The Forgotten Fairytale

'I had a little help…' I opened my eyes and blew out the candles.

Everyone ate cake, except Marguerite, who was just looking at her food. Marguerite wasn't fat, but she was chubby and round. Not acceptable for her mother. So she sat, taking nibbles of her food, while Cruela and Margaux stuffed silverware down their chest. At least Curela's chest, Marguax being only a year older then me, wasn't really endowed. Laura just glared at them, and got her broom ready. She'll get everything back.

The presents were exquisite. I received tons of books, and pictures, along with jewelry and trinkets to add to my collection. I also received a box of half eaten chocolates from the Baroness Cruela. I have to throw them away later…

Laura got me such a handsome journal. It was dark red. Beautiful trimming went along the edges which gave it a sorrow expression. I think I'll name it Gillies. Yes, I like Gillies. Now I just need something to write with.

"What are you doing nymph? I thought we said India is far too hot this season?"

"What?"

I turned around to see none other then Tristen.

"Prince Tristen, the stupid sack of potatoes." I curtseyed.

"What was that Lady Audri? I don't think it is wise to insult royalty."

"What? And its of course proper to insult the birthday girl." I stuckmy chin up.

"Well, I was just going to come and say Happy Birthday..."

"And now your done. Good bye."

"I didn't say anything yet. Must you be so immature." He smirked.

"You stupid idiotic arrogant-"

"Are you angry with me? Did I say something wrong."

Oh, he's good. He's really good.

"Of course not. "

"I find that hard to believe." He's right about that. I glared at him.

He laughed again. For some reason my heart fluttered.

"I'm sorry. For anything I may have done to make you angry."

"You don't need to apoligize."

"I know. Proper courtesy."

"Then you're forgiven."

He smiled at this. "Thank you Audri."

"But you could stop calling me that. My name is Audriana. I don't think its proper courtesy to give someone pet name."

"Audri suits you, so I am making an exception."

"You're just doing it to bug me."

"Is it bugging you?"

"No...Yes"

He laughed again.

"Happy Birthday Audri." And then he kissed my cheek and left.

And I couldn't be more thankful, because my face turned bright red. 'What? I mean who the hell? And Why?' I looked around hoping nobody saw. No luck.

Marguax was glaring holes in my direction. I guess I can always have a little fun with her. I walked over, my past embarrassment forgotten and mischief in my eyes.

"Hello Marguax, I am so happy you came."

Marguax face looked completely flabbergasted. It was completely worth it. I think she also looked a little panicky. Hmm…What are you up to?

"Well you seem to be getting a lot of attention."

"You mean that little boy, would you know who he is?" I tried to sound distantly curious, but the look on Marguax's face; I couldn't help but smile.

"HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO HE IS!" I have to say I was a little scared. Everyone seemed to still and watched the exchange between Marguax and I. For the few years I have known Marguax she has actually never hurt me. Ridicule, tease, pick, glare, steal, trip, and cheat me, yes. Hurt me, no. Unfortunately, she looked capable of permanent bodily harm. Very capable.

'It would probably be wise to stop right about now.'

'But whatever the donkey has to say is definitely worth it.'

'True, carry on.'

'Thank you.'

'You are most welcome.'

"I honestly don't know what you're taking about Marguax. Do you think he is a pirate? Laura knows some pirates. She use to be friends with them. Of course he is rather young to be a pirate. Why he is shorter then me. Maybe he is a thief, but I don't think Laura knew any thieves. Do you think their trying to steal things from my party? Good gracious I should tell my mother. But look he's outside with what seems like his parents they certainly don't look like thieves. There clothing is too fine. Maybe they ARE PIRATES!"

I made sure to speak loud enough so everyone could hear. I also saw Tristen outside trying not laugh…too loud.

"You stupid GIT! That was THE PRINCE OF FRANCE. DO YOU UNDRSTAND THAT, OR ARE YOU JUST TOO STUPID. AND THAT IS THE ROYAL FAMILY MY FUTURE FAMILY OR AT LEAST THEY WILL BE WHEN I MARRY INTO THEM! AND THOSE FINE CLOTHES AS YOU CALL THEM ARE MINE! AND MINE! JUST STAY WAY FROM THEM. THEY ARE NOT PIRATES OR THIEVES OR ANYTHING ELSE! WHEN I AM QUEEN I'M GONNA MAKE SURE YOU BECOME A STUPID LITTLE BEGGAR THEIF!

I applauded myself, 'Nicely done Audriana.'

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome.'

'I'd stop smiling.'

'Why?'

'People can see.'

'Oops!'

