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Once upon a time, in the fair kingdom of Hawkins there lay a righteous, but often overshadowed king; his beautiful, yet cruel wife and their two children.
The younger, a son- the boisterous and adventurous type. The elder, a beautiful daughter with hair the color of the morning sun. She was so fair and had many a prince and king write for her hand.
All of this was very pleasing to her mother, yet the suitors never brought a smile to the princess’ lips.
Unknown to most, albeit the royal family, the princess had been struck by a curse.
One that could only be broken when her true love made her laugh. A simple feat was it not?
Yet, the evil wizard who cast the spell also cast it upon the kingdom of Hawkins. If the princess was unable to laugh on her eighteenth nameday, then the entire kingdom would also suffer the same curse and there would be no reversing it.
As the years past, the king and queen thought little of the curse. For perhaps their daughter was simply quiet and they were in no real danger. But when the princess didn’t smile for the court jesters and was the only one slack faced in a crowd full of those with tears from laughing so hard, the queen began to plan.
Invitations were sent out all across the land citing whoever can make the princess laugh will be next in line for the throne.
The queen believed herself to be very cunning indeed, and seeking a good match for her daughter, only had the invitations sent out to neighboring kingdoms.
For surely only a prince or young king would be worthy of being her daughter’s true love.
Edward, or Eddie to his friends (if he was able to make any), sat in the local tavern nursing the ale and contemplating where his next bag of coins might come from. Chopping wood for poor widows only helped him so far along and he wasn’t desperate enough to turn to his father’s old tricks (even if they did pay best). Something or someone would come along in no time.
The tavern was located just outside of some kingdom or whatever and he’d been seeing traveling bands of royals all day long. Perhaps a wedding was to take place.
Just as Eddie was able to lift the mug to his lips, the door swung open and a young curly haired boy flew in. Panting, he brought his hand to his chest and then announced loud for all the patrons to hear, “The king and queen have issued a challenge!”
The barmaid, a rather young girl with twin braids of flaming red, lifted a brow. “Dustin have you gotten lost in the woods again? What is this about a challenge?”
The boy, Dustin, finally caught his breath. “King Phillip and Queen Laura have promised their daughter’s hand to anyone that can make her laugh.”
A moment of silence and then the return to normalcy. Each patron talking and joking amongst themselves, for surely the boy was mistaken.
Eddie hears a stranded groan and notices the taking the seat opposite to him. Electing to ignore the young lad’s moan of discontentment and finish off his ale before scrounging up someplace to sleep for the night. There must be an abandoned barn near.
“I’m not lying, you know.” Dustin mumbles and Eddie nods because what else is he meant to do?
“Oh sure. The king and queen of this land will allow even a poor beggar to have the princess’ hand if he were to make her laugh.” A snort.
Dustin’s brows knit together as he leans closer across the table. As if he and Eddie were two thieves preparing to steal the princess away for ransom.
“She’s under a curse. That’s why they’re letting anyone try.”
Eddie’s own brows lift high on his forehead. A curse? That’s interesting. He makes to shield his face from any true curiosity. “And what does his curse involve?”
Delighted to have someone to recall the tale, the young boy rambles on about an evil wizard and the poor, beautiful princess.
Eddie whispers back, “And this princess? She’s never laughed? Never smiled? Not even once?”
Dustin opens his mouth to speak when the barmaid places a glass of water and plate of bread and cheese.
“Princess Christine is just another spoiled royal. She’s thinks she’s too good for us common folk and that’s why she doesn’t smile at any of the festivals nothing more.”
A pointed look at Dustin. “Don’t fill a stranger’s head with lies when you know he’d simply make a fool of himself.”
Eddie laughs and crosses his arms. “I’m already a fool trying to find my place in the world. What damage can a poor man such as myself make that I haven’t already done?”
A glimmer in Dustin’s eyes, “See Maxine! He’s willing to try. And wouldn’t it be something to say that we knew him way back when.”
