Once upon a time, in a far, far off land, there lived a little prince. His name was Phillipius, but his care-free spirit made everyone agree that the name did not suit the child, and so he was called Tommy. Prince Tommy lived in a big, gold-gilded palace where the roses grew silver and the river ran clear as quartz. He spent his days in lush gardens and beautifully furnished rooms, and when the sunlight hit his auburn curls, it was said that the sun shone brighter than ever before. Tommy’s parents said that he was an angel, a beautiful child, and everyone in the palace agreed, not because they had to, but because everyone in the land knew that it was true.

The kingdom next to Tommy’s was ruled by a kind, elderly king and his beautiful wife. On Tommy’s fifth birthday, they had a child, a little, tiny princess named Glizzelde Rosiere. Tommy’s parents immediately approached the king and queen of the neighboring land and inquired if they could arrange a marriage proposal for Tommy and little Glizzelde. The two royal families sat down to bread and tea and set the stage for a christening on which they would announce the betrothal.

The day of Glizzelde’s christening, Tommy bounced up the steps, full of giddy joy and energy. He didn’t quite understand why he had to go see the baby girl again, but he did not care, because he would get to see all the big towers of the other castle again. It was a very different style than his castle; it was old and crumbling and had ivy all up the walls. Big turrets rose from its looming structure; shadows creeped along the ground as the sun rose in the sky. He watched in glee as fairies slid past, with huge, iridescent wings like angels. The fairies were here to give blessings, he knew, and they had magic dust that came from their hands. That is what his tutor had said, and he was inclined to believe it, as his five-year-old mind could not think of a better explanation. He truly hoped one of them might give him a blessing as well, for he had been a good boy the night before last when the old, crabby elders of the capitol came for supper. They had droned on and on, and he had sat there quietly, like a good, little prince.

The main hall of Princess Glizzelde’s castle was enormous, and it was filled with people from far and wide, come to see the new baby girl. Tommy’s family fought their way up to the stage, and when they got there, Princess Glizzelde cooed with delight. Tommy smiled at her, and, reaching out towards her, laughed a childish yet illustrious laugh as she put her chubby hand in his. Tommy’s family proceeded to their seats, and the ceremonial christening began. The little baby girl was presented to the people, and one by one, the fairies came and gave blessings. There were fifteen fairies there, and each had a blessing that poured like honey from their lips with golden dust that circled around the princess.

Aethelwine Honeysuckle was first. Her flowery robes swept over her tall, lean figure, and her black curls fell almost down to the floor.

“Like the weeping willow and the ivy of the forests, gracefulness and purity I bestow on this little sprite.” Her beautiful, timeless melody of a voice echoed around the great room with an unearthly feel. Next, a fairy in a dress decorated with stars and moons stepped up, her white hair in many braids and her iridescent wings tinted black and purple and blue. She smiled with her coral colored lips and said, in a small whisper,

“I am Luna Rain. I bestow upon this little princess, as graceful as she is, a good name, one with honesty and purity and kindness. I hope that she knows the beauty of stillness, the stillness of the night sky. I give her a conscience, that she may know right from wrong.” A golden haze swept from the fairy’s mouth and settled over the princess, who giggled and laughed with glee. The next fairy, a tiny, tiny thing with golden locks tumbling down her back and a fluorescent orange dress came skipping down the aisle. You could tell she was a young fairy; the way she carried herself showed as much. Raising a sparkling yellow wand, she showered blessings of beauty and naivety on the princess. Other fairies started approaching to give the princess blessings when the doors blew open and a huge, looming mass filled the entryway. Princess Glizzelde started bawling and Tommy hid his face in his mother’s skirts. The looming sorceress stormed into the hall, crushing people under her enormous feet.

“I have a message for you.” she said. Frost came out of her mouth as she spoke. She puckered her lips and blew, and a crow flew out of her mouth. It zoomed straight at the princess and hit her little chest.

“She will die on her sixteenth birthday with the prick of a spindle.” And then she disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The palace guards were in an uproar, the mother of Glizzelde picked her up and held the unconscious baby to her chest. Tommy looked around in worry and fear at the scared people. Everyone was scared, angry, and loud. Very loud. Tommy buried his head in his hands and cried. What did the woman mean, Glizzelde would die? She was just a little princess, after all, and why did the woman want to kill her? He was very confused, and the loud screams hurt his head. He was just about ready to scream himself when his father yelled,

“Silence! We cannot make a good plan to keep Glizzelde safe unless we are calm, and you are not. Now please, exit the hall accordingly.” The anxious subjects stormed out of the hall, and finally, when the stampede of people had left, Glizzelde’s father sank into his throne with a groan. Her mother looked deathly ill, and Tommy’s own parents looked worried and scared. The last remaining fairies came up to the stage and gathered around the seemingly dead princess, who had not stirred since the crow had struck her. The fairies whispered among themselves and came to a conclusion: they could stop the curse somewhat, but the cost would be their lives. The kings both asked if the fairies would really do that for the young princess, and they answered yes. It was decided that Luna Rain would stay alive to take care of the little child in a far off village, raising her as a peasant with no knowledge of who she really was. Her name was now Rose Briaries, and Luna Rain’s was Luna Briaries, a young woman taking care of her childhood friend’s orphaned daughter. One by one, the other fairies came up to the princess, and breathing silvery words onto the princess, collapsed at the foot of the thrones. The little princess, woke up and looked around with her brown eyes, and everyone still alive clapped for joy and thanksgiving to the fairies that gave their lives.