The Sleeping Beauty

The Sleeping Beauty
By Samma "The PQ 4" Jaye
Once upon a time in beautiful land a King and Queen wished for a child. The king, a son to carry on the family and unite his kingdom with that of a neighboring kingdom, the Queen for a girl with whom to share the stories of feminine wiles, and stories of her childhood, while of course instilling her with the knowledge of running a large household.
Their wish of a child was granted when the Queen birthed a beautiful baby boy they named Aden. Their joy was to be celebrated at the royal christening, which the entire kingdom was invited to share in the rapture of the royal birth everyone had waited so long for.
However, the joy short lived. Soon after the three good fairies arrived (Dusk, Dawn, and Twilight) and two bestowing their gifts upon the child, one of beauty (raven hair, soft lips, darkened skin, and a smile to knock ‘em dead!) and the other of brains (to wow the crowed with genius words), the Evil Witch arrived from the outskirts of the kingdom. She was angry with the King and Queen for not including her in the ceremony.
"I surely hope this is a mere…oversight?" The witch stroked her tawny raven’s feathers, where it perched on her staff.
"We are most generally sorry madam. You are most welcome to join us now –but I am afraid we have no more silver plates for the banquet. Only pewter plates –you are welcome however, to take mine." The Queen’s voice was frightened.
The evil witch laughed. "No more silver plates? Bah! I shall only stay long enough to bestow MY gift upon the child." She stepped forward to the cradle, and pushed the fairies away.
Her voice ran from every corner of the raised castle ceiling.
I DECREE! Before the sun sets on the day of the child’s sixteenth birthday –the boy will prick his finger upon a spindle of a spinning wheel, and DIE!
"No!" The King yelled. "Guards! Seize her!"
The witch cackled, and with a swirl of her black cloak, she was gone.
The third fairy thought quickly of her wish for the child. She had been going to give him a beautiful voice to charm the birds from the trees –but he would acquire that naturally of course, a little magic would just help it along… She knew what she must do however.
Twilight readied herself.
To right this wrong, that has been done, my gift I bestow upon the child –The prince shall prick his finger upon the spindle, but not shall he die, only will he sleep –until our sleeping beauty is awoken by loves kiss.
The frightened King ordered all of the spinning wheels be destroyed. All were, save for one. The old women who lived on the outskirts of the city bartered. She made her living working as a seamstress, and needed the wheel to make cloth. The king agreed she could keep the spinning wheel if it remained under lock and key outside of the boundaries of the city. She agreed, and continued with her work, becoming rich as the only seamstress.
And for 16 years, the prince lived happily, not in the castle, but in a woodcutters cottage with the three good fairies, disguised as peasant women taking care of their nephew.
However, the evil witch continued to search for the boy to be sure that her prophecy was carried out. Her henchmen traveled every inch of the Kingdom but never found the Prince.
Several weeks before his 16th birthday, the boy (now called Briar) was sent out to find a hare for stew, and told to take his time. He didn’t know it, but the Aunts were starting preparations for a birthday celebration, before they moved him back to the castle…
Happy to take on the task of hunting a rabbit, Briar agreed, hoping as always to meet a wanderer for information on the city. He had only been to the city once in his life, when the aunts had gone to pick up bolts of fabric a year ago. The King and Queen had smiled down at him from their thrones, and the visiting Prince from a neighboring kingdom had caught his eye.
Prince Charming, his name was, or so said Aunt Dusk. He was the son of King Edward of Hijad. The kings wished to unite their two kingdoms peacefully with a marriage of their children, but neither had had daughters, both sons.
"Our king has a son? I did not see him." Briar had pondered.
"He doesn’t get out much dear." The Aunts had ushered him quickly back to the cottage, bolts of fabric in deep reds and blues under their arms.
Back in the forest however, Briar was hidden in a clump of bushes, tracking a plump little rabbit of good size. It stood perfectly still, its ears twitching. Briar pulled back his arrow silently, just as a large white leg of a horse appeared where the rabbit had stood, frightening the creature away. Briar released the arrow, missing the horse and rider, and hitting a tree some distance away.
