As he walked off stage Neil patted his shoulder, "You did good kid. Weirdos like that appear every now and again. Poor Portia had a guy following our caravan for at least a month, wanted to know all about her. Creepy, but don't worry, we'll watch your back."
"Thanks... I think." Christopher muttered.

He was tired again when he finally finished signing autographs and his hand ached terribly. He wondered if Lyn would be able to make a print or something that he could copy his autograph with instead of this mess. He remembered with a smile that he'd told Lyn he'd take her out to dinner after tonight's performance. He hurried over to the dressing room to change out of his costume.
"Good evening Sir Prince..."
Christopher about jumped out of his skin. Princess Ashlee Castilla was standing just feet away. The moonlight played softly on her golden curls and her porcelein skin. She smiled at him and it gave him the creeps.
"What do you want?" Christopher started backing away. "How did you even get in here?"
Ashlee walked closer, "You know, being a princess, I always get what I want Mr. Frog Prince."
Christopher frowned, "Excuse me?"
"I'm your biggest fan you know? I know all your songs and I really like you..." Ashlee twirled one of her golden curls around her finger. "Couldn't I be your one true princess?"
Christopher shook his head slowly. "Never."
Her jaw dropped in a most unladylike manner. "What? Why not?!"
Christopher looked her in the eyes, "Because I know exactly what you're like on the inside. Outside you're cute and sweet and pretend to be all these things you're not. Inside... inside you're a terrible selfish person."
"What?... What do you mean?" She looked like she was on the verge of tears, "What did I do that's so awful?"
Christopher put a hand on his hip, "Hm... let's see shall we? It was... a week or two ago wasn't it? You were playing outside with your golden ball. I saw that boy go over to help you when it fell in the pond. You left him there, cold and wet. You took the ball back and even stole his horse. The princess I'm looking for would never do something so cruel."
Her lip shook, "How did you know about that?! There was no one around!"
He shook his head, "It's called integrity Princess. It means doing the right thing even when there is no one around to praise you for it. You're just a stuck up girl that doesn't care at all for others. I don't want anything to do with you." For once the words came, they didn't sit in his mind and bubble at the surface, waiting to come out. He knew it was harsh, but he couldn't stop the truth from falling from his lips.
She was left speechless. She walked closer, slowly, till she was only a step away. Christopher wasn't sure what she was trying to do, but he felt a little guilty for what he'd said. "You're the one that's terrible." she whispered.
Christopher sighed and started to walk away, but she grabbed his arm and with her other hand she ripped the mask away. Chris didn't care anymore. He just stared straight back at her as she recoiled and threw the mask on the ground.
"You... You're that ugly boy! How... You can't be the Frog Prince!" She was angry now and looked ripe to throw a temper tantrum.
Christopher calmly walked over and picked his mask up off the floor. "Why not? Because I'm not handsome? Because I don't look like a perfect prince? What's wrong with that? This is reality Ashlee. You said you 'really like' me... But you can't see past what's on the surface. That's why you'll never be happy."
She stomped her foot as he walked away, "No! It's not fair!"

The stage was still lit up and one of the other performers was taking their turn in front of the cheering crowd. Lyn was waiting near the exit, her eyes at the ground and her hands in her pockets.
"Lyn..." he said with a smile, "you ready to go? Sorry to keep you waiting like that."
Lyn looked worried, "are you alright? you look a little shaken up."
"It's nothing." Chris smiled. "I just got a little sidetracked after the concert. Lots of things on my mind I guess..."
Lyn studied his eyes, "Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." he reached out and took her hand as they started walking into town. "So where did you want to go? My treat."
Lyn smiled, "anywhere."

