Far Longer Than Forever
A slow-burning Steroline romance based loosely off The Swan Princess
Updated 2.23.15
Unable to hide her joy any longer, Caroline squealed with happiness as the ship came to a halt at shore. Just as she was about to run off the bridge and on to the dock, a hand grasped her by the shoulder and turned her around roughly.
"Now Caroline," scolded her mother, "You are not a child any longer. Running around like a fool is going to embarrass us. Now, put your shoulders back, walk with poise, and prepare to curtsy to House Salvatore like the Princess you are."
Caroline scowled, the moment plagued with disappointment. Ever since her father's mysterious disappearance, Caroline's relationship with her mother had been difficult to say the least. For the life of her, she could not remember the last time her mother had looked at her with anything but empty eyes and pursed lips.
Shaking with nerves, Caroline stepped off the ship and began disembarking the ship onto the dock. She scanned the crowd, looking this way and that, borderline desperate as she searched for a pair of hazel eyes. She huffed with impatience as she tried to keep her voluminous skirts lifted above her ankles well enough to walk.
Caroline scowled, wishing for the days before womanhood where her dresses were simple and delicate. When she came of age, her life turned into gowns intricate with beading. Of course, these were all complete with corset, skirts, petticoat, and stockings.
Caroline's eyes scanned over the crowd once more, coming to a stop on a young man near the end of the dock who looked so familiar. Goose bumps spread across her skin as she took in the sight of his broad shoulders and defined muscles. Thick brows and heavy lashes encased a pair of dark and brooding eyes, she knew she would never forget. Her breath hitched in her throat as she gazed at him, her gaze unwavering.
Breathe; just breathe Caroline thought, concentrating on her steps. Her mother's voice echoed in her head, you need to float when you walk, Caroline. No more of this clunking around! You are a woman and you need to walk with grace. She could picture her mother demonstrating: delicate footsteps, conservative smile, swift and seamless curtsy. Like a swan, Caroline, not an elephant.
Emanating her mother to the best of her abilities, Caroline followed suit, walking with a careful air about her. She gave a polite smile to the people of the kingdom cheering her arrival. She could see Stefan and Giuseppe waiting for them at the end of the bridge. Heart beating faster and faster, Caroline lost her nerve... at the worst moment. Her shoe caught on the hem of her gown and before she knew it, she was hurtling toward the ground. She braced herself for the impact, wincing at the thought of what her mother was going to do to her. The impact never came.
"Some things never change" she heard a deep voice chuckle.
Caroline opened her eyes to find herself face to face with the man she had been unable to stop thinking about. Heat rose to her cheeks, changing the pale, milky consistency to that of a tomato. As the blush crept down her entire body, she felt something as well. Not just a regular set of nerves... something deeper. As she looked into Stefan's eyes, she thought her heart stopped.
Stefan reached up and brushed Caroline's hair out of her eyes, using a gentle hand to place a golden curl back into place. A soft smile on his face, Stefan pulled Caroline to her feet brought her in for a deep embrace - out in front of everyone. She breathed him in, eyes tearing up from the smell of fresh cut grass and leather that was so unique to Stefan. She noticed something else as well; the distant smell of expensive whiskey that her mother only brought out for important members of the court.
Caroline stepped back, noticing all eyes were on her and Stefan. She realized how improper they must look. Without missing a beat, she dropped into a curtsy, eyes to the ground.
"What a pleasure to see you again, Ser Stefan," she said with eloquence, as her mother looked on with what appeared to be sheer happiness. Caroline, meanwhile, knew better.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Caroline." Stefan replied, taking her hand in his to place a light kiss upon it, bowing in return.
Caroline took a step back, taking her chance to admire Stefan in all his adult glory. The last time she had seen Stefan, he was all awkward and bones. She was having trouble catching her breath as she took him in. Once on the fail looking side, Stefan's body had changed with the obvious signs of athleticism. His clothes that once hung from his frame now clung tight. His skin was clear of all acne that had bothered him so much when they were children. As if that wasn't enough, he now towered over her, intimidating her only in the slightest. One thing that hadn't changed, however, was Stefan's "bed head" of honey chestnut waves. She felt the urge to run her fingers through his hair, but stopped herself, confused at her own feelings.