"Whose there?" The rider called, his horse turning around, trying to find the offending creature that would dare to fire at the pair.
"I’m sorry –I was aiming at the rabbit you frightened away." Briar stood angrily. "-And now because of you, my Aunts and I will probably have very little to eat this next week or so."
"I’m quite sorry." Briar was not aware that he spoke to Prince Charming until the rider removed his hat. "Mayhap my family would be willing to donate some of our livestock to your cause?"
Briar silently cursed himself as Charming shook out his hair. He knelt on one knee, bowing his head. "My apologies Prince Charm-."
"Stand please!" Charming had dropped from his horse. "We are in the middle of the woods –I care very little for procedure at the moment." He began to brush dust from Briar’s clothes. "Have you a name?"
"Briar." He slung his arrows and bow over his shoulder.
"And obviously, you know mine, but really, call me Char, please." Char gave him a dashing grin and Briar stifled the groan that started in his throat.
"Where do you live?" Char asked, as he straightened Briar’s cloak.
"In the cottage at the edge of the forest." Briar replied.
"Oh! What a quaint little place!" Char almost squealed his delight. "Come! Brandy and I shall give you a ride back to your cottage."
"Your horses name is Brandy?" Briar asked, the creature nipping at his robes, hopefully looking for something good to eat.
"Aye, after my favorite drink!" Char laughed as Brandy pulled the apple he had smelled out of Briar’s pocket.
"Hey!" Briar was not amused.
Char pulled him onto the horse, holding him in front of him. "Stop stuffing your face, Brandy! Cha!"
Brandy dropped the half eaten apply, and ran towards the cottage.
Briar clung to Char’s sleeve, fearful of flying from the horse to his death. Char however laughed, deep from his throat, and rode on.
By the time they reached the cottage, Briar’s face was hidden against Char’s chest, listening to his heart beating against his ribcage, Brandy’s step quick and steady, thumping madly against the hard ground.
"BRIAR ROSE MONTGOMERY THE THIRD!" The Aunts exited the cottage. "Just WHAT do you think you are going?!"
Char let Briar fall from the horses back, where he lay upon the ground gasping for breath on stable ground. Char followed, stepping swiftly to the ground, and around Briar’s body.
"Hello Madams. My name is Char-."
"We know who you are." Dawn scoffed. "Prince Charming. Bah! What are you doing here, and what are you doing with our nephew?"
"My dear ladies, I felt so sorry for scaring away a rabbit Briar was trying to shoot, that I gave him a ride back to your lovely home"
Dusk giggled, always the more flirtatious of the aunts. "That was very nice of you, your highness."
Twilight elbowed her. "It isn’t safe for you to be here your majesty. I think you should be on your way."
"But I only just got here. Surely you would not deny your neighboring price a visit?" He gave them a dashing smile. He knew perfectly well who they were, and most of all, who Briar was. "Isn’t that right Dusk? Dawn? Twilight? –Beautifully named for the loss of innocence at the start of a new day?"
The aunts nodded, accepting the code. They stepped aside and allowed the prince into their home.
"Welcome." Dusk ushered him inside. "Forgive us for not having much in food and drink –we are only poor simple women."
"Bah! Food and drink means nothing –but I wouldn’t say no to some water and an apple or some carrots for my horse."
Twilight found a bright, ruby red apple and a few carrots for Brandy. She took them outside with a bucket of fresh water, which Brandy gladly devoured hungrily.

The two princes, and the three good fairies sat in the cottage’s kitchen. By mid afternoon, the kitchen was filled with superb laughter, caused by amusing stories of the boys childhoods, and stories of the Aunt’s mess-ups (caused unbeknowingly to Briar by their lack of magic).
"Come Briar, I need some air, and Brandy is becoming restless. A walk is called for, I believe." Char give the Aunts another smile.
"I’ll allow it, but he is back before dark, or I will have your head –prince or not." Dusk crossed her chubby arms across her chest. "Understand?"
"I would expect nothing less." Char’s smile never faltered.
The two men left, Char leading Brandy down the forest path.