This was it. Almost his last concert for a while. After tonight, he'd only need to do one more and he'd have enough to go out in search of his friends and at least try to help them on their journey. He was surprised the time had come so quickly. He still had to work up the courage to tell Lyn why he had to leave. She'd been so sweet to him. No girl had ever actually liked him the way he was. He did his best to pretend like the way he looked didn't bother him, but it was hard when you heard things whispered behind your back and had fake smiles always thrown at you.
He pulled the mask over his eyes and smiled over at Lyn. She would always wait for him, just offstage. And he would always look over at her and smile. It was like an unspoken connection between them. Christopher could hear the last performers finishing and he prepared himself to go out on stage. He threw one last glance at Lyn and she waved at him, wishing him good luck.
As he stepped out onto the stage, he had a strange feeling, like something was wrong. He wasn't sure why until he looked out into the crowd. Princess Ashlee was there in force. She didn't have her usual look of star struck idol worship that she usually wore at his concerts. Instead she had a look much like a predator, about to pounce on the unsuspecting prey. Christopher shook of the feeling and walked out to his piano amid the clamor of the crowd.

* * * * *

Ethan took his time smoothing out the book's paper. There was only a few tiny spaces in the torn scrap that had room to be written on. He just prayed the ever-watchful Grimms weren't watching him now. A writing tool, that's all he needed. He thought a moment before plucking a few hairs from his head. He poked at one of his injuries until a few drops of blood fell on the dull grey floor. It would have to do for ink and a brush.
He reached over to the paper and slowly scrawled out: Ethan healed at once.
He looked over his injuries and smiled with satisfaction as they vanished. He leaned back over the paper. Now that the test was over, it was time for the real thing. He dipped his 'brush' in the 'ink' and started writing out the next sentence: The Grimm Brothers were defe---
Ethan's hand stopped moving. Or rather, he couldn't move it. He tried to reach over with his other hand, but it was stuck as well. He couldn't move an inch. Ethan swallowed hard as he heard the door clank open across the room. He almost hoped it was Kelly again, but there were two shadows making their way toward him.
"Cunning little bugger, isn't he?" said the first.
"We should've killed him off long ago. He's just getting in the way." said the second. He reached over and picked up the paper that Ethan had been writing on. "Look at this. Not even that elf got this far and he's been here for decades."
"He's creative. I like that."
The second one frowned, "He's a threat. I don't think it's a good idea to let him leave."
The first stuck the paper in his pocket, "What can he do? We control everything Jacob. Maybe he can help us get some good story ideas... He's got to be better than the prince. I can't believe he just left the paper in here."
Jacob frowned, "we shouldn't have given the prince the paper in the first place. That was a mistake Wilhelm."
Wilhelm shrugged, "We haven't had guests for a while. I didn't think we had to follow every protocol and rule."
Jacob sighed, "alright, alright. Bring him along then..."
Wilhelm smiled excitedly, "great! This'll be fun!"

* * * * *

Christopher sat at the familiar black and white keys. The magic sound amplifier beside him. He was glad to have it, for some reason he didn't have much of a voice today. The sound was there, but not much volume. I guess I'm just not in the spirit tonight. Something about that girl Ashlee isn't right... It's strange.
He finished the first few numbers without mishap. He glanced over at where the girl and her small army of fans had been standing, but they weren't there anymore. He hoped they had just decided to leave well enough alone, but knew better than that. Ashlee didn't seem the type to give up easily. He started in on the next number, but noticed little groups of the fans had started to inch forward. Something was definitely going on. He searched the crowd and backstage for Neil or one of the other stagehands, but he didn't see them. He was going to have to deal with this on his own.

