Title: A Cursed Prince
Chapter One: Once Upon A Time (Prologue)
A/N: AU, for E.G. Potter's Sleeping Beauty Challenge.
Into the night
Desperate and broken
The sound of a fight
Father has spoken
The King and Queen of the land had always been considered fair and just, fighting the evil within their kingdom. Everyone was happy, and life was peaceful. However they had one point of sadness in their lives. Despite years of trying, they had no children.
When Queen Lia finally became pregnant, holidays were declared and the people rejoiced. Nine months passed fast, and the due date dawned bright and sunny. When the child was born he was carried to the balcony overlooking the castle courtyard, and presented to the world.
His name was Remus Lupin. King John invited all the Lords and Ladies in the land, and the three good fairies, to his christening. There was an enormous banquet with delicious foods and lots of talk and laughter. The guests queued to bring their gifts to the young Prince. Finally all the silver and gold had been presented, and the three fairies came forward to give their blessings. The eldest, a tall and stern looking woman, spoke first.
"He will be strong, both in mind and magic."
"He'll be handsome and charismatic – beating the ladies off with a stick, good for a young Prince." The short motherly fairy grinned.
Before the last blessing could be bestowed, the doors at the end of the hall flew open. Fenrir, the forgotten fairy, strode in and leered at the young noblewomen
"Thought you could leave me out, did you?" He shouted to the end of the hall. Endless apologies were made, and food offered, until he finally calmed down.
"If I may after my behaviour this evening, I would like to give the Prince something." He requested, a scheming glint in his eye.
"Of course, of course!" King John hurried, eager to put the disagreement behind them.
"He shall be a powerful and uncontrolled werewolf, from the next full moon till the day he dies!" Fenrir fled the hall, the palace guard on his heels, anger and confusion left in his wake.
Queen Lia was inconsolable, sobbing and holding her child close. The King snapped orders left right and centre. Unnoticed, the final fairy stepped towards them. Tall with dark hair, he was the only male fairy ever seen.
"My Lord, if I may, I can offer a brief respite." He spoke smoothly, black eyes scanning the boy. The Queen looked up, shocked to silence.
"Please." King John was the one to speak.
"He shall live his first sixteen years as he should have, save for the full moon."