The Knight and the Beast
Chapter One: The Curse
Deep in the forest off the countryside of Fiore, was a waterfall leading into a lake. Standing on a large piece of land in the middle of the lake was a large castle. The castle was magnificent in size and beauty. The king of the castle was kind, aiding the people of his land whenever it is needed and sending assistance to those who needed it. But the king grew ill, and died when his young son was fifteen. The boy was made prince of the land until he was twenty-five to become king.
Living in his large castle with no other family members, others may think that the young prince would be lonesome. But in the castle, the prince had servants under him and treated him as family instead of their master. Under his command was a beautiful blonde tutor, a reckless captain of the guard, two white-haired maids, a blue-haired librarian, a big chef, a gardener obsessed with fairies, a young healer, a drunkard wine maker, a pierced blacksmith, a stripping sculptor, and a clingy water maid. With this many people living with him in the castle, the prince would never feel lonely.
{Line Skip}
One day the prince's tutor wished to visit her old home in the city. It was the anniversary of her mother's death and the girl wished to stay by her father's side for a few days. He allowed it.
Outside of the castle, in the courtyard, a young busty blonde was saddling her white unicorn (mystical creatures were common in these parts of the country) for her travels. A pink haired man stood across from her, leaning against a beam of the stable.
The young beautiful woman wore a simple light blue dress that reached the ground and had a slit in the middle, revealing a snow white piece of cloth underneath. Brown boots were on her feet and a brown belt was wrapped around her waist. Her shoulder length golden hair was down and her brown eyes were looking warmly to the man across from her.
The young man, who was well developed, wore a dark blue shirt that had white fabric running the sides of the torso. He wore a pair of black pants and a black belt was around his waist with a bronze sword tied to it in its black leather sheath. He wore worn out black shoes. His pink hair was naturally spiky and had ended up in every direction possible. His dark onyx eyes stared worriedly to the woman.
She sighed before tying the last parcel to the saddle. "You don't need to worry about me Natsu. I'll be fine."
"Tch," the man, Natsu, let out. "I don't want you travelling alone Lucy. It's dangerous in those woods for a woman."
"I can take care of myself Silly," Lucy said. Her hand rested on the unicorn's neck. "Plue's here and he'll take care of me."
Natsu smiled and had a grin on his face. "Yeah, a unicorn will help you out when you're about to get eaten by wolves."
"Juvia believes we all didn't make fun of you when your cat saved you from a swarm of bees Natsu-sama," a girl said. At the entrance of the stables was a pretty young woman about the same age as Lucy and Natsu. Her curvaceous body was in a simple ocean blue dress that reached just above her knees. The sleeves were rolled up passed her elbows and her brown shoes were soaked. Her blue hair reached just above her neck and was slightly soaked. Her dark blue eyes had a playful glow to them. In her hands was a brown leather water container.
"Juvia," Lucy said, grabbing the reigns of her unicorn and walking up to said girl.
"Here Lucy," Juvia said, extending the container to Lucy. "Juvia knows the trip isn't long. But this will last you and Plue until you reach the city."
"Thank you Juvia," Lucy said nodding towards the water maid.
"It wasn't a swarm of bees Juvia," Natsu muttered, walking passed the two girls.
Juvia laughed behind her hand. "Excuse Juvia then Natsu-sama. Was it a large killer one then?" Lucy and Juvia both laughed together.
Natsu glared at the water maid and blonde before letting a grin slip onto his lips. "Stop making fun of me you two. And stop calling me Natsu-sama."
"Embrace your title Ash-Head," a boy said. Natsu turned around and saw an equally well developed young man behind him. The muscles on his chest were on display as his shirt was missing. On his shoulder was a large piece of stone. His black pants were covered rock dust and on his belt were carving tools. His black hair was spiky, but not out of hand like Natsu's and his dark blue eyes held a glint of playful fun in them.
"Your shirt Gray," Lucy laughed.
Juvia blushed. Gray-sama… the water maid thought.
Gray looked down and noticed that his shirt was missing. "What the? Where'd it go?" he exclaimed.
Natsu grinned and threw his head back in laughter. "Serves you right Stripper."
Gray looked over his shoulder, glaring at the pink-haired man. "Say what Pyro?"
Natsu looked to the exhibitionist and held out his hand. "Bring it on."
They two charged at each other and started fighting. Lucy sighed, before walking Plue away from the fray. Juvia giggled before following the blonde. The two boys were tumbling along the courtyard, receiving amused looks from the other servants. One woman was looking annoyed to the two of them.