Dustin takes Eddie’s hand in his and squeezes. “People from all across the land are coming to vie for the princess’ hand. Are you up for the challenge?”
Strange, Eddie thinks, for this boy to want him to participate in a silly competition that he knows some other prince will ‘win’.
He leans back and takes his hand out of Dustin’s to fiddle with the piece of metal on twinge around his neck. Causally, “Suppose I do choose to enter myself into this game of fates. What must I do?”
“Only make Princess Christine laugh. Any way that you can.”
Easy enough. A shrug and Eddie waves a hand in the air. “Challenge accepted. I’ll charm the princess with my devilish ways and have her falling off that gold throne of hers with laughter.”
Renewed with task he’s sure to give him an entertaining tale to recite (and perhaps nick whatever trinket some royal carelessly left around), Eddie tilts his head to his younger companions and sets off in direction of the castle.
“Christine. You must try to smile! Prince Jason, who is very charming and Prince Steven of Loch Nora. Loch Nora, Christine! One of our wealthiest neighbors. Both are here for you. Have you even considered what it might mean for our small kingdom to join with one of theirs?”
Queen Laura huffs as Christine’s handmaiden continues to untangle her hair.
Christine would much rather clean out the horse stables with William than spend even another moment with Prince Jason. He looked at her like she was some prized bird that he wanted to keep caged after they married. Besides nothing he said or did was even remotely funny.
Prince Steven was kind she could tell, but had a bit of a wandering eye. Was it too much to believe that she deserved better? That her true love was indeed the one to make her smile and break this ridiculous curse?
Her fingers interlace together, “Mother. I’ve said I will try, but you know the curse states that-“
“That only your true love can make you laugh. Yes, yes. We all know.” Laura waves her hand and dismisses young Jane from Christine’s service.
Leaning down to whisper, “I just don’t think you’re trying hard enough. You only have three more days until your eighteenth nameday. Even a false laugh is a laugh.”
Laura pats the top of Christine’s head. “Goodnight my dear.”
Christine waits until her mother’s footsteps are out of earshot and races to her closet to find a clock. Pausing just a moment to look at her reflection. Cool blue eyes and sunburnt hair, a permanent frown upon her lips. She tries to turn them upward into a smile. One that she’s seen everyone else do with ease and yet it’s as if the muscles are frozen. Even if she were to use her fingers, Christine’s cheeks stay rooted.
Sighing, she peeks out of the door and tiptoes out of her room.
William, the stable boy bows his head at her approach and offers her one of the horses. Christine shakes her head, “I think I’ll just walk tonight.”
“You want me to get Jonathan for an escort? It’s not safe with all the visitors, Princess.”
The gesture has her heart ache for she would smile at the boy.
Instead her lips are a thin line. “No thank you. The garden path isn’t far and I won’t take that long.”
William bows again as she departs.
The gardens are beautiful and she loves playing with her brother in the spring and summer here. Hiding between the shrubs and trees. Connor’s laughter filling the air as they chase one another. Perhaps her laughter will sound loudly as well one day.
What would it be like? Christine wonders, to hear her own joy and merriment?
Her father’s laugh is gruff like he’s had too many pints of honey wine and her mother’s is curt. She always covers her mouth with a handkerchief as if the very fact that something amused her was terrible.
Christine brushes her fingers on the tops on some early spring flowers. Their petals are soft and she knows that they will be in full bloom soon enough, covering the entire hedge wall.
A crack from behind her startles her. “Ah!”
Her fist comes in contact with something solid and warm.
A burglar.
Christine opens her eyes and is prepared to scream when she’s met with the darkest eyes she’s ever seen. Dark, yet very bright, just about gleaming in the moonlight.
The burglar lifts his hands up in surrender. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare ya.”
She takes a step back and lifts a brow. “What are you doing here in the middle of the night, good sir?”
