I have worked on this tale for over a week, which is why it took so long to get uploaded, and my internet was being temperamental, but anyway. I tried to stay true to the tale as best as I could, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORT! IT TRULY MEANS ALOT TO ME!

DESCRIPTION: A prince is turned into a polar bear for refusing a witch's advance, and in turn finds his soulmate, who must fight for their love.

INSPIRED BY: The Polar Bear King

REQUESTED BY: AngelOfMusic44

Please remember to review at the end! :)

"Mommy, tell us a story." A little girl cried, bouncing up and down, her blonde curls flying everywhere.

"Yeah, mommy, tell us a story!" The two younger girls cried out, all smiling and had a devilish gleam in their eyes.

Their mother, a beautiful woman with sunlight hair, sky colored eyes, and a warm smile that would warm a cold winter's day, turned lifted her eyes from her sewing, and smiled. "What kind of tale would you like to hear?" She asked her beautiful daughters.

The three girls turned their heads and all nodded with certainty. "The one about you and father and the bear!" They all stated in unison.

The woman smiled, and felt a small blush on her cheeks. "You do not wish to hear that tale again." She replied, shaking her head.

"Please, mommy," The eldest girl replied, pulling her puppy dog eyes. "No one else will tell it to us, except you."

The woman smiled, and bowed her head. She knew the reason behind the quietness of the tale. For after experiencing the journey and trials she endured, the townspeople had believed it to be fanciful, even though they had watched it all.

She lifted her head, and gazed at her daughters. "Alright, I will tell you the tale." She replied, with a soft smile.

Her daughters jumped up and down in delight, and gathered at her feet, anxiously awaiting the tale they loved to hear.

She lowered her hands to her lap, and leaned back into the chair. "It began five years ago." She replied, in a soft, soothing tone.

~Five Years Ago~

In a kingdom known as Summerland, there lived a prince, who many considered to be a just and kind soul. Although many had witnessed his temper, he always seemed to care for the people under his care.

Now, our tale begins on the day his father died, quite mysteriously, and his son took up the throne. You may be sitting there thinking, well, isn't that what princes do? Well, you are correct, but this tale is not so much about tradition, as it is about what happened that day that changed the prince's life forever.

As the Prince sat in the vacant throne room, gazing into the fire, he heard someone enter. Knowing he was supposed to be alone, he turned his head, and frowned at his unexpected visitor.

"What are you doing here, Katerina?" He demanded, gruffly.

A semi-tall woman with long curly dark brown hair, and piercing brown eyes, stepped out of the shadows. "I've come to convey my condolences." She replied, her voice thick with faux emotion.

The Prince scoffed, and shook his head. "You've come to gawk." He stated, standing up from his chair, and moved towards the fireplace. "I know it was you behind my father's death." He added, gazing into the fire.

Katerina smirked, and bowed her head. "You can't prove that it was me." She replied, stepping towards him.

He shook his head. "No, but that doesn't mean I don't believe it." He stated, pushing away from the stone fireplace. "What are you really doing here?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest.

She smirked once again, and stepped closer to him. "I've come to offer my allegiance." She answered, placing her left hand on his shoulder, and moved it around his back.

He scoffed, and rolled his eyes. "I know what you want, Katerina, and you won't get it." He stated, moving away from her.

She scowled, and glared at him. "You haven't heard of my offer, Niklaus." She stated her anger filling the room.

He glared at her, and nodded. "I know the offer you wish to state. My father told me that you wish to marry me to maintain your rule over the kingdom." He stated, cruelly. "I would rather suffer a thousand deaths than to marry a witch like you." He added, harshly.

Now, Katerina was a well-known woman, but not for her beauty, but for her ability to conjure up the dark forces. To many, she was named the dark sorceress, and for good reason. While she ruled the neighboring kingdom, her subjects lived in fear, as did the kingdom of Summerland. The late King of Summerland knew of her power, and though he knew the consequences, he had stood against her.

That had cost him his life.

Now, his son was going to suffer the same consequence, but in a different form.

