NOTE: I should have mentioned this sooner, but this entire story was inspired by events that occurred in the Smurfs episode "The Prince and the Hopper." The Lady Xolynda, however, is my own original character—as is Nettles, who is introduced in this chapter.

Chapter Five

Prince Theodore had never felt so happy. He turned his head to view the profile of the Lady Xolynda. Her deep blue eyes reminded him of his good friends the Smurfs, and especially of Smurfette. He admired the way her long, blond hair was styled, worked into intricate braids and coils by her talented handmaidens. He could hardly believe that such a perfect girl was sitting beside him, holding his hand, that she could actually love him as much as he loved her. But in her letters, which he treasured, she had told him again and again how wonderful she thought he was. And now she was here, right next to him!

Sensing his gaze on her cheek, Lady Xolynda turned to face the prince. Theodore's expression melted into a soppy grin as she flashed him a brilliant smile-the one that made her face light up like a candle in the darkness. Then, she turned back to watch the guests, who were laughing, dancing, and eating to their hearts content. There wasn't a glum face among them.

Prince Theodore placed his free hand over his fluttering heart. He hadn't felt like this since he'd met his former fiancée, the Lady Jasmine. He prayed Xolynda wouldn't turn out to be as greedy and duplicitous as she had been. But stealing another glance at her perfect profile, he rejected that fear as ludicrous. Xolynda was different. She would never lie to him.

"You know, Theodore," she said suddenly. "I would really like to see more of your castle. Do you think you could give me a tour?"

Theodore grinned broadly. "Why, of course I could, Xolynda! It would be my pleasure!"

"Well, come on, then," she smiled, standing and pulling gently on his hand. "Everyone's having so much fun, they won't miss us for a while yet."

Theodore grinned back, then stood and allowed his fiancée to lead him from the noisy hall.

"I can't stand it a moment longer. I'm taking this armor off now, no matter what anyone thinks."

"Close the door, Clumsy," said Hefty. "Go ahead, Brainy. No one will see you now."

Brainy strained to raise his arms, then wiggled his fingers.

"Change this armor, heavy and cold
back into more comfortable clothes."

Clumsy and Brainy sighed with relief as the great weight of their armor lifted from their shoulders. Brainy looked around with a self-satisfied smirk. They were all back in their brown human clothes.

Hefty rolled his eyes.

"Who wrote these awful chants? Cold and clothes? Poet would have a smurfattack!"

"Well, don't look at me," said Brainy. "These chants came from Papa Smurf's spell book, and he's had them for ages and ages."

Clumsy chuckled. "Gosh," he said. "I feel so light! It's almost like I'm floating!"

Brainy smiled. "It is an odd sensation, isn't it?"

Hefty scowled and took the seat Smurfette had vacated in the corner. "I don't feel anything," he said.

"So," said Brainy. "What are we going to do now?" He looked around. "Where are we, anyway?"

"We're in Prince Theodore's office," said Smurfette. "Don't you recognize it, Brainy? You must have been here a hundred times."

Brainy looked surprised. "It is? I never would have guessed." He crouched down to the carpet and put his ear to the floor. "Ah, I see it now." He stood up again. "That's the problem with being so tall. Everything looks so different from up here, even familiar places look strange." He started striding around the room, examining every painting and object.

"Oh," he said suddenly. "I think I've found a mirror. I wonder how I look."

Clumsy, Hefty, and Smurfette came over as he stepped in front of an oval mirror that was hanging on the wall right next to the door.

"Hey!" he exclaimed in surprise. "I look just the same." He looked down at his pale, human hands. "But, that's not right," he said. "In this mirror, I'm still blue. What's smurfing on here?"

"Let me have a look, Brainy," said Hefty. Brainy stepped out of the way.

"Hey, Brainy's right," said Hefty. "What kind of mirror is this?"

Smurfette snapped her fingers. "Oh, I know. Prince Theodore once told me that he uses this mirror to see if any of the people who come to call on him are carrying weapons behind their backs. It only shows the truth. Being a Prince is a very dangerous job, after all."

"So that explains it," said Brainy. "This mirror can tell we're Smurfs, even through Papa Smurf's transfiguration spell."

"Quiet!" Hefty exclaimed suddenly. "I can hear footsteps outside! I think they're headed this way!"

"But, we're enormous now!" squeaked Brainy frantically. "Where can we possibly hide?"

"Behind this tapestry," said Smurfette, pulling a corner of the tapestry aside to reveal a small nook behind it. "If we press against the wall and try not to breathe too hard, it just might hide us."

Brainy moaned. "Oh, what I wouldn't give to be Smurf-sized again!"

"Quiet, Brainy, they've reached the door!"

The disguised Smurfs dashed behind the tapestry. It was a very cramped fit. They really had to squeeze against the wall to make sure the tapestry didn't show any bulges.

