker. Alberic pulled the quilt away from her face enough to make sure she had enough air. “Tam, are you all right in there?”

She tried to bite him and screamed at him to let her loose and get out of her way. He declined.

“Maybe we should let her go. Then at least she will be asleep,” Kerin said.

“If we knew a way to wake her up, I would be tempted. But since we don't, and I happen to like my sister better than you like your brothers, no.”

“Fair enough.” Kerin looked around for inspiration. “How about we put her to sleep another way? Something more temporary? Until the Wizard can finish his analysis?”

“Brilliant! Mother, please send for some wine? No, not wine. Brandy.”