Centaursite.com - The 2taur

The 2taur

In the Kingdom of Tallis, which the good King Charles had ruled wisely and gently for many years, lived his twin daughters, Alexis and Andrea. Both were a spitting image of their mother who had died in childbirth. An Evil Wizard from another Kingdom was in love with one of the two twin princesses. But Alexis, the target of his affections did not care for him. Both loved their kingdom and one another too much to ever leave it. They also loved riding horseback. Their kingdom was known for the finest horses in the world. The Wizard had asked constantly and rudely many times for Alexis' hand in marriage, but she refused. One day while riding together on their favorite horse on their way to spend the afternoon in archery practice, the wizard stepped into the path with his evil looking staff and grabbed the reins of the horse. "

I have waited now for three months, Alexis," He growled, "I will have you for my wife, and your sister for my slave!"

Alexis reined the horse back, which struck the wizard above the eye with its hoof and knocked him to the ground. Andrea who was riding behind held on for dear life.

"No," She shouted, "I love my sister, my horse and our kingdom more than I shall ever love you!"

The wizard rose to his feet with the aid of his staff. A dark, blood red light was now gleaming darkly from the magic stone mounted at the top of it.

"So, you love your horse and your sister so much, do you? Then that is what you shall have!" With that the glow from the staff increased to an arc of blood red light that blinded both of the girls and the horse.

The Wizard spoke in an arcane language and as all three collapsed to the ground they heard him finish his spell and then hearing him curse they lost consciousness.

When the two princesses awoke, it was obvious something was wrong. They both felt bottom heavy, and felt as though they had more legs than they should. As their minds cleared, Alexis attempted to turn around and find her sister; Andrea already saw her and reached forward to see if she was all right. As they looked at one another they both looked down their bodies and saw that not only ad the Wizard's magic torn off their clothing, but they had been attached to the horse they had been riding.

Neither girl was easily frightened, and they realized that the Wizard had kept his word, they would be with one another and their horses, (at least this one) forever. With some trouble and missteps, Alexis picked up their favorite bow and they finally got their body to its feet. With some embarrassment and numerous missteps they finally stumbled their way back to the castle.

Their return to the castle was met with shocked looks, and much whispering and pointing. During the next few weeks King Charles had his soldiers search for the Evil Wizard, or another whose power could change Alexis and Andrea back into their normal human forms. The King's men did their best, but the Wizard who had cast the spell could not be found. Other Wizards who tried to negate his magic failed, sometimes miserably.

The girls, patient with their father's efforts, and hoping against hope that they could return to normal, concentrated on adapting to their new form. They soon found that by having one girl relax, the other could take full control of the horse body, including their tail. This was hard at first, but they soon got used to it. For a while, they thought it was a good joke to have Andrea in back walk through the castle while Alexis in front read a parchment. They also found that they could individually control the legs beneath them, but working the legs independently while walking led to some humorous, and nearly disastrous accidents. Because they were twins, had lived together all their lives, and got along exceptionally well with one another, one would relax while the other "drove", and they soon adapted well and graciously to their new form. Knowing there was no way out of their situation, they each made concessions to the other in where they would go and what they would do.

Life for the girls was nothing like it had been. The finest veterinarians, blacksmiths and groomers in the kingdom were brought in. Of course, the fine gowns of court were replaced by clothing designed to accommodate their new form, but the beautiful slippers; "foot protectors" replaced shoes and boots. Gently nailed to their hooves by the finest blacksmith, they were made of a soft substance that became a pliable cushion for their feet. Never referred to as horseshoes, these allowed the princesses to appear at court and move through the castle in comfort and not damage the fine wood of the floors. They also found that maintaining their horse body was an almost constant effort. Both girls found that their appetites had quadrupled, and their tastes had changed. They found they now preferred vegetables and grains much more than meats. An occasional sweet treat was enjoyed now more than ever. Although they both ate, they found that they didn't have to. As a test, they went a week with only one of the girls eating and drinking. The other princess never felt hungry or thirsty, only the one eating found she had to make up for what the other wasn't. None the less, both of them had to sleep normally. They found that their situation gave them no more energy or stamina than a regular horse. They also found that when their horse part was injured, they both felt it, and knew right where the injury or itch was.

As they grew older, and started becoming interested in the opposite sex, they quickly realized that this was not to be. They had long ago realized that they had only one set of what a female horse had under her tail. When they had to go, they both had to go. Even if one of the princesses were to marry, both would have to be present and share any romantic encounters and experiences. The idea of experiencing passion with a horse was rejected immediately. Not only was the idea unappealing to both of the now young ladies, but the fear of how their child might turn out negated any pleasurable aspects of such an act. Besides, their younger brother Prince Frederick would marry and his wife would bear a successor to the throne.

As life went on for the princesses, things settled into a pleasant routine. Subjects of the King would see them in town and speak or wave and they were often seen in the pastures and fields running at top speed, practicing with their bows and seeming to have the time of their lives. The closeness they had developed as twins increased more and more, and soon they almost forgot they were different than others. After the death of King Charles they took the throne together and ruled with justice and mercy for an exceptionally long time.

Oh yes, the wizard returned to his home, never to return. He was no longer feared as a wizard, because a mistake in his spell left him with a horse's head and neck with a scar over the eye, and he could no longer speak the verbal portions of his spells. The last that was heard of him was that he had joined a circus, and was appearing in the freak show in return for oats and an occasional carrot.