Work Text:
Dear Leo,
I’d like to thank you for your contributions to my recent publication, Fairytales of Remnant. “The Judgment of Faunus” is the story I decided to include, along with “The Shallow Sea” as I found these two tales tell the most about the nature of Menagerie and are necessary counterparts to each other.
However I rather liked this story shared with me by Miss Belladonna and thought that you’d enjoy it as well. It felt unfitting among my first collection. It is a fragile story to Faunus, telling of the dangers of wishing for what you can’t have and dare I interpret, the danger of not paying attention to children and being too caught up in work to make time for loved ones.
There are quite a few versions but I took the liberty of copying this one as a personal addition to my library. I feel like publishing it would be a mistake as it is truly a vulnerable tale held closely by Faunus who often sing it as a ballad while fishing.
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Let me speak first of Fondness, and next of unspeakable Grief. Then I’ll speak of Champions. Of Lovers, Gods and Kings.
There once was a King who fell in love with a Sheep Girl but that’s another story and I’ll tell it to you some other time.
From their love they had a Daughter. Her hair was a cascade of dark swan feathers. Eyes of gold, heart of gold. Blessed with all the charms and graces, silken ears and clever hands.
She was the Light of her Father’s eyes, the Joy of her Mother’s heart and the Pride of her Kingdom.
In another Kingdom there was a lonely Queen who had a Son. Her King had fallen in a War but that’s a different story and I’ll tell it to you some other time.
Their Son was as handsome as they came. Hair of gold, eyes of iolite, heart of a Warrior. Graced with all the virtues and honors, good humor and unmatched strength.
He was the Light of his Mother’s eyes, Delight of his Mentor’s heart and the Pride of his Kingdom.
•⊰❂⊱•
Once when they were both nearly grown the Queen traveled to Menagerie to speak of stately affairs and left her Son to wander.
He came upon a large library where the Princess was studying the stars, for they had always enchanted her.
The Prince stood and watched as she so gently traced the delicate lines of constellations on her map, and from a few painted stars came a Lion, a Swan, a Dragon.
She looked up with doe eyes. “Who are you ?”
“I am a Prince from a faraway Kingdom, who’s found himself gazing at your beauty.”
The Princess laughed. “Gaze if you wish, but I do hope that’s not all you are here to do.”
The Prince laughed also and soon sat by her, looking over the unfamiliar stars and listening as a splendid voice told him of them until the sun began to set.
That night they each slept thinking of the other, praying for morning to come with haste.
•⊰❂⊱•
In the morning the Prince went to seek the Princess but he found her not in the library and not in the palace but by the Shallow Sea where she waded in the blessedly warm waters under a gentle sun with small shells glittering at her feet. She looked at him.
“Has the Prince found himself gazing at my beauty once more ?”
“Only for a short moment, now he wonders if he may join you.”
“Why, of course !”
So the Prince left his polished leather boots and fine silken cape on the shore and stepped into the waters with her, watching the dance of the fish among bright and sea grass that is oh so familiar to us.
The two played and splashed and once the sun grew scalding they sat in the shade watching as the sea heaves and breathes and speaking of their lives and Kingdoms.
“One day I shall lead my people into battles for fortune and glory.” The Prince said.
“Why only think of battles ? I wish to lead my people in a time of learning and prosperity, so that there’ll be peace.” The Princess spoke.
“Perhaps you are right, I shall think about it.”
And so he did for when it was time for them to leave the Prince humbly asked for the Princess to be allowed to tutor him as he felt he’d learned all he could from his old Mentor but there was much left for him to know.
The Queen, the King and his Wife agreed and so the Prince and Princess began to write letters to one another, and such letters ! Pages upon pages of shy reaches, word of warmth, beautiful lines forged in fire and honey tucked among the treaties, maps and charts.
And so passed three long years until they saw each other again though they were mere days to the Prince and Princess, such was their love and it grew every day.
•⊰❂⊱•
After the three years were passed the Queen once again travelled to the island and brought her son with her to thank the family for all they taught him and to once again speak of stately affairs.
The Prince and the Princess went along the beach on their horses so that they may be alone and speak freely. Once they were well away from the grounds the Princess spoke.
“My dear beloved, you look so unhappy ! Tell me, why are you so sad ?”
“How can I not be sad ? My mother wishes me to take on a bride but I don’t love anyone but you. How ever am I to present a Faunus Princess to the court ? They hate your kind.”
That was true, and her father would never allow his daughter to be bethoroded to a human.
“We must think of something, why don’t you tell your mother that you wish to train as a Huntsman first ? It’ll give you time . Perhaps your Kingdom will forgive you for marrying me if you bring them the pelt of a dead Ursa. I know my father would not dismiss your request for my hand if you prove yourself a warrior. He wishes for me to be safe and happy above all else.”
The Prince smiled.
“You are as clever as you are beautiful, I will do as you said.”
With the shadows cleared they rode together for a longer while and made plans for their wedding once the Prince proved himself a brilliant Huntsman who could bring down an Ursa.
Sadly the Prince could not stay long so their meeting was all too brief. But he promised the Princess that they will meet again soon.
The Princess sighed but told him that she’d wait with a vigilant heart and unbroken love even if years were to pass.
•⊰❂⊱•
One year later the Prince returned, on his own this time and he was here to bid farewell.
“I’m going to a fierce battle in Mantle and do not know when I’ll return, but I wished to see you one last time and thank you for advising me to train as a Huntsman. Once this fight is won, there will be nothing to stop us from marrying. Perhaps our union will even bring peace to Humans and Faunus.”
