Chapter One - Rebel

I know, I know. I said I was only going to have three stories on here at a time. However, I believe I can manage four of them, considering I have a lot of spare time on my hands now. Way too much, actually. So, I decided to write an AU story. It's a concept I played around with, since we know Mina's royalty and would've been sent to Teague's little choosing ceremony had she been raised there, so I thought it would be fun to write! Let's see what you guys think!

I will not be posting anymore stories until I finish one, so no more unexpected ones. I promise.

Also, the choosing ceremony will have my own take on it, where only one girl will be weeded out each round, although that's excluding the first round.

Also also, Mina's dad isn't a Grimm, and all of the family trees are a little messed up, but that's okay. We'll just ignore that, alright? :p

Teague's POV

Seven years ago...

I run through the forest. Away from the palace. Away from my parents. Away from my duties. Away from my books. Away from my prince status. I'm running away from my life, although not for long. Something always drew me back. I suspect that this time it would be that I packed no supplies. But it was no matter. These were Royal woods. No was allowed in that wasn't staying at the Fates' palace or that didn't have stated permission. I would be safe, hiding out here.

But that's when I saw something that should not have been there. I stayed behind a tree, watching and frowning.

It was a girl. A girl, who was crouching on a tree branch, slowly standing up. She was a little wobbly on her feet, but she was graceful too. Very graceful. As if she was experienced in everything but having legs. Which could be the case. Perhaps she was a water Fae.

She was, undoubtedly, very pretty. She had brown hair with golden streaks in it. I don't recall ever seeing any Fae with golden streaks in their hair. It was kind of pretty. She was wearing a red dress too. One thing that I noted was the fact that she was barefoot. Had she kicked off her shoes?

Suddenly, there's a voice above me. "I always thought spying wasn't a very princely thing to do."

I admit it. I jump out of surprise. The girl is nowhere to be seen near the branches she was at, but when I look up, there she is, sitting on a branch and looking down at me.

"How do you know who I am?" I ask accusingly.

She gestures around. "These are the Royal woods. And everyone knows the appearance of the Prince."

"If you know these are the Royal woods, you must know the punishment for being here uninvited."

"Death?" She scoffs. "Please. You won't have me killed."

"And why are you so confident that I won't have you killed?" I glare at her. She's certainly cocky.

"Because I'm observant, and I can see that you look lonely."

Geez, she can read someone pretty easily. Or am I just that easy to read? Am I an open book? I decide to assume the former. "Maybe I am. But that doesn't mean you should be here."

She shrugs. "Nobody will know if you don't tell."

So, she's trying to get me to lie in order to save her skin? Wow. "What are you even, anyways?"

"I'm a siren." She grins, dropping out of the tree. "The name's Mina. Well, actually, I'm named Wilhelmina, but I hate that name. It's a mouthful."

She's certainly friendly. It's odd, really, for her not to have more respect for a Royal. Most people do. "And I'm-"

"Prince Teague, yes." She finishes my own statement, and I stare at her. "Like I said, everyone would recognize a Royal, and these are the Royal woods. By the way, why are you here?"

"Can't a Royal walk through his own woods without questions from commoners that shouldn't be there?"

She shrugs. "I was just curious."

Oh no, I think I've gone and offended her. Not that I should care. But I want to make a good reputation on the commoners. After all, someday I will succeed my parents and take the throne for myself. And I'll take the title Fate. That will be a great day.

That's when I notice she's about to walk off. "No, wait!"

She glances back, and smirks. "I told you you were lonely."

"I-I am not!" I stammer, but I'm pretty sure I'm the worst liar ever for a twelve-year-old. I really need to improve that skill.

"Then why are you telling me to wait?"

"I...I was going to ask why you were in the tree." I pick something at random to ask, and point at the branch I'd initially seen her on.

"I wanted to learn to use my legs better, and tree climbing seemed like the perfect way to test it. I'm afraid I'm doomed to be clumsy though." She says it likes it's perfectly natural.

"Wha-What? Why on earth would you need to learn to use them better?" I demand.

"Sirens have tails, genius."

Andddd now she's mocking me. Honestly, does she not care at all that I could have her executed? Or banished? Or worse? It's refreshing though. Talking to someone who doesn't care at all about what I'm like. In fact, it's almost enjoyable. Almost.

"Oh, yes. I knew that."

"I'm sure you did." She glances up at the sky. "Drat. I'm going to be late. My parents are going to kill me." She turns yet again to go.

"Wait!"

"Again with the wait?" She smirks, but she also looks a little rushed.

"I won't tell anyone you were here-"

"Thanks." She sure likes to interject things into conversations, doesn't she?

"-on one condition." I finish, and she lifts an eyebrow.

"And that condition is...?" She waits for me to tell.

"You meet me here again. Tomorrow. If you don't, I'll tell my parents you were here, and you'll be punished."

She shrugs. "Alright. Am I allowed to go now, Prince Teague?" She exaggerates the prince, and I roll my eyes. I don't think she would care even if I was a Fate. She seems like a rebel. Which I kind of like, in this situation.

"Of course." I nod, and she runs off, slightly wobbly.

In the Present...

I stand in front of the palace, tapping my foot impatiently as the carriages pull up. Mother and Father stand to greet the twelve princess as they arrive, and I stand beside them. Honestly, I just want to leave. They can drag the princesses in and handle the first test. It's not like they need me for that one anyway. I'd rather be writing in my room. This isn't exciting at all.

Footmen begin to holler names. I don't really pay attention to who or what they are.

"Miss Annalora Goldfind!"

"Miss Ferah!"

"Miss Ever!"

But my eyes do catch on the last carriage. This one is pulled by two Kelpies, both of whom look like they want to run off into the water. The one is white, while the other is red and smaller, so I'd assume it's younger. The driver - a siren I'm guessing - is pulling the reigns rather hard for someone in control. The carriage itself is light blue, and I can just make out a figure in the window.

The footman opens the door, and calls, "Miss Wilhelmina!"

I think I might faint. It can't be. There is no way. But she's stepping out right in front of my eyes, although she's seven years older. It's Mina, the girl I met in the woods.

What do you guys think? Please read and review! Three reviews will get me posting a new chapter!

~ Dagger