Katerina began to form a devilish smirk on her face, and stepped toward him, as the anger in her eyes began to light a flame. "You fool!" She shouted, a cold wind blowing in the room. "I can give you everything you have ever desired, but you are just like you father!" She shouted, outstretching her arms. "For Seven Years you will be cursed in a monstrous form. Only at night will you be human." She stated, stepping towards him, causing him to back against the rock wall. "You will find no one to love you, the way I will love you. If you so do before the seven years is up, then you will be free of this curse. If not, then you belong to me!" She shouted, pointing her right hand towards him. "She cannot look upon you, when you take human form, for if she does, you belong to me!" She added, with a cold sneer.

Klaus swallowed hard, and fear gripped his soul, as he felt a surge enter his body from her curse. His body began to contort and he felt his hands and feet change. Lowering his head, he opened his mouth, though no words would come forth. Instead, a low growl escaped his lips, and he realized what he had become: a polar bear.

~Two Years Later~

Now in another neighboring kingdom, there lived a young woman who loved the winter, with her father and mother. She was a happy woman, who spent many days outside in the snow, dreaming of the day when someone would come and love her.

It was on a sunny, snowy day that she came across footprints in the snow. Recognizing them as being from a monstrous bear, she wrapped her shawl around her person, anxious not to meet the one who could kill her with a swipe of his paw.

Her blonde hair blew behind her as the cold wind hit her face. She closed her blue-green eyes, and sighed. She moved to sit down on a large boulder, and turned her face to see a small stream a few feet away from her.

She smiled at the beauty of the simplicity of the scene. Her smile faded as she heard footsteps behind her, and stiffened her back. Closing her eyes, she swallowed, and slowly turned to find a large white bear enter the clearing for which she was sitting.

She gasped, and covered her mouth with her hands, trying not to give her position away. It was too late for that, she discovered as the bear slowly made his way towards her.

She wanted to run, to get her father, but as soon as she caught sight of the bear's eyes, the fear left her body.

Hidden within the depths of the cerulean orbs, she discovered was something unusual.

Tilting her head to the side, she studied his eyes, and tried to decipher what she was seeing.

"I'm not what I seem, young maiden."

She jumped and covered her mouth with her right hand. "You spoke." She whispered, trying to understand.

The bear nodded his head, and bowed his head. "I did." He replied, though his voice sounded shocked and unsure. "You heard me."

She slowly nodded her head, her eyes holding his. "Who are you?" She asked, scooting further back on the rock.

"My name is Prince Niklaus of the Summerland." He replied, proudly.

She nodded her head, and swallowed. "You're a Prince?" She asked, not wanting to believe.

"I am." The bear replied, firmly. "And you are?" He asked, tilting his white head to the side.

"I'm Caroline of Winterland." She replied, formally.

"Are you a Princess?" He asked, with hope entering his heart.

She slowly nodded. "Not one of great importance, though." She answered, bowing her head.

The bear hummed, and bowed his head. "I see." He muttered, looking away.

"How did you come to be in this form?" She asked, after a moment.

"An evil witch cursed me in this form for refusing her hand in marriage." He answered, stiffly.

"You do not wish to marry her?" She asked, shaking her head, trying to understand.

"No, I would sooner be cursed in this form for the rest of my days than married to her." He answered, roughly.

She smiled, and let out a small giggle. He lifted his head, and she could have sworn she saw him smile. "What is so funny?" He asked, watching her closely.

"I'm not sure." She replied, shaking her head with a smile.

"You have a beautiful smile." He remarked, absently.

She blushed a light red, and bowed her head. "Thank you." She responded, softly.

He took a few steps closer to her, watching her no longer stiff in his presence. "Pray, would you be willing to marry me?" He asked, watching her.

Caroline's mouth opened, and she looked everywhere but at him. "Marry you?" She asked, lifting her brows. "I hardly know you, and besides you are a bear." She stated, though her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Form makes no difference in the dark of the night, Caroline." He replied, his accented voice holding a sultry tone.

She studied him. "What do you mean?" She asked, holding the bear's eyes.