The donkey noticed my smirk. The whole room was laughing, few giving shameful glances at Marguax, others at me. But they were all laughing at Marguax. She looks mad. Furious. I think she's going to hit me. Marguax raise her hand. I can take her. "STOP SMILING YOU STUPID LITTLE PIECE OF SH-"

I looked straight into her eyes and waited for her hand to come down. But before it did my mothers silverware fell out of her would be chest, making a nice loud clankity clak clank. Many gasped, others laughed, but Marguax reaction was the best. Her hand stopped merely centimeters in front of my face. Her face, oh my lord her face! It looked as thought the donkey was kicked in the ass. I would have taken advantage of this, but someone got in my way!

"AUDRIANA, please take your friend outside, and stop with this nonsense right this minute. The next time you girls want to play a game, do so with a more informed audience."

"Yes…mother." I said. Why does my mother have to be such a goody goody.

"Oh it was an act."

"Did you hear that dear?"

"My, what extraordinary imaginations kids have these days."

'Grown ups are so stupid.'

"Thank you all. Come along Marguax, my dear friend, you heard my mother."

Marguax was taking this well. She was so stunned she just followed me like a donkey. "Well, that was an interesting conversation. I wonder what people will think of our performance."

"I can't say I enjoyed it too much. I expected more from you Audri." Why oh why did it have to be him!

"Well, I can't take all the credit."

"But certainley all the blame." He stared at me coldly.

'Well so what? Its not like I made her scream that out loud. Yeah, I did push her. But she does so much worse. I just showed everyone what she's really like. Why is he defending her anyway.'

After Tristen glared at me again he turned to Marguax, and smiled. "Lady Marguax, how nice to see you. How is your sister? And your lovely Mother?"

"I am great, great!" Marguax gushed.

"He asked about your family, not you." What is wrong with her. Oh no, she's probably thinking about becoming a princess.I can just imagine it now. 'Oh now, I can marry this prince, and this prince, and I'll just marry that princess too. I already look like a man, so it won't really make difference.And then I'll go around with my snake of a mother...'

"But, I am glad you are well. " He smiled gently. Why do I feel like the bad guy?

"You are too kind, your highness! And my family is well. I'm sure they would love to meet you." she said in her overly french accent. I saw Tristen cringe.

"Well, maybe next time."

"But we could find them, together." Marguax debated. I cringed.

"Well, alright. Happy Birthday Lady Audriana." Now he says Audriana.

I watched Tristen and Marguax walk away. Tristen, being smaller then me, drawfed Marguax. But Tristen reamained gentleman like, and listened to Marguax endless chatter. Perhaps Marguax will get her wish.

"Oh, those poor unfortunate souls!" I chuckled to myself.

"Do you really find so much pleasure in my brothers misery." It was only then I noticed Prince Henry's presence behind me.

"Don't you?"

He laughed. "I suppose I do. But I would never laugh when he's in danger. My dear little brother could be shoved down that donkey's chest and no one would notice."

I snorted. "My words exactly."

"I couldn't' help notice the play." He laughed.

"Or mention it."

"Yes well, my compliments on your...tactics."

"Tactics?"

"Yes on the way you handled my brother's fiancé. I can't believe I never knew of her."

"Are you sure she has never told you of thier engagement."

"If she had, I wouldn't have believed her."

"Your mind was probably somewhere else."

"Like India."

"Excuse me?"

He smirked "never mind."

"Huh...Fine." One leg out. He trips. You score.

"I should have saw that coming."

"You're right. You should have."

"I can't believe I fell for that."

"You really aren't that intelligent, now are you?"

"How is it that someone with your cherubic appearance, contains the soul of a devil."

"I guess that answers my question."

"I do shirk my studies more then I ought. But my intelligence surpases many, I assure you."

"I cannot believe you."

"You underestimate me."

"Perhaps, you did figure out about the play, or lack of." I mumbled, "Unlike some people."

"Are you referring to my brother?"

"What?" I couldn't help be flustered.

"My brother, you think he didn't catch on because he went with the donkey."

"Obviously."

"He did. Catch on, I mean. My brother is different."

"How so?"

"He has...What are they called...such a vile word...morals."

I mocked gasped. "You can't be serious, not morals, anything but that."

"I'm serious. He has a clear definition of right and wrong."

"What I did was not wrong. If you knew how she's really like you'd understand." I shouted.

"But you set up Marguax. You embarrassed her. That was wrong."

"Its not so black and white! Marguax deserves what she gets. You have no idea how many people she pushed down! She needs someone to put her into place!"

"You're telling the wrong person. What I do some may call wrong. But it is not that way for me. A lie, avioding my studies, enjoying my life, its just feels right. People don't really see it my way."

