#i shall practice my curtsey { face claim }

[kariachi]

Okay, y’all gave your approval, so I’m doing a partial liveblog of King of the Castle. Can’t get all of the episode right now, but I’m gonna do what I can and then redo the episode for a proper liveblog when it comes out in the states and I can, ya know, watch all of it.

This one won’t be rated, because I’m missing like 10% of the episode and so can’t judge fairly.

As someone who was once a young girl, it is incredibly nostalgic watching Gwen daydream about being crowned Queen of England. That is just how it be with some girls. Also Ben is just not having shit.

Lady Wilhelmina Warrick of Castle Bishopbrooke, nickname Willy. Huh. And apparently a cousin of some sort.

Gwen is going to die of joy for she is related to a Lady. Ben is going to die of horror for they’re going to a haunted castle. Sounds about accurate.

Ben running for the haunted castle for the sake of proving it’s haunted.

Kevin, lurking on either a roof or a balcony, waiting for a certain small Tennyson. Do we ever get an episode where he appears just, dive-tackling Ben from offscreen? I feel like we need that in our lives.

Gwen disappointed that the castle is in shit shape. I’d say just rough but, part of the floor is missing, including the area of rug that should be hiding it. Willy needs to step up her game, pick up a hammer or something. It’s called DIY.

Willy’s got some upper body strength. Also refers to Max as Cousin Maxie, so I have to assume the two are actually somewhat close. How close of a relation is it, I wonder?

Gwen curtseys and Ben tries to copy her but doesn’t have the balance for it. This is why we practice, Ben.

Gwen wanting to know everything about being a noble.

“There’s always work to be done” that’s putting it mildly.

The only thing here out to get you Ben is Kevin. Although I wouldn’t put it past him to be behind that, though I do think Gwen is right about it just being how bad of shape the building is in.

I’m fairly certain Willy’s about to put Max to work helping clean shit up (you brought it on yourself Max) while the kids escape, but given we lose some bits right here this is just an assumption. We jump from Max offering directly to Ben and Gwen wandering around.

Ben goes Heatblast to light a load of torches to keep ghosts at bay, and immediately the wind comes through and blows them all out again. And Heatblast himself while it’s at it.

More Kevin, sneaking about the halls. Child are you honestly behind this? I wouldn’t be surprised, you totally would, I just wanna know how. Also the fucking chord when he appears, it’s not Norman Bates fucking chill.

Ben is too scared of ghosts to wander around without his cousin.

Willy drinking tea while Max mops up and mice run about. I am not shocked.

Well Gwen, this is what happens when you go someplace labelled ‘haunted’. They tend to be very dusty and also a lot less elegant than the not-so-haunted castles. Besides, Willy’s a Lady not the Queen.

The Warrick family crest is a bear playing a harp like it’s a fucking electric guitar. Have you ever had that moment where you wonder where a character gets it and then the show just, answers you in the most unexpected way?

And Ben lights the tapestry on fire because an end curled up when Gwen went to look at it and so it is clearly evil and possessed. Gwen leaves, Ben panics, and the tapestry crumbles to ash after he throws it out a window. You know Kevin is behind one of those bookshelves going ‘this is why I bully him’.

Ben does not like being alone in a haunted castle.

Ben: “It’s clear what happened here- Gwen was eaten by a ghost, and you’re next if you aren’t careful! It’s too late for Gwen, but you have lots of options!” Followed by an imagine spot depicting him not being able to do shit to defend himself against a ghost with Gwen clearly visibly in it’s belly. 10-yos everybody.

I just love that as the imagine spot goes on eaten!Gwen gets more and more tired of the whole situation, ending with her kicking back and reading a book inside the ghost. He doesn’t half know his cousin, does he?

Also confirmation Ben knows he can’t go Wildvine or Overflow.

Gwen is very good at this ghost prank thing, though Ben does make it very easy. And the reveal the ghost is Gwen is where we leave off on this portion. Only one more clip to go and that seems to cover most of the rest of Kevin’s existence in this episode.

(Random, did y’all know CN Aus has the whole of Escape from Aggregor up on youtube? I’m not gonna liveblog it because I already did a few years back, but in case y’all wanna watch it, it’s there.)

We begin this next section with a Ben and a Gwen and a hedgemaze.

Ben has been eaten by the hedgemaze, it’s Rose Red all over again.

And Ben is panicking, not helped by Kevin taking full advantage of his fear of ghosts to be all eerie voice from out of sight. Because this child.

“Gwen is that you again?” Ben asks of the very Kevin voice. Like seriously, this kid isn’t even trying to hide it’s him. It’s wonderful.

Oh look, it’s, Thornblade I think? Kev’s Wildvine equivalent? Taking full advantage of location. I’m going to assume Kevin watches a lot of horror movies because he’s playing it well so far.

Dodging blows being thrown at you from the hedges right up until Thornblade forms himself out of vines in front of you while you weren’t looking.

Nobody would��ve expected Ben to be happy to see Kevin, but Kevin he can at least fight, unlike a ghost.

I admit, the way that was going, I was expecting the argument to devolve into yeah-huhs and nuh-uhs. Don’t know whether I’m sad or not that it didn’t. Although Ben claiming he’s fought houseplants badder than Thornblade is both hilarious and stupid given he is in Thornblade’s clutches at the time.

Ben goes Four Arms, surprising Kevin which I wasn’t expecting. But then Ben gets to be surprised when he knocks Kev over a hedge and it look like he times out, only for sudden- Undertow was it? Eh, I’ll probs find out in a second.

Ooo, nice use of the water powers, focusing on the ground so he can trap Ben in mud.

Okay, now Kevin is just showing off. ‘Look at what I’ve got and can do’. Seriously, Kev, 1) how did you get these aliens, and 2) stick with a shape child. What did you just add this feature? Oh my gods that’s exactly what’s happening isn’t it? You added the switching feature like, yesterday, and are having too much fun testing it out.

Okay, can I just say I really love Dark Matter’s design? Just, we went from a smol frog with no physical capabilities to speak of to balance out the brains, to an actual fucking horror movie monster with brawn as well. And I mean it, look at Dark Matter and how Kevin moves as him, that wouldn’t be out of place in something like Alien or Pumpkinhead.

Seriously, Dark Matter just, kicks ass. Never was big on Grey Matter but this is a frog I can stan.

Seriously those movements are just, exquisite. Also the crystal power? I don’t know what the fuck that red crystal he caused to overtake Ben is or how he managed it as Dark Matter, but it’s cool at fits the horror movie aesthetic.

Trying getting Kevin to monologue for those last few seconds before his watch times out. Not that it works, but it was a valiant attempt.

Not that it mattered anyway because it was literally seconds left. Also the look on Kevin’s face when he realizes he’s timed out and Ben is still Four Arms- you can hear the ‘fuckfuckfuckfuck’ going through his little head.

Exit, stage right, pursued by alien.

Ben, having timed out: Alright Kevin, it’s time to ask question and get answers, and I’m all out of answers. Kevin: This boy is a moron

(I know that’s not the line but still.)

Also immediately reminding Ben that in their normal forms he is bigger, smarter, and stronger. Which is true on all counts, given Kev is apparently a tech whiz and definitely older than Ben is.

And teasing Ben for being scared of ghosts just before they both get jumpscared by an inanimate object, the bear statue sending them both fucking bolting, complete with screams.

And Kevin tumbles through a hedge, poorly, just in time for his watch to time back in and an ominous shadow to appear over him.

Forever Knight is here and complimenting Kev. Apparently he ‘shows promise’ (on this we can agree). Kevin, meanwhile, responds to a stranger in full armor appearing out of nowhere and striking up conversation with glares and mild sass.

And while the Forever Knight is touting that old-ass ‘work with me and we shall crush our enemies’ line Kevin has walked away, scoffed at him, shut him down, and called him a nerd and a creep. I’m so proud of my child, he’s a shit but he’s so good.

Willy is gonna miss the fam, though the kids were a delight, Max was a big help.

Willy gives Gwen an antique family heirloom music box as a parting gift, because some people are cool like that. Ben gets forgiveness for all the damage he caused. And Max gets some quality tea to help him chillax after what was apparently the worst day of cleaning ever to look at him.

And we end on Willy having just gotten some contractors in to patch the place up. Good on her. There’s more to the episode but, well. Bits & pieces.

