Dedicated to Rachel Steele who puts up with my

shenanigans and likes my stories. Thanks for

believing in me always .

Aldrich the
Bear:
The Princess
By John Guido Vitullo

Eventually, when the

In the frozen tundra of

bears were ready, they

the far north, deep within the

received letters requesting

pine forests, there lived a

their protection and they

stuffed bear named Aldrich

would set off for their new

though he preferred to be

homes. Most of Als

called Al. Al lived in a

companions had been sent

fortress where he and other

away, but not Al. He was still

bears trained in the art of

training.

combatting Nightmares.

Until one day, he received

Armed with only a sword and

his letter. A princess

shield, the bears kept the

requested his help in the

darkness away from sleeping

Steelle Kingdom to the east.

children all over the world.

Excited to begin his journey,

he packed light and quickly,

wished his trainers goodbye,

After travelling for a day

and set out against the cold

and a half, Al came across a

with a shield, cloak, and his

pack of wolves. He watched

sword, Knightlight.

them thinking of how to get

He had never been far

around them. They were

outside of the fortress. As he

three times his size, with

walked through the snowy

sharp teeth and there had to

pine trees, he felt a mix of

be a dozen of them. Though

excitement and fear. Being a

Al was armed with

stuffed bear, he didnt need

Knightlight, it was designed

to eat and his cloak provided

to fight Nightmares, not wild

enough warmth for him.

animals.

But there were other

dangers.

Al decided his best course

of action was to use his size
to his advantage. He snuck

quietly around the wolves,

and continued on his journey.
Al traversed through the

At night, before Al slept,

he thought of the princess he
would soon serve. Would she

forest, hitting a blizzard on

be pretty or ugly? Would she

his way. He pushed through

be kind or cruel? What color

though and eventually, the

was her hair? What did she

snow turned to rain. He was

like to do in her spare time?

getting closer and could feel

As he drifted off into sleep,

it getting warmer. Eventually,

he hoped she would be

he made it out of the forest

wonderful.

and was met with a wide

One day, Al arrived in a

open plain. The rain slowed

massive city on a lake. The

to a drizzle and as Al

buildings were taller than

continued east, it stopped

normal towns, and there

entirely.

were more people than he

could count. On the road, he

Night was coming fast and he

could see their coat of arms

was hoping to leave the city

and surprisingly enough, it

before dusk but it wasnt

was a bear! He walked into

looking like that was going to

the city, carefully navigating

happen.

the crowds of travelers,

merchants, and beggars.
Al knew he was half way

Suddenly, out of the

corner of his eye, he saw
something only his trained

to his destination but needed

bear eyes could see. A flash

some help getting directions.

of blackness darted down the

Excuse me, could you tell

street and into an ally. Al

me... he began to say to a

rushed after it, not knowing

passerby but was cut off.

who or where it was headed,

Please sir I need some help

and only knowing what it

to... again Al was ignored.

was.

It was a Nightmare.
Al stood at entrance of
the ally and saw slumped
against a wall a child, a little

Go back to the darkness,

filth! Al said through
clenched teeth.
The Nightmare was not

boy, fast asleep. The

deterred and shot for the

Nightmare hovered over the

boys temple. Al struck the

boy, resembling that of a

monster with his blade and in

tentacled monster, posed to

an instant, the dark arms of

strike. Al drew Knightlight

the beast dissipated. The soft

from its sheath and leaped

moon light shone upon the

forwarded. He tackled the

boys face. Al pulled the rags

Nightmare away from the boy

he was using as a blanket

and stood in between them.

closer to his neck and

cuddled up against him. He
was a teddy bear after all and

since he couldnt go

Al wandered the city for

anywhere, he would protect

at least half the day before

him tonight.

finding the right road out. He

was now facing more
*****

sweeping plains with few

trees, and flat land. As he left

Al awoke to find an arm

the noisy city behind him, he

around him, though he didnt

couldnt help but feel like he

remember the boy awakening

was being watched but when

at all during the night. Using

he looked around, all he

his bearlike stealth, he

could see was an eagle flying

slipped from the boys arms

high above him. Al continued

without disturbing him. Al

his journey.

couldnt do much for him, but

he could let the lad sleep.

He noticed the bird

getting closer but every time

he turned to look, the eagle

confused. This was a very

flew out of sight. Al

odd bird.

quickened his pace. The

eagle slowly flew lower and
Al ran faster. Finally, fully
annoyed, Al stopped and with
a turn, shouted, What!?
Hello, the eagle
surprised Al with how close

My name is Ned. Why

are you here?
What do you mean? You
stopped me.
Yes but why are you
heeeere?
Al didnt really know what

he was. Whats your name?

to say. Im on my way to

he said with his beak only an

protect a princess, I

inch from Als nose.

suppose.

Uh...Aldrich. You can call

me Al, he said, quite

You suppose? Ned

cocked his head but his face
remained in a curious scowl

but Al suspected that the

would actually be

scowl wasnt out of anger;

wonderful.

the bird just always looked

that way.
Yes yes! I am on a

Great! Hop on, Ned

lowered himself and Al
climbed on. In an instant,

journey! Al was getting

Ned lifted off and Al became

frustrated.

the first flying bear. Where

May I come with you?