He bowed his head. "I am able to take human form at night." He replied, lowly. "Though no one is allowed to gaze upon my form." He stated, sadly.

Caroline's eyes lowered. Her mind filled with questions, and she wondered what she should do. "Why would you ask me to marry you?" She asked, moving to stand up.

"I have been watching you for a while, Caroline, and I've seen your kind heart, and I believe that you will be the one to break this curse set upon me." He replied, honestly.

Caroline scoffed, but he could tell it wasn't a cruel scoff.

"I beg of you, Caroline." He replied, sorrowfully. "There is no other woman; I have seen who will help me." He added, stepping closer to her.

She moved her eyes to him, and slowly she reached forward, and touched the fur on his face. With soft touches, she cradled his face, and knelt down in the snow. She felt him shiver underneath her touch, and a low growl of satisfaction emitted from his throat. She smiled softly, stroking his fur.

She watched his eyes close, and she felt a sorrow deep within her heart, but it wasn't her sorrow, it was his.

Moving her fingers over his face, she saw the sadness and loneliness reflected on his face. She smiled, and leaned forward to place her lips on his fur. "I will." She whispered, pulling back to find his eyes opened with joy and surprise reflecting in his eyes.

"You will?" He asked, trying to be sure.

She nodded, and touched his face, gently. "I will." She repeated, smiling, knowing this was the right thing to do, at least her heart was telling her it was.

~XXX~

It had taken a while for her parents to recognize who he was, for none could hear him speak, except Caroline. With a kind heart, and truth on her tongue, Caroline told them what he had told her, and her father had granted her request.

They were married by her father, and soon afterward, Klaus took his new bride to his kingdom. The trek was long, and at times they needed to rest, and every night, he would leave her, for he could not risk her seeing him on the trail.

They talked, and begun to learn more and more about each other as the days went on. Caroline found herself laughing more and more than she had ever laughed before, and realized she was happy. She was happy, and she was falling in love.

Klaus found his heart being taken over by the young blonde he had married, and whenever he had an opportunity, he would gaze upon her sleeping form, and smiled.

He was falling in love with his young bride, and he was certain she felt the same.

They reached the castle within a week's time, and both knew their journey had just begun. As they entered the castle, Klaus introduced Caroline as his bride, much to the castle's excitement.

She smiled as she placed her hand on his back, and was greeted by her subjects. She was then escorted to a large bedroom, and she was served food and libation, before given a new wardrobe, and nightclothes.

She sat down on the bed, and blew out the candles beside her bed, and waited.

As the sun faded in the distance, she bowed her head. Soon she heard the door open behind her, and she fought the urge to light the candle. She had been married for a week, and this was the first night in the same bed as her husband.

The bed sank down behind her, and she swallowed, nervously.

"Caroline," His voice whispered in the darkness, and she shivered as his voice caressed her name.

"Niklaus," She returned, feeling his hands touch her shoulders, and lips touch her head.

"You don't know how long I've wanted to touch you." He whispered, huskily, inhaling her scent with his human nose.

She smiled and reached up with her right hand, to touch his head. "I can guess." She replied, softly.

He chuckled, and kissed her neck, lightly. "My wife, my Queen, my Caroline." He whispered, in between his kisses.

She sighed, and leaned back against him. "My King, My husband, My Niklaus." She whispered in return.

He smiled, and slowly turned her face to kiss her lips, as he had wanted to do for so long. She melted into his arms, and he slowly laid her down in the bed, touching her sides with delicate touches. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she smiled against his soft lips.

"I wish I could see you." She whispered, as she held him, when they parted.

He sighed, and kissed her cheek, softly. "I wish you could." He whispered, brushing his lips over hers, lightly. "I wish I could gaze into your eyes without looking through the eyes of the bear." He added, kissing her face, gently.

She sighed, and ran her fingers through his hair. "At least I can feel you, my love." She whispered, trailing her hand down to his face, touching his skin.

Klaus shuddered under her touch, and closed his eyes as her fingers stroked his face.

She felt a scruffy beard on his face, and smiled into the darkness. She traced his rounded nose, and plumb lips, up to his almond shaped eyes. "What color are your eyes?" She asked in a whisper.

