Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away there lived a beautiful young girl. Her mother had died when she was very young and all that remained of her was a painting in a locket which her father gave to his only child. The little girl loved her father who always took the time to listen to what she had to say, or to teach her to read or to tell her stories at night. For a long time the two were very happy.

Then one day he told her that he was going to marry again. The girl had noticed that her father had been around less often, but she understood that he was a wealthy merchant. From the first she heard. the little girl was excited about having a new mother and soon she discovered she would have two new sisters too.

And so it happened that the new family was formed. Suddenly the little girl found her father spending less and less time with her. She tried to play with her new sisters. but they were a few years older than her and would bully her if she tried to follow them. So most of the time the girl read books. or sat in a field watching as the clouds rolled by. Sometimes her father would still tell her stories at night. and when he did. the girl found it more special than ever.

Then, tragically, her father fell ill and died. For days and days afterwards the girl was inconsolable, so sad and so alone, knowing that the only person who had ever loved her had passed away.

Now her stepmother and stepsisters treated her worse than ever, forcing her to do the cleaning and the cooking around the house. After a time they did nothing at all, simply making her follow whatever they told her. The girl was too shocked and sad to refuse. The sisters, who had once slept in the same room, now separated, taking the young girl's room and forcing her to sleep next to the fireplace to stay warm. Her possessions were thrown into a chest and kept beneath the stairs. The only thing she kept was the locket of her mother's that she wore about her neck. Her stepsisters never called her by her real name and as the time went by one name stuck. Because she slept next to the cinders, she would be called Cinderella.

---

The years passed in a blur, each day the same routine of cleaning up after her siblings. The young girl grew up into a beautiful young woman, and her stepsisters... well they grew up too. Cinderella dreamed that one day someone would come and take her away, and everyday she sat out in the fields, watching the sun set and waiting for a horse to come galloping across the fields. And every evening she would wait until the stars lit up the sky, and then return home, cleaning up the mess left from dinner, hoping for a few leftover pieces she could eat before huddling down before the fireplace.

One day she was cleaning in the kitchen when her sisters came home in a hurry, laughing and squealing in excitement. They ran upstairs to their stepmother, talking excitedly about something that Cinderella couldn't hear. Only when it was dark and the sounds of snoring came from upstairs did she ventured into the main room, with her candle in hand to look at what her sisters had been so excited about. On the table was a parchment, torn from a wall. On it was a proclamation of a ball that was to be held at the castle in a week's time. It invited every woman in the city.

Cinderella knew why her sisters were so exited. The prince was known to be searching for a bride, and the ball would be a perfect chance for the young women of the town to be seen. For a second her heart leapt, but then she sighed. There was nothing that she might wear to such a ball. Her sisters had many elegant dresses, but she knew they would never let her borrow them. Then she remembered her old clothes locked away for many years. She snuck into the chest beneath the stairs, and diligently Cinderella took up her old dresses and began to cut and sew until the sun rose and her stepmother called for breakfast.

---

All that week, Cinderella worked on her dress, cutting and stitching until the early hours of the morning. She was so intent on her creation that she didn't even sit out in the fields in the evenings.

Finally the eve of the ball came.

Cinderella was busy all day, running after her stepsisters and stepmother who panicked over very little detail of their dresses. Finally the time came for them to leave. Cinderella walked in from the kitchen to bid them farewell and was shocked. There, holding her secret dress, every seam stitched with immaculate detail, was her stepmother.

"What is the meaning of this?" her stepmother asked with venom in her voice.

"I- I mean to go to the ball."

Her stepsisters burst into a shrill giggle but her stepmother bore a look of cold fury.

"How dare you think that you are fit to be present at such a ball. You who sleep among the ashes. I will show you ashes."

With that she flung the dress into the fire, where the fine fabric was consumed in a blaze.

Cinderella was shocked, unable to say or do anything, merely watch as her dream was reduced to black dust.

Only when her stepmother and stepsisters had departed and the very last shred of the dress had turned black, did she run from the house in tears. She ran through the darkness, through the fields until she stumbled and fell, staring up at the stars through tear blurred eyes. She lay there, trembling in anger and sorrow wishing over and over again to the stars that something would save her.

Then, as she watched one of the stars began to fall. For a second Cinderella believed that it was a shooting star, but then it kept descending, lower and lower until it touched down in the field just in front of her. There was a flare of light and then there a woman stood. Cinderella gazed at the woman in her white flowing dress, and realized it was like looking in a mirror, with a few exceptions. While her own hair was long and blonde, this new fairy had hair as black as the night. So too her eyes, unlike the bright blue of Cinderella, were a dark brown, almost black.

Silently the figure walked across the field, straight up to Cinderella, who stood in awe.

"Who… are you?"

