The Exiled Princess
Prologue
Once upon a time, there was an odd couple. He was a newly crowned king, she was a witch, yet their love was strong and true. They could only be together in secret, for they knew the world would not approve, but in spite of these challenges, they were happy.
Until suddenly the king was betrothed to be married to a woman of prestige. He told her as soon as he could but told her that he would still meet with her. He did not yet know that their love would soon give way to the birth of a most lovely child. His mistress knew, but could not bring herself to tell him.
Before long, the king married his betrothed, whom he pretended to love. The country rejoiced at their new queen, all except his true love who watched with a numbing sadness. The new king and queen went on their honeymoon and returned in 6 months.
Upon their return, the king received a letter from his mistress, urgently asking to meet with him. While his queen was unpacking and making herself comfortable, he sneaked out to meet her in the royal gardens. He was stunned to see that she was holding a baby, but approached anyway. She told him that the child was his, that she wanted to tell him but didn’t know how to. He beamed, with a tear running down his face. Little did they know that the queen had been watching.
When the king returned, the queen had her arms crossed and a cold expression on her face. She demanded him to banish the woman. For several months, she asked this of him but he would not comply. She was able to, however, restrict his meetings with her. Gradually they dwindled until they almost ceased entirely.
One night when he thought her to be asleep, he went to visit his love and child once more. They had a pleasant evening, but when the king went home, he found the queen awake. She threatened if he did not exile his mistress, she would make herself miscarry the child she was currently carrying. He sighed, torn, and asked what of the child. She compromised, saying he could keep the child with him if he cast out his lover. Reluctantly, he conceded. They had to forcibly remove the child from her mother who was crying and screaming after her.
After the birth of her own son, the queen insisted that his illegitimate child have no rank and live away from the castle. With his heir at stake, the king had no choice but to give in once again. The young girl was banished to a cottage in the forest, and he asked her three godmothers to take care of her as she grew.
When his mistress found out he had cast out their child, she broke into the castle and cursed him. The king fell deathly ill.
Bacarra Rose
The rain’s sweet and alluring scent wafted in through the open window, where a girl sat inhaling it in deep breaths and closing her long lashes. Her hair was dirty blonde and wavy, flowing lavishly down her back until reached her small waist. Atop her head were small horns protruding slightly from the tarnished gold of her hair. Her skin was fair except for the black shining scales that dusted it every now and then. She wore a simple pale green dress that fell just below her knees.
“May I pleeease play in the rain, godmother? I promise I’ll clean up straight after.” The young girl pleaded, turning her bewitching green dragon eyes onto her godmother.
“Yes, sure you can,” Peony, her rabbit-like godmother, replied with a tinkling giggle. “But you better hurry before Nyx is awake!” She added, glancing at her mentioned owl-like companion who still remained asleep. The girl gave a serious nod, although there was a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. Silent as a mouse, she fled the cottage. She ran into the surrounding forest eagerly on her bare feet before beginning a spirited yet graceful dance. The rain dripped from the trees and the sky, joining her dance.
“Bacarra Rose!” Came the ominous voice of her owl godmother from above her. Bacarra Rose nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden sound.
“Ah! Godmother, nice to see you this evening.” She returned with a smile. Nyx remained unamused, her wide eyes boring into the girl. “Okay, I know I broke the rules, but it’s not like I went far.” Her godmother was still unrelenting. Bacarra Rose sighed and slowly walked back towards the cottage, her hand trailing behind her as she touched passing branches. She hummed softly to herself as she reached the cottage and washed up.
After she was thoroughly clean, she went back to her window seat with a poetry book.
In the deepest part of the forest stood a gothic mansion made of obsidian. Its walls were lined with the ingredients required for various potions and spells that were coveted by magical beings far and wide. Their collector, however, presently found no comfort in them. The draconic witch stood in the center of a room with fabrics piled around its edges and was busying herself sewing a gown of scarlet with black jewels decorating the bodice. Her condition was much like that of her mansion; disheveled and lonely. Long curls of dark hair tumbled carelessly from her messy bun, her horns were unpolished, her green eyes vacant and her skin pale as death. Pricking her finger with the needle, she dropped it and stared at the injury as if it was foreign to her,
With sudden realization as her blood began to spread down her hand and arm. She muttered a curse and hastily cleaned the area before applying a bandage. She drooped into her chair, shaking her head sadly.
“Why even bother?” She grumbled dejectedly. The window burst open with the arrival of her familiar. He perched on her shoulder, clearing his throat.
“Lady Maleficent, I saw her. The child, in the forest a few moments ago.” He reported. She sprung to her feet.
“Truly?! We must prepare to leave at once.”Maleficent proclaimed. She expertly brewed several potions, one which she used to rejuvenate her appearance. Her face had some color in it now and her eyes sparkled with intense emotion and her horns shined glossily. She released her hair from its bun as she began to stow potions and her sewing project in her bag. Outside, she unfurled her wings and began to soar over the forest.
The finest doctors in the land came to the king’s bedside in attempts to aid his condition, but to no avail. Finally, the queen snapped.
“Guards, to me at once!” She shouted. They assembled immediately in an orderly line facing her.“You are to go to the cottage in the forest just outside the kingdom and take vengeance on the child who caused this curse to befall my husband, understand?”
“You want us to execute a child, Your Highness?” The captain of the guards clarified in disbelief, clearly disturbed by the thought.
“Precisely. Do you challenge my orders?”
“Well, no, but….” He stammered, wiping sweat from his brow. The Queen stared him down mercilessly.
“Then go now, chop, chop!” She exclaimed impatiently.
“Move out, men.” The captain called. They marched out of the palace in formation, heading toward the forest. Once they were out of earshot, one of the other guards peered over at their leader.
“Are we really going to kill her?” He asked quietly. In response, the captain shrugged half-heartedly.
“I’m not sure there is anything else we can do.” He replied hopelessly.
Maleficent landed a little ways from the cottage and continued on foot. The ground was shaking, to her surprise which made her shift into a guarded position, her dragon-like green eyes shifting around with suspicion. Palace guards were beginning to appear on the hill. No way would she ever let them touch her daughter again. Her eyes flared with determination, as she rose into the sky and began chanting a spell. They froze in place before closing their eyes drowsily. After a few moments of napping, they rose again in a confused state, all trying to remember why they were out here in the forest.
With that taken care of, Maleficent approached the door of the cottage. She took a deep breath, attempting to expel her fear that her daughter would hate or be afraid of her. She knocked softly. While she waited, she wrung her hands together anxiously. Eventually, Nyx came to the door. The owl-like woman scrutinized her carefully, before inviting her in. They exchanged brief smiles.
Nyx explained that the King had told them to allow her to see Bacarra Rose, if she ever made it to their cottage. Hearing this, Maleficent was overjoyed but felt badly that she had cursed her true love, even if she had no idea at the time how well her daughter was being treated in her exile. For the rest of the night, they exchanged stories of the girl they both loved and laughed about them.
Maleficent decided that she would lift the curse on the King the next evening, after being able to spend the day with her lost daughter, but for now she just lovingly watched her face as she slept.