As she peered into the eyes of her childhood best friend, Caroline faltered a bit, noticing that his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. As if he had let his guard down, a sadness lurked within him. Dull and dark behind the hazel irises that had once glistened with so much brightness. These were the eyes of someone who was in an insurmountable amount of pain.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you Care" Stefan said, squeezing her hands. The veil of hopelessness she had seen in that brief moment gone in the blink of an eye. "And now look at you!" He laughed, unable to control his ever-widening smile.
She pushed her curiosities out of her mind and allowed herself a girlish giggle and a smile at her dear friend. Soon enough that giggle was a full blown laugh (one that she was sure her mother would find distasteful) as Stefan took her by the hand and spun her in a circle. As her skirt billowed around her, all thoughts of Stefan's sadness left her mind.
"You're all grown up" Stefan remarked, a twinge of sadness in his voice.
Caroline blushed once again, thinking back to what she looked like last time they had been together. Her flaxen hair was always wild and knotted; her mother never could convince her to let her handmaiden brush it. Scrawny and too tall for her age, Caroline always considered herself the ugly duckling. Countless hours wasted longing after the girls who grew out of that stage sooner than she.
Over the years, she noticed changes in her appearance, and it seemed others noticed as well. She became more focused on her hygiene, allowing her handmaidens to dress her, bathe her, and brush her hair as a princess should. Her body filled out, the skin stretched tight over her bones replaced with the soft curves of a woman. With her cream-colored skin, golden hair, electric blue eyes, and a smile that could light up the room, people started to pay attention to Caroline.
Of course, she didn't want anything to do with them. The girls that had teased her over the years now came to her for help with their schooling or to complain about the other girls in court. The boys who had pulled her hair and called her the ugly princess now sent her love notes and gifts. They tried so hard to woo her, claiming she was the most fascinating and beautiful woman in the world. Her titles, riches, and physical appearance after puberty had nothing to do with it, of course.
When correspondence between House Salvatore and House Forbes had diminished, the queen set out to find a new house to link herself to. The Queen would often host royal balls, looking for a suitor. A suitor acceptable enough to replace the advantages that would have benefited House Forbes if the union between Caroline and Stefan had taken place. Under her mother's watchful eye, Caroline accepted every invitation to dance that came her way with the utmost grace of a princess. She danced with dukes, knights, princes, and the other young, hopeful men of the court.
At one point, a young man brought her in close, and whispered "You are all I've ever wanted, Miss Caroline, your beauty is breathtaking." With ease, and sophistication, he dipped Caroline low, slowing the dance down as the music changed.
"Thank you," Caroline had replied, "but what else?"
"What else?" the suitor had exclaimed bewildered. "What else is there?"
Caroline had scoffed, her face blooming with anger, breaking free of the man's embrace. "I am more than a pretty face!" She had shouted infuriated. And with that, she stomped down on his boot and fled the ball. Needless to say, that was one of the last times Caroline had to worry about a brown-nosing suitor.
"The years have changed both of us." Caroline replied, eyes tracing over the broad muscles that rippled underneath Stefan's clothes.
She then noticed that they were nearly alone in the courtyard, the others were all making their way back to the castle to freshen up before the welcoming feast. Stefan held out his arm to Caroline.
"Lead the way Ser" she said, happiness apparent in her voice as they made their way towards the castle of House Salvatore.
King Giuseppe had a marvelous feast ready to welcome House Forbes that night. As well as unbelievable amounts of food, he had a live band and a large space cleared for dancing. Caroline sat, sipping her wine and watching the dancers, amused. As opposed to the stiff and uncomfortable balls her mother put on, this occasion was joyous and full of life. She was actually looking forward to the night.
She looked over to where Stefan was sitting; noticing he was nursing a large goblet filled with what she assumed to be wine. He was scowling down at the goblet, eyes dark and mouth closed, oblivious to the celebration unfolding around him.
Caroline frowned, rising from her seat. She knew it wasn't exactly "lady-like" what she was about to do, but she knew she had to do something. She walked over to where Stefan sat, taking the spot next to him. Immediately, the odor of whiskey overwhelmed her. Wincing, she squared her shoulders, sat up straight, and poked Stefan right in the ribs.
"Ooh, Caroline!" Stefan exclaimed, startled.
"That's better," Caroline replied, reaching over and taking the goblet of spirits from him. "Now, what are you doing over here by yourself?"
"I'm not one for social occasions, Care," he remarked, staring after the drink she had taken from him. "Never have been."
