The Strange Tale of the Snake Ring (7 page)

Thomas was cold and hungry. The robbers had left no food in the cave, and the fire was almost out. He did not expect them to return the same day, but when they had not done so by noon on the following day, he began to suspect that something was wrong.

“I must get out of this cave,” he said to himself. “But how? I've already thought of ways of escape for weeks and months, but nothing seems possible.”

He found a few sticks in a corner of the cave, blew on the embers and coaxed the fire into a flame. The smoke curled upwards to the ceiling, where it found its way out through small cracks in the rock – no way out there for a man.

Through the bars of the stout wooden gate that blocked the mouth of the cave he could see the footpath leading into the forest. He grasped the bars in his hands. They were too strong to break, and too close together to squeeze through. Full of sorrow and disappointment, Thomas turned back to the fire, now blazing brightly. As he did so, an idea struck him like a flash of lightning – the fire! He could use the fire to escape!

Gathering the last few sticks of kindling wood he quickly placed them against the lower bars of the gate. He brought a burning twig from the fire, pushed it under the sticks, and soon had a useful blaze. The smoke was drawn through the bars and rose into the outside air. The bars of the gate were old and dry, and soon began to burn.

But now the fire began to die down, and Thomas looked desperately round the cave for more fuel. There was none. His eyes alighted on the small wooden chair that Zwerg usually sat on. He picked it up and dashed it against the stone wall of the cave. Fortunately, at the third or fourth blow, it splintered into pieces. Feeding the flames with the remains of the chair, he was delighted to see the fire begin to burn brightly again. Soon the bars of the gate were well alight. Thomas took the seat of the chair in both hands, and rammed the edge of it against the burning bars. They gave way, leaving a gap wide enough for a man to crawl through.

It was a tense moment, because Thomas had to wait until the fire had died down enough for him to get out without burning himself. He listened intently for any sound, which might tell him that the robbers were returning. But all was quiet, and as soon as it was safe to do so, he took one of the furs from the robbers' bed, crept through the gap in the gate, wrapped the fur around him to keep warm, and set off through the forest trees.

As it had not snowed again since the robbers had left, their footprints could be clearly seen. At first, Thomas followed them, but soon realised that he could be in danger. If the robbers returned, they would follow the same track. So he left the path, and made his way through the trees, trying to walk on rough ground and tufts of grass, so that his own footprints showed as little as possible.

Soon Thomas was very tired. It was hard work trudging over the rough ground. It was getting colder. He had been allowed very little exercise during the time that he had been a prisoner, and for the last few days had eaten very little. Soon he was so exhausted that he lost all sense of direction, and it was not long before he realised that he was lost in the forest. When he came to a place where there was no snow, but a thick bed of dry leaves, he wanted desperately to lie down, wrap himself in his fur cloak, and go to sleep.

He sat down on the leaves, with his back to a tree, and struggled to keep awake. He remembered hearing that travellers who fall asleep in the snow never awaken.

The dream was so clear and bright. Evening sunlight fell across the hayfield and sparkled on the river beyond. Gerda was standing by the gate, beckoning to him. But the more he hurried towards her, the farther away she seemed to be, until…

Thomas awoke with a start. He could hear men shouting, and the jingle of horses' harnesses through the trees.

“It's the robbers come back,” he said to himself, and in his half-wakeful state he imagined that Riese and Zwerg must have bought horses in the town, and were riding back to the cave.

He hid behind the trees and watched, and as his senses returned he realised that there were several men in uniform leading their horses along the forest path. The procession was led by a very dignified, elderly man riding a magnificent horse.

“Help me!” cried Thomas in despair, starting to run forward towards the men. But cold and weakness and hunger overcame him, and he stumbled over a fallen branch, and fell unconscious to the ground.

When Thomas came to, he was warmly wrapped in blankets in the most comfortable bed the innkeeper could provide. As he struggled to sit up, trying to piece together what had happened, a maid came into the room with a bowl of hot soup.

“The gentleman downstairs says will your honour please drink this,” said the maid, making a polite curtsey. “Then, after that there's someone waiting to see you.” She curtseyed again and left the room quietly.

Thomas ate his soup thoughtfully. “Who is the gentleman downstairs?” he asked himself. Perhaps it was the dignified man whom he now remembered seeing in the forest with the soldiers. And who could be waiting to see him? His heart missed a beat as he thought it might be Gerda.

A few minutes later the door of the bedroom opened again, and the innkeeper announced, in an important voice, “The king's chancellor to see you!”

Thomas was amazed. He suddenly realised that the dignified man with the soldiers was indeed the Lord Chancellor, who had been so kind to him when he was a servant at the palace.

Seeing Thomas' surprise, the chancellor sat quietly by the bedside, took Thomas' hand in a fatherly way, and began to explain. “I should really call you ‘Your Highness', but I still think of you as young Thomas, the boy I knew in the Shining Kingdom. You must know, too, that the king thinks of you as a son rather than a servant. So as soon as a message arrived, he started to make plans for your rescue.”

