(Note to self - fix or replace scene with C.H. and Fam. don't like it.)
Christopher slipped his mask over his eyes and started hitting notes on the piano as they watched the servants running around, decorating things and making sure everything was perfect. Ethan shrugged and pulled out his mask too. It just wouldn't be as fun if they weren't both acting like nerds. The whole "mask" thing actually seemed to have gone over quite well at last friday's ball. The girls there swooned over Christopher, or as they had started called him, "Frog." Chris wasn't too sure he liked that, but there wasn't much he could do about it now.
He listened carefully as the note echoed through the large empty room. Perfect pitch. At least they took good care of their instruments here. Ethan had been lucky that his violin hadn't been broken last week. Chris leaned his head lazily on the piano and watched Ethan begin to tune the instrument. There really wasn't much else for them to do. Christopher yawned. Ethan prodded him with his bow a few times. "You can't be falling asleep already..."
Christopher sniffed, "i was just resting my eyes."
One of the servants bustled into the room, a look of excitement clear on their face. "She's here! The princess has arrived!"

* * * * *

"Finally, things are starting to get good." Wilhelm smiled and watched the mirror anxiously. His older brother Jacob(2nd note to self - change Jacob Thompson's name. it's too confusing if there's two Jacobs.) watched over his shoulder.
Jacob stood with a hand on his hip, "About time."
"Your frog story seems to be coming along nicely too." Wilhelm commented.
Jacob smiled and nodded, "I rather like it."
Wilhelm glanced over at the mirror, "As long as those two don't interfere, it'll be fine."
"They can't. It's been written already. There's no way to stop it."
Wilhelm smiled, "Still, it will be fun to watch them try... Which do you prefer? A happy ending? or a tradgedy?"
Jacob laughed, "You have to ask?"

* * * * *

Ethan took a deep breath as the curtains slowly opened. The audience this night was probably only half the size of last time, but it didn't ease his anxiety at all. He could see Briar Rose sitting at a large table near the front. Her family sat next to her, and the King and Queen on the other side. She was talking excitedly to everyone and started to clap as the curtains came up. When she looked up and realized who was on stage, she looked surprised, but smiled in recognition and gave him a wave.
Ethan swallowed hard and managed a small smile as they started to play.

They had started playing at about seven and didn't get to finish until nearly ten. It was close to elevan as Ethan and Topher sat at a small table in the large kitchen area, eating a modest meal in silence. Ethan didn't seem interested in his food and as soon as the last cook left the room, he stood up with purpose.
"What are you doing?" Christopher hissed.
"I'm gonna go find Briar Rose." Ethan stated.
Chris slammed his spoon down, "are you CRAZY?!"
Ethan laughed, "Maybe. But I've gotta try."
Topher shook his head, "You heard the announcement at the party, Briar Rose is the King's DAUGHTER Ethan. His DAUGHTER. It was unlikely enough when she was just in a class above you, but this is ridiculous. You have to give it up Ethan!"
Ethan smiled and started walking away, "I know... but... I just can't Topher. I've gotta try."
Christopher rolled his eyes and followed along.

"Bri!" came a hiss. "Psssst! Bri!"
Briar Rose turned to see Ethan and Christopher hiding rather badly behind some curtains. She almost started laughing. She waved that it was safe and they walked out from their "hiding spot."
"What're you guys doing here?" she asked with a smile that Ethan quickly returned.
"Well, it's kind of a long story..." Ethan started. "But I thought maybe you'd like to come with us for a while."
Briar Rose sighed, "it HAS been a long night." She almost started to follow him, but her expression quickly changed, "But... I don't know. I was thinking of maybe exploring the castle. The King and Queen are still talking with Mom and the twins already ran off to who knows where... maybe I should track them down..."
Ethan shook his head and tried to think fast, "Well um... you know... this whole thing about you being royalty... I just thought that maybe you would want to leave the castle one last time. Be a... a normal girl for one last night?"
Briar Rose seemed hesitant, "But... I'm still me. I'm not going to change just because of this..."
Ethan's eyes seemed to plead with her, "Please Bri?"
Christopher looked at her with a critical eye, "come on Ethan. She said she doesn't want to. Let's just go. Once we leave here, you probably won't ever see her again."
Briar Rose looked sadly at the ground, "No... you're welcome to come any time... I wouldn't mind..."
Chris looked skeptical, "something tells me the rest of the people here would mind."
Ethan took her hand, "Please Bri? It's really important..."
Briar Rose looked torn. "I..."
"Get your hands off the princess!" came a shout from down the hall. A couple of the palace guards came running in.
Ethan quickly let go of the princess' hand. "I wasn't..."
The guards stood between her and Ethan and Christopher, "Were these men bothering you highness? We got a report that they'd left and... well, we had no idea they'd come after you..."
Briar Rose shook her head, "n-no, that's not it at all. I know them... It's alright..."
The guards relaxed a little bit, "I'm sorry your highness, but they'll still have to come with us..."
Bri looked more than a little helpless, "No, it's ok, really!"
"The king's orders Princess. I'm sorry but they succeed your own." the guards made a motion for Ethan and Christopher to "move along."
Ethan looked back as they walked away to see Briar Rose standing alone in the hallway.

