The Riddle
A Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm
Retold By
Nana
(A Sango x Miroku fairy tale)
Chapter 1
By Royal Command
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Authors' Notes: The Riddle is one of the shorter, lesser-known tales by the Brothers Grimm, involving a prince who, after a series of near-disastrous encounters, sets out to capture the hand (and heart) of a wily princess. He has to do so by giving her a riddle that she could not solve. The tale has been modified to suit certain details and interpretation that the author has concocted for MiroSan.^^
This fic is made in answer to Sango-sama's Fractured Feudal Fairy Tales fic challenge.
Disclaimer: The fairy tale belongs rightfully to the Brothers Grimm, and Sango and Miroku belong rightfully to Rumiko Takahashi.
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As all fairy tales went, this one began no differently.
Once upon a time, there was a prince who, like all prodigal sons, had managed to test his father's temper to the very limit.
The young man had just turned nineteen, had managed to break the heart of every single princess far and near in at least five kingdoms, and had come home without choosing a bride from any one of them.
Now this would not do, thought the old king as he paced around his study worriedly. He was not getting any younger. He would want to see some grandchildren before he passed on, be reassured that the kingdom would remain safely within his family's reign for generations to come.
It was a matter of national security, of utmost importance, and Miroku was not showing any signs of indulging his father on his fondest wish!
In all aspects except this one critical detail, the Prince was worthy of all the honors and graces bestowed upon him. He was young, handsome, of cheerful disposition and not without a sound mind. His heart was in the right place when it came to matters that needed deciding for his people's interests. The only problem with him was that he could not decide on matters of the heart!
Charm had come to him quite early, so there was really no problem in that department. The big problem now was why it wasn't bringing in the results the old king was expecting.
Why, oh why, the old king thought with a long-suffering sigh, must he and his wife have an only child?
From far away, the trumpets sounded from the towers of the castle, signifying the arrival of his son.
Miroku was coming home today after a week in the eastern kingdom. Like all his other conquests, the Prince had willingly set out to see Princess Kagome after hearing about her legendary beauty.
After one week of anxious waiting without any word from him, bad news had made its way first to the old king even before his son could write him. The said bad news was, indeed, lying on top of his polished oak table just now.
More trouble was about to come. The king had to see to it. From the vast glass window overlooking the courtyard below, he could see his son's steed cantering to a halt. Even before the prince could get down from his saddle, the king could see a page running over to him.
Drastic measures are necessary, thought the old king grimly. Even his son would not dare refuse to obey a Royal Command.
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Miroku sighed as he mounted the stone steps leading to his father's study.
"His majesty has requested the presence of Your Highness…" The page had said in trembling tones, and Miroku had felt vaguely sorry for him.
Of course, everyone was afraid of his father. He himself knew there were certain times when it was better not to cross the old king's path, but they had been over this routine a thousand times for it to have any effect on him now.
Still, he had a valid reason why he couldn't propose to the Princess. His father needed to know. Better now than any other time.
And with that, he gave the closed door of his father's study a few, respectful raps before ushering himself in.
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"What is wrong with her this time?" snapped the old king as way of greeting as soon as Miroku stepped into his study.
"And greetings to you too, Father," he said pleasantly.
"Well?! What is it now? Was her nose off-center or was it a bad ankle again?" Stormed the king.
Miroku stared at his father for a minute, masterfully suppressing the urge to laugh. "No," he said seriously. "Nothing was wrong with Princess Kagome. In fact, she was quite beautiful--"
"So why this letter?" shouted the king as he grabbed at the offending piece of writing from his desk and shook it in front of his son's face. "'It was an honor for us to receive your son as our guest…'?" Why this standard, customary thank you note and not anything grander?"
"Because," said Miroku patiently, "it's not going to happen between Princess Kagome and myself. She has already chosen somebody else."
"Chosen somebody else?" echoed the king faintly.
Miroku nodded. "She's going to marry that white-haired Prince from the western kingdom," he said. "The second son."
"I-Inu Yasha…?"
"Exactly. They plan to break the news sometime today," said Miroku, taking advantage of his father's lapse into shock and heading toward the crackling flames in the fireplace to warm his chilled hands. "I'm sure you will be getting their wedding announcement soon."
The king recovered quickly enough and shock gave way to indignant sputtering.
"B-but, Prince Inu Yasha is only a second son! I would have understood it more if she were to choose the Crown Prince Sesshou …!" The king stopped as a thought sank in.
"Now wait just a minute here, boy," growled the king. "Did you, by any chance, clarify to Princess Kagome and her parents why you visited her in the first place?"
A nerve broke out from his temple as he correctly interpreted his son's silence. "Well, why didn't you tell them?" He shouted.
"And ruin a happy match?" Miroku asked, a straight brow raised. "Really now, Father. Do you think me that desperate?"
"You may not be desperate," shouted the king, "but I am! By God, I swear you will not set foot back in this kingdom as long as you do not bring home a bride! Do you hear me?! By Royal Command, you are banished from this kingdom until you do as I say!"
Miroku stood there, debating whether to take his father's words seriously or not, when the wadded piece of royal stationery from Princess Kagome's parents hit him square on the face and landed on the carpet below.
Okay. Things are getting out of hand here…thought Miroku. Before he could say or do anything, the king had uttered the last word.
"Now, get on with your Royal Tour," growled his father.
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More Notes: Well, this didn't exactly happen in the fairy tale, but it's one way of forcing Miroku to start his quest, ne?^^ Reviews are greatly appreciated.