Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing associated with Once Upon a Time, or Grimm's Fairy Tales. Only original characters and ideas are mine.
AN: Here is the first chapter of my new story. It's an origins story for my main character, and explains how she fits into the Enchanted Forest/Once Upon a Time world. I'll try not to make it too long, since I'm eager to get to the second part of this story.
Enjoy, and please don't forget to review. Thanks.
Chapter 1: Of Royals and Beginnings:
Once upon a time, I lived in a palace.
No, I was not a princess, nor am I one now.
My father, Lord Richard Fox, came from a rich family, and had long been an advisor to a good prince, who eventually became a good king. That man was named Leopold.
Throughout most of their lives, my father and Leopold had been close friends. They had had the same tutors, fight instructors, and learned to ride and hunt together. They were like brothers, and had always gone to one another for advice or help with difficult matters.
When it came time for Leopold to choose a bride, it was my father who helped select the maidens to present to his friend, the Prince. One of the maidens was the young (and quite lovely) Princess Eva, who came from the Northern Kingdom.
As with many royal unions, it was to be an arranged marriage, with a significant age difference between the intended bride and groom. But even though the Prince and Princess did not know each other well, they both had a sense of duty. It took time, and numerous meetings, but Prince Leopold eventually became enchanted with the Princess, and she gradually began to warm towards the kind Prince who was nearly fifteen years her senior. Within a year, the two agreed to marry, and not long after that, were wed.
Following the wedding, Princess Eva came to live with her new husband, as was expected. Accompanying her was her dutiful lady-in-waiting: Katrina, the woman who would become my mother. Wherever Princess Eva went, Katrina followed, the two women thick as thieves as they struggled to fit into a new kingdom.
As the Prince and Princess began spending more time together as husband and wife, so did their closest friends. As the two were forced to spend time together, my parents found themselves growing fond of one another, and before long, another joyous wedding took place, much to the delight of the Prince and Princess.
Years drifted by, and eventually, Leopold became King, and Eva his Queen.
Papa always told me that the years between the royal wedding and the coronation had been the most difficult for the couple, since Eva had been forced to spend many hours being tutored by my mother and Leopold on how to be a good monarch.
"To be honest, when she arrived here, Eva was a spoiled brat," Papa told me once, to my mother's displeasure.
Mama couldn't deny it, though –after all, she had spent most of her life with Eva, and had seen how Eva's parents had spoiled her. Growing up, Eva had always thought herself somewhat above others, with the exception of other royals and the highest nobles. Thus, she always snubbed those she dubbed 'lower class,' and never really thought much of them.
For years, Mama had put up with Eva's arrogance and her parents' overindulgence. As a lady-in-waiting, it had been my mother's job to stay quiet and attend Eva's every whim. However, the thought of putting such a woman on a throne as Queen made Mama realize that she had to do something drastic. Kingdoms had fallen under the rule of monarchs to had been too silly or stupid to realize that they were mistreating others.
To try and make Eva realize what she was doing was wrong, Mama began to refuse to talk to her if she mistreated others in her presence. It took a little time for the lesson to take hold, particularly when Eva was always set on having her way.
But Mama was Eva's closest friend, and when she began to notice what my mother was doing, Eva gradually began to consider the idea that her actions were wrong. That was when she started to try and better herself, namely by asking my mother what she was doing wrong, and making an effort to be better around the people she had treated poorly.
Eva's true transformation, however, began after she began holding court with Leopold. She saw how the people loved and respected him for the way he treated them, and how they listened to (and obeyed) his judgments in disputes, because he always tried to be fair and just to everyone, not just the nobility.
It wasn't long before Eva's efforts to change began to bear fruit. With others to guide her, and Leopold to love her, Eva grew into a kind and just Queen, doing everything possible to see to the happiness of their people, whether they were noble or working peasant.
The kingdom soon became a peaceful, prosperous place to live, and the people were happy with their situations in life, as well as their reigning monarchs.
However, there was one thing that overshadowed the happiness of those monarchs: they did not have a child.
Love in a royal marriage is rare, but once found, it can become quite strong. But not even the strength of their love could overcome Leopold and Eva's strong desire to have a child. For years, they struggled to conceive, but no baby came.
At the same time, my parents felt their friends' pain; they, too, struggled for a baby, and the two couples found solace in each other's company, talking many hours over how natural it would be for their children to be as close as their parents were to one another.