He licked his lips, and opened his eyes. "Deep blue, like the bear's." He answered, touching her face with his right hand.

"Hair?" She asked, touching his face once more.

"Sandy brown." He replied, gently.

She smiled, and pulled his head down to hers. "I'll wish for the day I will see you beloved face, but for now, I'll carry the image of what I just created in my heart." She whispered, kissing his cheek.

He closed his eyes, and brushed his nose over her face. "You are truly special, Caroline." He whispered, kissing her lips with his own.

She smiled, and held him close as the kiss became frenzied and passionate.

~XXX~

"Mommy, why did you stop?!" The girls said together, all hanging on their mother's every word.

Their mother moved her eyes to her daughters, and smiled. "I don't think you need to hear what happened next." She replied, shaking her head with remembrance.

"Mooom!" Her eldest dragged out with disappointment.

She only smiled, and her mind drifted back to her tale.

~XXX~

Klaus slowly pulled down the straps of her dress, and kissed her shoulder as the dress inched its way down. She moaned, and arched her back, her body reeling with new sensations.

He sucked and kissed her breasts, and quickly sat up to remove his night shirt. He felt her hands moving across his chest as he knelt in front of her, and smiled. "My darling Caroline." He whispered, kissing her lips, pushing the rest of her dress off her body.

She hummed, and opened her mouth. She wasn't sure what she was doing, but running on instinct seemed good for her at the moment, and apparently for him.

He touched her in ways she only dreamed about, and when he pushed forward, she hardly felt a thing except the pleasure.

"Oh!" She cried, a smile forming on her face.

He smiled, and kissed her lips, before rocking inside her as slow and pleasurable as he could. Moans and cries of pleasure sounded throughout the room. "Lift up, my love." He whispered, kissing her neck, trailing his lips up her neck to her lips.

She lifted her hips, and groaned. "Oh, ah…" She groaned, rolling her hips on instinct. She rocked with him, and felt her body lift higher and higher until she couldn't feel her body anymore. Never before had she felt such intense pleasure. It was more than just a marriage to her, and to him, it was love, an intense form of love that rocked her to her core, and his.

"That's it, love. That's it." He whispered, rocking her until she cried out from the pleasure. He followed soon after, arching his hips downward, and letting out a loud satisfied cry.

He collapsed on top of her, and panted, saying her name like a prayer. "I never knew it could be this good." He whispered, kissing her face, wet with her tears and sweat.

"Neither did I." She whispered, returning his kisses, lightly.

He groaned, and rolled to the side. "This is the first time in two years; I'm going to dread the daylight." He whispered, caressing her face with his right hand.

Caroline nodded, and folded into his side. "So am I." She whispered, kissing his bare chest, as her arms wrapped around him.

Klaus sighed, and held her close to him, wishing that the daylight never came.

Unfortunately it did.

~XXX~

"Mommy, what happened after that?" The eldest daughter asked, bouncing on her knees. "Did you live happily ever after?"

Caroline sighed, and bowed her head. "No, we didn't, not at first." She replied, softly with a sad tone.

~XXX~

Caroline awoke the next morning, a smile gracing her features. She sat up, and hugged the white sheets close to her chest, and looked around. "Klaus?" She called, before remembering the reason why she was alone.

"Caroline," A familiar voice called at the foot of the bed, causing her to look down and smiled at seeing the familiar bear lifting his head.

She smiled, and moved to stand out of the bed, holding the sheet around her body. "Good morning, my love." She replied, kneeling down to gaze into his blue eyes.

"Morning." He returned, though his voice wasn't filled with joy, and she knew why.

"How long before the curse is over?" She asked, softly.

"Five years." He stated, firmly, sadly.

She lowered her eyes, and leaned on her ankles. "Five years." She whispered, dejectedly.

Klaus hummed, and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, love."

She shook her head, and wiped a few tears away. "It's not your fault, Klaus." She whispered, shaking her head.

He sighed, and nudged her with his white furry head. "You are sad." He replied, softly.

