Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 2: The Curse/True Love's Kiss

Good to see my boos back!
Above picture is Rose under the sleeping curse.
Summary: After Merlin is banished, Rose accidentally falls under the sleeping curse. Will Merlin ever be reunited with his love?

     The next two weeks flew by.
     Rose was still understandably angry with her father and it all came to a head the night before her 18th birthday.
     At the end of their argument, the king said that he wished he never had her. His wife reprimanded him and went to console their grieving daughter.
     At that moment, Uther heard a voice next to him. "A bit hard on her, weren't you?"
     He turned around to find Regina standing there. "Why are you here?"
     "To be sure my curse works as I wish it to. It will be far worse than you fear."
     "Why are you doing this?"
     "You know why. You began this war when you betrayed me and destroyed my happiness! And now I shall return the favor! What was it you said again? 'I wish you were no longer my problem.' Well your wish will come true tomorrow."
     "No! Don't you dare touch her!"
     "I won't have to. I have watched and stood idly by while you ruined my life. And now...now it is your turn!"
     With that, Regina disappeared, leaving the king to grieve.
     (Want to know what she means? Read the next chapter to find out!)
                        * * * * *
     The next day was Rose's birthday and it was quite the glorious celebration. She only wished her love could be at her side to enjoy it more. As the day progressed, she enjoyed a delicious feast, a wonderful ball, and the most perfect gifts any princess could ask for.
     That night, she sat at her vanity, admiring her gifts. One seemed to enchant her more than any other: a glittering knife.
     She admired it until she accidentally cut her finger on the blade. Immediately, she fell into a deep sleep.
     The Fairy Queen arrived moments later but it was too late. Rose and the entire palace had fallen under Regina's curse. She had but one choice: she had to find Merlin!
     As she flew over the palace, she found everyone under a deep sleep, most of them covered in webs. A barricade appeared before the castle, made out of thorns.
     And so she rushed to find their only hope, which had turned out to be a servant boy all along.
                           * * * * *
     Merlin was attempting to build a new life but it was hard when his thoughts were still on the beautiful princess he'd lost.
     He had taken to travelling with the gypsies and druids, many of whom became his friends. One day, he was gathering wood for a fire when the Fairy Queen appeared to him.
     "Milady," he bowed, "what are you doing here?"
     "It's an emergency! I need you to come with me, Merlin!"
     "What's happened?"
     "It's Rose. I'm afraid she has fallen under the curse."
     A look of pain crossed Merlin's face. "How can I face her again, knowing her father will never allow us to be together?"
     "You are her true love, Merlin. Only you can break the spell."
     Despite his doubts, Merlin knew he had no choice: saving Rose was more important. He raced back to the camp to say his goodbyes to his new-found friends and to retrieve his dragon.
     After that, he followed the Fairy Queen all the way back to the palace. He leapt off his dragon when he reached the courtyard and rushed inside. There, he found guards laying all over the courtyard.
     He knelt to check and found they were alive, just asleep. He followed the Fairy Queen into the palace. The place was silent as the grave.
     He raced up a set of stairs and burst into one of the rooms. He found many of the party guests asleep at the banquet table, covered in webs.
     Rushing out that room, he followed the Fairy Queen once more. "I've put her in the tower."
     He rushed to the tower and stopped at a door just before it. "This tower?"
     "Yes. You must go on alone. Good luck."
     Merlin took a deep breath and opened the door. He climbed up a long flight of stairs until he reached the top.
     The room looked like a picture out of a story book. The room was bare, save for the bed. Around it grew roses and other flowers. Finally, laying on the bed, was the love of his life. She was dressed in the dress she'd worn to her party and he thought she'd never looked more beautiful.
     Slowly, he crossed the room and pulled up a chair beside her. He found tears begin to escape his eyes, though why, he wasn't quite sure.
     He leaned forward, quite suddenly, and grabbed her into his arms as he finally kissed her. For a moment, the world stopped then the magic suddenly hit all at once. A bright light filled the castle, sweeping through every room as the curse broke.
     Merlin felt someone kissing him back. He pulled away to see Rose finally open her eyes. Upon seeing the face of her true love, she smiled.
     "I knew it was you!" She cried. They fell into each other's arms.
                           * * * * *
     Downstairs, everyone began to wake up. Uther was first, followed by the other guests, all of whom began to wipe the cobwebs from their faces and clothing.
     Outside, the guards woke up and grabbed their weapons, running in to check on the royals.
     "It appears we were under the witch's curse but it has been broken." Uther declared. "Where is my daughter?"
                        * * * * *
     Upstairs, per Merlin's magic, Rose had gotten cleaned up and changed into a new dress.
     With that, she took Merlin's arm and the two walked down the stairs together.
     Uther rushed forward when he saw his daughter. He immediately hugged her out of pure happiness. But when he turned his gaze upon Merlin, his expression soured.
     "Why have you come back?"
     "If it weren't for me, Rose and everyone of you would still be asleep. I broke the curse."
     Uther looked utterly confused. "But that's impossible! How could you have broken it?"
     "I am confused as well." Said a voice. The entire party turned to find Regina standing in their midst. "How did you break my curse?"
     "True love's kiss. It is the most powerful thing."
     Regina threw back her head and laughed. "True love's kiss is the most powerful thing? We shall soon see about that!" With that, she grabbed Rose. "If you ever hope of seeing your precious princess again, you have to find her first!"
     Then Regina cackled as she disappeared, taking Rose with her, and leaving the whole palace to stare at the spot where they'd disappeared in confusion and despair.
To be continued...