Hey folks! Lion3 here with a brand new story! In this new tale, Odette and Derek head to an orphanage to adopt a child of their own. There they meet Elise, a free spirited, fun loving, and adventurous child. It doesn't take much time to convince the two to adopt the cute child, but is there more to Elise than meets the eye? Find out! Read, Comment Review! I don't own the Swan Princess!
Prologue
In the era of old, the ancients, who watched over and protected the earth, faced the task of raising and setting the sun and moon. With their power weakened with age, the ancients decreed that once every generation, two siblings would be tasked with this ancient and important mission. There then came a day when the job befell two orphaned sisters. The elder one, a girl with midnight black hair, dark cobalt eyes, and serious tone, was assigned to bear the moon, while the younger one, with her blonde hair, light blue-ish violet eye, and carefree attitude, was left to bear the sun. The loving siblings ushered in an age of peace and pure harmony throughout the land. The ancients were especially impressed with the younger one, whose power could end wars at will, and bring love to those searching for it. This greatness, however, would assist only to harm her.
One dawn, as the younger sister awoke to raise the sun, she was attacked by her sister. The elder one had grown tired of the praise and respect her sister gained and she was denied, and so she decided to take the powers of sun and moon for herself. Spreading her angelic white wings, the younger one flew away from her sister, not finding it in her heart to attack her. But the elder one would not have it. Playing unhonorably, the moon sister blinded the younger one and wounded her greatly, sending her spiraling to the earth below. It was only by the grace of the ancients and the timely arrival of a mighty dragon and fearless phoenix that the child was spared from the clutches of death. The elder one was not as lucky. Ashamed of what she had done to an innocent child, the ancients sealed her within the land of shadows. Fearing that she would raise again, the ancients stripped the remaining sister of her memory and hid her on earth, her rescuers appointed as her guardians. Should the elder one ever return to the land of light, the younger one would regain her memory and rise to fight her sister. Now the time has come.
Ch 1: Parenting 101
Odette gently placed the bartering treaty at the top of her desk, finally completing her work for the day. Though she was tired, she happily stood up to attend to more important matters, such as her daughter.
Daughter
It was still quite a foreign word to Odette and her husband, Derek. They had, only a month ago to that day, adopted a little girl named Elise. She was an energetic and adventure seeking spirit, making her a perfect fit into the castle. Ever so quietly, Odette snuck around the castle, hoping to surprise Elise. She however, was abruptly captured by a pair of strong arms around her waist. Odette turned to find Derek smiling down at her. He fully understood the little game between the two girls of his life.
"It looks like predator is now prey," He teased.
"Very funny," Odette said unamused. He gently kissed, effectively getting him out of trouble. Odette then grabbed his sleeve.
"Come on! Help me find Elise,"
The two parents began wandering the castle halls, hoping to catch a glimpse of blonde hair that wasn't the swan princess's own. Derek, who was a master hunter, was shocked to see how difficult tracking his daughter was. Taking a quick seat on a bench, he turned to his wife.
"I have to say, tracking animals is easier than tracking Elise,"
"We'll find her eventually,"
"No, she'll probably find us first,"
Just to prove him right, a nine year old bundle of blonde hair suddenly jumped on the prince, sending him to the ground. Odette laughed as she saw her daughter sitting comfortably on her fathers chest. She let out an adorable giggle.
"Who's the master hunter now daddy?"
"Okay, you asked for this!"
Derek A stood up and began mercilessly tickling the ticklish child. Odette laughed as Elise's pets, a wolf-dog she called Jastia and falcon named Riuka, jump into the fray. She joined in until the royal family laid side by side, laughing. Elise curled happily to her father, who in turn picked up his rather small child. Odette kissed her tired daughter's forehead, wondering how on earth she and Derek had never lived without her before.
The prince and princess had been traveling back from a nearby village, when a horrible storm had picked up, forcing them to take cover. The managed to find a shelter that happened to be the orphanage. Elise also remembered that day perfectly.
"5 aces, I win again Christopher!"
"How do you do that Elise! It's like a higher being wants you to win!"
