Happy Baz and Rainbow's birthday!

This is just a little gift to the fandom, the first chapter in this six chaptered story! I will try to post pretty regularly, maybe weekly?

Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters belong to the lovely Rainbow Rowell, and the plot belongs to Disney.

Long ago in a kingdom ruled by magic, there was a powerful mage named Davy Salisbury. His magic was legend; bright and intense like the sun. He fell in love with the Queen of the land, Lucy, whose magic was soft and sweet like moonlight. The two were mad for each other, and their wedding was the most beautiful the kingdom had ever seen. Before long, Lucy was with child. The pair were ecstatic. Lucy couldn't wait to hold her newborn son, however, Davey had ulterior motives. He planned to use ancient texts and illegal magic to make their child more powerful than the both of them combined. While Lucy was sleeping, he performed a dark ritual on her to grant their unborn son power beyond comprehension. But magic does not come from nothing, and so the Queen's magic was unwillingly absorbed by her child. When the time came for the boy to be born, Queen Lucy had only a few minutes to hold him and utter a name no one but her husband and her best friend could hear before she passed, too weak to hold on. The Queen's advisor -a mage named Natasha - suspected Davey as she investigated Lucy's death and pursued him, only to find Davey in the child's room with a packed bag and travelling coat. He hired a gang of rogue vampires to kill her, and then sent them to her home to rid any evidence she might have.

Davey fled from the castle, to a place no one could discover his son.

The child they now call The Chosen One,

And every year on his birthday the kingdom lights lanterns and launches them into the night sky, a beacon to bring the Prince home.

This is his story,

Prince Simon Snow.

Chapter 1: When Will My Life Begin

Simon

I roll out of bed and open my eyes blearily. The light filtering through the curtains is a light gold, which means – Shit, I've overslept. The Mage will be here soon, and I haven't even prepared breakfast. Hastily pulling on a loose shirt and my oldest jeans, I stumble out into the kitchen and make batter for sour cherry scones as fast as I can. They're in the oven when I hear a shout from my window.

Even though I've lived here all my life, the view from my window still strikes me speechless. I've memorized it all. Between the mountains in every direction is a leafy green canopy, with birds soaring and plunging in the sky above. Jagged peaks in the distance that appear almost blue. And between them – if I squint hard and tilt my head just so – I can see the ocean glittering in the distance. I've never been to the ocean. Or anywhere, actually. You see, the Mage doesn't want me to go into the outside world where I could be attacked for my magic. He tells me all about the savages that assault people with powerful magic like my own. Vampires, goblins, numpties - you name it – sometimes it seems like the entire world wants to get me. That's why, when I was still a baby, the Mage brought me to this tower, where I've lived as long as I can remember. Where I'm high enough to see the world, but never allowed to explore it.

I try not to think about it.

"Simon! I'm wasting away down here!"

I sigh and tear my eyes from the view, looking down. The Mage stands at the base of the tower, practically blending into the grass with his whole Robin Hood outfit.

"I can see you Simon, let me up."

"Yes sir."

I place my hand on the rope and push all my magic into it. The rope wraps itself around the Mage's waist like a snake, hoisting him up and up and up until he climbs in through the window.

"Simon my boy! What's in the oven?"

"Sour cherry scones, sir."

"Good, good." He sinks into one of my armchairs and holds out a hand. "Simon, I'm exhausted."

"Of course," I take his hand. I push as much magic as I can into him and he whispers Finders, keepers. (It's a spell he created to keep the magic I give him. I'm not sure it would work with anybody else.)

Immediately the air around us crackles and the Mage's eyes light up like two miniature suns. My magic always has this effect on him, it simply pours out of me. The Mage says I'm a cracked cup – a little broken, I suppose – and the crack is what allows me to give him my magic. I've given it to him for, well… my whole life, I guess. It's just too much for me. Sometimes the magic overflows and takes over, which is why I give some away. That's what the Mage says.

"Thank you, Simon. Now, regarding the events I have planned in three days, I- "

"Sir?"

"Simon, it's your birthday. Surely you hadn't forgotten?"

I had. (One day just blends into the next up here). Immediately excitement swells in my stomach and I can't help but smile. See, every year on my birthday, these lights fill the sky from just beside the sliver of ocean. You can barely see the cobalt sky between the stars and the twinkling lights as they trickle out into the sky. I can't help but think, well, maybe they're meant…for me.

I've never told the Mage, but one day, when I'm old enough to defend myself, I want to stand in front of the mountains, where I can see the ocean, and watch the lights overhead. Just to know where they come from – just to know what they are. Next week I'll be eighteen, and I'm praying that I might be allowed to go. Just for one night.

