Once upon a time, there lived a wealthy gentleman. Prominent and respected in the Lycan courts he lived not in the Lycan kingdom itself but in the neighboring one ruled by a fairy queen. This kingdom like most others was a happy prosperous one.

The gentleman lived in a cheery manor with his only child, his son. Heir to his title and fortune. While this would turn some spoiled and twisted the son had a kind heart, wanting to help all he met.

Many peaceful happy years passed, unremarkable though pleasant.

Our story begins with the swift changes that befell the two in the boy's seventeenth year.

…...

"You like, wanted to see me?" Shaggy waited in the doorway of his father's study.

"Ah, Norville, I have exciting news, come in," Samuel smiled at his son pulling out a chair.

"Yes?" Shaggy asked unsurely.

"Do you recall what happened a week ago?"

"Um," Shaggy scratched his head confusedly, trying to remember any important events, "Like, no sir, I'm sorry," he finally apologized regretfully.

"The alpha moon was a week ago and I just received word of who the new alpha is...your cousin Clawdeen"

"Really?"

"Truly," the smile fell from his father's face. "Nevertheless, I must journey to the Lycan kingdom to pay tribute, I will be gone many months and as you are not yet of age I've been forced to leave our estate and you in the care of your uncle Rupert"

"But-"

"I know but I'm going to be counting on you to watch them for me, understood?"

"Yes, Sir"

Rupert arrived a fortnight later bringing with him his only son, Norbert, -a gluttonous spoiled boy who took pleasure in belittling those he considered beneath him, like Shaggy. Dinner that night was quiet. The calm before the storm.

Indeed there was a storm.

…...

Some months later:

Shaggy woke to the chimes of the ancient clock stored in the rafters of his new attic room. It was time to begin another day. Though his stomach rumbled with hunger, Shaggy pushed through, standing from the small straw mat in front of a long-dead fire, catching his reflection in the warped mirror. A noble's son no longer stared back at him, fit full and happy no, instead, there was a cinder-covered boy in ash-covered nightclothes.

No sooner had his father's carriage rolled from sight did Rupert dismiss every servant of the house, declaring Shaggy had lived as a spoiled brat too long.

"You will earn your keep," Rupert spat at him, "Get to work"

Shaggy had been made to scrub, scour, cook, mend, polish and repeat. His allowance which had always been gifted to those less fortunate than him was squandered month after month on Norbert's every vain whim as Rupert tried to snag the boy a wife but no girl would be swayed, especially when spoken to by the sexist pig.

Now, in the early light of dawn Shaggy tied his room, rolling his mat, sweeping the ashes from the hearth, folding the patchwork blanket which he draped over the mirror. Once this had been done he changed from his night clothes to his threadbare work clothes, tying a patched apron over that. Into holey shoes that no longer fit, he crept across the floor and shook Scooby, his lifelong friend awake.

"Scoob, time to wake up," Shaggy shook him gently...

The Great Dane rolled over but didn't stir, legs kicking the air.

He didn't have all day to wake Scooby so Shaggy marched down the back stairs, heading to the kitchen where his work began every morning. Although the pantry was well-stocked Shaggy was not allowed a morsel. Not until the days' work had been finished but often by then he was far too tired to even eat a bite. Pushing the feelings of hunger aside he set about making the breakfast feast Norbert required every single morning. Working over the coal-burning stove until he was soaked with sweat. Dish after dish served on gilt plates, stacked on the service trolley. Last was a tray for his uncle. Once this was done, he returned to the back staircase, pushing a loose-looking stone on the wall turned the stairs into a ramp but that did not make pushing such a loaded cart any easier.

Upon reaching the second floor, Shaggy eased open the first of the bedroom doors.

His Uncle had made himself quite comfortable in what used to be his father's room. Biting back a snarl, he moved to pull open the drapes, relieved by the fact that his father would return. When he returned things would thankfully return to normal.

He'd never have to see these relatives again.

"Good Morning, Uncle Rupert, Like, I trust you slept well?"

"Just give me the food and get on with your work!" Rupert ordered, sitting up with a scowl.

All Rupert ever did was scowl.

"Yes, Uncle," Shaggy passed the tray.

"Pick up that laundry on your way out"

"Yes, Uncle"

Next came Norbert's room.

Actually, this was once his room though no longer. His simple decor had been tossed out in favor of unnecessary opulence. Overstuffed pillows. Rugs with clashing patterns, useless trinkets covered every surface.

"Good morning, cousin"

"Nothing good about it," Norbert snarked, pulling the trolley from Shaggy's hands, "Go clean something and leave me alone"

"Yes, cousin"

…...

The morning was already warm, bordering on hot when Shaggy carried the laundry tub behind the courtyard. There was so much to wash. Norbert and his father requiring three outfit changes a day so when laundry day rolled around there was three times the work. Scrubbing until his hands were raw.