[star-trekkin-across-theuniverse]

Fallen Valkyrie, pt34

Word Count: 1725 Tags: @outside-the-government @distinguishedqueenofbooks, @anyakinamidala @dirajunara @anotherotter @youdonebeengarthed @auduna-druitt @samaxraph99 @rayleyanns @sistasarah-sallysaidso @feelmyroarrrr @kitchenwitchsuperwhovian @little-study-bug @graysonmalfoy @rampant-salamander @goodnightwife @ha-tep @fantiomaticsupertolkienlover

Loki and Eira entered the feast hall, and everyone rose, and bowed, as they made their way to the head table. Eira had never felt so uncomfortable. The silence that followed through the room as they moved across it was unsettling in the extreme, and Eira felt a little panicky. Loki patted her arm in reassurance.

“This will be over as soon as we are seated, Love.” His voice was calm.

“They will still be looking at us,” Eira whispered back. Loki leaned close as though he meant to kiss her cheek.

“They will go back to eating and drinking, and no one will care what the head table does,” he whispered, his lips soft against her ear. Eira shivered and held her head high, forcing a serene smile to her face.

“I will hold you to this,” she whispered back as they reached the platform of the head table. They both bowed to Freyr and awaited his invite to the table. He gestured to the empty seats on his right. Loki led Eira to her seat and assisted her to sit.

True to his word, after the initial flurry of interest, the revelers became more interested in their meals and mead, and it was not long until there were no longer eyes upon them. Eira remained unsettled by the attention. For months, she had been arriving at her honoured place at the head table without ceremony, and she felt ill suited for the pomp that had gone with their entry. Her tension must have been palpable, as Leif was fussy in her arms. Loki reached over and lifted the boy onto his lap.

“Drink some mead, relax. We can excuse ourselves as soon as the meal is over. No one will question it, after we have been apart so long.” He squeezed her knee. Eira forced a smile, which turned genuine as Fandral approached the table.

“I trust you are content with the care I’ve given your wife, my prince, now that you have had some time alone?” He bowed low and winked at Eira as he stood back up. Loki laughed, and it was the most genuine laugh Eira had heard from him in ages. Despite the sense that she’d always had of Loki being an outsider, the friendship between Fandral and him was real, and mutual.

“She is no worse for having been in your company. She must truly be a goddess to be unmarred by your association,” Loki teased in return. Fandral held a hand to his heart in mock offense.

“You wound me to the very core, Loki. Shall I recount all the women I have missed out on due to my resolve to be the favoured uncle to your son? I am practically a new man!” Fandral laughed.

“New perhaps, but not untried. After centuries of wanton pursuits, you’ll never be pure again.” Loki’s chuckle brought a happy smile to Eira’s face.

“Ah, you’ve been my brother-in-arms so frequently, Loki, there is no fooling you,” Fandral admitted, and his demeanour sobered. “Still, I would assure you, I took to my duties in caring for Eira and Leif in earnest, and they never were in harm’s way.”

“I would not have expected anything less, my friend,” Loki smiled. “I know your fondness for Eira lies partly in your gratitude for her healing. Once I knew it was you who’s accompanied her, I was sure of her safety, at least.”

“And yet you still feared I would seduce her, did you not?” Fandral raised an eyebrow. To his credit, Loki blushed.

“And why would I not? You are a strong, virile man, with a legacy of amorous adventures, who clearly loves my wife. I was hopeful that your affection was as you claim it was, but I would have been foolhardy to assume so,” Loki admitted.

“To be fair, had it not been for her obvious affection for you, I would have likely done exactly as you feared. But even the god of mischief deserves to win the game every so often,” Fandral teased. Eira rolled her eyes.

“What he does not mention, Loki, is that he would not have been successful in seducing me, as he is currently in thrall to a different Valkyrie,” she laughed. Loki’s grin widened.

“Does she tame him?” He asked, absolute delight flashing across his face. Eira smiled coyly.

“He says no. But I know Kara. I think he is fonder than he allows,” she responded. Fandral began to redden.

“I believe my tankard needs filling. If you’ll excuse me, Highness,” he sputtered and fled from the table. Eira and Loki both laughed as he turned his back to them.

“Kara is the picture of him in matters of the heart. I don’t know that anyone has ever had the upper hand with Fandral, but Kara certainly does right now,” Eira explained. Loki smiled.

“No, Fandral is always the one who begins and ends things. He must be at loose ends. Perhaps it is dangerous to love a Valkyrie,” he said.

“Yes, we might lead you to your deaths.” Eira’s tone was wry. Loki’s head snapped over to look at her.

“You heard Sif that night?” He asked. Eira nodded.

“I did. It struck me ironic that she could say such a thing, not knowing I was one of the twelve.”

“She knew not of what she spoke. She was jealous, as she always is when a woman catches Thor’s attention,” Loki dismissed.

“She loves him very much. How does he not see it?”

“He sees it. He chooses not to comprehend it. Look at how well suited they are to each other. To admit that to himself would be to admit he is ready for all this.” Loki gestured to Leif, and their place at the table, and finally to her. “He is not ready for a life less exciting.”

“With Sif by his side, I can hardly see this as what his life would be,” Eira admitted.

“Nevertheless, it’s what he fears. Whenever you doubt that Thor had affection for you, Eira, consider that he was willing to settle into the more ordinary life for you. He may not have loved you. But he certainly was fond of you,” Loki confessed. Eira smiled and took Loki’s hand in hers.

“How confident you have become that you could admit that to me.” She leaned over and kissed him, her lips soft on his. He tipped his chin forward, catching her close for a deeper kiss. Eira dropped her hand on his chest, her heart racing. Leif let out a peal of rage, and they sprang apart.

“I will take him and settle him abed.” Eira lifted the baby from Loki’s arms, and curtseyed at Freyr. Loki rose and kissed her cheek.

“I will be along presently.”

Leif was resisting sleep, fussing and carrying on, not wanting to settle. Eira suspected it was probably the new room and unfamiliar bed, so she settled into the chair beside the cradle and rocked him in her arms until he began to settle. She softly sang a lullaby she remembered her father singing to her. Leif slowed, and his fingers found their way into his mouth. His eyelids began to droop. Eira trailed off, and Leif’s eyes slowly opened, engaging her almost as though he was chastising her for ceasing the song. She took up where she left off, and as he settled, rose and walked about the room. Loki’s rich tenor joined her as she sang, and it was all she could do to not drop from surprise. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning his head over her shoulder. It was so intimate and natural that Eira got chills.

When she was sure Leif was asleep, she laid him in the cradle, and covered him with a blanket. Loki took her hand and led her from the nursery and into the sitting room, where he pulled her down into his lap on the soft couch. His hand ran up her side, and he nestled his face at the crook of her neck, showering kisses from her ear to collarbone. Eira relaxed into his chest with a soft sigh, tangling her fingers in his hair. She slid her fingers along his jaw, pulling his face to meet hers, and rested her forehead against his wordlessly, their noses touching.

A slight tilt of his head, and Loki was kissing her again, his lips gently tangling with her own. His tongue slid along her lower lip, tracing along her teeth. Eira made a soft whimper of surrender and Loki slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her closer, the stubble on his upper lip rubbing hers raw. Eira pushed away, breathing heavy.

“Loki, you said you wanted to wait.” It was a question. Loki pulled her back, his mouth bruising against hers, before dropping his hand from her neck.

“And I do. But the memory of honey was strong in my mind after the mead tonight. I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry, love, but I am only a man.”

“You’re a god, Loki. And this is your signature work, bringing mischief.” Eira pushed him back on the cushions and pressed her mouth against his, sliding her hand under his tunic. He groaned and tried to shift her off his lap, but Eira’s strength from training with Fandral was evident, and she had the upper hand. She smiled against his open mouth and slipped off his lap with a laugh.

“Are you trying to earn title as the goddess?” Loki was flushed.

“Two can play at your games,” Eira winked and rose from the couch. “Now, if you truly think you have self-control, I am going to bathe and go to bed. Goodnight, my husband.”

She leaned down and brushed her lips against his before retiring to the bathing room and calling for a bath.

Loki was already asleep when Eira emerged from the bath. She slipped between the sheets, pulled the covers up to her neck, and rolled onto her side, away from him. As she was dropping to sleep, she felt Loki slip up to her back, pressing his cool body against hers, and dropping an arm across her waist. He kissed her shoulder and laid his head against the pillow.

[everlarkbirthdaydrabbles]

HI! I love this blog. Thank you all for doing this for fans. The stories are all absolutely wonderful My birthday is March 18th, and I would love to have a story. I love fairy tale based stories, so anything with Peeta and Katniss in that format would be a wonderful birthday gift.

