Hello- this is my first Swan lake/fairy tale fanfic. i've written for books before not stories. this is based on act two of swan lake- a fleshed out story. the music from the swan lake ballet that corresponds is

No. 11 Scène: Allegro moderato, Moderato, Allegro vivo

Please R and R everyone, even if you hated it.

Odette

I flew into the clearing, lighting gently on the ground. I felt myself become human. As I assumed my true shape, I felt wings recede and feathers disappear. I was free.

At night, I could be freed from my bonds of swan. Soon, my friends would join me in human form, to dance through the night. Dance was our only form of human pleasure, it was so much like flying.

I stretched my arms gracefully over my head, their movements still imitating wings. Gently, I brushed off the feathers still left. As always, I checked my gown, stiff white layers formed a short skirt that flared out. Over it were layers of silver, jewels and feathers. My hair was pulled back, a crown of feathers resting on it. I glanced around, elated at the arrival of night.

Then I saw him. A man. Dressed in a long sleeved shirt and tight leggings of a gray-green color.

I started, for it had been too long since I had seen a human man. Pulling back, I wished for my swan form so I might fly away.

Then, terror struck me, the man carried a crossbow. He was a hunter.

I turned and ran, lightly to the other side, far away from this man. I was not willing to leave yet, curiosity overruled fear.

I cowered behind my arms, terrified. What if he killed me? Who would help my sister swans, under the same curse that I was?

The man did not approach, so, I peered from behind my arms.

Suddenly, he was there, in front of me, trying to capture me. I was cornered! He ran in front of me again. He had left his bow behind!! At least he would not shoot me yet.

Finally, I managed to find my way out. Using my arms, I tried to block the man. I ducked under his arms, avoiding capture. Exhausted, I ran back, the man was wary and did not venture closer.

Breathing hard, I cowered again. Now terrified of this man, I hid, hoping my arms would somehow make me invisible. If I held, perfectly still, he might not see mej. If only I had room to become a swan again and fly away. Maybe the man had abandoned his attempts of capture, I relaxed slightly.

Then, a hand closed over my arm. I was yanked around to see the face of a man, a triumphant grin on his face. His free arm quickly grabbed my other hand and we were face to face.

His eyes were just above my own. His face was exotic. High cheekbones, set into a gaunt face. His smile was toothy and he had shoulder length hair, dark brown. He was very handsome for a human.

A sense of electricity seemed to pass through our touching hands. A feeling I had never felt before, like a jolt.

His eyes were wide with curiosity as they stared into my own. Almost shocked.

Sucking in a breath, I yanked one of my hands away and leaned back, to escape. The man broke away as well and being stronger, yanked me towards him.

I began to shake, what if he killed me? I had a chance to live, even under a curse. I wouldn't abandon the others to the sorcerer, who had imprisoned us in swans' bodies. I alone could break the curse.

The man pulled me to him and spun me around, my feet touching the earth. I frantically flapped my arms in a flying motion to escape. Then he let me go, dropping his arm from me.

I leaned back suddenly, feeling weak, and he caught me. Bending back he took my weight. I stayed there for a luxurious second, before my brain realized what happened and I pulled out of his grasp.

Oh dear, I thought Too close, too close. Swiftly, I ran to the my hiding spot and cowered again.

Now, when he snuck up on me, I was expecting it. A warm hand caught mine and turned me around. I resisted less. He still pulled me towards him, determined. I was struck again by his handsomeness. This time, I was spun around, my feet lifted off the floor, now I was frantic again.

I was in love with this man, his looks and resolution. I loved him. His love could break the wizard, Rothbart's, curse. For, my friends and I would be cursed to be swans at day and women at night until a man proclaimed his love to me and decided to marry me.

No man had seen us before, and so none could love me. My friends would be doomed to dance at night, every night, until they died or Rothbart's curse was broken.

Finally, this man set me down and went to his knee. "May I ask who you are, fair lady?" he posed.

Stepping back, I murmured, "I am Odette, princess over my people."

"Highness, I too am royalty, the prince, Siegfried. Are you woman or swan and who are your people?"

"I am woman by night, swan by day. My people are my friends and the same."

"Who did this to you?"

"I am under a curse, a wizard, Rothbart, set upon me. Only a man's love and marriage to me will break it," I was shocked at my revealing so much. I stepped back, "Oh, Dear."

Prince Siegfried approached and lifted me above his head. I was scared, but tried to remain dignified. Now, the prince knew my curse, he could break it.

Gently, the prince led me over, I stood in front of him , his hands were around my waist.

Then, I heard a great hooting. Rothbart had arrived in the form of a giant owl. Spreading his wings wide, I bent backward in submission.

I pulled myself away from Siegfried and ran to Von Rothbart. "Please," I pleaded, "Please spare us," my hands were pleading.

"Odette," he boomed, "This is your destiny. To be a swan forever, do not go against it."

"Stop," I was suddenly adamant, "Stop!"

I turned and saw Siegfried and added, "Stop! His death will make the curse forever."

When he did not back down, I used my body to shield Rothbart's, if he was killed, it was not myself I was concerned with. My friends would too, be trapped forever.

"Odette," Siegfried pleaded, "Move aside."

"Stop," I gestured.

Running, I touched his shoulders in parting, before turned to Von Rothbart. With dignity, I turned and left, Rothbart behind me.

Author Note- This story is based off the classical choreography of the ballet of swan lake, if you know the ballet, look at the story for clues. Please R and R any way.