The Beautiful and Damned
WRITTEN IN THE ORDER: KATE, SARAH, KATHRYN, MAYA
Once upon a time there lived a King. He ruled a small, but important kingdom on the shore of the Orroroo Ocean, and he was very good at what he did. However, as in all kingdoms, the domain of Leonora had enemies, and it came to pass that the King of Maaroom launched attack on Leonora. After much battle, Maaroon's King reach the King of Leonora. He lifted his sword...
"Any last requests, Todd?"
"Just one. Do not kill my daughter, the princess Kathryn. She is just a child. Take her to live with you. Treat her as your child. But do not kill her."
The King of Maaroon considered this.
"The child is damned, Todd. But I shall fulfil your wish." He lifted his sword again, and deftly removed the head of the King of Leonora.
***
MANY, MANY YEARS LATER
Kathryn wandered through the castle's halls, her guard walking a respectful four steps behind her. She walked in a dreamlike state, absently twirling her long, neatly brushed, curled hair as her skirts, all purple, swished. Kathryn was truly a beautiful young woman.
"Oh Edward?" Kathryn said sweetly.
"Yes, majesty?"
"Saddle my horse. I wish to ride."
***
Mounted on her horse, Kathryn took off through the fields, as her guard tried desperately to keep up with her.
"Come, Maya," whispered Kathryn to her horse. "Let us lose Sir Edward."
Kathryn rode her trusty steed into the forest and lost her guard who truly was inept on a house.
***
Meanwhile, back at the castle another beautiful young woman struggled to contain her frustration.
"I can't do it." Kate exclaimed.
"Yes, you can. You must concentrate, your majesty." Kate's tutor, Mrs Bunyan persisted. She had spent the last hour trying to teach the girl how to peel a potatoe but so far Kate had only learned how to severly disfigure the vegetable. Mrs Bunyan had been given the task of teaching the girl several remedial kitchen tasks which were not already known to the daughter of the richest king in the land. Kate was an heiress who would have inherited the Leonora kingdom but for the presence of Lady Kathryn. Kate's father had named Kathryn his heir which angered Kate to no end.
"Why must I learn these servant tasks?" Asked Kate, flinging the latest potato against the wall.
"Because, in our war against the Phillipians you may be called on to perform these tasks for your father's men.""A camp follower? My Father expects me to be a camp follower? Does he know what they are expected to do?!"
"I said may, and yes, I do know. That is how I met your father."
Kate shuddered at the thought.
"That's it! I'm leaving!"
Kate threw down the potato peeler and ran out of the room.
***
In the topmost tower of the castle, Kate was complaining to the castle wise woman, Courtney. Courtney had been around for longer than anyone remembered and was well over 80 years old.
"Fear not, majesty. Unbeknowst to you, the story of her royal highness Kathryn is complicated. Kathryn and yourself are not related at all. Your father conquered Leonora when Kathryn was 2, and you were 18 months old. the previous King pleaded for his daughter's life, and despite the curse on her, your father agreed."
"Wait a minute," said Kate. "Kathryn is cursed?"
"Oh, yes," replied Courtney. "When she was born, it was prophisied that she would be extremely beautiful, but upon reaching the age of 18, she would have every man in the kingdom fall in love with her."
"That's not a curse!" screamed Kate. "I would love for that to happen to me!"
Courtney laughed evilly.
"Your wish is my command."
And with that, she cursed Kate with the same curse she had cursed Kathryn with 17 and 1/2 years ago.
***
Dispirited with her new curse, Kate went down to her mothers' chamber. Her mother was dead, but Kate liked to spend time there anyway. Her mother, Loan, had been very beautiful and Kate's father had kept her room exactly as it had looked when she died. Kate told the picture of her mother all her troubles, then left the room. From the corner, her father's spy, a young, girl, only 6 years old, slipped out from under the bed. Having a spy only 6 years old was ingenious - nobody expected a 6 year old to understand, let alone be a spy. Sarah went to report to the King.