Then, one day, the unexpected happened. To great joy, it was discovered that my mother was with child.
Like any man who longed to be a father, Papa was thrilled at the arrival of a baby. He even declared that he wouldn't mind if it was a girl.
Of course, the moment you say something like that aloud, that sort of thing comes true.
As I have been told, after hours of hard labor, I arrived on a bright spring morning. After I had been cleaned up by a nurse, I was gently placed in my father's arms. Everyone who came to offer congratulations to my parents said that Mama glowed with happiness while Papa beamed with pride.
When King Leopold and Queen Eva came to visit, they asked what they had decided to call me. Papa then announced that I was to be named Andrina, which means 'strength.'
"Why that name?" Eva asked. She knew that Mama had wanted to give me a far gentler name, like Grace or Hope, and did not really approve of my Papa's choice.
In response, my father merely shrugged and commented that he liked the name. The King and Queen accepted his choice, and quietly left my parents to enjoy some time alone with their new infant. Once they were gone, Mama gave my father a look that said she knew he was hiding something.
"Richard, tell me why you named her Andrina," she demanded. "You fought for that name the whole time I was carrying her inside me, but never told me why. I thought it was a family name, but now I think otherwise."
Papa held the tiny bundle that was me and smiled sadly at her. "Because I have a feeling that she will very much need all the strength she can get."
Unwilling and unable to argue at that moment, Mama allowed me to keep the name he had given to me.
However, she would be the one to give me the nickname everyone would forever know me by: Drina.
Needless to say, I soon became a huge favorite among everyone within the castle. I was fussed over immensely, not only by my parents, but also the King and Queen, who became my godparents. Leopold was thrilled for his friend, and immediately gifted Papa a section of land and a large house near the castle, just for me.
"No, you must keep it," Leopold told Papa, when he tried to return the gift. "The girl will need a dowry when she's older. Let me give my godchild something that will be of use to her in the future."
Aunt Eva was just as practical when it came to giving baby gifts: clothes, shoes, toys, and furniture flowed into my parents' suite of rooms in a flood of royal gifts. It appeared that, since Eva herself could not bear a child, she was going to spoil her friend's.
But even though my birth was a very joyous occasion, one thing troubled my mother. That was my father's warning that I was going to need strength in the future.
Papa's words stayed within Mama's mind, because she knew what few others did: my father's family was touched with magic.
There was a good reason that this secret was kept, of course. People tended to think that magic could solve all problems in the world, but few were willing to pay the price that came from practicing it.
The Fairies were able to use magic freely, but only because of the Fairy Dust they used to make wishes and dreams come true. Their price was that there was a limited supply of Fairy Dust to go around, and so they were not able to help everyone who was suffering in the world. They would try to do what they could for those who they felt needed or deserved it, but never having enough Dust kept them from doing a great deal of good. They also were nearly immortal, and dedicated their long lives to helping others, sacrificing any sort of happiness for themselves.
Papa's case was different. Those who were born with magic had it in one of two ways: very powerful, or just a trace. Papa's was the latter.
Even though his magic was faint, Mama knew to listen to anything he said that sounded odd or ominous. And when it came to her daughter, Mama was determined to do everything to keep me safe.
One night, after everyone had gone to sleep, she slipped out of bed and into the large sitting room of the suite we lived in, quickly making her way to the window and the seat there, before closing her eyes to begin to wish.
Not long after, a soft light caused Mama to open her eyes. The Blue Fairy herself hovered outside the window, a kind smile on her small face. "I hear your wish," she said, her voice echoing slightly in the stillness of the room. "What is it you'd like to ask of me?"
Mama took a deep breath. "Magic runs through my husband's family," she explained. "He told me that our daughter will need to be strong in the future. I fear for her."
The Blue Fairy's smile grew a little. "I have seen your daughter from afar, and know that she is rather special. Like her father, Andrina is also touched by magic, but it is stronger in her than in him. However, it will not manifest until she is nearly grown. Then, she will require teaching."
"But is there any way you can bestow something upon her, to protect her from harm?" Mama desperately asked. "A spell or enchanted object of some kind?"
The Blue Fairy shook her head, her face full of sympathy. "I'm afraid not. But you need not fear for her –your daughter has much inner strength in her already. It is a virtue and quality that will help her through future hardships. Does that help a little?"
Crestfallen, Mama sighed. "Yes, and no. I suppose all we can do is raise her as best we can."
"That's all any parent can do," the Fairy replied. "But if you need me again, I will come."
