And now for something completely different!!

   
    Ariella is an enchanted lute. The story concerns a troubadour, his lute, an ogre, a dragon, a beautiful princess, an evil duke, a giant, and a lot of pigs.

    I wrote this several years ago and shelved it because I couldn't see the ending. Recently I dug it out again (from a floppy disk), liked it, and discovered the ending. So here she is. Recommended for Youth to Adult, no naughty words. (Except for "twaddle.") This story is a novella, which means you could read it in one sitting if you really want to. The cover blurb:

Rymer the troubadour possesses only one thing of value in all the world: his beloved lute, Ariella. Unfortunately it has been stolen by minions of a terrible ogre. Without fear, Rymer sets off to find Ariella. On the way he learns he must get past the Black Duke in his Castle Starke. Luckily, Rymer has one ally in the person of Swine Girl. If only she didn't smell so bad. ; ;

    A print version is available at Amazon.com. E book versions are available in multiple formats at Smashwords. 

Update: Ariella is now free on Smashwords. How good a deal is that? I brought her out before Christmas last year so she might become a gift. Now she is a present for everyone! Celebrate Freedom!