Ive never met a princess. I
can fly you there so you get
there faster.
Oh! Al realized just how

are we going? Ned said as

he flew.
The Steelle Kingdom, Al
said. Though, a little
eccentric, he realized that

long he had been traveling

Ned would make for a good

and the prospect of flying

friend; especially since he

perked his curiosity. That

had none right now.

Al and Ned were soaked

*****

to the bone and stuffing

when the door opened. A

Even flying the journey

handsome young prince

was still far and Ned and Al

around fifteen years of age

hit a nasty storm just sixty

answered the door. He smiled

miles out from their

at the sight before him. Well

destination. Luckily for them

what is this? A traveling bear

they were near a castle. In

and an eagle? he said.

the pouring rain they walked

Please sire, weve

up to the doors and knocked

become stranded in this

loudly. It was late evening

storm and we seek shelter.

but they could tell people

Will you let us come in? Al

were still awake.

said, hoping that this was a

compassionate prince.

Of course! Of course!

The party resumed and

Come in out of the rain.

the prince came around to

Everyone! We have guests!

the traveling pair. So where

The prince motioned them

were you heading before

inside where they say a

becoming stuck in this

grand party in progress.

squall?

Servants, friends, peasants,

and nobles a like were
dancing, eating, and singing.
They cheered when the
prince returned inside and

Are you a prince? Ned

interrupted.
No social grace at all. Im
so sorry sir. I- Al began.
The prince cut him off

immediately Al and Ned were

with a smile, No need! Yes

promptly dried, fed, watered,

master eagle I am. The Lord

and placed by an enormous

of the Lake! The Prince of the

fireplace.

Palace! The ruler of.... he

paused. Well almost ruler,

himself though and said,

he giggled.

Thats wonderful! It just so

Ive never met a prince.

happens that I know the

And now I have, Ned turned

Princess there and youre in

to Al.

for quite the treat in her

Yes you have indeed,

Said Al. My name is Aldrich
or Al. This is Ned. We were on

hospitality. Actually....one
second.
The Prince disappeared

our way to the Steelle

upstairs and came back as

Kingdom. Ive been assigned

quick as a flash. If you could

to protect the Princess there

give this letter to the

from Nightmares.

Princess there, it would be

The Prince smiled

gleefully, almost lost in
thought. He composed

much appreciated.

Al stood to accept his

to move on. Al put the letter

quest. Of course your

to the Princess safely in his

highness. He bowed.

cloak and shook the Princes

Oh alright alright,
enough of that. Come! Lets

hand goodbye.
The trip to the kingdom

enjoy ourselves! and with

took almost no time at all.

that Al and Ned joined in the

Soon they could see the

festivities.

castle of the princess. It was

palace sitting on a hillside
surrounded by tall trees and

*****

green grass.
Ned flew to the door of

In the morning, the storm

the castle and Al jumped off.

had ceased and as fun as the

He went to knock on the door

Princes party was, they had

but it swung open before he

could do so. It seems the

Greetings fair maiden.

Princess had been waiting for

My name is Aldrich. You may

him.

call me Al. I have come to-,

She was a girl of no more

His introduction was cut

than fourteen, wearing a

short by the princess who

modest summer dress with

squealed as she picked him

no shoes on. Her long red

up. I know who you are!

hair cast a crimson glow

she said and her voice was

around her but what was

like a song. Ive waited my

most striking for Al was her

whole life for a dream bear!

smile. She smiled with her

Im so happy youre here!

entire face and body rather

She hugged him tight.

than just her mouth.

Al knew they would get
along fine.

She put him down and

asked, Who is this fellow?
pointing at Ned.

This is Ned, the eagle.

The Princess gave Al a

He helped me get here, Al

tour of the castle. It wasnt

said.

fancy but it was quaint. Cozy.

Are you a princess? Ned

asked, tilting his head.
The Princess smiled, Yes

Home. She was definitely

different from any other
princess he had come across.

sir! And youre an eagle. We

She danced down the

have lots of tall trees that

hallway. She giggled at the

you could live in. Would you

silliest things. And she

like that?

hummed to herself. In fact

I would. Ned spread his

she was so different from

wings and flew upwards in an

regular, stuck up royalty, that

attempt to find a suitable

Al was reminded of the

home.

Prince.
The Prince!

Al quickly reached into his

The Prince and I, she

pocket and found the letter,

said when she finished,

My Lady! I almost forgot!

Have been very very close

While traveling I came across

friends for many years. He

a prince who said he knows

has to rule his kingdom

you. He asked me to give you

though while I have to rule

this.

mine so we must be apart.

The Princess eyes grew

One day, we hope to join the

large and she quickly opened

kingdoms into one grand

the letter. Al didnt read the

castle though!

letter but whatever was in it

When night came, the

made the Princess

princess settled down for

extraordinarily happy

bed. Al sat up on the bed

because she was grinning ear

with her.

to ear as she read it.

Do I need to do
anything?
Al shook his head. All

Knightlight which cast a dim,

orange glow over the room
and whispered, Dont worry

you have to do is fall asleep.

Princess. Your dreams are

Then I will protect you.

safe with me.

Mmmm, the Princess

wiggled under her bed
sheets. Goodnight Al, my
brave bear. And soon she
was fast asleep.
Al sat on the end of the
bed, certain that no
Nightmare would ever dare
touch her. When one finally
appeared, Al drew

The End

Part 2 coming soon!