Sleeping Beauty

Disclaimer: Have no rights over the fairy tale or finaly fantasy charracters used in this story. I just hope you all like and maybe with enough reviews, might post another BishieTale.

“Sleeping Beauty”
By Sailor Poison
adapted from Sleeping Beauty: Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863–1944). The Sleeping Beauty and other Fairy Tales. 1910.

Once Upon a time.....

There was a kindly King named Vincent and his gentle Queen, Lucrecia. They were fair and just but were not entirely happy. King Vincent was young, handsome, and very wise. Queen Lucrecia was gentle, good, and very beautiful. They adored each other for they married out of love, not a common thing. Their reign was a peaceful one and the people devoted to them.

Yet, despite all their good fortune, they grieved for they had no child of their own. They made vows, pilgrimages, and other ways, yet for a long while nothing came for it all. Queen Lucrecia was in despair.

At last, to their joy, she gave birth to a baby boy. The palace guns announced the blessed event and the whole nation went wild. Flags were posted everywhere, bells were set pealing, crowds cheered till they were hoarse, the soldiers presented arms, and strangers hugged each other in joy. “Our Queen has a son! Yes, our dear queen has a son! Long live the little prince!”

A name had now to be found for the royal child. Vincent and Lucrecia had a long discussion over many fine names. After a long length, decided to call him Sephiroth after the angels of heaven for he must be heaven sent. Then held a grand christening. They invited all the fairies they could find in the land in hopes each will gift the prince so he may be as perfect as possible. They only found seven for fairies were hard to find. The King had a splendid feast ordered. Pheasants and boar and deer were set cooking. Had seven plates of gold made with jeweled incrusted silverware made as gifts for the seven fairies. The desserts were from cakes, to puddings, to sugar spun nests with chocolate covered marshmallow eggs with small caramel chicks in the center.

After the christening itself, the trumpets sounded the fanfare and the guns boomed out again from the great tower. Fairies were: Tseng, Shera, Jesse, Biggs, Wedge, Tifa, and Yuffie was the youngest. All the company arrived at the great halls for the feast. The fairies were giving a special table, each with their golden plates and jeweled utensils. But old fairy Hojo arrived, doors blowing in cold winds that left the royal couple apprehensive. Hojo was dressed in black and using a walking stick made of dragon bone. His skin had a slight greenish tinge and his beady black eyes looked at them all in disfavor.

Hojo, “I am the fairy Hojo! Pray I ask why I was not invited when all my siblings were?”

Mind you, they did over look one fairy. Hojo lived in a ruined old castle, in another country, that he never did leave. Many thought he died, so it was understandable to why he was overlooked. It was quite common for a fairy to lock themselves up in a tower or birch tree nook, and never come out again.

King Vincent tried to be polite and expressed his regrets. Led Hojo to a table himself and ordered a dish to be set for him. He could only get a silver plate rimmed with rubies and crystal set that was one of a kind. Hojo took his seat, not very gracious about it and mutters some threats under his breath. Fairy Yuffie heard them and, fearing Hojo had ill will for the child, hid herself by the cradle, behind a find tapestry so she might have the last world and possible sthatehatever foul plan Hojo had.

She scarcely concealed herself, before the other fairies began to bestow their gifts on the Prince. Tseng promised that he should be the most beautiful creature in the world. Shera promised he shall have wit of an angel. Jesse promised marvelous grace in all his ways. Biggs promised he shall dance to perfection. Wedge promised his voice will be like a nightingale. Tifa promised he shall play all instruments with exquistic skills.

Now it was Hojo’s turn. He nods his head and bent over he cradle to shake his cane at the baby, who slept sweetly and too innocent to know of evil in the world.

Hojo, “This is my gift to you, Prince Sephiroth! On his eighteenth year, he shell prick his hand on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!”

When the curse was uttered, Queen Lucrecia fainted into Vincent’s arms. Fear stuck the entire court. The ladies wept openly for the young prince. The young lords and knights calling for Hojo’s blood. Then Fairy Yuffie stepped out of hiding to pass by Hojo and addressed the royal couple.

Yuffie, “Keep your hearts strong, dearest king and queen. Your son shall not die. It is true I can not undo this wicked curse, but I can change the destiny. The Prince shall indeed prick his hand with a spindle; but instead of death, he shall fall into enchanted sleep and this shall last for one hundred years, at the end a king’s heir shall come and wake him. The day this comes to pass, I shall get the news and come at once to help.”

Vincent felt deep gratitude for the good fairy but it was a cold comfort at best. The christening festivities were ended, although Hojo had already left, everyone still wanted to still harm the evil fairy. The fireworks were still set off to satisfy his subjects who were blissfully unaware of the dreadful curse. It was a grand set to wish a long life for Prince Sephiroth in all the colors of the rainbow. After he bowed to his people, went to the quiet of his study to draw up the first harsh and hasty proclamation of his reign. All spinning wheels were to be banned from his kingdom, penalty of death. It puzzled and confused the people for this country prided itself in best spun linen. They were famous world wide for their cloths. People asked, “How can we make linen if we don’t have spindles?” Yet, they loved king Vincent dearly and they set all their spinning wheels on fire.