They were just in time. No sooner had the tapestry stopped swinging than two people entered the room.

"And, this is my office, Xolynda," came Prince Theodore's voice. He sounded very happy and excited. "This is where I do most of my work."

"Oh, Theo," came a soft, pleasant voice. "It's lovely. What a beautifully carved desk! Oh, and just look at all these books!"

"Do you like books, Xolynda?" asked Theodore, sounding very pleased.

"Oh, yes! You have quite a nice collection. But, what are these tiny ones over here? Why, they're barely the size of my thumb!"

Brainy had to clamp a hand over his mouth to keep from gasping. She had found the autographed volumes of Brainy Smurf's Bedtime Stories that he'd given Theodore on his last birthday.

"Oh, those!" said Theodore, a little uneasily. "They're from a friend."

"They're so cute! What's this little blue face on the cover?"

Brainy pressed his hand harder against his mouth. The others were starting to look concerned as well.

"Oh, well that's a picture of one of the characters in the story. They're just a bunch of fairy tales, you know."

"I just adore fairy tales, Theo. Maybe after we're married, you can read some to me? You know that fairy tales are best read out loud."

There was the sound of swishing fabric as Xolynda moved across the room, then a moment of silence.

"Er, what are they doing?" Clumsy whispered.

"I think they're kissing," Hefty whispered back. Now Smurfette had to clamp a hand over her mouth.

Just then, there was a sharp rap at the door.

"Who's there?" asked Theodore, sounding rather annoyed.

The hidden Smurfs heard the door opening.

"Your highness," said a gruff voice. "The peasants have come to talk to you about their chickens."

Theodore sighed. "What is it this time? Didn't that egg laying spell work?"

"Yes, your highness. Perfectly, as usual. But, I think it's something else."

"Oh, all right. Tell them I'll be right there."

"Yes, your highness."

The door closed again. Theodore sounded very apologetic.

"I'm sorry, my dear, but I must see what my people want."

"I understand, my dear," said Xolynda. "I'll be right here when you get back."

There was another brief moment of silence, then the door opened again.

"I shouldn't be long, Xolynda."

"Just go. You don't want to keep them waiting."

The door closed. The Smurfs looked at each other uncomfortably. It was very unpleasant being crammed behind the tapestry. They hoped Theodore would be back soon so he could leave again and take Xolynda with him.

They listened to the swish of Xolynda's gown as she paced back and forth across the carpet. After a short while, the rustle stopped.

"Ah, hello my lovely," came Xolynda's voice.

"She must be talking to her reflection," whispered Hefty. "There's no one else here."

"Oh, I wish I could see through this tapestry," whispered Smurfette. "I don't like it back here."

Brainy was about to point out that if she hadn't made her stupid wish, none of them would be back there, but before he could open his mouth, Xolynda spoke again.

"You are a clever thing, aren't you," she was saying. "Mummy loves you, you know that, don't you."

The hidden Smurfs made a face. "Ugh," hissed Hefty. "She sounds just like Vanity."

"Now, you know what to do. I have convinced Theodore to move the wedding to tomorrow. He was reluctant, of course, after all, his people didn't even know we were engaged until I forced him to tell them tonight at the feast instead of tomorrow as he'd planned. But, he's such a romantic sap, he'll do anything I say."

The Smurfs looked at each other, eyes wide in surprise.

"Oh, poor Theodore!" Smurfette whispered softly.

There was a low hissing sound. Xolynda laughed. "Yes, that's right!" she said in her silvery voice. "On the night of the wedding, you come to the royal bedchambers and-" There was a loud clapping sound. Xolynda laughed again. "I will be Queen in my own right! Then, my pet, we'll see about my slimy brother, Morlock. If he thinks I'll keep my promise to share power with him after Theodore's out of the way, he's got another think coming! No one shares power with Xolynda the Magnificent!" Her laugh was like the sound of cracked crystal bells.

At that moment, the latch of the door gave a twitch. Xolynda's laughter stopped abruptly. Theodore's voice could be heard in the corridor. "And tell the guests that the Lady Xolynda and I will be back down in time for the ball."

"Quick, Nettles, hide behind the tapestry! He's coming!"

The Smurfs froze. "Oh, no!" squeaked Smurfette. "What will we do?"

Hefty felt something warm moving over his boots. He gulped, then looked down.

"Oh, my smurfness!" he exclaimed in a strained whisper. "It's a snake!"

Brainy and Clumsy clasped their hands over their mouths. Smurfette let out a sharp exclamation, "Oh!" Brainy immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, but it was already too late.

Theodore had come into the room at the exact moment Hefty noticed the snake slithering over his feet.

"Well, my sweet Xolynda, I'm back!" he'd said, sounding very relieved. "Did you miss me?"

It was at that moment that Smurfette had let out her little, "Oh!" Theodore and Xolynda spun to face the tapestry.