At a near by stream, Char dropped the reins to Brandy’s bridal and sat on a fallen log, while Brandy refreshed himself.
"So, why are you not in your own kingdom? You are King Edward’s son, are you not?"
"I made the mistake of telling my father something that I should have kept a secret." Char leaned backwards, staring at the tops of the trees.
"What?" Briar asked, his eyes wide. What kind of secret could be so bad that your father would banish you from his kingdom?
"You may not like me if I tell you." Char’s eyes were a cloud, misty grey sort of color. "Most people hang others like me."
"Well I’m not most people." Briar’s voice was soft, and he watched intently as Char took a deep breath.
"I like boys."
Briar looked confused.
"Boys, men, males in general." Char tried to explain without blurting it all out.
"And what is wrong with that?" Briar’s voice faltered for a moment. Was there something wrong with liking boys?
"Most people, like the Christians, prosecute people like me. The bible says it is a sin."
"The bible says a lot of things are a sin." Briar’s words popped out of his mouth before he could stop them. "There isn’t anything wrong with liking men –unless I misunderstand?"
"Briar, I have sexual feelings toward males."
"Why do people care?"
"Sodomy is a sin."
"So are a lot of things, and other people are still alive for greater sins."
"It is why my father sent me here. There are laws in my kingdom." Char looked away. "King John does not believe in those laws. He is more…liberal."
"How do you know? I mean, you aren’t that much older then I am. It could be a phase that you’re going through."
Char smiled. "I’ve been having very good times with kitchen boys since I was fourteen, Briar. I think I know. Women aren’t…as…mystifying. They require so much work. I mean, a man is so much easier to deal with. We all want the same thing."
"…oh."
"I’m sorry, have I upset you? I can stop."
"No, go on. I’m very secluded here. I’ve only been to the city once in my life."
"Only once?" Char raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, I saw you. A year ago, my aunts and I went to the castle to purchase cloth."
"I remember you." Char smiled. That had been the night he’d been told of Aden-now-Briar, and of the good fairies. –It had also been the night he had first sampled the "wares" of a perfectly delectable squire named Vyne (who worked with Sir William Crauw). "You smiled at me." -and that smile had been the fuel for finding Vyne.
Briar smiled at him, like he had those many months ago. "I didn’t think you had noticed me."
"I notice a lot of things –especially pretty boys I don’t think I will never see again."
"Is that what I am? A pretty boy?"
"I’m sorry, am I making you uncomfortable again?"
"No, of course not. –I rather enjoy it actually. What about me is so pretty?"
"Everything, Briar. Your hair, your nose, your lips…" Char took it upon himself to touch each feature as he said it, and then covered Briar’s mouth with his own as he word ‘lips’ escaped. Their eyes fluttered closed.
"You aren’t just teasing me are you?" Char asked. He pressed his forehead against Briar’s, looking deep into his stonewash blue eyes, with his own stormy grey. "Because if this-."
"Why would I tease you Char? I hardly know you –and even if I did, I’m sure that I’d love you to much to tease you like you presume."
"Alright –as long as you give me that assurance." Char smiled, letting his lips touch Briar’s again.
It was like two magnets for a moment. It was as though the two would never come apart, but eventually, the surfaced for air, their breath coming heavily for a lack of oxygen.
"I have to get back to the castle." Char rose quickly. "The King will be worried –and the preparations for the Prince’s banquet! I almost forgot!" Char sighed. "Hurry, and I will give you a ride back."
"The Prince’s banquet?"
"Aye." Char nodded his head. "Prince Aden’s sixteenth birthday is in two months, and the King is holding a banquet in his honor for the people."
Briar felt Char swing into the saddle behind him. The ride back to the cottage was slower this time, and much more comfortable. One of Char’s hands held Brandy’s reins, the other was held across Briar’s waist, holding him tightly against his chest.
Briar slid from the saddle moodily. "Will I see you again?"
"Tomorrow –I’ll sneak away and see you tomorrow." Char gave him another quick kiss on the lips and pulled Brandy away at a break-neck speed gallop.
