Hi everyone. Here is a story that I am very excited to do. It will be a mixture of Brother Grimm's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White and Rose Red, and both Brother Grimm's and Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty, though it will lean more towards the Brother Grimm's version. There will be one more version I'll be using, but I'll kept that a secret for now. To not get confused, I'll clarify on Sleeping Beauty. There will be two parts just like Perrault's version, however, the first part will go more the Grimm Brother's way. The second part of the story will be a future story that I will one day return on.
You'll know which fairytale I feel more passionately about if the number of chapters ranges from 20-25. Just like the previous Eternal Märchen, The House Amongst Twilight, a character will be the narrator of the story, but will also have a P.O.V so you'll know the story from their perceptive and not just from the narration.
Also this story is created as a birthday present for my cousin's 20th birthday. She loves the story of Sleeping Beauty and since we don't visit often, this will be my present for her. Happy Birthday, dear cousin!
Chapter 1: The Rose Princess' Curse
-Narration-
Let me tell you of the story of two beautiful princesses. Before the birth of the Guardian of Earth, long time ago, there were two girls- sisters in fact. Each one is different and complete the other in their own ways. They were the Guardians of Fire and Ice. My name is Giselle and how do I know the story? You'll soon find out.
A devastating curse has spread in the land of Switzerland. Snow that continued to fall without end. In another kingdom, where the white castle stands, another curse rise in its thorny grip. The cold winter that brings sorrow and death in one and bringing eternal slumber in another... It all began in the Kingdom of Adelaide, where it all happened.
In the year of 1883, there is a great kingdom on St. Moritz, Switzerland. The Kingdom of Adelaide. It started out with the Queen who wished to have a child. She has beautiful sunshine hair and mesmerizing green eyes. She would wear a beautiful bright green dress that would compliment her eyes. She came from a french family and have met and fell in love with a Prince.
He was very charming, with black hair and blue eyes. His clothes belong to royalty, often wearing red which goes well with her green. He was the only heir to the royal family and when he met her, it was love at first sight. They wed and she became his Queen and he became her King. Though she loved her husband very much, she wished for a child to bring her the joy of being a mother. She would watch the children of her subjects as she walked in the royal gardens. She watched as all the mothers would dress their daughters in adorable dresses with long laces, brush their long hair with beautiful combs, and giving them the first fruit on their annual picnics.
Though both the King and Queen are very loved by their people, the love of their subjects doesn't compare to the love between a child and their parents. They would pray to the Lord to blessed them with a child. That is where the tale shall begin...
-Giselle's P.O.V-
I have always wished for a child for a very long time. A child, who is desired in summer. However, my wish may not come true for my prayers have gone without answers. No matter how much I wished and hoped, my dreams for a child was probably not meant to be...
In the bright, tender warmth of spring, I was in the gardens to pick the many beautiful roses that blossomed in the royal gardens in the morning. I tend to my garden with so much care that if only I had a child to share my love with. My garden has a variety of flowers. Roses, are my personal favorite. Others include lilies, sunflowers, and... Edelweiss, my husband's favorite and the symbol of the kingdom's emblem. I also collect other unique flowers that normally doesn't grow in the kingdom such as bellflowers, daisies and forget-me-not. These flowers each have their own spots to grow separately from the others, but the royal garden is mostly overflowed with roses and edelweiss.
My part of garden has both red and white roses. As I noticed a lonely red rose that is isolated amidst the other roses, I felt the need to pick it so it can join the others that is in my basket. I tried to reached out for the rose, until I accidentally pricked my finger on one of the sharp thorns. As my finger bleed, three drops of blood fell onto the ground. To sooth the pain in my finger, I placed it towards my lips. After a couple of minutes, I let out a sad sigh as I stared at the three drops of blood that have stained the ground.
"I wish to have a daughter with lips as beautiful as this rose, skin as fair as summer's day, eyes as red as the passionate flame, and hair as golden as the first rays of dawn."
That was my wish. A wish that will never happen. One day, as it was getting closer to being summer, my husband thought it was best for me to refresh myself in a beautiful crystal-blue pond. While I was bathing into the cool waters, I saw three children playing in the forest. Their laughter filled my heart with sadness.
'They are so lucky to have little ones.' I thought, slightly envious of the mothers, who can have children.
When I got out of the pool to put on a white robe, a tiny green frog came into my view. It landed on a rock near me as I felt the relaxing breeze of the wind.
"Why are you so sad, my Queen?" he asked. I noticed the little creature in shock, surprised that it can speak. "Please do not let my appearance judge your opinion on me for I used to be of royalty."
"You can speak?" I questioned the little frog.
"Like I said before, I used to be royalty. I was once a Prince." the Frog Prince replied. "Now, why are you sad, my Queen?" he repeat his question.
"I longed for a daughter." I answered in sadness. "I want to experience the joy of raising a child."