For eighteen years passed and little prince Sephiroth grew up, never seeing a spinning wheel. He became very beautiful and was graceful in all things. His voice when he sang could make a sad person happy or the angels in heaven cry. But one day, while Vincent and Lucrecia were at one of their countries estates, he gave his teacher the slip and was exploring the castle. He, by chance, came upon a long forgotten turret of the castle. Heard some strange whirling, so Sephiroth went up the stairs to find the source of the noise. At the top was an open door and he could see upon a small garret an old man working a spinning wheel.

Prince Sephiroth, “What are you doing, kind sir?”

Old man, “I am ningning, pretty one.”

Prince Sephiroth, “Spinning? What is that?”

Old man, “Children these days! Spinning is spinning. No one fit to live should not know how to spin!”

Prince Sephiroth loved to try anything once, “How do you do it? I want to try to do it.”

No sooner did he grasp the spindle, maybe he was overeager or for a second too clumsy or maybe it was the faiecreecree, for his hand got prickled by the sharp end and the prince fell into a deep sleep. No sooner did the prince succumbed to the curse, did the old man reveal himself to be the wicker fairy Hojo. He flew off in his broomstick. An old servant heard his laughter as he left and found the prince on the floor. She tried to call for help, but it was a while before she was heard. The servants were too busy playing cards. None of them wanted to quit their game and sent a junior page boy to find out what was wrong. He never told anyone about his weakness towards blood and fainted when he got there. The old woman had to begin screaming again. Second one sent up was a scullery maid, who being good natured and new to the palace, made it there faster and returned with the terrible news. The servants now stopped their game of cards and came running. The whole household came to the prince’s aide. Even the castle doctors were crowding into the small turret to help the poor prince. They gave him fresh air, loosened his garments, slapped his hands, tickled his feet, burned feathers under his nose, and even rubbed his temples with Hungary water. They held consultations over him by twos and threes, then in a Grand Committee. They could not find a cure.

Meanwhile, a messenger was sent to the royal couple. The King rode ahead back to his castle to find the doctors still consulting each other on this mystery. Despite his grief, he remembered what the good fairy Yuffie told him. He blamed no one and gave orders for the prince to be placed in the finest apartment in the castle, there he was laid upon bed of embroidered gold and silver.

He was still very beautiful, like an angel from the sky that was resting after a long journey. For, in his swoon, he still had pink cheeks of health and his silver hair was still like silk. Soft breathing told he was not dead. King Vincent commanded that the prince be left in peace until the hour of his awakening.

When the Curse struck the prince, the good fairy Yuffie happened to be in a kingdom twelve thousand leagues away, she was brought the news by a little dwarf who owned a pair of seven league boots (these boots you can walk seven leagues in one stride). She set off at once to help her beloved god-son and was at the castle in an hour, drawn by a Crystal chariot drawn by golden dragons.

King Vincent met her and helped her down. She approved of what he has done for the prince but knew that a humans perish within a hundred years. When the prince did awake, he would find himself orphaned and in an empty old castle. So, she placed the whole castle into a sleep: the King, the Queen, the ministers, counselors, archbishop, the bishops, the minor clergy maids of honor,ies ies of bed chamber, teachers, gentlemen in waiting, equerries, heralds, physicians, officers, master of household, cooks, scullions, lackeys, guards. Switzers, pages, footmen. horses in stables, grooms, dogs and cats, even the prince’s pet parrot. In that instant, Fairy Yuffie touched them, they all fell asleep, not to awake until the same memento the Prince does. This way he would not be alone when he needed them. The fires cooking their meals went dead. All was done in a single moment.

One of the King’s counselors, Counselor Palmer the Minister of marine, was not in the castle when the sleep overtook them. His office created by a previous who who had interest in the going overseas. He had overslept that morning and came late to the castle. He felt no great of being late because the king was suppose to be away. He did take a small side door to be discrete. He found in his office his secretary and clerks in a strange sleep. He explored the castle further and found his suspicions to be true. Then he withdrew quietly from the castle. Though he was a lazy man, he was capable of making decisions. He quickly returned to his home and made ces ces forbidding anyone to approach the castle, saying the occupants were suffering a Sleeping Sickness.

These were not needed for within a few hours there grew massive trees and plants all around the castle itself. Massive briars and undergrowth that makes passage of man or beast impossible. The good fairy was insuring no thieves would come in and rob the castle.

Many years pass. The story of the sleeping prince became a legend. Many men have tried to penetrate the castle but those who venture tor enr end get entangled and die. One day, a young Prince named Cid happened to be riding when he saw in the distance the tangled forest.

Prince Cid, “Are those towards I see a midst the thick wood?”

He asked people along the way an go many answers. Some days it was an old castle haunted by ghosts. Some say if is home of an evizardzard and they hold their sabbath there. Some believed it was home to a troll who stole children to eat for his dinner. Then he heard from a man who’s father was the Palmer.

Johnny, “Your Highness, long ago my father told me there there was a castle yonder the wood and inside was the most beautiful prince. He shall stay asleep into one of royal blood who is destined to come, shall kiss him awake.”