"I am your fairy twin, Cinderella." The woman smiled. "I am here to help you."

"Help me?"

"Help you go to the ball."

"But… my dress is ruined and I can't make a new one."

Cinderella felt her tears beginning to flow anew.

"Hush my dear… Do not cry.. Relax."

Cinderella forced back tears and watched as the fairy reached forth and took the locket from around the weeping girl's neck. In the magical glow it seemed to sparkle like water. The fairy held the chain and the locket swung back and forth through the air, catching the light.

Cinderella was entranced by the light, which danced across her face as she followed the swinging pendant.

"There's nothing to cry about. Nothing to cry about. Relax. Relax. Don't cry. There's nothing to cry about. Just watch the locket."

As Cinderella watched the locket swing back and forth she felt her sorrow melt away. Suddenly there was nothing to worry about. Everything was fine so long as she watched the wonderful light and listened to the voice of the fairy.

"Everything is fine, Cinderella. Everything is just fine. Fine. Fine."

"Fine," repeated Cinderella dreamily.

"You like how this feels don't you?"

"Yes."

"Good. Very good. Cinderella?"

"Yes?"

"You're in a deep trance. Whenever I say the words 'you deserve a better life than this,' you will fall into a trance and obey whatever is said, you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good."

The Fairy took the locket and placed it back around Cinderella's neck. The girl blinked, wondering why she suddenly felt so much better.

"Come on, Cinderella. We must prepare you for the ball."

The two returned to the house and Cinderella lit a lamp in the main room.

"We must get you a dress, Cinderella."

"But I have none. There is nothing left which I can..."

"You deserve a better life than this."

Cinderella felt her mind go blank.

"Cinderella. Take of your dress."

Obediently she stripped off her dress and stood in only her underpants and brassiere.

"Remove them too, Cinderella."

She complied, leaving herself totally naked, her pale skin illuminated in the lamp light.

"Cinderella, we are going to make your new dress. I will weave it for you from the very fabric of joy itself. But you must give me that yourself. Cinderella?"

"Yes."

"I want you to think into your dreams. I know you have them. Think of the dreams with handsome princes. Remember how these make you feel?"

"Yes."

"I want you to start to feel that way now. Slowly. Very slowly. You can feel that sensation building can't you?"

"Ooo... yes…" Cinderella smiled.

"Good. Now you can feel it building. Slowly, very slowly, so good... it feels so good."

"So… good." Cinderella sighed.

She had felt only fleeting sensations like this before, strange memories in her dreams where she would wake up the next morning with a wetness between her legs. The feeling felt so good.

"Yes. You can feel it, Cinderella. I know you can."

Cinderella breathed in and out, feeling her breath quickening slightly. Her naked bosom rose and fell, and her nipples slowly beginning to rise.

"Feel it, Cinderella. Feel it."

Cinderella sighed again, deeply and happily as she felt the warmth begin to flow through her body. It was such a wonderful feeling that seemed to be getting better and better every second. Slowly, instinctively, one hand crept over her thigh. She didn't know why but it seemed the right thing to do. As her hand explored, she found herself wet between the legs, and curiously probed until she quivered suddenly. Her finger brushed against something that felt wonderful. Moaning to herself, she rubbed her finger over the spot again and again. She felt her breath quicken, as if she were running over a field. She moaned louder and louder, her hand rubbing faster and faster as the sensation flowed through her body, engulfing her.

Then suddenly, in an explosion, Cinderella trembled in shock, barely staying on her feet. Wave after wave of unimaginable pleasure danced through her body, flushing over her skin. She felt her heart thumping in her chest, each pulse making her tremble with pleasure. Finally she caught her breath, the last ounces of pleasure wafting away.

"Wake up, Cinderella."

Cinderella blinked, feeling tired yet marvelously refreshed, oblivious to what had happened. Then she looked down to see what she wore. It was an immaculate dress of purest white. Every bunch of lace was perfectly placed, no seam visible. It clung to her body like silvery morning dew, her figure clearly displayed. Her hair had been intricately woven back over her head, her clear, flawless features rosy hued.

"How did you make this?" Cinderella asked, amazed.

The fairy simply smiled.

"Here, my dear girl." Her twin handed her a pair of slippers, impossibly fashioned from glass.

"They're beautiful." She slipped them on, finding them the perfect fit. "But how will I get to the ball? And what if I'm recognized. My stepmother will know me. And how can I repay you..."

"You deserve a better life than this."

Cinderella instantly stopped worrying.

"Cinderella. Tonight you will go to the ball and be yourself. You will not worry about anything in the world. You will simply enjoy all life has to offer. You will not awaken from this joyous state until I snap my fingers twelve times. As for my payment... well I'm sure that can wait... Come Cinderella. We must get you to the ball."

