In a far away land, long ago, lived a king and his fair queen. Many years had they longed for a child and finally their wish was granted. A daughter was born, and they called her Rinoa. Yes, they named her after the dawn for she filled their lives with sunshine. Then a great holiday was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, so that all of high or low estate might pay homage to the infant princess. And our story begins on that most joyful day.
A crowd of civilians had grouped around the pearly front gates to the wonderful, pristine castle that lay ahead. Trumpets sounded and soldiers marched, announcing the birth of the royal heir to the throne.
Joyfully now to our princess we come,
Bringing gifts and all good wishes too.
We pledge our loyalty anew.
Hail to the princess Rinoa!
All of her subjects adore her!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the princess Rinoa!
Health to the princess,
Wealth to the princess,
Long live the princess Rinoa!
Hail Rinoa!
Hail Rinoa!
Health to the princess,
Wealth to the princess,
Long live the princess Rinoa!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the princess Rinoa!
Thus on this great and joyous day did all the kingdom celebrate the long awaited royal birth. And good King Caraway and his Queen Julia made welcome their life long friend.
Inside the castle, all the royals and their subjects met in the grand ballroom to welcome the new baby. Lavender, polished marble floor accented the grand colorful paintings that covered the walls. The King and Queen sat on their throne, and inf ront of them was a cradle, lined with white lace and the finest silk. And inside that cradle was a sleeping infant. The Princess.
"Their royal highnesses, King Loire and Prince Lionheart!" the announcer shouted, introducing the rulers from a faraway land called Balamb.
Fondly had these monarchs dreamed one day their kingdoms to unite. Thus today would they announce that Squall, Laguna's son and heir to Caraway's child would be betrothed. And so to her his gift he brought, and looked, unknowing, on his future bride.
The announcer spoke again, introducing the trio of women who had just flew in the door.
"The most honored and exalted excellencies, the three good fairies. Mistress Quistis, Mistress Selphie, and Mistress Ellone."
The fairies flew across the abruptly-silent room, wings fluttering and eyes sparkling. Approaching the cradle, they each let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Oh, the little darling!" they uttered in unison at the sleeping child.
"Your majesties," Quistis turned to the King and Queen. "Each of us may bless the child with a single gift. No more, no less." She turned back to the cradle. "Little princess, my gift shall be the gift of beauty."
One gift, beauty rare,
Full of black silk in her hair,
Lips that shame the red red rose,
She'll walk with springtime,
Wherever she goes.
Now it was Selphie's turn. "Tiny princess, my gift shall be the gift of song."
One gift, the gift of song,
Melody her whole life long,
The nightingale's her troubadour,
Bringing her sweet serenade,
to her door.
Ellone, smiling sweetly at the soft-faced infant, began to cast her blessing. "Sweet princess, my gift shall be-"
Suddenly, the doors to the castle flew open. A strong wind, strong as the worst hurricane, whipped through the room. Thunder crashed and lightning flashed as a dark figure walked into the room.
"It's Sorceress Edea!" Quistis cried.
"What does she want here?" Ellone asked, gritting her teeth. Selphie shushed them.
The sorceress approached the throne. "Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Caraway. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and, how quaint, even the rebel." She traced a long, black-gloved finger across her elegant purple lips and smirked. "I really felt quite distressed of not receiving an invitation." Her dark eyes burned with the fires of Hell.
"You weren't wanted!" Ellone chimed in. Edea glared at her, then coolly turned her head towards the King. "Not wanted? Oh dear, what a situation. I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight. Well, in that event I'd best be on my way." She was looking at her razor-sharp fingernails as she spoke, as though nothing could bother her. Queen Julia rose from her throne.
"And you're not offended, your excellency?" she asked.
Edea smiled, an evil grin that could turn hearts to stone. "Why no, your majesty. And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift upon the child."
All three of the fairies fluttered in front of the sleeping baby's crib protectively. The sorceress simply raised and eyebrow, then turned to the crowd of silent, fear-stricken people and spoke.
"Listen well, all of you! The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But, before the sun sets on her seventeenth birthday, she shall prick her finger on the thorn of a rose and die."
The Queen gasped. "Oh no!" she cried in despair. Edea chuckled. "Oh ho, yes!" King Caraway stood abruptly. "Seize her!" he ordered his soldiers. She raised a hand.
"Stay back, you fools!" she counter-ordered, and laughing evilly, disappeared in a flash of lightning.
Queen Julia stood in shock next to her husband, who cursed the witch under his breath. "Don't despair, your majesties. Ellone still has her gift to give." Quistis said.
"Then she can undo this fearful curse?" The King asked hopefully. Ellone shook her head sadly.
"Oh no, sire." She looked down at the tiny princess.
"Edea's powers are far too great." Quistis explained.
"But she can help!" Selphie put in enthusiastically. She looked at Ellone. "Just do your best."
Everyone in the room seemed to be praying, clinging to a last bit of hope, as Ellone lifted the baby into her arms. "Sweet princess, if through this wicked witch's trick a rose should your finger prick, a ray of hope there still may be in this, the gift I give at thee. Not in death but just in sleep the fateful prophecy you'll keep, and from this slumber you shall wake when true love's kiss the spell shall break."
For true love conquers all.
But King Caraway, still fearful of his daughter's life, did then and there decree that every rose bush in the kingdom should on that very day be burnt. So it was done.