Work Text:
You’re on a path in the middle of the woods. Behind you is the crumbling remains of a cabin. And beside you, her hand in yours, is the Princess.
You take a hesitant step forward, and then another. Is this really it? Are you finally free? You feel the wind in your face, the grass between your talons. You look around you and see the lush, green trees, the decaying logs covered in moss and mushrooms, the bright blue sky decorated with white clouds. You hear the singing birds, the wind rustling through the leaves.
You turn to the Princess, her hair shining like silver in the sunlight, her eyes glistening like two rubies. She smiles at you. You can do this.
Feeling a bit more confident now, you begin walking down the path, the Princess following you. At some point, she lets go of your clawed hand and runs ahead of you, eager to point out everything she sees. A blackberry bush here, a white-tailed deer there, an interestingly-shaped rock–which you instinctively put in your pocket. As you continue through the forest which is all too familiar to you, you realize you’re seeing it for the first time.
Time passes. The two of you continue your journey, talking the whole time. Eventually you can make out vague shapes in the distance. Houses? A church? You both quicken your pace, eager to see what lies ahead. As you approach, you start to hear music, cows mooing, wheels on cobblestone, people talking. People. Other people. You didn’t know those existed until now.
Soon you’re at the edge of the village, and as you enter, you realize how out of place you must look to its inhabitants. None of them look like you, being without wings or feathers or claws. Nor do they look like the Princess, lacking her white hair or porcelain skin. Nevertheless, they seem welcoming enough, waving hello to you as you pass them by. You wave back, pretending not to notice how they stare at you.
The Princess suddenly takes your hand again and begins leading you. She certainly seems to know where she’s going. She takes you to the edge of the forest, where you come across a stone castle, overgrown with moss and vines. She brushes some dead flora away from the large wooden door and, with some difficulty, pries it open.
You peer inside. The only light is the sunlight streaming through the windows. The furniture, though still in relatively good condition, is covered in a thin layer of dust. Never mind that, the Princess says, you can tidy the place up a bit later. She explains that this castle is hers, and invites you to make yourself at home.
You decide to do just that, sitting yourself down on a chaise lounge. All at once, you are suddenly overcome with fatigue, as if all you’ve been through in your past lives has finally caught up with you. Your tired muscles begin to relax, and all you want to do right now is fall asleep…
Which you realize you must have, because when you open your eyes, night has fallen. The Princess is lying next to you, looking like an angel, wrapped up in your wings. The fireplace is lit. The smell of freshly baked bread wafts in from the kitchen.
You are safe. You are home. You are free.
And what will you do with that freedom? Well, I’m afraid I don’t know. But fear not, my good Hero. I’ve already set you up with a nice home and some friendly neighbors. Everything you need to ensure a good life. You’ve no more need for a narrator. You and the Princess can write your own story together. Goodbye, my friends. May you live happily ever after.