Once upon a time, in a land far, far away there lived a very and I mean very, handsome prince. Only he didn't know he was a prince. You see his mother and father wanted him to have a normal life, with normal friends and pastimes. What they didn't know is abnormality comes in all walks of life, hence the fair maiden...
She just had a very disagreeable time with the Ogre. She laid down his drink and food for the last time, turned on her heels and walked out, seeing a hay cart passing by she picked up her skirts and leapt up into the cart. Alas, she wasn't the only one to think of such transportation for not a moment later came the Prince. Mind you wouldn't know he was a Prince by his attire, for he was dressed rather plain and common like the rest of us. He waved frantically and shouted out,
"You there...might I catch a ride on your fine cart?"
"Where are you going?" came the gruff reply.
"I'm not quite sure; I only wish to see where it may lead me, for I believe this cart will show me to my destiny...or another adventure at least!"
The coarse man just shrugged his permission and moderately slowed for the Prince to hop on.
The maiden seeing this exchange and realizing someone else was entering the cart, slouched down into the hay to be as inconspicuous as possible. The Prince was no fool though, no sooner had he positioned himself comfortably on the hay then he noticed a tuff of curly brown hair mixed with the hay. He reached over to touch it for it looked very fine but before he could, out popped a head!
"Gosh, I thought I'd die, it smells so bad down there." The fair maiden said as she gasped for air.
The prince looked at her puzzled, "Why then would you bury your head in the first place?" It seemed like a reasonable question and he was, if nothing else, quite reasonable, but we know him to be a great many things else, don't we?
"I hate having my face all covered up!" came the only reply.
Not satisfied he asked again, "Then why would you bury your head?" he noticed the maiden didn't look stunningly beautiful as the blond goddesses do, nor dark and mysterious as the maidens across the oceans do, but neither was she plain by any means, but...well, he couldn't quite say, but she was quite fetching, of that he was sure. He anxiously awaited her reply, instead she held up her apron to create a barrier between them. It was as if she was examining the stitches on it. What she really wanted was to be left alone for she was in a foul mood.
The prince did not know what to do, how odd she is....
They sat in silence for quite awhile, with only the sounds of the countryside to fill the void, that is until a rather big chap hopped on much like the fair maiden did, but without pulling up his skirts for he had none.
The cart shook when the big chap hopped on, which caused the driver to look over his shoulders to see what had hopped on, for it felt more like a hippo joined the ride than a man.
The prince, seeing the worried look on the big chaps face at being caught, just waved at the driver, "He's a friend of mine, he means no harm and will be traveling with me, if that's ok." To which he receive only a grunt from the driver who turned back around and snapped the reins.
"Well now big fellow, mighty fine to meet you on my adventure, I'm..." but before the prince could answer the big chap cut him off.
"Well I say, how do you do miss?" The big chap said noticing the fair maiden.
"How do you do?" she replied a bit coldly. But she at least said something, thought the prince and that was a start. He found himself strangely curious about this fair maiden...
"I'm doing well, miss, but a bit better if you tell me your name." Replied the big chap.
She was eyeing him suspiciously, "Lizzy, daughter of Thomas. And what pray tell is yours?"
"Chap. That's what all me friends call me and I'd like for you to be one of them." The biggest, silliest grin you can imagine crossed his face. It would appear that the maiden had made a very favorable impression on the big Chap, whose real name was C. Fitzwilliam. Yes that's right, just a C, so he went by Chap.
She saw that he was harmless and extended her hand out to him, "I'd like that, I'd like that very much."
Chap wondered if the fair maiden and his new friend, the prince knew each other but by watching them he knew they did not for they never said a word to each other. Mmmm, perhaps one of them is shy. Chap, knowing his prince friend did him a favor with the driver wanted to return the favor by introducing him to such a fine maiden, "Lizzy, may I present my friend...Oh wait, I don't believe I know your name?"
"William." The prince said with his eyes fixed on Lizzy. I can't believe the big chap has managed to get her to open up and speak! .
Just William? She would have guessed him to be a lord or baron with the clever way he handled the driver, Mmmm....and her curiosity grew.
"Well William, may I present, Lizzy, daughter of Thomas."
"Hi."
"Hi."
They didn't say much dear reader because they were too busy studying each other to talk.
"Oh dear!" the fair maiden exclaimed, "This is my field, I must be off."
"How will I reach you again?" The big Chap asked.
"I will reach you." She said firmly for she was not in the habit of telling others where she lived. "Where might that be?"
"Just through town on the right, I'm in the apprentice buildings, studying to be a brick layer I am." He added proudly.
"Really?" piped William, "I'm there as well, but I am studying to be an apothecary."
