I don't own it.

So this has been sitting on my mp3 for a long time; just a random thought that showed up one day. Obviously Rumbelle, but from a different perspective. Enjoy.

SSS

Prince Adam knocked on the door of the Dark Castle, and as it began to swing open, prepared himself for the worst. But his gaze was met not by the wild eyes of the creature he'd expected, but by the curious gaze of a young woman with bright eyes and a rose tucked behind her ear.

Adam had come to this evil place looking for true love, and at the sight of her, he couldn't help but think that he'd found it. She, however, appeared to have no such epiphany, and merely regarded him with patient interest.

"Can I help you?" she asked at last, her voice softly accented, and he forced himself to speak.

"I…I'm looking for my true love." He sputtered, and she raised an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?" she asked, and took a wary step back, her shoulders coming up against the chest of the man who had just appeared behind her.

"Yes. What was that?" the man asked, and his skin glinted subtly, like tarnished gold as his hands came to rest on the girl's shoulders, possessive, protective.

Adam stuttered, backtracking quickly, because the man before him could only be the Dark One, the one he'd sought for so long in hopes that he could help him locate his true love.

"You know," the Dark One purred without waiting for Adam to answer, his eyes cold and serpent-like as he stared at the prince, "I don't think we can make a deal. Go home."

The girl looked up at him with a frown, her head falling back against his shoulder.

"He hasn't even told you what he wants," She protested, and the Dark One shrugged, pulling her farther back from the door.

"He has nothing I want." He retorted, and although the words were something akin to cheerful, there was a warning in his eyes.

Adam retreated, fleeing the Dark One's silent threat. He'd found what he was looking for, he was sure, but it appeared that someone else had found her first. A villain, who wasn't willing to give her up.

It was common knowledge that villains didn't get happy endings. If that were true, all Adam had to do was wait. But Adam couldn't help but wonder, as he turned to look back at the Castle in the distance, if it really was true. Because if it wasn't, he might be waiting a very, very long time.

SSS

I really like the beginning. The ending...not so much. Anyway. Review! ~Seeker