The Truth Must Be Told
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine
Note: This is a story about what would happen if Danielle had (eventually) told Henry the truth at Amboise. This is my first Ever After fic and I would love any feedback from readers. I love Ever After and am addicted to the movie. Enjoy (
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Danielle felt as though her heart would break, that is, if it were not already broken. His Royal Highness Prince Henry, the man she loved, stood before her now, raging with passion and ecstatic voice, about his love for her. Yet she knew this, this wonderful, pure relationship, could never last. This moment could not continue forever as she hoped, and so her heart wept.
For she Danielle was nothing more than a servant. She had deceived the prince into believing she was more, that she was a countess. And now she must pay the price, she resolved.
Henry moved closer to her now. Love was burning in his brilliant eyes. Oh it was too much to bear. Danielle choked back another sob. Henry was so close she could feel his warm breath upon her face. 'Oh to stay this way forever' she dreamed. But she knew the dream must end here. For at that moment Henry placed his hand under her chin, lifting her bowed head gently.
"Now then, what is it you had to tell me?"
Danielle could not face him. She could not tell him. She felt lost, more lost perhaps than she had ever felt before. She turned away from Henry so her back was towards him.
"Simply that, last night was the happiest night of my life." She whispered, feeling cowardly and ashamed as she did so. She hadn't told him. She had made a fine mess of the situation and she knew it.
She could never see him again, she knew that, and it hurt for she loved him so. She looked him all over, memorising each perfect detail of his body. Choking and sobbing she turned to leave.
She felt a tug at her arm. Henry still had hold of her hand. He drew her in, closer to his warm, safe body, exactly where Danielle wanted to be, yet exactly where she knew she should not, could not be.
He pulled her even closer, and bent down to her level. His soft lips came closer to hers. Oh how she wanted to let him kiss her, to feel his lips upon hers, for what would be the last time.
Her heart beat quickened. She tilted her own chin upwards to meet his lips with her own. As their lips met Danielle felt her heart soar with joy. Theirs was a kiss filled with passion and longing, and for Danielle it was one of goodbye, which added even more emotion into her turbulent kissing.
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Prince Henry had been thrilled beyond measure when Nicole had turned up just earlier to the ruins. It was rather late in the day and he had begun to wonder and worry. For he loved Danielle with all his heart and he had been so certain she loved him also.
So when she had shown up, looking every bit the angel he thought she was, in a beautiful pure white gown, with her sensuous long hair wrapped elegantly in a chignon. His spirits and heart had soared.
His feeling of joy had momentarily turned to those of worry, when he saw her usually, bright, expressive face was pale, and slightly puffy, and that she was walking somewhat awkwardly.
However she had claimed to be fine, although slightly not herself. So in the heat of his feelings of love, his feelings of anxiety were diminished.
He began to tell her of his plans which had kept him awake half of the night. His plans and his thoughts of her, he added to himself. He paid no heed to her when she said there was much to be said, for he wanted her to share the excitement of all he had planned to do for his country, out of the inspiration of her.
When he had exhausted his ideas, and confessions of eternal love. He turned to her. To hear what it was she found so necessary to tell him. He was pained to note that her head was down, she looked upset, and that she was making her best efforts not to cry.
"Your not making this easy." She had said to him. What was it she needed to say. Surely it could not be that hard to tell someone you love something that important to you.
He lifted her chin and asked her to speak. She breathed in unsteadily, shakily, still she was trying not to cry.
"Simply that, last night was the happiest night of my life."
She had replied. Henry knew this was not the whole truth. But he wanted her to be happy so badly.
'In time.' He thought. 'When she trusts me more she will share it all.
He felt her turn, but he reeled her back in, with the grip he still held on her arm.
He wanted, needed to kiss her. To feel her close to him.
He lowered his lips to hers, as she raised hers to him. They met in unison and Henry felt behind that kiss, a passion which was indescribable. The kiss deepened, and Henry found himself becoming lost in her.
He moved his arms around to her back. He needed to feel her even closer, to devour her and make them whole, one, within each other.
Danielle felt his arms move around to her back, and in a moment of passion, he pushed against her back, in an attempt to bring her closer to him.
Danielle moaned in pain, and pulled away from him, sobbing and gasping for breath. The pain had been to much to bear. She couldn't of pretended otherwise like she had so wanted to.
Her wounds had been poorly tended. They were only fresh today, and were still uncovered and raw. Her dress had been rubbing against them uncomfortably all day, and she knew they were still weeping and bleeding.