With that, The Blue Fairy drifted way, leaving Mama to her thoughts. When she returned to bed, she decided to not tell Papa about her meeting with The Blue Fairy, though many years later, she would tell me –and even then, only because of the sad fate that had been set on me.
Years passed, and my parents relished each and every significant moment in my young life.
Everything from my first time crawling, to my first steps, as well as my first word, were all celebrated with cheers, laughter, and coos of adoration from my mother and godmother. In fact, my first round of steps were to my godmother, who was beyond thrilled to have me walk (more like wobble) into her waiting arms.
And each of my birthdays was a special occasion in the castle, as Queen Eva threw a festive gathering my honor. Each year, on my birthday, the castle's great hall was lit with candles, and decorated brightly in pink. The nobility and their little children came to eat, drink, and play games for an entire afternoon, and everyone had a wonderful time.
Had things continued in this fashion, there's no doubt that I would have grown up rather spoiled. As the daughter of the Queen's favorite lady-in-waiting, and as the Queen's own goddaughter, there was the very real danger of my becoming selfish and arrogant as Eva had been. But as doting parents and godparents, no one thought they were doing anything wrong, when it came to raising me.
Fortunately, by my fifth birthday, Queen Eva delivered a much welcome announcement: she was carrying the heir to King Leopold's throne.
Everyone expected me to be upset at the news of a royal child, since I was the darling of everyone's eye. What they did not expect was how thrilled I actually was.
To everyone's surprise, I could be seen racing around, going to and from the royal quarters, where I was already a welcome and frequent visitor. But with the soon-to-be new arrival, I had declared myself a 'royal helper' to the Queen, stating clearly that if she needed anything, she had to tell me, so that I could get it for her.
Happy to indulge her goddaughter, my Aunt Eva allowed me to attend her for an hour each day, usually when she went for a walk in the gardens or through the halls of the palace. Most of what I was sent to fetch were little things –a fan; writing paper and quills; or handkerchiefs that had been forgotten in her room.
Sometimes, if Aunt Eva was feeling poorly or remained in bed due to her morning sickness, I sat with her. Together, we would sing songs, read from my picture books, or sit and talk about nothing in particular while she brushed and braided my hair.
Mama hadn't liked me doing the fetching and carrying for the Queen, as it was something a page boy could do, but it made her friend happy during the more miserable parts of her pregnancy, so she kept her arguments to herself.
Then, finally, during a cold snowfall and after many hours of hard labor, the royal baby arrived.
I was six-years-old, and more than ready for a 'little sister.' In fact, one of my fondest memories was the day after the little Princess was born.
"She's pretty," I said, my voice soft as I stared at the tiny princess.
Uncle Leopold smiled fondly down at me. "Yes, she is. Just like her mother, don't you think?"
I nodded, my hand slowly creeping towards the sleeping baby. "Majesty, may I touch her?" I whispered, eyes wide with hope and eagerness.
Aunt Eva smiled. "Yes, you may; but gently, dear one. She's very fragile."
Suddenly afraid, I pulled away. "Will I break her?" I asked, horrified that I might do just that.
Papa chuckled. "No, you won't break her, precious. But babies are helpless and can't take care of themselves, so you have to be very careful and gentle with them."
I sat on the bed, my chin up as I looked at him. "I'll protect her," I told them. "I'll be gentle with her, too!"
All four of them, and the attending servants, looked at each other and smiled as I looked back at the royal baby.
Suddenly, I remembered something I had seen earlier, and hopped off the bed to run towards a vase sitting on the Queen's vanity.
Everyone watched in confusion and amusement as my five tiny fingers plucked a flower out of the vase, and carefully brought my precious burden to the Queen.
"She's like the flower!" I crowed, handing the flower to my godmother. "The princess is pretty and white, like the flower petals!"
My parents and godparents blinked in astonishment. Reaching out to accept the flower, Aunt Eva gently pressed the blossom to her daughter's cheek. "Skin like the snowdrop," she whispered. "Like pure white snow."
"That's her name," Uncle Leopold quietly declared to the entire room. "Her name is Snow White."
At once, the servants went to their knees. "All hail Princess Snow White," they intoned.
Unaffected by those around me, I whispered to the baby, "And you'll be the fairest princess of them all!"
AN: So, what do you think? More will happen in later chapters, which will somewhat follow the OUAT show storyline, with appearances by familiar characters.
Review?