"Well, small village." Smiled the big Chap and William gave him a friendly slap on the back. The two turned back toward the fair maiden but she was gone!
Their faces fell, "She was kinda special, wasn't she?" the big Chap said.
"Something about her...." William added.
"Ya, I know what you mean, come on, let's get a Guinness." And so they hopped off the cart and walked into the sunset toward the tavern.
Not tomorrow though for that would be too soon, perhaps the next day... So she sat wasting an entire day trying to be proper under the apple tree. Meanwhile, William and his friend, the big Chap were also sitting around wondering if the fair maiden would come and visit them, but as the sun was setting they all knew they would not be seeing each other today.
Thus when the sun arose the next day, the fair maiden didn't waste a moment, except to dress and primp, before she headed off into town to visit her two new friends.
The same bright sun had also awoken William and the big Chap. They decided they did enough waiting around yesterday and set off themselves toward the field that the fair maiden had called her own hoping they could find her.
Now I know what you are thinking, that the fair maiden went to town, while the other two went toward the country and they missed each other that day. Well you are wrong and that is why this is my fairy tale and not yours. So where was I...Oh yes! She walked toward town in her nicest dress slapping the corn stalks with her hands on the way and who should be passing along the outer edge of the corn field but the wonderful friends she had met the other day.
"Hello" she said prettily.
"Hello to you." Big Chap said. Prince William merely nodded to her.
"Funny meeting both of you here don't you think?" she replied.
"Funny or not I'm very glad it happened." William said smiling for he was shy, but happy that he spoke and that he inferred his preference for her.
So mystery man, it would seem you do like me after all. She thought in her head. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one to pick up on it. Big Chap also noticed the hint in William's words and became jealous.
"I was just walking to town, would you care to join me?" She tossed out.
"Just take me arm and I'll lead the way." Said big Chap trying to win her attentions away from William, but the fair maiden was cautious to take his arm and questioned herself as to why. Well I should think it obvious; it is not his arm you want. Her thoughts came back.
"Thank you but I believe I shall need two arms, would you be so kind?" she said to William indicating she wanted his arm too.
"Oh yes, certainly." He said happy that she made a tense situation smooth. So she's perceptive too...he thought.
There they were arm in arm in arm, with the maiden in the middle. The three happily walked to town.
I am afraid to report that though the day started well, it did not end so, for you see jealousy is a bad thing and even worse between friends. They both wanted the fair maiden for themselves and fought over her attentions. She was beginning to see this and although she began to admire Prince William more and more she could not hurt the big Chap or his friendship with Prince William.
I must go away and never come back, how very sad.
Before you begin to jump to your own thoughts let me say that the fair maiden and Prince William were very much alike. Not only did they have an obvious regard for each other but they were alike in thought and temperament. He also began to see the conflict and chose to step aside to let his friend have the fair maiden although he knew it would make him very sad for he didn't think he would ever find anyone so perfect for him like she was.
As they sat down to supper at the Golden Eagle Inn, the sadness between the three could not only be felt, but clearly seen. The all ate looking curiously at each other throughout the meal.
Prince William thought how very much he would miss her and miss not getting to know her better. She is so very witty and kind...why did I have big Chap join me on that day! Well then again if he hadn't she would not have opened up and talked to us, it is right for him to have her....
I don't like seeing William so sad. I wonder if he knows what I plan to do. At least it will be better for them both. They will go on as if I never met them. Big Chap is so kind and friendly I am sure this will not affect him very much. I do wonder though if I could steal a kiss from William before I go....Mmmm, or maybe two kisses, yes that would do me just fine. What am I thinking? Maybe I need to leave right now or I may never leave.
While big Chap sat and just stared at the fair maiden thinking how pretty she was and how nice it would be to forever talk with her, hoping he could get her to pick him instead of William...but how?...
"Well, I must be off." The fair maiden announced and although she had no time or opportunity to steal a kiss she did manage to slip a note into William's hand before she left and threw the big Chap a wink.
The big Chap put his arm around William and said, "Yeah, I know what you're feeling, come on, let's get a Guinness." And so they once again walked into the sunset.
By daybreak she was indeed gone and not just around the corner mind you, but over two mountain ranges, several rivers and lakes to the other side of the country and told no one, save her father, who she knew could keep her secret. Though big Chap and Prince William searched day after day through the fields they could not find her and they were unsure, being two unmarried men, asking her father of her whereabouts. Sadly, they gave up, remained as friends and never spoke of her to each other although; she very much remained in their thoughts. Well that is unfair, she remained in Prince William's thoughts almost constant and even though big Chap's affection for her was sincere he did begin to fancy a girl down at the tavern and found himself unable to even remember the color of the fair maiden's eyes, but this was as it should be.