Briar sighed, and let himself back into the cottage only to find himself amid arguing people.
"You cannot have that here!"
"No one said he had to touch it! I simply wish to know if you can fix it!"
"You know full well that we can’t! At least not for two more days!
"I need it fixed now! What do you want me to do?!"
"Is there a problem ladies?" Briar asked, the old woman, holding the sharp looking object looking ragged, and harassed.
"Of course not." The Aunts shoved him away. "Mistress has broken her spindle, and sadly we cannot fix it…"
"What is a spindle? Mayhap I could-."
"No!" The Aunt’s all shoved him towards the door. "The Lady will simply have to travel to the neighboring village and find someone who can fix it there."
"I have not time to travel to the next village madams. I have 20 bolts of cloth to make in three weeks time for the prince’s banquet. Do your magic, and help someone in need."
"Methinks Lady, that you have gotten a little greedy in your time." Twilight stood over her. "We will do no such thing to help you. Now be gone!"
Briar watched his Aunt’s push the old woman from the door, keeping care that he did not come in contact with the woman, or the spindle.
"What is wrong? Why can’t you help her?"
"Because…we don’t do that sort of thing anymore." Dawn blinked her eyes. "Now, go get washed up for dinner."

Three weeks passed by steadily, Char making his way to the cottage daily for an hour or so at a time. However, a day before Briar’s birthday, Char arrived with an entire entourage.
"What is this, Char?" Briar asked, feeding Brandy a carrot.
"We’ve come to take you home, your highness." Char bowed.
Briar looked at him confused, "Have you gone mad, Char?"
"Of course not, but come. I’ll explain in the carriage." Char dismounted from Brandy’s back and tugged Briar to the carriage. The Aunt’s stood in the doorway, tissues pressed to their lips and noses.
"What’s going on, Char?" Briar whispered once they were in the carriage.
"Do you want the long version or the shot version?"
"Short."
"You’re the prince of the Kindom...An evil witch put a spell on you, so the King sent you away to live with the good fairies to live until you were 16, which you will be...tomorrow. So I was sent here to bring you back to the palace for your corrination."
"I don’t understand Char."
"You are the Prince. What don’t you understand?"
"Why didn’t you tell me before? Why didn’t anyone tell me before?"
"I...we all were forbidden from telling you."
"What about the Aunt’s?"
"You’ll see them again. They are right behind us." Char lifted the flap over the window where Briar could see the three flitting images of the fairies flying behind them.
Briar sank in his seat.
"What is wrong, your highness?" Char asked.
"I don’t want this, Char... You, they, the kingdom can’t expect me to just accept this."
"I know, Briar...but it’s your birth right. You must."
"I don’t want it, Char."
"You must accept it."
Briar was quiet, and Char took his hand, resting his other on Briar’s, knee.
"It’s going to be fine, Briar." Char coaxed him. "I’ll be there, and the Aunt’s. You’re not alone. I promise you."
"You have no idea how alone I really am, Char." Briar shook his head.
"Briar, I’ve been alone all of my life, for a different reason. The only difference between us is our circumstances."
"I don’t want to be a prince, Char. I want to be the lowly peasant boy who goes about his business and doesn’t have to answer to other’s whims. I don’t want to ever be King."
"Don’t say that, Briar."
"Why not? It’s true."
"Because, you can change everything, Briar Rose." Char looked at him with grey eyes. "We can change our kingdoms."
"You want me to change laws for you, don’t you Charming?"
"Our father’s can’t. Such changes in my kingdom would cause uproar."
"Then why must they be changed with us?"
"Because we are the future, Briar. Trust me."

"Long day?" Char asked, leaning against the bed post in the expansive bed chamber that now belonged to Briar -well, Aden.
"You could say that." Briar’s chest rose and fell rhythmically. "I think I’m even more confused now then before."
"Why?"
"I don’t know any of these people, and yet I’m related to all of them, or I’m not suppsoed to greet some of them a certain way."
"Well, besides the King and Queen, no one is your equal, nor higher then you are."
"Not even you?"