The brunette had a silver goblet in her made as she sat on a row of wine barrels. Her brown eyes were glaring at the two. She wore a navy blue dress that reached her mid-thigh and knee-high brown boots. Her wavy brown hair was down and reached her mid back.
"Watch it for my alcohol you too dults!" she yelled, before picking up a barrel of wine and flicking off the cork. She raised it over her head and downed the wine.
A girl walking out of the main entrance of the castle noticed Cana's actions and freaked out. She wore a black and white maid outfit and knee-high stockings with her polished black shoes. Her short white hair was held back with a black headband with white lacy frills on it. Her sapphire blue eyes were filled with worry.
"Cana!" the young maid yelled pulling the barrel out of her hands and earning a whine from the brunette. "That wine is for the entire castle. Not just for you."
"Aw Lisanna!" Cana whined. "You're no fun."
A gruff looking man came out of a small blacksmith workshop opposite from the stables. He held spears, swords, and plenty of other weapons in his arms. His black hair was bushy in the back and was held in a dark green bandana. His black clothes were darkened with soot from working in the fires.
"Hello Gajeel," Lucy said.
"Hello Gajeel-kun," Juvia chimed after.
Said man, Gajeel, nodded towards the two females before colliding with Natsu and Gray. Dropping all of his weapons in the process. The two fighting stopped as they felt a presence emitting from a third person. They looked and saw Gajeel's red eyes glowing.
"You two…" Gajeel growled. He pounced on the two and joined in their brawl.
Lucy and Juvia sighed before continuing walking. A replica of Lisanna walked by the brawl and looked upon the three. Her longer white hair reached the small of her back and her sapphire eyes had a warm glint in them. Her maid outfit reached the ground instead of the middle of her thigh like Lisanna's. Her bangs would've covered her left eye if it wasn't for them being pulled up in a small ponytail on her forehead.
She hid her giggling face behind her hand. "My, my. The fighting has started early hasn't it?"
"Mira," Juvia said.
Lucy noticed that the boys were about to hit the older maid. "Mira!" she called out.
"Yes Luc-" Mira couldn't finish as the boys collided with her. She was tangled up in the boys' limbs as the three continued to fight.
"Mira-nee!" Lisanna yelled as she dropped the barrel of wine and ran to her older sister. Cana smirked before picking up the barrel and chugging it once again. Mira was knocked out cold.
"Those three…" Lucy sighed out.
"Juvia thinks that they'll get in trouble once again," Juvia said.
Lucy and Lisanna nodded in agreement. "No doubt about it."
"What's all this?" a stern yet gentle voice asked, quieting the other servants' murmurs.
Lucy looked to the stairs leading from the castle entrance to the oval courtyard. There was a man wearing elaborate navy clothes. His brown eyes had a warm glow about them and his blue hair was unruly yet tidy at the same time with a few strands sticking out here and there. Over his right eye was a red tattoo. His smile he had on his handsome face was kind.
"My Lord," Lisanna and Juvia said, bowing from their waists.
Lucy showed a small smile and followed her fellow servants. "My Prince."
The prince nodded towards them and they stood up properly. "I thought you would've left by now Lucy," he said.
"Natsu kept on delaying my departure Sir," Lucy said, shooting a playful glare to him.
The prince laughed. "He worries about you Lucy. You know you are his closest friend here."
Lucy smiled; "Of course My Prince."
The prince smiled before turning to the three who were still fighting each other. He sighed before he started clapping his hands to get their attention. "Natsu, Gray, Gajeel. Stop this now."
The three looked up and saw the prince. They immediately pulled away from each other and stood up, saluting the prince.
"Prince Jellal…" the three said.
"We really need to have a talk about your fighting habits," Jellal said before kneeling next to Mira.
"We don't have a problem My Lord," Gray and Gajeel said. They immediately shot a deadly glare to Natsu. "It's him who has the problem."
"What? I do not!" Natsu yelled. He turned to Lucy patting Plue's neck again. "Luce! Do I have a problem?!"
"Oh, of course not Natsu," Lucy said sarcastically. "I mean, I don't think you have a problem after you burned down to smith's shop, the stables twice, and nearly the entire library."
Natsu grinned successfully and turned to the other two. "See?"
"Lucy, I don't think he-" Lisanna started, but Lucy cut her off.
"Wait for it…"
"…Hey!" Natsu said, turning back to a grinning Lucy.
Jellal shook his head and looked down to Mira who started moving again. She peered up to the prince with her blue eyes. Jellal smiled before helping Mira sit up on her own.
"My Lord," Mira said.
"Are you alright?" the prince asked.
