Princes of Grimm #4

"Mommy Fairiest"

It was several hours later that Hansel opened his eyes. The sun was shitning through the window as Hansel slowly sat up in a bed that wasn't his own, in a room he didn't recognize. The pants he'd been wearing the night before were no longer there, replaced by a long nightshirt. His body was still sore, but his wounds had been tended and he realized he had been properly bathed. As he got out of the bed, Hansel passed by a mirror and realized his hair had been cut to a respectable length.

"What is going on?" Hansel asked as he felt his now shortened hair. He looked around for his pants and soon found an entire closet of clothing fit to a boy his size. Most of it was regal and not his style. He was sure whoever owned the closet wouldn't mind him borrowing something as long as he returned it. He pulled on a red and blue tunic and black pants before grabbing a pair of black boots. He'd need to go through the forest again and being barefoot on the journey wouldn't help.

After he got dressed, he realized he was missing something. The sword and shield, where were they? Maybe they were hidden somewhere in wherever it was he'd been taken. As he opened the door, an older man stood there, dressed in red and gold regal clothing. King Hubert stared down at the boy, who carefully backed away. Hansel wasn't sure what the man had in store for him, but he needed to get back to his quest.

"I see you're awake," Hubert told the boy. "Now you can tell me why you were wandering around the forest in the dead of night."

"I was trying to stop the witches from casting a spell to kill Prince Phillip and the others," Hansel told him. "You have to help me get the witches so we can make them fix what they've gone."

"I was afraid of this," Hubert said as he felt the boy's forehead. "You were wandering around half naked in the forest and caught yourself a fever. You best get back into bed, son."

"I can't, I have to-," Hansel stopped as he raised an eyebrow. "Son?"

"King Hubert, Prince Hansel's sword and shield have been cleaned and polished, what shall we do with them?" the servant asked as he brought the sword and shield into the chamber.

"Hansel, where did you get these?" Hubert asked as he took the sword and shield. "I did not have these forged for you, yet the shield has our family's crest on it."

"Those are Prince Phillip's," Hansel told him. "Remember, your son?"

"The young Prince has a fever, we must tend to him at once," Hubert told the servant. "He believes I have another son. Get the boy back into bed while I go get medical attention for him."

"Right away, sire," the servant said as Hubert took the sword and shield with him.

"I'm not sick!" Hansel told the servant. "The Princes are in trouble! And why are you calling me 'son'? What is going on?"


Lady Tremaine returned to her cottage to find a royal carriage parked outside, but where Pince Hans was earlier, now sat only a royal driver. Tremaine walked into the cottage and found her daughters flirting with two young Princes as they sat on the couch.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Tremaine said as she saw Cinderella scrubbing the floors in her old rags."But this is even better. Anastasia, Druzilla, would you care to indroduce me to your friends?"

"I am Prince Gruber," the first young man said as he stood up. "And this is brother. And we have come to ask your daughters to be our wives. With your permission, we will take you all away to the Southern Isles to live in our kingdom."

"The Southern Isles? That's a very long way away," Tremaine told them as she looked at Cinderella. With Cinderella so far away from this kingdom, her chances of a happily ever after would never come to pass. "I love it. Your proposal is accepted, the four of you shall be married at once. Cinderella, begin packing our belongings."

"Yes, step-mother," Cinderella said as she finished scrubbing the floor.

"I assume my chambermaid can join us?" Tremaine asked.

"Of course, we have a huge castle that requires lots of servants," Gruber told her with a smile. "She'll fit right in."


Grimhilde overlooked her now re-populated kingdom. With Snow White and Prince Frederick no longer standing in her way, the people had been returned to her to do as she wished with them.

"All is as it should be," Grimhilde smiled as she addressed her people. "Your queen has returned!"

"This is new," Gothel said as she returned to her tower, finding it surrounded by a forest of thorns. "This must be Maleficent's doing."

"You wanted tighter security, you got it," Maleficent stated as she appeared behind Gothel. "There is a secret passage that will guide you safely into your tower, but for all others, they will find only death in this maze. From now on, your tower will safeguard not only your Rapunzel, but the sleeping forms of Aurora and Snow White so that no Prince can awaken them."

"A fair trade-off," Gothel smirked. "A bit overkill, but I'll take it for the assurance that my daughter will never be taken from me again."

"Good, then I shall take my leave, I have much to do now that I have returned to this world," Maleficent said as she raised her cape and disappeared in a burst of flames.