She sighed, and petted his head. "Everything will be alright." She replied, stroking his head. "We'll get through this, my love." She added, kissing his head.

"I wish I had your assurance." He whispered, humming in a low growl.

She sighed, and continued to hold him in the sanctity of their bedroom, for as long as they had.

~XXX~

Days past and each night Klaus and Caroline made love as if it might be their last. During those nights, they would hold each other until the sun would begin to rise, and each morning, Klaus would rise before she would wake and transform back into the bear.

As the days continued to pass, they fell more and more in love. There came a moment when Caroline often wondered if her curiosity would get the better of her, and though she tried to fight it, she couldn't quite curb it.

During the first year of her stay, Caroline discovered how much she wanted to see him, for though she kept an image of what he looked like in her heart, a thought kept nagging at her to peer at him while he slept.

One night the thought awoke her from a dreamless sleep, and she sat up, trying not to disturb him. She stood up from the bed, and moved towards the window. Her mind became clouded, and though she tried to fight it. She couldn't.

"Klaus," She whispered, as she reached for a candle. She tried to fight the urge. She tried to. Everything within her told her not to, but somehow she couldn't control her actions. "Wake up, my love." She began to cry, but the words seemed to be just a whisper.

She felt a tear fall down her face, as the candle lit, and she picked it up. She closed her eyes as she leaned the candle over his face, and let out a sob. "Klaus, wake up, please." She cried, this time her words were loud.

Klaus stirred in his sleep, and slowly his eyes opened. He sat up as he saw his wife, holding the candle over him, her hand shaking and tears rolling down her face. "Caroline, no." He cried, shaking his head.

"Klaus, please, something is controlling me." She cried, trying to keep her eyes close.

Klaus closed his eyes, and bowed his head. "Katerina," He whispered, his heart breaking.

"Please, leave the room, before my eyes open." Caroline cried, shaking her head.

Klaus stood up, and grasped her face in his hands. "I have faith in you, my love." He whispered, stroking her face.

She shook her head, and bit her bottom lip. "I can't control myself, Klaus." She whispered, leaning into his hands. "Please, I don't want to lose you." She added, tears falling down her face.

"You won't, Caroline." He whispered, kissing her lips. "I will always love you." He replied, placing his forehead on hers.

"I love you too, Klaus." She stated, with tears running down her face. "Please, my love, leave before I'm forced to look upon your face." She stated, wishing she could blow out the candle. "Blow out the candle." She added, after her realization came to her.

Klaus turned his gaze to the candle, and tried blow it out, but found it wouldn't. "It won't go out." He stated, shaking his head, trying to blow it out again and again.

She let out a small cry, and bowed her head. "Oh, by the gods, my heart," She whispered, wishing things could be different.

Klaus' heart broke at the hurt in her tone. "Open your eyes, my love." He whispered, stroking her face.

She shook her head, and let the tears fall even faster. "I'll lose you." She cried, though her eyes were trying to open.

He smiled, and stroked her closed eyes with his thumbs. "You'll never lose me." He whispered, tears filling his eyes. "Fight for me, my love. Fight for us." He whispered, as her eyes began to slowly open. "You'll find a way, love." He whispered, tears escaping his eyes.

She let out a quiet sob as her eyes finally opened, and she gazed upon his face for the first time. "Oh, my love." She whispered, touching his face for the first time with her eyes.

He smiled, but it was a sad smile as he gazed into her eyes. "Remember to fight for me, for us." He whispered, kissing her lips, lightly before stepping back, and anger flashed in his eyes. "Damn you, Katerina!" He shouted, as a laugh could be heard in the room.

"You're mine!"

Klaus gazed at his wife before screaming in agony as he disappeared from her arms and sight.

~XXX~

"What happened, mommy?" The eldest daughter asked, after her mother became quiet.

Caroline sighed, and lowered her eyes. "I had to fight." She whispered, remembering. "I had to fight for him."

~XXX~

Caroline grieved for three days for the loss of her husband; tears stained the floor with each step she took.