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! To help you celebrate in style, the always amazing @norbertsmom has crafted this delightful Everlark story just for you! Enjoy!

The Jabberjay and the Mockingbird

Rating: T

A/N: Happy birthday! This fairy tale is loosely based on Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, with gender swaps and many other changes along the way. It’s not really a drabble, as it’s just over 6k words, oops. I hope you like it. Enjoy.

Special thanks to @mega-aulover who beta read this for me.

The Jabberjay and the Mockingbird

A long time ago in the land of Panem lived the beloved King Aurik and his beautiful Queen Emma Rae. They were fair and kind, beloved by all, but they were surrounded by sadness for they longed to have a child. And the queen’s childbearing years were coming near to an end.

Desperate to provide her husband and the kingdom with an heir, the queen crept out of bed one night after she was certain her husband was fast asleep. She looked out her bedchamber window toward the bright green star that sat low on the horizon over the Rock Mountains to the west. Legend said that the cost was high, but if you were willing to pay the price, you must wish upon the star for 7 consecutive nights for the wish to come true.  As the queen, she had great wealth, so she had the means to pay whatever the cost. She closed her eyes and whispered her plea.

The queen repeated her wish every night for seven nights straight.

When she finished reciting her wish on the seventh night the green star appeared to grow. It became so much brighter than it had been. It grew in size until the queen realized that the star was actually coming closer. The bright green light that she thought was a star flew up into the tallest tower in the castle.

The queen looked over to the bed where King Aurik was still fast asleep. She snuck out of her bedchamber and into the hall.

The castle was eerily quiet. She snuck through the halls, avoiding any guards. She opened a secret passage and climbed a narrow stairway. When she arrived at the top of the tower, she saw that the light was floating in the middle of the room. Warily, she approached the light, but with each step the light began to grow. The light grew so bright that she had to turn away and shield her eyes as it engulfed the room.

She stood still, squeezing her eyes closed. The only sound was the beating of heart thumping in her chest.

She heard a slight shuffle behind her, but was afraid to turn around.

“You may open your eyes, your highness,” a deep voice crackled. When she opened her eyes, she gasped at the sight before her. The green light was gone and in its place was a tall thin man dressed in a white cloak. His weathered hands clutched a twisted walking staff that held a crystal at the top. His long white beard covered an ageless face. He appeared to be as ancient as the mountains that the star came from.

She swallowed her fear and held her head high, but before she could speak, the man hissed, “I am Sorcerer Snow and I know what your heart desires.”

She balked at his assumption. “How dare you to claim to know what I want,” the queen demanded.

“I heard your whispered wish night after night. Even if I hadn’t, your desperation surrounds you. You reek of longing for an heir,” the sorcerer sneered.

Her shoulders fell. “What do you want?” the queen begged. “What price do you demand for your magic? I can pay you in gold or silver, jewels or land, name your price and it is yours.”

”I will hold you to that, for I have no use for your worldly treasures,” he scoffed. He crept up on her. His beady, snake-like eyes pinned her in place, but she held her ground, not letting him see how much he unsettled her. He circled around behind her, but she turned quickly to face him, tired of being intimidated by him.

Before she could demand that he name his price he pounded the staff onto the floor and a blinding green light emerged from the crystal on top. She couldn’t look away from it as he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “I will provide you with an heir, but you must acknowledge me. Tell the king and kingdom that it was I that provided the magic to grant you an heir.”

She tried to refuse, to scream, “No. It’s supposed to be a secret. The king can never know,” but the light held her motionless as it grew once again until it enveloped the room. She was finally able to look away and shield her eyes.

All was quiet once again.

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She looked around and saw that she was alone. Her heart was filled with dread as she ran back to her bedchamber. What had she done? When she burst through the door, the king shot up straight in bed.

“What is the matter, my love?” he asked.

“Nothing, my dear,” she said as she closed the door behind her. She climbed back into bed. “I couldn’t sleep and went for a walk. I’m sorry I woke you.”

“I know how to help you sleep,” the king said with a smirk. The queen laughed at his antics as he pulled her under him. Even though they had an arranged marriage, as most royals do, they had grown to love one another and he always knew what to say to make her feel better. She put all thought of the sorcerer and his demands out of her mind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nine months later they were blessed with the birth of a son. They named him Petrus.

Overjoyed with their blessing, the king and queen held a grand celebration to introduce the new heir to the kingdom. Everyone was invited, noble and subject alike. Many traveled from across the land to pay their respects to the birth of the Prince.

Dark and rugged King Silvain and his fair Queen Altheda came from the Everdeen Forest Kingdom to the east of Panem, and brought their toddler daughter, Princess Katniss to see her betrothed. When they both come of age, their marriage will unite the two kingdoms as one. Their parents planned for them to know each other as children growing up, so they could become friends before they marry.

After greeting the proud new parents, Queen Altheda carried Katniss to the bassinet to see baby Prince Petrus. Katniss leaned down and scrunched up her nose as she looked the baby over. She looked back at her mother with a smile and squealed, “Baby!” making all those around her laugh.

As the royal family from Everdeen stepped aside, the king and queen were greeted by the three good fairies. Each had come to bestow a gift upon the newborn prince.

The first fairy, named Effie, was dressed all in pink from her hair piled high on her head, her pink gown, down to her pink ballet slippers. She floated forward. Her wings fluttered behind her as she performed a well-practiced mid-air curtsy. Effie raised her pink wand and lightly tapped it down toward the baby prince, as she proclaimed proudly, “I bestow you with an artist appreciation for beauty.” She curtsied once more before fluttering away.

The second fairy, Johanna stomped forward in her high black boots, no floating or fluttering for her. Her short black hair was spiked and tipped with red to match the gown that clung tight to her body. She did a quick, awkward curtsey to the king and queen before peering into the bassinet. She smiled, then shook her head, clearing her face of all emotion and raised her wand. “I bestow you with the gift of the diplomacy of a leader,” she said as she lowered her wand to the edge of the bassinet. Johanna nodded her head and did another quick curtsey before scurrying away after Effie.

The third fairy, the tiniest of them all, fluttered forward toward the king and queen, however, before she could bestow her gift, a howling wind blew through the great hall, pushing her to the side.

A green bolt of lightning struck down in front of the thrones and Sorcerer Snow appeared where the lightning had hit.

The crowd backed away from him, as he stormed around in a circle, sneering at all of the guests, many of whom fled from the castle in fear. The sorcerer approached the thrones and bowed deeply before looking up at the king and queen.

“To what do we owe the honor of your presence, Sorcerer Snow?” the king asked.

“Do you not know?” the sorcerer asked the king. When the king answered no, the sorcerer turned quickly to the queen who was shaking her head.

“I have come to pay tribute to the newborn prince,” the sorcerer explained. “Although my initial gift was never acknowledged and I never received an invitation, I would like to bestow a gift of my own.”

“There’s no need,” the queen pled. “Accept our apology for the oversight is all that we ask.”

“Oh, but I insist,” Sorcerer Snow sneered.

He stepped back and raised his staff high above his head. A green light erupted from inside the crystal at the top of the staff. Storm clouds began to swirl above his head, filling the ceiling. Thunder and lightning burst from the clouds.

The king stood up from his throne to protest, but the sorcerer thrust out his hand toward the king and a great gust of wind pushed him back down. The queen was cowering on her own throne, her hands at her temples, shaking her head and muttering “No,” over and over again.

Baby Petrus started to wail.

The sorcerer slowly approached the bassinet. The storm from the clouds surrounding him grew in intensity. He kept his staff held high as he looked down at the young prince who suddenly fell silent. The sorcerer proclaimed, “Before sunset on his eighteenth birthday the child shall prick his finger on the thorn of a snow white rose and turn into a jabberjay. He shall be my pet for the rest of his life.”

“No!” King Aurik yelled. “Guards, arrest the sorcerer.”

Before the guards could move from their stations Sorcerer Snow slammed his staff down onto the stone floor. A bolt of lightning burst from the crystal on top and he vanished. The echo from his laughter faded as the storm clouds dissipated from the room.

“This all my fault,” the queen screamed as she ran to the secret passage and closed the wall behind her. She ran up the stairs and locked herself in the tower.

The king picked up his infant son and held him to his chest. He turned to the fairies. “Have you no magic to reverse this spell?”

Effie stepped forward and curtsied quickly. “Our fairy magic is no match for the sorcerer’s magic, your highness,” she explained. “We may each only grant the child one wish that will affect his life. Rue still has her wish to give. Perhaps she can use her gift to change Sorcerer Snow’s spell.”

