The games soon started. Horse races, and archery, were all done to amuse the princess but Christina was having a hard time focusing. Everyone in the kingdom was here, and they were all watching her.
"You're okay, Butterfly," Alissa attempted to reassure.
"I wanna go home, Mommy, please, please, I'm not ready for this," Christina begged, longing to go home to her library and the safety of her books, "Please, please, please!"
"You're okay, I promise"
Christina certainly didn't feel okay.
"I'd better get ready," Duncan said softly, standing with a bow, "The joust is soon"
"Oh good," Alissa smiled fondly, "My favorite event, do you know why it is Christina?"
"No"
"That's how I met your father, oh he looked so handsome in his armor. Bested everyone who challenged him and when the event ended I was the one to proclaim him winner. We spent the rest of the day together"
"I miss Daddy"
"I do too but he'd want you to have a good time"
"I know"
...
"Shaggy!"
He flinched, fearing his cousin or uncle had discovered him only to gasp in surprise as Clawdeen sat beside him.
"Clawdeen!"
"Shh," the lovely wolf pulled the hood tighter over her head, "I'm incognito right now"
"Like, is Dad here with you?" Shaggy asked hopefully.
"No, I'm sorry, he won't be here for days yet," Clawdeen leaned in close, "Now tell me what's going on"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Shaggy"
"Rupert and Norbert are abusing him," Velma declared, "Fired every servant from the household and make him do all the work while they squander his allowance"
"Velma!" Shaggy hissed.
"I suspected something like this," Clawdeen growled, "All those letters were foraged"
"Letters?"
"They must have intercepted the letters on the way to you Norbert's been forging responses, I could smell him from a mile away but they duped your Dad"
"He's going to compete in the joust today," Daphne mentioned with an eye roll, "He can barely ride"
"But you can!" Clawdeen poked her cousin in his chest, "This is your chance to prove yourself"
"But, but-"
Look in the carriage.
Well, who was he to argue with the queen who was sending him a meaningful glance? Making an excuse, he jogged back to the carriage. The door swung open as he drew close. Alongside the mask and the dancing shoes now rested a suit of impressive armor. Better quality than any he'd ever seen, reaching towards it he wondered how he was to get it on without help for it to disappear in a sparkly puff and reappear on him.
"Ah, it fits nicely!"
Shaggy spun. The queen stood across from him with a pleased smile.
"But, but-"
"I am still at the tournament grounds, this is a rather simple duplication spell," Alissa explained with a laugh, "Let's get you a steed"
"But there is no helement, my cousin-"
"Is an utter buffoon and will be incapable of recognizing you, trust me," Alissa insisted, waving her wand.
The horse that appeared before them was one Shaggy knew very well. A beautiful black thoroughbred with a white stripe on his face. His horse, Comet who Rupert had sold to buy Norbert the poor gray dapple who was fast and strong but an utter coward.
"H-How?"
"Who do you think purchased him?" Alissa asked, a twinkle in her eye, "He missed you"
"Hi, Comet" Shaggy stroked the horse's nose, "Ready for a compition?"
There was a definite twinkle in the horse's eye.
"Let's go"
...
Meanwhile, Duncan was preparing for his first match against none other than Norbert himself. Seeing his competitor the kaiju prince discarded his armor. Norbert was no match, had no skill, and was a total baffoon only in the ring in the vain hope of impressing the princess who Duncan noticed was trying not to scowl. The two mounted their steeds, Norbert with more than a little help, hefting his lance clumsily.
You've got to be joking, Duncan suppressed the urge to face-palm watching his opponent drop the lance.
"GET ON WITH IT BOY!" someone yelled from the stands causing laughter.
Norbert finally managed to grasp his lance correctly, holding it at the ready while Duncan effortlessly accepted his from the shaky stable boy. Norbert ground his teeth, ready to do his worst only to yelp as something hit the back of his helmet.
"What?"
the same happened again to his back and his arms. metal of every kind within two miles came whizzing overhead to stick to him like glue. Pots, pans, horseshoes, garden tools.