***
The old herb-gatherer, Mrs Ariel, was out gathering herbs for the cook when she saw...Kathryn returning from her horse ride, her guard Edward no where in sight.
"Hey Mrs Ariel, what's up?" Kathryn called. "Oh, not much. Just collecting some rosemary for dinner," Mrs Ariel replied. Kathryn rode over and stopped, her beautiful horse Maya complying. Kat got off and helped Mrs Ariel pick herbs. "How's your lovely daughter Irene? I haven't seen her lately," asked Kat. "Oh, she's, um, er, not very well at the moment," said Mrs Ariel, obviously disturbed by the question, "Oh, that's plenty, thank you Princess," she said and hurried back inside. Kat looked bewildered, and wondered what was wrong with Irene. Irene had grown up with the two princesses Kathryn and Kate, except Irene was 4 years older, so now she was 21. Irene was very tall and had dark, dark hair and green eyes. She was very fun loving and adventurous, always encouraging the princesses to try new things, like climbing trees, and riding horses. In fact, Irene bred horses, and gave Kathryn a horse, Maya, for her 15th birthday. Maya was the best horse Irene had ever bred, the cream of the crop, although Irene's horse, Rachael, Maya's twin, was pretty funny too. With a sigh, Kat went inside the dark castle. She heard running and jus as she was about to turn the corner, a fast moving blur knocked her over. "Aaagh!" Kat cried, "Good one! I'm all dirty!" The other person, Sarah, got up and brushed herself off, "Oh, I'm sorry Princess, I was just, er, um" Sarah muttered. "You were just going to dob on someone to the King, weren't you? When will you learn that no one likes a tattletale? Now, get lost and don't even think about going to the King," Kat said. Sarah turned and fled. "Pesky child," Kat thought, "So unlike her sister Irene." Sarah was Mrs Ariel's other daughter, but instead of being a tomboy, and kind and sensible like Irene, Sarah was immature and easily led,, since she always insisted on telling the King every last thing she heard. But then again, she was only 6 years old, so all this was forgivable. Underneath all this, she really was a very sweet child.
***
Sarah continued on the way to the King. However, what Kat had said about no-one liking her was upsetting. Sarah had always looked up to Kat. She didn't like tattling on her. Kate was nice too, but not as nice. Sarah usually told the King about Kate's exploits. Would what she had heard Kate saying get Kat in trouble? Sarah reached the throne room and barged in, ignoring Sam and Tom, who were meant to announce all visitors to the room.
"Majesty!" she announced, interupting the Jester's performance.
"Sarah... Neil is entertaining right now. Please come back later."
It was settled. Sarah would not tell the King about the curse on his daughter.
***
Kathryn changed her clothes and found a small box of sweetmeats. She wrapped these and wrote a beautiful card in her best calligraphy. Completing the gift with a purple bow, she set off.
Irene's bedroom was quite some distance from Kat's, and Kat walked cautiously, avoiding subjects and servants. Upon reaching the room, Kathryn knocked polietly and then entered. Irene was in bed, looking pale and wan. Kathryn presented the present.
"Why Irene... what's wrong?"
"Only time will tell," the other girl whispered.
***
The months leading up to Kathryn's eighteen birthday passed swiftly. On December 28 Kathryn arose and was dressed by her maid. She then left her room, only slightly suprised to find that Edward was not at his usual post, awaiting to tail her. She made her way to the dining hall, which was set for breakfast, but empty.
"Where is everyone?" Kathryn wondered aloud.
"They're hiding from you." Kate announced, strolling in. "No one wants to fall in love with you!"
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"The curse that has damned you since you were 2 years old comes into effect today." Kate explained, deviously. "Madam Smyth's spell means that any man, who sees you will fall in love with you."
"Oh my goodness. I cannot let the men of Leonora be subject to such evil I must leave and never return." Kathryn fled the hall and missed Kate's satisfied smile.
