Nobody knew that Elyse had gone to see the prisoner. Of course, they were too worried about her Birthday Ball; rushing about and seeing to the guests took up most of their attention. Elyse was itching to go sneak down to the dungeon, but everyone would notice her missing today. After all, it was her birthday and the moment she turned away from one person, another took their place and began to chat. There was no escape, but for the moment, that was perfectly fine. Elyse genuinely smiled at the idea that people were vying for her attention. Plus, she felt lucky that today, all the high-class boys in the land were pulling her away for a dance. At fifteen, one would have to start worrying about finding someone to marry. Fortunately for Elyse, finding someone who wanted to marry her was a piece of cake. Her only issue was finding a royal boy who wasn't dumb as a doornail, shallow as a puddle, or dull as dishwater. Not every prince or princess had parents like hers. Her parents encouraged marrying her true love, while other kings and queens married their sons and daughters off to benefit their kingdoms. Even in this world commonly known as Fairytale Land, true love was hard to find.
Finally, Elyse set her eyes on her friend in relief. "Lucy Isabelle!" Elyse called out her best friend's name, her grin soon reflected onto Lucy's pretty face. The bubbly blonde picked up her layers of skirts and petticoats and ran over happily, colliding with Elyse in a big hug. Their fancy dresses squashed together in their embrace. When they pulled apart, each girl was overflowing with things to say.
"I haven't seen you since your parents came over here to discuss the ogres-"
"I know, it's been so long, and-"
"Have you found a boy you like yet? You're much prettier than me-"
"I hear there will be famous dancers at the Blue Moon Festival; are you going-"
"This amazing incident happened to me just the other day-"
"Oh, don't be silly, Elyse, you're the most stunning girl here-"
"I was in the stables tending to Jewel when out of nowhere-"
"There was this one boy; I only saw him once at a fair but he's only a tailor's boy-"
"And the rabbit chased the fox around the pasture; it was such a sight-"
"Oh, I've missed you!"
And so the girls were caught up with each other, their cheeks rosy with excitement and giggling with joy. "I've heard Prince Wesley of the Solaris Realm is attending your ball, Elyse! He is such a handsome boy and he's only seventeen! Word is, he's not as dull as the other boys you complain about. I think he'd be your perfect match!" Lucy exclaimed hopefully.
"You know what I believe about love and marriage, Lucy Isabelle," Elyse explained yet again. They seemed to have this same conversation every time they met. "Love comes when and where you least expect it. Maybe you'll prove me wrong for once, but I'm betting Prince Wesley will turn out to be a dreary boy, no matter how charming you think he is."
Lucy shook her head affectionately. "Well, it's worth a shot anyway." She glanced at the well dressed boys spread evenly throughout the ballroom. "I'll go to get some refreshments. I think you have a line of boys waiting to dance with you now. Ta-ta!" Lucy, to Elyse's disappointment, twirled around and floated over to the table decked with food, smiling flirtatiously at passing princes. Before Lucy had even walked ten steps, Prince Jonathan had pulled Elyse into a slow waltz.
A few more hours of dancing and socializing passed by until it was time for Elyse's rehearsed Birthday Ball speech. The whole room quieted and watched as the elegant young princess ascended the marble staircase and moved to the second story railing to give her speech. With nods of encouragement from her parents posed at the bottom of the staircase, Elyse began. She recited the lines with the self-confidence, speaking skills, and intensity gathered from years of listening to her parents talk and speech lessons. She explained her inexpressible gratitude for the guests, outlined her kingdom's future plans, and repeated how she'd try to be the best queen she could possibly be in the future.
The whole speech was quite boring to her, but for some reason it fascinated her audience. They watched in suspended awe as she didn't stumble over any extravagant words. She thought, emotionlessly, "How lucky I am. My sister is the first born, yet I am to be queen. Most royal younger siblings would kill to be in my place, yet I am not excited in the least."
Finally, the long script was finished and the guests all clapped respectfully. Elyse curtsied and headed down the long staircase, her dress grazing the floor below her high heels. Kings and queens offered her birthday presents, princes kneeled to kiss her hand, and princesses hugged her delicately.
The ball went on. By the end, Elyse felt she had danced with every prince in the land. Her feet were sore from her slippers and she could barely walk, much less dance. When the final guest left the ball, morning was just beginning to shine through. Elyse's parents took time between running around and overseeing things to send her directly to bed.