"Iron armor?" Duncan narrowed his eyes, "It's illgal you know"
Norbert tried to hold his composure insisting that they start the match but by the time the flag was waved he could barely move let alone hold his lance.
"HOW DARE YOU?!", the spoiled 'noble' screamed at the laughing crowd.
"Shut up!", Duncan laughed, "If your armor was NOT illegal, the enchantment on my lance would have done nothing, and you would have just been knocked on your bottom The extent of your humiliation is your own doing, you undeserving entitled brat!"
Norbert was rolled from the arena while Duncan donned his armor once more chuckling at the boys' well-deserved plight. One by one Duncan bested his competition finding it almost boring. It was like they were all scared of him they might have been but that did nothing to slow him down. Every so often he glanced at Christina who was noticeably trying to hide her boredom. By the time the last match was announced Christina was stifling yawns.
...
"Can I go back to the castle?" Christina quietly pleaded with her mother.
"No, trust me"
"But Mom-"
"Look!" Alissa pointed to where Duncan's final competitor entered the ring.
Shaggy! Christina leaned forward, curiously glancing at her mother but Alissa pretended not to notice. She glanced at Norbert, still cluttered with metal objects that his father was uselessly trying to rip from his suit of armor. Both were none the wiser that their favorite punching bag had entered the ring. Mom's doing the princess realized noting the small triumphant smirk on the queen's face. Good. With that thought, she turned back to the ongoing match. Duncan had narrowly avoided Shaggy twice, to the untrained eye it seemed a close call but Christina knew what Duncan was doing. He was letting Shaggy win. Just as she suspected on the third go, Shaggy managed to tap Duncan, ending the match much to the shock and disbelief of the surrounding crowd.
"And It seems we have a winner," Alissa rose from her seat as the two dismounted to shake hands, "Darling, that's your cue,"
Biting back her fear of being recognized, Christina slowly walked toward the center of the ring. Rather than jewels or some other expensive prize every winner that day received a ribbon, Alissa's idea to keep the more muscle-headed crowd from getting too rowdy. Without the promise of payment, they wouldn't enter and ruin the fun. This is my only duty. He won't recognize me. My cloak's magic that's why I wear it, still Christina panicked.
What if he did?
...
Shaggy couldn't recall the last time he'd had such fun. To laugh without worry. As if the dreary fog of his life were finally lifting, if only for a little while. Now, smiling ear to ear from the excitement he watched the princess slowly approach. There was something, something he felt he was forgetting but remembering was hard, a thick fog settling over his mind until he gave up. The princess was right in front of him now with a small, nervous smile on her face.
"Your Highness," Shaggy quickly recovered himself, bowing.
"Congratulations," she looped the violet ribbion around his neck.
Again, something was bothering him but he just couldn't recall. What was it? Why was it bothering him so much? Maybe, maybe it was just nerves? Yeah, that was it! Nerves! And why shouldn't he be nervous? This was the princess.
"Thank you"
With a small nod, she turned hurrying back to her mother's side.
Velma was right, she was scared of people. But, why? What terrible thing had caused it? Why did he feel the need to fix it? Just the thought of her being scared was like a rock in the gut, uncomfortable and sickly.
Maybe all she needs is a friend?
...
"You did so well, Butterfly no you can't go home now," Alissa hugged her trembling daughter tightly, "There's still more to see and do"
"Mother-"
"I agree with Christina you know"
The sudden voice startled them both and any of the lingering crowd. Maleficent had arrived in a sudden burst of flame, her arms already open for a hug.
"Grandmother!" Christina rushed into her arms with a relieved smile, "I didn't know you were coming!"
"Why wouldn't I?" the elder fae laughed, "You look beautiful, Dear"
"Thank you," Christina flushed with embarrassment, smoothing imaginary wrinkles out of her dress.
"As I was saying," Maleficent turned to her daughter, "Do you really think throwing Christina to the public is the best course of action"
"I am not throwing my daughter to the public, she's been getting better, haven't you, Butterfly?"
