A/N: Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support of this story. Very special thanks to Ashlanielle. Her help with this story has been invaluable.
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who, Ever After, or anything related. *Some lines below are borrowed from the movie Ever After. Credit for those lines belong to their respective writers.*
"Love is like death, it must come to us all, but to each his own unique way and time, sometimes it will be avoided, but never can it be cheated, and never will it be forgotten."
― Jacob Grimm
If the Baroness Cassandra O'brian was good at one thing, she was good at spinning tales. She could weave lies and manipulate the truth with the best of them. Coming up with a plausible excuse as to why her eldest daughter was sporting a black eye while meeting the Queen for tea was proving a little more difficult. Thankfully her talents for creating false stories proved true as she told a tale that would shine Reinette in the best possible light.
Sitting in one of the many castle gardens, the Queen listened to Cassandra's tale with rapt attention. Examining Reinette's eye, she said, "Oh, you really must let my doctor look at that. To think you saved that baby from falling into that fireplace!"
Reinette gently touched her eye. "Twas a maternal instinct, Majesty."
She sipped her tea. "It's a good instinct to have. Nothing quite compares to a mother's love. I'm sure the Baroness agrees."
"Oh, absolutely, your Highness," Cassandra was quick to agree.
"I'm terribly sorry my son can't join us, but he seems to have disappeared again."
"Again?"
Queen Donna nodded. "Mmm. He does that quite a bit, has done since he was a small child, but you know what young people are like. He was gone all day yesterday and did not return until dawn!"
Alarm bells began ringing in Cassandra's mind. Rose too, had been missing most of the night. It had to be a coincidence. It just had to be. Forcing a smile she said, "Well, it must be marvelous to have that kind of stamina."
"Perhaps you could help solve a mystery for me. Do you know the Comtesse Prentice?" the royal inquired. "Apparently she's staying with a cousin, but no one seems to know who."
Her breath escaping her, Cassandra asked, "The Comtesse Prentice, you say? Yes, yes I do know her."
"Really? How wonderful! I was beginning to think she was a ghost." The Queen laughed.
"No, I'm afraid she's been around for years, and is staying with us as a matter of fact. Isn't that right, darling?"
Her daughter frowned, but knew better than to disagree. "Yes, yes, our... cousin. We just love her to bits."
Cassandra gave a tight nod. "So much so that you gave her that little pet name. What was it? The little cinder girl?"
As Reinette put the pieces together, she began turning a bright shade of red. Her hands clenched tightly and to her mother's horror, she let out a rather unladylike growl of frustration, slamming her hand down on the table in the process.
"Good heavens. Are you all right?" Queen Donna questioned, looking highly concerned.
"There was a bee," she explained demurely.
Thankfully, though she remained suspicious, the Queen excepted Reinette's poor excuse for her sudden outburst. Cassandra silently vowed to have a word with her eldest about learning to control her emotions better in front of others. The rest of the afternoon tea passed pleasantly enough as she carefully "confided" in the Queen that their dear cousin, the Comtesse Prentice, was engaged and would be leaving the country by boat presently. It was a rather brilliant lie and Cassandra was rather proud of herself for coming up with it off the top of her head. Of course all that was left now was dealing with her insufferable step-daughter.
Upon arriving home, the Baroness need not even ask if Rose was home. She knew she wasn't and even if she didn't the guilty look gracing her youngest's face was enough to give it away. A brief shriek from her eldest's room had her running. Apparently the dress and shoes that had originally belonged to Rose's mother were missing. Cassandra braced herself and Reinette for the confrontation that was sure to happen the moment Rose returned, and happen it did. As soon as she heard the door at the front of the house open, she was down the stairs in a flash.
"Of all the insidious jokes, turning your mother into a Comtesse, why it's almost as absurd as a prince who spends his days with a servant that sleeps with pigs," she spat out as soon as she laid eyes on her step-daughter.
Rose shook her head, looking utterly defeated. "What bothers you more, Cassandra, that I am common or that I am competition?"
"Competition?... Compe- competition? Why you foolish girl! Tell me where the dress is, Rose."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Reinette stepped forward. "The gown, the slippers, they were in my room before and now they're gone. You hid them. I know you did!"
"Where did you put the gown, Rose?" Cassandra asked once more.
Tears welled in her step-daughter's eyes. "Where are the candlesticks and the tapestry and the silver? Perhaps the gown is with them," she suggested with a shout.
"I would think twice about raising your voice at me, little girl. Now, you will produce that gown or-"
Rose cut her off. "Or what? There is nothing more you could possibly due to me, Cassandra, for I would rather die a thousand deaths than to see my mother's dress on that spoiled, selfish thing you call your daughter."