"Face it Chris, no one will ever be able to beat Elise at cards,"
Elise had been sharing a room with her fellow orphans, Christopher and Christina, for two years. With no memory or parents, a 7 year old Elise had been sent there with only her two pets to help her cope. It didn't take long, however, to make friends with everyone. Suddenly, headmistress Markell called out.
"Children! To dinning room! We have very special guest!"
The three musketeers looked at each other in confusion.
"Special guest?" Christina questioned.
"Probably got caught in the storm," Chris offered.
"Well come on, slowpokes! Lets go check it out!" Elise exclaimed, bolting for the door. She had always been the most energetic of the kids. Heading into the dinning hall, the trio took their usual seats. Markell suddenly appeared with a huge smile.
"Okay children, I'd like you to give a warm welcome to our guests, Prince Derek and Princess Odette!"
The orphans were amazed as the royals entered. They all ran up to them and poor Elise, who was the youngest and smallest of the pack, was pushed to the ground. Someone gently helped her up. Elise was at first convinced it was Christina, but shocked when she locked eyes with the princess. She smiled at the young orphan.
"That was quite a spill. Are you alright?"
"Yes I am. Thank you your highness!"
"Oh no, call me Odette. What's your name?"
"Elise!"
"My, what a pretty name. Listen Elise, why don't you show us around?"
"I'd love to!"
Elise eagerly led the royals out on the tour, leaving her elder friends smirking.
"This could be it," Chris admitted.
"You saw that look to. And I know that look," Christina grinned.
After Elise had shown Odette and Derek every room in the building, she led them down to the library, where they were amazed by the sight of a wolfish dog sleeping by the fireplace and falcon landing on Elise's shoulder. The orphan smiled.
"These are my pets, Jastia my dog, and Riuka my falcon,"
"You've got quite an interesting taste in companions," Derek retorted as he scratched the head of the dog. Elise quickly picked up one her favorite books for Christmas time, which was fast approaching. Odette took the book from the small child's hands and read the title aloud.
"A Christmas Carol,"
"It's my favorite Christmas story,"
"It just so happens to ours as well. Come here! I'll read it to you!"
Odette placed the young child in her lap and began reading the story. The next morning, Derek awoke to find himself, his wife, and Elise cuddling against one another. He noticed how Elise appeared to glow in the dawns early rays, giving her an almost angelic appearance. Odette soon woke up and smiled at the position they were in. Looking at her husband, it had become clear as crystal: the little orphan had easily burrowed her way into both their hearts. After taking Elise back to her room, Odette and Derek reported to Markell that they wished to adopt Elise.
"Really? Fantastic! I've been dying to see that little girl get the family she deserves!"
"Is there anything we should know about her?" Derek asked.
"Yes like allergies, fears, problems?" Odette finished.
"Nope. Just that you will have to take the animals as well. As for problems, Elise has no memory of her past, so not bringing it up is all I can say,"
After signing the adoption forms, Markell made the announcement of Elise's adoption. Elise happily jumped into the awaiting arms of Odette and Derek and was swept away to the castle and her she was, a princes for a whole month.
Odette gently shook her beloved child awake as the royal family entered the library. Elise gave her mother a sleepy smile from her the position of still being carried by her father.
"You know Elise, your grandmother Uberta is coming over today!" Derek said with excitement.
"Really? Why?"
"Elise, do you remember what today is?" Odette asked.
"Well I know it's not Thursday,"
"Think again. What happened a month ago?" Derek challenge. Realization appeared on the child's face.
"Today's the day you adopted me!"
"That's right!" Odette cheered.
"So your grandmother wants to celebrate!" Derek said with a hint of worry over how much his mother planned to spoil his daughter.
"Yay!" Elise cheered as she gave her parents a big hug.
"I love you mommy and daddy,"
Far beyond the loving kingdom, in a world of darkness, a teenage girl paced, angrily watching the royal family of Sawn Lake bask in their love for each other.
"Enjoy it while you can, Elise, cause soon, everything you hold dear will be mine,"