"Yes. Thank you Sir."
Jellal stood up and helped Mira to her feet. He turned back to Lucy. "You better get going Lucy. It will be a long journey."
Lucy bowed to the prince. "I will Sir." She turned around to Plue and tightened the saddle strap. A tanned hand grabbed her hand. She looked up and stared in Natsu's onyx eyes. "Natsu."
"Be safe, okay?" Natsu asked, looking serious, which was a rare commodity for everyone.
Lucy smiled and nodded. "I'll be back before you know it," she said poking his nose. "Help me up."
Natsu sighed and helped Lucy onto the unicorn. She took the reigns from Juvia who was holding them.
"Oi Lucy!" Said girl turned to the drunken woman laying on top of wine barrels. "Want something to drink on the way? Hic!"
Lucy laughed. "I don't ride and drink Cana."
"Stay on the path Lucy," Jellal said. "We wish you a safe trip. Tell your father we say hello once you reach him."
The blonde nodded. "I will." She turned to Natsu. "Don't burn anything Natsu."
Natsu grinned while scratching the back of his head. "No promises Luce."
She shook her head. "At least try not to get into any fights, please?"
With a flick of her wrist, Plue started trotting on the dirt ground and making their way to the draw bridge.
"Have a good trip Lucy!"
"Be careful!"
"Come back with souvenirs!"
"Please stay safe!" Natsu yelled out, followed by a wave.
Lucy turned around and waved back to the others. "I'll be back at night in five days. Don't do something stupid!" she yelled before turning back. "Let's go Plue."
With another flick, Plue started galloping across the stone bridge. The prince and servants watched her until the blonde disappeared into the forest path. Jellal sighed before turning back to his servants.
"Let's get on with work, shall we?" he said with a smile on his face. "I'll go check up on Elfman. I believe he is making his signature mutton chops and vegetable soup with Ever."
"Oo! I'll go with you Jellal!" Natsu said, walking ahead of the prince. Causing everyone in the vicinity to sigh in sync.
Gray pulled on Natsu's collar. "Dumbass. Remember the last time we let you go into the kitchen alone," he said.
"Whatcha call me?" Natsu growled.
"You heard me."
Natsu pounced on Gray, starting another fight. Gajeel was pulled into it from trying to break it up. Cana eventually joined in because they nearly destroyed her-their-wine supply…Again.
Jellal and the other females watched with their eyes widened. They were all thinking the same thing.
Lucy…Hurry up and come back!
{Line Skip}
At night later in the day, Lisanna and Mira were helping their brother, Elfman, set up for dinner. A storm raged on and the rain outside was heavy. The wind was strong, battering against the castle walls.
As a lightning bolt struck outside the window, Lisanna looked out worriedly to the dark stormy night. "I hope she's alright Mira-nee."
"Who Lisanna?" Mira asked.
"Lucy of course," Lisanna said looking down to the dinnerware on the table.
"She'll be fine, right Nee-san?" Elfman said, walking into the large dinning room with a large plate full of meat. "If Lucy could put up with Natsu, she could handle a small storm like this."
"He's right Lisanna. Besides, she has Plue with her," Mira said, placing a crooked fork in its right place. "That unicorn won't let anything happen to her."
Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel's heads popped over a wall. "We smell food," they said in sync.
Lisanna sighed, Mira giggled, and Elfman smiled proudly.
"DINNER'S READY!" Elfman yelled throughout the castle. The three siblings sat down before the mobs came in.
Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel pushed and shoved each other to get to the table. Some of the other males in the castle rushed into the dinning room and started grabbing food off plates, making a mess. The females walked in and sat on the opposite side from the boys while eating. Jellal stood in the entryway, laughing at his family/friends actions. There was a knock at the door.
"A knock?" Jellal asked himself. He walked out of the grand dinning room to the front hallway. As he walked down the hallway he was thinking why someone appeared at his castle.
Strange…No one has visited the village for years. Let alone actually approaching the castle walls so close, he thought.
Jellal opened the door and saw a crippled old woman. The tattered cloak on her back was drenched completely. Her wispy white hair was soaked and her very pale eyes were tired.
"Old Woman," Jellal said.
"Good sir, I was passing through the forest when the storm began. I saw that your castle still had lights through the window," she said in her croaked voice. "I was hoping that I would be able to spend the night here. Or at least when the storm ceases."
Jellal smiled. "Old Woman, I do not wish to leave you out in the cold rain and fierce winds on this night," he said. He opened the door wider and extended his arm out. "Please, stay the night. I will get my maids to bring you warm clothes and join us for dinner."