* * * * *

"Ethan! You're alright!" Briar Rose said happily as she watched him enter the room. She started to walk over, but stopped as the two brothers followed closely behind him. There was a strange distant look in his eyes as they pushed him forward.
Prince Kelly stood at her side, looking down on Ethan. If something was going to happen, he'd make sure no one hurt his princess.
She walked carefully over to Ethan and tried to find something familiar in his eyes. He didn't make a move toward her, he didn't move at all. He just stood there like a puppet suspended on strings. The brothers left him there and walked over to the large table in the center of the room. Resting on the table, it's pages open and blank, was a large, leather-bound book.
Wilhelm scribbled something on it and Ethan fell, like someone had cut his strings. Briar Rose tried to run over to him, but Prince Kelly held her wrist tightly.
"Ethan! Ethan are you---"
"I'm alright Bri..." Ethan shook his head and slowly stood. He looked around the large room, drinking it in with his eyes. So this was to be the battlefield. Ethan's mind raced. Hope wasn't gone yet. There was still a chance. From what he'd overheard the brothers talking about, he had a pretty good guess what it was that they wanted. He gathered his wits about him and walked ever so slowly toward the table. "What is it that you want?" he asked deliberately. "You could have killed me several times by now..."
Jacob crossed his arms, "Indeed."
Wilhelm stood, "you're a very bright, creative young man..."
Ethan put a hand on his hip, "I'm glad you think so. I think I understand. You want a story, is that it? It just seemed to me that you're running short on ideas. A frog prince? Hansel and Gretel? They do seem to lack a little creativity..."
Jacob stared icily, "How dare you..."
Wilhelm stopped him, "But he's right. We haven't had a good idea for a story in decades... It couldn't hurt to let someone else try. We've taken all the necessary precautions... If he even tries to write something that might stop us, he'll fall dead on the spot!"
Jacob shrugged, "do whatever you want..."
Wilhelm laughed, "you just can't admit that you're just as intrigued as I am..."
Ethan glanced over at Briar Rose as the brothers argued. She looked concerned, but he sent her a discreet wink. She pursed her lips and nodded.
"It's the one thing you can't do, isn't it?" Ethan continued. The brothers looked up.
"What?"
"Creativity... Inspiration... True Emotion... You can make people follow your stories, but you can't force someone to be creative. You can't tell someone to be inspired..." Ethan shrugged. "I'm sure I could help." He reached the table and stuck out a hand, "You just have to trust me. I know I was a bit... reluctant at first, but I know now what kind of power you have. I thought it was wrong to use the book to control others, but now I see it's for their own good. Why wouldn't they want to live happily ever after? I want to help you..."

* * * * *

Christopher finished the number with a flourish. All that remained was the final song. By now the fans had swarmed to the sides of the stage. In the silence before he began, they started a chant, "Off with the mask!" came a yell. Before he could stop them, the others joined in. "Off with the mask!" they yelled, "Off with the mask!"
Christopher stood slowly. His hands were shaking in the face of such a crowd. His breath came fast and he looked around nervously. He wanted to run, to hide, to be anywhere but here. And then someone caught his eyes, Lyn's deep green eyes held him fast. He could feel all the fear and nervousness melting away. It didn't matter. None of this mattered. Even if the crowds didn't like him anymore because of what was beneath the mask, Lyn still would. His real friends didn't care about that. He gave her a smile.

* * * * *

Ethan watched the brothers curiously, contemplating the meaning of "If he tries to stop us, he'll fall dead on the spot!" They probably had some sort of precautions, something they'd written that would keep anyone from defeating them. He was sort of glad he hadn't finished writing on his scrap of paper... Probably something like, "the Grimm brothers rule! If anyone tries to write something that will hurt them, then they'll die a horrible death!"
Ethan coughed. The brothers looked cautiously one to another.
Jacob dropped the pen and gestured to the seat beside him. Ethan walked forward hurriedly. Wilhelm put a hand on his shoulder. "We expect good things."