"The woman knows how to make an exit, I'll give her that," Gothel said as she found the safe passage through the Thorn Forest.


Hansel had managed to sneak out of his room and was wandering down the halls of the castle. He'd found out he was in the castle overlooking Prince Phillip's kingdom, but there no was no trace of Prince Phillip ever having lived in the castle. As he walked down the hall, Hansel noticed the paintings on the wall of every king who had ruled so far. There were over a dozen pictures lining the wall, but when Hansel got to King Hubert, he got a tremendous shock. Instead of Prince Phillip's portrait hanging next to Hubert's, it was picture of Hansel.

"No way," Hansel said as he looked at the plaque on the paining. "Future King Hansel? But... how is that possible? I'm not royalty."

"Don't say that, my prince," the servant said as he caught up to Hansel. "You are the sole heir to the kingdom, unless the king remarries and bears another child."

"I know, the Queen died several years ago," Hansel told him.

"Yes, giving birth to you," the servant replied. "You were the last gift that the Queen gave to the kingdom, and the King has been fiercely protective of you ever since, especially after the loss of his first born. You are the one and future ruler of this land, my Prince."

"This is too much to take in," Hansel told him as he looked around, wondering if Phillip really was gone, having heard the servant's words about a firstborn. "Where did King Hu- I mean, Father, take my sword and shield?"

"They are in the grand hall," the servant replied as Hansel reached into his pocket and handed the servant a schilling. "Thanks. Here, buy yourself something nice."

Hansel ran off, hoping to find more answers to what was going on around in the kingdom. Prince Phillip couldn't be dead, he couldn't be.


The carriage had been loaded up with all of the family's belongings as Tremaine smiled at her new son-in-laws. The marriage would be performed as soon as they returned to the kingdom of the Southern Isles.

"So, tell me, which of you is the future king?" Tremaine asked as they got into the carriage.

"Oh, neither of us, we abdicated the throne to our younger brother,"Gruber told her as he took the reigns of the horses. "We let young Hans have the curse of the kingdom."

"Curse?" Tremaine asked as she looked at them.

"Our mother gave birth to twelve sons, all of them strong and healthy. Until one day, a curse fell upon our family," Gruber said as he held Anastasia's hand. "One by one, as each of our brothers ascended to the throne, a horriffic accident befell him. Beheadings, impalngs, dismemberment, drownings, and other fates befell nine of our brothers. Then one day, we decided that if we abdicated the throne that we'd be safe from the curse, so we gave up our power to Hans, who has yet to fall victim to the family curse."

"So we'll never be queens?" Drizella asked in a whiny tone. "MOTHER!"

"Now, calm down," Tremaine told her daughters. "But you're still royalty, right?"

"Of course, we think," Gruber told her. "We still have our royal positions within the kingdom, but as long as we don't assume the throne, we should both live a long time. Right now, Hans is the one stuck with the curse, although we don't know how Hans has managed to live this long."

"And does anyone know how this curse came about?" Tremaine asked curiously.

"Some say it started eighteen years ago," Peter replied as he steered the carriage out of the kingdom. "When the night sky started to glow with an eerie light one night before Hans was born. No one knows where the light came from, but ever since that night it seems like our family had been cursed."

"Well, I'm sure it was nothing," Tremaine said with a slight laugh as she looked out the window. She started to wonder if something had gone wrong with the curse if affected the Princes that she wasn't even aware of.


"Father, can I visit some of the Princes in the surrounding kingdoms?" Hansel asked as he walked into the main chamber, where he saw Phillip's sword and shield hanging on the wall. The other Princes would surely help him, those that were left.

"I'm afraid not, the surrounding kingdoms are all childless, barring the one in Enchancia, but they only have two daughters," Hubert said with a sigh. "The closest kingdom with a Prince the kingdom on the seaside, but he's nowhere near your age."

"But what about the Prince Academy? It's due to be in session soon and-"

"The Academy?" Hubert asked as he looked at Hansel. "The Princess Academy has been open for years, but the Prince's Academy closed after the first year due to low turnout."

"It's the witches, they caused this," Hansel told him. Pinocchio and Jack would have to be there. Since they weren't royalty, they wouldn't be affected by the curse. "I need to go to the village. Can I go to the village?"

"We were headed there later today, anyway," Hubert told him as he patted his son's head. "Perhaps we can finally find a friend your own age for you to play with. I know it's been lonely in the castle all these years, and I understand why you ran away last night, but I only kept you here so you could be safe. But I promise we will find a friend for you."