His final words rang in her heart, and she knew what she had to do. Packing up what she needed, she headed out of the castle in the middle of the night, and began to travel where she knew her husband was supposed to be.

Many trials and tribulations lay ahead of her, but with the love for her husband sealed in her heart, she knew she could overcome them.

The first trial set in front of her was the trial of bravery. With this trial, she faced beings of unnatural form, and stood tall as she fought them, and in the end earned their respect and loyalty.

In return for their loyalty, they gave her a gift: a pair of scissors which would cut the air into ribbon and clothe.

The second trial was the trial of kindness. Not much fighting was required for this, for all Caroline had to do was rely on her kind heart to help an elderly couple. In return for her kindness, the couple gave her a flask which would never be empty, giving her water whenever she needed it.

The third trial was the trial of strength. This time Caroline relied on her love to guide her through, for it was this trial that she met a young man, who at first sight, favored her. She politely told him that she was going to rescue her husband, and nothing was going to interfere. Now, this trial is important for it was this young man who gave her the means of entering the castle of the witch. In place of his heart, he created a pair of steel claws, capable of climbing the rock walls of the castle, without breaking, which in anyone else's hands, but hers, would cause certain death.

As Caroline continued on her journey, the trials she faced seemed to pale in comparison to the one laid out before her.

She stood at the bottom of the castle, and felt the fear of what she might face enter her heart. Shaking her head, she placed the claws on her hands, and started her climb.

She climbed until she reached the top, and smiled with triumph at her accomplishment. Looking around her quickly, she entered the castle, searching for the one she longed to be with.

She paused at a grand door when she heard laughter and merriment coming from the other side. She swallowed, and bowed her head.

"My lady,"

She turned her head, and smiled as she recognized the small dwarf from her first trial motioning towards her.

"This way." He replied, urging her to follow him.

She smiled, and quickly followed him, but the sight she was rewarded with was more of a punishment. For where he led her was inside of the dining room, and sitting at the front of a large table was her love, holding hands with a woman she had never seen before.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the dwarf shook his head, and grasped her hand, leading her away from the crowd. She felt tears threatening to emerge from her eyes, and her heart broke inside.

"My lady, don't despair." The dwarf replied, tugging on her hand. "Your Prince is still yours. At night, he cries out for you." He added, nodding his head.

"How do you know this?" She asked, kneeling down, her knees scraping the floor.

He smiled, and wiped her face with his small hand. "I have friends here who have heard him." He answered, nodding. "They will help us in your quest." He added, nodding. "Come, we have work to do." He replied, helping her up, and led her towards another room.

"What are we to do?" She asked, after the door closed.

"You must speak with him." The dwarf replied, firmly.

She shook her head. "I can't. He's probably watched." She stated, wiping her face.

The dwarf bowed his head, and sighed. "You need to request to speak to him, at least for one night, and we shall do the rest." He replied, firmly.

She began to shake her head, but the dwarf stopped her. "You must, my lady, or you will both be doomed." He stated, with soft eyes.

She sighed, and sniffed. "Okay, what do I do?"

~XXX~

"Mommy, what did you do?" The youngest girl asked, placing her hands on her mother's knee.

Caroline smiled, and let out a long sigh. "I went to the witch." She stated, with a coy look in her eyes. "And she granted me one night."

"How?" The youngest asked, her blue eyes sparkling.

"I traded the scissors from my first trial." She replied, nodding, bowing her head.

~XXX~

Caroline paced in the room, and bit her fingers, nervously. It had been a month since she lost her love, and now she was going to see him after so long.

A tall guard opened the door, and motioned for her to follow him. He led her to a large door, and she entered.

She covered her mouth with her hands as she saw her love, lying on the bed before her, unconscious.

"Klaus!" She hollered, rushing towards him, trying to rouse him.

Anger filled her person, as he remained stoic. She shook her head, and let the tears fall down her face. For the first time, she got to see his face without worrying about him leaving, but it wasn't the same.

She studied his face, and stroked his scruffy cheek, remembering how it felt on her skin as they made love. She shivered with the memory of their last night together.

