A/N: I did too much research on Charming for Happily. Must write another fic with Charming. Even though he's the WORST villain in the franchise. Must write anyway. It's a disease. I hope you enjoy my sickness. I think it's turning out pretty well :) Don't worry, it's Fiona's POV this time ;)
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Princess Fiona of Far Far Away leaned as far as she dared out of her tower room window. The tentative excitement swept through her. On the one hand she hated hearing the deaths of so many men who rode into the keep on horseback, on the other she didn't want to miss the beginning of her rescue. The princess couldn't help but remain hopeful despite being disappointed and a little haunted by every previous rider. She couldn't help but imagine when her prince would ask her if she heard his brave victory over the dragon. What a victory it would be, of course he would ask. She fully intended to tell him that she was listening, that she heard and felt his bravery from her very room. Even though every time she listened to a man's strangled, cut off scream she wanted to throw her hands over her ears and rock back and forth on her bed for hours.
"I know it's today," she whispered to herself. There was silence. He had yet to find the dragon. She frantically looked around her room. It was neat and tidy. One of her main pastimes over the years was making sure her room was perfect. Her rescuer could show up at any moment, she had to be perfect every single day. And at night... well, she'd just spend her time praying he didn't come. But... it was just taking so long. Every day that he didn't come, she grew less bothered about perfection. The princess gently nudged a book further behind the bed with her foot. She took the rag from the mirrorless vanity and wiped away the dust, stuffing it behind the stands where the mirrors once were. She listened again, running back over to the window. Still nothing. She surveyed her room, suddenly noticing the tapestry. It had curled on one side, revealing some of the chalk. She jumped over to it and smoothed it into perfect place. She didn't want her rescuer to get the wrong impression and think over ten years of solitude in a dragon guarded lava castle made her a little crazy. Fiona smirked at the thought.
Fiona jumped as she heard the dragon roar. Despite the sick feeling growing in her stomach she ran over to the window yet again, it was time. She couldn't see anything, just her usual, boring view. But the growls and urks of the dragon were growing. The princess looked down at herself, she looked as she usually did; perfect. She touched her tiara and made sure her hair was in place. The dragon roared again. It would be any minute now. She sat down upon her bed, smoothing over the sheets. She had to create the scene as she always did. She laid down, careful not to mess her hair on the pillow. She didn't close her eyes, not yet. They were wide open, she stared at the canopy, her heart racing in her chest.
"I know it's today," she spoke again, "This is the one."
The dragon roared yet again. It sparked the excitement within her. Most men had died already, typically by the second terrifying roar that the dragon made. This one clearly hadn't. Though a few moments later there was a scream. It was faint, but she could hear it. Fiona's face creased up, she neglected her posture, allowing herself to relax. She put her hands on her face. There goes another one. She didn't know how many it had been. She didn't allow herself to count. Her sanity was a precious commodity, there were certain things she could and couldn't do. She turned onto her side, it had been so many years. She idly picked at the stitching on her pillow, not caring to be gentle; pulling all the stitching out and resewing gave her something to do. The princess wondered how long it would be until she finally did fall victim to insanity.
Fiona's wondering grew to an abrupt end as she heard something strange. Her eyes widened, her fingers froze. It was the dragon, but it was quiet. It sounded almost like a whimper. She recalled back, the man's scream wasn't cut off, it wasn't strangled, it didn't sound as pained as the other screams she had endured. Perhaps... The princess was back at the window in a snap. She leaned out once again, desperately listening. She found herself longing for her enhanced ogre senses, though that only brought a rush of dread. Her eyes frantically found the daylight, and then her own petite human body. The sun wasn't near setting, in fact it was only late morning time, she was fine.
She heard the whimper once more. The dragon sounded pained. She straightened up. Had he done it? Her eyes swept the room once again. An odd mixture of emotions suddenly came over her. She was so excited she could burst, but she also felt a rushing sense of sadness. That moment could very well be the last time she ever saw the room that had been her home for years. Her brain tugged at her, reminding her that she was supposed to count the marks on the wall later that afternoon. She hadn't finished the song she was writing, nor finished reading her favourite book for the hundredth time. She wouldn't get the chance now. She shook her head. It didn't matter. Soon, none of that room would matter. Everything would change, and everything would be perfect.
She sat down upon the bed, smoothing over the sheets, her dress and her hair once more. The anticipation was making her restless. She couldn't lay down and wait, not yet. She hurried over to the door, listening for anything to hint that he was ascending the steps. It was a long way up, she likely wouldn't be able to hear anything until he was close. Her thoughts then landed on her night time form. The previous night would have been the last time she'd ever experience herself as an ogre. A strange sadness struck her once again. She wouldn't have the chance to say goodbye. She shook it away quickly, she wouldn't want to.