"Uh, thanks... father," Hansel told him. "I'm just going to go get ready for our trip."

Hansel ran out of the room and tried to stay calm. Whatever the witches did apparently wasn't just affecting the four Princes he was there to save. He knew there was a Prince in Enchancia that was his age.


"Rapunzel?" Gothel asked after she'd returned to the tower. "Are you here?"

"Of course, mother," Rapunzel replied. She turned around with her mile long, flowing blonde hair. "You know I never leave the tower. But who are they?" the woman asked as she pointed to the sleeping forms of Aurora and Snow White. "How did they come to be here? They were here when I awoke this morning."

"I'm keeping them safe... for a friend," Gothel told her. "They're cursed and I'm keeping them from the evil ones who wish to see them harmed further. You must help me guard them, Rapunzel. To make sure that the evil Princes who cursed them never return to finish the job."

"Princes?" Rapunzel asked in shock. "You mean this wasn't done by witches?"

"Witches are kind, and generous, my dear Rapunzel," Gothel said as she put a hand under Rapnzel's chin. "You can't believe everything you read in storybooks. Witches are good and pure, and only want what's best for their daughters. It's the Princes that are evil and into causing chaos, which is why you must never, ever, associate with them."

"You've never lied to me before," Rapunzel said as she thought about it. "So you must be telling the truth. But what do I do if the Princes come here?"

"You slay them," Gothel said with an evil glare in her eye. "You stab them through with your sword. Make sure this castle becomes their tomb. Perhaps if the Princes who cursed them die, they can be awakened."

"I shall, mother," Rapunzel promised as she hugged Gothel. "No one shall do harm to these girls further while I stand guard."

"That's my girl," Gothel replied, grinning as she stared out the window. "I knew my baby girl would never let me down."


Hansel was researching the books in the castle library, looking for anything he could find on the neighboring Princes, and wasn't finding anything of use.

"It's like they never existed," Hansel said as he closed the current book he was holding. "Frederick, Thomas, Cameron and Phillip just... vanished. There's no mention of them anywhere, just like Prince James. The only ones that are even mentioned as being around today are Adam, Rupert and Eric. When I get to the village I'll get my friends to help me find the missing Princes. They'll help me fight those witches."

"Hansel, where are you?" Hubert asked as he approached the library. "Are you ready to go to the village?"

"Yes... father!" Hansel said, feeling creeped out by calling someone other than his own father by that name. He put the book back on the shelf and grabbed his sword and shield on the way to the carriage.

"Hansel, why are you bringing those? We're only going to the village," Hubert told him.

"I have a feeling I'm going to be needing them," Hansel replied as he climbed into the cariage with his weapons.


At the castle of King Stefan, the court was mourning the loss of Aurora, including Aurora's parents and the three fairies who had tried to protect her. They were having a moment of silence as Maleficent appeared in a burst of green flames.

"You!" Stefan shouted upon seeing the witch who took his daughter away from him. "Seize her!"

"Oh, please," Maleficent said said as she snapped her fingers, turning the king's knights into rats. Their armor dropped to the ground, making a loud noise as the rats started scampering out. The three fairies who had been tasked to guard Aurora flew toward Maleficent, but she merely flicked her wrists and turned the three fairies into doves. Their wands hit the floor as they fluttered away. "Anything else you'd care to throw at me, Stefan?"

"You've taken my daughter and now stand here to rub this insult in my face," Stefan told her as he stood up. "What more do you want, witch? All this evil and treachery, and for what, not being invited to my daughter's christening?"

Maleficent stood there for a second before she started laughing wildly at Stefan's accusation. "You think all of... this was because I wasn't invited to a child's party? I'm not that petty, Stefan. If I wanted Aurora dead, she never would have made it to her first birthday. Her death isn't what I seek, only vengeance."

"Vengeance for what?" Stefan asked as he prepared to draw his sword.

"Come now," Maleficent said as she put a hand under his chin. "We're among friends, child. Let's not keep secrets from these good people anymore, shall we? You know perfectly well why I did what I did, and it wasn't out of spite of not getting an invite to a party. I may be evil, but I'm not petty."

"You are a horrible freak of nature," Stefan told her as he drew his sword. "And so was he."