"I want no part of this discussion"
"Well, she has," Alissa insisted.
"Christina," Duncan swooped in, "How about a walk around the fair grounds? Don't worry, I'll keep anyone from getting too close, what do you say?"
No, no, no, no, no no,
But, one look at her mother told her declining wasn't a choice so she took Duncan's arm, wishing the ground would swallow her up.
When the teens were far enough away the two fairies continued their conversation.
"I know you perfer not to think about it, Alissa but isn't this the same event where the incident occured?"
"No, that happened during the winter"
"And, what were you doing then?"
"We..went to the winter fair.."
"I thought so"
"I still don't understand"
"Or you don't want to remember"
"That too"
...
Several years earlier.
Alissa had underestimated her daughter's excitement. The little hybrid disappeared as soon as they reached the fairgrounds. Likely lured away by food or games while she stopped to chat. There was no need to worry, however. Everyone in the capitol knew and loved Christina. She was safer here than anywhere else. She would reappear soon enough, smiling from ear to ear...
"MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!"
Those weren't screams of excitement. Christina was running at her, bloody and covered in mud, her dress toen to pieces.
"Butterfly? What happened?" ahe caught the child, heedless of the mess.
"I wanna go home"
"I can fix you up right here, we don't have to-"
"I WANNA GO HOME!"
The declaration was enough to spark a rainstorm, frightening those around them. Undaunted, Alissa waved it away, the night once again crystal clear, she transported Christina home where she was promptly mended. No matter how many times she asked Christina wouldn't tell her what happened only that a mean stranger had done it, a mean boy. The next time they tried to leave the castle to visit the town, Christina bolted into her room and refused to come out until she promised they weren't going anywhere. This happened again and again and again. The little hybrid was no longer a bubbly outgoing child now she was scared of leaving, scared of seeing anyone new, even for a brief while, and scared of her own shadow.
I will find who's responsible, Alissa thought while rocking her daughter, And I will make them pay.
...
Now:
"What was she like?" Daphne was pulling on his arm for details as they wandered the fairgrounds.
"Daph, it's not like we had a coversation," Shaggy gently reminded his over-excited friend.
"But, what was she like?"
"She was polite"
"That's it? That's all you can say?"
"She's scared"
"I was right," Velma unhelpfully commented without looking up from her book.
Daphne rolled her eyes, "Can I hold it?" she was reaching for the ribbon around Shaggy's neck.
"Like, if I let you hold it then like, everyone will ask to hold it"
"Oh, look!" Daphne pointed ahead, "There she is!"
Princess Christina was walking towards them. Shaggy instantly felt tongue-tied while Daphne squealed excitedly.
...
"Isn't this why you have outings incognitio?" Duncan whispered.
"Mom's idea," Christina brushed it off.
"But, you're making friends"
"Rose is making friends"
"That's you"
"Can we-"
"No"
"Please-"
"No"
"But-"
"Princess Christina!" Lady Daphne was rushing toward them.
"Isn't she your friend?"
Christina ducked behind him.
"Okay, baby steps little ant-sized baby steps"
Daphne stopped before them nearly out of breath, "Your Highnesses," she curtsied, "I hope you're enjoying the fair"
Christina silently nodded.
"You'll have to forgive Christina," Duncan smiled, "She doesn't talk much"
"That's okay," Daphne hadn't stopped smiling, "May we walk with you?"
"Christina?" Duncan kept a strong grip on the trembling princess, "Is that okay with you?"
Christina nodded again.
Daphne chattered on happily, occasionally asking Christina a question but the princess couldn't bring herself to speak. Duncan, meanwhile, looked between tongue-tied Shaggy and silent Christina. Eventually Daphne. noticed. With a subtle nod, the two grabbed Velma, slipping away as fast as they could.
"It seems," Christina spoke her voice a nervous whisper, "Our friends have left us"
"Like, it seems so," Shaggy nodded in agreement, "I like, understand if you wanted to slip away"
"I can't as much as I'd like too, Mother's watching me"
"But, she's not around"
"But the castle staff is"
Shaggy noticed that various people while keeping a good distance, kept an eye on them both.