Sarah, who had been hiding behind a large tapestry, emerged and shot an angry glance at Kate. "How could you do that, Kate? You are an evil woman who wants the Leonora kingdom all to yourself."
"Go away, brat. You annoy me."
Kate's statement infuriated Sarah even more and she removed her shoe and thew it at the Princess. The probability of the shoe hitting Kate was 0.9 because Sarah had quite an aim and a hand-eye co-ordination rating of 1. Unfortunately, fate seemed to work for Kate and the shoe skimmed past her head doing damage only to the pile of curls on her royal head.
"How dare you!" Kate began but Sarah had turned as was running to find Kathryn. She reached the Princess to find her saddling Maya.
"Princess Kathryn, don't go. I'm sure everything will be alright."
"Sarah, I don't have time for this..." sobbed Kathryn. "I am a danger as long as I stay here."
"Well." Sarah considered. "If you will not stay please take me with you."
"I don't think so, child..."
"Please." Sarah interrupted. "You will need someone to help you shine your shoes and cook for you. I can do those things. Please." Kathryn looked down into the girl's sweet face and decided that it might be a good idea, she might need the company.
"Okay." Kathryn mounted Maya and then hauled Sarah in front of her. With that they rode off into the sunrise.
***
Kathryn and Sarah had left Leonora a long time ago. The kingdom had been plunged into despair with the disappearance of her royal highness Kathryn, and young Sarah, to say nothing of the dancing horse, Maya. They had survived by eating herbs and berries Kathryn and Sarah had collected, and on game Kat had shot with her longbow. It appeared she had a natural talent for archery. Although she didn't like doing it, it was necessary for her and Sarah's survival. Sarah and Kat shared the duties around the camp, with the exception of cooking ~ Kat had never learnt to cook, so she got the food and Sarah cooked it. They had lived this way for 2 month, before they met a hermit who lived in the hills 5 days ride from the castle. It was Maya who discovered the hermit. She was "in season" and smelted a male horse in a cave - and so Kat and Sarah met the hermit, and Maya met a nice male horse. The hermit's name was Matt Campbell, he said, and his horse - who was busy with Maya - was Matt Morrison. Kat, Sarah, and Matt lived in Matt's cave for another 3 months, as Maya was pregnant, and Kat wanted to stay put until she foaled. Maya and M. Morrison's foal was born on a warm spring day, and Kat let Sarah name it, as she had decided (with Matt) that the horse would be given to Sarah as a 7th birthday resent from the 2 of them. Sarah decided to name the horse "Mrs. Ariel" after her mother. As Sarah could not possibly ride the foal for at least another year, she continued to ride with Kat. Unfortunately Matt had been affected by the curse, and he decided to travel with Kat and Sarah rather than having his heart broken. Besides, Maya and Mr. Morrison had become rather fond of each other, and there was the well-being of Mrs. Ariel to consider.
***
Back in Leonora, everything was very mixed up. It was 1 month until Kate's 18th birthday, and she was demanding a large party with every man in the kingdom in attendence. With Kathryn vanished, she was first in line for the throne. The old hag, Courtney, had reappeared to Kate, and told her of Kathryn and Sarah's travelling with the hermit, and while Kate was not pleased that they were still alive, she considered them to be far enough away that they would not interfere with her plans. Kate wasn't only inviting men though. She did have some female friends who were coming. In fact, since Kate was annoyed with the King's reaction to her party, she had gone over to visit the very sick Irene. "Hello? Irene?" Kate called as she opened the door to Irene's room. "Irene?" Kate questioned. "Kate! Oh my, you have finally come to visit me," Irene said in a very quiet voice. Kate drew in her breath when she saw Irene. "You're a... a...." Kate didn't know what to say, because Irene was growing a second head! "I know, I know," Irene's second head said, "Now there are 2 heads on this body, and I'm not leaving, he he he" it cackled. Irene put her hands over the second head's mouth to stop it, and her original head resumed, "Kate, I need your help. A while ago, a spell was cast on me by the evil witch Bunyan when my horse trod on her foot. I am doomed to have 2 heads! The only way to reverse it is to find Courtney the hag and get her to switch your curse over to me, which will reverse my spell. Please, this second head is just killing me!" Irene pleaded. Kate sat down, stunned. did she really want to give up the curse she had been waiting 18 years for? Finally, she decided. "Irene,... couldn't we just chop it off?"