* * * * *

Princess Ashlee Castilla walked delicately across the stage to greet Christopher. Her radiant face and perfect disposition in sharp contrast to Chris' dark clothing and hair. She gave him a sly smile and was disappointed as he just smiled right back. There was no look of fear in his eyes, his hands weren't shaking, nor his knees knocking.
"So Sir Frog Prince..." she curtsied mockingly, "your public awaits. They want to know what's under the mask."
Christopher nodded, "I noticed." The crowd went silent, listening carefully to every word. "And as I recall... I said I wouldn't take it off until I'd found my princess..."
"Yes, yes, but when will that be? We won't wait forever..." she tapped her foot impatiently. "We demand to know! As your fans, we deserve to know!"
Christopher smiled, "You didn't let me finish Miss Castilla. I was just going to say that I've already found my princess."
Ashlee made a face. "Don't think that I would take---"
Chris laughed, "no... not you..."
Ashlee put her hands on her hips. "Then who is this mystery girl? Show her to us!"
Christopher glanced offstage. "My princess... The girl who owns my heart..." He reached out his hand to where Lyn stood, hiding behind the curtains. "The one who has been my friend without asking anything of me... Miss Lyndsey Kauble... or should I say, Princess Lyndsey Kauble?"
She walked out onto the stage shyly. She didn't dare look at the crowd, only at Christopher with his hand outstretched to her. She carefully placed her hand in his and looked into his eyes, eyes that only saw her. She blushed deeply and looked at the ground, but Christopher lifted her chin. Their eyes met and their lips were only inches apart. Chris smiled. "Sorry to put you on the spot like this..."
Lyn smiled back, "I don't mind."
His hand lightly brushed the side of her face. "I... is it alright... if I kiss you?" he stuttered.

* * * * *

Ethan slowly dipped the pen into the inkwell. All the eyes in the room were on him. He had to steady his hand to keep it from shaking as he lowered it to the paper. (have him flip through the pages and see some other stuff before he writes. ie - where ard, toph, etc.)

Once upon a time, he began.

"Once upon a time?" Wilhelm questioned.
Ethan turned to give the man a look. "I can't write with you all hovering around me like vultures. I need space, I need to think! You can read it when I'm finished."
Wilhelm pouted and Jacob looked dubious, but they backed away a few steps. This was it. This was the chance he was looking for. He pressed the pen to the paper and scribbled furiously.

Once upon a time... He scribbled it out. This book will immediately cease to exist. He lifted his pen from the paper as if to dip it again in the inkwell, but before he got there the book began to crumble and quickly turned to a tiny pile of dust that blew off the table in a breath. Ethan stared disbelievingly at the place where the book had been. The brothers turned angrily to Ethan.
"What have you done?!" Wilhelm squealed.
"It's your fault, you wanted him to write in it!" Jacob countered.
Ethan pushed away from the table and eyed the door. It would take only a few seconds to jump the table and dart toward it, but there was no getting past them.
"Shut up! Shut up!!" Wilhelm yelled. "They've ruined everything! Kill them!"
Jacob drew his sword and headed toward Briar Rose and Prince Kelly. "You fools forgot to take one thing into account. The book may be gone, but we're still unbeatable. Do you know how long I've had to hone my sword skills and Wilhelm his Rune Arts? You haven't a chance. You will pay for what you've done..."
Wilhelm forced Ethan into a corner. "How would you like to die? Fire? Drowning perhaps? I could pull the very air from your lungs in an instant."
Ethan started his chant under his breath. The words raced through his mind. Rune Art of the Wind. Ethan gathered the air around him and used it to push Wilhelm back. The man put his arms up in defense and didn't move an inch. Any other man would've been thrown across the room. Wilhelm lowered his arms and smiled, an eerie mad smile.
"Rune Art of the Wind? Was that it? I hardly felt it. Let me show you what that spell looks like when summoned by a true caster." Wilhelm hardly had to lift a finger to send Ethan flying into the air and slam him against the ceiling. Ethan fought to remain conscious as the wind suddenly stopped and he fell to the ground with a sickening crack.

