There are plenty of roses, wilted, but still red.  A large statue of a beautiful woman stands in the middle, ivy growing around her.  She seems very kind in her expression.  It seems as though she may be buried underneath.  There is an overgrown mess of plants that form an archway that she is staring at.
Hidden garden, Outside Palace
gardener
creature
I am a mountain lion. I am not afraid to come nearby to farmhouses and even small towns. Domesticated animals are delicious and easy to catch. Humans with weapons aren't that much of a threat, actually. I'm fast and sneaky, and blend in well with the forest.
Rawr!  Who dares intrude upon this mountain lion's secret abode! I am a gardener.  Please don't hurt me!  I am leaving now I just wanted to see the statue here. You didn't touch her, did you?!  That is my beloved, who was cursed by an evil, jealous sorceress.  If you chipped but a speck of her stone away... No, I certainly did not touch her.  I was just looking.  I understand love and I wouldn't do anything to intrude on her memory.  Is she buried here or was the it the curse that turned her to stone? She and I were betrothed, once upon a time.  But this evil sorceress desired me, and tried to trick me into betraying my betrothed.  When her plans turned to naught, in a rage she transformed me into this mountain lion, and my bride to be into this stone.  Here we shall stay, until the curse is broken... Who were you before she turned you into a mountain lion?  Further, how does one break this spell?  It seems especially powerful. I was to be Prince of a kingdom whose name has no doubt long been forgotten.  As for breaking the curse.. ah, I doubt it shall ever happen, the terms are so obtuse... It may not be much but here are some fish.  I was hoping that someday I could get a job with my king and I think helping you could be a start.  I'd like to help to reunite you with your love. Well thank you, that is most kind indeed.  A gardener, did you say you were? Yes, I am a lowly gardener but do love my job.  I could start here with clearing the plants from here maybe we can find out how to break that curse.  What do you think? Well.. it might be difficult but... I did consult with a wise wizard about the terms of the curse.  It seems that only a rose of blue petals, placed into the hand of the statue, would break it.  The flower could not be painted, or grown with magic, however.  Know you how to do such a deed? I don't immediately know of how to get the fabled blue rose, but I've heard stories amongst my friends that say that it takes a seedling from a mountain rose grown in the cold of the peak