Chapter 21. Just Around the Riverbend

The Princess Aurora

Aurora has spent a week with her new parents in their fancy hotel and to be honest she really missed her small cottage with her aunts. All her stuff had been moved into the hotel but it wasn't the same. She did love the bed at the hotel, it was the softest thing she had ever laid on.

Her parents had never specified how long they planned to stay in Waltville and Aurora didn't want to ask. She had no interest in leaving her friends behind to live in some castle across the sea. Waltville was her home.

This morning was her first day back at school. She had a lot of catching up to do. She sat down to a breakfast of omelettes and fruit with orange juice. Her parents loved to just watch her. It honestly made her uncomfortable.

"So what do you plan on doing today?" Aurora asked them.

"Maybe some shopping." Her mother said thoughtfully. "Write some correspondence with friends in Europe and Canada."

"I have some governmental duties to handle today." Her father sipped his coffee.

"Oh, exciting." Aurora took a bite of strawberry.

"We have some things to talk to you about. Now that you're royalty and you'll be out in the world at an um… public school." Stefan put down his coffee.

"Oh." Aurora raised an eyebrow.

"You see, a monarchy is all about image." Leah explained. "We have to present ourselves to our people as worthy of the Crown and God's blessing to rule."

"Which means being upstanding in behaviour at all times." Stefan wiggled his mustache.

Aurora nodded.

"It also means that you'll have guards outside the school." Stefan added.

"And the press will take intense interest in you, especially because of your story." Leah furthered.

Aurora sighed. "Guards. Press. If I can handle an evil faerie that tried to kill me, I guess I can handle being a princess."

"That's the spirit." King Stefan smiled.

Aurora was not looking forward to all the hype of royalty. She'd rather go back to just being Briar Rose but this was her destiny and she would take it. So many people would kill to be royalty and she had the blessing to be a born princess. She would do her best to wear this blessing well. She was also excited to go back to school and spend time with her friends again after spending a week cooped up in a hotel with just her parents and her aunts.

Yes, today was going to be awesome.

Ariel Triton

Ariel was so excited for Briar to be coming back to school. She hadn't seen her all last week and she needed to catch up on lost time.

The press was outside the school to catch a glimpse of the hometown royalty and students were waiting on the steps to greet her.

Ariel picked up her books from her locker quickly and prepared to run to the front of the school to greet her bestie.

"Hey Ariel, you got a moment." Ariel turned to see Jim Hawkins leaning on the locker next to her.

"What is it? I'm kind of in a hurry." Ariel closed her locker.

"Do you remember back in February how we promised to help each other get with our crushes and now you're dating Eric?" Jim brushed his hair out of his face.

"Yeah." Ariel forgot all about their pact.

"Now it's time for you to help me out. You know how Saturday is Waltville High discount day at Riverbend Park Canoeing?" Jim went on.

"Yeah. My friends and I were planning on going." Ariel kept glancing over her shoulder, she didn't want to miss Briar Rose's triumphant return.

"Well invite me and invite Hans. I wanna share a canoe with him and you are going to be my wingwoman." Jim smiled.

"What? You're gay?" Ariel was shocked.

"I had a threesome with you and Eric, you couldn't assume I was entirely straight." Jim shrugged.

"True, true." Ariel nodded. "Okay, fine. I'll see you on Saturday." Ariel ran off, not sure how Anna would feel about her inviting Hans to their "Let's celebrate Briar Rose's return canoeing party."

Ariel raced down the steps to join Jasmine, Rapunzel, Moana and Anna in the throng of students there to welcome the Princess.

A white limo pulled up to the school. Out stepped burly security guards and a valet. The valet opened the door and out shyly stepped Briar Rose.

She meekly waved to the cameras that flashed incessantly. She then turned to the students and smiled a sweet and warm smile. Everyone cheered.

Tiana and Pocahontas stepped forward.

"Welcome back, Princess Aurora." Tiana said in her capacity as school president.

"It's good to be back." Briar hugged Tiana.

She turned towards Ariel and took her arm. "Let's have an awesome day."

The students parted to let them through and Ariel felt like royalty too. At the stop of the steps stood Philip.

"Hi." He smiled sheepishly.

"Hi." Briar took his hand.