A twitch of his lips, “Good sir?”
Hands fumbling for a loose stick Christine hums, “Are you not? Very uncouth otherwise. Stalking the royal gardens in the middle of the night.”
The boy laughs and it shocks her a bit. How loud he is and how all his teeth shine. Surely the guards will come.
“I’m just passing through.” He gestures to the moonflowers, “They caught my interest.”
Those eyes are upon her once more and Christine shivers despite her cloak.
“My favorites as well.”
“What’s your name?” He takes a step closer and Christine holds her breath.
“Christ- Chrissy. You can call me Chrissy.”
The boy runs his tongue over his teeth, “Chrissy”, he annunciates slowly as if tasting each syllable.
A sudden bow and maybe he does know she’s the princess after all, “My pleasure to meet your acquaintance, fair maiden.”
A giggle catches in her throat and transforms into a scoff instead. Christine, Chrissy, finds the bottom of her skirts and curtsies as she was taught. “Might I have your name as well?”
A smirk, “Eddie, if you wish. You know the deal with the princess? Heard she’s cursed.”
Her heart quells. “Ah yes. Princess Christine has never laughed or smiled.”
The boy, Eddie, clicks his tongue. “You believe that? Maybe she’s just never met anyone funny.”
Blinking furiously because what would this strange boy know?
Her hands tighten on her skirts, “It’s been almost eighteen years and I’ve never heard her laugh. Her eyes are always sad even when there’s joy to be found everywhere.”
Eddie nods and sighs, “Like you then.”
Chrissy turns her head away, “You shouldn’t compare me to the princess.”
A warm hand on her check so that she meets his gaze. “You’re right. She could never compare to your beauty Chrissy.”
Her heart pounds as she whispers, “That’s treason if said to the wrong person.”
Eddie chuckles and she feels is deep within herself. How odd, for this strange boy to affect her so.
“Then have the palace guards arrest me and chain me to the wall for I’ll declare it to the world.”
She thinks he might kiss her, the warm of Eddie’s breath tickles her but he takes a step away. Hands behind his head. “You know this princess well?”
Chrissy inhales deep to steady herself and nods. “Very well I’d say.”
Eddie purses his lips and she wants to know if they’re as soft as they look. “What would make her laugh? She have a favorite joke?”
Confusion and curiosity grows. No one has thought to simply ask Christine what she likes or finds funny before. Does she even know?
Tucking a stray curl behind her ear, Chrissy racks her mind to think of something. The court jester? No, he juggles too much. When her brother pulls a trick on their tutor? Maybe, but not when Connor is being cruel.
“I don’t know. If she’s never smiled how should I know what brings her joy?”
Eddie frowns and she dislikes it more than she thought. He has such a good smile that fills her with warmth.
“But perhaps!” Chrissy starts and Eddie perks up. “Perhaps it will be an unassuming thing that will bring a smile to Princess Christine’s lips. And then everyone in the land will hear her laugh.”
“Will it sound like the wind through the reeds or the cooing of doves, I wonder?” Eddie muses and she suddenly realizes.
“You’re a bard! Have you come to recite your work? I lo- I mean, the princess loves poetry and music. You sing well?”
Eddie smiles wide and nods, “I’ve been know to carry a tune once and a while. Though I’d care more to know your favorite song or poem than some stuffy princess’.”
Her chest bubbles and Christine should berate him for speaking ill of the princess (of her), but she hums instead.
“The song Bryd One Brere is my favorite. Perhaps I’ll hear you play one day?”
Eddie bows again and takes her hand in his. Rough callouses coat his fingers. How would they feel elsewhere on her smooth skin?
“Ask and ye shall receive. When can I meet with you again Chrissy? Tomorrow? Do you work in the palace?”
Her throat goes dry. Meet again? Her mother would never allow it.
Chrissy shakes her head. “I live in the castle yes, but my work keeps me very busy. I don’t know-“
A sudden idea. Eddie wanted to make the princess laugh.