Now dear readers I did not forget about Prince William's Mother and Father nor have they forgot about him. They had placed him with a kind family in town and he was not to know the King and Queen were his parents until his 21st birthday. This was to insure that he would have a normal life, with normal friends and pastimes. They loved him very much but realized that the time had come to tell him of his royal duties and obligations, because the King wasn't getting any younger and in fact was quite ill.
Prince William was very shocked to hear he was a prince but even more shocked that he would soon be King! He knew the kind family that raised him was not his parents but that his parents would come for him when he turned 21. Being just 19yrs old he was not quite ready to meet them, but was pleased none the less. His father had a very deep love for him and hated his own royal childhood so much that he endured the separation from his son to give him a better one and his mother, little did he know, was actually nursemaid Annie! The very one who fed him and played with him from his birth until he started school, thereafter she checked in on him and brought him little treats for she could not stay away from her son for long. Oh he was delighted to know that she of all people was his mother for he loved her very much!
The trumpets called out and the people gathered. Prince William standing on the royal balcony saw his friend Big Chap out in the crowds and waved to him frantically. Seeing a huge grin fill Big Chaps face he knew that his old friend recognized him. That was the day they announced the heir to the throne as Prince Regent William Edward of the Darcy's. The shouts were so loud even the trumpets couldn't be heard. For the townspeople who grew up with him knew him to be the most honorable, kind-hearted person they had ever known and beating most men in the tavern at arm wrestling didn't hurt his image either.
It would seem our Prince had everything. Even Big Chap would come by for a visit every so often and even sneak him out to the tavern from time to time. (His parents didn't want him to mix with the commoners anymore) But even with all this his thoughts would drift to Lizzy, daughter of Thomas.
I wonder what she is doing; I hope that she is happy. I wonder if I will ever see her again... The Prince was not one to sit on his royal laurels, he had been writing friendly letters to Lizzy, the fair maiden and sending them via a servant to her father Thomas in the hopes her father would forward them on to wherever his daughter was. Prince William looked down at the note Lizzy has slipped into his hands. It was now old looking and tattered around the edges from being read so many times.
Dear, dear William,I regret having to leave you, but under the circumstances you can hardly blame me. I will not openly choose, but in writing you thus....you know who holds my heart. Keep it a secret, as I know you will. I believe you, like me, do not wish to cause undue pain. I hope your future holds many wonderful days together with Chap and that you will both enjoy each others friendship unhindered.
It was my pleasure in meeting you both and I will always remember you as the one in plain clothes with a king's heart. I only wish your heart could have been mine, but alas it was not meant to be.
Take care,
Lizzy
"It was though." The prince whispered to himself, "If only..." No there was clearly no other way out and he knew it as well as her. Even if big Chap wasn't around, he knew the fair maiden also left because she was not ready to give her heart. He missed her none-the-less and hoped that she was receiving the letters he wrote.
Dear Lizzy,You will scarce believe when I tell you this! I am to be King!! I know if you were here you would laugh greatly. Me a King? But it is to be, my parents had a kind family in the village raise me, to give me a normal life, but now I am to learn the royal ways as my father is very ill.
Chap, old man has caught himself a girl and there is talk (On her end) of marriage. We shall see if he'll be snared. He seems mighty happy lately and for that I am glad.
Will you be coming back soon?
Your friend,
Prince William
P.S. It sounds strange doesn't it?
...No, not at all, for you always were a prince in my eyes.
She sat down under her favorite tree overlooking the ocean and read the letter.
...Will you be coming back soon?
She did not know how to answer that. Could she come back? She missed William and although she read his letters, she didn't write him back. It didn't have anything to do with the big chap but rather her innermost thoughts...What if I love him so dearly and he betrays me? It was better to stay where she was then get any closer. She could forget him she thought. She was a very foolish girl to think so for this was true love. However, in the sunny land where the fair maiden now lived, suitors would appear trying to win the fair maidens affections for the fair maiden was of the age to marry and must sooner or later choose a husband. She really had no desire to hurry up and get married, but still another suitor came. She would go out for a walk with them for this was the best way to judge their true nature she thought.
The first suitor was a popular, funny guy everyone loved to be around. The life of the party everyone would say, but she found him too shallow and really not as funny as her William.
The next suitor was stunningly handsome and quite rich, a fair match for the prettiest of maidens and of all the maidens he wanted to pursue Lizzy. All the other maidens were excessively jealous and couldn't believe her good luck at catching his eye, but our fair maiden saw that although the outward appearance was very fine, he was not too bright, nor clever as her William. She smiled at remembering William's cleverness.