Cassandra felt her breath catch in her throat. Never before had she seen such fury in her step-daughter's eyes. Not even when she had physically attacked Reinette earlier in the day. She was no longer the sad little girl who had lost her father and was easily manipulated into being a servant. This, this was a grown woman who had apparently found her confidence and was ready to put her foot down. Well, well. That just would not do. "Hm," she pondered aloud. "I'm sure there's something we can arrange," she said, grabbing her step-daughter's arm, surprised that the young woman did not fight her, and pulled her down the stairs, eventually pushing her into the rarely used cellar. After locking her in, she turned and addressed the other servants who were watching with clear pain in their eyes. She scoffed at their trivial emotions. "Open this door and you'll wish you never set foot in this house. Reinette, Lynda, gather everything that will fetch a price. We are going to town first thing in the morning."
Her youngest stepped forward. "Mother, it's only a ball."
"Obviously, Lynda. And you're only going for the food and the 'delightful' conversation."
"Engaged?!"
Queen Donna nodded, her heart breaking at the shock and pain in her only son's eyes. "I'm afraid so, sweetheart."
He shook his head. "I don't believe it. There has to be some mistake!"
"The Baroness was quite insistent about it. The Comtesse was travelling by boat this afternoon to meet her betrothed. I am so sorry, Jamie."
"No."
Donna frowned. "Excuse me?"
"I said no," her son answered as he began pacing the garden and tugging his hair. "I believe in her. I believe in what we had, what we shared. She's not a liar and she never said a word about there being anyone else."
"Would you have listened if she had?" she asked quietly, her son's pacing slowing to a halt.
"Oh. Oh, no. When we met earlier... She tried... I think she tried to tell me something, but I was so caught up in everything else, I..."
"She must be very brilliant to have captured your heart so."
Jamie nodded. "She's the best. I won't give up on her, Mother. I can't. But I realise that Father will want his answer and I'm afraid there's only one I can give, if Andrea belongs to another and is truly gone."
The Queen stood to her feet and grabbed her son's hands in hers. "My beautiful boy. I have no doubt that you will make the right decision when the time comes. Just remember, any choice would be better than that de Souza woman!"
When Rose was a little girl, she was positively terrified of the cellar. Something about the damp earth and darkness that enveloped the cold room always made her feel as if there was someone unseen in the room, even if Sarah Jane promised there was no one else. Rose's overactive imagination had other ideas though. She was positive that there must be a monster of some sorts down there, lurking in the dark, waiting for the occupants of the house to find their way down the creaky old stairs. Running to her father, she sought alleviation from this fear. Surprisingly, Peter Tyler did not deny the existence of a creature in the cellar.
"Of course there's a monster down there!" he confirmed.
"But... But I didn't think monsters were real?"
He tipped his head to the side and looked thoughtful. "Well, you felt one didn't you?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "But I didn't see it."
"Obviously not. He must be an invisible monster. Nothing to worry about then. I imagine he's a very kind."
"He is?"
"Oh, yes! He's probably very lonely down there in the cellar all on his own. Even when people go down there, they can't see him. It would be my guess that he was merely trying to get your attention. Perhaps he would like it if we went down there and shared some stories or songs with him."
Her eyes widened. "If we do all that, will we be able to see him?" she asked.
Her father shook his head. "I'm afraid not, but he'll be much happier and we won't feel so afraid when we're down there."
From that moment forward, whenever Rose found herself down in the cellar, she took to singing or humming little tunes. Sometimes, she would even recite or recount stories from her childhood. Even after her father had died and she'd grown old enough to know realise that there was no invisible monster in the cellar, she kept at it. And that was precisely what she did when her step-mother locked her in. It was a long, cold night she spent in that cellar, making Rose feel five years old again, positive there was a monster lurking over her shoulder. It was a silly notion, she knew better, but it was still a long night in that darkness nonetheless. Exhaustion took hold as she fell asleep at some point in the night, humming the little songs Sarah Jane had taught her as a child, but it was not a peaceful sleep in the slightest.
As morning dawned and the day drew on, Rose listened as the rest of the house woke and prepared for their day. She knew Cassandra and her girls were collecting items to sell at the market so they could purchase Reinette a new gown, and she could only hope that they weren't taking anything of too much importance. Though at this point there was so little left of her mother and father's possessions that it didn't really matter what disappeared now. Throughout the day, Gwen would stop by the locked door to the cellar and sneak Rose bits of bread and water through the small slot near the top of the door. She also left promises that Sarah Jane and Rhys were working on a way to get her out of the cellar. Rose said nothing to encourage their efforts of setting her free, for it would only end in disappointment for them all. For Gwen, Rhys, and Sarah Jane, they would run the risk of losing their positions as servant in the house, losing their very livelihoods.