* * * * *

Lyn nodded ever so slightly as Christopher leaned closer. She closed her eyes and the moment was like magic. Their lips met for just a moment and it was like nothing she'd felt before. She opened her eyes and Ethan was there, smiling at her. Something was different about the way he looked at her, the set of his chin and the way his smile didn't seem quite so crooked anymore. He glowed with something she wasn't quite sure of. Confidence perhaps, or maybe something more.
Princess Ashlee narrowed her eyes, "Come on then, off with the mask Sir Prince. We're all waiting."
Christopher didn't care anymore as he slowly untied the back of the mask and let it fall to the stage floor. He smiled the smile of one in that state of euphoria. Of being completely and totally happy. His eyes finally broke the lock they had with Lyn's and he gazed out across the crowd. He was ready for the gasps and looks of disgust. None of it mattered anymore. He had all he could ever ask for. But what he was met with was not quite the reaction he'd pictured in his mind.
There were gasps, but no looks of disgust. There were excited shrieks and exclamations of "He's gorgeous!" Christopher was quite sure it was just an after effect of his magical moment. Surely something he'd imagined. He turned to face Ashlee Castilla, who just stared at him with open mouth. What was going on?
"What's going on here?!" Ashlee shrieked. "How? You were so hideous before! What happened?! How did you do that?! It must be some sort of magic! It must be---"
The more she went on, the more the crowd booed and hissed at her. A few even threw their wadded paper or pieces of food. Ashlee retreated from the stage, crying her eyes out.
Christopher shrugged and turned back to Lyn, who was looking at him curiously. "Is that really you?" she whispered. Christopher wasn't sure quite what she meant, but he led her back over to the piano bench.
"Let's end this performance with a little something special." he placed his fingers on the keys and began once again to play.

* * * * *

Ethan pulled himself from the ground. His leg was bent at a strange angle and he couldn't put any weight on it without wincing in pain. He took a hurried look over at Briar Rose and Kelly, who seemed to be doing alright. Kelly wasn't too bad with a sword. He seemed a match at least for Jacob Grimm. He turned back to his opponent. If there was one thing Ethan wouldn't do, it was give up. He didn't care what the odds were. For his lost family, for his friends... He couldn't give up. These men had to be stopped. He fell to his knees as he began another chant. Rune Art of Fire. The flames danced at his fingertips, but he couldn't feel the heat. He pushed himself, pulling his strength from within. The flames burst upon one another, growing and growing as he heaved the flaming ball at Wilhelm.
Wil once again stood his ground. He summoned forth a barrier that left him with only a few minor burns and a singed hem on his tunic. "Once again boy, I'll show you exactly what you're lacking. Rune Art of Fire." The flames in his hand boiled over, twisting and turning until they formed a single solid shape. A white hot lance. Ethan looked up in desparation and hoped for a miracle.

* * * * *

Briar Rose jumped out of the way as Jacob swung his sword at she and Kelly. Kelly countered with a flash of steel and pushed him back. She scrambled away from the fight. It would be easier for Kelly if she wasn't there to hold him back. She made herself scarce behind the table. She peered out over it and watched Ethan's back as he fought the other man. Ethan had summoned a great ball of fire, but it had hardly hurt the man. She edged closer as the man gathered flames in his hand and formed a lance. Ethan didn't move, couldn't move. He's going to die! Her body moved without thinking. She had to protect Ethan. She couldn't let it end like this.