"Well then," Caroline said, jumping up from her seat, "what say you we go for a walk instead? It's a beautiful night." She looked around the room, catching the eye of one of the guards. She waved her hand in the air, beckoning him to her. "The Prince and I are going for a walk, would you kindly escort us?" She smiled sweetly, winking at the young guard.
He nodded, allowing the pair to make their way out of the ballroom and into the night before following suit.
The sun was just beginning to set, indigo and cerulean clouds swirling into one another against the orange haze that was the dimming sunshine. A warm breeze swept past the couple as they made their way around the grounds, arm in arm. Caroline watched Stefan out of the corner of her eye, noticing with each step that the unhappiness she had seen in court began to melt away.
Before long, she realized that they had made their way toward the pond they had slept at all those years before.
"Is this...?" she inquired, looking at Stefan.
"It is." He chuckled, looking around them.
"It seemed so much further away when we were younger," remembered, a ghost of a smile tracing her lips as she wandered around the edge of the pond.
"Can you believe how angry everyone was?" Stefan asked, following close behind her. He pulled something out of his pocket, unscrewing it and taking a long swig from it. A flask.
Caroline turned back toward him, eyes landing on the flask. Once again the smell intense and unfamiliar smell of alcohol infiltrated her nostrils. In House Forbes, the occasional glass of wine at supper was the only permissible drink.
He met her gaze, a shadow of shame falling across his face. He took another drink, turning his back on Caroline. The guard hung back, making sure to keep the two in his sight, but not wanting to intrude unless he needed to.
"Stefan?" She whispered, reaching her arms out to turn him back toward her. "Is everything okay?"
He peered down at her, unsure of what to say. He shook his head abruptly, pocketing the flask and forcing a smile onto his face. "Yes, of course Care, everything is fine. Why wouldn't it be?"
She reached down for his hands, squeezing them with a gentleness only Caroline could possess. "You don't have to pretend with me Stefan," she answered, keeping her eyes locked on his. "I don't care how many years have passed or what has happened, I am here for you, I hope you know that."
A sad smile spread across Stefan's features, slow but true this time. Suddenly, he reached out for her, pulling her into a deep embrace. With one hand around her waist and another in her hair, Caroline's skin was on fire. She tightened her arms around his neck, pulling her even closer to her, breathing him in. She felt his lips brush against her ear and her pace quickened, electricity surging through her body. She wasn't sure if she was going to throw up or pass out. What was happening?
"Thank you Caroline," Stefan muttered, releasing her. "You have no idea how much that means to me."
Just then, they heard a rustling in the bushes. A young man, close to Stefan's age, stumbled into the opening.
"There you are, Stef," he exclaimed, looking over at the two of them. "You'd better get back, the King is about to make the toasts."
"Ah, of course, Alex, we'll be right there."
"Let's hope she's better than the last girl you lost your wits over," the young man smirked, winking at Stefan and turning back towards the castle. He looked over at the guard watching them and laughed. "So much for an escort, eh bucket head?"
Stefan clapped a hand over his eyes, a growl escaping his lips. "You'll regret that!" he called after the retreating man, Alex.
He turned towards Caroline, peeking out at her between his fingers. "Well, that's Alex for you. He is my best friend, but don't believe a word he says." Stefan chuckled.
The last girl? Caroline wondered, staring at the disappearing figure of Alex in the distance. What last girl? She shook her head, her temples prickling as thousands of thoughts collided with each other in her head. She could feel her insecurities crawling back, claws outstretched, ready to latch on once again. Not like it matters anyway, she thought, he's most likely spoken for. Anyway, Stefan is my best friend. We grew up together. This fairy tale notion of us falling in love has been just a figment of my mother's imagination. A sigh escaped her lips and she realized Stefan was staring at her, perplexed.
"Shall we, m'lady?"
Stefan's voice interrupted. He looked so handsome, standing there with his arm outstretched toward her, the wind mussing up his hair. All thoughts of what Alex said and "the last girl" disappeared immediately as his lips separated into a genuine smile. "You need to get out of your head, Care," he scolded, poking her in the ribs as she had done earlier.
She giggled, taking his arm in hers. This will be an interesting summer, Caroline thought, fingers coming to rest upon Stefan's bicep. Quite interesting indeed.
Any feedback is appreciated, thank you! - M 2.23.15