Summary: *Set in world without curse* Zelda has been perfectly fine with her life. That is, until she learns her parents want her to marry Prince Phillip, the son of Queen Aurora and King Phillip. After joining a gang of pirates, she finds a new life-one without a forced marriage. Ten years later, she returns to her kingdom after learning of the gruesome death of her parents. But when she finds her best friend-Prince Henry-has started a new life after her disappearance, she begins to wonder if she's fine with him just being her best friend. She also thinks she can figure out who murdered her parents, but doesn't know if she wants to believe it. Or tell Henry, who may or may not be wrapped up the plans of it all.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot line and OCs. I also changed Cinderella and Prince Thomas's daughter's name.

Prologue

"Henry!" I shouted. "Get back here!"

I didn't really notice any of the forest; only the blur of trees and underbrush.

"Gotta keep up!" his voice echoed back.

"You didn't even give me a chance," I giggled, slowing my horse as I saw his coming to a stop.

Henry turned to look at me.

He had dark brown hair, which was ruffled and messy from riding his horse through the woods. His chocolate brown eyes were wide and sparkling, showing nothing but the carefree fun we always had.

"You finally made it," he smirked, getting off Hero, finger-brushing the black mane.

"After you stopped," I pointed out. I jumped off my own horse. "You know Crystal isn't as fast as Hero. "Right, girl?" The horse nuzzled my arm, so I petted her nose. "So, what does the prince want for his birthday?"

"I don't know." He heaved a long, drawn out sigh and I looked over at him. His eyes were starting to dull. "Maybe just to get out of the kingdom. Like, forever."

"What's wrong?"

"I just found out that I have to get married to some girl named Ella," he answered. "She's the daughter of … some farmer in the next village."

"Oh," I sighed. There was a feeling in the pit of my stomach. It felt like a stone dropping down in the ocean, sinking to the very bottom until it seems to crush sea floor. It took me a moment before I realized what it was-jealousy.

But it made no sense. Henry had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. Why would I be jealous of some farmer girl who would be marrying my best friend?

"Well, if you want to run away, why don't you?"

"I don't know if I could do it alone," he replied.

"What if I came with you?" I blurted. I wasn't sure if I meant it, but it was out of my mouth before I could think it over.

I saw his lips twitch into a smile for the briefest of seconds before it fell again.

"What about your parents? What about your kingdom?" he demanded.

"You think I'm going to want to marry some stupid prince or farmer? No offense," I added.

"None taken."

"But do you honestly think I want to have to run a kingdom?"

"Your fifteen," he pointed out. "You'll change your mind."

"I'll change my mind on what my favorite color is, or what book I want to read. But I know I can't do this. I don't want to." He turned to face me. "Dad taught me how to steer his ship when I was ten. We could leave tonight," I suggested.

"Ze-"

"Meet me at the docks at midnight," I said, hopping up on Crystal's back. I turned to look at him really quickly, already feeling a smirk creep onto my lips. "Don't be a rotten pumpkin."

"Zelda?" I heard my mother call.

I turned around, seeing my mother standing in the doorway of our stables. Her hair was falling down her back in waves. Her eyes were wide, and I noticed how scared she looked.

"Is something wrong, Momma?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Your father and I were just worried," she said, and I saw her taking deep, calming breaths. "You didn't tell us where you went."

"Well, I'm home now."

"Yes." I saw her bite her lip, casting her eyes downward. "Um, there is a guest in the castle right now."

"Okay."

"Um, Zelda," she took my hand and began leading me through the hallways, "he's asking for your hand. When you come of age to take the throne, of course."

"Momma-" I began, but she cut me off.

"He's made a very generous offer," she added. "His kingdom has a great army and a large amount of gold." She stopped, putting her hand against my cheek. "I never wanted to force into marriage, but we may need his resources one day."

"Can I think about this for a little bit?" I asked.

"Yes," she answered. "And he will join us for dinner if you wish to meet him."

"Alright, Momma."

"That's my girl," she whispered, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I could smell the food before I got to the dining hall.

As I approached the doors, I felt my heart beat faster and faster.

When I had made it to my room earlier after talking with my mom, I had found a dress lying on my bed with a not from my mom, saying that she wanted me to wear it if I came down to dinner.