Danielle stole a quick glance up at Henry, he was looking down at her with confusion and worry. She had destroyed everything now. Even if she tried to run it would do no use. Henry deserved to know what was happening, and now she knew she must explain it all.
"Nicole, please what is it? Have I hurt you? Please Nicole, what is wrong?"
His concern stabbed at her heart with more pain than her lashing marks could ever produce. How awful for him to care for her so much, when she was about to crush the wonderful world they had made together.
"Your Highness" she gasped through the pain. "Please forgive me, for I have deceived you beyond measure."
"Nicole, darling. Nothing you could do, my dear could possibly be as bad as all that. I love you so. I will of course forgive you. And please I implore you call me Henry, for we are equals you and I. Bound by love."
"No" Danielle moaned. "Sire please, I beg of you listen." Her head was down and tears fell freely from her eyes. Her body was searing with the pain from her back and could feel the blood seeping through her dress.
It was now, or never she knew it. She had to tell him now.
"Sire"
"Henry" he interrupted. He was still confused as to what could possibly be wrong.
'Your Highness. I am not who I said I am. The day you first saw me at court, I was there only to save the life of a man who was like a father to me, and an irreplaceable figure in my household. I thought I would never see you again, and so when you asked for a name, any name. I gave you the first one that came to mind. The name of my mother. It pains my heart to know I lied to you, when I loved you so. But it is the truth. For my name is Danielle de Barbarac and I am but a servant. I had merely dressed as a courtier to free Maurice. It was never my intention to deceive you, and I can never apologise enough for hurting you so."
Henry was quiet. Too quiet. She was too afraid to look up at him, she feared his reaction greatly.
Henry could not believe what he was hearing. This woman who he had thought he loved, who he had pledged his life to, had been lying to him the entire time. He looked down at her, disgust plain in his eyes. He did not for a moment see the woman he had, only moments before been spouting his love for. He saw only a liar, a traitor, and a lowly servant.
The knowledge that his thoughts were wrong and disgusting, flew across his mind. But his heart was far too shattered at the present to take much notice.
Anger coursed through his veins. He had been made a fool of. He looked at her, with her head down, tears falling freely and plentifully down her face onto the ground.
He grasped her shoulders firmly, roughly and shook her. His heart was wounded and he was so upset.
Millions of thoughts ran through his mind.
"Why?" he screamed at her as he shook her violently. " You never loved me, your just like all the rest, no different at all." He appeared as a mad man, so great was his pain and suffering.
A shrill cry of pain split the air. It had come from Nicole.. no Danielle. He stopped shaking her, and looked down at her shattered visage, pushing her away from him roughly.
She fell to her knees before him, at his feet.
"Please Sire, I beg you, listen to me. I did love you. I do love you, oh so very much. Too much I fear, for I will never get over how much I have hurt you."
Sobbing overtook her words, and she remained crouched at his feet, sobs racking her shuddering body.
Henry had shut her eyes when she had fallen and begun to speak. The guilt was too much. For he did love her still. She was the same beautiful, smart, caring woman, only her name had changed. And now he was ashamed at his actions.
He tried to open his eyes, preparing himself for the image of her, his love, crumbled at his feet, begging for his forgiveness and love when it should be him begging her.
He opened his eyes and looked down. The sight turned his blood cold.
There she was, her face buried in the dirt, body shaking in pain. But it was not that which bothered him.
Her entire back was soaked through, with a substance that could only be one thing, blood.
Blood covered her back. The sight was nearly too much for him. The guilt was enormous. He had hurt her, when she was already hurting badly. But why? Why was she so injured?
Henry crouched down so he was nearly level with Danielle.
He placed his hands on her gently, coaxing her to rise up.
"Darling please, look at me." He implored.
Tentatively Danielle raised her head, although not her eyes. They remained as always, down.
"Your Highness" she croaked "I can never tell you enough times how sorry I am. Please punish me, for I deserve it more than anyone for breaking your heart and trust."
Her voice was regretful and sorrowful.
'Why?' Henry wondered 'When I should be the one feeling all those things.'
But that would come later, now he needed to know why she was hurt so badly.
"Danielle, look at me. Please tell me, whatever has happened to your back?"
Danielle gasped she had forgotten. The pain in her heart was so great that the pain in her body paled in comparison.