The three fairies gathered together, whispering among themselves. Eventually they came to an agreement, nodding their heads together. The tiniest fairy, Rue floated forward. Her gossamer wings match her gown in a soft earthy brown. Rue curtsied midair to the king and the young prince in his arms. “I’m sorry we cannot stop the sorcerer’s spell from turning the prince into a jabberjay,” she explained with a sad smile. She raised up her wand. “Instead, I grant my wish that once Prince Petrus hears the love song of a mockingbird he shall return to his natural human form.” She tapped her wand lightly on the child’s back.

King Aurik, still fearful for his infant son’s life, ordered that every rose bush in the kingdom be burned, making it illegal to grow roses ever again, no matter what the color.

The three fairies gathered together once more to ponder what they could do to prevent Sorcerer Snow’s curse from taking effect, for surely the sorcerer would make certain that it did. They decide to persuade the King to hide the prince away until he after turned eighteen.

After failing to convince the queen to leave her tower and care for her son, the king reluctantly agreed, but insisted that they not tell anyone where they took him for fear that word would get back to the sorcerer.

The three fairies disguised themselves as peasant women and took the young prince to a remote village on the far eastern side of the kingdom. They posed as his aunts and vowed to protect him from harm. They persuaded a young baker named Mellark and his wife to adopt their “nephew Peeta” and raise him as their own.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The years passed by, and atop Rock Mountain the atmosphere had stayed in a constant brewing storm, a sign of Sorcerer Snow’s mood. His quest to find the hidden prince had not been fulfilled.

The sorcerer had sent his goons far and wide across the land to search for the prince but they never found him. The goons snuck into the Panem castle, but there was no sign of him there. They followed the king whenever he left the castle, but he never went to visit his son.

Time was running out. If the boy could not be found before sunset on his eighteenth birthday, the curse would be broken and that would never do. After punishing his goons for their failure, Sorcerer Snow sent his crow Seneca to search for the prince. If the crow found the boy, the sorcerer would know right away because he could see what the crow saw in his magic crystal.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In the remote village on the far eastern side of the kingdom, Peeta had grown into a strong, handsome young man with wavy blond hair and piercing blue eyes. It was his eighteenth birthday, so the baker sent his son to visit his aunts so he and his wife could bake a birthday cake as a surprise.

Peeta’s aunts lived in a formerly abandoned woodcutter’s cottage a little ways deeper in the woods than the baker’s cottage. He visited his aunts every Sunday. He was quite fond of his doting aunts, but he never understood why they taught him the things they did. His Aunt Effie taught him history and art. His Aunt Johanna taught him all about weapons and how to use them. His dear sweet Aunt Rue taught him about nature. While he enjoyed his lessons, he never understood why a simple baker would need the things that they taught him, but he indulged them because he knew that they meant well.

As Peeta was making his way through the woods he heard a lovely voice singing a lullaby. It put a smile on his face as it reminded him of a time many years prior when he was only five years old.

He had just left his cottage to gather some kindling when he heard it. He followed the sound to a carriage parked just out front. He peered inside where he saw a girl singing to a much younger girl that she had cradled in her arms. Peeta had been mesmerized by her voice. Even the birds fell silent just to hear the girl sing. When the song ended, Peeta was a goner, but he had run off without saying anything.

Peeta chuckled at his five year old antics, happy that that had not been the last time he saw her.

He continued to follow the sound of the singing voice. After walking just a few yards, Peeta spied a beautiful young woman dressed in hunting gear walking through the woods. Her dark hair was gathered in a braid that draped down the side of her neck. She was pulling a horse behind her. Peeta hid behind a tree so he wouldn’t startle her.

“I know you’re there, Peeta,” the girl yelled out. “You can never sneak up on me.”

“Sorry, Katniss,” Peeta replied as he came out from behind the tree with his hands held up in front of him. “I just wanted to hear you sing.”

Katniss shook her head and laughed at him as he caught up to her.

“What are you doing out here?” Peeta asked. “I usually only see you on Sundays.”

When Peeta was eleven years old he ran into Katniss again while he was on his weekly walk to visit his aunts. She had been hunting in the woods nearby and snuck away to be on her own. Peeta shared his cheesebuns with her and ever since, Peeta and Katniss wandered the woods together every Sunday sharing stories of their lives. They never saw each other on any other day, though, so he knew something was up.

Katniss took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. “Today is my last day of freedom,” Katniss explained. “Tomorrow I will be presented to the Prince of Panem. He and I are betrothed. I’m going to miss my woods.” She looked up into Peeta’s eyes. “And you,” she added shyly.

Peeta pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a warm embrace. “I can’t believe I won’t ever see you again,” he whispered in her ear. He pulled back and looked down into her eyes. “Maybe you can still come to the woods and visit,” Peeta suggested.

“I don’t know, my mother never steps foot in the woods and she’s always telling me that I need to learn to be a proper lady if I’m going to be queen someday.”

“Forgive me for saying so, but the prince would be a fool to not allow you to do whatever makes you happy.”

“If only you were the prince,” Katniss lamented, and they both laughed, but it didn’t last long. “Why are you out here today, Peeta?” Katniss asked as they continued on their walk side by side.

“I’m on my way to visit my aunts. Today is my eighteenth birthday. My father wanted me out of the house so he could bake me a surprise cake.”

Katniss turned to Peeta and said, “Happy birthday! You share a birthday with the prince. Today is his eighteenth birthday too.”

“Wow. I never knew that,” Peeta declared. They were a few yards away from his aunts’ cottage. Peeta stopped and grabbed Katniss’ hand, making her turn to face him. “It was nice seeing you again, Katniss. I hope your prince is everything you deserve him to be.”

“Thank you, Peeta,” Katniss said. She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.

Peeta cover his cheek with his hand and waved goodbye with his other hand as he watched Katniss climb onto her horse.

Katniss wore a shy smile on her face as she waved goodbye. ‘If only the prince were as kind and sweet as Peeta,’ Katniss thought to herself.  

Once Katniss was gone, Peeta continued on to visit his aunts, but his thoughts kept going back to Katniss. He couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing her again.

When he arrived at the cottage, he was assaulted by hugs from each of his aunts. “There’s our birthday boy,” Johanna yelled.

“That’s me,” Peeta responded with a half-hearted smile.

“Oh dear, you poor thing,” Effie fussed. “Whatever is the matter?”

“Come join us on the couch and tell us what’s wrong,” Rue suggested.

After they were all seated and Peeta told them all about his weekly walks with Katniss and how he knew he didn’t have a chance with her because she’s a princess and he’s just a poor baker’s son, but it still hurt to find out she’s betrothed and he won’t ever see her again.

Peeta’s three aunts looked at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation before finally nodding their heads.

“Peeta, dear,” Effie began. “There’s something we need to tell you.”

“What is it, Effie?” Peeta asked. “Not more bad news, I hope.”

“Not at all,” Rue chimed in. “You’ll get to see Katniss again. I guarantee it.”

“Really, but how?” Peeta wondered.

“We’ve had to keep this secret. For your safety, of course, but since it’s your eighteenth birthday, it’s time we told you,” Effie babbled.

Johanna rolled her eyes. “Just tell him already.”

“We’re not really your aunts,” Effie continued.

“We’re fairies,” Rue added.

“What?” Peeta asked. “I don’t understand.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Johanna bellowed. “You’re the prince. You are betrothed to Katniss.”

She went on to explain that they had to hide him away to protect him without going into too many details, but that he would be presented back to court that evening, after the sunset.

Peeta let it all sink in. Once he realized what they were telling him it all made sense, the lessons they taught him, or why he wasn’t allowed to talk to strangers, or him not being allowed to go with his father on his deliveries to the nearby village.

That’s why he never mentioned Katniss to his aunts or parents before. He knew they would tell him he couldn’t see her if he did.

Peeta asked a few questions about his parents the king and queen and what would happen to his adopted family. The fairies answered every one, but they were all so involved in their conversation that none of them noticed the black crow that was peering in from an open window.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Back at Panem Castle, the entire court was preparing for the prince to return to his rightful place on the throne next to his father. King Aurik and Queen Emma Rae were excited to see their son again.

King Silvain, Queen Altheda, and Princess Primrose were in attendance as well. When the prince returned, the two royal families would announce the engagement of Prince Petrus to Princess Katniss.

Just then Katniss rode up on horseback. She jumped down from her mount and rushed over to her parents.

The queen shook her head, “Young lady, you will go to the guest chamber for a bath and to be dressed in a gown. Is this how you want to be presented to your prince and his kingdom?”

