...A crowd was on its way to the castle, chanting a merry tune as they marched and celabrated, waving colored flags and banners all around.
"Joyfully now to our princess we come,
Bringing gifts and all good wishes too.
We pledge our loyalty anew.
Hail to the princess Aurora!
All of her subjects adore her!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the princess Aurora!
Health to the princess,
Wealth to the princess,
Long live the princess Aurora!
Hail Aurora!
Hail Aurora!
Health to the princess,
Wealth to the princess,
Long live the princess Aurora!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the princess Aurora!"
Inside the castle, the king and queen sat upon their thrones at the head of a great ornate ballroom. Hundreds of guests and performers filled the massive space, all chatting happily and craning their necks to get a peek at the princess.
Among the crowds of people and politicians, the king's dear friend and his son were making their way to where the two rulers sat, regal and pised in their thrones.
King Stefan was a slender man with fair skin and black hair. He had a moustache and beard, which he was rather proud of. His wife was the picture of beauty and grace. She was slender, beautiful, had fair skin and dark blonde hair. She wore a dark pink-and-lavender dress, gold crown, aqua veil, and a dark magenta cape.
An announcer's voice boomed out over the crowd as he announced the men. "Their royal highnesses, King Hubert and prince Phillip."
Hubert was obese, half bald, with white hair and eyebrows and small goatee. He always wore a red coat and crown with blue on the top, a golden shirt with blue collar, blue neckline shape like diamond, red-orange socks, and black shoes with pompoms.
Fondly had these monarchs dreamed one day their kingdoms to unite. Thus today would they announce that Phillip, Huberts son and heir to Stefan's child would be betrothed. And so to her his gift he brought, and looked, unknowing, on his future bride.
"The most honored and exalted excellencies, the three good fairies. Mistress Flora, mistress Fauna, and mistress Merryweather," the announcer continued.
The ladies he addressed were not like normal folk. Instead, they were blessed middle aged women who had been given the gift of magic since birth. They were fairies and the closest of friends.
The three fairies dress very much alike in long medieval style dresses and pointy hats reminiscent of the traditional witches' hat. Flora's signature color was red, but her favorite color was pink. Fauna and Merryweather's favorite and signature colors were green and blue, respectively. Both Flora's and Fauna's eyes were brown while Merryweather's eyes were blue. Flora's hair was gray and Fauna's hair was brownish-gray and they wore it swept back and up into a pompadour and a bun. Merryweather's hair was black and she also wore it in a bun, but her veil, which covered the entire back of her head made it hard to see exactly how the hair was styled. This suggested that Merryweather was younger than both Flora and Fauna.
At the cradle, the three peered down and laid eyes on the tiny princess. "Oh, the little darling!"
They turned to the king and bowed respectfully. "Your majesties."
Flora was the first of the three to speak. "Each of us the child may bless with a single gift. No more, no less."
She approached the cradle and with a wave of her wand, she sent a whirlpool of light pink glittering flecks of magic raining down. "Little princess, my gift shall be the gift of beauty. One gift, a beauty so rare, with golden sunshine in you hair. Lips that shame the red red rose. You will walk with the spring wherever your feet may carry you."
Fauna was next. "Tiny princess, my gift shall be the gift of song. One gift, the gift of song. Melody you will bring your whole life long. The nightingale will be your troubadour and will bring you a sweet serenade to your door."
Finally, it was time for Merryweather to give her gift. "Sweet princess, my gift shall be …"
A blow of the wind suddenly whipped through the palace, cutting the fairy short. The door of the castle swung open. Lightning and thunder crashed and then all went still for a moment. A pale green ball of light suddenly appeared not too far from where the king and queen still sat and a shape began to materialize before the spectators.
What finally made an appearance sent chills down everyone's spines and even caused a few people to drop their glasses which shattered on the floor. A woman cried out in terror.
The figure appeared in the form of a tall, slender, beautiful, pale green-skinned woman with a narrow face and a prominent chin. She had yellow eyes and a horned headdress, which was symbolic of her dark magic. She was clad in a black-and-purple robe with bat wing-like edges, and wore a gold ring with a large mysterious circular black stone in it.
This woman was an evil fairy, unlike the other three fairy godmothers in the room and her evil enabled her to perform many magical and powerful spells. She carried a staff with a glowing green orb at the tip through which she casted her spells, which included an ability to teleport herself, or send bolts of lightning at enemies. She was also capable of shapeshifting at will into numerous forms. Her minions were a legion of goblins and troll-like creatures. She was also frequently accompanied by her cherished pet raven called Diablo.
Flora gasped. "Why, it's Maleficent!"
Merryweather frowned furiously. "What does she want here?"
Fauna held a hand out. "Shhh!"
Maleficent looked around, her eyes cruel and calculating.
"Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Stefan. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and, how quaint, even the rebel," she mocked as she laid eyes on the fairies.
Merryweather angrily started to fly towards Maleficent but was held back by a frightened Flora.
"I really felt quite distressed of not receiving an invitation," Maleficent continued calmly, ignoring the two.
Merryweather snorted in disgust. "You weren't wanted!"
Maleficent feigned shock. "Not wa...? Oh dear, what an awkward situation. I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight. Well, in that event I'd best be on my way."
Queen Leah fidgeted uncomfortably, hiding her fear well. "And you're not offended, your excellency?"
"Why no, your majesty. And to show I bear no ill will…" she paused and her eyes locked on the cradle. "I, too, shall bestow a gift on the child."
The three good fairies immediately sprang forward protect the cradle from her black magic but it was too late. They were no match for Maleficent.
"Listen well, all of you! The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But, before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel...and die!"
"Oh no!" Leah rushed forward and took the child in her arms, terrified for her child.
Maleficent broke out in a nasty cackle that echoed through the halls. "Ha, ha, ha, ha!"
Stefan rose in anger and jabbed a finger at the witch. "Seize that creature!"
"Stand back you fools!" she snarled and disappeared in a flash of lightning, laughing still.
Flora waited for a moment until a heavy silence descended upon the castle. "Don't despair, your majesties. Merryweather still has her gift to give."
Stefan looked to her hopefully. "Then she can undo this fearful curse?"
"Oh no, sire," Merrywheather said, her eyes wide.
"Maleficent's powers are far too great," Flora agreed.
Fauna stepped forward. "But she can help!"
Merrywheather was still uncertain. "But …"
"Just do your best, dear."
"Yes …"
Merryweather sighed and, thinking for a moment, she stepped forward and prepared to give the gift of life to the tiny infant.
"Sweet princess, if through this wicked witches trick a spindle should your finger prick, a ray of hope there still may be in this, the gift I give at thee. Not in death but just in sleep the fateful prophecy you'll keep, and from this slumber you shall wake when true love's kiss the spell shall break. For true love conquers all…"