Queen Eleanor and the Gargoyle

“I’d rather fight a fire breathing dragon than do all these chores!” King Louis said. He carried a heap of torn robes and old portraits under his arm. “Spring cleaning is too much work!”

“Oh, quit your complaining,” Queen Eleanor said as she tossed her pile onto the trash heap. “The castle will finally be clean! And we’re done for today, anyway.”

As they started back toward their castle, a shadow passed overhead.

“A dragon?” Louis asked. “I’d better go check it out tomorrow, just to be safe.”

“You’re not getting out of chores that easily,” Eleanor said.

Later that night, Eleanor was fast asleep when the creaking hinges on the window woke her up. She opened her eyes to find a hideous gargoyle looming over her bed. It grabbed her and leapt out into the air on leathery wings.

“Help!” she screamed. “Louis! Anyone!”

Louis could only watch as the gargoyle carried his queen into the star-filled sky.

“Get my horse!” he shouted. “And my sword! I have to get Eleanor back!”

The servants scrambled to arm their king.