Disclaimer: I am broke, I own nothing, not Gail Carson Levine's book, Ella Enchanted, nor any of her characters, places and such.
Ok! Woo-hoo, Here's a back round- The evil Sorcerer Lucius's (haha funny name!) powers have been taken from him and placed in a gem by King Gareth Charmont II with the help of his best friend, James. Within all this there is a prophecy, the power will be released again one day, which is unknown, by a traitor found amongst the group of Greats who MUST prevail over Lucius reincarnated or all will be doomed (sound familiar? Haha). While a couple of thieves try to steal the gem of power they end up stuck with Queen Ella and King Char's son, and his best friend, as a mystery 100 years in the making set up for them.
Thanks for reading, hope you like! Ta- ta!
And herrrrre weeee gooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter One- History Lesson in First Person
King Gareth Charmont II strode cautiously over to a thick box crafted out of the strongest material in the all the land of Kyrria. In his calloused hand he gently held a beautiful gem. This gem was a deep, deep red- big as your palm- and seemed to be glowing as if in protest of what had happened. Looking at the gem the tired king turned to the man standing beside the box, "May this land never again know the evil we have, James. For it might ruin the good once and for all if Lucius is restored his powers."
"Reth, we are best friends and yet you have not told me why we do not destroy such evil? Why keep it in a simple stone shell for anyone to break open?!" James said, confusion giving his voice an angered edge. The man's green eyes blazed as his mind's eye reviewed the past events.
"If we had let this power go off free then it would only pick another soul to use as its prey!" the king snapped back, his own light brown gaze burning.
Both mean were still on edge, frantic with worry and physically drained. The last few days were not easy. Defeating the bad guy, saving the world, falling in love….
James sighed, attempting to relax. He asked the question that plagued him since they left the evil sorcerer's fortress. It was a question whose answer gave him nightmares. "And what of Lucius?"
Reth drew his hands through his hair, making parts stand up."He is all alone without his powers! I doubt he will last much longer, James."
"That's what I'm praying for, dear Reth." James gave a short laugh, "Let us lock up this badness for it gives me gas."
At that the king couldn't help but laugh, appreciative for his friend's attempt at levity. "Aye me, too!"
With that the Gem of Power was locked in the thick box and the two friends left the royal treasury for a good night's rest.
James was too restless to sleep, his mind wandering over the events of the past few days. Defeating the evil sorcerer Lucius, capturing his powers into a single block of madness, releasing the beautiful prisoner James had fallen in love with... He allowed his mind to wonder what his dear Lasary was doing.
Well, of course she's asleep you dolt, as you should be.
He tried time and time again to ask for her hand in marriage but always was rendered speechless, either by his love or nerves. He tried to reason himself into believing it was the former rather than the latter. It wasn't as if he had to worry, Lasary's feelings for him were quite clear. Any fool could see Sir James and Lady Lasary were head over heels in love with each other.
Tomorrow, he thought, tomorrow will be the day!
With renewed determination, he rehearsed the proposal in his mind. He would, of course, get down on one knee and she would, of course, say yes and leap into his open arms. Oh, and a long, passionate kiss would soon follow. For a long, long time. Long, long, looooong time.
Soon he heard the grand clock chime three times. James knew he should sleep, but was far too anxious about his upcoming proposal. His hand held tight to the small box which held the elfian crafted engagement ring. Once his palms had sweated enough, he finally gave up.
Oh, phooey! I'll just go for a walk; maybe the fresh air will do me good.
James had been too deep in thought to notice his surroundings and by the time be noticed it was too late. He had walked into the part of town that his kind, that of the royal party, was not well liked. He was about to turn around when an old hag drew his attention.
"Old woman!" James called out without thinking of what he was doing.
"Man," replied the hag.
"Um... what?" asked a confused James.
"I'm no woman, sonny!" the old man replied violently then mumbled, "And people think the old have bad eyesight! Oy, the youth of today are going to hell in a hand basket... calling old men, women, BAH!"
"I am terribly sorry, sir! But from here you looked like a wo-"
The old man cut off James' explanation, "Take a good look at me, lad. Do I have boobs? Wear a dress? Prance around like a pansy? Or am I wooing over your good looks? NO! Though I am awfully tempted," he finished, eyeing James, who gave a shudder of disgust and started to pass the old man.