Another day brought another suitor. He tried to win her with his singing and playing and he was very, very smart, much smarter than the fair maiden in fact. When he noticed she cared not for his playing, nor his intelligence, he tried applying himself to her heart and told her how he needed her, how wonderful she was and how she was the best thing for him and implored her to pick him.
Now dear readers don't despair, although the fair maiden was not as smart as he was she still was smart enough to know he was not very sure of himself and wanted the fair maiden to make up the difference. She saw that the suitor believed if only he had her he would be complete. One must always be complete in themselves first before they share themselves with someone else and Lizzy, the fair maiden knew this so she bid him farewell.
Now there was one suitor that she did enjoy a walk with. He was kind and thoughtful, and cared deeply for the fair maiden. He didn't rattle on, but listened very well to what the fair maiden would say, as well as, coming up with things to make her laugh and smile. Yes, she had enjoyed her walk very much, but something was not quite right. He was handsome, smart, kind hearted, honorable, but...then it hit her, "That's it!" She realized she had such a wonderful time with this suitor not because of him, but because he reminded her so much of William. It was almost as if she had her William with her again. It was not fair to this suitor to only be a replacement for her lost love. She told him this and had him leave.
She grew tired and missed her home. She had spent a great deal of time wandering around the new countryside. She was searching, for what she wasn't sure. Poor thing didn't know she already had what she was looking for. What she did know was that she loved William so very deeply and nobody else could compare to him. Without realizing it, she compared everyone she had met to William, but everyone else was found wanting. She wondered about William and missed him terribly although she wasn't sure if she was ready to give her heart away, but she finally answered his letters with a letter of her own.
Dear William,It has been wonderful to hear of your life since I left. I do miss you and am happy to hear Chap has found someone to make him happy. What about you, are you happy? I may come back for a visit, what would you think of that?
Lizzy
Meanwhile, the King and Queen had made plans for their son and at a ball given in his honor they announced (much to his surprise!) his engagement. He was to marry Princess Caroline Brie a blond goddess from the neighboring kingdom. Many men envied the prince and wished they had a bride as lovely, but the prince didn't look at the outward appearance of his beautiful bride he looked at the heart and didn't find one for she was cold and mean but kept it hidden by her stunning beauty.
This only made him miss his fair maiden all the more. He always stayed true to her and hoped that one day she would realized that everything she was looking for was right there with him. You see dear readers he knew he was complete by himself and liked himself, but wanted to share himself with the fair maiden, who he also knew was complete and wonderful if only she could see that. He wondered, if he could find her, would she choose him and would his parents allow him to marry her instead.
"Out of the question!!" the King and Queen shouted. "You marry a common girl! Why we have picked the most stunning and beautiful girl in the entire kingdom and you prefer a peasant girl? You don't even know where she is." They gasped.
"True, but if I find her, can I marry her instead?" He needed hope. The law did say that a prince must obey his parents or else. It was harsh I know but it helps the story along, don't you think?
The King and Queen were certain that not only did the fair maiden not want to be found but that they could prevent any efforts of her being found so they agreed. "But you have to find her by February 14th or you will marry Princess Caroline, agreed?"
He looked at them warily. He hated to promise to marry Princess Caroline, but felt certain he would find Lizzy, his fair maiden through her father and agreed.
The poor prince did not know the King and Queen hid Lizzy's father in the dungeon until February 14th. Thus the Prince didn't know how to contact Lizzy, never received her letter and didn't know where she was, even his friend, big Chap was of no help, although they spent many a day searching for anyone who might know where she went.
Big Chap did try to cheer him though. He put his arm around William and said, "Ya, I know what you're feeling, come on, let's get a Guinness." And so once again they walked into the sunset toward the tavern.
"Ya promised didn't ya?"
"Don't remind me." Prince William was an honorable man after all and he did keep his promises.
"Aw, buck up, its true love isn't it? True love always wins ya know."
Now don't you my dear reader despair! For at this very moment the fair maiden, Lizzy after not hearing from her father or her Prince decided it was time to return.
"He always writes me once a month faithfully and when I finally write back to him I don't hear a word from him! I've quite despaired these last two months without so much as a syllable from him. Perhaps something's wrong?" she said to herself.
Perhaps he's found someone else and has fallen madly in love with her, a voice in her head whispered.
"Oh do shut up!" She didn't like that voice at all, not one bit and good for her that she didn't listen to it.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she packed. A part of her wondered if that small voice wasn't right. After all it had been a long time. Now it takes quite a long time to cross two mountain ranges, several rivers and lakes. She arrived into town just in time to hear shouts and trumpets blaring.