"Not even me, Prince Aden." Char sat in a chair beside the bed. "I’m a guest, of a neighboring kingdom. The King and Queen have treated me as Prince for the last two years in your absence. However, upon your return, I am lower then you are on the totem pole, so to speak."
"Totem pole?"
"...Nevermind."
"But I don’t want you to be lower then me, I want you to be my equal."
"I cannot be your equal." Char sighed, rubbing his temples. "I am your...companion."
Briar was quiet again, and grasped onto Char’s hand, "Will you stay with me?"
"I’m not sure if that would be for the best, your highness. The servants -they talk."
"Who cares?" Briar asked. "And don’t call me that."
"Call you what?"
"Your highness. Just call me Briar."
"But you aren’t Briar anymore."
"I am in here." Briar placed Char’s hand against his chest. "Don’t torment me, Char."
"I should go, Briar." Char took his hands away quickly and stood. "I’ll see you tomorrow."
"Charming, stay." Briar rose on his knees and looked at the retreating boy. "Stay or rish offending a member of the royal family!"
Char stopped, turning around and smirked, his hand still on the door handle, "What is it, Prince Aden?"
"I want you to stay here for a reason."
"Oh?" Char’s interest was captured and he moved away from the door. "What reason might that be?"
"Because...because I love you, Char."
Char’s face fell. This wasn’t teasing anymore. "No, you don’t."
"How are you to know how I feel?"
"Because, I am older and wiser, Briar Rose. Do not chose the life I did."
"You didn’t choose to love me, just as I didn’t choose to love you. It just happened."
"I can live with my damnation. YOU cannot. It will tear you apart from within-."
"I’m stronger then I look, Charming."
"Don’t persecute yourself just because you think you have feelings for me."
By now, Briar had made his way across the room and the two stood less then a step away from each other. "How can I make you believe me? That I tell you the truth, Char?"
"You can’t, because I can never take from you what has been taken from me."
"Char, my corrination is tomorrow." Briar closed the step between them. "Tomorrow I stop being Briar Rose. Can’t you give me this last thing before my change?"
Char stared into the helpless eyes that loomed before him. "What do you want from me."
"Just one last kiss."
Char shook his head, "I can’t."
"Why not?" Briar asked. "I’d never ask for anything else, ever again!"
"Because. That’s all, Aden. Goodnight."
Briar watched as Char pulled the door closed behind him.

The next day was hectic. Briar was shoved into fine clothing and sat in a straight back chair to receive guests, who filed into the banquet hall all morning until the mid-afternoon approached. In a whirlwind, Briar was stripped of his peasant childhood and thrown into adulthood as Prince Aden. After the large banquet meal, he was ushered into his room by servants who, after tending the fire and setting out his clothes, left in a bustled hurry.
While he was strugging with the tie on his tunic, he jumped at the sound of a knock on the door, "Come in."
"Need some help?" Char asked.
"Yes, please." Aden stopped struggling and Char sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor while he removed his tunic, followed by his thick-soled boots. He pulled at the clasp on his trousers to no avail.
"Can you undo this?" Aden asked, standing in front of Char.
Char bit his tongue to keep from touching the milky skin above the waistline of the trousers, and quickly undid the fastening.
"The knot too, please." Aden requested.
Char’s fingers fumbled with the knot, the smell of the young Prince intoxicating. He couldn’t help himself as the knot came undone and he pressed a kiss to the young man’s belly before pushing away, ashamed of himself.
"Why do you tease me, Aden?" He scoffed.
"I don’t mean to." Aden looked down as he pulled his nightdress over his head before pulling off his trousers and folding them across the back of the chair.
He sat next to Char, "Will you stay with me tonight?"
"I can’t do that."
"Please?" Aden begged. "Just until I fall asleep?"
Char was quiet, "Fine. Just until you fall asleep though, your highness." He moved to the sturdy chair beside the fire.
Aden was quiet as he crawled under the thick covers. The fire crackled, and he could make out Char’s shape molded against the chair, the shower of the flames licking his face.
"Do you need something, your highness?" Char asked, feeling Aden’s eyes on him.