Ethan sighed and leaned against the grey dungeon wall. He hadn't thought security would be quite so tight. All they'd done was stray from the kitchen... They hadn't cared at all last Friday... Why the sudden change in security tactics? He wondered.
Christopher had a hand to his head and looked quite annoyed. "I TOLD you Ethan! Why don't you ever listen to me?" he sighed.
Ethan shrugged and watched the guards leave to return to their posts after securely locking the prison doors. "It's ok. Professor Ardeneaux taught me how to get out of situations like this..." He opened his hand just a little bit and began reciting one of the Rune Arts. Rune Art of Fire. A tiny ball of red and orange appeared in his hand, glowing in the dim light.
Christopher looked less than impressed, "How is that going to---"
Ethan flexed his hand a little wider and it began to glow white-hot, but somehow his hand didn't burn. He walked over to the metal bars and easily melted through the lock. The metal hissed and sizzled as Ethan pushed the door open. Chris' eyes widened.
Ethan and Chris snuck stealthily up the stairs and back to the main palace floor. Ethan glanced at a large grandfather clock. It was only fifteen minutes to midnight. Fifteen minutes left. Briar Rose was probably already on her way to the tallest tower, just like the story had said. The terrible sleeping spell could happen at any moment. Ethan turned to Chris, "remember how I told you if things went wrong, you should just run?"
Chris nodded, "yeah... but..."
Ethan frowned, "Now's the time. You have to get out of the castle as quickly as you can."
Chris hesitated, "I..."
"GO!" Ethan hissed.
Christopher scowled, but started heading down the opposite hallway. He should be able to get out in time. Ethan didn't think he'd be able to forgive himself if he didn't. He watched Topher head down the hall and then set out on his own. Things weren't looking good, but he couldn't stop now. He'd come too far.
The security was as tight as ever, but Ethan had an easier time sneaking around without his lanky friend following. He knew he'd seen the tall tower in this direction... He saw a set of stairs and made a beeline for it. This had to be it. He could feel the seconds ticking away as he raced up the winding stairs, taking them two at a time. His heart was pumping madly.
And suddenly he could feel himself starting to get weary. Not now! His mind screamed. It's too soon! He was slowing down, but he could see the little door at the top of the stairs. He pushed on, forcing his sleepy body to continue. He pushed open the door and fell to his knees as the sleep started to take him. He was too late. The scene was set. Briar Rose lay upon the plain, simple bed, a small drop of blood visible on her fingertip. Ethan tried to move, but found his body wouldn't listen. His eyes became heavy as he looked up at her from the floor, and finally, sleep took hold of him.

* * * * *

A noble white steed trotted energetically down the cobbled street, much more energetic than it's lethargic rider. The young man yawned from his seat and looked ready to fall asleep. He was finally to a decent sized town. He looked around curiously. Things seemed pretty ordinary. In the distance he could see a castle, but it was fairly dark looking. Worth a try. He thought as he hurried the horse's pace along.
He was dressed in all sorts of finery. Everything he wore was silks and velvet, sewn in the latest fashions. His horse carried a small cart behind it, with the initials "K.V." in fancy script, along with an official looking crest. If Prince Kelly Valcourt knew how to do one thing right, it was travel well. He pulled his wide brimmed feathered hat from his head and waved it in front of his face. It was getting warm pretty early in the year. He was almost sweating under all the layers of fine clothing.
As he approached the castle, he realized it wasn't the castle that was dark, it was the large, threatening looking thorns that curled around it tightly that made it seem that way. It was the castle he'd been looking for! At last!

Next