"Then do not despair, my Queen." the Frog Prince offered me comfort. "For your wish of having a child will be born in less than one year."
I could not believed the news. It just seemed so... Unbelievable.
"But how-" I stopped to noticed that the Frog Prince has disappeared.
I didn't know how to feel once I returned to the castle. It just doesn't seem true. Though I do wonder, was the Frog Prince a messenger of the Lord? And he was sent to answer my prayers?
Almost one year have passed and on the first day of June, I gave birth to a beautiful daughter just exactly how I wanted her to be. She has fiery ruby-red eyes, cherry-pink lips, rosy cheeks, yellow blonde hair like the golden sun, and beautiful fair skin like the day.
-Narration-
The King and Queen are blessed to have a child after their long years of praying. To celebrate the Princess' birth, the King and Queen held a festive celebration for their daughter. Everyone was to be invited to share their joy of the birth of their Princess.
The King and Queen sat on their golden throne. The Princess was sleeping in a flower cradle with a canopy on top and a crystal chandler above her, reflecting many colors such as pink, yellow, white, blue, and a hint of green.
-Charles' P.O.V-
It was a very festive day. We finally have a child to love and care. No more will we need to be sad. To celebrate this special occasion, I invited the twelve wise women that are scattered throughout the land. Once all the guests have arrived to the castle, I rise from my throne along with my wife.
"We have gathered today for a very special day." I announce to all my subjects. "A day of happiness and life, for we now have an heir to the Kingdom of Adelaide!"
The people cheered and clapped at the great news until I hold out a hand for silence. Giselle then step forward.
"Everyone, we are honored to have all of you to come and to celebrate the birth of our daughter, Princess Rosalie Red. Rose Red for short." she replied as another cheer and clap filled the halls.
As we both sat back on our throne, the announcer pulled out a scroll as he read from the long list of paper.
"The twelve wise women, who shall bless the Princess with their gifts..." as he announce the names of each sisters, one by one, they came to bow in front of their King and Queen.
-Narration-
Each wise women dress the color that correspond with their gemstone names. As each wise women are being called, one by one, their dresses became more and more casual as their age are getting younger. From eldest to youngest, from formal to causal.
From oldest to youngest, the wise women are Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Alexandrite, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Citrine, and Topaz. Each sisters represent the twelve months, birthstones, and birth month flowers.
Once the announcer finished introducing each wise women, the King got up to declare a feast before the blessing of Princess Rose Red. The twelve wise women were excited as they headed for the long dining table. The table was grand, complete with twelve golden plates and utensils for the twelve wise women, who will become the Princess' godmothers.
However, before they could eat, a loud noise caught their attention. Thunder boomed despite it wasn't raining outside. A smoke of dark magic swirled at the entrance until it disappeared to reveal someone, who was not very pleased.
Agate, the thirteenth wise woman, has appeared! She was dressed in both red and black. Her angry face worried the King and Queen for they realized their mistake in forgetting to invite her.
-Agate's P.O.V-
I was very pissed at the King and Queen. They have invited all the wise women, who are scattered across the land, yet they dare to not invite me? I am the most powerful sorceress in all the land! This was just unforgivable!
As I approached the castle, I heard my "sisters" whispering my name is worry. I stopped once I got some distance between myself and the royal couple.
"Am I not worthy to be invited to your daughter's celebration?" I demanded an answer.
King Charles rise from his seat to speak, "We're so sorry, Agate. It was an honest mistake."
"Hm..." I thought for a moment at the King's answer.
His apology sound sincere. Despite it could be a misunderstanding, that still doesn't make up for forgetting to invite me. Queen Giselle then rise from her seat to speak her mind.
"Please, dine with us and share our joy in the celebration of the Princess' birth."
I nod my head slowly as the servants gave me an extra chair for me to sit. As they gave me food on plate, I began to notice something different. I wasn't given any golden plates or utensils. What I got were silver plates and utensils while the other wise women have golden ones. How insulting!
"Oh, you think that just because I'm more older, wiser, and more powerful that I don't get the same thing as all the other younger women have. Very well, I won't let this insult go unpunished." I muttered quietly.
-Narration-
After the feast, the twelve wise women were ready to give the Princess their blessing. Starting from the oldest to the youngest...
Garnet first step up as Princess Rose Red started to awaken. She give the little Princess the gift of virtue so she can grow up as a noble Princess with a heart of purity. The gift of wisdom was Amethyst's, so the Princess will have knowledge and will display wit during any time. So that she can grow up into a beautiful girl just like her name and what her mother wishes her to be, Aquamarine gave her the gift of beauty. Diamond blessed her with wealth to share her riches with everyone. Modesty was Emerald's gift so she will have simplicity. Common sense was Alexandrite's gift. The gift of generosity was Ruby's. The next four gifts were talent, compassion, humor, and understanding given by Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, and Citrine.