She did as she was told and woke up the next morning with a strange urge to break out of her uptight, princessy lifestyle. When she opened her walk-in closet and looked for what to wear, she looked right past the puffy dresses and silky gowns she usually would have chosen. Instead, she grabbed a pair of scale-patterned leggings passed down from her mother, Emma's old leather boots, and a brown, lace-embroidered tunic to match her boots. When she pulled them on, she smiled with satisfaction at her reflection in the mirror. This was totally not her style. Elyse brushed her shiny black curls and posed in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, pretending she was a model. She loved her new look. Maybe it was because it was different, or maybe it was because it gave off an adventurous feel.
When she strutted out of her bedroom, the first person to see her outfit was Henry. He did a double-take, staring at Elyse with wide eyes. "What's up that?" He asked cheerfully, motioning to her clothes.
She looked innocently back at him. "I like it. What do you think?"
He stifled a laugh. "It's great. I just, uh, thought you were more of a pink dress girl."
She narrowed her eyes jokingly. "Hey!"
"Just saying, Lyse. Today is Pancake Day. You better hurry down or your dad will eat them all," Henry reminded her as he left towards the armory.
She nodded even though she knew he couldn't see her and ran down to the dining hall, ecstatic about her new freedom of movement. It felt amazing not to worry about tripping on the hem of her dress.
Nobody noticed her until she slid into her chair and stuck her fork into a stack of pancakes. All eyes turned to her and she beamed, blinking innocently. "Hey, mom, your old hunting pants fit me!"
Snow White stared, open-mouthed, but she quickly broke into a proud grin. "Getting tired of scratchy dresses?"
"Yeah, a bit," Elyse admitted. King Charming laughed and gulped down half a glass of orange juice.
As soon as breakfast was over, Elyse pondered over what to do for the day. It was a Sunday, so she didn't have lessons. A sudden, adventurous idea popped into her head. She thought about it for a while, avoiding actually doing it. She cleaned and reorganized her room, stared at the ceiling, and eventually pushed herself out of her room to pursue her idea.
She snuck over to the dingy staircase, making sure no one would see. She didn't know if she should even worry, but she worried on anyway. Elyse hopped down the spiral stairs, hoping she wouldn't step in something icky. Luckily, she didn't.
When she got to the bottom, Hook looked up and grinned. He still looked well-kept even after staying in the same cell for several days.
"If it isn't the princess," he sneered teasingly. "Come to brag about your birthday ball?"
Elyse looked taken aback. "What? No, I… I was bored. I was bored so I came and I don't really know why."
"You were bored? Don't you have a hundred dolls?"
Elyse frowned. "No… I just- You said you don't mind company, so I thought maybe-"
"You'd come visit me," Hook interrupted.
She blushed. "Um, yeah." She pressed her palms together and looked inquisitively at Hook.
Hook laughed. "You said you wanted an adventure, right?" She nodded. "I can see it, love. Did you dress for the occasion?"
She looked down at her apparel. "I had a feeling this morning. I didn't want to be tied down by dresses; I wanted free movement." Elyse smiled shyly. "I've never felt more free and alive in my life."
"That's freedom for you," Hook replied. He shook the shackles around his wrists. "Something I am not feeling right now."
She winced. "But they say you deserve it, for what you did."
"Do you know what I did?"
Elyse hesitated. "No… but I do know it is a terrible thing."
"What I did, I will never regret," he told her frankly.
"Really? Then you are an evil soul." Elyse took a step back from him.
They were silent for a moment. "Actually," Hook murmured, casting his eyes downward, "I regret the sacrifices it took to do what I did. But the end result, Emma's safety, is a prize enough." He looked at Elyse. "I sacrificed everything for the woman I love. Don't tell me I am evil for that."
"Then why are you here? What did you do to her if you saved her?"
Hook grimaced. "You are too innocent. I will not tell you, lest your parents find out." His expression hardened. "I would be dead in a day."
"I am old enough to know," Elyse argued. "How bad can it be?"
Hook shook his head. "Go back to your tea parties and princes." Elyse gasped in saddened surprise. "But if you really want adventure, prove it. Bring me the key and set me free. Then, love, I shall take you with me."
"You promise."
"I promise," he smiled. "Pirate's word."
"And you will do me no harm."
"No intentional harm."
"Then you shall be free as soon as I can swipe the keys."
"Fly away, birdie," he called after her as she ran up the stairwell. If you love something, let it go, he thought. And if it loves you, it shall return.