“The princess’ nameday is in two sunrises. Everyone will be welcome in the palace, so you’d be able to come and find me then.”
Placing another kiss on her hand, Eddie nods and crosses his heart. “Till we meet again fair maiden.”
Christine doesn’t realize that the edges of her lips seem to dance on their own accord even as she rests her check upon her pillow.
Dreams come like the warm summer air.
Why did he still care about some princess when Chrissy was somewhere in these very halls? Eddie had ruminated over the very idea that perhaps he should just forget the entire plan and ask one of the servants where he might find Chrissy and-
A pause. What did he have to offer? No title or land to call his own. Only the shirt on his back, his metal pendant (worthless anyway), and gittern he found abandoned with strings so threadbare that he could only pray they didn’t snap when he played them for Chrissy.
Sighing, Eddie wanders the crowded streets. Already peasants and nobles gathered at the entrance to the palace. If he were to make the princess laugh, perhaps instead of being crowned he’d simply ask to be a lord and granted some land to tend. Surely Chrissy would accept his hand then.
Oh how her eyes shimmered against the stars! The purest blue that he only saw in some gemstones and her hair! Like that of the mythical phoenix’s fire. But what of her smile? What of her laugh? It had become Eddie deepest desire to witness them.
A loud horn blast and then the official announcement-
“King Phillip, Queen Laura, Princess Christine, and Prince Connor all welcome you to their halls to share the beloved Princess Christine’s nameday! You will be granted an audience with their highnesses and perhaps Princess Christine will, at long last, gift us with her smile and laugh!”
The mummers of the crowd simmers down as they gather in the hall. High ceilings and stones covered in banners of battles won, the largest banquet table Eddie has ever seen with candles, ale, mutton, and even some fresh fruit filled his eye, but that wasn’t the most impressive sight.
No, for the royal family themselves sat upon thrones made of what must be pure gold for they shone so brilliantly in the rays of the sun.
King Phillip with a crown resting on his brow, his queen to his right a tiara in her own brown tresses, the young prince playing with a wooden sword and there at the end the very princess herself.
Eddie was too far away to make out more than the green of her dress, but he thought she looked almost bored. Did the festivities in her name not amuse her? Perhaps that barmaid Maxine was correct and the Princess Christine looked down on those of lesser status.
Something hot turned in Eddie’s gut and he quickly took his eyes away. Maybe if he could get to the halls the servants must know where Chrissy was.
“I welcome you all to our home.” King Phillip’s voice rings out and Eddie is squeezed between two others.
“My daughter, Christine is now eighteen and while she has filled my life with such joy it seems she does not feel it. To anyone that can bring a smile or better yet a laugh to my sweet girl will have my permission to marry.”
Eddie blinks for it seems Dustin was not lying (though no mention of a curse). The crowd becomes boisterous until a slam of a bell. The queen rises and even from where Eddie’s trapped he can tell her smile holds no warmth.
“Prince Steven of Loch Nora will try for my daughter’s hand.”
Christine slumps deeper into her throne as Prince Steven bows and then runs a hand through his hair.
“While on my travels in Italy, I overheard a young couple laugh at this,” he clears his throat, “When asked what would make a man happy; One would have liked to be the Pope, another a king, a third something else, when a talkative child, who happened to be there, said, “I wish I were a melon.” “And for what reason?” they asked. “Because everyone would smell my bottom.”
Eddie’s snorted a bit at that, but the princess only lifted a single brow. The queen gave her daughter a look to which the girl shrugged.
“T’was humorous Prince Steven, though not enough to make me smile.”
A collective awe from the crowd, but the queen was not deterred. “Prince Jason will go next! I have high hopes.”
Eddie rolled his eyes. He knew this was all for show anyway. This Prince and Christine have probably been betrothed since birth. A blond walks forward with a confident air and Eddie swears that the princess’ frown grows larger.