The Princess nodded and from the folds of her dress she took out a fine silk handkerchief. “I will wait for you, but I also wish to be with you in the fight so I have a gift for you.”
In the handkerchief was the most beautiful ring the Kingdoms had ever seen. It looked like gold and yet shone like a small moon, it was carved with dainty branches and flowers. “My beloved, wherever did you get such a fine ring ?” The Prince asked softly.
“I made it.”
The Princess then started telling him about how one day when she was wading in the sea under the moonlight she found a big shell that had been softened by the wind and waves.
‘How pretty’ she had thought ‘I will make this into a ring’. And so for months, day and night the Princess didn’t come out of her chambers as she made her ring. She carved it with her silver dagger and smoothed it with her fine combs. She bathed it in myrrh and rolled it in fresh petals. She polished it with new silk. Finally it was done, perfect and dazzling.
Her Mother and Father had watched pleased as their daughter worked and asked who was to receive such a marvelous gift. Was it one of her suitors ? She had asked them to wait and see.
The Prince put it on his finger, admiring the delicate work. “Thank you, this shall be the ring I wear at our wedding and I’ll have one just as fine made for you.” He sighed as he heard his Mentor calling for him. “I must go now.”
The Princess took his hand with the ring and kissed it. “Go, and know that my love will be with you.”
They parted ways and the Princess watched as his ship sailed far out into the sea.
•⊰❂⊱•
Three long years passed in which she came to the seashore every day scouring the water for her love’s ship until one day she finally saw it, a quick Valian vessel was docking into the port.
She ran to meet it and to at last be with her true love.
But the only one who got off the ship was an old, limping man dressed in black velvet who quietly took a bundle out of his pocket and gave it to the Princess. It was her ring, poorly covered by bloodied lace.
“I am so sorry Your Grace, but the Prince has fallen in the battle against Atlas. His last wishes were for me to return this to you.”
The Princess took it and holding back tears she thanked him then left.
•⊰❂⊱•
Once safely in her chambers she locked the doors and wept. She wept for days and saw no one but her old nurse who came by to bring her food she hardly touched. Her parents pleaded with her but it was in vain. All the Princess wanted to do was lay down by the fire and cry, holding her ring close to her heart.
She pined desperately for her love and wished for nothing more than for this to be a dream and for him to come back, alive and well and take her hand in his, kiss it sweetly and lead her down to the docks so they could sail away. Leave the thrones to the nobles and think only of their love, the sea and the stars.
After a few days of weeping in which the sun appeared dark to her eyes the Princess took the ring and walked out, telling others that she’d go for a walk.
Relieved to see her out of her room with a washed face, her Mother and Father embraced her and told her to come back soon, but not to hurry too much as fresh air would do her good.
She only smiled sadly and said that she won’t hurry, for really the Princess knew very well she would not return.
The Princess left the palace grounds and set on a path towards a mighty mountain where she had often sat and gazed at the stars by herself while writing to her love.
First she cast the ring and threadbare silk into the sea and took off her shoes then prayed to the Gods for only one thing, that as soon as she died she’d find herself in the Prince’s arms, and threw herself into the waters below.
•⊰❂⊱•
Some would say that she died of a broken heart, but this is not where our story ends.
On the stones she had landed on the Princess cried once more for her pain and grief when she saw a beautiful giant fish with bejeweled sca;es who swam up to her and looked on with sad shiny eyes. It was the God of Animals.
“My dear Daughter, why did you take the fall ?” They asked in a voice that was at the same time a purr, a growl, scolding, comforting.
The Princess sighed and spoke weakly.
“My love is no longer on this earth and I can’t bear to live without him so please gracious God, let us be together.”
“Oh, you poor child.” The God too wept in sorrow for her pains. “You two shall be together, for you’ve suffered a lot in this life and you must have peace in the next one.”
And so the God turned into a graceful, delicate creature that was half horse, half eagle and took the Princess on Their back.
They flew high above the clouds and among the stars where the Princess found that nothing was hurting anymore. “This place is so beautiful ! It is lit like a ballroom.”
The God laughed. “I’m glad you find it so, for here’s where you’ll dance with your love” and once they said this, the Princess saw the Prince, standing bowed and with his hand held out to her.
“My dear betrothed, may I have this dance ?”
The Princess leapt and cried with joy “Of course you may !”
And so they began to dance.
•⊰❂⊱•
Down on the Island and the Mountainous Kingdom the King and two Queens mourned their children together, for they had found the letters and guessed the whole story but there was nothing to do now, for it was all done.
The Prince and Princess wished they could’ve comforted them and told them that the past was past and all was well now but they couldn’t leave their place. They’d have to tell them when the time came as the Prince’s old Father told them.
Though they never knew what happened to their children, the heartsore Crowns felt comforted every time that saw two little stars dancing in the sky.
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Ozpin’s Notes
While I have promised to not subject traditional stories to literary critique, especially those held closely, I will note that there’s rarely a Faunus story that doesn’t make mention of a God. The God is always cast as a wise, noble and compassionate figure who comforts the ailing protagonist and aids them in achieving their goal or, as is the case here, merely eases their suffering.
I don’t wish to overstep by making assumptions and I deeply apologize if I’m perceived to have done so my friend. I know you have a deep respect for the Faunus of Menagerie and hold them close.
You’ll know best what to do with the copy of this story once it is in your possession.