She turned toward a stranger standing in the street cheering and asked, "What is the meaning of this celebration?"
"Why don't you know, Miss? The Prince has just taken a bride and married."
That is correct dear reader, the date was February 14th and he was true to his promise and married although when they came to the part where he could kiss the bride he declined and instead turned her toward the crowd and presented Princess Caroline Brie of the Darcy's. That's when the crowd cheered, which is what our fair maiden heard when she came into town.
"The small voice was right, he does love another." She said to herself regretting her foolishness in running from him and trying to forget him, "For I never shall."
"Don't worry your pretty little head 'bout that now."
I looked up surprised at being addressed and saw the biggest, silliest grin you can imagine. "Hi there, Chap."
"It's about time you came back!" He said as he engulfed me with a hug. He let go and gave me a wink saying, "Don't move, your going to love this part!" He brushed past me to the front of the crowd.
"Watch out! Comin' thru! Hey William!!" Chap shouted up toward the balcony. Prince William, The King and Queen, and the new Princess looked down on the big guy.
"Hi, Chap." Called Prince William and Chap could hear the sorrow in his voice.
"Are ya ready to get married?" Chap yelled back enthusiastically.
"What are you talking about? I just got married!" Prince William shouted back.
A hush fell over the crowd as they wondered about this Chap guy yelling up at the Prince.
"Not really, ya didn't. That's my cousin under the veil." Chap said
The King turned purple and the Queen was about to faint thinking their son married that oaf's cousin. Seeing them turn colors Chap added, "Ya aren't married really, the clergyman had no business marrying, he's my other cousin. Not quite ordain yet. I had some friends tell the real clergy the weddin was at six and seeing how I'm such a good friend of yours he believed you sent the message. He should be here 'bout now."
"So I'm not...married...but if this is your cousin, where is the Princess?"
Chap started walking up the stairs toward the balcony, "She did want to marry you, but after what I told her 'bout you, being poor and all, just needing her money, she rushed back to her kingdom. Seems she's got her eye on a Baron now, hee, hee," he laughed slapping the Prince on the back.
"But I'm not poor..." the prince replied being so very honest himself.
The King and Queen did not find this funny, but seeing as how the prince did keep his word there was little they could do about it, but find another bride, one who would not wear a veil during the wedding!
"Your bride's here though." Chap said with a smile
"What? I thought you said she went back to her kingdom?"
"Not that one silly, didn't think true love was gonna let you down now did ya?"
Lizzy, the fair maiden watched all this with stunned disbelief. The Prince not really married? Could it be?...but why would he get married in the first place? Didn't he still love her?...It has been a long time, though...she thought sadly. Just then the real clergyman made his way through the crowd toward the castle.
"Mighty fine crowd for a wedding." He said.
Lizzy, the fair maiden smile and said, "Yes, yes its perfect isn't it?" and filled with an idea she followed the clergyman toward the balcony.
Chap caught sight of them making their way toward the front of the crowd but before he could say anything, Prince William caught sight of her.
"You came back..." he said with a look of love obvious in his eyes.
"and not a moment too late I see." She said tossing him a saucy look, "Afraid I wouldn't return? Thought you'd get married without me?
He reached out and touched her, "I could never marry without you. You're the bride."
"I was hoping you'd say that." She smiled.
And with that he swept her up in his arms and said, "Clergyman, if you please."
"Wait!" the Queen shouted. She did love her son and could clearly see he loved this peasant girl, but a commoner in the royal family? And there was still that law... The Queen walked over to Lizzy, the fair maiden, whispered in her ear and walked off. The King, puzzled, followed after the Queen.
"Wait, we can't." The fair maiden replied to the Prince.
"What do you mean we cannot? We can! It is still February 14th and I've found you or I should say you have found me, but we can marry." The Prince was a man's man and would definitely defend his right to marry her. He loved her very deeply and would not be separated from her again. He looked at her for some explanation and as he did her face lit up, you see she saw her father coming, escorted by the King and Queen.
"Now if you please," said the Queen. The King heartily smiled his approval at his son.
So dear readers they did indeed get married and Prince William passionately kissed his bride, who by the way did not wear a veil, but rather her traveling clothes. And they drove off into the sunset, in the Prince's new 21 window VW bus, a wedding gift from Chap.
Chap was very pleased with himself and rewarded himself by throwing his arm around his girl saying, "Ya, I know what your feeling, come on, let's get a Guinness." So they too walked into the sunset and the King and Queen, the Prince and his maiden, Chap and his girl all lived happily ever after.... True love is like that you know!