Adrien.
Adrien's head snapped up. He stared at two ghostly figures before him; a man and a woman. They were dressed as the Red Lady and the Black Death, and they stood close together, hands held and fingers intwining as if they were inseparable. Tears fell from the woman's eyes, but her kind face was still and full of peace.
Adrien, came her voice in his head. Do not be afraid. I am Tikki, the first Red Lady. This is Plagg, the first keeper of the Black Death. She lowered her head. And we are here for Marionette. We have been guarding her and Felix since the beginning, but after Felix's betrayal, the miraculous' were separated in unity, and in bond.
The man's voice reverberated now in Adrien's head, deep and soothing, and the green eyes of Plagg pierced Adrien's soul. Thank you, Adrien, he said, green eyes piercing but not unfriendly. Your dedication to Marionette has restored the balance of the miraculous, and we can do our duty to protect the both of you as was pre-destined.
"Please," pleaded Adrien, looking from one to the other, throat aching from his tears. "Can you bring her back?"
That is why we are here, said Tikki, her glassy eyes holding him in a powerful gaze. With the power of the Red Lady, the giver of life, it is possible.
"Possible?" asked Adrien, desperate.
We have never done it before, said Tikki. Letting go of her companion, she floated over to his side and laid a blessing hand on his blonde head. But I promise to do my best, Adrien dear. Her eyes were so kind and her voice was so gentle that Adrien felt his fear melt away, and hope flicker in his soul.
Tikki sat on the bed, and with her index finger and thumb took hold of the earrings in Marionette's ears. Tikki bowed her head and closed her eyes, resting her forehead on Marionette's.
By all that is love, I bless you.
By all that is charm, I embrace you.
By all that is life, I call to you.
By all that is hope, I raise you.
The small chant was soft and low like a lullaby, and Adrien stared as the earrings in Tikki's grip began to glow with a healing light. Tikki smiled and looked to Adrien. You will wake up soon, and all will be as it should be. Your love for Marionette, which drove you to unite the miraculous, has saved you all.
—-
"Adrien?"
Adrien slowly woke, his eyes heavy and sore from crying. Was all of that…a dream? He wondered. He suddenly looked up at the speaker, eyes wide.
"Marionette?!"
Marionette was looking at him, sitting up in the bed, eyes wide with life and health. Her bluebell eyes were whole and her brilliant irises were even more beautiful than he had remembered from his dreams.
"Marionette!" shrieked Adrien, and he caught her up in a fierce hug, crying and sobbing at the same time. "We broke the curse! We broke the curse!" He pulled away. "You see, Tikki and Plagg came - they were the first miraculous holders and are apparently our guardians - and then she grabbed your earrings and everything was glowing and - "
"Adrien!" said Marionette gently, pulling out of the hug. She gazed at him with bright blue eyes, her love for him overflowing into tears. "I never got to finish."
"What?" he asked, green eyes staring at her.
"I was in the middle of talking when I left you," she said, a smile gracing her lips with unparalleled beauty. She took a deep breath.
"I love you."
Adrien took a shuddering breath, letting the words sink deep into his heart, and then began to cry. "I nearly lost you," he wept. "And I screamed it as you died. I love you, Marionette. I love you with all my heart!"
She dried his tears, and with a devious smile, cupped his chin and drew him in.
Her lips were on his, and her hand moved to the back of his neck, gently pressing his face against hers. She tasted like strawberries, and he breathed in her sweet scent. He nearly melted in her arms, and raising his hand cupped her cheek and pressed into the kiss, positively enchanted.
She broke away and he was breathless from the deep kiss, blushing and smiling. "Tell me the rest tomorrow," she said with a grin. "Let's go find something to eat."
—-
The entire castle had changed. Instead of the dark halls, bright lights hung suspended on the walls, revealing a bright and welcoming palace. The sooty rugs now had their designs shining with polished golden thread, completely restored. The family portraits were no longer scarred by the claw marks of the confused beast, and as they walked together, arm in arm down the long, white marble steps that led to the ballroom where the last of the servants had defended the honor of the castle against all intruders, they could hear the sound of a great gathering of people.
"Could it be?" asked Marionette, her face lighting up even more. They exited the halls and came out into the great ballroom that now sparkled and shone with red and golden drapes, flowers, and marble floors.
The ballroom was silenced at their entrance, and it was full of people. Adrien stared - he didn't know a single face in the immense crowd.
"He doesn't know us," laughed a familiar voice. He was caught up in a fierce hug by a young man his own age, who's olive skin and laughing brown eyes were quite unknown to Adrien. "Adrien, it's me!"
Adrien held the young man out at arms length. "Nino?" he asked, peering into the young man's face.
Nino laughed. "One in the same!" he said, grinning. "I'm human again! We all are!"