"Oh, my love, please wake up." She whispered, stroking his face. "We only have this night." She added, leaning over to kiss his lips. Tears fell down her cheeks, and let a sob. "Please…" She cried, her sobs covering up the laughter from the hall.

~XXX~

"Mommy, why are you crying?" The second youngest asked, leaning forward.

Caroline shook her head, and smiled at her daughters. "No reason." She replied, softly, though she knew they knew the reason.

~XXX~

After the first night, Caroline begged for another night, for he was not awake to be with her one last time. This time she traded in the flask she received from her second trial.

As she was led to the room, she felt her heart tug in her chest. A thought kept entering her mind of how Klaus never woke up to speak to her. She turned her head, and saw the dwarf standing in the corner, with a grim expression on his face.

As she entered the room, she knew why.

There was Klaus again, and again, he was unconscious.

Anger filled her person once more, but this time tenfold than before. She walked towards him, and touched his face, wishing he could wake.

"He's drugged, my lady."

Caroline nodded, and sighed. "There must be a way to stop this." She whispered, glancing towards the dwarf.

The dwarf nodded, and smiled. "I have a plan. All you need is one more night." He stated, lifting a finger.

"I have nothing to trade her." She stated, shaking her head.

The dwarf smiled, and motioned to the claws in her sack. "How can she resist the very object that is indestructible, even to her?" He asked, gleefully.

So, Caroline did as the dwarf said, and traded in her claws for one more night with her husband.

As she entered the now familiar room, she felt her heart quicken in her chest. Sitting up on the bed, wide awake, was her love, her Klaus.

A smile lit her face as she rushed towards him, just as he stood up, and rushed towards her, opening his arms wide. "My love," She whispered, leaping into his arms.

Klaus hummed, and held her close to him. "Oh, Caroline," He whispered, feeling her tears hit his shoulder.

"I thought I lost you." She whispered, hugging him close to her.

"Never, my love." He whispered, pulling back to gaze into her eyes. Eyes he dreamed of for a month. "How, I've missed you." He whispered, stroking her face.

She smiled, and leaned her face into his hand. "I missed you." She replied, touching his face with her left hand.

He smiled, and leaned forward, kissing her lips with passion and love.

She pulled back, and smiled. "We should hurry." She replied, stepping back, holding his hands in hers.

He tilted his head to the side. "Caroline, I can't leave." He stated, shaking his head.

She smiled, and touched his lips with hers. "Yes, you can." She whispered, against his lips. "Katerina is now in possession of a pair of claws which were created for me and me alone." She replied, a sly smile appearing on her face. "In anyone else's hands, they are death." She stated, though he read the sadness in her eyes.

"Caroline," He began, stroking her face.

She smiled, and bowed her head. "If the result is your freedom and our life together, then that's price I will gladly pay." She stated, lifting her head strongly.

He smiled, and followed her as a scream could be heard throughout the castle.

For in the Great Hall, Katerina was on her knees, crying in agony. In her hands were the claws crafted with love for one as pure of heart and love as the winter snow and summer breeze.

As she fell to the side, and gasped her final breath, the castle shook, for the dark witch had been beaten by the one thing she never could obtain: love.

~XXX~

"Is that the end, mommy?" The eldest daughter asked, happily.

Caroline smiled, and shook her head. "No, my darling Snow, the end has yet to come." She replied, lifting her gaze to the man who stood a few feet away from his family. She stood up, gingerly, and walked towards him, a smile never leaving her face as she entered his warm embrace.

The three girls watched with excitement as their mother kissed their father with so much love, and they smiled.

Now this tale is one that has been changed throughout the years, and adapted into many forms, but one thing remains the same: there is no bounds a woman won't enter to keep the love of her true love, even if he was a bear.

Please be kind!

You might have noticed that this is slightly different from both versions (myth and movie). I should tell you, I haven't watched the movie since I was a little girl, but I do remember that I loved it.

I edited out the trials, because this was getting too long, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless.

Review and you will get a sneak peek for the next installment! And I'm still taking requests for myths and what have you! :)

Until Next Time...