Welcome! Thank you for checking out this story! Like the description suggested, it is going to be incorporating the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses into the Storybrooke we know and love. In addition, there will be chapters written from back in the Enchanted Forest, before the curse took place, following the real story of how it happened. The rest of the chapters will, of course, take place in Storybrooke.

You don't necessarily need to know the original story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but if you do it will definitely be helpful in picking up on a lot of things in this story. (Even reading the Wikipedia summary will be good)

This story is co-written by myself, who will be writing the Enchanted Forest chapters, as well as Piper's POV, and my best mate and fellow writer, Madison/Finn, who will be writing Amelia's POV.

Remember to review to let us know if you like it, and what you might want to see!

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Enchanted Forest

"Almost a hundred people," David read from the piece of parchment in his shaking hands. "A hundred people dead, even more injured. Aid was sent to the village an hour ago." He put the paper down on the table next to him and sat down, burying his face in his hands. "It can't erase what's been done. These people's lives are ruined. Innocent people. And entire village of them-"

"We're doing all that we can," he was interrupted by Snow, who crossed the room to try reassuring him. "The survivors of the attack will be taken care of to the best of our ability." She offered him a small, comforting smile, but it did little to calm him.

"It doesn't matter what we do, it's just going to happen again," he reminded her. And he was right; this feud had been going on long before he and Snow had taken the throne, and there was no end in sight. This conflict was a deeply rooted one, making it impossible to ever negotiate peace; it was hard to compromise when hardly anyone could remember what had even began it.

"So we strike back," Snow said, her voice much less confident than before. She didn't like suggesting it, of course, but it was the only solution either side had ever come to.

There was silence in the room, both trying to think their way through a decades-old problem. It seemed like there was nothing else they could do besides what had always been done: wait some time while the other kingdom let their guard down, and then attack them in the same way they had been attacked.

"No," David said, standing suddenly. "This can't continue. We're not throwing away any more lives over this. It has to end."

"I know that's what we all want," Snow allowed. "But we've tried negotiating peace before and it never works."

"We have to try harder," he argued, the fire in his voice becoming more intense. "There must be something they want that we can give. Something we can use to convince them to end this."

"I suppose…" Snow responded, taking a few moments to think of what that thing might be.

"I'll send a message to their King," David decided. "Asking for audience with him. I'm done sending delegates to handle this. I'm going myself to ask what we could trade for peace."

It was settled. Neither of them could think of another solution that didn't involve the death of innocent people on either side, and that wasn't something they were willing to put on the line. A letter was sent to the King, requesting for David to come speak with him personally. And, days later, a response was delivered.

"You don't think you're going alone, do you?" Snow asked, crossing her arms as she watched David pack up a small riding satchel with things he would need for the journey.

"I have to," he said. "One of the King Bernard's conditions is that I come without any knights or guards of any kind. It's to show that there is trust between us."

"Then don't bring a guard, I'll go with you." She was confused as to why he hadn't already put this thought into consideration.

"You can't come with me, you're needed here," he said, putting down his satchel to take her hands. "Our kingdom still needs a leader. With the recent attack and their King knowing I am away, we're more vulnerable than ever. I could trust no one else with the safety of our people."

She wanted to argue, but how could she? As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. Leaving their kingdom without either of their leaders might lead to disaster, even if it was just for a short amount of time.

"Promise me you'll be careful?" she said, still holding onto his hands tightly.

"I promise," he said. "I'll be back before you know it. Tomorrow morning, at the very latest."

There wasn't anything else to be said. It was something that needed to be done, no matter how much they disliked it.

The two kingdoms were neighboring, so it was less than a day's ride. Although the business to be discussed was serious, David was grateful for the hours spent just riding through his kingdom, not having to think about much, other than the steady rise and fall of the horse's gait and the comforting sound of hooves hitting the ground in a repetitive pattern.

It was only early evening by the time he arrived at the gates of the palace. He had never been there himself before, always sending delegates and other officials when there needed to be face to face meetings. The castle looked far less...sinister than he had expected. After the decades of picturing this as place of pure evil, responsible for the death of hundreds of his people, he was surprised to see that there was nothing colder looking here than in his own kingdom.

Almost immediately upon approaching the gates, he was greeted by the king's guards, all who seemed less than trusting of his arrival. One took his horse to the stables to be taken care of, and the rest escorted him through the entrance of the castle, straight into the king's throne room.

He didn't notice them enter, at first. He looked like he was lost deep in thought, wringing his hands anxiously. He looked nothing like the cruel leader David had pictured sending out the orders to attack the village's in which his people lived. His dark curly hair was in disarray, like he hadn't thought to tame it in days, and his clothes were ill-fitting, as though he had lost too much weight recently from worry.

One of the guards cleared his throat as he and the others stood in attention, gaining the focus of the King. David knelt in front of him. "King Bernard, your Majesty," he greeted politely. Despite his negative thoughts on the King after his attacks had cost his kingdom so much, he was willing to show him respect if it meant they could speak of peace.

The king motioned for him to rise. "Welcome," he said, his voice even and well trained, though even he couldn't keep hints of exhaustion for seeping into his tone. Something was bothering him, something that had been on his mind for a long time; David could tell.

