The following morning over breakfast she mentioned to her father that she would like to stay with her Aunt for two weeks.
"Fine," he said glancing at her briefly. “But make sure you are back to see your brother win the Crown Championship."
“Of course,” she agreed.
The servants who took care of the horses put the saddle on Hazel, Rosa’s favourite horse and she headed into the forest toward her Aunt’s house. Once hidden by the darkness of the forest she switched directions and headed toward the witch’s house. She finally found it, and tired after riding all day she set up camp about a mile away and spent the night in a tree. The next morning, the sun peeked through the tree tops as she knocked on the door. The door opened with a loud creak though there was no one behind it, just darkness. She shivered, and taking a deep breath she walked inside.
"Your father underestimates you," the witch said, in her high croaky voice. A sob escaped Rosa's lips & her eyes flooded with tears. She fought to regain control of her emotions.
"It's okay dearie," the witch said. The cottage lit up and the witch, who now simply looked like a very short elderly woman patted her arm.
Make me a man," Rosa begged.
"Forever?" the witch asked.
Rosa shrugged. "Woman aren't respected. Especially by my father."
The witch watched her for a few minutes and Rosa felt as though she was looking straight into her soul. "Come with me. I will prepare the spell. You will be a man for two weeks exactly."
"If I'm precise," she said throwing ingredients in a bowl, "You should turn back into a woman after the final of the competition. Oh,” she laughed excitedly, “I will have to be there to see this. Now drink." She pored the liquid into a tumbler and passed it to Rosa who looked at the olive green liquid apprehensively for a moment then gulped down the disgusting mixture.
“Bring in your pack dearie.”
Rosa did so and the witch cast a spell over it. “The change will happen over the next twenty four hours. I can see a little into the future. You will meet someone on your journey who will help you prepare for the Championship and be a lifelong friend.”
Rosa thanked her and rode Hazel until the sky darkened. She settled in a tree to sleep and when she woke, she was a man. She gave herself the morning to get used to her new body and at lunchtime she ran five miles to the nearest river. Stopping as she reached the river she grinned, her male body was made for running. As she was topping up her bottles she heard a voice.
“Hello," She looked up to see an attractive man with dark hair and green eyes close to her also filling her bottles
"Hi," she replied.
"Do you live here?" he asked.
"No, I'm training for the Championship."
"Me too. I'm Ro..."oops, Rosa thought and added a different ending to her name, "ry."
“James,” he shook her hand. "We could train together if you like?”
Rosa nodded her response.
After a week of training they were both as ready as they could be. Rosa loved training with James. He pushed them both to the limit and she grew to respect him greatly. She began noticing little things about him, the mole under his eye, his scruffy black hair, what made him laugh. Oh no, she realised. I like him too much! She greatly wished she could have met him as herself. Oh well, focus on the competition, she told herself.
They journeyed to the arena two days before the Championship at the Palace. Once there they were given a room to share for the duration of the competition. Rosa was glad when she found out that James was in one of the other seven groups and would only battle each other if they made it to the semi-finals. They cheered each other on as they beat opponent after opponent.
She saw her father with George each day, seated in their thrones at the North end of the arena. George began to take more notice of Rosa, which terrified her. Would he recognise her? He began preparing for the final early each morning, and his level of skill with a sword was incredible. Rosa’s confidence faded somewhat.
Finally the time had come where she must fight James. It was with a heavy heart that she threw the wining attack. She vowed to stay in contact with him and train with him often. She noticed the witch in the arena too, smiling at her and winking as she walked towards George for the final. His arrogant smirk, gave her the motivation to beat him. He was good. Rosa was soon covered in sweat and filth. She heard James shout her name and she was distracted. George sliced her arm. She screamed, as warm blood flowed down her now numb arm, and lunged at him with her other hand again and again, trying to ignore the pain. She caught him on his chin, and blood poured from the wound. When she heard the whistle sound she fell to the floor, and drifted into unconsciousness.
Medics ran to her, checking her over and bandaging her wounds. She came round, some time later, she didn't know how long she had been unconscious for. They just kept telling her that she had won. The following day, she was brought before the King and in front of all the other competitors she was given her prize, a huge bag full of gold. She thanked him, bowing before him and as she did her body begin to change.
The King gasped in shock. "Rosa?"
"Yes father," she curtsied.
"I don't understand," he said, shaking his head. "You really did it, you're amazing," he said pulling her into a hug. "I love you."
Rosa sobbed and then laughed. “I love you too Father." Finally she pulled out of the hug.
"I underestimated you," he said with a shake of his head, looking into her eyes, properly, for the first time.
Later, she found James. "Hi," she said ruefully.
They hugged.
“I feel so confused,” he confessed with a shake of his head, “I felt something for you that didn't make sense. Does that sound strange?”
“Not when you've been through what I've been through,” she smiled though tears filled her eyes. “I feel something for you too, I have since we met.”
"Is your arm okay?" he touched it gently.
"I'll live."
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I’d love to see you again Rosa. Would that be okay?"
"Yes," she said with a grin as he drew her into his arms.