Muffled, insulted cries came from the second head. Irene looked doubtful.
"I don't know Kate. That's probably not a good idea. I think that may hurt me."
"Well... how do you know that you need my curse. Wouldn't a new one work just as well?"
"Kate, come on! Spells like that take ages to set up. This would be much faster."
"You are SO selfish!" Kate wailed. "Okay! Just let me have a bit of fun first. I suppose you couldn't come to my party looking like that, though..."
***
When they were one day's ride from the Phillipian border, Kathryn's trio toned down their appearance. With an impending war at hand, Kathryn did not want to be identified in enemy territory. She spent much of the evening tearing and dirtying her dress, and doing her makeup in the Phillipian peasant manner. She then set to work on Sarah, and soon the pair looked like a young Phillipian Goodwife and her child (Kathryn appeared to be rather mature with her new disguise). Matt remained as he was, vagabonds being common in the area.
They reached the border and, after paying the guards a substantial bribe, passed through. Towards mid-day the trio and their horses arrived in a small village. Kathryn, following the tradition she had followed through Leonora, queried the villagers about the location of a witch. Today they were successful and were lead to the house of the miracle worker. Kathryn knocked politely on the door and, after a brief pause, it was opened by a man.
"Greetings," said Kathryn, "We are looking for the town's witch."
"Ah," replied the man, "That would be me."
Everyone looked shocked.
"You're a man!" Sarah announced.
"So?"
"Men aren't called witches."
"You think of a better name," the man challenged. Sarah looked smug.
"Warlock?"
"Oh." He looked sheepish. "Okay, I'm the town's warlock. How may I help you?"
"I am under a curse," explained Kat. "I hoped that you could lift it, please?"
"Come in and I'll see," he replied, guiding them into the house.
***
The warlock's name was Lachlan, and he could not help Kathryn, although he know someone who could. After announcing this, Lachlan had wandered outside to see to the horses. Sarah followed him out and watched him provide water, which Maya sipped, spat out and then drank deeply. Lachlan laughed.
"What's so funny?" Sarah demanded.
"Maya said something."
"Said?"
"Yes, I speak horse."
"What did she say?"
"'Yuck, this tastes like petrol! Mmm, actually it's quite nice.'"
"You two, stop fooling, it's time to go," Kathryn announced from the door. Matt stood behind her, staring at Kathryn with puppy-dog eyes.
***
In the Leonora kingdom, King Lexcie was being entertained by his jester Neil.
"Shall I continue, your majesty? Use the word yes in your answer." The King smiled at his antics but declined the offer. He was preoccupied with issues surrounding his daughter, Kate. Although he loved her, the King now suspected Kate to be involved in the disappearance of Kathryn. The only person who Lexcie knew that might provide some answers to his step-daughter's absence was Courtney Smyth.
"Saddle my horse, I am going to ride." Informed the king to a nearby servant. He would ride to the McCrae forrest and summon the hag as had been the tradition in the past.
