Chapter One

First Impressions

It had been exactly five years since Wesley was murdered by the Dread Pirate Roberts. Five years. It seemed like much, much more.

Buttercup turned away from the hill, the hill where she and Wesley had shared their first kiss; their first, and last. Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her cheeks. She sat down miserably on the wet morning grass. She just couldn't believe it. After five years, she still asked if it could all possibly being a dream, if any minute she would look into Wesley's stormy eyes and hear him whisper "as you wish". Not a day went by that she didn't think of him.

"Why do you weep my dear?" a voice called.

Buttercup looked up. It was a man, sitting on a great white stallion. He was wearing a crown. Buttercup realized it was the Prince. Prince Humperdinck. Scrambling to her feet she curtsied. The Prince smirked.

"You are a smart woman. Silent. And obviously taught well. Why don't you join me for supper tonight? I was speaking with your Father earlier, and he feels it would be in your best interest to come along with me."

Buttercup said nothing. What had her Father given for the Prince to come and speak to her for? Ever since Wesley, her Father had been trying to get her mind onto other things, for example who she would marry and start a family with. And here she was about to have dinner with the Prince… She hated him already. The way his cold black eyes looked upon her. He was nothing more than a Hunter. And she was only the Catch. This angered her, and she could feel rage race through her body.

"I do not wish to come with you." She said icily. She watched his smirk fade. "Oh, well my dear….would you consider it? It would be a great honor." Before she could answer, Buttercup noticed her father trotting down the hill they lived atop. "Buttercup! Buttercup!" He called. She could see the happiness on his face. He huffed and puffed over to them. "Your Majesty, "he said bowing to the Prince, "if I may, have a word with my daughter a moment please?" Humperdinck smirked and turned his horse. He trotted off a few paces.

"Buttercup," he began, trying to catch his breath, "the law gives Prince Humperdinck the right to choose his bride..." Buttercup's eyes widened. "Father...I..." "That is enough Buttercup," her Father interrupts, his face growing rigid and his hand raised. He reaches for his daughter's hand. "Buttercup, I want you to be taken well care of. This…farmboy…is gone." Buttercup met her father's eyes. "Wesley loves me." Her father sighed. "That may be true. But he is dead. Wouldn't he want you to move on with your life?" Buttercup turned her gaze to the hills. Would Wesley want her to marry the Prince? She didn't really have much of an option. Her father had accepted the marriage for her. She had no choice. Wesley was dead. What else could she do?

Tears welled up in her eyes again. Her father brought his hands to her face, turning her to look at him. "Buttercup, I only do this because I love you. The Prince…will be good for you." As if he had been waiting for this cue, the Prince rode over to them.

"Yes, quite right. I am good for you, my dear. You are a wise Father. You should be proud that your daughter will, in a month's time be the Queen. Now, my dear." He stretched his hand out towards Buttercup. Reluctantly she took it. He pulled her onto his horse. "Now, my princess. Onward to the palace!"

He kicked the horse's sides and it took off rapidly in the direction to the castle. Buttercup took one last look at her Father, smiling triumphantly and waving, and at the grassy green hills of the countryside.