* * * * *

Ethan fell backward as the lance hit. He felt no pain and wondered if that was what it was like when you were close to death. It just didn't hurt anymore. He opened his eyes and saw a battered form lying before him. Her dark brown hair cascaded over the dull grey floor, mingling with the growing pool of blood. Blood.
"Bri!" Ethan limped over to her. Her face was pale and there was blood running freely from a large wound in her side. It wasn't suppose to end like this. He didn't care if it was his life that was forfeit, but he wanted her at least to have a happy ending.
"Bri, what were you thinking?" Ethan couldn't hold back his tears. He had to do something. He had to help her. He looked over at Wilhelm, who was on the ground himself. Using the lance must have taken quite a toll on his energy as well.
Ethan felt for a pulse. It was weak and fading but it was still there. What was the spell Ardeneaux had taught him? He struggled to remember the words as he pressed a hand to her side to staunch the blood. He could feel his hand burning as he spoke the words, but the wound was closing. It was working. He smiled with relief as her eyes fluttered open.
"Time to wake up princess..." Ethan reached out to touch her cheek and felt a stabbing pain in his side. The rebound... He gasped at the pain and fell hard on the grey floor. He could feel warm blood running out between his fingers.
"Ethan?" Briar Rose looked at him in surprise, "Ethan, what's happening? Why did you..."
Ethan managed a laugh, "I couldn't let this story become so tragic... Who'd mourn the death of a peasant anyway..." He felt blood in his mouth and struggled for breath.
Briar Rose's face became mottled and red as she cried. "You idiot, of course I would! Why do you think I came with you all this way? Why? It wasn't for anyone but you!"
"Once an idiot, always an idiot." came a voice from behind her. "I'd hoped to find you in slightly better condition after all these years. I told you to study that spell before you used it!" Ardeneaux knelt at Ethan's side and put his hand on the wound. He sealed it quickly and fully enough for Ethan lie back and let out a sigh of relief.
"I was hoping for a miracle." he smiled.
Ardeneaux shook his head. "And I was hoping you'd be a little smarter the next time I saw you."
Briar Rose threw her arms around Ethan and couldn't keep herself from crying.
Ardeneaux turned to face the tired caster Wilhelm.
"You escaped?" Wilhelm asked in surprise.
"The book is gone. The spells that once bound me were loosed. It was only a matter of finding you all in this maze of a castle." Ardeneaux sniffed, still trying to retain a bit of his dignity despite his messy hair and ragged clothing.
Wilhelm whimpered, "it wasn't my fault! Jacob was the mastermind behind it all, he---"
Ardeneaux walked slowly toward him, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Kelly pushed back as Jacob tried once again to get past his defense. The man had skill, but so did Kelly. He hadn't taken sword lessons since he was old enough to walk for no reason. Jacob was a worthy opponent, but he'd show a weakness soon enough.
"Give it up prince! Your colleages are almost dead already. You don't stand a chance against us." Jacob hissed.
Kelly swung his sword back in reply. "Getting nervous old man? I know I would be if I were in your shoes."
Jacob blocked the swing and turned his head sharply at the sound of his brother's cries.
"it wasn't my fault! Jacob was the mastermind behind it all, he---"
Kelly took advantage of his opponent's distraction and slashed him across the belly. Blood ran down his front as he held a hand over the wound, trying to keep his insides on the inside. "You... You cheated. That wasn't fair..." Jacob gasped. He cast a glance over at his dying brother, at the mercy of the powerful elf caster.
Kelly just smiled as he ran the Grimm through. "I don't play fair Mr. Grimm... I play to win. This isn't a fairy tale after all."

* * * * *

Christopher looked again into the mirror. This wasn't his face. It was someone else. He didn't like this new person, the new face that stared back at him in the mirror. Sure, it was a handsome face. One he would have wished for, one he had wished for when he was younger and the kids picked on him for being ugly and different.
He threw the mirror at the ground and watched it shatter. He kicked the pieces aside. He just wasn't sure what had happened. It was magic of some sort, to be sure. Had his story begun? Were those writers controlling him now? Were his thoughts even his own? He wasn't certain anymore.
There was a soft knock on his door. "Christopher?"
It was Lyn. He would recognize her gentle voice anywhere. "Come in." he sighed.
Lyn walked over and sat on the bed next to him. "are you alright Christopher?"
Chris leaned forward with his head in his hands, "I'm not sure..."
Lyn put an arm around his shoulder and leaned her head close to his. Her wavy auburn hair fell across his shoulder and he spun in around his finger. "You're still the same on the inside Christopher..."
Chris sighed, "I hope so."