The sadness disappeared as she heard yet another sound she'd never heard before. The sound of footsteps slowly ascending the staircase outside of her room. Fiona ran about her room for a moment, a grin spread over her face. It was today. Finally, she stopped herself, taking a deep breath, breathing out steadily. She looked down at the bed - suddenly she didn't want to do the routine she had kept every time she heard a rescuer approach. She wanted to wait in the doorway and leap right into his arms. But she couldn't. She threw the curtains that surrounded her bed closed, she had a fairy tale to uphold.
Once again, the princess sat on her bed, smoothed over her skirt, checked her hair, checked her breath, and delicately laid down. An odd feeling of anxiety suddenly hit her. She had no idea who the rescuer was, or where he would take her. His footsteps grew louder still, it was taking too long. She didn't like where her mind was starting to dwell.
Everything within her seemed to pause as she heard a muffled voice outside of her door. She dared turn her head to look at it. She heard the scraping of wood against metal, the barrier being lifted. She quickly looked back up at the canopy, taking shallow breaths. Her heart was racing, she almost felt sick. It was just taking so long. Part of her wished he'd have just caught her by surprise by dropping into her room or something.
Fiona sucked in a breath and squeezed her eyes closed as she heard the door handle turn. Everything in her body went numb, all except the rapid beating of her heart. And then she heard his voice-
"Enter the Princess's chambers… cross the room to her sleeping silhouette…"
His voice was soft and deep, just as she'd always imagined. He was reciting their fairy tale, she fought the smile that was tugging at her lips. The excitement taking its rightful place over the worry she felt before.
He got closer until he was standing right next to her bed.
"Pull back the gossamer curtains to find her…" he paused.
She wanted to open her eyes, but she didn't.
"…to find her sleeping, so perfectly… lean down to her…"
He drew closer still, she could hear the soft clinking of his armour. She puckered her lips ever so slightly in anticipation. She was ready, so ready.
"…and finally, wake her with that magical…" his voice dropped to a whisper, she could feel him hovering just above her, "kiss."
His lips then softly touched hers. All her thoughts and feelings left her. It was the moment she had been waiting her whole life for. True love's kiss. She felt as if she was laying on air, even her heartbeat lost to her. Everything gone but his lips. His perfect lips. He was gentle, his skin smooth. She didn't want the moment to end, to never open her eyes and just live in it forever. Alas, he ended the kiss, pulling away from her. She fluttered her eyes open and she saw him. She could barely take a breath before it left her. He had blond, soft and bouncy hair, his eyes were bright crystal blue, his jaw was firm and his face was handsome. She felt the smile hazily take over, she took a breath to speak but she couldn't. No words would leave her lips.
He leant over her. "Princess Fiona, I am here to rescue you from this terrible prison." He stood straight, and held a hand out to her.
"Why… thank you." She took his hand and he helped her up. She studied his face with her eyes. "I-I…" she found herself entirely speechless. Her eyes widened as what she had rehearsed over and over alit inside her brain. She pulled the handkerchief from her sleeve, she always kept one there, just in case. "Dear knight, I pray that you take this favour as a token of my gratitude."
He smiled at her - it was a dazzling smile. He nodded his head and took it from her. "Thank you Princess, but... I am no knight," he spoke almost apologetically, almost, "I am a Prince," he concluded.
Her smile widened. It was just how she dreamed. It was her real prince charming. "I apologise kind Prince, you seemed so... so gallant. But of course you're a prince, you're perfect," she breathed.
He chuckled at her words. "And now I have saved you from your dreaded curse," he announced.
Fiona froze, eyes widening. "You- you know about the curse?" she asked meekly.
"Of course," he came a little closer, "It is a secret we shall hold together, it helps us appreciate your beauty even more. You are… beautiful." His smile softened, he took her face in one hand. For that moment she wished his hand didn't wear a glove. She imagined his hands to be smooth and yet worn, all at the same time. His touch was as delicate as his kiss, she could do naught but gaze at him. He gently let go of her chin and took her hand instead, kissing it. "I am Prince Charming."
Fiona couldn't help but swoon. "Of course you are, my Prince Charming." She giggled a little. "Pray tell, what is your name, kind prince?"
His brow then knitted, a look of confusion spread over his face. Fiona bit her lip. She didn't want to offend her prince, but what did she say? A thousand terrible things swept over her mind. She had been away from reality for so long, perhaps names weren't appropriate for the first date anymore… Though that just seemed silly.
"My name is Prince Charming," he repeated himself, impatience strewn through his words.
"Oh!" Fiona spluttered. In her childish fantasies she had dreamed of Prince Charming coming to save her - 'Mrs Fiona Charming'. But she grew out of such fantasies and had always figured that wouldn't actually be his name. Clearly she was wrong. "My apologies dear Prince!" She inwardly kicked herself, feeling her cheeks growing red. She took a breath, redignifying herself. "I did not quite expect you to be this perfect, Prince Charming." She recovered the situation. He smiled at her.
