A long time ago, in a land far away, an old woman knocked upon the door of a young prince. The handsome young man opened his door, grumbling as the rain flew into his castle. "What do you want, old woman?" he called over the rain. The old woman looked up at him, and he grimaced, repulsed by her hideous face
"Please, your highness. I ask for one night of shelter from this harsh rain, and in return, I will offer you, this single rose," she held the rose high for his offering, and Prince Jerome sneered at her.
"Get away from here, you old hag! And stay away!" but just before he could slam the door, the old hag began to glow and glimmer uncontrollably. He watched in awe as she became a simply beautiful enchantress. She looked down upon him in her new form, disappointment in her eyes. He fell to his knees, ignoring the ice cold rain "I beg your forgiveness!" he cried, for his father had warned him of witches and fairies, yet he still had not learnt.
"You have not learnt what your father taught you, Prince." She sang his thoughts "And your punishment, you will lose the looks you treasure, and will remain, forever hideous, until you love someone, and they love you in return."
"No!" Jerome cried "No! Don't! Please! I'll give you anything, money riches-"
"2 years today," the enchantress continued "Or the spell will last, forever."
Jerome slammed the door as if that would stop the curse. And he ran up the stairs and into his chambers. He looked into the mirror, and gasped at his reflection. He fell to his knees. His hair was gone, and his face was scarred. Ugly, vine like tattoos along his arms. The only thing he recognised was his glittering blue eyes, which were suddenly filled with tears. He had become the very thing he despised. In a fit of rage Jerome smashed the mirror, and then all the mirrors in his home. He closed all the curtains, and turned off the lights. Crawling to the window, to see that the enchantress had once again become an old woman, wondering off down the street.
Line Break
"You know, Mara," Jake grinned "Your constant rejection just makes me more eager." He bounded alongside the small girl.
Mara rolled her eyes, carrying her basket of books through the small village "But I still won't go out with you,"
"What if I offered to pick you some apples?" he plucked one up from a stall as they passed it "They keep the doctor away,"
"What will keep you away?" Mara joked, tucking a stray lock behind her ear, she turned to Jake. "I think you should go and talk to Joy, I know she likes you,"
Jake frowned at her, nudging her shoulder "You're just trying to get rid of me."
Mara laughed, glancing up at the sky "Hey, we better head back, it looks like rain," she smiled, stopping to let an old woman pass her, when she noticed the old woman was soaked. "Excuse me!" she called after her, the old woman turned, but kept her head down "Are you alright?"
"Yes dear," she sounded happy enough, so Mara smiled and turned to walk away with Jake.
I know, where have I been? Just a little inspiration, I was reading my old snow white story, and I wondered where Beauty and the Beast might take me.
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