chapter one
ROWAN

"You're late," Ben sang as Rowan ran into the room, nearly tripping over his feet in his own haste to get inside. He glowered at Ben, quickly flipping him off before the royal tailor could see him as he took a seat near the window, dropping his school bag at his feet. "Bad night?" Ben asked, glancing at Rowan with concern. Rowan hesitated, wondering what to say, before he shook his head, deciding that whatever lie he made up was better than the truth.

"No, just weird dreams," Rowan replied smoothly (though somewhat true, he'd gotten used to the weird dreams. Always the same, never making any sense). "But I did wake up late. That's my fault; I put my alarm in my calculator because I was too tired to realize what was happening." Ben snickered, and Rowan cracked a smile, knowing the situation, while bad for him, was still funny. "So I know you're making your big announcement soon, but why now? As in, this time? You would think you would choose a time after six in the morning to do it, not before..." Rowan grumbled, grinning when Ben shot him a look.

"It was the only time my parents and I were free to meet about it," Ben said, "and as my royal adviser, you're supposed to not have an attitude about when I ask you to wake up."

"I'm actually supposed to advise you as your royal advisor. It's in the name," Rowan grumbled, yawning when he was finished. Ben rolled his eyes fondly, wincing as the tailor accidentally poked him with the needle. The man muttered a quick apology but did not stop at his work. In fact, he had only begun to get working the moment Rowan and Ben mentioned that the king and queen of Auradon were stopping by. Rowan decided not to comment.

"Well, school starts at ten, so we have four hours to get this proclamation out of the way." Rowan stood up. "We need to get this suit done, tell your parents about this idea - don't back down, remember, and don't forget the names! - that you had, grab breakfast ... oh, and you need to meet up with Audrey to discuss your outfits for your coronation," Rowan listed. "Not to mention homework, after-school activities, and, most importantly, putting your plan into action." He stopped counting the list on his fingers and looked up at Ben, who raised an eyebrow. "What? Royal advisor, you know."

"You should try an activity after school, Roo. We have an art club," Ben reminded.

"Yes, but that would take time that I don't have. Frankly, neither do you, but we'll deal with it when we cross that bridge," Rowan huffed. Ben frowned. "Look, I know you want me to focus on my life, but I don't have one. So let me help you focus on yours, because you do have one, and, really, you have too much of one, if you ask me, and it's too much for one person to handle alone. Especially if they are the future ruler of a kingdom," Rowan added quickly, seeing Ben start to protest. Ben threw up his arms in exasperation, earning a startled noise from the tailor.

Ben sighed. "Remind me what the names are again."

"It's-"

"How is it possible you're going to be crowned king next month?" a booming voice asked. Rowan glanced at the king as he entered the room, the queen by his side. He smiled nervously and bowed before stepping back, meeting Ben's eyes and giving him a nod of support. Ben nodded, glancing at the Isle of the Lost, which could be seen from the window, before smiling at his parents. "You're just a baby!" the king continued. Rowan wrinkled his nose; a teenager hardly qualified as a child, much less a baby.

"He's turning sixteen, dear," Belle reminded.

"Sixteen? That's far too young to be crowned king! I didn't make a good decision until I was at least ... forty-two!" Rowan frowned. They why would you crown him at such a young age? he thought, though he didn't dare to voice his opinion; even if he hadn't been talking to the king and queen of Auradon, he was still talking to his best friend's parents.

Belle scoffed. "Uh, you married me while you were twenty-eight."

As they joked around, Rowan stepped between them and Ben, moving to the other side of the room to get a snack. "Good morning, Rowan. How's your mother?" Belle asked, stopping him. Rowan faced her, smiling sheepishly. He bowed again, but she shook her head, so he quickly stood straight.

"She's great, your highness! Evna should be born any day now" Rowan answered. She smiled, nodding to him. "Dad's staying by her side until I find time to get out there."

"Well, why don't you go this weekend?" she asked, frowning.

Rowan shook his head "No time. Between school, this proclamation, and Ben's already-too-busy schedule, I don't have a spare second to spend." He turned around and busied himself with making a mini breakfast, ignoring the hum of disapproval from Belle. Ben decided to seize this moment to tell them about his new plan.