“I was imprisoned in a robbers' cave for many long weeks,” said Thomas. “I knew the king would help me if he knew, but as the time passed by I lost heart, and believed that the king had never received the message.”

“The king suspected that all was not well, as the first messenger failed to return. So as soon as the worst of the winter was over, and it was possible to travel, he sent me to find you. He realised that it was useless just to send ransom money, as the villains might have taken the money and then refused to set you free. So the king sent an escort of soldiers to make sure that you were safe, and that the robbers were punished.”

“They will never be caught now,” answered Thomas. “They took my precious ring to sell, and left me locked in the cave without food. They will be many miles away by now.” Weariness overcame him again, and he lay back on his pillows.

“We have talked too long,” said the chancellor. “You must rest now. I will come and visit you again in the morning. But you can sleep easily, because I heard some good news in the town. The robbers have been captured. They are even now in the town prison, while the magistrates decide on their punishment.” He rose, and was just leaving the room when Thomas called after him.

“Did you hear any news about Gerda?”

The chancellor pretended not to hear, and closed the door. He had heard news in the town. That the beautiful Gerda, from Riverside Farm, was to marry the farmer's son, Robert, on the day following Easter Day. The chancellor did not think that Thomas had regained enough strength to hear this.

* * *

That night, Zwerg escaped from prison. It was Riese who made it possible, by using his great strength to bend one of the bars in the window. But it was only the small, slim Zwerg who could wriggle through the space.

“Don't worry,” he whispered, once he was outside in the street. “I'll find a way of getting you out.”

But to himself he said, “Why should I bother? He was useful while we were in the forest, but I'm better off by myself now. I shall find the goldsmith's house, steal his gold, get myself a horse and go as far away from here as I can.”

* * *

Robert had been in the nearby village on farm business. While there, he had heard the news about the capture of the robbers. He had also heard that they had been keeping a young man prisoner. He was now free, but very weak and ill, and was being looked after at an inn in the town. But no one knew the young man's name, or where he came from.

On hearing this news, Gerda became both excited and fearful.

“Could it be Thomas?” she hastened to ask, “and was anything else known about him?”

“Some said he was a prince,” replied Robert, “and that the king had sent an army to set him free. But others do not believe this.”

“I must know!” cried Gerda. “I must go to the town now, at once!”

“It is cold and dark,” answered Robert. “You cannot travel tonight. Tomorrow I will come with you. For if this man is Thomas, it changes everything for me, too.”

* * *

Zwerg tethered his stolen horse among some bushes and crept quietly up to the goldsmith's house. But before he could work out how to effect an entry, he heard someone call out in a loud, deep voice: “Halt! Who goes there?”

Peering through the bushes, he saw a soldier with drawn sword advancing towards him. He ran for his life, sprang into the horse's saddle and galloped away, out of the town, into the forest. He did not stop until he reached the cave, where he was amazed to find the door broken down and the prisoner gone.

Next morning, Thomas had eaten a hearty breakfast and was sitting up in bed, when the chancellor was announced.

He shook Thomas by the hand, and seated himself by the bedside, saying, “My goodness, my boy, you look much better this morning. Are you ready for some news?”

Thomas's thoughts turned immediately to Gerda. “Is it good news?” he asked.

“Well,” replied the chancellor, “here is some good news. The two men who held you to ransom were captured, tried and imprisoned. But the smaller one escaped, and tried to rob the goldsmith's house. But luckily I had put one of my men on guard, so he did not succeed.”

“So where is he now? And where is my ring?” asked Thomas.

“The robber had a stolen horse, and he rode off into the forest. I do not think we shall ever see him again. As for your ring, it is here.” The chancellor took the snake-ring from his purse, and held it up to the light, so that the gold and jewels sparkled. “Exquisite!” he said, “I wish it were mine. But it is yours; take it, and may you never lose it again.”

As Thomas gratefully took the ring and thanked the chancellor, his thoughts turned once more to Gerda. His face clouded. “Is there any other news?” he asked.

The chancellor looked serious. “There are two young people waiting downstairs, who have news for you. But from what I hear, it seems that they are soon to be married. Their names are Gerda and Robert.” Seeing the look of despair that crossed Thomas's face, he continued, “My boy, you will suffer for a while, but you are young, and time will heal your pain. And remember that the king's offer still holds good. There is always a place for you in the Shining Kingdom.” He rose to leave. “I will see you again before I return to the king.”

A few moments later Robert and Gerda entered the room. As soon as she caught sight of Thomas, Gerda rushed towards him, flung her arms around his neck, and gave him a long and loving kiss – and then burst into tears.

“Oh, Thomas, how can I tell you?” she sobbed.

“You are trying to tell me that you are going to marry Robert,” said Thomas quietly.

“No, no, not that,” cried Gerda, “it's about the ring. You will never forgive me. I lost the ring!”

