A Chance

Princess Elain sat next to her mother and father, the king and queen of Angelton, as courtiers loitered about the room. She twirled a strand of her golden hair around her finger in boredom as she maintained her erect posture lest her mother lash out at her with her magic. Her eldest sister's throne sat empty on the other side of the dais while she proceeded to make her way around the room, visiting with people as she went. Amber, the eldest of the two princesses, was the next in line to the throne and must keep up appearances. On the other hand, Elain was to marry a man of decent standing chosen by her parents. The king and queen denied her the opportunity to pursue true love.

Amber and her betrothed, Duke Gregory of Peleton, have been preparing to run the kingdom for years in preparation for the king and queen's retirement. Being immortal, they could rule forever but chose to step down for some reason unknown. Elain felt that her sister's evil schemes were an influence on that decision. The Duke and Amber loved to torment poor Elain in any form they thought they could get away with. Pain was their preferred reaction to their attempts. It pleased them.

          As Elain watched the man who she would soon marry, standing next to a table of drinks, her sister's cruel words replayed in her mind. "What beauty you have, little sister, and such power. If only you could gift it to someone more worthy. The man you are to marry is a violent and cruel bastard. I don't foresee you living past the first year of marriage with him, but maybe you will. Rumors say that he lets all types of riff-raff into his bed and that his addiction to the drink is quite out of hand. You will bring shame to this family. I don't understand why mother chose him for you. You should just give me your gifts and vanish. The Duke and I could easily help you to do just that."

          Shaking herself, Elain watched as Baron Garret, her betrothed, down two glasses of the faerie liquor the servants prepared on a table. Cringing, she took in his ruffled appearance and greasy hair that fell past his shoulders. They were to be presented tonight as an engaged pair at the ball. If only there were a way to escape this life!

          Garret's dark brown eyes met hers, and color stained his cheeks as if sensing her gaze. Whether it was from fear or anger, Elain didn't wish to know. The male was on his way to a level of intoxication that would be embarrassing in the least.

          With a sigh, Elain turned her attention to the curtains moving in the light breeze off to her right. The golden rays of light streaming through the entryway leading to the balcony beckoned her closer, and she stood discreetly as possible, tucking her hair behind her pointed ears. With a glance over her shoulder, confirming that her parents were occupied, she glided out to the balcony for some fresh air.

          The beauty of the blooming gardens below caused tension to fall from her shoulders, creating a momentary sense of calm. Her eyes drifted closed as she basked in the sun's warm rays as they seemed to caress her skin gently.

          "Trouble in paradise, dearie?" A deep voice startled her, and she opened her eyes. Turning, she took in the male standing in the shadow of the door. His skin was golden and shimmered with magic, and his green eyes reminded her of a cat preparing to trap a mouse. His long auburn hair danced around him in the light breeze as he floated several inches above the ground.

"Who are you, and what do you want? How did you get out here?" She demanded.

"Ah, I'm surprised your Fae senses didn't give me away. I do not wish you harm, only to offer my services if needed. I am the famous Rumpelstiltskin. I'm the most powerful beast and magician to exist in all the realms." He finished his short speech with a bow and floated out into the sunlight, causing his skin to glow with a golden light.

          "I see. It's a pleasure to meet you then." Elain felt a sense of calm fall upon her as if she could trust this being. She blinked, trying to clear away the odd sensation, but it seemed to settle into her bones.

          "Ah, but the pleasure is all mine. What is it you desire, my dear? Is it something in earnest? I wouldn't have felt a call to visit you if it were not." Rumpelstiltskin said, moving even closer to Elain.

          Elain gazed up into his green eyes, memorized by their color as she said, "freedom. I wish to be free of the ties that hold me to this world of royalty. I want to have a life of joy and true love."

          Smiling mischievously, he responded, "Oh, and what is stopping you from this dream?" He lifted a hand to place on her forehead, causing Elain to jerk as pain shot through her skull. "I see. The price for such a gift is steep, my dear. Are you willing to give anything for it?"

          Trying to shake his palm from her forehead, Elain responded, "yes. I will do anything and pay anything to be free of this world. Name it!" Tears filled her eyes as her head began to throb.

          "To give you the freedom you seek and place you in a world where your desires may come true, it will cost your immortality. Give it to me, and it shall be done." Rumpelstiltskin's words seemed to pound through her mind, and her body began to shake.

          "I will die early if I give that up! Is there not anything else you wish for? My beauty? My magic? Death terrifies me!" The pain in Elain's mind became so intense that her knees buckled, but Rumpelstiltskin maintained his touch.

          "At some point, you will indeed one day die. Do you not wish to take the risk to have the life that you desire?" His words were soft as a feather as he whispered them into her ear.

          The pain eased, allowing Elain to think over the offer. Freedom in exchange for her immoral life. Was it worth it? She would live a shorter life, but would she even survive her arranged marriage if she stayed? What if her sister decided to off her one day? Her cruelty was limitless!

           With a new determination, Elain pushed from the ground, causing Rumpelstiltskin to drop his hand to her shoulder. She met his unflinching gaze, "I accept your offer, but I want to know more of this world you will send me to."

          "Where is the fun in that?" He squeezed her shoulder, and the world exploded around them. Bright colors danced around the two as they began to spin. Faster and faster, they went, nausea building in Elain's stomach. Lighting seemed to fill her blood and pulse as she felt her immortality stripped away. It was painless, but a feeling of emptiness lingered where the strength of her Fae body once was. Her ears burned as the points became rounded. 

          With a loud pop, the two stopped suddenly, and a new world began to form around them. Tall metal structures toward over them casting dark shadows. The air smelled strange, and people milled about with their heads bent over small handheld items. A dark paved road stood before them, and Elain coughed as various smells hit her.

          "Welcome to the human realm Elain. This is where you will begin your new life. Seek out the woman named Amaya, and she will help you to get settled. Good luck." Rumpelstiltskin said with a light bow.

          Before Elain could question him further, he faded away. Casting her gaze about the strange buildings, she spied an oddly colored shop that reminded her of home. Taking a deep breath in to gather her courage, she set out across the road in hopes of starting her new life. Hopefully, this Amaya will find her and teach her the ways of this new world.