Ashlee -
Thanks for coming to the show.
- The Frog Prince
He had to restrain himself from throwing it at her. She accepted it with a
pout. "Aw... I was hoping for something a little more memorable..."
Neil interrupted. "I'm sorry Miss, but we have to get to all these other
fans as well. If you wouldn't mind stepping back please..."
From the look on her face, she obviously DID mind. She put her hands on her
hips and tried her best to look intimidating. "But the prince's fans demand
to know some things! Like, how he's still so young and handsome after so many
years? And what's behind the mask? And---"
The crowd behind her was starting to get annoyed and Chris was only too happy
to see her get pushed further back down the line. He smiled cheerily at the
next fan. "And what's your name?"
Chris heaved a sigh as the last fan left for the night. Neil clapped him on
the back in a fatherly manner and bid him goodnight. He couldn't wait to get
out of this costume and into some pajamas. He probably shouldn't have pushed
himself so hard after being ill, but he didn't want to chance it. He eased himself
up from the chair he'd been sitting in and stretched. He could hear his back
making the usual creaking noises. He would just see if Lyn needed any help taking
down the stage props, then call it a night.
He covered his mouth as he yawned and walked outside. The yawn died in his throat
as he once again saw the face he didnt' want to see. Ashlee was waiting for
him just outside the room Neil had set up for autographs. He tried to just pass
her by, but she tugged loose the ribbon that Lyn had given him and he'd tied
on his arm. "Would it be ok if I kept this?" She said with a flirtatious
smile. "I think it would look lovely on me."
Christopher made a grab for it, "No. It wouldn't be ok."
She stepped closer and Christopher just looked back at her coldly. "I need
that back. It's very important to me."
"Oh?" she seemed amused. "Then what will you give me in return?
Remember, I want something memorable..."
Chris was annoyed, "I don't care, anything."
He regretted the answer as soon as he'd said it. "Anything?" She smiled
up at him. "A kiss then. I think it's a fair trade."
Christopher snatched the ribbon away, "I don't think so."
Ashlee smirked. She did so love a challenge.
* * * * *
Something was odd. Ethan wasn't quite sure what it was, but he felt like they'd
been through this trail five times or more. The rain hadn't let up in days and
he was so waterlogged he swore the wrinkles on his pruny fingers had their own
wrinkles.
Briar Rose was sleeping soundly in Prince Kelly's carriage and they'd been travelling
in silence for hours now. He glanced over at the prince, who wouldn't even deign
to look in his direction.
Ethan gritted his teeth and yelled at the sky, "Hey! Grimm brothers! What's
the matter?! Are you afraid of us? Is that why you haven't let us find your
hiding place yet? Are you scared of a couple of royal pedigrees and a dirt poor
peasant? I mean come on! We've been following this idiotic trail for over a
week now, with no sign of it ever stopping! At least give us some answers!"
The prince looked at Ethan with a roll of his eyes, "That was utterly moronic."
Ethan shrugged, "Well, what's left to do? We've---"
"got.... to..." he trailed off as he realized he was no longer on
his horse, travelling through rain and mud. He was still sopping wet, but he
stood on a cold stone floor. Briar Rose and Prince Kelly were nowhere to be
seen. He wasn't worried at all about the prince, but he was plenty concerned
about Bri's welfare. There was nothing but wall in every direction. The same
monotonous bland grey stones. Ethan sat on the floor with a wet plop and leaned
back to stare at the ceiling. He supposed these Grimm Brothers would be along
sometime soon. They probably had to go see the more important people first...
* * * * *
"Charming isn't he?" Jacob smiled.
"Oh yes. He's just like you described him. Very nice work." Wilhelm
commented.
It took Prince Kelly a few moments to realize just where he was. Two strange
men stood before him, looking at him with critical eyes. They had to be the
ones Ethan and Briar Rose had been talking about. The ones with the unimaginable
power to turn their words into truth. He was sure of only one thing. He didn't
want to be on their bad side.
He tried using his most suave and convincing tone of voice. The one he used
to weasel out of his dance lessons with instructor Phillips and to goad his
mother into getting him the newest fashion from the best designers.
"Good afternoon gentlemen. You must be the legendary Grimm brothers. You
no doubt know who my companions and I are then."
The first one nodded slowly, "I understand you're looking to stop us. I
had so looked forward to the part in the story where Briar Rose finally realizes
her love and you two live happily ever after. Why would you want to change that
I wonder?"
The prince shook his head, "I wouldn't! I mean... I don't want to change
any of that. I was only dragged along on this foul journey by that wretched
peasant boy. The princess must be under his spell. I can't imagine why else
she would ignore my charms." He tried his best to look pathetic and forlorn,
but at the same time handsome and trustworthy.
"I suppose that makes a bit more sense." Wilhelm mused. "If he's
cast a spell on the princess that even the book is unable to stop, he may be
more powerful than we'd thought. Perhaps we should reconsider somethings..."
"No." Jacob countered, "If he were that powerful, he'd be out
of that dungeon and on his way up here to stop us already. No. It's just a fluke.
That boy is nothing. We could destroy him in an instant."
The prince smiled, "I should be happy to assist you gentlemen in your efforts."