A/N: This was an English assignment. We had to rewrite a fairy-tale, change it a little. So I used the Brothers Grimm version of this story, but from the princess's pov. Hope you like.
‘ATTENTION!!’ the proclamation read, ‘CALLING ALL PRINCESSES!! KING WILLEM OF OTTERY IS SEEKING A BRIDE FOR HIS SON, PRINCE ROALD. REPORT TO THE PALACE AT CATCH-POLE LAKE TO APPLY. Must be a true princess to be eligible. Proof of proper lineage required.”
‘Yes!’ thought the princess Hermia. ‘Finally, a chance to get away from this place! And he doesn’t look half bad.’ She looked once more at the picture that had accompanied the proclamation.
Princess Hermia was bored. She had long since studied everything her parents would let her, and a few more things besides. For her mother, she’d had to do embroidery, tapestry weaving, take etiquette and dancing lessons, and learn how to write in calligraphy, on top of having to learn how to oversee a “properly run castle,” because it was apparently the sign of a “properly run kingdom.” Her father had made her keep up in her book studies: math, science, language, and history. He’d also allowed her to study music and outdoor activities such as horseback riding, archery, and falconry. It’s not that she hated the lessons, but she had finished them all! Her “secret lessons,” too. Those were the things her parents didn’t know about, and weren’t ever going to. Things like battle tactics, sword fighting, cooking, tracking, hunting, and even dagger throwing. Unfortunately, most of her tutors had stopped giving her lessons because of a few close calls where the king had almost caught them. This proclamation had come at the perfect time!
“Father?” Hermia called as she entered the throne room, curtsying slightly to the nobles present. “This proclamation came today. May I go, please?” She handed him the paper.
His eyes skimmed over it. “I suppose,” he said, “but you’ll have to get ready first. You’ll have to pack all your clothing, an escort must be arranged…”
Hermia cut him off. “Why can’t I just go now? I don’t need an escort. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
The king sighed. “I’m sorry, dear, but your mother just wouldn’t agree.”
Hermia turned and walked from the room. ‘Mother this, and mother that. Why did my mother have to be so…so… proper?’ she asked herself. ‘Oh well. I’ll just go anyway.’ She entered her room and started planning.
An hour later, Hermia had enough money to last her for a while at inns, unless she had grossly underestimated the cost, as well as a change of clothes, and a small knife. She went out to the palace stables, saddled Lavender, her horse, and set out for the kingdom of Ottery.
For the first ten nights, she was able to stay at well-kept upper-class inns, though it drained her budget more than expected. The next four days she spent at middle-class inns, which, though not quite the standard she was used to, were still nice. On the fifteenth day, she discovered that she had only enough money for one night at a good inn, and enough to get the innkeeper to send Lavender safely back to her home. She was determined to stay at a high-class inn the night before she reached Ottery in order to be at her best. For the next two weeks, she walked, seeking shelter with small, friendly farm families, who were more than willing to shelter her for a night.
Finally, after just over a month of traveling, on her last outfit, and with just enough money to stay at the inn near the border of her destination, Hermia arrived at the border. She went into the inn. The innkeeper looked up.
“Sorry, I’m not hiring.” He turned back to his accounts.
Hermia drew herself up regally and silently thanked her mother for the lessons on behaving like a princess. “I’m not looking for work, I’m here to get a room for the night.” She placed her coins in front of him. His eyes widened. ‘Maybe I had more than I thought.’
“Follow me.” He led her up the stairs to a room with a beautiful feather bed, warm fire, and even a private bath, and handed her a key. “Meals are included. Thank you for choosing the Golden Egg inn!”
Hermia sighed contentedly as she took a warm bath. Relaxing on the bed, she still couldn’t help but notice the ropes that held the mattress up, even though the bed had two, thick, goose-feather mattresses. ‘I always have had a sensitive back,’ she mused before falling into a deep sleep.
The next morning dawned clear, and the innkeeper wished her well as she started into Ottery. Consulting a map at the information stall just over the border, she located the palace she was supposed to go to in order to “apply” as a princess. ‘Doesn’t look too far away. I should be there by sundown.’
By 10 o’clock, dark clouds were forming, and the wind had picked up.
By noon, it had started raining.
When Hermia finally reached the castle a little after 7, it was almost completely dark, and the storm was raging. She raised her fist and pounded on the gate. It was opened a moment later by a curious group of servants, most likely wondering who would be out in such a storm. “I demand to see King Willem immediately.” They led her to his throne room, where Queen Lilly and Prince Roald were also present.
“May I ask who you are and why you are here?”
Hermia could tell the king didn’t think much of her (‘Who would, with what I’m wearing?’) but answered cordially, dipping a curtsy. “I am Princess Hermia of the Kingdom of Whinging. I received your proclamation and immediately set out to become your son’s bride.” She smiled at Roald, who grinned back.
The king looked as though he didn’t quite believe her. “I’m not sure whether to believe you. You don’t look like a princess. Where’s your escort? Why are you wearing those clothes?”
Hermia rolled her eyes inwardly - ‘Not this escort stuff again!’ – but answered sweetly. “I find traveling without an escort much faster, and the sun and rain washed the color out of my clothing. If you would like more proof, send a messenger to my father.”
“Humph,” said Willem. “Too far and too complicated. A delegation would take years to go there and return. You’ll have to prove you’re a princess another way, or go home.”
Queen Lilly smiled. “Let her stay, Willem. I have a test to tell whether she is a true princess,” she whispered to her husband.
Hermia waited for the queen and her servants to prepare a tower room for her, then headed up. She was overjoyed at the sight of the seven mattresses. ‘Finally! A bed like my own!’ She climbed into the bed, and wished the queen a good night.
Hermia tossed all night, trying to get settled, but every way she turned, she felt bumps. It felt like the day she had ridden on a load of peas in a kind farmer’s cart. At least in the woods, she had been able to weave a hammock so she would not have rocks in her back. She had expected the beds at any castle to be as comfortable as her own, custom-made bed had been, but this was terrible.
As the sun was rising, the queen entered the room. “How did you sleep?”
“Terribly. I felt like I was sleeping on peas the entire night!” responded Hermia.
To her surprise, the queen smiled. “I know you’re a true princess now. Come, we must plan your wedding.”
When Hermia asked the queen how she had known, the queen replied, “It is a well known fact that all the princesses of Whinging have sensitive backs. I was once good friends with one. I believe she would be an aunt of yours? At any rate, she had to have a special bed made, and that is the type of bed I use now, as they are so comfortable. I presumed you would have the same problem, so I merely placed a pea into your bed. I am sorry about your difficult night, though.”
“Oh, it’s no problem. I’m just glad I don’t have to do that again. I don’t think I’ll be staying at any inns any time soon…” Hermia trailed of as Lilly led her into the dining hall.
“Well?” questioned King Willem. “What are the results of your test?”
Queen Lilly beamed as she replied. “She’s a true princess.” The queen snapped her fingers, and a lady-in-waiting appeared. “Quickly, get all the dresses fit for a bride in the palace. Decorate the chapel, and call up the priest. The wedding shall be today.” The lady-in-waiting curtsied and left, and Hermia sat down with her new family.
A/N: Well, did ya like it? I know, the names aren't that original, but hey, give me some credit here! Or don't, whatever. It doesn't really matter to me.
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