"Mom, Dad..." He took a deep breath and looked to Rowan, who nodded. Ben went to take a step off the pedestal but was stopped by the tailor, who tutted. Ben stepped back, looking startled; Rowan giggled. "I've chosen my first official proclamation," Ben continued, composing himself. The king and queen shared a look, pride shining in their eyes. Rowan winced, knowing what was coming next. "I've decided that the children on the Isle of the Lost be given a chance ... to live herein Auradon."

Belle dropped the jacket she was holding, letting out an audible gasp; Adam lost the pleased smile he'd worn only moments before. Ben shot Rowan a helpless look, but Rowan motioned for him to continue, knowing Ben was able to. "Every time I look out to the island, I feel like they've been abandoned!" Ben insisted.

"The children of our sworn enemies, living among us?" the king demanded, aghast.

"We start out with a few at first, only the ones who need our help the most," Ben continued, growing more confident when his mother nodded, respect in her eyes. "Rowan's already chosen them, and I was-"

"What game are you playing, Fitzherbert?" the king demanded, rounding on Rowan; he took a step back, terrified, before gathering his courage. If his dad could face off against an evil witch, Rowan could go head-to-head with a temperamental king, even if the said king had the ability to, say, banish him from Auradon (even though he wouldn't, not really).

"The kids did nothing wrong. And they're kids. Are we supposed to leave them in the hands of villains? We know their parents aren't good people, so why would we put them through that, your highness? Why should they suffer because of their parents?" he demanded, not believing he was actually saying this to the king's face. He met Belle's eyes behind him. "You of all people should know about giving people second chances!"

"Enough!" Ben snapped. Rowan scowled, crossing his arms and turning to face him.

"They're right. I gave you a second chance," Belle said quietly, resting a hand on her husband's arm. She smiled sweetly at Ben, though it looked forced. "Who are their parents?"

Ben glanced at Rowan curiously, obviously confused about why Rowan had been so specific about the parents. Rowan swallowed, pleading with him to say it. "Cruella de Vil ... Jafar ... Evil Queen ..." He straightened his back, took a deep breath, and steeled himself. "And Maleficent."

The tailor yelped and dropped the item he was holding onto the ground, starling Rowan. "Maleficent!" the king exclaimed, not as a question, but like he couldn't believe his ears. Rowan winced. "She is the worst villain in the land-"

"Dad, just hear me out here-" Ben tried, glancing at Rowan with worry. The tailor took off his glasses, gave a quick bow, and scurried out of the room. The two bodyguards at the door followed, closing the door behind them. Rowan watched them go, wishing he could follow.

"I won't hear of it!" the kind roared, "They are guilty of unspeakable crimes!"

"Dad, their children are innocent! Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life?" Ben asked, desperation in his voice. "Dad?" Rowan knew why he sounded so panicked. This was his first ever proclamation; if it failed, how would he be seen to the people? How could his parents trust him as king? There were so many things riding on this plan being a success, and it was, according to Rowan's calculations, 95% likely to fail.

But then Belle turned to her husband, fire in her eyes; in the tense silence left after Ben's words, the king met her gaze, a silent question burning in his eyes. Rowan, feeling awkward, lowered his eyes, waiting for the moment to end.

The king sighed. "I suppose the children are innocent," he finally said, grabbing Rowan's attention. He smiled, his heart racing.

The king eyed Ben with something Rowan couldn't describe before he nodded, turning to walk away. Belle stepped in front of Ben, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes appearing on her face. She reached out to fix the tie of Ben's uniform, whispering, "Well ... well done." She turned toward her husband and walked over to him, taking his arm. "Shall we?"

As they left, Ben looked at the Isle; Rowan allowed himself to breathe. He watched Ben fiddle with the ring on his finger before he sighed loudly, catching Ben's attention intentionally. "Speaking of 'shall we...' we have school. And we need to go if we want to get to our lockers on time to get our books, and you still need to meet with-"

"Rowan." Rowan snapped his mouth shut. Ben turned toward him with a smile. "We won. Can you do me a favor and relax?"

"Ben, I haven't relaxed since the day I was born. I'll have to give you a different victory present," Rowan deadpanned. "Now let's go?"