Thomas took out the ring, and held it on the palm of his hand for her to see. Gerda was so amazed that she stopped sobbing. Thomas thought she looked even more beautiful than he remembered, even with the tears streaming down her face.

Now Robert spoke. He was still the quiet, serious young man that Thomas remembered.

“Gerda and I agreed to be married at Easter, if you had not returned by then. We did this to please my parents, and so that we could both live in the farmhouse together. But now you are here, everything has changed. Gerda has never loved anyone but you, and so it is you two who will be married. All the arrangements are made, and the wedding will take place as arranged, but with you as bridegroom. Do you agree?”

“With all my heart,” replied Thomas. “But what about you?” he asked, turning to Gerda.

“My heart has been yours since we worked together on the farm,” she replied. “Of course I agree.”

“What will you do?” Thomas asked Robert.

“My future is clear,” he replied. “During the time you have been away, I have felt a call to become a priest. Now you are here to take care of Gerda, I am free to follow my calling. I shall make arrangements to enter a seminary, and from then on I must go wherever the Church decides to send me. And now I shall leave you two together, to tell each other your stories, and make up for the years when you have been apart.”

Robert embraced them warmly, and took his leave.

The wedding was to take place in the village church, which had been decorated with great bunches of primroses and daffodils. All the village had been invited, and there was to be a feast on the village green afterwards, with food and drink for all the guests.

The chancellor had insisted on putting off his return to the king's palace so that he could attend, and he had arranged for his soldiers to form a triumphal arch with their swords as the newly married couple left the church.

The day arrived, and it was a most beautiful spring day. Everyone said it would be the most wonderful wedding of the year. By now the story of Thomas's good fortune had spread far and wide, and all the villagers agreed that never before had a village girl married a prince. Everyone knew that the church would be full to overflowing, and that many people would have to wait outside to greet the newly married pair as they came out of the church.

The group of soldiers had arrived early and practised forming the archway quickly and neatly, and were now resting at the foot of a huge oak tree. This ancient oak spread its branches to within a hand's breadth of the church wall.

* * *

Zwerg had arrived at the church long before even the soldiers. Since he had fled from the town nothing had gone right for him. Without the help of Riese he did not dare to waylay travellers. He had several times ventured into the town after dark and stolen small amounts of money, but since the trial everyone was on the look out for him. When trying to buy food he was recognised and chased by groups of angry townspeople, and it was only because he was so slim and athletic that he managed to escape.

He blamed the snake-ring for his bad luck. “Ever since that Thomas brought his ring into our den, we have had a curse on us,” he said to himself.

So he vowed to get his revenge on Thomas.
If he dies
, thought Zwerg,
they will bury the ring with him, and our ill-luck will be over
. When Zwerg heard about the wedding, he decided to spy out the church and its surroundings. He did this one moonlight night, and a plan came into his head.

Soon after dawn on the wedding morning Zwerg arrived at the church. He climbed the oak tree until he reached a branch, which almost touched the church wall. Above the porch there was a small window without glass. Once again Zwerg's small size and fitness came to his aid. He slid along the branch, squeezed through the window, and lay on one of the cross-beams that held up the church roof.

He had no weapon, so his plan was to take a large stone up to the high beam, and to drop it at the very moment when Thomas was passing underneath him. He had tried out the plan with small pebbles, and guessed quite correctly that Thomas and Gerda, once they were married, would walk slowly to the door, Gerda would be on Thomas's left. Zwerg was quite sure that he knew exactly when to release his stone, which in fact was a heavy, sharp piece of flint. He settled down to wait.

* * *

The church was packed with people. Many could not find room inside, and waited in the churchyard for the couple to come out. It was a wonderful scene. Thomas was dressed in his finery as Prince of the Shining Kingdom. Gerda was wearing her long, white wedding dress, that she had sat and sewed during many long nights of waiting. And there was Father Paulus, in his white Easter vestments, reciting in his deep, sincere voice the words that would join the two young people in marriage.

“I now pronounce you man and wife together.”

The snake-ring on Gerda's slender finger had now been joined by a plain gold wedding ring. She looked into Thomas's face and smiled happily as they began their slow walk to the church door.

But before they could reach there, Gerda felt a sudden sharp pain in her ring finger, and a tingling like an electric shock ran up her arm. She stopped, catching her breath, and with a cry clung more tightly to Thomas's arm. Thomas stopped, and turned to her to ask what was wrong, and as he did so, a large jagged piece of flint dropped just in front of him, and split in two on the church paving.

Zwerg saw that his plan had failed but had not time to wait if he were going to escape. In a flash he moved along the beam, squeezed out of the small window, along the branch and down the tree – right into the arms of a burly soldier, one of the squad waiting to make an archway with their swords. By the time the newly-weds had been taken in their carriage to the village green to begin the great feast that had been prepared, Zwerg was safely back in prison.