"I'm so sorry you had to see that Your Highness. It is nothing to worry about, so please I beg you again do not sound so concerned. I do not deserve your sympathy. It is merely a punishment from my master."
Danielle refrained from using the Baronesses name, she did not want her in trouble after all, even though she was occasionally horrid to Danielle she was the only mother she had ever known, and her beloved fathers wife. That above all would make her eternally loyal.
Henry was disgusted. No one punished their servants like this these days. The practise and been practically outlawed and now he knew why. How could anyone as wonderful as Danielle do anything to warrant punishment that even the worst thieves were not subjected to.
"Danielle, pray tell me what you did to deserve such a harsh punishment."
Danielle had glanced up momentarily at the sound of her true name at the prince's lips. How she had longed for him to speak to her, and use her real name. But she quickly averted her eyes again as he tried to catch them with his own.
Danielle was confused. Henry appeared to not be angry with her anymore. And was in fact concerned for her welfare. Perhaps it was possible that he did still love her after all.
'No Danielle' she inwardly scolded herself. 'He couldn't not after the way you have deceived him.'
"Please Your Highness, don't let it worry you. I assure you it was nothing more than I deserve. If not for the crime I committed then, but for hurting you. One way or another I have got only a small taste of what I deserve."
Henry's heart ached to hear her talk like that. For he knew she deserved nothing more than love. His love he hoped. If she would still accept it.
"Danielle I love you. And I know that you could not possibly deserve what you got. Please tell me why this has happened."
Danielle's heart quivered. And fresh tears burst from her eyes. But now they were tears of happiness, joy.
"Sire, is what you said true? Forgive my impertinence, but do you really.. Love me?"
Henry laughed "My dearest Danielle, if it is possible I love you more now than I did earlier today. I love you with all my being. You are the one for me. Servant or not. I love you."
Danielle's whole being swelled with elation. She threw herself into the princes arms, paying no heed o the throbbing pain in her back.
"Sire, I love you, I have loved you ever since we first met. I love you with all my being."
"Danielle?"
"Yes My Lord?"
"Please, I ask you again. Call me Henry"
"As you wish... Henry"
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There will be more added to this story if people like it. I have an idea for the second part which would deal with Prince Henry finding out about the Baroness etc. Please let me know what you think in your reviews.
Love always Annie
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine
Note: This is a story about what would happen if Danielle had (eventually) told Henry the truth at Amboise. This is my first Ever After fic and I would love any feedback from readers. I love Ever After and am addicted to the movie. Enjoy (
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Danielle felt as though her heart would break, that is, if it were not already broken. His Royal Highness Prince Henry, the man she loved, stood before her now, raging with passion and ecstatic voice, about his love for her. Yet she knew this, this wonderful, pure relationship, could never last. This moment could not continue forever as she hoped, and so her heart wept.
For she Danielle was nothing more than a servant. She had deceived the prince into believing she was more, that she was a countess. And now she must pay the price, she resolved.
Henry moved closer to her now. Love was burning in his brilliant eyes. Oh it was too much to bear. Danielle choked back another sob. Henry was so close she could feel his warm breath upon her face. 'Oh to stay this way forever' she dreamed. But she knew the dream must end here. For at that moment Henry placed his hand under her chin, lifting her bowed head gently.
"Now then, what is it you had to tell me?"
Danielle could not face him. She could not tell him. She felt lost, more lost perhaps than she had ever felt before. She turned away from Henry so her back was towards him.
"Simply that, last night was the happiest night of my life." She whispered, feeling cowardly and ashamed as she did so. She hadn't told him. She had made a fine mess of the situation and she knew it.
She could never see him again, she knew that, and it hurt for she loved him so. She looked him all over, memorising each perfect detail of his body. Choking and sobbing she turned to leave.
She felt a tug at her arm. Henry still had hold of her hand. He drew her in, closer to his warm, safe body, exactly where Danielle wanted to be, yet exactly where she knew she should not, could not be.
He pulled her even closer, and bent down to her level. His soft lips came closer to hers. Oh how she wanted to let him kiss her, to feel his lips upon hers, for what would be the last time.
Her heart beat quickened. She tilted her own chin upwards to meet his lips with her own. As their lips met Danielle felt her heart soar with joy. Theirs was a kiss filled with passion and longing, and for Danielle it was one of goodbye, which added even more emotion into her turbulent kissing.
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Prince Henry had been thrilled beyond measure when Nicole had turned up just earlier to the ruins. It was rather late in the day and he had begun to wonder and worry. For he loved Danielle with all his heart and he had been so certain she loved him also.