Prince Cid felt himself a-fire. He believed he could accomplish this and, spurred on by love and ambition, resolved to discover the truth of the hidden castle. He leaped upon his horse and galloped to the castle before his attendants could ask where he was going. They tried to call him back but he kept going onward. Prince Cid walked boldly through the brush and tangle. By magic, the plants receded from him. He passed many unfortunates who's bones were all that was left of their attempts. Soon he was within a long glade at the end was the glimmering walls of an untouched castle. This surprised him a bit that none of his attendants dare follow. He didn’t know the undergrowth blocked their attempts. They called him back to no avail. Cid was a prince, both Bold and Valiant.

Entered the castle itself, pushing side ivies that grew into elegant currents to enter the outer courtyard. It was still as death. His eyes scanninscenscene that might have frozen them in terror. Though it was silent, it was not empty. Stiff bodies of men and beasts, all seem dead except for the pimpled nosed and ruddy faces that only a live person would hold. They were just in an odd sleep. Some men held their cups up in mid.

He stepped by them and across to the second grand court, this one was paved with marble. He went up the marble steps to the main doorway. He entered the guardhouse, to where the guards stood in rank with their muskets ready, every man asleep and snoring. He made his way through to number of rooms filled with ladies and gentlemen, some standing, some sitting, and all asleep. He drew aside a purple curtain to look into the Hall of State, where King Vincent and his Council sat. The Lord Chancellor Reeve slept in the act of dipping his pen into an ink pot that long went dry. The Archbishop Rufus in the act of taking snuff. A spider has made a beautiful web between the Lord chancellor’s spectacles and Archbishop’s nose.

Prince Cid tiptoed very carefully past the sleepers and came to the foot of the grand staircase. He went up the stairs till he came to a corridor to his right. A door opened up to a bathroom lined with mirrors. The tub was filled with bubbly scented water. Near the bath was a set of fresh towels and clothes suited for a prince. The clothe made with best silks.

The Prince saw his reflection and noted he was in dire need for a bath. The hard travel left their make on his skin and clothes. By now, he was beyond the point to question things and took a bath. Cid enjoyed it thoroughly. Nor was he surprised the clothes fit him perfectly. Even the satin shoes were to his exact measure. He looked handsome in his fresh clothes.

Now that he was properly dressed, he made his way to the next room. The chamber was paneled with white and gold on the bed which curtains he had to draw away, he beheld the loveliest vision he had ever seen: Prince, age 18, who’s beauty was so brilliant he could not have believe it possible. But he lay so still. Trembling, Prince Cid drew near and knelt by his side. Prince Sephiroth scarcely seemed to breath as Cid bent to kiss his soft, warm lips.

With that,the curse was lifted and the ce wce woke awakened. Even awake, the prince was looked at Cid with tender green eyes.

Sephiroth, “Has my prince come at last?”

Prince Cid was ced bed by his first words and by the manner they were spoken. He assured the young Prince that he loved him more then words could say. They began to talk, eyes grazing into each other, the conversation not very coherent but the love made up for that. Their conversation became hot with passion, I heard that Fairy Yuffie entertained the prince with lovely fanciful dreams and the two conversed for four hours, yet still not getting out but half what they wantedsay say to say.

While they talked, the castle had also awaken. In the Council Chamber, King Vincent opened his eyes and asked the Lord Chancellor to read the last sentence over again. The Lord Chancellor, who dipped his pen into a dry ink pot, asked the Archbishop how many T’s where in regrettable. Archbishop just took a sniff of snuff that was now only mere dust, answered with a sneeze that was drowned out by the striking of all the clocks in the castle. The dogs barked, birds cried out, and even Reno, the Minister of Agriculture, demanded they adjourn for a meal. Everyone was hungry after a very long sleep. Even Queen Lucrecia lost her patience and sent someone to get some food. Prince Cid helped Prince Sephiroth rise, who was already dressed the most handsome clothes.

Cid led Sephiroth by hand back to his parents, where they embraced their son and welcomed Cid as a son. They passed into the grand dinning room where they celebrated and just started a grand feast when they got a pleasant surprised.

Prince Cid forgot about his attendants who long before went home to report what happened. His parents King Cloud and Queen Aeris were distressed, thinking their only son has dead. King Vincent never forgot the minor details and sent a messenger to Cloud, telling him Prince Cid was alive and well, explained what happened. King Cloud was very relieved and the royaupleuple escorted the messenger back to the castle. There he was ushered into the hall. The situation was very delicate. But kin kings meant well and soon got along. Both were impressed with the other.

Cloud, “I am an old man and I have reigned long enough. I just wish to see my son on the throne.”

Vincent saw the two loved each other deeply, “I think we can settle this.”

Cloud, “I have no ambitions to deal with.”

Vincent, “Nor I. I have slept long enough to have no desire to dream again. I suggest our children reign together.”

This they agreed to and, after supper, the Archbishop married Prince Cid and Prince Sephiroth in the castle chapel. Both sets of royalty saw them to their chamber where the newly weds slept little. The next morning, Cid led his bride to the city where they were announced to the populace and they lived happily ever after, reigning in both prosperity and honor.


~ The End ~