"Thank you Kind Sir," the old woman said as she entered the castle.
Lisanna and Mira had helped the older woman to get into warmer clothes and brought her to the dinner table. She was seated next to the prince. The dinner went smoothly, the young people asked the old woman to tell tales of whatnot to amuse them and she did tell them stories of her younger times.
"My, my," the old woman said as the prince showed her the paintings hung along the walls of the front hallway. The woman stopped at a painting of a man who was identical to Jellal. "Your father was a very wise and kind king."
"You met my father?" Jellal asked.
The old woman nodded. "Yes, I lived in the village before my husband died and I had to move back to my hometown."
"I see," Jellal said, looking to the painting of his father. "I wish to become a king like him one day. A kind king who takes care of his people." The old woman laughed. "What is it Old Woman? Do I amuse you with my dream?"
"Yes actually," she said. The old woman looked up to the young prince. "You will never be like the late king Prince Jellal. That dream you wish to come true will never be so, as it will always be a dream in reality."
"You dare speak to me like that Old Woman?" Jellal yelled.
"My Lord?" Lisanna asked, walking down the stairs. The other servants started peering from behind the walls. "Is everything alright? Did something happen?"
"Yes Lisanna," Jellal said. "This woman will not be staying the castle tonight. She is leaving right now."
"In the middle of a storm My Lord?" Mira asked. "That's not safe for a healthy young man, let alone a feeble old woman."
Jellal grinned sadistically. "All the better for insulting a future king."
The old woman showed a small smile and looked up to the prince. Her smile soon turned into a large evil looking grin. "Are you showing your true colours My Prince?" she spat. She laughed. "My point has been proven; you will never be like your father. And for your unkind heart, you must be punished." The old woman stuck out her hand and magic circles appeared at the feet of Jellal's servants and one appeared around him. "You and your subordinates."
"What?!" Jellal yelled.
"Listen to my call, O One with Magic," the old woman chanted. "I, who calls upon the mystical powers from the Dark Land, heed your abilities. Create creatures or objects of these who follow an unfit ruler."
The magic circles at the servants' feet started to glow brightly until beams of light shot out of them. The servants started screaming from pain. They fell to their knees, crying in agony. Jellal looked around the ones he called family. They looked like they were in pain. That they were burning inside their bodies.
"Stop…Stop this right now!" Jellal yelled, turning back to the old woman.
A sadistic smile appeared on her face. "I shall not My Prince."
"And to this prince, an unfit future ruler, give him a form to amend his cold hearted ways…"
The magic circle behind Jellal started glowing behind him before shooting a ray of light from it. His body felt like it was melting before it burned. His body shifted from one form into another until settling down in one.
Tears pricked at Jellal's eyes as he opened his brown orbs. He looked around, his servants didn't move from their places. He looked down to his hands, but saw that his hands were covered in fur and his nails had grown into claws. He felt his face, completely covered in fur. Something was poking out from his head. He reached up and felt the rough texture of a pair of curled end horns. He closed his jaw from screaming, but in doing so, he bit down on his tongue. While tasting his blood by accident, he felt his teeth. Sharp ends…Fangs.
"What…What happened to me?" Jellal asked, noticing the change of a deep, mysterious sounding voice.
A mirror slid to his hands-paws-. The old woman picked up a cloak from the coat rack and threw it over her shoulders. "See for yourself what you have brought upon your servants and yourself."
Jellal picked up the mirror and saw a monster…A beast staring back at him. "No!"
"I have placed a curse on you and everyone in the castle serving under you at the moment. The only way for you to change everyone back into a human once again is to find the love that resides deep in your soul," the old woman said. "But in order for that to happen, is to find someone who loves you the way you are in this form.
"But, as all curses go, there is a catch." The old woman held up a rose. "This, is an enchanted rose. You have until the last petal that falls from this rose to find someone to fall in love with you and you with them. If you cannot find love or this someone does not return it to you, you and your servants shall forever be in this form." She dropped the rose on the floor. "Be careful with your timing My Prince."
The old woman opened the door to reveal the storm dying down. "I will let you keep the mirror. I do not believe you will be leaving the castle walls anytime soon. That will be your window to the outside world."
The old woman slammed the door behind her as she left. Jellal lowered his head before looking to his servants.
A pink-head was at the foot of the stairs. Natsu…Oh Lucy…
A black haired man was in front of a blue-headed woman. Juvia…Gray…
Three white-haired people were huddled together. Elfman…Mira…Lisanna…
Jellal looked to the ground and pounding the stone tiles with his paws. "What. Have. I. DONE?!"