So when she had shown up, looking every bit the angel he thought she was, in a beautiful pure white gown, with her sensuous long hair wrapped elegantly in a chignon. His spirits and heart had soared.
His feeling of joy had momentarily turned to those of worry, when he saw her usually, bright, expressive face was pale, and slightly puffy, and that she was walking somewhat awkwardly.
However she had claimed to be fine, although slightly not herself. So in the heat of his feelings of love, his feelings of anxiety were diminished.
He began to tell her of his plans which had kept him awake half of the night. His plans and his thoughts of her, he added to himself. He paid no heed to her when she said there was much to be said, for he wanted her to share the excitement of all he had planned to do for his country, out of the inspiration of her.
When he had exhausted his ideas, and confessions of eternal love. He turned to her. To hear what it was she found so necessary to tell him. He was pained to note that her head was down, she looked upset, and that she was making her best efforts not to cry.
"Your not making this easy." She had said to him. What was it she needed to say. Surely it could not be that hard to tell someone you love something that important to you.
He lifted her chin and asked her to speak. She breathed in unsteadily, shakily, still she was trying not to cry.
"Simply that, last night was the happiest night of my life."
She had replied. Henry knew this was not the whole truth. But he wanted her to be happy so badly.
'In time.' He thought. 'When she trusts me more she will share it all.
He felt her turn, but he reeled her back in, with the grip he still held on her arm.
He wanted, needed to kiss her. To feel her close to him.
He lowered his lips to hers, as she raised hers to him. They met in unison and Henry felt behind that kiss, a passion which was indescribable. The kiss deepened, and Henry found himself becoming lost in her.
He moved his arms around to her back. He needed to feel her even closer, to devour her and make them whole, one, within each other.
Danielle felt his arms move around to her back, and in a moment of passion, he pushed against her back, in an attempt to bring her closer to him.
Danielle moaned in pain, and pulled away from him, sobbing and gasping for breath. The pain had been to much to bear. She couldn't of pretended otherwise like she had so wanted to.
Her wounds had been poorly tended. They were only fresh today, and were still uncovered and raw. Her dress had been rubbing against them uncomfortably all day, and she knew they were still weeping and bleeding.
Danielle stole a quick glance up at Henry, he was looking down at her with confusion and worry. She had destroyed everything now. Even if she tried to run it would do no use. Henry deserved to know what was happening, and now she knew she must explain it all.
"Nicole, please what is it? Have I hurt you? Please Nicole, what is wrong?"
His concern stabbed at her heart with more pain than her lashing marks could ever produce. How awful for him to care for her so much, when she was about to crush the wonderful world they had made together.
"Your Highness" she gasped through the pain. "Please forgive me, for I have deceived you beyond measure."
"Nicole, darling. Nothing you could do, my dear could possibly be as bad as all that. I love you so. I will of course forgive you. And please I implore you call me Henry, for we are equals you and I. Bound by love."
"No" Danielle moaned. "Sire please, I beg of you listen." Her head was down and tears fell freely from her eyes. Her body was searing with the pain from her back and could feel the blood seeping through her dress.
It was now, or never she knew it. She had to tell him now.
"Sire"
"Henry" he interrupted. He was still confused as to what could possibly be wrong.
'Your Highness. I am not who I said I am. The day you first saw me at court, I was there only to save the life of a man who was like a father to me, and an irreplaceable figure in my household. I thought I would never see you again, and so when you asked for a name, any name. I gave you the first one that came to mind. The name of my mother. It pains my heart to know I lied to you, when I loved you so. But it is the truth. For my name is Danielle de Barbarac and I am but a servant. I had merely dressed as a courtier to free Maurice. It was never my intention to deceive you, and I can never apologise enough for hurting you so."
Henry was quiet. Too quiet. She was too afraid to look up at him, she feared his reaction greatly.
Henry could not believe what he was hearing. This woman who he had thought he loved, who he had pledged his life to, had been lying to him the entire time. He looked down at her, disgust plain in his eyes. He did not for a moment see the woman he had, only moments before been spouting his love for. He saw only a liar, a traitor, and a lowly servant.
The knowledge that his thoughts were wrong and disgusting, flew across his mind. But his heart was far too shattered at the present to take much notice.
Anger coursed through his veins. He had been made a fool of. He looked at her, with her head down, tears falling freely and plentifully down her face onto the ground.