Cinderella nodded, all her cares having vanished magically. She was so looking forward to going to the ball.

---

All the dancers filled the floor, but the prince, having danced with a few, was bored. All the women here were dull. True, many of them were beautiful but there was nothing more that they offered him. Still he kept a happy face, knowing that it would please many of the girls that sought his hand. Some wanted his title, others his money, many his body. But none wanted more. He had yet to find such a woman.

Then suddenly, as if by magic he saw her. There was something about this new girl that caught his eye, more than just the elaborate, form fitting dress she wore. He brushed across the floor, ignoring several offers to dance, until he reached her.

"My lady. May I have the pleasure of this dance?"

"I--" For a second she seemed uncertain, something he had not seen in any of the ladies that night. "I would be honored, your highness."

He took her hand and gracefully led her to the dance floor. They began to flow across the room like water, every motion moving into the next. Cinderella had only learnt a few dance steps as a child, but somehow the ability came to her like magic.

"May I inquire of your name?" the prince asked as they danced.

"I… Ella." She hastily invented.

"Ella. Truly a beautiful name."

Mentally he winced to himself. Fifteen times that night he had heard women say what a beautiful name Henry was. He knew there were at least a hundred other Henry's in the town who had never been complimented on their names. It was a shallow comment but it slipped out before he could stop it.

"You are too kind, your highness," she smiled, noting that he sighed when she did.

"You will forgive me if I am blunt..." the prince began.

"I am most certain I will, your highness."

"Er," he was taken aback for a second but then continued, "For what reason do you seek my hand."

"You hand my lord?"

"In marriage."

"Why would you think that I do?" she giggled.

"Why else would you be here?"

"To dance. It is a ball is it not?"

"I… yes." He smiled and they danced and danced and danced.

"I have never seen you before." The prince confessed as they slowly moved across the floor, ignoring the eyes of numerous envious women.

"Nor I you, my lord." She said.

It was true. She had only ever heard of the prince through reputation, one which had not been exaggerated.

"Behind what walls could such a beautiful creature hide as to avoid the gaze of a searching man for so long?"

"One will find, my lord, that a layer of soot may conceal as well as walls two meters thick."

"Perhaps so, my darling. How now do you consider the offer of my hand?"

"It is a good hand, your majesty. I imagine it could do much."

"Then would you be my princess?"

She rolled the delicious, mythical words over in her head as they moved, the rest of the ball phasing out into a dreamland. But from that dreamland, one sound came, the clock striking.

ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR.

"Your majesty would offer that to one as simple as I?"

FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT.

"Nothing is so simple as true love.

NINE, TEN, ELEVEN.

"And I know I love you as dearly as life itself."

TWELVE.

Cinderella blinked.

She looked at the face of the man. The prince. And she had been dancing with him. How could she have been so foolish. It was clear to see she was above her place. She was a servant, not suited for this place. It was wrong for her to be here, wrong for her to stay.

"I...I must leave." She began to weep as she broke away from his arms and ran from the room.

He hurried after her but her pace was to great, the crowds closing around him, offering faces and bodies he found no interest in. By the time he reached the entrance she was gone. All that remained was a single glass slipper that she had lost as she ran.

---

Cinderella ran through the dark streets, hurrying home as fast as she could. She dropped her second slipper, which she now carried, to the ground, hearing it splinter as she did.

Tears ran down her cheeks, flowing like rivers. As her tears flowed down her neck and body, the immaculate dress she wore, born of her joy was dissolved away by her sorrow. By the time she reached her home she was naked, sweat and tears streaking her skin. She entered the cold room where the fire had long since burned down. She slowly put on her undergarments and tattered dress, curling up in the ashes of her own dress and crying herself to sleep.

---

"They say he searched everywhere but couldn't find her." The elder stepsister said as the three ate their breakfast, Cinderella serving it diligently.

"No one here has ever heard of an Ella. I'll bet it was a made up name." The second sister said, slurping her milk.

"I have no doubt it was," their mother snapped. "Probably some foreign wench having a light of fancy at our expense… oh do be careful, Cinderella!" she scolded her stepdaughter who was shaking as she poured the drinks.

"I don't see why he wants this girl when there are plenty of wonderful girls in this town."

"Well he's searching this town, mother."

"What?"

"Didn't you hear? He's sending an envoy around with that glass slipper and the girl who fits it will become his princess."

"Well I certainly hope your feet are in shape, my dears. Whatever possessed him to look here? Surely the girl would be plain as day."

"Apparently she said that a layer of ash could be as good a disguise as a castle wall."

"What does that mean?" her sister asked.

"I say it's a load of nonsense. But it does give you girls a chance. Cinderella! More milk!"

"I'd imagine they'll be here any minute, mother." The elder daughter pointed out.