"Oh, I see"
"It's embsrrsing"
"Your mother said you couldn't go home, right?"
"Yes"
"What if you slipped into the shops, they'll be empty and you won't like, be disobeying?"
"Why didn't I think of that?"
"Because your stressed?" he slowly offered, scared to upset her.
"You're right!" she nodded, "Would you? Would you come with me? You're good company.."
Her gaze hit the ground, hands started to shake.
Without even thinking about it he gently took her hands in his as he'd seen his father do when his mother would get worked up, "I'd be happy to go with you, Your Highness"
"Please, just call me Christina"
"Of course, Christina"
The two swiftly left the fairgrounds behind heading into the village shops just beyond. While not as empty as Shaggy had expected they were emptier. And while Christina initially froze on the doorstep of the bakery he easily managed to coax her inside.
The baker, a short, stout man froze with surprise but quickly recovered with a bright smile, "Your Highness, to what do I do the pleasure? And young Shaggy, why it's been months" Turning he called for his wife, a pleasantly plump red-haired lady swiftly emerged from the back room, stopping in shock and surprise as her husband had.
"Well I'll be!" she rushed forward to hug Shaggy only to notice her flour-covered hands at the last moment, "We were so worried about you! How did you get out of that awful situation? And how do you know the princess?"
"Like, let's just call the first one a miracle," Shaggy smiled, "Secondly we just like, happened to bump into each other, right?" he turned to Christina.
She nodded.
"I've heard that cherry pie is your favorite," the baker redirected, "Is that true, Your Highness?"
Christina nodded again.
"She doesn't talk much," Shaggy explained.
"That's alright, here," the baker passed Christina a small piece of pie on a wooden plate, "Call it a birthday gift, I trust you'd like one too, Shaggy? My treat"
"Thank you"
"Mmm," Christina smiled, eyes closing as she enjoyed her treat.
"Good?" Shaggy laughed in between bites of his slice.
"Mm-hum"
"They're cute together, wouldn't you agree, dear?" the baker whispered to his wife.
"I would"
The couple hid their smiles as the teens handed their plates back before bidding goodbye.
...
Shaggy spent the rest of the day with Christina. Slowly, very slowly the princess began to open up bit by bit until they were having conversations. Easy, joy-filled conversations that had them both laughing even as a pair of castle guards came to whisk Christina back to the castle for the impending ball.
"Will I see you there?" Christina asked over her shoulder with a hauntingly familiar smile.
"I'll be there," Shaggy promised.
...
"See, Butterfly?" Alissa smiled at her daughter's reflection, "You did very well today"
"Mom-"
"Hush, you'll be just fine besides, you look beautiful"
Christina felt flustered. For the celebrations, her mother had surprised her with new dresses. Summer gowns for the fair as well as new ballgowns. Just like the other festivities however, the princess would have felt much better alone in the library with a book
"The guests have started to arrive," Maleficent popped into the room.
"I need a minute," Christina squeaked.
"Just a minute!" Alissa called as Maleficent pushed her out of the room, shutting the doors behind them.
Christina dropped to the floor, the skirt of the dress fanning out around her. She smoothed the black skirt over and over, the fabric cool against her fingers. Staring at her reflection she tried to believe her mother. She did look nice she supposed, the black off-the-shoulder gown wasn't overly poofy in fact, compared to most ballgowns it was rather plain with hidden purple accents and ribbon trim. Her hair had been curled, the circle of roses replaced by a small tiara. The real detail was in the mask. Small but intricately sculpted into polished purple dragon scales.
I really don't see the point in a masquerade, she turned the mask over in her hands, running her thumb against the grain of the scales, Sadly, I can be spotted a mile away.
"You're going to be just fine," Maleficent had slipped back into the room, lightly touching her shoulder.
"I really don't feel that way, Grandmother"
"Just take a deep breath"
"I've been doing that for the past hour"
"What am I going to do with you?"
