Foreword: I would first like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, or has added this story as their favorites. Thank you so much for your continued support. As always, if you have a fairy tale, Grimm Brothers ones preferred, you may PM me your idea. If you have any questions on why I chose a specific character to play that role in the tale, I will answer those too. Please, no rude or mean comments. Thank you and please enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, or any of either's characters or storyline.
Author's Note: Before you begin reading, I'd just like to say that this chapter's story has been the most difficult one for me so far. I'm not sure why exactly, but it gave me a hard time. It is also the happiest and least gruesome out of all three tales so far. I'd just like to inform all of you readers of this now. Thank you :)
Hello, dear reader. My brother, Vanitas Grimm, and I are so glad you are enjoying our little stories. This next tale is called Sleeping Nami. Please enjoy. And remember, although you can't change fate, love always prevails…
Sleeping Nami
Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Destiny Islands, there lived King Sora and Queen Kairi who wished for a child. However, their wish was never granted, and they remained barren.
One day, while Queen Kairi was bathing, a dream eater crept toward her and said, "Before a year passes, your wish for a child shall be fulfilled, and you will have a daughter."
The dream eater spoke this, and soon after Queen Kairi gave birth to a baby girl. In his excitement, King Sora arranged a great feast. King Sora invited kin, friends, acquaintances, and even the Wise Nobodies, so that they may bestow great gifts upon the child. King Sora only had twelve gold plates, and as there was thirteen of them, one had to stay home at the World That Never Was.
The feast was grand and lavish. As it came to an end, the Wise Nobodies bestowed their gifts of magic to the baby girl; Xemnas gave virtue, Xigbar bestowed upon her beauty, Xaldin blessed her with riches, and so on.
When eleven of the Nobodies had given their gifts to the little princess, the thirteenth appeared. He was upset on not being invited, and called out, "When King Sora's daughter reaches age thirteen; she shall prick her finger on a spindle, and die." Then, he turned and vanished.
The kingdom was astonished. But Larxene, the twelfth, stepped forward. Although she could not reverse the evil gift, she could soften it, and spoke aloud, "Not death, but a deep slumber of a hundred years which this princess will suffer."
King Sora, eager to avoid misfortune, ordered every spindle to be burned. Meanwhile, the gifts bestowed upon the young princess Namine by the Wise Nobodies were fulfilled, and she grew modest, friendly, prudent and beautiful, loved by all.
On the day of her thirteenth birthday, young Namine's parents were out, and she was left alone in the castle. Namine explored the rooms and chambers in great fun, and soon came upon an old tower. Slowly, she climbed the swirling staircase, and came upon a small door. A golden key was wedged in the lock, and upon turning it, the door opened. Inside sat a young boy in a black cloak sitting at a spindle.
"Good day," Namine addressed the boy. "And what are you doing all alone up here?" she questioned, being the curious girl she was.
The boy turned to her, his blue eyes studying her. "Spinning." He answered simply.
"What is that thing which rattles upon which you are working?" asked Namine, reaching for the spindle and wanting to try. But as soon as her finger made contact with the spindle, she pricked her finger.
And in that moment, Namine fell upon the bed which stood there in deep slumber. This sleep spread over the whole kingdom; King Sora and Queen Kairi who had just arrived home fell into sleep, as well as all their servants and court. All the animals and citizens stopped their daily business and slept. Even the breeze stopped, and not a single leaf rustled.
Around the castle, there grew a hedge of prickly black thorns. Every year, they grew higher and denser, until finally they engulfed the entire castle. In all the worlds, however, the story of Namine, as was the princess's name, was passed on through generations. Every once in a while, Kings from other worlds' sons ventured to the Kingdom of Destiny Islands, and tried to reach the castle.
Unfortunately, the task was impossible. More often than not, the youths were caught in the thorns, and upon not getting free, died.
Many long years after, King Ansem of the Kingdom of Twilight's son, King Riku, happened to be travelling the Kingdom of Destiny Island. He overheard an elderly man with long gray hair and amber eyes telling a story about the thorns, and how long ago there was a splendid castle in which a lovely princess by the name of Namine lived, asleep for a hundred years along with the rest of the castle. He also heard of how many Kings' sons tried to reach the castle, but was caught in the thorns and suffered death.
But Riku, upon hearing this, exclaimed, "I am not frightened. I shall go and seek the lovely Namine." And although the man tried his best to dissuade Riku from seeking out the princess, Riku still decided to try to find Princess Namine.
By now, nearly a hundred years had passed since the evil curse, and the day of Namine's awakening had arrived. When Riku approached the thorns, they became large flowers, and parted for him. As he passed through the village on the outskirts of the castle, Riku saw all the people and animals asleep as if frozen in time.
When he reached the castle, the whole court lay asleep, and upon the throne lay the King and Queen.
On he went, until he came upon the ancient tower. And when he opened the door to the tiny room she slept in, he saw her lying on the bed. Her golden blonde hair like the sunrise laid spread around her head, and she wore a white dress like fresh snow.
Riku bent down, and kissed her. As their lips met, Namine's eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him sweetly with her oceanic blue eyes.
Down the winding staircase they went, and when they reached the castle hall King Sora, Queen Kairi and the entire court woke. And all the animals and people of the Kingdom of Destiny Islands woke from their slumber, and resumed their activities. Once more the breeze blew and the leaves in the trees rustled like whispers.
Riku was married to Princess Namine, and the two lived happily and contently for the rest of their days.
And thus concludes our tale of the beautiful Princess Namine and brave Prince Riku. How was it? Much happier than the last few tales, am I right? My brother and I hoped you enjoyed our little story. Please, stop in again sometime, and perhaps there will be another tale from us waiting to be discovered.
Sincerely signed,
Sora and Vanitas Grimm