“I can’t marry the prince,” Katniss rushed out.

“What is this foolishness?” the queen replied.

Katniss shook her head and turned to her father. “I met someone, Papa. He’s a baker’s son. He lives in a small village on the border of both kingdoms. If I have to marry anyone, I want to marry him.”

Her father, King Silvain frowned. “My darling, Catkin. You must remember your duty to do what was best the kingdom.”

Katniss backed away as she shook her head. She had been certain that her father would understand. With the pain of betrayal heavy on her heart, Katniss climbed back onto Buttercup and rode back into the forest, ignoring her father’s calls for her to come back.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In the meantime, Peeta and the three faeries went back to the baker’s cottage to explain everything to his parents and invite them to the castle to meet his royal family, but most especially he wanted them to meet his beloved Katniss. Peeta asked to go in alone and the three faeries agree to stay outside.

Once inside his home, however, Peeta found his parents tied up and gagged. Before he could run to their aid, two of Sorcerer Snow’s goons grabbed his arms and held him in place. The sorcerer appeared before him in a puff of smoke. He held out his staff toward Peeta and commanded that he look into the crystal. Peeta tried to resist, knocking over a chair in his struggles, but the green light engulfed his face. After a moment, Peeta stood silent, under a trance.

Sorcerer Snow stalked toward Peeta and whispered in his ear, “Wouldn’t a snow white rose show the lovely Princess Katniss how pure your love is for her?”  As he spoke the words, a vase appeared in the center of the table and a white rose seemed to grow inside it. Peeta’s eyes were blank as he nodded his head and reached his hand out toward the rose.

The three fairies heard the commotion and rushed inside with their wands drawn. They saw Peeta reaching out toward the white rose, but before they could stop him, Peeta pricked his finger on the enchanted rose. He turned his head quickly toward his aunts before he shrunk in size, engulfed in his clothes.

“Come, my pet,” the sorcerer snarled, and the jabberjay Peeta flew up out of the clothes pile to sit on his shoulder.

The sorcerer cackled wickedly. “You pathetic fools,” he said to the fairies. “My curse has been fulfilled. And don’t think your little wish will reverse it,” he said directly to Rue. “My goons have hunted down every mockingbird in this entire kingdom and the next. The prince shall not hear a mockingbird love song ever again.”

The fairies rushed forward to try and stop him, but the sorcerer slammed his staff into the ground and disappeared in a cloud of smoke, taking his goons and jabberjay Peeta with him.

Distraught over what had happened, the three fairies tried to come up with a plan to save Peeta as they used their magic to untie his parents and see to their injuries.

There was a loud knock at the cottage door. But before anyone could answer it Katniss burst in, out of breath. “Is Peeta here?” she asked. “I need to see him.”

“The sorcerer took him,” the baker’s wife wailed. She collapsed into her husband’s arms and cried.

Katniss looked back and forth between the fairies. “What does she mean? Why would the sorcerer take Peeta?”

The fairies explained what happened to Peeta. She was shocked to learn that Peeta and her betrothed prince were one and the same. “We have to rescue him,” Katniss demanded.

“Even if we could rescue him, we need a mockingbird to sing her love song to break the curse,” Rue reminded her. “I should have put more thought into my wish,” Rue lamented and started to cry. Effie and Johanna rushed to console her.

“Turn me into a mockingbird,” Katniss insisted. “I know their song. I will sing it for him and break the curse.”

The fairies stopped their chatter and turned to Katniss. Effie spoke up. “We don’t have that kind of magic, your highness.”

“Someone must,” Katniss demanded. “If Sorcerer Snow could turn Peeta into a jabberjay, there must be someone else who has that much magic.”

“There is someone,” Johanna started.

“Johanna, no,” Effie warned.

Johanna looked quickly to Effie, but continued, “There is someone, but do you understand what that would mean? Are you willing to risk being stuck as a mockingbird for the rest of your life?”

“I understand completely,” Katniss confirmed. “Now if you know of someone who can do it, summon them here immediately,” Katniss demanded.

The three fairies gathered together to discuss it among themselves, as they tended to do. After some bickering, they all nodded and turned back to Katniss.

“Ok, we’ll do it, but not here,” Johanna explained. “Let’s go back to our cottage where we can summon her properly.”

“Ok,” Katniss agreed. She turned to the baker and his wife. “I’ll get your son back. I promise,” she said before she stormed back out the door.

Katniss rode her horse and the three fairies flew back to their cottage. Once inside, the fairies set to work. Rue handed Katniss a candle and started a fire in the fireplace. Johanna drew a circle on the floor, and Effie gathered colorful bags from a chest. When they were finished they asked Katniss to step aside. They gathered around the circle and began to chant. One by one they threw the colorful bags into the fire. When the last bag went in, the flames went out and the cabin grew dark. The sun had set sometime during their preparations.

Rue used her wand to light the candle in Katniss’ hand and joined the other fairies to light rest of the candles around the room. When there was light enough to see, it was clear that the summoning spell worked, for there in the middle of the circle was a woman. She appeared to be fifty or so with pale gray eyes and straight gray hair that fell in a uniform sheet to her shoulders. She was dressed all in black.

“Why have you summoned me here?” the woman asked.

“Alma, Great Witch of the East,” Effie greeted. “We need your help.”

“I need to you turn me into a mockingbird,” Katniss jumped in.

“Oh, really, and why is that?” the witch asked. “There are consequences for that kind of magic, my dear.”

“Sorcerer Snow has my beloved captive and I intend to get him back, at any cost,” Katniss replied.

“Why didn’t you say so,” the witch cackled. “I’d take great pleasure in thwarting Snow.” The witch snapped her fingers then began pulling several flasks from her cloak. She set them on the table in front of her, one by one. She began to chant and pour drops from each flask into a single bottle. Katniss and the fairies looked on in wonder.

Eventually, she put a stopper in the bottle and snapped her fingers. All the flasks she had pulled from her cloak disappeared.

The witch held out the bottle to Katniss, but when she tried to take it, the witch snatched it back. “Do not drink this until you get to Snow’s castle,” she warned. “If you try to fly there you will get too tired to do anything else. Once you drink it, the only cure is true love’s kiss. If you are able to rescue your beloved, he must kiss you to turn you back. If his love is not true, you will live as a mockingbird for the rest of your life.”

“I understand,” Katniss confirmed as she took the potion and pocketed it. “Thank you.”

The witch snapped her fingers once more and disappeared.

Katniss headed for the door, but the fairies stopped her. “You need to take these,” Johanna said as she pulled a sword and shield from a large chest in the corner of the room.

“I don’t need those. I have my bow and arrows,” Katniss said and she patted the strap across her chest.

“They’re not for you, your highness,” Johanna explained. “I trained Peeta to use them. Once he’s turned back to his human form he’ll need them to fight Snow.”

“Of course,” Katniss agreed.

Effie handed her a bundle of clothes. “Here’s a set of clothes for both Peeta and you for when you change back.” Katniss blushed at the thought of Peeta needing clothes when he turned back into his human form.

Rue handed her a bag of salves and bandages, “In case of injuries,” Rue explained.

Katniss looked at everything they had given her. She realized these fairies, these women loved Peeta as much as she did. She gathered them into a hug and whispered her thanks, before releasing them and heading out the door.

Katniss rode Buttercup as the fairies flew alongside of her.

When they reached Rock Mountain, Katniss left Buttercup and climbed up to the castle. When she reached the summit, Katniss and the fairies looked inside the castle and found Sorcerer Snow’s goons celebrating. The fairies set to work casting a sleep spell over them while Katniss searched for a passage to the dungeons.

When she found the dungeons, she saw that Sorcerer Snow was visiting jabberjay Peeta, and had him in a birdcage. Snow taunted Peeta with images of Katniss riding off on horseback with another man, laughing at the very idea.

When the sorcerer left, Katniss climbed into the window. She set the weapons and other bundles on the floor and opens Peeta’s cage to free him. Peeta didn’t move from the cage, but turned his head to watch her. Katniss removed her cloak and let it drop to the floor. She looked at Peeta and said, “Peeta, I need you,” before pulling the bottle from her pocket. She quickly removed the stopper and drank the potion down.

Katniss barely felt anything as she shrunk down. Before she knew it she was engulfed in her clothing. When she freed herself, she discovered that she had feathers; she was a mockingbird. She flew up to the cage that held Peeta and sat on the perch beside him. She nudged him and then flew out of the cage and perched on the window sill.