* * * * *

Ethan stretched his legs as they walked into town. They must look quite a sight. Two men, an elf, and a princess, all with torn, dirty clothing and looking like a pack of criminals.
"Ugh... How far is it from here?"
Ethan looked over at the whiny prince, "Hey, at least the thirteenth fairy was kind enough to save us a few days journeying by dropping us here."
Kelly pouted. "My horse is gone, my clothes, All I've got is the money in my coin purse..."
Ethan turned on him, "You were holding out on us? I thought you were broke!"
Kelly turned up his nose, "500 mofles is broke. I could hardly survive three days on that!"
Ethan put his hands to the sides of his head in frustration. Bri patted his shoulder. "Calm down Ethan, we'll get there eventually. I'm most worried about finding Christopher. We haven't heard from him since we set out. Do you think he's alright?"
Ardeneaux pointed to a poster that proudly declared, "The Frog Prince! One night only!" He smiled, "I think we may have found him.

* * * * *

Christopher took one last long look in the mirror. There were a lot of things he wasn't sure of. A lot of things playing on his mind, but Lyn was right. This hadn't changed who he was on the inside. He still loved her. He still despised that wretched girl Ashlee. He still stayed up at night to practice his piano till his fingers ached.
"Hey kid!" came a gruff shout from Neil.
Christopher looked up. "What is it Neil?"
"Some people are here. Say they know you..."
"What?!" he shot out of his seat and ran over.

"Ethan?!"
Ethan's jaw just kind of hung there, halfway open. "Topher?"
"Yeah, it's me!"
Ethan shook his head. "Quit fooling around. Where's Topher?"
Briar Rose just blinked a few times. This certainly wasn't the young man she'd met before that hid behind a mask. He was completely different.
"Ethan, it's me, I swear!"
"Prove it."
"When you were in elementary you left tacks on the teacher's chair because you thought he was incompetant. and yes, you knew what incompetant meant at that age. That didn't keep you from wetting the bed until you were eight though. Let's see. The password to our treefort was 'bellybutton.' When you were ten we---"
Ethan raised an eyebrow, "It is you... What happened?"
"I figured you'd know. You had my story, didn't you?"
Ethan scratched his head, "Well yeah, but I didn't think it would... I mean..."
Ardeneaux cleared his throat to interrupt. "I believe I can answer that. Christopher has had a glamour spell on him since he was an infant. I noticed it the first time I saw him. They're usually quite simple to dispell, but this one had a bugger of an enchantment on it. Only when he was kissed by a princess would he change back to his true form."
"True form? So..." Christopher tried to piece things together.
"Yes. You've been this person all along. The old you... was like a second skin... that's been pulled away now..."
Christopher shook his head. "That's crazy..."
Ethan punched him in the shoulder, "So let's see your princess 'Topher!"

* * * * *(Clean this whole end up a LOT)

After an enjoyable reunion and some bittersweet goodbyes, Ethan, Bri, Kelly and Ardeneaux left the company of Christopher and Lyn. Chris wanted to stay a while longer with his new friends and promised to meet up with Ethan later. With Kelly's funds they were able to aquire a couple of horses and a small carriage. Not much, but sufficient to get them home (flesh this out later).

As they approached the familiar castle gates and stepped out onto the palace grounds Kelly heaved a sigh. "I guess this is goodbye princess."
Briar Rose nodded, "Thanks for understanding. I hope you can find a princess that is perfect for you..."
He walked away, toward the stables. He wasn't interested in staying any longer than he had to. He gave a last wave, "Good luck with your happily ever after!"

Ardeneaux bid them farewell soon after as he walked into the old town and toward his home, leaving Ethan and Bri alone together in the setting sun.
"So..." she started.
"so..." he replied and took her hand in his. His rough hands met her smooth skin and he noticed the thin silver ring on her finger. "You still have that?"
She nodded and stepped closer, "I've been wondering... what does the inscription mean?"
"Amor Vincit Omnia..." Ethan mused. "It's... well... it's my hope."
"Your hope?" she asked.
"it means 'Love conquers all.' Silly I guess..." Ethan shrugged.
Bri slipped her hands around his neck as he let his drift to wrap around her waist. "No..." she smiled as they leaned in closer. "I think... it's perfect."

THE END!

Yup... that's it! I'll be revising it in the next few weeks and making a lot of changes though, so hopefully there won't be quite so many plotholes or other things wrong with it... lol... anyway, thanks for reading!