Ben sighed, grabbing his bag from the ground and tossing Rowan his own, who barely managed to catch it before it hit the ground. He walked out the way his parents had come. Rowan followed him outside, his hands shaking after what had just happened. He watched Ben go for a moment, lost in thought, before he ran after him, not wanting to fall behind.

[ locked inside a tower ]

Ben sighed, leaning against the lockers. Rowan bit the inside of his cheek, glancing at him briefly as he opened his locker. "Don't look so glum, Princy. It worked and, even though you didn't need their permission, they've given it! We can set up their dorm rooms today and welcome them by tomorrow at the latest."

"But they aren't proud of it," Ben grumbled.

Rowan rolled his eyes. "They don't have to be proud of it, dumbass. They don't even have to approve it. Just think about the good you're doing for these kids, alright?" He finally faced Ben, raising an eyebrow. After a moment, Ben cracked a smile, nodding quickly. "Good. I think Fairy Godmother will give us the day off to set up the dorms and start making the welcoming banner, but that'd put us way behind on homework, so it's best to just stay up late doing it." He piled his books into his arms, sighing. "Maybe someone could help us out. Audrey? Wait, no, she wouldn't, she hates villains. Jane? Too shy. Chad?" He and Ben shared a look before breaking into laughter. "Yeah, right. Hold this?" He dumped his books into Ben's arms, who huffed as Rowan closed his locker. He took the books back and nodded in the direction of Ben's locker.

Ben hadn't even had time to open it before Audrey showed up, all bright smiles and air-head attitude. "Hey, Benny-Boo!" she said, grinning at him as she got between him and Rowan. Rowan rolled his eyes, stepping back. "The news of your new proclamation is all around the school! What is it?" she asked eagerly. Ben shot Rowan a pleading look; Rowan rolled his eyes and stepped next to Audrey. It always amazed him how Ben was more scared of Audrey than he was of his parents. And I don't know why he wants me to tell her. She hates me, Rowan thought.

"We're taking kids from the Isle of the Lost and bringing them to Auradon," Rowan explained. Immediately, Audrey's face became distasteful, though whether it was because of Rowan or what he said, he didn't know. Really, he didn't care. "They've been abandoned to the Isle; it's not right. They're only children," Rowan added.

"Abandoned? They chose that life!"

"The ... the children chose that life?" Rowan asked slowly, as if he was speaking to a child. "Right. Because you chose your parents before you're born, that makes so much sense, why didn't we think of that before?" he mocked. Audrey narrowed her eyes, scowling at him. He rolled his eyes. "Careful, princess, you'll get wrinkles if you wear that face too long."

"Rowan," Ben warned. Rowan bit his tongue, turning back to Ben. "I'll meet you in class, alright?" Gritting his teeth, Rowan nodded, brushing past them as he walked away. He was suddenly too aggravated; Audrey always seemed to make it her mission to annoy him. And he seemed to always make it his mission to respond.

He sat down near the back of the class, knowing the rows would fill up quickly enough that Ben wouldn't get to sit next to him. Rowan also knew that Ben was going to get all pouty and follow him around until Rowan wasn't angry with him anymore. He sighed, pulling out two books from his backpack; the standard textbook they would need for the class (History of Heroes, of all things) and a journal. He angled the textbook so it would cover the journal as he put them both on his desk. He opened the journal to the most recent unused page and began to write.

I didn't have time to tell C about the news that he's coming to Auradon, him and his friends that he tells me about. Was I waiting for a better time? What if all these dreams are .. are just dreams? What if he arrives and he doesn't know me, but I know him? What if C isn't even a he, but a she? They? There's no proof that these dreams are real. But they're obviously trying to tell me something. When Ben first told me about his idea for the VK's, I knew. I knew that the dreams had been leading up to that moment, and I told him about the kids that should be the first come. C and the friends he'd hold me about. Despite my worries, I can't wait until tomorrow. I can't wait to meet C and see once and for all what all these dreams mean.

He sighed, closing the journal (a gift from his grandmother, a tradition in the family. His mother had given him one, too, but he was only to use it when he was out of school.) and sitting back in his chair. The bell rang overhead, surprising him, but he quickly ducked his head as the students filed in. Come tomorrow, the class would be introduced to the kids from the Isle of the Lost, and nothing in Auradon would ever be the same again.

But Rowan never said that staying the same would be fun.