"This room is very large."
"Aye."
"It’s frightening, Char."
Char sighed, and decided to play Aden’s game. It was easer then denying him. He stood swiftly from the chair, checked the bolt at the door and then strode to the bed where Aden now sat up in bed looking innocent in his white dressing gown.
"What do you want from me, Aden?"
"What I’ve always wanted."
"Say it." Char advanced across the large bed. "I want to hear it from your lips."
"Can I show you?"
"Tell me first."
Aden grabbed the shoulders of Char’s tunic and dragged him across the bed to hiss in his ear, "I want your lips to touch every inch of my bed, your hands to know every curve..."
"And?" Char prompted.
"And for me to do the same."
"And?"
Aden’s voice fell lower, "I want to feel you tearing me apart."
"That’s better." Char held Aden’s face in his hands. "Was that so hard?" He pulled the string around Aden’s neck, loosening it, before opening the troat of the night dress, pushing it aside to rest his lips against the silky skin.
Aden groaned, blindly untying Char’s tunic, and unclapsing his trousers.
"Wait-." Char tore himself away for a moment. "Are you positive this is what you want?"
"I’ve wanted it since that first day by the stream, when you confessed your sins to me."
Char didn’t smile, but seemed pleased somehow, and slid his hands up Aden’s legs, between his knees and rested on the back of his thighs. His lips sought his friend’s, and his kissed him, probing at his mouth with his tongue while Aden’s fingers tugged his tonic out of his trousers.
Aden sat higher on his knees, pulling Char’s silken shirt over his head. Char’s hands left his thighs only long enough to toss the shirt aside before he pushed Aden back into the pillows, using one hand to lower himself down gradually, cradling the younger boy beneath him. His other hand slipped up the dressing gown and rested against the small of the Prince’s back.
Blindly kissing Char with a sense of urgancy, Aden untied the foreign Princes’s trousers, pushing them down slightly to rest on the bare skin of his hips. He tore himself away from Char’s mouth only long enough to move to the end of the bed and remove Char’s boots, which were quickly dumped on the floor.
Char sat back in the pillows of the large bed, watching Aden kiss his way across his stomach and torso, smirking somewhat as he rested on his lips. Char didn’t bother to hold back his audible groan, nipping at Aden’s lips with his teeth. He also didn’t bother holding back his hands and pushing under Aden’s dressing gown, over his buttocks, and across his stomach.
"Now whose teasing?" Aden whispered hotly into Char’s ear. "Talk about cruel and unusual punishment."
"You’re not so kind yourself.." Char sighed, pressing a kiss to Aden’s lips. "Come now...sleep. No more playing." He rolled away from the young Prince, retying his trousers and replacing the clasp. "We can’t do these things you want."
Aden looked confused, "But why?"
"Because, we have no right to. Maybe sometime...but now now. We’ve taken this to far." Char sighed, picking him his shirt, pulling it back over his head, and shoving his feet back into his boots, moving across the room.
"...was it...was it something I said?"
"No. Not you."
"Should I not have spoken?"
"Yes. It is good you we did, or I may not have ceased."
"Then maybe I shall never speak again?"
"Don’t say such things, Briar Rose." Char looked at him, tucking his shirt back into his trousers. "If I cannot hear your voice at least..." he let his statement drown off, and turned back to lacing his boots.
"Then stay, please?"
"No. I’m sorry. I’d like to, obviously. You know that. But I can’t."
"Please, Char?"
"I must go now, Prince Aden." Char moved back across to the bed. "Rest my darling, Briar." He pressed a kiss to his lips. "You have had a long day. Happy birthday."

It was in the waning hours of day, not quite night the Briar decided sleep was not quiet yet in his grasp. He threw off the covers and dressed plainly to explore the castle with the lingering thought of finding Char.
Not yet had he explored the expansive castle, not wanting to get lost. However, on this night, that of his 16th summer, he thought it seemed a good idea. After all, he was going to be king some day, and what kind king didn’t know the way around his own castle?
In the halls, the knights and squires on watching nodded at him gallantly and he returned the gesture kindly.