***
Kathryn, Matt, Lachlan and Sarah rode along through the village outskirts to visit the person who the warlock believed could lift the curse. As they travelled, Kathryn saw Matt's gaze settle on herself and sighed inwardly. She had suspected for some time that the hermit had fallen under the spell. He's not bad, Kathryn thought, but I would much rather the spunky warlock. the Princess watched the muscled back of Lachlan as he rode ahead of her. She licked her lips in silent anticipation. If only the warlock lived in Leonora, Kathryn pondered, I wouldn't mind him being under my spell. She shook her head and tried to rid herself of impure thoughts. Ahead of her also rode Sarah on Mrs Ariel. A sudden growth spurt had allowed the young girl to ride the foal and both cantered happily along. The group reached a wooden bridge. Kathryn felt apprehensive as to how much weight it would take but could not stop Sarah in her happy, oblivious state from travelling across. Suddenly, the frail wood gave way and the girl and Mrs Ariel plunged to the raging waters below. Kathryn screamed while Matt surged forward trying to reach out. However, he found his efforts were not needed as Sarah and Mrs Ariel appeared suspended mid-air above them guided by the magic of the warlock.
Kathryn jumped off Maya and ran forward to where Sarah and Mrs Ariel were being lowered to the ground. Sarah slipped off Mrs. Ariel and Kathryn held her and made sure she was OK. Sarah was a bit shaken, but otherwise fine. Kathryn placed her back on the ground, and turned to the warlock, who was standing behind her.
Kathryn grasped his hands.
"Oh, Lachlan. Thank-you so much! How can I ever repay you? You don't know how much Sarah means to me. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Lachlan smiled at the beautiful princess. It worked every time - save something they cherished and they became putty in your hands. Lachlan bowed gallantly and softly kissed Kathryn's hand.
"'Twas but a small matter, my Lady. Do not worry yourself over-much."
The princes smiled at him, then suddenly leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Lachlan felt his blood rush as her lips touched his cheek, and he blushed as she pulled back.
"Thank-you," said Kathryn again, releasing his hands. She then walked slowly back to Maya. The mage sure had a nice body, she thought to herself as she re-mounted. Sarah was showing no ill-effects from her fall, so they set about trying to find an alternate route, with Kathryn and Lachlan casting glances at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking, and Matt riding jealously behind.
***
In the McCrae forrest, King Lexcie dismounted his horse, Duncan, and sat in the clearing. From memory, he said the incantation that would summon the old witch, Courtney. Then he sat and waited for her to appear. As he sat, he pondered the odd behaviour of his daughter, Kate. Kate and Kathryn had been brought up together as sisters, and as Kathryn was the elder, it was only fitting that she should inherit the kingdom... besides, it *did* belong to her family in the first place... But recently - especially the last 5 1/2 months since Kathryn's disappearance, Kate had been smug, and acting as though the kingdom was already hers. At that point, Courtney appeared.
"Majesty," said Courtney with an insultingly small bow. "You have 3 questions and that is all before I depart. Ask wisely."
The King thought carefully.
"Where is my step-daughter, Kathryn, and her companions?"
The witch told him that Kathryn and her 'companions' were all travelling in the neighbouring Kingdom of Phillipi.
"Who is she with?" asked the king, alarmed, before he could think he was wasting a question.
"The child, Sarah, a hermit, a warlock and 4 horses," declared Courtney. "Next."
The King quickly pondered.
"Why does my daughter Kate wish to have a big party, and why is she being difficult about it?"
Courtney hesitated. She didn't really want to tell the King about the curse but there was no way around it.
"Well... that was 2 questions, but I will answer the first part. Kate wishes every man in the Kingdom to fall in love with her and that is why she wants the party."
Courtney smugly thought that she had dodged the question quite well, and was very pleased with herself as she vanished, leaving the King alone with Duncan in the clearing.