"Love me?"
"Of course I will, now, the sooner we go downstairs the sooner it'll be over"
"You're right"
"Shall we then?"
...
Shaggy watched as the other guests hurried up the sweeping palace steps. Chatting and laughing with one another. He waited trying to see if he could spot his uncle and cousin in their ill-fitting attire. Just as he was about to give up, Norbert came tripping up the stairs as he struggled to keep his pants on. Those who saw laughed and gossiped behind their hands at his plight. Shaggy had to stifle his laughter watching the clothes shift once more from too loose to too tight. Rupert followed a few steps behind his son, still grumbling about the utter humiliation at the tournament. When they were at last swallowed up by the crowd, Shaggy went inside the palace, pointedly ignoring the flirty looks of the girls he passed to instead take this experience in. His mother had always wanted to take him to visit but things hadn't worked out.
It was as elaborately decorated as one would expect for such an event. Candles were everywhere in shiny black holders. There were many banners and tapestries in varying shades of purple. The scenes within moved when you weren't quite looking at them. Music floated into the foyer from the ballroom becking him forward.
I'm here Mother, I wish you were too.
Slipping the mask on he hurried into the ballroom, pausing for a moment astounded by all the things going on around the room. There were couples dancing, friends talking. Snacks being shared. There was something to see everywhere he looked. For some reason, he looked for Christina. He didn't understand why, true that they had spent nearly the entire day together but a nasty little voice in the back of his mind insisted it was only to be polite. Christina was no doubt already dancing with some prince.
Then he saw her. On the other side of the room, Christina seemed to float through the crowd, stopping to greet guests. The strange sensation of butterflies filled his stomach. Why was he so nervous? Pushing past the feeling he let himself be swallowed up by the crowd. He was never a good dancer so he'd be better off observing in the corner but he couldn't seem to rip his gaze away from Christina who was headed towards the thrones. Her mother sat in the largest of them, caught up in a conversation with Prince Duncan.
Was that Clawdeen headed toward them?
...
"Butterfly!" Alissa smiled at her daughter, "Just in time, here comes Alpha Clawdeen"
Christina mustered up the courage to turn, offering a weak nervous smile to the lovely werewolf who true to reports was no older than her. Fashionably dressed in a deep purple gown with gold moon patterns on the skirt, a crescent-shaped comb styled into her hair.
"Queen Alissa," the young alpha sank into a graceful curtsy, "Thank you for inviting me tonight"
"Of course," Alissa nodded, "May I present my daughter, Princess Christina?"
"Hello, it's nice to meet you, Alpha Clawdeen"
"A pleasure to meet you, Princess, Happy Birthday"
"Thank you,"
"I hope you don't mind," Clawdeen smiled, "But I've brought you a gift," she waved over one of the guards who had insisted on escorting her everywhere. The much taller, noticeably older werewolf hurried over, the guests giving him a wide path and it was easy to see why. Clutched in his fist were three leashes being yanked on by three wolves. There was one all-black male, a tan and silver blue-eyed female, and in the center a black and silver amber-eyed female.
"Oh, my goodness," Christina sank to meet the creatures, hand outstretched.
The three broke from the guard bounding toward the waiting princess with excited yips and howls. Skidding to a sudden stop the trio sat on their haunches tails wagging.
"It was the strangest thing," Clawdeen explained, "We were halfway to your kingdom when these three appeared on the side of the road, I know it might be rash to spring them on you but something told me they were looking for you, Princess, and I always follow my instincts"
Christina was only half listening, smothering the wolves with so much love she didn't even notice when they glowed purple for a moment though her mother did.
"Thank you!" Christina smiled a real smile that spread across her face and twinkled in her eyes.
"You're very welcome"
"Aren't you going to name them, Butterfly?" Alissa prompted.
"Thunder," she dubbed the male, "Fluffy," the tan and silver wolf, "and, Jade," the leader.
"Now, why don't we have Lilliana take them up to your rooms, okay?"
