I do not own Fable
Princess Julia sat in her room playing with her doll; her five year old mind oblivious to the world around her. She had hardly registered her mother's death a few months ago, while her brother, Logan who was fifteen years her senior, had broken down and sobbed like small child.
"Now Sarah," Julia whispered to her doll, "You must keep your back straight when you walk. You need to act like a proper princess. And for goodness sake, please straighten your tiara!" She reached atop her head and quickly straightened the one she wore, as it was slipping down her head, making it very difficult for her to play.
Julia had just placed Sarah on her stool and prepared her for a proper tea, when Sir Walter Beck stormed into the room, her new butler, Jasper, in tow. Walter had been Julia's stand in father, as her real father, the old hero king of Albion, died before she was born.
"Princess Julia! There you are! Please, come quickly!" Walter huffed, beckoning Julia out of the room. When she didn't move, Walter rushed over and scooped her up in his arms and running out of the room, Jasper following behind.
"No! Sarah! I want Sarah!" Julia cried, squirming to try and get out of Walter's arms.
"There's no time Julia! We need to get you out of here!" Walter said, tightening his grip of the young child. Julia buried her face into his shoulder, sobbing quietly at the loss of her favorite doll as the trio rushed down the corridors of Bowerstone Castle. Outside, the ominous sky poured rain on the windows, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The rain created a feeling of an impending threat. They ended in the deserted kitchens and Walter plopped the princess down into a chair. She looked up at him, her big green eyes filled with tears.
Jasper leaned down and gave her a handkerchief to dry her eyes. "There, there Princess, dry those eyes, everything will be alright," he reassured her as Walter rushed around the kitchen, muttering and sifting through drawers. Walter found what he was looking for and rushed back to the two and set a pair of scissors down on the table. He rushed back to the pantry and returned with a sack.
"Walter, do we really need to?" Jasper asked, still looking at Julia, stroking her long, wavy, dark red hair.
"Yes," Walter said with no emotion, picking up the scissors and moving to the back of the chair. Julia didn't realize what was happening until Walter began to snip her hair. She didn't move or make a sound, for she finally began to realize the danger that was hanging in the air. When Walter finished, Julia ran a hand up through her hair. It felt short, much like Elliot's did.
"Do I look like Elliot?" she whispered to Jasper, turning her eyes upon him.
"No, my dear Princess. You still look like you, just with different hair," Jasper responded, resuming stroking her now very short hair.
Walter busied himself with the sack. He pulled out a pair of trousers, socks, a shirt, jacket, hat and old shoes. He turned to Julia, holding the cloths to her, "Julia, I need you to put these on, quickly now!"
Walter and Jasper turned their backs to her as she changed. When she finished, they turned back around. A little boy with the eyes of the Princess Julia stared back at them.
"I must say Walter, you did rather well," Jasper said, looking down at the little boy that was Julia.
"Thank you old friend," Walter responded, clasping him on the shoulder. He leaned down to Julia, "now Julia, your name is now William Joseph Smith alright? I need you to run to Bowerstone Industrial. You'll be safer there. Do not come back to the castle until I come and get you when it's safe. Understand?"
Julia nodded. "Why do I have to leave?" she asked Walter.
"I can't tell you right now. I'll tell you when I get you. Now go!" and with that, he pushed the princess out into the cold dark rain of the night.