"We were not the freaks," Maleficent told him as she held out her hand toward's Stefan's sword, which melted in his hands. She turned to face the court. "The child born to us is the one that was the freak, though we loved him like any parent would their child. Who could have foreseen two fairies giving birth to a human child? A human child who would slaughter his own father and run away to the land of the mortals and do what he could to rise to power?"

"Shutup," Stefan said angrily. "Shutup!"

"Stefan, don't talk to Mommy in that tone," Maleficent smirked as Stefan's wife gasped in horror. "You mean he never told you? I can't say I'm surprised, his origins are something he's always been ashamed of, ever since he was old enough to realize that he carried no powers."

"I should have slaughtered you that day, as well," Stefan told her, his breathing getting heavier. "You should have never been allowed to leave the Moors."

"And I wouldn't have," Maleficent said as she turned to face him again. "I'd have been content to live my life in the Moors with your father, never venturing forth to see the son who so despised his heritage. But once your iron sword pierced my one true love, I decided to seek revenge. My mortal son would be forced to watch as his mortal daughter was taken from him."

"You shall not leave the tower alive," Stefan told her. "You shall die as my monster of a father!"

Maleficent laughed as a wall of green flames shot up around her, knocking everyone back. "No. There shall be no more death unless my hand is forced. Not of my kind, nor yours. My vengeance is complete on you, my child. An eye for an eye. We have both lost a loved one, so let us leave it at that. You are a powerless mortal, and those three fairies you seek protection from are worthless. And the one person could have defeated me is no longer an obstacle. I warn you, King Stefan. Return to my Moors to seek your vengeance again, and neither you, nor anyone you send, will leave alive. I have spoken!"

Maleficent disappeared in mixture of green flames and black smoke as Stefan fell back into his chair. The Queen just stared at her husband in disbelief, as did the people in the court. The knights quickly returned to their human form, only without their armor they were running around in their underwear. The doves returned to their original fairy forms, hitting the ground as soon as they reverted back.

"She has taken my daughter, and now she has taken my respect," Stefan said bitterly. "She must be made to pay for this."


As soon as the royal carriage pulled into the village, Hansel climbed out and was shocked to see the entire village was waiting his arrival. Everyone had come to greet him, including his own sister who was standing at the front of the crowd.

"Gretel!" Hansel shouted as he raced toward her, and was shocked when she bowed before him.

"My prince," Gretel told him as she looked up.

"Gretel, get up," Hansel said as he took her hand and lifted her up. "Something is very wrong and-"

"How do you know my name?" Gretel asked as she stared at him. "We have never met before."

"I, uh, know all the names of the villagers," Hansel truthfully told her. "It's a Prince's duty to know that sort of thing. But I need your help to-"

"Prince Hansel, it is a pleasure to see you and your father," Gepetto told him as he arrived. "I know it is a day late, but I have a special toy train I have prepared just for your birthday."

"That's great, I just need to-" Hansel said as more villagers started swarming around him, offering him gifts and birthday congratulations. As more people descended upon him, Gretel disappeared into the crowd, getting pushed back further and further. "Please, I need to talk to my-"

As Hansel tried to get through the crowd, Pinocchio and Jack were sitting in a tree nearby as they watched things unfold.

"What a lucky guy," Jack said with a sigh. "He's got it all. Looks, wealth, and a shiny sword. And now he's got Gretel fawning over him."

"Jealous?" Pinocchio asked with a laugh.

"What? Me? No," Jack told him. "Just because the best looking girl in the village is talking to the Prince and has barely ever said two words to me? Why would I be jealous?"

"Your nose would be growing if you were made of wood," Pinocchio replied. "Just talk to Gretel. Just don't talk about beanstalks."


Rapunzel had made some tea as she sat down between Snow White and Aurora's glass caskets. She sighed as she looked between them. "I guess it's just us girls. I just wish you two were a bit more vocal, it's been forever since I've had someone to talk to. I mean, it's not that I don't enjoy your company, but it'd be nice to have friends who actually talk back. I have a lot to say, but I don't like having one sided conversations."

A bluebird flew to the window as Rapunzel noticed it. "Hello, little friend. I haven't seen you before."

More birds flew in and landed on Snow White's casket.

"Uh... come on in, I suppose," Rapunzel replied.


Hansel was worn out, having spent time with virtually every villager in the village who wanted to meet and greet the King and Prince. Several hours later, and the King was talking with the village elders about ways to improve life for the people, while Hansel was finally able to get some time alone, but now he was too beat to do anything. He slumped against the wall of a cottage and slid down to the ground.

