Victor's Quest by Pamela Freeman
A light-hearted, humorous fantasy for newly independent readers. The queen sends her son Prince Victor (who is not very smart) and his horse Quince (who is) on a quest to find a beautiful princess for Victor to marry. Bravely they venture into the Dark Forest of Nevermore, populated by Very Large and Ferocious Orange Bats, a flock of Eagles and a witch casting sinister spells. But though Victor sails through his many trials and tribulations with flying colours, the girl he meets is not a princess at all! But she will be after she marries me, says Victor, sending his mother into a flap!