Peeta followed her out. He stared at her, turning his head back and forth to look at her with one eye and then the other as if he couldn’t believe that she was there, and a bird. Katniss opened her mouth and sang. Her voice was strong and proud. She sang the mockingbird love song over and over. Peeta began to shake and he flew down to the floor of the dungeon. He began to grow, quickly changing back into his human form.

Peeta picked up Katniss and held her in his hand, “What did you do, Katniss?”

Meanwhile, the sorcerer had found that his goons had been put under a sleep spell and rushed back down to the dungeon. Peeta hurriedly dressed and picked up the sword and shield, and slung the other bundles over his shoulder.

Peeta climbed out the window and Katniss flew out behind him. As Peeta made his way down the mountain, Sorcerer Snow tried to strike him down with lightning bolts, but Peeta was able to deflect them with the shield.

Outraged, Sorcerer Snow raised his staff into the air, seeming to summon fire from the sky, transforming himself into a great dragon.

Peeta fought off the enormous beast, using the shield to deflect the fire that it breathed, but he couldn’t get close enough to use the sword. Katniss flew up and tormented the dragon, distracting it, giving Peeta time to plunge the sword into the dragon’s heart, killing Sorcerer Snow once and for all.

As the dragon puffed out his last breath of fire, it caught Katniss’ wing. The feathers were singed and Katniss began to spiral down to earth, fated to die right alongside the dragon. Peeta dove and caught her just before she hit the ground, saving her life.

Peeta sat down on the ground and cradled Katniss in his hands. He looked her over and whispered to her, “I thought I lost you,” before placing a kiss on top of her head.

Katniss’ bird body began to shake and she quickly grew back into her human form. She stared up into Peeta’s eyes. “You love me,” she said in awe.

Peeta nodded his head and cupped her cheek. “I love you,” he agreed.

“I love you too,” Katniss replied with a smile. Peeta’s responding smile made his eyes sparkle with tears of joy. Katniss’ heart beat rapidly in her chest as she waited in anticipation. Her eyes slid closed as he leaned down and captured her lips with his.

After a moment he pulled away, but Katniss wasn’t ready to stop. She reached up; sliding her hands into his hair and pulling Peeta back down for another kiss. Neither knew it could feel like that, the warmth spreading throughout their bodies as their kisses grew hungrier. The feelings intensified with every kiss.

“Alright, lovebirds,” Johanna yelled and the two broke apart. They both had trouble making eye contact as Peeta handed Katniss the pack of clothing and got up to give her some privacy while she dressed.

After Rue used her magic to bandage up Katniss’ injured arm, the couple climbed down the mountain and mounted Buttercup to ride back to Panem.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The sound of trumpets heralds the arrival of Katniss and Peeta as they entered Panem castle. When they dismounted from Buttercup, the fairies waved their wands and the young lovers were suddenly clean and dressed in clothes appropriate for a prince and princess.

Katniss and Peeta approached their families and shared hugs and introductions as they explained what happened. They made it clear to everyone that Peeta was the baker’s son that Katniss had met in the woods. And yes, he preferred to be called Peeta, not Petrus.

Queen Emma Rae grabbed Peeta and held him in a warm embrace as she apologized over and over again. Peeta hugged her back and told her there was no need to apologize. He knew she had been tricked by Sorcerer Snow.

King Aurik sent a carriage to bring the baker and his wife to the castle so he could thank them for making his son a part of their family and to invite them to the wedding.

Two days later Katniss and Peeta were married. Their union brought much happiness to the land. The love they shared for each other brought smiles to everyone who witnessed them together. They eventually had a dark haired, blue eyed daughter, followed shortly by a blond haired, gray eyed son.

Many years later, when King Aurik passed, Peeta became king, and Katniss ruled by his side. And when her own father passed, the two kingdoms were joined as one. Katniss and Peeta were much loved by all their subjects, and they all lived happily ever after.

The End

[ericjuneau]

Reprise (Chapter 19) [Frozen/Tangled/The Little Mermaid]

CHAPTER 19: Dawned on Me

Elsa, Ariel, Rapunzel, and Arcius stared at each other. He looked as if he were waiting for them to make the next move.

Ariel leaned in to the others. "What do we say?" she whispered.

Elsa stepped forward and curtseyed. "I am Queen Elsa of Arendelle. This is Princess Ariel and Princess Rapunzel."

"Yes, I know." He walked up to them and kissed Elsa's hand. Then he embraced Elsa in a hug, to her surprise. He smelled sweet and clean. "I am so glad you made it. I was afraid there were too many obstacles in your path. Or you might choose the wrong direction," he said, after embracing Rapunzel and Ariel in turn.

"So you sent us these letters." Rapunzel pulled out hers.

"I did," Arcius said. "And I'm glad you were able to decipher them. Encryption is a difficult skill to master. It requires almost a mind-to-mind contact. And I apologize for all your hardships in getting here. I needed to make sure you and only you could find me."

"So you wanted us to come here?" Ariel asked. "Why?"

"We'll get to that. Believe me, I know your problems and I have every intention of helping you. But you must be hungry and tired. You've been working under such unnecessary duress. Let us discuss over a meal. We can fill our bellies and rest our bottoms."

Ariel giggled. Arcius clapped his hands.

A door leading to the west opened, leading to a well-lit hallway. "Down the hall is a room to freshen up in, clean clothes to wear. In the meantime, I shall prepare our repast." With a swish of his cape, he exited the way he came.

The hallway ended in a large, lavish dressing chamber. In the middle of the room sat a round table divided into thirds. Each of the three wedges faced a different vestibule, where a hot bath lay waiting.

"Wow," Ariel said.

"Yeah... that's all I can think of... wow," Elsa said.

Ariel pulled open the closet door, a room in itself. Dozens of elegant clothes lay hanging or folded inside the wardrobe. Ariel picked the dress that appealed to her the most. It was tailor made to her size and color.

"This all seems a little weird," Elsa said. "Are we sure he wants to help us?"

"At least he didn't attack us," Rapunzel said. "On the other hand, I don't know many good people that live alone in an island volcano lair."

Ariel said, "Ravir was living alone. Maybe having all that power makes you feel distant from others."

"Ravir was living in squalor. Arcius is living like a sultan," Elsa said. "I don't know. Something feels off."

"We're keeping our eyes open," Rapunzel said. "This isn't the first time people claimed to be helping us, right?"

"Right," Elsa and Ariel said, almost too loud.

The three of them took baths in water that never seemed to lose temperature. Each vanity had an assortment of make-up and powder individually attuned to their skin tones and colors. After all the rugged hiking and traveling, dressing up for a formal setting was actually pleasant. They couldn't stop complimenting each other on how elegant each looked.

"Ready?" Elsa asked.

They exited the dressing chamber to the central room. But it was no longer there. Or had been altered within an impossible timespan.

Before them was now a banquet hall with table settings for four--three chairs on one side, the fourth at the head. A magnificent chandelier of interlocking gold candelabras hung from the ceiling. Each setting had a glass already filled with white wine.

Favorite foods filled the table. A steaming pot of proper tea lay on a stone slab, exuding with earthy aroma. Ariel's eyes lit up at the sight of seaweed pasta. She hadn't had that since she was a child. Rapunzel salivated at the fruit pies.

Amid these were plates of spiced squash, stuffed peppers, cherries in sweet cream, oatbread, spiced plum mousse, and fig tarts. The three main dishes--roasted honeyed chicken, ham studded with cloves, and chopped mutton--lay like landmarks in a sea.

They pulled out their chairs and sat down. At that moment, Arcius came through the doors, wearing a more subdued robe with the same color scheme.

"Ladies, you look absolutely lovely. If every blade of grass were a quill and sky made of parchment, I could not begin to write of your beauty."

Ariel blushed. Rapunzel grinned. Even Elsa couldn't help but smile.

"I hope everything is to your liking. Please let me know if there's anything missing or tastes off," Arcius said.

"You made all this? Through magic?" Rapunzel asked.

"I did," Arcius nodded. "Please eat. I know you're starving. There's no need to stand on formalities here. We're all peers."

Ariel was the first to start taking food. The rest followed.

"Tell me, there must be an entertaining story on how you finally decoded the messages?" Arcius asked.

"We met Omis Ravir," Ariel said. "He helped us."

"Omis Ravir..." Arcius took a sip of wine. "I didn't know he was still around. Good for him."

"He was living in an abandoned church, all alone. He said the magic had corrupted him," Rapunzel said. "He didn't even look human anymore."

Arcius sadly nodded. "Yes, it is easy for power to force one's desire toward isolation. I am no different."