"But, it's like he likes to bug me. If he does not apply his morals to himself, he has no right to push it on other people."

"He teases you."

"Yes. It's like...I don't know...he bugs me. AND it's not like I don't have any morals. But I'm not gonna act as though I even like the Baroness Cruela, and her snoody daughter.

"Yes they are dreadful."

"but it suits him. The teasing I mean." I only just met Tristen, but his teasing, seemed familiar. Like when I was four and Laura and Mama would tease me, treating me like their doll, or calling me names. I smiled at the memory.

"I- I suppose so."

"I guess we should be heading back. This is my party."

"Yes, let's go back."

We walked back inside. It seemed the banquet was coming to an end. People were perparing to leave, leaving, or already left. Now where are those presents.

"I'm gonna see where my presents are. I need to enjoy well I can."

"I enjoyed talking to you-"

"Audri, where have you been." Great he's back.

"With your brother your highn-ess."

Tristen cringed. Serves him right.

"Audri, you have no right to be angry with me."

"And what right do you have to admonish me? I don't even know you!"

Cringe again. "I am a Prince-"

"Well then excuse me Princie, goodnight Henry."

I heard Henry laughing at Tristen, I saw Tristen's shocked face, but I forgot all of it as I walked away.

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Later that night I looked over my presents. I took 'Gillies' (the Journal that Laura had given me) out, about to write down everything that had happened today.

'Dear Gillies' I wrote.

As I began a new hand appeared, the writing was different from mine...I, out of shock, stammered back, falling of the bed.

"Ow"

I peeked my eyes up. High enough to see Gillies, low enough to crawl under the bed.

The journal looked normal enough. I picked up my pen, gazing at the journal, I saw the fading words but could not make out what it said. Above it my entry 'Dear Gillies' had also disappeared.

'How is this happening?' I wrote.

Instantly writing showed up. This time I didn't fall off the bed. 'smart one aren't you?'

'I think so'

'And cocky'

Hmmph "this book is an ass." I said out loud.

'I heard that!' the words appeared on the page. But I didn't write anything down.

'How is this happening?'

'Why should I tell you?'

'I could always throw you into the furnace.'

'Alright!...'

'I'm waiting'

'You could have just said please.'

'You're right. Please?'

'Magic, of course.'

'How, but Laura-'

'You know Laura!'

'Yes, she's my maid.'

'Then you must be Lady Audriana.'

'Yes.'

'I heard it is you're birthday, congradulations.'

'Thank you, but what it is...how are you in my journal.'

'I told you magic.'

Okay...' Now I'm annoyed. 'What were you saying before.'

'You mean before you fell off the bed like a screaming banshee.'

'I mean before you scared the shi-'

''Alright, no need for foul language. Knowing Laura she'll probably blame me for "polluting your mind." '

'Nice hyphens'

'Thank you. Now what was I saying before. Oh yes. My names is not Gillies, its Bernard Dillingham.'

'My names better.'

'No it isn't. It's absolutley nutty. In fact your nutty.'

'Huh! You're double nutty!'

'You're Triple NUTTY!'

'You're qu-dropl-it Nutty!'

'That's not a word.'

'Like you would know.'

'I'm basically a living Encyclopedia here. In fact I am a living Encyclopedia!'

'hmmnp. So why are you a living Encyclopedia?'

'Magic.'

'Can you be less vague.'

'I can't tell you. You need to figure it out.'

'Okay...how?'

'You should know'

'Why should I know.'

'I don't know. But you seem topowerful. Yes, there is a very powerful aura surrounding you.'

'No offense but alot of things can seem powerful to a book.'

'You don't sense it.'

'No.'

'Huhhhh. Okay. I knew Laura when we were little. I was then somehow turned into this. I don't know why, or who, but I do know it was magic, of some sort. I've been passed through owner to owner until I came to Laura. She bought me at the market. Probably to give to you for your Birthday.'

'So Laura doesn't know?'

'No.'

'Then we should tell her! I'll get her right know.'

'NO! You can't tell her. I don't want her to see me like this.'

'Oh. But then how did you know about me?'

"Eavesdropped."

"At least your truthful."

'But you can help me. Help me break this curse.'

'But...I can't just, can we tell Laura?'

'No! Don't tell anyone!'

'But we could use her help.'

'Please! I can help you too.'

'How?'

'Turn the page.'

I did...And I saw the most beuatiful thing in the world! Tomorrow's homework. Thank god I was too lazy to do it. My governess would have scolded me blue.

'It's a deal then!'

'Deal. I think this the start of a very beautiful friendship Gillies.'

'Deal. And don't call me that!'