"Okay," Christina's shoulders slumped briefly before patting each wolf on the head, "Be good"
"yes, Christina," the three chorused startling the teens.
It was only after the trio had been led into the hall did Alissa smack her forehead in remembrance, "Oh, how rude of me, this is-" she turned to introduce Duncan only for the prince to step forward with a bow.
"Please just call me Duncan," he took Clawdeen's hand, kissing it lightly, "Will you grant me the gonour of a dance, Alpha Clawdeen?"
"I'd be delighted," the werewolf blushed, glancing at the Queen and Princess.
"Don't let us stop you," Alissa smiled with a playful shooing motion.
...
Although he couldn't hear the conversation Shaggy didn't miss the smile or the way Christina loved on the presumably wild animals. It sent his heart smacking against his ribs with such force it was a wonder he wasn't hurt. Expertly weaving through the crowd he found a good semi-secluded spot and sat down. From where he sat now he could still see Christina without making the staring too obvious. It seemed his snobby cousin was also staring though it was blatantly obvious and not at Christina's face. Shaggy grit his teeth, Norbert had that piggish smile on his face. This couldn't end well, fists clutched at his side Shaggy watched.
...
"Why don't you find someone to dance with?"
"Mom..."
"Christina, trust me sweetie, every boy in this room will want to dance with you and you're a wonderful dancer, just try, one dance?"
"Okay"
Trembling slightly, Christina wove through the crowd, trying to ignore the awestruck looks of the guests. The entire capital had turned out for the event, bringing family from all over the kingdom so there were more than enough prospective dance partners but the princess couldn't bring herself to ask anyone. Maybe if she was lucky enough she could sneak into the gardens? With this plan in mind, she turned toward the tall glass doors across the room. They were open but magically enchanted so no one outside the royal family could enter. Yes, this was a good plan. Much better than dancing with a stranger. Taking slow measured steps to not raise suspicion Christina wove in and out of the crowd as if she were looking for a dance partner. Halfway across the room, she collided with someone. Stumbling back a step she looked up into the face of Shaggy's cousin.
"I am so sorry, Princess," he grabbed her wrist, "Since you're here, how about a dance?"
"No, thank you, I'm not a very good dancer, please let go"
"I'm sure that isn't true..."
"I said, let go!"
"Not until you dance with me"
Christina could feel the magic burning in her veins. Mere seconds later her skin was too hot to touch. Norbert released her, sucking on his palm.
"Why you little Freak!" he snapped, lunging for her.
"Is there a problem here?" Shaggy jumped in between them.
"Bah!" Norbert turned on his heel, "Not worth my time"
"Are you alright, Christina?"
"More or less, thank you, Shaggy"
"He didn't hurt you?"
"I'll be okay"
The orchestra began to play a waltz.
"I don't suppose you'd like to dance?"
"I'm like, a horrible dancer, I'd step on your toes"
"I'll survive, please?"
"If you insist"
...
When one dance ended the two were caught up in another and another until the clock chimed eleven hours later.
"Oh!" Shaggy exclaimed in surprise.
"What is it?"
"I'm afraid I have to leave soon"
"One more dance?"
"I'd be glad to"
By eleven forty Shaggy was in the carriage heading home half asleep, the image of Christina's smile burnt into his mind. He sleepily stumbled up to the attic, barely noticing how magically spotless the house was. Instead, he dressed for bed, sinking onto his bed in front of a crackling fire.
"Thank you," he whispered watching the clothing and carriage disappear knowing they'd be back the next day.
...
After Shaggy had left Christina hurried up to her rooms. Locking the doors behind her she was relieved to find her nightgown already laid out. With a snap of her fingers, she was ready for bed which she happily sunk into, snuggling deep into her blankets.
"Did you have a good time?" Jade asked, plodding over.
"Yes but don't tell my mother"
"They don't have too," Alissa appeared in the room in a flash, "It was on your face plain as day, people aren't so scary are they?"
"Yes, they are but I think I've found the exception"
"We'll see, Goodnight, Butterfly"
"Goodnight"