The dress was blue-a color I knew my mother loved-and was a little tighter than I was used to, but it made up for that by being long. The sleeves were long and flared around the wrists, and the dress itself had a train going behind it that was at least a few feet in length. The only thing about the dress that wasn't long was the neckline, which was fairly high up.

For my hair, I had asked my maid to braid it so it fell over my left shoulder. I had even put my crown on, and I only wore it for special occasions. It was really just a small ring of silver with a few diamonds on it, but it meant a lot to me because my mother and father had given it to me.

I looked up. The doors to the dining hall were right in front of me.

I took a deep breath and pushed them open.

"Who's here?" I heard my father ask as he turned around. His blue-gray eyes-the same color as my own-darkened for a moment until he recognized me.

"Zelda," I heard my mother say, and I turned to look at her. "You look lovely." The she gestured to the third person at the table, sitting right across from my usual seat, who stood up as my mother pointed to him.

He was pretty tall, with dark black hair the color of night that seemed to shine with star underneath the light of the chandelier. His eyes, which were an almost-silver gray color, seemed to refract the light, breaking it into a rainbow in his irises. From just looking at him, I'd have to assume he was about eighteen-Henry's age.

"This is Prince Phillip," came my mother's voice, interrupting my thoughts, "the son of Queen Aurora and King Phillip."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess," he greeted with a bow as I moved to stand behind my chair.

"And it's an honor to meet you, Prince Phillip." I felt myself shake a little as I dipped into a curtsy.

"Please," he chuckled. "You don't have to be so formal. I'm the guest."

"Please, you two," came father's voice, slightly rough with age, "sit down."

We obeyed, each taking our respective seats. While his plate was already filled with food, mine was empty.

I reached out, taking some meat off a chicken that was sitting in the middle of the table, got some salad, and began eating.

There was a moment of silence, which my mother broke by saying, "So, Prince Phillip, do you have any hobbies?"

"Uh, yes," he answered. "I love hunting." I felt everything else in my brain shut down.

"Do you?" said my father.

"Yes. I love just going out in the woods and hunting some animals for food." I suddenly felt my muscles stiffen.

"That's cruel to the animals," I pointed out, and I felt my mother's eyes burning into me. I had stopped eating as soon as he had answered her question.

"What do you mean?" he asked, almost innocently, and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"They have to deal with being killed," I responded. "It's one thing if they're attacking you, but another if they're just minding their own business and you kill them just for sport."

"Zelda-" my father started, but I cut him off.

"No, no. I'm not hungry anymore anyways."

"Princess-" I held up a hand.

"It was nice meeting you, Prince Phillip." I had already started walking out of the room. "I hope you enjoy your stay."

It was dark out, with stars that seemed to light the night sky. There was no moon, though, so it wasn't too bright. Not bright enough for anyone to recognize the princess sneaking away from home. Forever.

Suddenly, I saw it: a ship that was large, but not very noticeable. There was writing on the side: Princess.

I knew my father didn't want to put my mother's name on it because he knew she would always be with him and he knew his "little princess" couldn't. So he named his ship just after my mother had given birth to me.

"Zelda!" I turned, seeing Henry right behind me.

"I figured you'd show up."

"Zelda," he said, and I could hear the desperation in his voice. It was strange-he normally saved me. He never sounded like he needed help. He might sound stressed, but that wasn't the same. "You can't go."

"Why not?"

"Running away is never the answer." He pulled Hero up beside me. "You know the story of my father-how he ran away to Neverland, joined Hook, and ran away again. It's not the answer."

"It is if you're going to be forced to marry someone who you know you won't like after being in the same room with them for two minutes," I grumbled.

"Zelda." He reached over and grabbed my hand. I felt my heart start to beat faster, but tried to ignore it. "What about your parents? Your life here?"

I looked him in the eyes. They seemed to sparkle with hope. Hope that I would stay.

Stay and give up my freedom.

"I can leave it behind."

He eyes seemed to dull again, as they had earlier. "Then," he said as he dropped my hand, "I guess this is good bye."

"I guess it is."

I hopped off Crystal's back.

"Will you take care of her for me?" I asked. "Just as one last thing to do for me?"

He offered a sad smile and took her reins. "To say good bye."

I ran towards the ship. I got on, and couldn't help looking back.

"You'll visit me sometime, won't you?" he called.

I gave him a quick smirk and answered, "If I remember."

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