They stepped into the school and were followed by a horde of students like a parade through the halls.

Philip Prince

Philip walked hand and hand with Briar Rose into the school. It was a beautiful spring day and the cool breeze ran through Waltville High. They were surrounded by cheerful friends who swarmed Briar with well wishes and welcomes.

"It's good to be back." Briar smiled and squeezed his hand.

Just then the lights seemed to flicker as a group of girls entered the hallway. It was Angelina flanked by Vanessa and Tink.

Philip and Briar both exchanged shocked glances. Wasn't she dead?

Angelina strode up to them. "Welcome back, Princess."

Philip and Aurora were speechless. Angelina smiled, relishing their surprise.

Vanessa scoffed. "Nothing to say? You're as rude as ever. And don't think you're better than us since your royalty in some tiny country no one cares about. This is America."

"It's nice to see you, Vanessa." Briar managed to smile.

Philip glared daggers at Angelina. If she dared try and hurt Briar Rose again, she would have to go through him first.

The bell rang and everyone dispersed. Briar gave Philip a quick kiss on the cheek before she headed off to class but Philip saw Angelina just watching them, smiling as everyone bustled around her. He couldn't help but shiver.

Tiana Orleans

Tiana watched Philip and Aurora stride through the school together and felt a pang in her heart. Not because she and Philip and briefly dated sophomore year, that was ancient history, but because she wanted what they had.

"Isn't it so romantic?" Lottie cooed.

"It is. Isn't it?" Tiana gave a nervous smile.

She had to ask her. It wouldn't leave her mind, she had to give it a try.

"Lottie?" Tiana asked nervously, "What would you say if I asked Naveen out?"

"My ex-boyfriend?" Lottie gasped.

"I know, I shouldn't ask." Tiana started to back track.

"You must really have a thing for him if you're willing to ask me. You're so sweet." Lottie hugged her. "Thanks for thinking of me Tiana but you deserve to be happy. You have my blessing to ask Naveen out!"

"Thanks, Lottie. You're a great friend." Tiana beamed.

Maybe she had a chance at love after all.

Cinderella Tremaine

Cinderella was eating lunch at a corner table with Belle when Charles took a sit and slid an internship application in front of Cinderella.

"What's this?" Cinderella looked at the application.

"A summer internship with Andalasia Fashions in New York." Charles explained.

"With Giselle Andalasia? Waltville High's most famous grad and high fashion dress designer!" Cinderella lit up.

"That's the one. I'm sure being from her hometown would give you an advantage in the application process." Charles smiled.

"You have to apply, Ella." Belle said. "It's perfect for you."

"I don't know." Ella was uncertain. "My stepmother would never let me go to New York."

"Screw your stepmother. Apply." Belle gave Cinderella's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"We'll figure out how to deal with her once you get the internship." Charles laughed. "Now you just need to assemble a portfolio of designs and dresses."

"I'll take pictures of what you've made." Belle smiled.

"And if you need any fabric, it's on me." Charles kissed her on the cheek.

"You two are the best." Ella beamed. She couldn't ask for a better best friend or boyfriend.

Ariel Triton

Anna had been hesitant to let Ariel invite Hans but Ariel explained her deal with Jim and Anna relented.

They had quite a big group renting canoes. The canoe people had them launch in two groups of four to keep the river from getting too crowded. Ariel was in the first group.

She and Eric were first to launch, followed by Jim and Hans. Hans had been genuinely shocked to be invited and even more surprised when he saw Jim there and Ariel insisted they be canoe buddie. Jasmine and Aladdin followed Jim and Hans and Rapunzel and Flynn took up the rear.

It was a lovely spring day and the rushing river was clear and bright. The canoes wound their way through willow groves and tiny waterfalls.

They eventually paused in a romantic lagoon where the willow branches hid them from sight. Aladdin and Jasmine began to make out and Flynn and Rapunzel followed. Eric leaned into Ariel to kiss her and just then Hans and Jim's canoe slammed into there's. Jim cleared his throat.

Right, Ariel was supposed to be his wingwoman. Ariel thought quickly. She noticed Hans was in a white sleeveless compression shirt.

"Water fight!" Ariel shouted. And splashed Hans with her oar, turning his shirt see through.

"Ariel." Hans groaned.