"What was that?" asked Theodore.

"I-I don't know," said Xolynda uncertainly. "Do-do you think there could be a spy..."

She trailed off. The Smurfs tried to squeeze themselves into the wall, but they instinctively knew that there was no escape.

"Oh, what a terrible time to be stuck at this most unnatural size," Brainy moaned, just as Prince Theodore pulled the tapestry away to reveal them. Nettles, the snake, took the stunned pause that followed as a chance to escape unseen through the still open door. The Smurfs were trapped.

"Oh, Theodore! Who are they?" screamed the Lady Xolynda, as if they were spiders or rats.

Theodore was stunned. "I don't know! Who are you?" he demanded, starting to get angry.

Smurfette stepped forward. "Oh, Theo, surely you'll recognize us!" she exclaimed. "I'm not allowed to tell you outright who I am, but I can tell you this. Your face is even more handsome when I can look into your eyes properly."

"What?" said Theodore, totally confused.

Xolynda stormed forward, furious. "Theodore, I demand to know who this girl is!"

Theodore looked completely helpless. "I-I don't know, Xolynda! I swear I don't know! I've never seen her before in my life!"

"A likely story!" Xolynda shouted. "Why, then, does she seem to know you so well? And what was she doing hiding behind the tapestry in your office? Eh? Answer me, Theodore!"

"Please, your ladyship," said Smurfette. "We were just waiting to see Prince Theodore. When you both came in, it looked like you wanted to be alone, so we hid behind the tapestry so as not to disturb you. We're very sorry!"

The Lady Xolynda's eyes opened very wide. She suddenly realized that these four young peasants had to have heard her conversation with her pet snake. One word and they could completely ruin all her plans.

"I knew it, Theodore!" she cried. "They're spies! Quick, throw them in the dungeon!"

"The dungeon!" the Smurfs chorused apprehensively.

"Well," said the Prince, "why else would you have been hiding behind the tapestry if you weren't spies?"

"We told you already!" said Brainy desperately. "We came to see you, but we didn't think we should disturb you when you had company. We thought there was a door behind here-I've read that some castles have trapdoors to secret passages that lead out of the castle hidden behind tapestries. But, we were wrong and ended up stuck! Please, don't throw us in the dungeon! We're not spies, honest!"

Prince Theodore suddenly looked triumphant. "Actually," he said, "there is a trapdoor behind this tapestry. Only a spy could know that. This proves you're spies! Guards!"

"Nice going, Brainy," snapped Hefty. "Now look what your big mouth has gotten us into!"

Brainy looked stricken. "But I didn't know there was really a trapdoor behind there! How could I! None of us did! If we had, we could have escaped ages ago! It's not my fault!"

"Well, you're the one who brought up the subject of trapdoors in the first place!" Hefty shouted back. "If you hadn't, he just might have let us off!"

"Oh, right! It's always my fault, isn't it! Something goes wrong, blame Brainy! Is that it?"

"When something goes wrong, it usually is your fault!"

The guards arrived then, taking Brainy and Hefty by the arms and pulling them farther apart.

"All right, you two, settle down! We don't want no trouble from you, you hear!"

"But, please, Mr. Guard," said Smurfette, giving it one last attempt. "We're not spies! Why, we're not even really humans! Just look in your mirror, Prince Theodore! You'll see!"

Prince Theodore stepped closer to Lady Xolynda. "I fear the girl may be mad," he said.

Smurfette stared at him, her face full of betrayal and pain. Then, she hid her face in her hands and sobbed. "Oh! Oh, boo hoo! Of course he doesn't believe me! It's all my fault! If I hadn't made that stupid wish...!"

"Come on, girlie," said the guard, leading her out after the others. "Tell it to the stones. They weep more than you do down in the dungeon! Just ask old Morlock! He knows!"

Prince Theodore was very shaken by that strange girl's emotional display. Something about those spies was disturbing him in the back of his mind. He felt almost as if he'd met them before. He couldn't remember ever having seen their faces, but their voices had been uncannily familiar. He'd have to pay them a visit in the dungeon tomorrow. He felt a need to find out who they really were.

The door closed behind him. He turned to see Xolynda, her bright smile illuminating her fair face.

"Here we are, my love," said Xolynda. "Alone at last." She came towards him and wrapped her slender arms around his neck. He tensed, despite himself.

"Oh, don't let those spies bother you," she smiled. "We get them all the time back home. The trick is to find out who they're working for. Then they're harmless, you see, and you can go after the real criminals!"

"You don't think we were a bit too hasty?" Theodore asked uncertainly. "They certainly seemed to believe what they were saying. And, if they had known about the trapdoor, why didn't they use it to escape?"

"I'm sure it was all an act, my dear. To play on your sweet nature!" She kissed his cheek. Theodore started to soften.

"I suppose you may be right," he said. But, he was still not completely convinced.