Author's Note: Happy Thanksgiving!
"The lady asked would you like to talk about it, metal arms?" boomed the voice of Duchess Swan as she yanked me back up to my feet.
"Are you-are you okay?" cooed Ginger as I swallowed in a hug of burnt orange and brown feathers that covered her attire.
Giving Ginger a shake of my head, she sighed and before she could say something comforting, Duchess interrupted. "What did Apple pit have to spit on about now? and please don't tell me it was more of that legacy crap ,where only she and Daring get the good places in this society."
The four of us(Rosabella,Ginger, Duchess, and I) all then relocated for the sofa and love seat that faced an empty fireplace.
"Apple, pretty much cut the bean stalk on our small chit chat and told me with A SMILE-That she and Daring are getting married...and though she didn't give an exact day, i'm fairly certain knowing my folks that tis to be sooner than l-"
"Wait wait wait, so your crying because sour apple is getting married to your idiot brother? isn't this like once upon a time, a long time ago news?" questioned Duchess folding her arms across her chest.
"Well yea...but I thought I would have more time to change her mind!" I insisted as Ginger spared me the battle, since she too did not care for Apple.
"Then go do it! Why are we sobbing around in here when we could be out there dazzling the ladies?" questioned Duchess
"Apple,-well she uhhh how do I say it, uninvited me to her big day...Something about if I couldn't be happy for her then why did I deserve to go" I answered softly.
The girls then gasped.
"But your Daring's sister...she cant just do that!" Ginger cried out, with disbelief.
Shrugging, I felt my insides twist all the more, realizing the wedding would take place in my homeland, and that Apple would move into the Charming castle and would be adored by the same subjects who despised me.
"I told you that sour apple spit was a waste...look at you, you're a Queen with a realm...go get yourself another lady." Duchess encouraged smacking my shoulder with a smile. Doing her best in being supportive.
While, I began to defend just why I wasn't quite ready to move on, Rosabella began to toss the study's books as if they were mere confetti.
Doing our best to dodge the flying books, Ginger and Duchess reviewed why almost any other female was a better choice than Apple.
Caught between defending Apple and rebuking why I had little to offer their crazy choices, minutes soon faded into hours.
"Why do you have so many riddle books?" Rosabella's voice would growl. Retaking a look as she pushed her glasses up to her face, she giggled. "Oh that's right." Then with a quiet nod she was back to prove that she had something that could help.
"Ah-ha!" was all the warning we received before a faded leather book came crashing down.
"Did you ah-choo? what is that old dusty thing?" questioned Duchess as Ginger scooped it off of the floor.
"Its a oldie but a goodie...its called Rule of Thumb which applies to the laws of the realm, and how said laws and declarations can be fought!" She shared excitedly blowing off the dust as her finger tips eagerly danced through its pages.
"Not to be rude, but how is some old rule book going to help Darling?" inquired Ginger hoovering behind Rosabella, to get a peek.
Mumbling words she caught, scanning the pages, she extended a finger up towards Ginger.
"Because Darling is going to stop the White's and Charmings from uniting Apple's hand to Daring's." she answered with a smug smile, leaving us all wondering.
"You know this tall tale because?" I gestured.
"-because! you re going to enter in the Dragon Games for Apple's hand, competing with swords, on dragons, and all that stuff i'm sure you re grea-ahhhh" Rosabella stopped, and I watched as the joy seeped from her face.
"Whats the matter now?" I groaned, as my excitement flickered out as quick as it had appeared.
Rosabella, placed the book down, rubbing the back of her neck. "Well its a totes solid proof plan up until I read that only a male may decree a series of Dragon Games for the hand of a maiden...and well you're uhhh-you just don't fit the description." Her tone carried the hopelessness we all felt in hearing that.
Giving me sorries stacked so high that they could form a tower, I kindly excused myself from all of them as I faded into my dressing room.
I was not going to give up! If a series of Dragon Games is what it was going to take for Apple to really consider a life with me, then I was going to wish upon all the shooting stars that I could.