"Hot." Jim said frankly and whipped off his own shirt.

"Really?" Hans smiled.

"Don't be a dork." Jim splashed him.

"Oh it's that kind of party." Eric whipped his shirt off and whipped it at Jim.

"Don't have a water fight without me!" Flynn called and splashed Aladdin and Jasmine.

"Eugene!" Rapunzel fake scolded but then Flynn splashed her.

Ariel felt a wave hit her. It was Jim and Hans working in unison, throwing the water at her.

"Oh I see how it is!" Ariel laughed and splashed back.

They were all laughing and splashing and playing under the protective watch of the old willow tree. Jim winked at Ariel as a wet Hans laughed and played. Ariel wasn't sure what Jim saw in Hans but he was grateful for her help. She had fulfilled a bargain but the darker bargain she had made with her mother lurked in her mind.

Philip Prince

Philip was in the second group to launch. He shared a canoe with Kristoff while Briar Rose and Anna shared a canoe. Mulan and Moana took one canoe and Phoebus and Kenai took the other.

Philip found canoeing exciting. They went down the rushing river quickly, past otters and logs and waterbirds. He and Kristoff had a good rhythm, they floated parallel to Briar and Anna's boats.

"It's a beautiful day. I love spring." Philip declared.

Briar laughed.

"You love everything." Kristoff rolled his eyes.

"That's what I love about him." Briar smiled.

"Omg, you two are so cute." Anna cooed.

"Gross." Kenai laughed as him and Phoebus sailed by, smacking into Philip and Kristoff's canoe, tipping it over.

"Oh no!" Briar laugh-screamed as Philip's canoe capsized.

Philip and Kristoff splashed around in the water.

"You alright?" Anna asked.

"Fine." Philip spat some water at Kristoff. "But now we'll be better." He winked at Kristoff.

Kristoff knew what to do, they pushed Phoebus and Kenai's boat over, sending their friends crashing into the water.

"Real mature guys." Moana called from her boat.

Kenai and Phoebus stood up drenched.

"This is why we left our phones in the car." Phoebus wiped his wet blonde hair from his face.

Kenai dove into the water sending cascading splashes everywhere, he pulled down Philip's shorts putting Philip's red briefs on display.

"Oh my gosh you guys." Anna giggled.

Philip laughed and launched on top of Kenai, wrestling him in the water. Kenai was always a wild one and they were just having fun.

The boys splashed around in the water for a bit and by the time they were done, Philip was covered in mud and his shorts were sagging off of him. He didn't care until he saw Briar's face. Her hand was on her face and she was glancing back to some canoes full of security guards who watched with disapproving glares. Maybe Philip had messed up.

Pocahontas Powhatan

Pocohontas couldn't believe that Elsa agreed to go canoeing with her. Of course she was wearing gloves in the spring heat but Elsa was eccentric, Pocahontas liked it.

They wound their way gently through riverbend park, Elsa was quiet, admiring the beauty of nature. Pocahontas admired the beauty of Elsa, her platinum blonde hair in a lovely braid, her pale white skin glistening with sweat.

Pocahontas touched the water. "What I love most rivers is, you can't step in the same river twice, the waters always changing, always flowing."

"They say water has memory." Elsa said quietly.

"People I guess can't live like that. There's a price to be safe. We lose our chance of knowing what adventures life has in store." Pocahontas thought out loud.

"Safety is important." Elsa looked down.

"But what about the adventure in life. My father says to be steady like the river but it isn't steady at all." Pocahontas felt the speeding water and laughed as she saw otters break through the surface in their endless games.

The canoe came speeding to a fork in the river. One path was obvious and steady and another one was full of twists and turns and little rapids.

"I know which one we're taking." Pocahontas smiled and steered them to the wilder path.

"What?" Elsa was shocked.

"Come on, it will be fun." Pocahontas laughed as their boat went down a mini-rapid and crashed through cascading droplets that made a little rainbow.

"I didn't sign up for this." Elsa shook her head to dry off.

"You need a little adventure." Pocahontas nudged her with her oar as they went down another small rapid.

The water splashed and Elsa's glove flew off.

"My glove!" Elsa cried out.

The boat bucked and the water crashed and Elsa put out her hand and shot a bolt of ice.