"Careful, those clothes might get dirty," Jack laughed as he approached. "So, you're Prince Hansel. Jack's the name, and giant slaying's the game."

"Jack!" Hansel said as he tried to get up. "Don't you recognize me?"

"Duh, of course. You're the Prince!" Jack laughed as he slapped Hansel on the back. "You're Mr. Popular, the big cheese, the son of the head honcho!"

"No, I mean...," Hansel sighed as he looked around. "Look, Jack, something bad has hapened and I really need some help before things get worse."

"What, your carriage needs shinier wheels?" Jack asked. "You need more servants at your beck and call?"

"Jack, I'm not a Prince!" Hansel told him as he looked around to make sure no one else was around. "But the real Princes are...gone, or maybe even dead! The witches did something and now reality's all screwed up!"

"Hmm, I think this village air is getting to you," Jack replied as he felt Hansel's forehead. "Maybe you should lye down."

"I don't need to lay down, I need to find Gretel," Hansel told him as he checked to make sure the coast was clear.

"Gretel? Oh, no, you're not stealing my gi- I mean, my friend!" Jack said as he rolled up his sleeves and prepared to fight.

"No, you idiot, she's my sister!" Hansel replied, having known about Jack's crush for a long time. "And she'll believe me, she has to."

"She's not your sister," Jack replied with a laugh. "Besides, she already has a brother, and he'll kick your butt. He's very protective of her. You should have seen him fight off that witch that tried to eat them."

"B- brother?" Hansel asked. "Come on, we have to go my- her house!"


"Okay, this is getting weird," Rapunzel said as she watched the birds cleaning the tower. "You're not leaving me with anything to do."

A noise heard from outside as Rapunzel looked out the window and saw a deer at the bottom of the tower. The birds must have led it through the thorn maze.

"Okay, this has gotten beyond weird," Rapunzel replied as she looked back at the birds. "Friends of yours?"


Tremaine and her daughters had finally arrived in the Southern Isles after a long journey, and were led into the castle while Cinderella was forced to carry in the luggage.

"I was expecting a bigger castle," Tremaine replied with a slight sneer. "But I suppose it will do. Plus it's far away from that dreadful kingdom as we can get."

"We'll have the servants fix up your rooms, my future Mother-in-Law," Gruber replied as he held his fiancee's hand.

"Oh, dear, you can call me Mother from now on," Tremain replied. "So, when do we get to meet the rest of your family?"

"I'm afraid it's just me and my two brothers," Gruber replied. "Our parents died at sea many years ago."

"Oh, too bad," Tremaine replied. "But things are going to change for the better, you'll see. Now, where is the king?"

"You'll meet him soon," Gruber told her. "For now we shall get you settled, and then tonight, we celebrate! Cinderella, follow me to the servant's quarters."

Tremaine watched as Cinderella dragged the luggage off with her. She was going to have to make sure that King Hans didn't end up ruining things by falling in love with Cinderella.


"This place looks different," Hansel said as he looked at the cottage he was raised in. It looked like it had better upkeep than it did, with fresh flowers in a garden, the outside freshly painted and trimmed, and everything looking generally brand new. "How is this possible?"

"Gretel's brother does a lot of heavy lifting," Jack told him as they approached the door. "The guy just loves to work around the village, always helping everyone out. It's kind of creepy, I never see the guy frown. It's like he loves being a peasant."

"Yeah, well, I want to this the jerk who stole my life," Hansel replied as he pushed open the door. "Gretel? Are you here?"

Hansel and Jack walked inside, looking around. The place was spotless, and everything was in order. He knew Gretel loved to keep the house clean, but this was far cleaner than he'd ever seen it.

"What in the world is going on around here?" Hansel asked. There wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. "It's so...clean."

"I told you, the guy loves to work," Jack replied. "I'll bet he wasn't even there to meet you because he was out chopping firewood, and not just for his house, but everyone's house."

"Who's down there?" a voice asked from upstairs. "Father, is that you?"

"No, it's me!" Jack replied. "And I brought a friend who wants to meet you."

As the person walked down downstairs, Hansel stood back in shock. He was wearing a white button shirt, black pants, and was barefoot. He had shoulder length brown hair and was carrying a broom in his hand.

"No," Hansel said as he watched Phillip come downstairs. "It can't be. Phillip?"

Phillip smiled at him. "That's my name, your highness. Welcome to my home."

Hansel's eyes rolled back into his head as he passed out.

TO BE CONTINUED...