"But you don't seem like him," Elsa said.

"I was lucky to avoid the consequences Ravir did. But only through harsh discipline. It is a fine line to walk for mortal man to degenerate into turpitude. Power only thins the line further. Once I had taken the mantle, my journey had only begun. But I had good teachers."

"Was one of them Dame Naidra?" Ariel asked, slurping up more seaweed pasta.

"Ah, Dame Naidra..." A boyish smile appeared on his face. "Now that's a name I haven't heard for a while."

"She's the one who told us about the cult of Temeris," Ariel said.

"She's a strong woman. I admired her for that. I met her near the end of my odyssey. She was something of a student herself at the time, but she yielded remarkable self-control for someone so young."

"She's not that young anymore," Ariel said.

"Wait a minute," Elsa said. "You knew Dame Naidra when she was younger? How old are you?"

Arcius grinned. "As old an idea, but younger than thought. Yes, the magic does increase one's longevity but it's no path to immortality. As to answer your question, I'm afraid I don't know," he said with a laugh. "The moment one stops keeping track of time is the moment it becomes lost forever. I simply had no need to track the hours and days anymore. My self-imposed isolation saw to that."

Elsa said, "Then do you-"

"ERRRK..." Ariel seized up, dropping her fork with a clatter. She strained against the chair, eyes closed, teeth grinding.

"Ariel?" Rapunzel said.

"Sunset," she said through gritted teeth. "No windows. Couldn't tell..." Silver and china clanged as Rapunzel and Elsa sprang up. They lay her down on the floor.

Arcius stood, looking alarmed. "She's turning back into a mermaid, isn't she?"

Rapunzel and Elsa looked up, stunned.

Arcius wiped his mouth hastily. "Let me help."

He waved his hand and fluttered his fingers. A gentle dusting of gold particles rained over her, settling on Ariel's kicking legs before disappearing.

Ariel released her held breath. Her legs dropped to the floor.

"There. The curse is removed. You should no longer change form," Arcius said.

"You removed it? Just like that?" Ariel asked.

"Yes. Again, I cannot apologize enough for all I've put you through. This was all a misunderstanding."

"You put the spell on her?" Elsa asked, matter-of-factly. "On all of us?"

"Yes."

Elsa and Rapunzel helped Ariel to her feet. "You made Rapunzel's hair grow long and my kingdom covered with ice."

Arcius sighed, jowls drooping. "Yes. I am the one responsible."

"Can you undo it?" Rapunzel asked.

"I could. But..." He tapped his chin. "Let me show you something first."

He turned and entered the double doors at the end of the banquet hall. Ariel, Elsa, and Rapunzel hiked up their skirts and followed him. They headed down a set of stairs, deeper within the mountain, until they reached a bridge.

The bridge crossed over a tremendous chamber--thousands of feet up, thousands of feet down. And eerily silent. At the top, the roof contained a jagged hole where they could see the orange sky. Down below, darkness covered all, but they could smell the tang of salt and lapping water.

"This is the inside of the volcano," Rapunzel said.

"The very core. The sky above and the sea below," Arcius said.

"You hollowed it out?" Rapunzel asked.

"This is the center of my world. It makes an effective playground for my practice. The rooms you saw, I hardly ever enter. They are for the benefit of guests."

They began crossing the bridge. Ariel made the mistake of glancing toward the terminal abyss that awaited with a slight misstep and got dizzy.

There was a single stand of chromium metal at the end. It had a large concave dish on top, like a birdbath. A shallow pool of blue liquid lay inside the alabaster dish. Not water, though it was as translucent and thin. Arcius beckoned them to gather round.

"Do you see it?" he asked.

At the bottom lay a microscopic granule, gleaming in the skylight.

"That," Arcius said, "is a grain from the sands of time. It's small, but there's immense power in it. Astronomical, world-shifting power. Power over time itself. And that, dear ladies, is where the root of your problems lie. You see, within one of my earlier operations there were elements that led to this becoming..."

"Reverted?" Rapunzel said.

"Yes. Spiritually speaking. It's complicated, but that's accurate to say."

"Where did this come from?" Ariel asked, eyeing it as a fine piece of jewelry.

"I'm afraid that story would be... incomprehensible. I wish I could tell you, it's fascinating. But there are no words for certain things I experienced."

"Wait," Elsa said, "So this grain of time somehow brought things back to how they were before?"

"It was a complete accident, I assure you. I can never apologize enough for the harm it's caused," Arcius said.

"With Ariel and Rapunzel, it kind of makes sense. But your 'operation' caused a huge ice storm in my town. How is that a reversion?"

"I apologize. This is all difficult to explain without foreknowledge. The results weren't simply a linear change or crossing of time streams. It was more of an... an echo. It brought out the innate natures of a previous time, before certain events had occurred. In each of your cases, fundamental life-changing events made a... I suppose a 'backslide' would be an appropriate term. For you, Elsa, your crisis was more wide-spread than personal."

Elsa shook her head. "I don't understand this at all. But do you have the power to change everything back?"

"Oh yes," Arcius said. "Absolutely. Of course... but... I was hoping you would listen to my proposal at first."

"Proposal?" Rapunzel asked.

"Yes, you see. My original intention wasn't to harm you. I was trying to summon you."

"Summon us?" Elsa asked.

"Yes. You three possess unique traits that intersect multiple spheres of nature. Your original form," Arcius said to Ariel, "Your connection to life essence," to Rapunzel, "And your inherited magic," to Elsa. "These omit you from the effects of the grain of time, no matter how hard I try."

"It sure seemed to affect us," Elsa said angrily.

"Yes, and therein lies why the experiment went wrong. It was totally unintentional. But my ways of making contact are limited, if I want to preserve my security. I sent those letters as soon as I could to encourage you forward. I'm afraid my roundabout methods only caused delays."

"But there's a way to undo it? Or fix it?" Ariel asked.

"Yes, but-" Arcius pointed a finger. "Let's first establish whether we want to do such a thing. Of course, your kingdom," he said to Elsa, "must be righted as soon as possible. I have already managed to remove the ice."

"Well, thank you for that," Elsa said. "But what about the clouds?"

"And my hair. It makes me a target," Rapunzel said.

"I'm not saying that it isn't issue. But what you girls don't realize is that, with your gifts, there is much untapped potential. Elsa has the power to freeze more than just ice. Rapunzel has the power not just to heal but to return life itself. Was that not done for your spouse?"

Rapunzel remembered when her hair had been cut, her powers gone, as she wept over Flynn's body. Her falling tears healed him, but she had always thought that was because he wasn't completely dead yet.

"And Ariel... you have the power of a god at your fingertips."

She held out her trident, looking at it.

He hunched toward them, as if telling a secret. "Imagine what the three... no, the four of us could do if we united."

"Like what?"

"Like turn back time." Arcius grinned. "Think about it. Even with the powers we each possess we are still held back by our human natures. We trust the wrong person or misunderstand another or simply run out of days. We're only limited by our inability to correct mistakes. Does that seem fair?"

"Are you saying we can go back in time?" Rapunzel asked. "Go back and... change things?"

Arcius made eye contact with Elsa. "Elsa. You could have the time back that you missed. Spend your formative years with your sister, out in the open, embracing your power instead of fearing it. Ariel, you could do so much knowing what you know now. You could stop the death of your mother. You could unite humans and merpeople. Rapunzel..." He bowed his head, clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Eighteen years. Eighteen years living under a lie. Eighteen years locked in a tower, in a single room, waiting for your life to begin. You'll never have those years back. But what if you could." His eyes bulged. "You could be a child again. You could have a mother and a father. You could have friends, toys to play with, the joy of growing up all over again. In the way you were meant to. You can have that."

"And you?" Elsa asked in a flat tone. "What would you do?"

Arcius straightened. "What wouldn't I do? With this kind of power my sorcery would turn obsolete. It... it would change everything. Every slight, every oversight--gone. Erased."

"You have time you want erased too, then?" Elsa asked.

Arcius sighed. "Yes, yes, I do. You refer to the time I spent within incarceration, I think."

Elsa nodded.

"A human life isn't without some regrets. I wanted to be powerful, but controlling such divinity takes commitment. Discipline. I needed isolation, confinement, time. There is no better place for that than prison."

"But you had to do something to get there."

"It was a victimless crime. I've never wanted to harm anyone, I assure you. But even after those twelve years, I wasn't strong enough. I knew the heart of Temeris would take time to master. Now that I have, the only thing stopping me is the limits of my human form. But with you..."

He reached out his hand.

"We could perform miracles."