Marionette stared at all of her servants, then opened her arms wide. "Oh how I have missed you all so dearly!" she exclaimed, and began hugging all of them tightly. Many of her servants began to cry, so overcome by the joy of seeing their lovely princess restored and happy once again, and all of them exclaimed over how wonderful it was to be alive.
Suddenly Adrien whispered something in Nino's ear, and Nino threw back his head and laughed. Alya was waved over, and Adrien smiled at her curly hair, tawny eyes, and winning smile. The boys whispered to her, and she clasped her hands in joy.
"ATTENTION!"
Marionette stopped hugging her servants and looked up at Nino, who had stood up on a table before the entire assembly. He was grinning from ear to ear and said "My esteemed fellows and lasses, I have an announcement. Our beloved hero Adrien Agreste has something he wishes to say to our divine Princess Marionette, and in our company no less!"
The servants opened up a pathway to Adrien, who in four great strides was at Marionette's side. He smiled bashfully at her and took her hand in his, saying, "My Lady. Please forgive my forwardness, but I was recently taught how valuable every moment is, and though I am not cursed I understand that my days are numbered."
All murmured knowingly, and he knelt on one knee before her. "My Princess," he said, green eyes looking up into hers. She drew in a breath, eyes asking what he was doing.
"I have no mother, and my father is not the father of my heart," he said, eyes serious and sorrowful. "I have not a gold piece, nor gems of any other kind of riches to offer. I haven't even the smallest fortune that could stabilize our future and health." He looked down. "I am a simple lad, born of a merchant and a farm girl. I know the world through books, and I have only myself to offer." He kissed her hand, eyes begging. "But I offer all the same. I can promise to love you, to stay with you, to treasure you, and never let you go. I - "
Marionette gently laid a finger on his lips and knelt beside him. "My dearest Adrien," she said softly, blue eyes filling with tears. "I am the unworthier of us. I, lost as a girl and trapped in a beast, was indeed a damsel in distress. I discouraged you from saving me, and shamed you for your love of me." She stroked his cheek, and tugged on a tuft of his blonde hair playfully. "Money and riches do not buy happiness. But if you will have me, I can promise to give you the happiest life I could give."
"Will you be mine?" asked Adrien in a barely audible whisper, holding his breath.
"Not even death could stop me from being yours," she swore, and kissed him firmly on the mouth in the presence of the shocked witnesses about them.
"Well I'll take part in this!" cried a cheery voice. Nino was smiling and seizing Alya's hand twirled her into his arms. "Well, Alya?" he asked, nose touching hers. "I've waited this long. What do you - mph!"
Marionette and Adrien got to their feet, laughing as Alya interrupted Nino with a kiss of her own.
"What a marvelous tale," said Adrien reflectively, taking Marionette's hand in his own. "We should really write it down. In fact…"
—-
And so dear reader, our tale comes near to a close. It must be recorded for the satisfaction of Adrien that he did in fact return to his dear old village that could never understood him, but not as a resident of course. I do personally believe that the smugness of the Black Death rubbed off on him, for the next time I saw him he rode into the village on a magnificent horse, and accompanied by a royal procession. His dress was that of King Adrien now, as Marionette had been recognized by the state and declared Queen of France. The entire village came out to see him (he had trumpets play), and I was no more shocked than they when this king stopped at my humble door.
"My friend," he said as I opened the door. "I have a favor to ask of you."
"Your majesty," I gasped, bowing. "It has been a long time since I have done the favors of kings!"
"Oh Monsieur Fu," Exclaimed Adrien, dismounting and embracing me. "How good it is to be in your company again. May I introduce my wife, Queen Marionette?"
The lady drew close, more beautiful than the rumors had foretold. "My Queen," I said, bowing.
"Our story is quite exquisite," said the good lady, her face kind. "Monsieur Fu, my dear husband has told me much of your library and your friendship. We wish to ask you a favor and record our story as it truly happened, and not allow it to become a simple legend."
"You…you desire that I write your story?"
"If you would be so kind," said King Adrien, taking his queen's hand in his gloved one. "It was quite a miraculous tale."
"Well, I would do anything for my beloved monarchs," I said, bowing, then grinned at the king. "And much more for an old friend."
And so, my rulers came into my quaint library and told me the entire story. I did my best to write it and guard it, protecting it as the story of my friends - of the beauty of innocence, the tragedy of the beast, and the miracles that still happen to the lucky fool.
King Adrien and Queen Marionette lived glorious long lives, and kept France in it's longest time of peace. They had 5 children, and passed on the precious miraculous when it was time. And it has been said that no man and woman have ever lived in such a harmonious and miraculous love such as the love of King Adrien and Queen Marionette.
And so ends Beauty and The Beast: A Miraculous Tale.