He grasped her shoulders firmly, roughly and shook her. His heart was wounded and he was so upset.
Millions of thoughts ran through his mind.
"Why?" he screamed at her as he shook her violently. " You never loved me, your just like all the rest, no different at all." He appeared as a mad man, so great was his pain and suffering.
A shrill cry of pain split the air. It had come from Nicole.. no Danielle. He stopped shaking her, and looked down at her shattered visage, pushing her away from him roughly.
She fell to her knees before him, at his feet.
"Please Sire, I beg you, listen to me. I did love you. I do love you, oh so very much. Too much I fear, for I will never get over how much I have hurt you."
Sobbing overtook her words, and she remained crouched at his feet, sobs racking her shuddering body.
Henry had shut her eyes when she had fallen and begun to speak. The guilt was too much. For he did love her still. She was the same beautiful, smart, caring woman, only her name had changed. And now he was ashamed at his actions.
He tried to open his eyes, preparing himself for the image of her, his love, crumbled at his feet, begging for his forgiveness and love when it should be him begging her.
He opened his eyes and looked down. The sight turned his blood cold.
There she was, her face buried in the dirt, body shaking in pain. But it was not that which bothered him.
Her entire back was soaked through, with a substance that could only be one thing, blood.
Blood covered her back. The sight was nearly too much for him. The guilt was enormous. He had hurt her, when she was already hurting badly. But why? Why was she so injured?
Henry crouched down so he was nearly level with Danielle.
He placed his hands on her gently, coaxing her to rise up.
"Darling please, look at me." He implored.
Tentatively Danielle raised her head, although not her eyes. They remained as always, down.
"Your Highness" she croaked "I can never tell you enough times how sorry I am. Please punish me, for I deserve it more than anyone for breaking your heart and trust."
Her voice was regretful and sorrowful.
'Why?' Henry wondered 'When I should be the one feeling all those things.'
But that would come later, now he needed to know why she was hurt so badly.
"Danielle, look at me. Please tell me, whatever has happened to your back?"
Danielle gasped she had forgotten. The pain in her heart was so great that the pain in her body paled in comparison.
"I'm so sorry you had to see that Your Highness. It is nothing to worry about, so please I beg you again do not sound so concerned. I do not deserve your sympathy. It is merely a punishment from my master."
Danielle refrained from using the Baronesses name, she did not want her in trouble after all, even though she was occasionally horrid to Danielle she was the only mother she had ever known, and her beloved fathers wife. That above all would make her eternally loyal.
Henry was disgusted. No one punished their servants like this these days. The practise and been practically outlawed and now he knew why. How could anyone as wonderful as Danielle do anything to warrant punishment that even the worst thieves were not subjected to.
"Danielle, pray tell me what you did to deserve such a harsh punishment."
Danielle had glanced up momentarily at the sound of her true name at the prince's lips. How she had longed for him to speak to her, and use her real name. But she quickly averted her eyes again as he tried to catch them with his own.
Danielle was confused. Henry appeared to not be angry with her anymore. And was in fact concerned for her welfare. Perhaps it was possible that he did still love her after all.
'No Danielle' she inwardly scolded herself. 'He couldn't not after the way you have deceived him.'
"Please Your Highness, don't let it worry you. I assure you it was nothing more than I deserve. If not for the crime I committed then, but for hurting you. One way or another I have got only a small taste of what I deserve."
Henry's heart ached to hear her talk like that. For he knew she deserved nothing more than love. His love he hoped. If she would still accept it.
"Danielle I love you. And I know that you could not possibly deserve what you got. Please tell me why this has happened."
Danielle's heart quivered. And fresh tears burst from her eyes. But now they were tears of happiness, joy.
"Sire, is what you said true? Forgive my impertinence, but do you really.. Love me?"
Henry laughed "My dearest Danielle, if it is possible I love you more now than I did earlier today. I love you with all my being. You are the one for me. Servant or not. I love you."
Danielle's whole being swelled with elation. She threw herself into the princes arms, paying no heed o the throbbing pain in her back.
"Sire, I love you, I have loved you ever since we first met. I love you with all my being."
"Danielle?"
"Yes My Lord?"
"Please, I ask you again. Call me Henry"
"As you wish... Henry"
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There will be more added to this story if people like it. I have an idea for the second part which would deal with Prince Henry finding out about the Baroness etc. Please let me know what you think in your reviews.
Love always Annie