The tower shakes. The dragon is still out there, apparently.
"Hold that thought, my lord!" Princess Elizabeth says, and suddenly her arms are underneath Edward's legs and she's lifting him up in a princess carry. "It's time we got you out of here."
What the hell was going on?! This close to her, Edward was finally aware that Elizabeth was a full head taller than he was. Her warm embrace is almost enough to keep him calm. Almost.
"Carol!" Elizabeth shouts, "I think it's time to leave!"
"Of course, Your Highness!" The girl at the door is the first one out, and as Edward catches a glimpse of her, he suddenly realizes that he's seen her before. She's Henry's age, with red hair and brown eyes. She's wearing a tunic and a leather jerkin now, not that dress Edward remembers seeing her in, and she's cut her hair short, but the name is familiar. Carol. Henry's sweetheart, in Everkeep. The whore the boy swore to make a lady.
Edward's mind briefly turns to where Henry has gone, but quickly shuts down when he realizes he already has more than enough to deal with.
Elizabeth races after the girl, carrying Edward with her. He's done screaming now, and is quickly approaching catatonic shock. The fact that the tower is rumbling doesn't help his mood.
"Don't worry, my lord," the princess says, "I know everything must seem confusing right now, but this isn't my first dragon. And I have to say that for a boy, you were awfully well-developed. I won't even break a sweat."
Oh, right, theres a dragon trying to kill them, too. That's great news. Just what he needs.
They burst through the tower's door, and the earth shakes as the dragon descends from the sky and rears up before them, roaring and spewing fire into the heavens. Princess Elizabeth gently lays him down, with Carol's support, and then strides forward, drawing her sword from her hip.
Edward is suddenly keenly aware that he no longer has his family sword. Mainly because he now has a sneaking suspicion that Elizabeth is holding it.
Volon turns its head on them and glares. Smoke bellows from its nostrils. Evil intent lurks in its eyes. Elizabeth grips her sword with both hands and grins.
"Your task is over, serpent!" she shouts, "As thanks, I'll give you one chance! Flee, or die!"
The dragon roars, and a rush of flame threatens to engulf them... but for some reason, it passes AROUND them instead. For an instant, Edward can just make out some kind of shimmering barrier in the air, as if there was a bubble around him that the fire could not penetrate.
"Have it your way!" Elizabeth charges and leaps into the air, thrusting her sword deep into the dragon's gullet. She wrenches it back and strikes again, and again, and again.
Volon rears up, shrieking, and Elizabeth goes for the belly. She tears through the dragon's scales like butter, spilling blood that hisses and boils as it spatters across the ground. With a final blow, she plunges her sword deep into the dragon's heart. The beast roars for one last time, the last of its fire racing into the sky - and then, it collapses.
Elizabeth sheathes her sword, and returns to where Edward still sits, paralyzed, next to Carol.
"I'm terribly sorry, my lord," the princess says, "I haven't had the chance to introduce myself. I'm Princess Elizabeth, heir to the Kingdom of Thornhollow."
Edward passes out.