Copyright -Randy Mazie
Rivers of mud trickled down Helga’s cheeks breaking up to form filthy rivulets.
Serpent-like vines embraced the old tower like an obsessed lover.
You’d think one would have the sense to stay away.
Still he came… resplendent on his white horse with his unscathed sword.
“Release the princess!,” he demanded.
What princess?
Helga was the one who needed to be saved.
Droplets of his royal blood clung to her chest like a string of rubies… a souvenir from their dance– their macabre waltz of life and death.
Ogres don’t have hearts, Helga knew that.
Still something inside her kept breaking.
oh and before i forget, i just started tweeting. yeah, just now.lol so if you wanna add me up please do, https://twitter.com/kzmorano
The Eclectic Eccentric 
What a great twist, darling! Turns the whole thing on it’s head!
thank you 🙂 will read your story in a while
Such a fantastic take on the prompt. That image of the necklace of blood… powerful stuff. Well done.
thank you 🙂
Mrs Shrek?
nah Helga’s no Fiona.
good to see you on twitter 🙂 thanks
Fab, loved the line “Droplets of his royal blood clung to her chest like a string of rubies” 🙂
thanks 🙂
AnElephant requires to think here!
Very cleverly done.
thanks sir elephant 🙂
kz, I really like this line: “Serpent-like vines embraced the old tower like an obsessed lover.” I, too, got a “Shrek” vibe. I think, though, that you maybe mean “unsheathed” sword, rather than “unscathed?”
janet
thank you 🙂 i meant it like, unused sword. awww:( i knew it,everybody thinks of shrek now when it comes to ogres. i miss the uglier ogres that eat people and stuff.lol love shrek though 🙂
Such a macabre vision! The descriptions were vibrant and alive. This one leaves an impression on the soul.
thank you 🙂
Awww..poor Helga.
yeah..she wanted a prince too.. thanks 🙂
Dear KZ,
Poor Helga. Sounds like an inner struggle for the ogress. On a grammatical note. I think you mean “resplendent ON his white horse” not IN which means something very strange. 😉
Aside from that, good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
oh! thanks for pointing that out, the error does make it sound strange, and very gross. hahaha 🙂
I like the way you made us care for someone who has no heart. Never was a big fan of handsome princes on white horses anyway. Why not have a homely, buck-toothed, half-wit save the princess once in while? Beautifully descriptive writing here, KZ.
yeah, especially princes with unblemished swords, major turnoff. 🙂 thanks
Helga needs to more careful in love, it seems. Nice one.
The thing I love about your stories is how vivid everything is, and this is no exception. Wonderful story.
he was a brave lad. just wondering if he went to the wrong tower.
Beautifully written and really quite touching.
Vividly portrayed.
Ah surprise for the prince-no princess-only an ugly ogress!But then he got what he deserved-first his unscathed sword-ha!Possibly no courage to use it-only used to “demanding”(& getting his way-spoilt brat)and on top of that no common sense-“Serpent-like vines embraced the old tower like an obsessed lover.
You’d think one would have the sense to stay away.” So he had his last dance-so apt!
Fabulous Kz-liked this different take on the usual fairy tale-rich imagery too:-)
wonderfully enchanting little piece here.
Beautiful language and sensitivity. How come I can’t do that kind of stuff?
Haha! She’s back in her element, princes, blood, romance…no lust yet, but surely its around the corner, and yeah, I know, some urls to send, will.
haha just thought i’d try something different this time. i liked your piece about the nuns.
Oh that was a wonderful twist.. I feel almost sorry for Helga the Ogre.
Imaginative take, kz! Way to think outside the box on this one. Well done.
It’s about time Ogres were redefined, well done for not accepting the typecast.
Excellent. Great imagery in your story. That waltz reminds me of the Tom Cruise/Tim Curry movie: Legend. Curry plays the horrible horned character ‘Darkness’. He dances with the princess. You could refer (an idea) to the unused sword as ‘virgin’. I’ve danced with men who made me bleed, (feet) so I can relate. 🙂
virgin swords, nice 🙂 i need to watch that, love Tim Curry!
I think you’d enjoy it. Here’s a link:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089469/
thanks 🙂
Enjoyable read. Smiled…almost as good as a shudder!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/ff-friday-fictioneers-keeping-watch-rated-pg13-1262013/