"Sir, I've been thinking. For my birthday this year, I'll be eighteen."

"Quite."

"Well," I gulp, (audibly, I'm sure) "I was thinking, eighteen is practically an adult. I mean, I'm taller than you are now. And, well… I was hoping you'd let me leave the tower to see the floating lights."

"Simon, you know why you have to stay here…"

"Yes, of course. But like I said, I'll be eighteen, I'll be able to defend myself and – "

"Simon I'm not letting you put yourself in danger to watch a meteor shower you can see perfectly well from up here, where no one can find you!" He grabs my shoulders, hard.

"The answer is no."

My stomach falls.

"But sir, I don't think they are meteors, if I could just see – "

"Simon, drop it."

"Yes but sir, just-"

"NO, SIMON!" The Mage pushes me, and I hit the wall, banging my head and making my eyes water.

After a moment the Mage speaks; "Oh, Simon I'm so sorry." He steps closer and helps me into a chair.

"S'fine. Accident." I mumble. I pushed him too far. Guilt claws at my throat and tears scratch at my eyes. I feel sick, but I can't decide if that's disappointment or pain. The oven chimes.

"Scones are done, let's just eat." I say, very quietly.

After breakfast the Mage offers to go up to the farmers on the mountain top and to buy me special sour cherries for my birthday, instead of going to see the lights.

Meteors.

It means he'll be gone for three days and will come back just after my birthday.

Where I'll watch the lights from my window. Alone. Like always.

I'll try not to think about it.

(The next day)

Baz

"Oi Baz! You coming?"

Dev and Niall are both doubled over and panting, clearly out of breath.

Amateurs.

Adrenalin courses through all our veins and blood thunders in our ears. We did it, we actually did it. We stole the little Prince's crown. (It's not like anybody else was using it, the kid's been missing for eighteen years. Only fools think he's coming back)(In fact, the entire cavalry must be fools because they're right behind us in hot pursuit).

I've only stopped to see the view from the gates and over the bridge. It's incredible, a pale bridge leaning over the canal, the forest stretching out in front of me, brimming with possibilities. And if I tilt my head just so, I can see the ocean. Behind me is the village, in all its tarnished glory. People shouting, food frying, someone playing a fiddle and the smell of spices mingling with the odour of cattle. I've lived here since my mother was killed. My father wants me to become a lord - a straight, non-vampire lord. Unfortunately, I am both queer and dead, and after years of nagging and shouting I began to plot my escape.

With this crown, I can buy myself a new life, far away from this sorry excuse for a kingdom. Only one problem;

This crown is for me. Exclusively.

Penny

The three figures in the distance stop running and I bark at my men to advance. The tall criminal with the dark hair- who looks vaguely familiar – pulls out his wand and the other two go flying backwards. He reaches into a satchel by his companion's side and pulls it out, the crown.

I dig my heels into my horse's side and we pull ahead of my battalion, my eyes set on the thief. He sprints into the wood, dodging around trees and leaping over bushes. The others are far behind us now, it's just me, my horse, and this bastard. Suddenly he turns around and throws a branch at us, and my horse spooks. I land on the ground, my shoulder jarring. Abandoning my horse, I race after him, until we get to a cliff edge.

"Hand it over!" I shout as he paces, cornered.

My sword is brandished and I'm not afraid to use it. The stranger throws his head back and laughs humorlessly, free hand running through his hair. His eyes meet mine, and he cocks one eyebrow. I snarl and lunge for the crown in his hand, but he yanks it back just out of my reach and winks. With a little two fingered salute, he dives off the cliff. I run to the edge just as he lands elegantly in a deep, slow moving river. He waves as he climbs out and takes off running again.

Bastard.

Baz

I run for maybe another ten minutes, exhilaration pushing me faster and further. I allow a rare smile, I'm finally free. (Sopping wet, but free).

Just as I round a steep incline, I see a narrow tunnel. It's tall enough for a man, so I enter. I almost ran past it, but even with my vampire strength and adrenalin, I can't run forever. Sooner or later I'm going to have to find a place to wait while the hype dies down.

Before long, I emerge into a picturesque clearing with patches of daisies, a stream and - in the centre – the tallest tower I've ever seen. It perches above the canopy, hidden by mountains and probably a Nothing to see here spell, which would explain why I couldn't see it from the other side of the tunnel. Peaked and tiled roof, tall windows, sort of a rustic cottage aesthetic.

It's perfect.

A rope dangles from a window - so putting the crown between my teeth – I begin to climb. After what feels like forever, I slide into the window and collapse onto the floor, caressing the crown.

"Alone at last."

But apparently, I'm not alone (just my luck), because standing there, is the most outrageously beautiful boy I've ever laid eyes on.

Crowley.