As the thirteenth wise woman step up to present her gift, everyone else were tense at what she will do. However, rather than gifting the Princess with a blessing, she plans on placing a curse on her!
-Agate's P.O.V-
"Because of your insolence for not inviting me and for insulting me, your daughter shall pay for your crimes. So let me spice this feast of blessings with a curse of my own!"
As I made the announcement, the King, Queen, and royal subjects gasped in shock.
"No!" Queen Giselle dreaded the horrible news as she tries to reach the cradle.
She wanted to take her daughter away from me, but her husband hold her back. How smart, yet foolish of him. He may have protected his wife from me, but not his daughter from my curse! As I rise my black wand in the air, I started to cast my curse.
"On her 15th birthday, the Princess' destiny, spun by the wheels of Fate, is to pricked her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. She'll shall fall to the ground and die!" I exclaim in spite.
"No!" the Queen cried as she buried her face in her hands.
The King looked shocked and hurt as my "sisters" gasped at my terrible curse. The subjects were mumbling in worry and concern. Watching as the Queen fell on her knees in despair made my day. I laugh with full of content as the King looked at me with rage in his eyes.
"Seize that witch!" he ordered the guards.
"Foolish choice!" I laugh in delight as I disappeared in a smoke of dark magic before they can catch me.
-Giselle's P.O.V-
This couldn't be happening. My beautiful daughter is curse to die. Why? Why did this have to happen? How can Fate be so cruel? I walked towards my daughter with my husband holding me. I was grateful for him, for if he didn't support me, I would have probably collapsed. As I hold my little girl in my arms, I cried even more. Even with Charles supporting me, I still fell onto my knees as I hold onto my beloved daughter.
"Is... Is she really your sister?" I heard Charles asked the wise women. I looked up to see all of them shook their heads no.
"She's not by blood, but we consider her as our sister." Aquamarine answered.
The last wise woman, Topaz, stepped up. She knelt to my level with a hand on my shoulder for comfort.
"Don't worry, Your Majesties. I still haven't given my gift yet." Topaz told me.
"Then, the curse can be remove?" Charles asked hopefully as I placed Rose back into her cradle.
Garnet shook her head and then spoke, "Agate is more powerful than all of us. Even we don't know how she rise into power. Topaz is our youngest sister, so her magic isn't strong enough to break her curse."
"However, it can be enough to weaken it." Ruby added hopefully.
"Please, anything to save her." I pleaded as the last wise woman nods her head.
"For a hundred years, the Princess' body will lay in repose after the spindle's prick. Until a noble prince plays his part, the princess shall awaken, proven that he of a pure heart. His courage shall shine above for the Princess' awakening is proof of True Love. The tale of Sleeping Beauty shall end in bliss for it will begin with True Love's kiss." she cast her counter-spell with a wave of her wand.
-Narration-
Suddenly, a light shined as someone else came into view. A beautiful woman with fair skin and green eyes. She has long dark brown hair. Her dress is a lovely shade of shamrock green with the first layer being white and the second layer being green with a hint of blue. The second layer of the skirt was split in the front and parted to the side, revealing the first white layer, like a curtain. On her head is a floral crown with hints of green leaves. At the center is a blue and green orb.
The wise women gasped in surprise. It was Mother Nature, the Queen of the Earth. She was most known as a powerful nature spirit by the people since ancient times. Everyone, even the King and Queen, bowed in front of the elegant woman.
-Mother Nature's P.O.V-
"Rise." I told the King and Queen, my voice was assuring them as they did as I instruct.
"Mother Nature, why are you here?" King Charles questioned me.
I looked at the cradle where my first guardian shall be made as I smiled at them, "I also came to give my gift to the sweet Princess. Like the dawn of the day, she, one of the three lights, is blessed with tender love. The flame and roses shall protect her until she awakens to anew."
Yes, Princess Rosalie Red shall be my first guardian, for I blessed her with one of the elements of the Earth. Because she is blessed with my blessing, she shall have eternal life and a portion of my powers. The Rose Princess has received the gift and protection of the flames and wild roses (Rosa Eglanteria).
After I give the Princess my gift, I disappeared in a flash of light.
-Charles' P.O.V-
Despite Rose's destiny has been altered, I still cannot take the risk. Therefore I ordered for all the spindles, spinning wheels, and anything that might have the same affects as one to be burned. Anyone who is found owning one shall be locked in the dungeons as a traitor to their King and Queen.
That is how the we finished the first day as the sun began to set.
I hope you have enjoyed this first chapter.
The name "Adelaide" in French (or German, depending on your research) means noble/nobility or sweet.
The name "Rosalie" is a french variation of the Latin/Italian "Rosalia" which means Rose.
The reason I gave Rose the flower "Rosa Eglanteria" is because it also is called Sweet Briar Rose. In my opinion, it is better than the traditional roses. Plus, the traditional roses will be taken by someone else. Be sure to review. Bye.