"Oy, sir! I believe you be lookin' for me," stated a raspy, croaking voice.
James stumbled and turned to find the owner of the voice, but saw no one.
The voice heaved a loud sigh, "Over here, mate. In the window!"
"Oooh!" exclaimed James as he found the owner. It was not at all what he had expected. The voice owner was a middle aged, very feminine looking, slightly balding, man with piercing blue eyes. He was hanging out of a second story window of one the houses along the dark street.
"And why am I looking for you, may I ask?" sense finally knocking on the door in James's brain.
"I have information you be wantin'. Ya know, on the stone thingy and such."
James gasped, How could he possibly know?! Curiosity made him step into the house and up to the stairs to the man's window. "What do you want?" James asked, impatiently flicking dark blonde hair out of his eyes.
"Only to help His Majesty, and ye. Take this." The man, James will never make a mistake like that again, handed over an old, yellowed piece of paper. James opened it to find the most beautiful, elaborate writing he had ever seen. "It's what you be lookin' for, ya know, The Prophecy," the man explained, bright blue eyes glowing.
James looked horror stricken, green eyes now tinted brown. Only Reth, Lasary, and I knew of all this!
"Now go, they come," the man gasped, blue eyes filled with terror. The man started to push James down the stairway and out the door, James had no time to ask questions.
Once outside the man slammed the door with a hurried command, "Run!"
Not heading the strange man's warning, James stopped to unfold the paper to read the striking script.
One Royal Blood, True Heart- Respected;
One Dark Heart, Dark Help- Traitor;
One New Leaf Turned, Heart Set- Determined;
One Brave Heart, Time is Now- Fighter;
One Destroyer of All- Evil;
The Greats against the Evilest of Evil,
who is aided by Traitor
One group shall prevail, the other perished.
Good and Bad, Bad and Good.
Who shall Conquer Life and Death?
"This cannot be!" James said aloud, all of his worst nightmares coming true. This is about the Gem of Power, I know it! But... but how is its seal broken? By whom? Who is going to be the traitor?! I must warn the king!
No sooner had these thoughts ran through James' head when an arrow was sent right past his ear. Quickly the king's best friend tucked the prophecy into his jacket pocket and turned around only to come face to face with a group of mysterious soldiers, dressed and ready for battle. They wore dull armor and their swords were encrusted with gore. One pointed at James and another came up and thrust his sword through James.
The bloody body was carried and laid on a table before the king.
"James! NO!" King Gareth's cry of agony was the worst any of the people in that room had ever heard. "All of you," said Gareth motioning to the servants and courtiers, his voice shaking, "leave me, please. Lady Lasary, you stay."
There was a commotion as the gossiping courtiers shuffled out of the room. It took everything in their power for the two remaining to wait for everyone to leave. Once they were alone, Reth pulled Lasary into a tight embrace, both bodies racked with uncontrollable sobs.
"Oh my friend!" wept the king, "After all we've been through together, this is how it ends!"
"My sweet love!" cried Lasary, "You save me and this is how you are repaid!"
Lasary pulled herself away from the king and collapsed upon the wooden table the body was on, gripping the lifeless hand with amazing strength.
Reth tried to give James's life-less body one last hug. As he pulled away, a paper fell from James' coat pocket.
What is this, my friend? Thought the king, as he rubbed tears and snot from his face. The king unfolded and read the paper, "NO!"
Immediately King Gareth Charmont II sent for his kingdom's best wizard, fairy, witch, and any one of magical power. All together they set a curse upon the terrible gem.
'Who ever unlocks and releases this most evil of powers from its shell, shall pay with their life.'
Like it? Hm? HM?! Haha, the beginning is just a set up, kinda sad though, isn't it? Poor James, I cry for him haha. Did you like the part about the old woman/man thing? I must admit it isn't original, I ripped it off Monty Python and the Holy Grail (good stuff, if you haven't seen it, you MUST!) ReViEw!! Tell me if there's anything wrong or if you just wanna tell me you like it, I would be delighted! Woo-hoo