"Your majesty, I stated in my letter that have come here to discuss a treaty of peace between our kingdoms," David continued, wanting to get to the point quickly. "And, judging by the fact that you agreed for me to come here, I'm assuming that is something you are interested in?" King Bernard nodded gravely, letting out a sigh before straightening in his chair.

"I do agree with you that this feud has gone on far too long with no results but the deaths of innocent people. But my council would never let me form a treaty with you or your kingdom without some kind of compensation." He rested his chin in his hand for a moment, thinking, before sitting up again. "I'll make you a deal, King David," he said. "Have you heard of the task I have made available to the men of my kingdom?"

David shook his head. "I don't believe I have."

"It is as follows," he said, leaning forward as if he had explained it to many people before. "My family faces somewhat of a mystery. As you may know, I have twelve beautiful daughters that my late wife left me. They are perfect pictures of kindness and grace, naturally. But, for over a year, they have been wearing out their shoes rather quickly. I noticed when it seemed that every morning they would be requesting for new ones to be made, even though theirs were only days old. I looked at these shoes that they wanted to replace and saw that they were in absolute tatters.

"Naturally, I assumed that the only way that they were wearing them out so quickly is that they were sneaking out in the evenings, in their new shoes, and wearing them out by morning.

"Now, of course, being concerned for their wellbeing, and appalled at the idea of them disobeying me by sneaking out with me unaware, I took precautions. Every night, I locked their bedroom door from the outside and had a guard standing watch outside their door. But still, it remains the same. They go to bed with new shoes tucked under their beds, and in the morning they are in tatters."

"Excuse me, sir," David said. "But I'm wondering what this has to do with our treaty?"

"Ah, yes," the King resumed. "I put out a message to all the men in my kingdom that if anyone could find out where my daughters go at night and how they are getting there, they will have my blessing to take any of their hands in marriage. Many of tried, none have succeeded.

"Now, I know that you are happily married, sir David, but I would be willing to bend the prize for you. If you are able to figure out what is happening with my daughters within three nights, you have my word that our kingdoms will be at peace at last."

David thought for a moment. There had to be something that everyone else who had tried was missing. They were just young girls; there was no way for them to simple disappear in the night without ever being detected. If this was the condition to peace at last, then he was willing to try.

"I accept your proposition," he said confidently. King Bernard smiled.

"Wonderful. I do have faith in your abilities." He paused. "However, I must warn you, there is a stipulation that comes along with this task that all of the other men who made the attempt agreed to, therefore it would not be right to excuse you from it."

"What is it?" David asked.

"If you are not able to figure out where they are going within three nights, you will be put to death."

"Your majesty-" David stammered in protest.

"I'm sorry, but it is the law of the task," King Bernard said, his voice firm.

David thought it over, turning the idea over in his head for a few long moments. "Deal," he said at last.

XxXxXxXx

David was back on his horse only hours before the sun would set. He hadn't thought it would be possible, but he was even more worried now than he had been on the way there.

He had to solve the mystery in three days, or he would be killed. Was it even possible? It hadn't been to the men who had tried before...but that didn't mean it was impossible. Besides, what choice did he have? It was either risk his own life, or guarantee the deaths of countless more innocent people who would die in future attacks.

He had barely made it a mile out of the kingdom before his horse halted to a sudden stop, throwing David efficiently from its back. David sputtered on the ground, recovering from the hard fall and assessing any damage that had been done.

Nothing more than a few scrapes and bruises, but his concern remained. He grabbed the horse's reins before it had the chance to run off, and looked around for what could have startled it.

"Well, well," a familiar voice said from behind him. David spun quickly, facing Rumplestiltskin's grinning face. He took a cautious step back, narrowing his eyes as he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"What do you want?" he asked in a warning voice. Rumplestiltskin touched his fingers together in delight.

"I hear you've made a little deal with the King of this land," he started, the awful smile still on his face. "And as you know, deals are my specialty."

"You don't have any part in this," David snapped, knowing that deals made with Rumplestiltskin almost never ended well.

"Not yet I don't," he continued. "However, I get the feeling that you aren't too excited about the chance of being executed?" He paused, waiting for David's reaction. "I'm willing to help you avoid that fate."

"How?" he asked, not able to resist the temptation of even a little bit of assistance.

"I have something that will help you get all the information you need about the King's darling daughters," he baited.

"And what will you want in return?" David asked, knowing that he would never make a deal without asking for something to trade.

"Oh, just one little item," he said casually, walking back and forth slowly as if he didn't have a care in the world. "When you follow the princesses to their hidden rendezvous spot, you will see a certain golden chalice. Bring that back for me, and your end of the bargain will be fulfilled."

David hesitated. It seemed easy enough, if he found out a way to follow the princesses, there shouldn't be much trouble bringing back a chalice.

"And what are you offering me?" he asked.

"Two very important things that you will need. First, a piece of advice. Second, a cloak of invisibility that will allow you to follow the princesses without being seen. Quite the bargain." He smiled. "Do we have a deal?" David paused, thinking it over.

"Deal," David said, for the second time that day.