This idea just came to me after seeing a play based on Beauty and the Beast. I had also just read a new perspective on the story by Robin McKinley.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Part of the plot belongs to Robin McKinley and part to Disney. The rest is mine!
Beauty and the Beast
Once upon a time, in a far, far away land, there lived a handsome prince. Breathtakingly handsome, but also selfish.
In the middle of a harsh and cold winter, a defenseless, old hag asked him for shelter. In return, she offered him a single red rose. The prince was untouched by the woman's need for shelter and warmth. He refused her offer harshly, asking what he could want with a rose.
And the hag turned into a beautiful enchantress, and she cursed the prince. He would live as a beast until he learned compassion for those in need and how to love, and only then would he revert to his human form.
But there was more to the curse. The one he loved must love him in return and willingly agree to marry him. But she could have no knowledge of the curse. The one he loved must think that she was marrying a beast and that he would remain a beast.
The enchantress left the rose as a reminder to the prince of the curse and as a time limit. The rose became a symbol of the prince's life. He could only live as long as the rose was still alive.
And so the handsome prince turned into a horrid beast. Yet his castle changed to be even more beautiful, sparkling with quartz and polished marble as a reminder of what he had been.
The castle itself was bound under a huge enchantment to take the best care of anyone who stayed there. The beds made themselves, and the food cooked itself. Everything was of the finest quality, and no servants were needed.
His servants were offered the chance to stay or leave. Two of his loyal friends stayed, while all the rest in the huge castle took the chance to leave.
The beautiful gardens of the castle flourished, but no animal of any kind entered the area. No birds, squirrels, or even butterflies could stand to be near the beast.
The beast lived in anguish knowing that he had been selfish, and he wished for a reprieve every day of his punishment. He tended to the rose more carefully than he ever had for anything else, knowing well that there was little chance that he would ever find a lady willing to marry a beast, no matter how long he lived.
Soon rumors circulated about the mysterious and beautiful castle. Every young girl in the village quickly heard stories about the horrible beast that lived in the castle, and how he was waiting for the chance to kidnap them and eat them.
And so the beast grew bitter, angry with himself as years passed. His friends tried finding potential wives, but they all ran at the sight of the beast. Many more came to the beautiful castle for a night of rest as they traveled, but they left as soon as possible when they met the master of the castle. Soon the area surrounding the castle grew into a tangled forest. As the forest became harder to navigate, fewer visitors arrived at the castle.
After a few years, people forgot about the castle and the horrible beast, but there remained stories of the enchanted forest that should be avoided at all costs.
First off, I want you to know that this is a Lily/James fic. And I also wanted you to know that the beloved Disney characters don't exist. Sorry :(
Ok, this story is going to be different from my other stories for two reasons. First, I'm trying to write a long chapter story.
And for this fic, I'm going to ask the readers to do their part. If you want the next chapter to be about James/from his POV, write a review and type 'hazel' at the end. If you want the next chapter to be about Lily/from her POV, write a review and add 'green' to the end.
When I have five votes in either direction, I'll post the next chapter. If I never get five votes in either direction, the story dies.
Your choice. Review!