Pocahontas gasped. She has seen magic when Rapunzel healed Flynn but she wasn't ready for this.

The whole section of the river rapidly froze and their canoe was stuck in the frost-blue ice.

Panicked animals fled into the trees and Elsa sobbed.

"I'm a monster." Elsa cried, "I didn't want you to know but-"

"Stop, don't say that." Pocahontas said softly. "The spirits have given you a gift. Don't be afraid."

"A gift that can destroy and hurt people." Elsa sobbed. "Conceal, don't feel, conceal, don't feel."

"Elsa." Pocahontas touched her hand.

Elsa pulled back. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I'm not afraid. I'm listening with my heart." Pocahontas stepped out of the canoe and on to the ice. She turned around and faced Elsa and kissed her. It was a clash of warmth and winter, of salty sweet and cold peppermint becoming one.

Suddenly the ice started to melt and return to water. Pocahontas sank into the cold river and swam up to the boat. Elsa looked at her in shock.

"How did that happen?"

"I don't know." Pocahontas smiled. "Who knows what adventures are waiting for us, Just Around the Riverbend?"

Adam Prince

Adam sat in his room in darkness, not wanting to look at his monstrous form. The fireplace cast a slight glow but he shied away from the light. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Adam, it's Belle." A familiar voice called.

"Belle!" He lit up and lumbered to the door.

He opened the door to see his favorite person in the world smiling at him.

"What are you doing in the dark?" Belle flipped the switch as she entered the room. "You're not a wild animal."

On days like this when Adam felt like he would be a Beast forever this was the perfect thing to say to him.

"Did you come by to do some research on the curse?" Adam asked.

"No, actually." Belle sat down on the couch and pulled out a book. "I've kind of hit a roadblock. I was just thinking you must be lonely and we could spend some time together."

"Yes, that would be nice." Adam smiled with his fangs and sat down next to the couch.

"I got this book from your library, it's an old copy of 'Le Mort de Arthur'!" Belle smiled. "I've always wanted to read this. Would you like to read it together?"

"I'd love that." Adam's heart felt warm and bright and Belle began to read, not noticing a flick of blue flame in the fireplace.

Philip Prince

Philip felt bad for getting so much mud in the limo. Briar assured him it was fine but the glares from her security guards didn't make him feel fine.

He was supposed to join Briar and her new parents for dinner in their fancy hotel. He brought clothes to change into after he showered at their hotel which Briar had insisted would be alright.

They arrived at the hotel and stepped out of the limo. In the lobby they saw King Stefan waiting for them with even more security guards.

"Hi Dad." Briar Rose waved.

Philip gave him a bow. "King Stefan."

"Mr. Prince." Stefan glared down at the muddy boy with disdain.

"Philip and I just need to get cleaned up and then we'll be ready for dinner." Briar explained.

"That won't be necessary." Stefan cleared his throat. "Aurora's security team informed me about your behavior today, Philip. That behavior is not appropriate behavior for the paramour of a Liechtenstein Royal. Such behavior breeds gossip and scandal."

Philip looked down at the floor in shame. "I'm sorry." He looked back up at the King. "It won't happen again."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that." Stefan grimaced. "This behavior seems to be a pattern for you, Philip. They're are plenty of pictures of you in states of undress and getting into fights. That kind of press is not appropriate. We can't have you tarnishing Princess Aurora's image. Thank you for your help but you will not be seeing my daughter romantically anymore."

"What!" Philip went pale. His world was crashing around him.

"You can't do that. You don't get to control my dating life." Briar grabbed Philip's arm.

"You have a duty to the country now." Stefan stood straight and firm, like a king.

"Philip and I's love saved me from sleeping forever, from dying. You can't just throw it away." Briar held him tight and he held her close.

"Don't make a scene, Aurora. As Royals our image is everything. We can't risk anything by sullying it. Guards, escort this young man home." Stefan waved the guards over.

"No!" Briar Rose buried her head in Philip's muddy chest.

"It's okay." Philip kissed her golden hair. "I'll see you at school."

They hugged each other tightly. A guard put his hand on Philip's shoulder. Philip let go of Briar Rose and let the guards walk him to a car and drive him home. He waited until he got home to let the tears pour out.