"Quickly then! Get upstairs and put your best dresses on!"

Scurrying like mice the two sisters hurried up stairs.

"Even you, Cinderella. I want you to tidy up a little. You don't want the prince to think we live in...ashes..."

The stepmother rose to her feet in a shot, pushing half the breakfast to the floor.

"YOU!" she pointed her finger sternly at Cinderella.

"I…"

"YOU! You wretched disobedient child! How dare you go to such a ball when I forbid it! Where did you steal your dress from?"

"But…" Cinderella stammered in fear.

"BUT NOTHING!"

Cinderella tried to plea with her stepmother but nothing would do. She was pushed down the stairs into the cellar. Her stepmother shoved her roughly to the dirty floor, bolting a door behind her.

"You'll stay in here until you learn your place!" the enraged woman yelled.

She walked up the stairs, leaving Cinderella to bang angrily but helplessly on the door.

---

"Excellent girls." The stepmother clapped as her girls came down from the stairs, wearing their most elaborate dresses. "I'm sure one of you will woo the prince regardless of that stupid slipper."

There was a knock at the door.

"That will be them. Quickly… I..."

A constant hammering and yelling reverberated from the cellar.

"Margaret, quickly, go down and tell Cinderella that if she doesn't shut up she'll stay in there forever."

"Mother why is she…"

"Just do it, child!"

"But the slipper..."

"Forget about the slipper your feet are as fat as a horse's. Go!"

Grumping to herself, the sister hurried down into the cellar.

The stepmother opened the door.

"Greetings, your highness. What a surprise!"

She didn't notice as the prince rolled his eyes.

---

"Cinderella! Be quiet the prince is here!" Margaret held out the lamp to peer into the dark cell.

"Margaret. Please let me out!"

"I can't. I don't know why mother locked you in here but I'm sure she had her reasons."

"She won't let me see the prince."

"Why not it's... not… you!"

"Yes."

"Never. I don't believe you."

"I… I can prove it to you."

"How?"

Cinderella stood up and walked close to the door, looking through the small, barred portal. She reached about her neck and pulled off the locket.

"The proof is in this locket." She swung it back and forth in her hand, the lamplight gleaming off it.

"That old thing?"

"Yes. Look closely. Look very closely."

"I don't see..."

"Closer… closer… look deeper...deeper..."

"Why... I…" Margaret's eyes waved back and forth following the arc of the sparkling locket.

"Closer. Closer... It's beautiful, isn't it, Margaret?"

"Beautiful?" she asked confused, her head reeling.

"Yes. Very beautiful. It makes you feel relaxed. So relaxed."

"So relaxed."

"Good, Margaret. You're in a deep sleep."

"Sleep…" she replied dreamily.

"I want you to open the door."

"I… will open the door."

She reached down and undid the bolt.

Slowly Cinderella slipped out of the door and replaced her locket. She took the lamp from her stepsister's unresisting hand.

"Very good. Now I want you to sit down. In a couple of minutes you'll wake up and return upstairs, forgetting any of this happened. Yes?"

"Yes."

Cinderella climbed up the stairs and opened the door to the main room. There her stepsister was trying to wedge her foot into the slipper, which was much to small for her.

"What are you doing here!" her stepmother accused, standing and stepping towards her.

Cinderella refused to back down. "I am here to try on the slipper."

"You dare to..."

"YES! I dare!"

Cinderella walked defiantly past her mother and took the slipper from her sister who was too stunned by the audacity of Cinderella, to resist.

Smoothly she slipped her foot into the glass slipper. It was a perfect fit.

The stepmother took a step forward, but the prince's bodyguards made her change her mind. Her stepsister's mouth simply hung open in disbelief.

"So it's true," the prince smiled in amazement as her looked at the girl, reaching out a finger and wiping away some of the smudged soot on her face, "A layer of soot can hide beauty."

She smiled back at him, unable to force words through the lump in her throat.

"You never answered my question, Ella. Would you be my princess?"

"I… I..." she stammered."

"You deserve a better life than this."

"I will obey you," she replied instantly.

"And we will live our lives free and happy until the day we die."

"Yes." She replied, as she bent to kiss his lips, her mind free of any doubts.

"What's going on…" her stepsister asked as she burst out of the basement.

She looked at her stepsister. And the prince. Then she fainted.

---

Not long after, the stepmother died; no one was able to say why, but she was buried next to her late husband, Cinderella's father. He was perhaps the only person she truly loved and the only person who loved her. Cinderella's stepsisters vanished the night of the royal wedding. Some say that they saw the sisters that night, running into a field, following after a glowing woman that looked like the new princess, but with darker hair.

And Henry and Ella lived and loved in they only way the could.

They lived happily ever after.

THE END

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