"Hi, Scooby," he greeted the Great Dane, who sleepily lumbered into the courtyard to help, "Like, how did you sleep?"

Scooby didn't speak too terrified of what might happen.

Rupert made his disdain for talking animals of any sort clear early on.

"Just a few more months, Bud," Shaggy scratched him behind the ears, "Don't worry"

"CINDERS!"

Norbert was screaming for him so Shaggy, with soap dripping from his arms, rushed inside.

"Yes, cousin?"

"EW, you look like a filthy rat!"

"I apologize for my appearance," said Shaggy through clenched teeth, "I like, thought there was an emergency?"

"There is!" Norbert wailed, "We have scarcely any food"

"But I just went to town-"

"GO AGAIN!"

It would've been so easy to snap his cousin's flabby arm, to twist him around but Shaggy knew that the punishment would fall on Scooby, besides, violence was never an answer.

"Of course, I'll like, go as soon as-"

"NOW!" Norbert slapped him, "I'm hungry!"

Recovering from the blow Shaggy shuffled around his cousin, back outside waiting until Norbert had trudged upstairs to reach inside the breadbox to grab the money. Looping a basket over his arm, he sped to the market.

…...

"Shaggy, I didn't expect to see you today!" Daphne cheerfully exclaimed rushing to greet her oldest friend.

"Like, I didn't expect to come today," Shaggy replied.

"Norbert sent you didn't he?" Daphne eyed the red mark that was forming from the slap, "Why don't you fight back?"

"Like, because whatever I do falls back on Scooby"

"I hope your father returns soon"

"Me too," Shaggy replied with a growl, "I just-"

"Want to kick them out, I know" Daphne rested a hand on his shoulder, "Hungry?" she motioned to the fruit stalls to change the subject.

His stomach growled on cue.

"I'll take that as a yes"

"I've like, got to shop, I'll like, eat later"

"Hold it right there," Daphne clamped a hand on his shoulder, grabbing an apple she shoved it into his hand while paying the vendor, "Proceed"

"Thanks, Daphne"

Daphne kept pace with Shaggy while he shopped, eagerly catching him up on everything he'd missed since his last visit to town which truthfully wasn't much. Daphne talked to help him forget, to relax, so he could go five seconds without worrying while bending over some back-breaking chore.

Perhaps she did too good a job because Shaggy collided with someone.

"I'm like, so sorry," Shaggy apologized, catching the stranger's basket before it could hit the ground, "Are you okay?"

"I'm alright, it was entirely my fault," the stranger laughed. Dressed in a cloak the color of blood and a lavender gown, the clothes identified her as nobility but it was the way she smiled at him that captured his attention

Shaggy felt like the air had been snatched from his lungs, okay, he'd injured himself. That was the explanation. Thankfully, Daphne was still there to take the lead.

"Rose! Has it been a month already?"

"Yes, it's good to see you, Daphne, who's your friend?" Rose asked, brushing a stray hair from her eyes.

"This is Shaggy, Shaggy this is Lady Rose,"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Rose," Shaggy bowed politely.

"Please, I don't like titles, just call me Rose"

"As you wish"

"Rose comes to town every month, fills her basket with more books than I could ever read, then disappears all over again," Daphne laughed.

"I'm not a very...social person," Rose blushed when Shaggy handed her her basket, fingers brushing as the object changed hands.

"Did you get enough books, Rose?" Daphne asked when the trio began to walk once more.

"Plenty, what brings you to the market today, Daphne?"

"Oh, the usual, mother had some friends over for tea, they started asking why I wasn't betrothed yet, I had to get out before I died of embarrassment"

"You mean-"

"Fred still hasn't asked?" Shaggy cut in surprised.

"No, he's off on some grand adventure right now"

"He still writes I hope"

"Of course but if he doesn't hurry my father's going to make me marry the son of a friend or something"

"Fred's never been quick about anything," Shaggy chuckled.

"Well perhaps-"

Rose was cut off by the chiming of the clock.

She gasped, "Forgive me, I must go"

"Will you be back next month?"

"Of course"

"Till we meet again"

Shaggy and Daphne watched as Rose disappeared into the crowd, red cloak blowing behind her.

"She always disappears at noon," Daphne explained.

"Like, I wonder where she goes?"

…...

Shaggy kept wondering when he returned home with basketfuls of food that were sure to be gone in the next few days. He set at once to scrubbing the foyer floors while his cousin was instructed in horseback riding and swordsmanship.

Things that Shaggy had already been taught a very long time ago.

"Like, it's really fun when you get the hang of it"

"You're never going to be a knight, cousin"

So he wasn't a knight now or a noble but he was something his cousin would never be.

A dreamer.