Work Text:
"1000 years ago, there was once a kingdom, and in this kingdom there was no traditional one ruler, but had three rulers. These three were siblings who each had a role to play in the kingdom signified by the metal they wore on their heads. The eldest sister with her black hair, brown eyes and fair skin was in charge of the political side of the kingdom, keeping their home as well off as possible with trade and alliances with neighboring kingdoms, with her crown being golden that shone like their kingdom's wealth. The middle brother with brown hair, brown eyes and fair skin was in charge of protecting the kingdom, he accompanied his sister on possible alliances and made sure other relations were still in place, as well as all the security and guards all around the kingdom, and the metal he wore was the iron just like the guards. The youngest sister of brown hair, black eyes and medium skin was head of kingdom morality, by making sure their citizens are heard in their request and happy in their kingdom. She is also in charge of the newer residents so they can understand what it means to be a member of the kingdom with her metal being a beautiful as a rose gold."
The fire was crackling as Samara's husband Adam was telling this story to their daughter Morgan as well as Samara's brother Maverick and his partner Sarah. Another was there named Camilo, who they found on their way home. Their travels started when Samara and Adam with their daughter went to find Maverick and his partner to take them to their new village, and along the way, ran into Camilo.
"Wait, what are their names? And why are you telling this story if you just need her to sleep?" Maverick asked.
"The eldest was named Samara, The brother Maverick, and the youngest Vanessa. Also there are two reasons I'm telling this story, one, yes it is for her to sleep but also, tomorrow is January 8th, which will be brought up later if you let me finish" Adam pressed.
Maverick looked at his niece seeing how it was working, "Okay go on."
Adam continued with the legend,
"Anyways, the kingdom was happy for their rulers, for they each found love and the eldest had her first daughter and excitement was coming as the youngest was officially going to be crowned as an official princess, but when there is happiness, there can also be fear. The morning of January 8th, 1924, the youngest princess's birthday, and everyone in the castle was getting ready for the exciting ceremony, but suddenly there was commotion in the ball room. Suddenly a sorceress appeared claiming that this kingdom was too much and too fortunate, and she vowed to bring this kingdom down, the plan was to make the eldest sister fall into an ageless sleep for 1000 years, that way this kingdom would fall. The youngest couldn't let this happened as her sister had a child to take care of, so she struck a deal with the sorceress, the youngest would take her sister's place in the curse. The sorceress agreed and gave the youngest a chance to say goodbye for she would wake up until 1000 years have passed. So the youngest said goodbye to her siblings, her kingdom and her love and as a beam of light struck her, she soon fell into the slumber. Enraged, the brother sent the guards to capture the sorceress, but she instead turned into ash, no more a sorceress, and no more in general. The kingdom came together to build an alter for the youngest where she lays to rest to this day."
The family and traveler sit there in silence as Morgan sleeps in the sleeping bag they have. Each wondering about tomorrow for it's believed that the princess will wake up tomorrow.
"The alter is on the way of our village, do you want to look at it?" Samara asks.
The group nods and prepares to sleep before making sure no monsters can attack at night by lighting their area.
As the morning comes they all pack and in the forest find the alter, from there they find flowers and each prepare to take them inside. As they walk inside the all are in front of the princess as the sun rises.
"When did she fall asleep Adam?" Camilo asks.
"They never say in the history books, but based on illustrations found, the sun was not at the peak, but it just passed the nearby trees"
They set their flowers down and as they are about to leave, there suddenly is a glow surrounding them. They follow this light to the table where the princess lays in and suddenly a bright light comes through where she stays. The group is still as they watch what happens next as they suddenly hear a sound. A sound of a groan from the princess as they see her move and stretch. They remain still as she slowly gets up and sits on the table and before their eyes, the sleeping princess Vanessa is awake.
"Hello? Samara, Maverick, is that you? I thought it was 1000 years?" Vanessa asks, confused.
"How do you know our names? Samara asks, as her and Maverick are questioning what she means.
"Samara, this isn't funny. It must've been a bad spell? Right" Vanessa hopes that it was a bad spell, but the siblings she sees in front of her are wearing very different clothes than what she is used to, but she at least sees armor, but it looks different as well.
"You're the sleeping princess, it has been 1000 years. The year is 2024 now." Maverick answers.
Vanessa is struck with that realization. She runs out of the alter and sees it for the very first time. She sees that there is no village, and only many trees and ruined walls. As she tries to search for her castle, she only finds the base of the castle that holds secrets that even she doesn't know of.
The travelers watch as the princess is lost, and no one knew what to do except Camilo, who recognizes her, but not as a legend.
"Vanessa, is it okay I call you that?"
"Huh? Sure, wait, you're Camilo right, from my dreams?"
"Yes! You remember those dreams?"
"I saw nothing until I had those dreams, and that's when I really felt time moving. How long ago were those?"
"The last day of July in 2022, so almost two years ago and in case you're wondering when we got together in the dreams, it was two days before Halloween in the same year"
The family was watching this interaction, who knew that the musician they found knew the princess from dreams as they continue to talk to each other.
Camilo continues, "Well, we're going to a village to live, and build new homes, would you like to come with us?"
The princess Vanessa looked at their group and saw so many familiar faces, but in reality, were complete strangers compared to the family she once knew. However, she agrees with a nod of her head and they all continue on their journey with a new person on their team. As they walk Samara and Maverick stay with her to ask a question.
Maverick begins, "So, you said Samara's name earlier, and we know your sibling's names were our names, but why did you still say it?"
Vanessa answers, "Well, you both look exactly like my siblings, all the way to the moles on your faces. In fact all of your group does."
"What do you mean?" Samara questions, "Do you mean that my family and Maverick's partner look like your siblings families?"
"Yes, except Adam was a noble, not a historian and scientist like you say now, Sarah was our royal wizard, not a therapist and Camilo was my personal guard, not a traveler." Vanessa says, "He was still a musician though."
As this was explained Samara and Maverick were thinking of how strange this sounds. They couldn't think of it now because they made it to their village. Soon they settled into their homes and made new ones from their tools and the wood harvested overtime for Camilo and Vanessa. Once it was done, they took the two around the village to meet new people and become citizens officially. However, Samara noticed Vanessa was tired and very overwhelmed.
"Hey Vanessa, it's been a long day of a lot of things, and I'm sure this wasn't how you wanted to spend your birthday, but maybe it's time to sleep."
Vanessa agreed and soon she went to her new house and took in her surroundings, she didn't have a furnace or a crafting table, but she'll get those tomorrow. She looks at her new communicator from Samara and Maverick and is filled with Sorrow. Her life was changed forever and she's technically 18, but now she has the realization of now being 1018 years old. However, she looks outside her window and sees Samara and her family's house, Maverick and Sarah's house and Camilo's house and she smiles.
As she prepares for bed and her new life, she thinks, maybe this new life won't be so bad.