Summer of Lore #12: The Promise of the Royal Singer

About the story:

This tale explains the origin of one of the most important summer festivals for the elves, which commemorates the Third Gemsinger's Appearing (a source of great pride for the elves), which they call Tiamil, or "magic's promise".

Tiamil is marked by minstrel performances, other musical and storytelling performances (Galia has participated in these in the past), plays depicting episodes of the Third Gemsinger's journey (including this tale), athletic competitions and exhibitions, and games of chance, to name a few things.

The high point of the festival is a lavish play telling a selection of episodes from the Third Gemsinger's journey (which Galia has played roles in in the past--she still would like to play the lead role one day), and a re-enactment of the Third Gemsinger's charging (with a girl that has come of age that year playing the role of the Third Gemsinger)

The basic bones of the story:

A monster is threatening the elven lands (what this monster is differs from teller to teller), and rumors fly that it may be time for another Appearing. The Third Gemsinger is brave princess, but knows that her sister the crown princess would never let her go fight the monster. So after putting the crown princess to sleep (via a sleeping potion), she sneaks out of the palace in disguise as a commoner. She befriends a mercenary who has a feared reputation, but in actuality, he has a heart of gold.

The two of them travel to a high  mountain cave where a mythical prism dragon (eg. a dragon that comes in many colors--they are very rare) is said to live. The prism dragon opens her heart, where he is surprised to see that it shines in every color.

The Third Gemsinger hones her power before returning to her homeland, where she learns the monster is about to attack the royal city! She demonstrates her full power in front of the whole city, and defeats the monster.

She is charged with the Gemsinger's quest after a week of celebration,  and the mercenary swears his loyalty to her.