Prince Jason bows as well and kneel as if to recite a poem. “My sweet Christine, might I tell of your beauty and grace? For all those of the fairer sex love to hear it so.”
He scoffs because sure most women would smile at a compliment, but that can’t be all Prince Jason sees in Christine.
“You hair is lovelier than spun gold and your eyes pools of the clearest water.”
Jason lifts his hand higher as if to touch Christine. “You skin fairer than cows milk and I pray, sweeter too.”
How bold. Eddie thinks to talk such in front of her parents. Though Queen Laura didn’t seem to mind at all.
“My only wish,” Jason continues, “Is to be dazzled by your smile.”
A pause and the boy stands as if expecting applause.
Princess Christine shakes her head. “Have my ears not been flooded with how beautiful I am since childhood? Am I to smile and thank you for what I already know?”
A sharp look from Queen Laura, “Christine.”
The girl clicks her tongue, “This is pointless. I’ll never smile nor laugh and soon neither will anyone else.”
She pouts so prettily with her chin on her palm that Eddie wishes to keep that image in his mind.
Something causes him to step forward. “Maybe a tune to brighten the princess’ mood?” Eddie raises his gittern.
King Philip waves him on and Eddie turns to face Christine. “Any requests your highness?”
At this angle, he almost thinks her and Chrissy to be the same. But Christine wears a circlet in her hair and has no recollection in her eyes.
“A bard to sway me with a tune? What can you play?” Her voice either teasing or hiding a warning.
He licks his lips, “Bryd One Breere. I learned it for whom I hope to be my lady love.”
Christine’s brows lift and she leans forward, “And yet you’ll play it for me? It’s my favorite.”
Her favorite. That is what his Chrissy said as well! Too good to be true, but Eddie rolls his shoulders back to stand tall. A wide smile on his face.
“As you wish it, princess.”
Christine tilts her head, “Maybe you’ll smile enough for the both of us if this doesn’t work,” a soft plea in her words.
He rests his fingers on the strings and begins to play. His voice cracking slightly for he had not truly been prepared to sing.
At the beginning of the second verse a string snaps, loud enough to echo throughout the hall and not thinking Eddie curses just as loud.
His eyes widen for it was allowed when Prince Jason was crude, he was a prince. Eddie is a nobody.
To speak as if he were in a brothel instead of a woman’s presence, the Princess Christine’s presence, was certainly an easy way for him to meet the dirt bed.
Instead of the clang of metal swords at his neck, a light giggle. Then louder like the bell chimes in the square to signal the time.
He looks for the laugh only to find that it’s Christine’s. Her eyes brimming with unshed tears as her hand halfway covers her mouth. Her joy mirrors his shock and Eddie swallows hard.
“My lady?”
Christine laughs slow into a hiccup and she wipes at her check. “I’ve never heard such colorful words over a silly broken string. Please Eddie start again for I might learn another phrase.”
She knew his name. Had he introduced himself? No, not to the princess-
“Chrissy?” Longing plain on his lips.
The princess smiles and her parents gap.
“Well met, good sir.” She curtsies in a similar fashion to the other night and Eddie’s teeth cut against his lips he smiles too wide.
“No! A simple bard will marry my daughter? Phillip do something!”
Queen Laura shout to no avail for Eddie climbs his way to wear Chrissy waits arms wide.
“The curse is broken my love. Let’s be thankful for that.” Phillip inclines his head towards Eddie.
He embraces Chrissy and holds her tightly. “Is your mother right? You are a princess by birth and I have nothing to offer.”
A half smile as she tangles her fingers in his hair.
“Princess or not you still made me laugh. That’s worth more than any dowry from any prince to me.”
She gently presses her lips on his. Better than the sweetest honey wine and Eddie drowns into her. He can still feel Chrissy’s smile long after they part.
And so the princess that never smiled became a queen who always laughed alongside her one true love.