***
The four people continued on their journey to find Lachlan's friend, Rebecca, a very talented magician. Finally, they arrived at her cottage, which was made out of chocolate. Sarah, being 7, ran over to the house and immediately started eating it, despite Lachlan's warnings. There was a puff of smoke and Rebecca appeared outside her house. "How dare you eat my house! You rotten child!" Rebecca yelled. Sarah tried to explain but her mouth was stuffed with chocolate. Rebecca lifted up her wand, and started to say a spell that would turn Sarah into an earwig, but Lachlan pleaded with Rebecca to stop so she did. "What do you want, Lachlan?" Rebecca asked. "I want you to lift the curse on Princess Kathryn please," Lachlan said. "Hmmm," said Rebecca, still angry with Sarah for devouring her front door. "Well, what will you give me in return?" Rebecca asked. "Uh, what do you want?" Lachlan answered. "I want to turn this child into an earwig." "NO!" yelled everyone. Lachlan tried to bargain with Rebecca, "Look, how about a bald spell, or a shrinking spell perhaps?" But Rebecca was not really interested, "No! She must learn not to eat other people's houses. I know, she will grow a tail every time she misbehaves," and with that, Rebecca said some magic words and Kat's curse was lifted and a stub appeared on the back of Sarah, who was actually quite pleased, since she would now be able to swing in the trees. "Thank you so much Rebecca," said Kat and Lachlan. "Any time," she replied, and disappeared. Now content, the four trotted off back home.
***
Kate spent the entire day in her room. It was necessary. First, she had a deeply cleansing bath. Then her maid gave her a manicure and a pedicure. Her hair was done, piled in large, glowing curls on her head. Kate painstakingly applied her makeup, and finally donned her outfit: a soft, low-cut, crimson gown with matching shoes and silver jewellery, embedded with jewels. Kate preened before the mirror.
"I'm lovely!" she announced.
***
The castle buzzed in preparation for Kate's party. After speaking to Courtney Smyth, King Lexcie had thought long and hard about cancelling the event. However, fear of Kate's temper had finally won and the party would take place that evening. Lexcie felt nervous, but had convinced himself that Kate wishing for "every man in the kingdom to fall in love with her" and Kathryn's curse had no link. That had been Kate's wish since she could talk, and she had never been damned. The party was just Kate's way of expressing herself.
***
At eight, when everyone had assembled in the hall, Kate made her grand entrance to her party. She waltzed in, and immediately a handsome young prince dashed toward her.
"Majesty," he breathed. "Until the moment, I had never seen true beauty. The world is dull and the stars dim against thine presence. Please, tell me that thou lovest me and consent to be mine wife." The prince bestowed kisses on Kate and she smiled happily. However, Kate's gloating and the prince's fawning were put on hold as a ruggedly good-looking duke fell at Kate's feet, pushing the prince aside.
"For all my days I have worshipped thee, Majesty," the duke announced. "Reject this prince and come with me. I shalt make thou happy, beyond thine widest dreams." A third man interrupted, declaring his own undying love, and suddenly the room erupted, with men fighting one another for the hand of the princess. Kate stood, watching in shock, as the entire hall fought over her.
"Don't I get a say?" she asked, as a particularly handsome lord was knocked unconscious. But no-one payed her any heed.
***
Kate left the brawl and went in search of her father. Things were not going as well as expected. Kate had thought that she would have the liberty to pick and choose her suitors, however the decision was being made without her, and Kate resented it. She burst into her father's chambers, announcing "Daddy... I have a problem. Could you..."
Kate got no further, as Lexcie grabbed her arm and bestowed kisses upon it, crying "Darling, you look ravishing tonight. Have I told you how much I love you?"
"Oh my God!" Kate screamed. As the king tried to kiss his daughter's mouth, Kate grabbed the nearest object and hit Lexcie over the head with it. She then discarded the shoe, and ran from the room, sobbing.
***
Kathryn and her companions were nearing the Leonora Palace. The journey from Phillipi would normally have taken a lot longer than one week if not for the help of the warlock. In that one week, Matt had realised that he was not truly in love with Kathryn and although, he had not needed to travel back with them he had decided to do so to ensure the well-being of her, Sarah, Maya and Mrs Ariel. Sarah, being an extremely well-mannered and kind child had not grown a tail once so her tree-climbing skills had not advanced at all.
The group approached Mrs Ariel's (the human's) house and noticed something strange.
"Where are all the people? Usually this street is bustling with activity." commented Kathryn.