"Well, it's true," he winked at her, "I am this perfect. And so are you." He blinked, standing straight and tall. "Now the beast is slain and the curse is broken, we must get away. Come, my fair maiden." He led her to the window. He pulled the bow from his back and shot an arrow down below. He was left with the rope which he had already tied to the end of the arrow shaft.
Her eyes widened. She had always dreamed of someone doing that, but... she drew closer to the window... it was a long way down.
He hooked the bow onto the rope, tying the end to her bed post. He held onto the bow with one arm and held the other out to her.
She paused, turning to look at her room for a moment. That odd sense of sadness briefly swept over her again. She took a deep breath and turned to the task at hand. She moved closer to him and he roughly pulled her against him. "Hold on." He smirked at her. She leant into him, securing her arms around his neck. It suddenly occurred to her how strange it was to hold onto someone else, to feel someone. The closest experience she'd had for years was when she'd fallen asleep on her hand and made it numb. She didn't have any time to think about it-
With one arm holding her tightly, the other grasped onto the bow, he jumped from the window. Fiona screeched as they were suddenly flying through the air. Her heart was pounding in her chest - after so much nothing, she wondered if she would even survive the event. She buried her face into his neck, not daring to look. The fantasies and stories made it sound so effortless and elegant, but with the wind whipping through her hair, she felt overwhelmed and flustered. Not her prince, though. It wasn't long before he landed. He didn't stumble or trip; he was sure footed.
"It's okay, my love, you can look now," he announced.
She felt her breath catch in her throat again, my love. She wanted to squeal with excitement. She tried her best to compose herself, she took a breath. As shocking as the flight was – she looked up to the tower window – it was exhilarating. She surveyed her surroundings, they were in the courtyard, she remembered from her journey into the tower all those lonely years ago. Everything was smaller and very underwhelming compared to her memories. As a child, it was the most terrifying thing she'd ever seen. Now… it was like home.
Prince Charming offered her his arm. His hair was windswept and yet somehow it made him look even more handsome. She took hold of him. He was armour clad, a deep red cape fastened to his shoulders. The princess could only imagine how heroic and amazing the scene must have looked; the wind rushing through his hair, his cape billowing behind them. Of course it was startling and scary to her, a princess - shut-in girls were delicate. But he was experienced, practiced in heroic deeds. It took a very brave person to jump from a window like that. She gazed at him for a moment. He was handsome, brave, and courteous. Everything she had dreamed of since she was a little girl.
"I'm sorry if that was frightening to you, but it was much faster than the stairs, I think you'll agree." He began walking towards the exit, leading her.
"Of course." She smiled at him, falling into step beside him. He had a point; the journey up the stairs had been endless as a child.
She hesitated a little in her movement, looking around. Despite knowing he got to her room unscathed, there was still trepidation within her about roaming freely around the keep. "Is the dragon…?"
"Dead," he confirmed. "The vile beast will slay no more. I took revenge for you and all those who succumbed to it."
"Oh." Fiona looked to the ground, that sadness crept back. She'd spent many days over the years watching the dragon swoop around from her window. As much as she was afraid of it, she would always marvel at the creature flying. Of course she knew it had to die in order for her to be rescued. But… perhaps it didn't. It was only doing its job after all. She shook her head, letting go of any negative emotions she felt. She had her humanity restored - of course she was wishing for a humane ending, where no creature had to die. But that wasn't how the story went, nor how the world worked, she guessed.
"Well," she took a breath, "thine deed is great and thy heart is pure… I am eternally in your debt, my prince."
He paused, lifting her hand up to his lips, kissing it gently. "Anything for you, my princess," he spoke genuinely, before continuing to walk. "This day has been long awaited. I have trained for years, specifically to slay the beast that kept you. Every second was worth it, for I knew my love for you would be true."
She smiled at him. In fact, she didn't stop smiling at him as they exited the keep and crossed the bridge above the lava; any fear she had was quelled by his bravery. Finally, when they exited the volcanic prison together she stopped smiling.
Fiona looked back to the keep - the dark, ominous castle – her home for so many years. And then she looked ahead to the path that led away, her prince, his faithful awaiting stallion. The grin slowly grew, taking over her face as she choked back laughter. "You did it!" she gushed, twirling on the spot. She ran over to him, into his awaiting arms. "You rescued me!"
He lowered her, pressing his lips against hers. She kissed him back through her smile - she could feel him smiling too. Wrapping her arms around his neck, their kiss deepened. Everything was perfect. Her happily ever after had just begun.
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I told myself - No more uploading unfinished stories. Finish and THEN start uploading. But here we are, doing it again. I get way too excited to not share haha!
Not even fauxgre could stop me… Big credit and thanks to fauxgre for reading, rereading, and editing everything I've written for this so far. Couldn't have done it without you! Or at least this would be worse and missing a few fun mini adventures. Thank you so much!
I'll be uploading semi-frequently as I don't want to catch up with myself. Thanks to everyone else for reading and coming along on a new multichapter ride! Please leave a review, I'm excited to hear what you think :)