"Trouble sleeping, m’ lord?" Duncan, his father’s trusty manservant beckoned to him.
"No, I just decided it was to early to turn in. I’m only having a look around." Aden felt as though he had broken some sort of code he had not known about, but Duncan smiled.
"Well, be careful, m’ lord. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ring." Duncan smiled and nodded before going on his way again.
Aden looked after him before then continuing on his way.
It was not long before he came to the winding staircase, guarded by a sleeping knight who seemed to have drunk to much ale.
"Mayhap this is where Char is sleeping?" Aden asked himself, stepping past the sleeping knight, lightly going up the stairs with a sort of sick glee he was anticipating with a the prospect of surprising his dear Prince Charming.
He peeked around before knocking softly on the door. When no answer came, he opened the door quietly, and stepped into the quiet room.
In the center was a contraption he had never seen before, surrounded by heaps of cloth and string. On top of the odd looking wheel was a sharp needle that Briar was oddly attracted to.
Without thinking, he reached out, and pricked his finger upon the spindle of the spinning wheel.

Even earlier in the night, after Char had left Aden’s room, he set out, unsure of his destination. He was close to the Prince. To close. All he could thinking about was him, and his kisses, and his touches. It was these thoughts that followed him around all day long. And he had to escape it.
As he saddled Brandy, he couldn’t help but feel the eyes of the stable hands on him. He knew that part of them wanted to offer to help him with Brand, and the other part of them were afraid of him. But he couldn’t think of them now. All he could think about was getting as far away from Briar Rose as possible.

By morning, Char was in the middle of dense forest, having spent the night in the now-abandoned woodcutter’s cottage.
"We could have a good life here, Brandy, couldn’t we?" Char asked his horse the next morning. Brandy whinnied apprehensively at him.
"I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, to go back there, Brandy."
An apprehensive look this time.
"It’s not my fault I feel in love with him, Brandy."
Brandy gave a soft whinny, nuzzling Char’s shoulder.
"I know you like him, too." Char smiled. "Maybe we’ll go hunting, and bring him back a present, okay?"
Another whinny, this time cheerful.
"Come on then, we shall hunt."

While Char and Brandy hunted, they had no idea of the catastrophy that had occured back at the castle. Young Prince Aden had fulfulled the evil witch’s spell, pricking his finger upon the spindle that the knight had been gaurding.
The king and Queen wept for their son, unsure of what to do, other then to make him comfortable. The knight who had so badly tended his job was dishonorably discharged back into peasentry and forbidding from ever entering the castle again.
"It is alright, my husband." The Queen reassured the king. "I think this is not so bad as we fear...mayhap we need to only find Prince Charming to awaken our son. They try and hide their feelings from us, but the good fairies told of us of their time together. Shall we send for him? To try-."
"I’m afraid, dear wife, that Prince Charming has disappeared into the night. The stableboys told me saddled up Brandy and rode off into the night."
The Queen’s face fell, hopelessness upon her face.
"Where ever has our only hope gone?"

Search parties were sent out across the forest as Prince Aden continued his slumber. High and low about the kingdom did they search for Prince Charming, to attempt at awakening their future king.
Three days it took them to stumble upon Brandy and his rider at the woodcutter’s cottage where they were just about the embark on another hunt.
"Prince Charming! News from the Castle!" The messenger called from his own stead, speeding towards them.
"What is it?" Char asked.
"Prince Aden -he is...he is..."
"Dead?" Char gasped.
"No."
"Dying?"
"No!"
"Then what?" Char asked.
"He has pricked his finger upon the spinning needle, and fallen into deep sleep."
"What do you expect me to do about it?" Char asked. "I’m afraid you should be looking for a woman, good sir." He laughed jovally.
"No, your highness. The Royal Family has asked for you to come and break the spell."
It broke his heart to say it, but he did.
"Tell the Royal Family I am sorry. I mut leave.""And with that, he raced Brandy away as fast he could.

When the King and Queen heard of Prince Charming abandoning their pleas, and instead of facing his fears, he had run away, they were shocked to say the least.