"Maybe they're sleeping in." said Sarah as she jumped off her horse and towards her home. She entered and the others heard her shrill scream. They followed worriedly and saw Sarah hovering in the doorway.
"What is it?" Lachlan asked the girl. Sarah could only point at her sister and the second head which poked out from Irene's left shoulder.
"Sarah, you're home!" Cried Irene and ran forward to give her a hug. Sarah shrunk back against Lachlan. "What happened to you?" Irene recountered her story to the group including the part about Kate's refusal to help.
"What a selfish girl." Fumed Kathryn.
"I know but she must help me if I am going to get ride of this.... this thing now that your curse has been lifted."
"You mean Kate has the same curse as I?" Demanded Kathryn.
"Yes, she was. The way I understand it, she asked Courtney to do it."
Something suddenly clicked into place.
"Oh, now I see! Kate was nasty to me because if *my* curse had come into effect whilst I was here, then there wouldn't be any men left to fall in love with *her*."
Lachlan shook his head.
"This girl does indeed sound evil. It is lucky that Rebecca taught me the spell she used to remove the curse from you. However it does have one drawback..."
"Does it?" asked Kathryn. "And what is that?"
Lachlan smiled. Any other girl might have flown into a rage at the news of unexpected side-effects, but not Kat.
"I'll explain in a minute. But first, Irene, I think I know how to help you."
"You do? Great! How?"
Lachlan produced a small wooden cross. Then he handed it to Irene.
"This cross holds Kathryn's curse. Rebecca gave it to me. I think that if you make your 2nd head swallow it, the 2 curses will cancel out each other."
Irene picked up the small cross.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, yes. go."
Irene shoved the small cross down her 2nd head's throat. As soon as the head had swallowed, it began to shrink, until it vanished completely. Irene jumped up.
"I'm cured!"
She jumped up and kissed Lachlan. Kat frowned. Lachlan disentangled himself, and moved closer to Kat. He had become quite fond of the princess in the month they had been together. Irene ran to hug Sarah, Kat, her mother and Matt and anyone else she could get her hands on. When she hugged Matt, it was obviously love at first sight. The 2 moved into a corner and spoke in whispers while Kat and Lachlan discussed the side-effects of removing the curse from Kate.
"It won't happen with you," Lachlan explained, "because when she spelled you, she also put a spell on Sarah. But in the spell she taught me, there is a side effect. The person on whom I cast the spell with, turn into a frog."
***
When Sarah, Mrs Ariel the horse, Kat, Maya, Lachlan, and his horse, Peter, reached the castle, there were no men to be seen, but sounds of fighting could be heard from the dining room. Matt had opted to stay with Irene whilst they got better aquainted. Leaving Maya, Peter and Mrs Ariel in the stables, Kat, Lachlan and Sarah hurried to the dining hall. Every man in the kingdom was fighting each other, and Kat looked around in horror.
"Lachlan! Please do something!" she cried.
Lachlan looked around.
"I can remove the curse... but you know what will happen to your step-sister then. Should I do it?"
Just then, Kate came running over. She was in tears. "Kathryn, you're back! Oh, I'm so sorry I've been a bitch all these years, I'm just glad you have returned! Can you help me? I wish I'd never done this stupid spell," Kate cried. Kat looked at Lachlan, "Well? Shall we?" she asked. "I can help you, but you will turn into a frog - is that okay?" "Anything!" Kate yelled, as two very ugly and hairy men came running towards her. With a twinkle of his eye, Lachlan cast the spell, and Kate disappeared - in her place was a very shiny green frog. Kat picked her up. "Is that better?" Kat asked, as the men all stopped running and looked bewildered. "Much better, thanks Wizard," Kate the frog said.