The girls glanced at each other. No one wanted to be the first to speak.

Arcius pulled back his hand. "You look apprehensive. I understand. You don't have to decide anything now. Sleep on it. Stay the night. You've learned a great deal in a short amount of time. I'm sure you're quite tired. Let me show you to your rooms."

Arcius led them back across the bridge. He opened a door into a hallway and gestured them to enter.

"Good night ladies. When you are prepared in the morning, just ring the bell. You should have better dreams tonight than in any days past."

Arcius shut the door behind them once they walked through. The hallway ended in vast chamber. A picture window looked out onto the ocean. Three king-size canopy beds lay in a row against the wall, facing three dressing shades and vanity mirrors. Each desk contained basic essentials--water, hair ties, and a pillow smelling of their homeland. Balsam & pine for Elsa, honeysuckle & vanilla for Rapunzel, and sharp tropical and citrus fumes for Ariel.

One by one, they changed for bed, then returned to their spots. Rapunzel approached the picture window, awed by a living painting. She imagined she was overlooking the entire world. Ariel sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her feet along the embroidered carpet.

"So..." Elsa said humbly. "What, uh... what do you all think?"

Nobody answered for a full minute.

"I... I don't know what to think," Ariel said. "The idea's so huge, it feels like it won't fit in my brain."

Rapunzel nodded. "It's a lot of power."

Elsa looked at her uncovered hands. "Too much power can be a bad thing."

Ariel spun her trident idly. "But it can be used for good."

"How do we know it'll be good?" Elsa asked. "How do we know what will happen at all? What if mermaids and humans became united? That would change the world."

"But think about all the other things we could do. All the good things," Rapunzel said. "Prevent wars. Stop accidents. Warn people before earthquakes or storms. Your parents wouldn't have died."

"You would never have been locked in a tower," Ariel said.

"But you also would have never gotten your hair. If we warned anyone about Mother Gothel, she might try something harsher than just kidnapping."

"But we could fix that. We could tell her not to use the flower. And then..." Rapunzel trailed off.

"And then you would never be born," Elsa finished. "I don't know what will happen if you start reaching into the past to change things."

"But it's not like we only have one chance to get it right," Ariel said. "If you don't like how something turned out, you can always change it."

"That's what bothers me. It's like taking back moves in chess. It changes the game. In fact, it makes it never end. You could drive yourself crazy thinking like that--what would have happened, what might have happened," Elsa said.

"But... if you can always go back to change things, you always have the time to plan it out," Rapunzel said.

"That's right," Ariel said. "We have all the time in the world. We have a grain of time."

"I'm not trying to advocate against it," Elsa said. "Lord knows I'd love to live a happier life."

"We could do that," Rapunzel said. "We could save all the Elsas and Ariels and Rapunzels."

"We could..." Elsa agreed.

Silence. And in that silence, one of two unspoken decisions hung in the air. All that remained was for one of them to grab it.

In the morning, the three of them entered the volcano's cavity, the centerpiece of Arcius's refuge. Sure enough, he was there, standing over the altar, gazing into the pool. Perhaps he had been there all night. Maybe he didn't need to sleep anymore with his level of magic.

Arcius didn't acknowledge their presence until they a few feet away. He straightened up.

"Good morning," he said. "I didn't expect you this early. But I'm glad you stayed. You could have run off and escaped the island, told everyone where I was. Shall we have breakfast?" Arcius started to walk back across the bridge.

"Before breakfast," Elsa said. "We wanted to let you know--we're not interested in what you're planning."

"Really?" Arcius said. "But why?"

Elsa sighed. "It... it sounds like a good idea. And I'm sure it could be. But it's just too complex. It raises too many questions."

"But isn't it still worth using?" Arcius asked. "Power over time itself. You're right, it is complex. But to make the world right--to bring peace and prosperity and unity--isn't that worth it? It's not even a matter of chance. I know we could get it right. There's no way we couldn't."

"But that's my point," Elsa said. "How far do you plan to go to 'get it right'? How far back do you go to change things? All the way back to the dinosaurs?"

"You'd be constantly starting over," Ariel said. "And over and over and over and over, every time something you didn't like happened."

"But it's not just me deciding," Arcius said. "It would be all of us."

"I don't want to decide," Elsa said. "I'm a queen. And I already think I have too much power."

"We all know what it's like to rule a country," Rapunzel said. "Ruling over time... I don't think we should try."

Arcius looked aghast. "Princess Rapunzel? Even you think this? You were a child slave, shown so little love and kindness. Your entire world was defined for you. I thought you over all would understand."

"Maybe I do," Rapunzel said. "But that doesn't mean I'd choose to turn it into something else. Without it, I wouldn't have learned astronomy or baking or art. I wouldn't have met my husband. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't torture."

Arcius paced across the narrow breadth of the bridge. He scratched the back of his head. "I don't understand this," he muttered. "How could you say no? It's what you all wanted out of life. A chance to make it all better. To stop the wounds of the world before they even start."

"We appreciate the offer," Ariel said. "It's just... not for us."

"But I need you for this. I can't do it alone. There's no one else." He approached Rapunzel and held her shoulders. "There must be something I can say to convince you. What about me? Without this all my work will evaporate. I've dedicated my entire life to this. Don't tell me it's all been for naught."

"Well, it's not like you're out of time. You're still young. If you want, we can help you find a new-"

"This was how you were supposed to help." Arcius shook her by the shoulders. "You've got to agree."

Elsa frowned. "Hey. Watch it."

"Sorry, sorry." Arcius raised his hands and stepped back.  

"You gave us a choice. And we made it," Elsa said. "I'm sorry if it wasn't what you wanted to hear. "

Arcius rubbed one hand with the other, massaging his knuckles.

"Thank you for the hospitality, but we need to go," Elsa said.

He pursed his lips over and over. "I'm afraid that's no longer an option."

Elsa, Ariel, and Rapunzel opened their eyes wide. "You need to let us go now. Turn back the curse. Let us on our way."

"I'm afraid I can't," Arcius said. "Not because of the exposure of my location. I'm not worried about any defense force. But the gifts you have are far more important than yourselves. Elsa can freeze anything. Rapunzel can give immortality. Ariel has the power of a god. She can control more than half the earth."

"We told you," Ariel said. "We're not giving you any of our power."

Arcius smirked. "If you won't give it, I'll TAKE IT." He reached out his hand.

Rapunzel floated into the air, as if grabbed by an invisible giant. Elsa and Ariel reached for her, but it was too late. The golden hair wrapped around her like a ribbon, kinked in different parts, flashing like lightning. Each jolt left her hair with less luster and made her shriek in pain.

"Let her go!" Elsa said.

Ariel fired her trident. A blast of lightning hit Arcius in the shoulder. He barely acknowledged the impact. She fired again. Arcius held out his hand and absorbed the energy into his palm.

Elsa threw her arms at Arcius. A white jet encased Arcius's legs in solid ice. Arcius gestured his free hand at his legs. The ice melted as if under a hot lamp. "Keep testing me. Really."

Elsa and Ariel looked at each other.

Ariel pointed her trident at the altar. "I'll destroy the grain of time."

Arcius laughed. "If I can protect myself against your power, wouldn't I set up the same wards for what I hold most dear? And you know..." He held out his arm. An aura of energy began to grow, white hot like a star. "I only need one of you for this."

Ariel swallowed. In a panic, she fired her trident. The beam hit Arcius square in the eyes. He screamed and fell back.

Rapunzel fell from the sky. Elsa ran to catch her. The three of them fell in a heap.

"You all right?" Elsa asked. Rapunzel gulped, but nodded.

Arcius stalked toward them, both arms outstretched. "What have you done? I can't see-"

Rapunzel whipped her hair at Arcius's leg. It wrapped around his ankle. She yanked and his feet slid out from under him. He landed on his back, buying them a few seconds.

"We need to get out of here," Elsa said.

Ariel looked over the edge of the bridge. "Jump!" she said.

"Are you crazy?" Elsa and Rapunzel said at the same time.

"Just do it," Ariel said. She gripped her trident with both hands. "Trust me."

Elsa flashed back to Ariel's childish distractions. But she ran.

"Go! Go! Go!"

With a nudge of the trident, Elsa and Rapunzel dived into the abyss. Ariel followed. Their screams echoed in the hollow chamber. The wind pressured Ariel to close her eyes, but she kept them open. Growing darkness began to swallow them. Before they disappeared from her view, she aimed her trident. The weapon hummed with golden energy, then fired.

They hit the water hard. The water hit hard back.