For Rose, there would be no way for her to actually go to the ball, with her mother's gown missing, she would have nothing suitable to wear. And even if she was able to go, what would she say to Jamie? Would she even be able to find him and speak to him before Cassandra or Reinette interrupted and revealed her true identity? There was no possible way of knowing. It was better this way. Now the Prince will have the opportunity to find someone to marry who was more suitable to his station. She could only hope and pray that he would also find a hand to hold and his personal happiness as well.
Tears prickled her eyes as evening came and she heard her step-family prepare and depart for the masque ball. Within minutes of the carriage departing, Sarah Jane and Gwen were at the cellar door, attempting to get it open.
"Just sit tight, Rose! We'll get you out of there!" Gwen encouraged.
Rose stood on tiptoe so she could see through the slot. "You heard Cassandra before. You shouldn't be doing this!"
"Well, personally I am sick and tired of taking orders from that woman!" Gwen exclaimed, quite vehemently. "When I was hired on here as a young girl I was told I answered to two people, Master Pete and you, Rose. Your father always treated me with kindness, as have you. That-that... woman has been nothing but awful and has done absolutely nothing to earn my loyalty to her! If she banishes me for this, well, then so be it!"
"But, Gwen," she said quietly. "What about the baby?"
The young woman rested a hand over her stomach. "Rhys and I have talked. We'll be okay. Besides, we all know that there's a good chance Cassandra will dismiss me once she learns of the baby anyway, and I really can't hide it much longer. Sarah Jane's let my dresses out as much as she can."
"I don't want us to be split up. You're my family. All three of you."
"And we will remain a family," Sarah Jane spoke up, as she attempted to fit a key into the lock on the door. "But things can't continue this way, sweetheart."
Rose bit her lip as finally the tears that had been building up, began trickling down her cheeks. "If something happens to anyone of you, make your way to the woods and find the gypsy camp. Tell them that the Comtesse Andrea Prentice sent you. They'll take care of you."
The older woman slammed her hand down. "Oh, this blasted thing! This was the only key I could find hidden amongst the Baroness's things. I was sure it was it!"
A throat was cleared behind them, and they were all surprised to see Michael standing at the top of the stairs, grinning from ear to ear.
"What are you doing here!? I thought your master had you working tonight."
"He thinks I'm out making deliveries. Even so, sometimes you've got to stop sitting around, taking orders like a dog. If you've taught me anything throughout the years, Rose, you've taught me that you don't just give up. You don't just let things happen. You make a stand. You say no. You have the guts to do what's right when everyone else just runs away, and I just can't just let you sit in a dark cellar when the love of your life is out there waiting for you. Now, if you ladies will please move aside, I've brought some back up!" Stepping away, Michael revealed an older gentleman standing behind him.
"Hello!"
"Lord Mott!" Ros exclaimed.
"Wilfred, please, my dear. Now if you ladies will allow me." Moving his way down the stairs, Wilf stepped up to the locked door and promptly pulled the bolts holding the door up, out of their sockets.
Sarah Jane's jaw dropped in both awe and irritation. "Why didn't I think of that? That's brilliant!"
Wilf chuckled. "Yes, I shall go down in history as the man who opened a door!"
Rose blinked rapidly as the door opened and light flooded the cellar, racing towards the opening, she took a moment to hug everyone around her, ending with Lord Mott. "Wilfred, why are you here?"
"Well, I was told Prince James was expecting you at the ball!" he answered cheerfully.
"He is expecting someone who does not exist. My lord, my name is Rose Tyler and I am but a servant."
"Yes, and I am the bastard son of a peasant, what's has that to do with anything?"
Rose bowed her head. "I have deceived him. Lied to him."
Lord Mott placed a finger under her chin, urging her to look at him. "He's a good man, your prince. He will understand and forgive you."
"Come now, sweetheart." Sarah Jane wrapped an arm around her waist. 'The night is young and we must get you ready for the ball!"
Rose shrugged out of her embrace. "I appreciate all of your efforts, but I do not wish to go. It will only end in certain disaster for us all."
Gwen placed her hands on her hips and stepped toward her. "Rose Tyler, if you stay than Cassandra O'bloodybrian wins and I will not allow that! I won't!"
"But how can I face him?" she whispered.
"Because, my dear girl, he deserves to hear the truth from the one he loves," Wilfred told her gently.
"A bird may love a wolf, my lord, but where would they make their home? The earth or the sky?"
A wide, knowing smile graced the man's face. "Then I shall have to make you wings!"