I, Darling Charming, will not go out without a fight.
For weeks I studied that book and everything I could on the Dragon Games, and from what I've gathered Rosabella was right! Being a male was required.
To bad all the royal retorts from girls like Briar Beauty did not count for much.
Trying to think of something, I rummaged through my mementos trunk that held all the things I had taken with me to Ever After.
Giggling over the silly pictures at the Spring Unsprung festival, I had taken with my bffa's, and over paper messages that existed in fun shapes, I soon stumbled across something I had forgotten had ever been placed into my hands.
From the bottom of my trunk, it whispered out to me. Begging me to take it.
Reminding myself magical items only lead to trouble, I almost found myself quietly lecturing myself,that is before it stuck me!
I didn't have to be a boy forever! I just needed to be a male for the games! and what better way to change life styles temporarily than magic?
Taking out that transcendent scale from Jetsum Urchin. I brought it to my pale frosted lips as I thought how I could access the magic within it.
Closing my eyes, I cupped it tightly,over my heart. "I wish with my whole heart that I could be a male." I whispered.
My pulse then increased with anticipation as I hastily reopened my eyes.
Seeing nothing but my normal self, my lips twitched as I tackled my problem.
Looking to the scale, and remembering Jetsum was the son of a sea witch, I bolted out of my dressing room and into my powder room that contained a fancy gold clawed foot bathtub.
Filling it with hot water until not a another drop would fit, I threw the scale into the water with a quiet plop.
My desperation at an ultimate high as I knelt by the tub.
Closing my eyes, I chanted my wish again and again and again until the lights mysteriously flickered out.
With a male's malicious laughter gurgling out of the water. I scooted away.
A chill dancing down my spine, as Jetsum Urchin in his normal sea monster like form flowed from my tub.
"So the uncharmed Charming, has thought of something she desires..." he smugly grinned, his tentacles rolling him out onto the floorboards as his dead gray form became more clear.
Perching my lips to speak, I found myself silenced. Not in fear, but rather shock, that he was here.
Laughing again, he slithered towards me. "Not much of an talker are we?" he taunted looping around me. "Well no worries, I don't need to hear what it is you desire because-" he then paused overlooking me as a webbed hand extended out towards my chest. " I can see what it is that lies within here...and what an interesting soul you are." Jetsum commented with a low laugh. Luckily for you, making dreams come true is my specialty, and what you wish is as easy as an snap of your slender lil fingers."
"Really?" I squeaked. It having been years since I've expressed this much joy in such a short statement. The last being the day my parents told me they were getting me a sword of my own.
Nodding, he curled his other webbed hand shut, before revealing something similar to a mint sized treat.
"I told you dreams coming true is as easy as a snap for me." he began as my hand quickly reached to take it before finding a tentacle wrapped around my hand. "Oh Miss. Charming...Magic may be easy for me, but that doesn't mean I work for free. I require something just as valuable in exchange."
"I'm a Queen now...name your price!" I challenged, determined to get my wish.
"I wouldn't care if you were a peasant...my interest isn't in gold, lands, or even first borns." he answered stubbornly letting go of my hand.
"Then was is it?!" I growled, feeling more desperate and impatient than I have ever before in my life.
Swirling around me, his orbs shinning sheer emerald, he lifted my limbs, my head, and various pieces of me, quietly going "hmmmm" almost as if he couldn't find something he truly wanted.
Giving me a twisted smile. he chuckled. "I got it!...but im not sure you'll agree its a fair trade." he warned.
"Try me...i've already told you to name your price!" I answered staring into those dark orbs.
"Fine Queen uncharmed Charming, I want your sight!."
"My sight? why-what-" I couldn't even spit out the rest of my statement as shoulders slumped, unsure of what I should do.
My heart said to do it, do it for Apple, do it for the future we could have together! but my logic questioned how I would get through the dangerous trials of the games with no sight, how would I even be able to win if I couldn't see, and was losing my sight worth the small time window that this magic could create?
I had no idea of what to do.