"Maybe we need not worry." The Queen dabbed at her tears, always the optimist. "We shall send for all of the Princesses in the land."
"Do as you will. I will continue the search for Charming. He is my only hope."
The Queen watched after her husband before making her way to her private chambers to begin writing letters to the neighboring kingdoms.

As the days passed, many things were going on. While Aden dreamt of his Prince Charming, the Queen’s pleas for prospective princesses had been answered. Each time a new arrival landed on the door stop, the Queen herself would lead the girl to her son’s rooms, watching hopefully as they would place kisses on her son’s lips. While the futility of the Princesses went on at the castle, the king was searching for Char, who hadn’t actually gone very far.
In fact, he was still at the Woodcutter’s cottage, hiding away in the only place he thought safe enough to stay close to his dreaming love, and yet far enough away to keep both of them safe from torment.
The Prince’s heart was torn. He knew that he could probably break the spell, but if he did...what would happen to him? Would he and Aden be allowed a long and happy life together, or would they be lynched for their supposed sin?
Weeks passed and Char fended for himself, fending for himself, hunting with Brandy, and living off of what had been left behind the cottage.
Soon enough, months had passed, and winter was soon to be upon the kingdom. For the King, the search for Prince Charming was becoming even more dire. He feared for Char’s ability to survive alone. Char, as much as he hated to admit it, had been coddled in the absence of their rightful son -the Royal family loved him as their own.
Mercifuly, the King found Charming in the Woodcutter’s cottage, just as the first snow was falling.
"What are you doing here, your highness?" Char was surprised, to say the least.
"We’ve been looking for you for many months." The king let himself in. "And here you have been...under our very noses." The King looked around the well kept cottage. "You seem to be doing well, Charming."
Char shrugged, "As well as I’m able, I suppose."
"I do wish you would come back to the castle, Charming." The King sat down at the worn wooden table, brushing his hand across the smooth wood. "You are our final hope, Char. Every Princess, Prince, Lady, Knight...even the commoners have passed through the castle and yet...my son still remains sleeping." He looked up sadly. "Please, Char...try to awaken him. If you fail, you can do as you will...but you must try."
Char turned away, watching the snow fall out side. "Surely I am not your last resort, m’ lord? What happens if I succeed? You don’t know, nor do you understand the things I want. The things Bri- Aden wished, no offered to me. I don’t want a life of fear and loathing, and hiding m’ lord. Your son. He is special."
" I know that, Char. And so are you."
"No. He deserves better then someone like me." Char shook his head. "But I’ll try."

"May we be alone?" Char requested after the Queen had shown him to Briar’s room.
"Of course. I’ll just be outside." The queen stepped outside, closing the door softly behind herself.
Char knelt beside the bed, gazing upon the colorless, dead looking face that had been haunting him these many months. Char reached and took Aden’s warm hand between his, and pressed his lips to Aden’s palm.
"I tried to hide..." Char whispered. "I didn’t want to see you. I knew I wouldn’t be able to control myself. You’re so beautiful, Briar Rose." he stroked his thumb across the young princes’s cheek, and then moved around the bed, lying down beside his would-be lover. He stroked his fingers through Aden’s hair and finally took a deep breath before the plunge.
His lips pressed against Aden’s, his tongue licking at the young man’s mouth. It took a moment for Char to notice that Aden was kissing back.
"I feel as though I’ve been asleep for months." Aden yawned when they finally broke apart.
Char smiled, "You have been."
Briar looked confused, and Char sighed, having no choice but to tell him what had happened.
"I’m glad it was you that woke me, Char." Aden wrapped his arms around Char’s neck, kissing him again.
"I shouldn’t have had to...what were you doing?" Char asked.
"Looking for you."Aden shrugged, shly.
"But Aden, after I left you...I left the castle. I was in the woods."
"Well, I didn’t know that!"
"It’s alright." Char smiled, kissing him again. "Come. I know your parents will be happy you are awake now. You must be hungry."
"Starved." Aden grinned, pulling Char back for one last kiss before allowing him to pull him from bed.