***
However, the spell Lachlan cast had another consequence that he was unaware of. Over in the stables , Maya, Peter and Mrs Ariel, who were all happily whinnying to each other, suddenly found that they could speak! "Oh my gosh, this is fantastic!" Maya exclaimed, "We can talk!" Peter got excited, "Hey, imagine the money we'd get if we went on tour. Imagine it - THE FANTASTIC TALKING HORSES, and with your dancing skills Maya, it'd be a sure hit!" Mrs Ariel agreed. So the three horses escaped from the stables and galloped off to make their fortune.
***
Kate sat on Kathryn's hand.
"Excuse me," she croaked. "I'm very glad that the love spell's gone, but do I have any hope of becoming human again?" She looked sorrowfully at her beautiful crimson dress.
Lachlan shook his head.
"I don't know any spells."
Sarah, who had been examining her stump with a hand-mirror, looked up incredulosly.
"You're not very clever, are you?" she asked. Her tail promptly grew another inch. "Oh!" exclaimed Sarah. "Anyway, in all the books, frogs turn into princes when they are kissed by a beautiful princess."
"I don't want to be a prince," wailed Kate.
"Maybe it works in reverse," Kathryn mused.
***
There was a sharp rap on the door.
"Highness?"
A head poked into the King's chambers.
"Highness? There are some problems in the hall. Princess Kate's party seems to have encountered some... difficulties."
Lexcie said nothing.
"Well... that went down like a lead balloon." Neil unwrapped a parcel and handed it to the King. "Here, you are. You'll feel better of you eat."
Lexcie devoured a peanut-sauced crab.
"Now, what's the problem, Majesty."
"I'm revolting."
"I don't approve of rebellion."
"No... I used to love Kate."
"So did the entire party. There was... a bit of a brawl."
The King leapt up.
"Let's go deal with the party."
***
When Kathryn and company walked into the hall, King Lexcie was cheerfully chasing princes, dukes and lords from the castle with a sword. Neil was dragging away the unconscious members of the party, making comments such as: "What a waste - W.A.I.S.T."
"Wait father!" Kathryn cried. "We need a handsome prince."
King Lexcie looked around the hall and grabbed the nearest one.
"Here, take this one!"
"What... huh," The prince was helpless to obey Kathryn as she forced him to kiss the frog. With a puff of smoke Kate reappeared, the only side affect being she was 7-feet tall.
"Close enough." She shrugged, grabbing the Prince's collar and dragging him out of the hall.
"Well," Kathryn said as she watched the Prince with some pity. "Everything's back to normal."
"Wait, what about my tail?" Sarah cried.
Kat sighed. "Come one, we'll go to the clearing and make Courtney do something. She has enough to answer for."
***
Kat, Sarah, Lachlan and their 3 horses, who hadn't reached further than the castle gate before being recaptured, stood in the clearing. Kat did the incantation that summoned Courtney. A few moments later Courtney appeared.
"You have 3 questions."
Kat scowled.
"No. Firstly, you will remove Sarah's tail. Secondly, you will remove this spell form all the animals in the kingdom, and thirdly, you will return us all to normal - including Kate to her normal size."
Courtney scowled.
"What makes you think I will?"
Kat smiled sweetly.
"Because you are required to do so by law. Besides, if you don't, Lachlan here will turn you into a crab."
Lachlan grinned evilly. Courtney sighed and waved her hand, regretfully. As everything returned to normal, Lachlan turned Courtney into a crab anyway.
"She's caused enough trouble. Let's go back to the castle."
***
In the next few months, there were a lot of marriages. Kat and Lachlan married and Kat's father retired to become their 'adviser' as the 2 of them ruled the kingdom. Irene and Matt married and moved back to Matt's mountain cave, where the royal family visited once every 2 months. Kate and her handsome prince married and became the royal social event organiser. Maya and Mr. Morrison got adjoining loose boxes in the stable and had many more foals.
Over the years the kingdom prospered and Sarah grew up to be an enchanting 20 year old, who never seemed to out-grow Mrs. Ariel, although the horse was getting old. The kingdom of Leonora was great and everyone within was happy for ever after.
THE END