Ugly Read online

  Ugly

  Chapter 1

  Heavy mist covered a vast forest surrounding a small village. With sweat running profusely down her face and neck, a young girl ran, her blue eyes filled with tears. Using her free hand to wipe away the warm tears from her eyes and her blonde hair, the other to hold her tattered hood , the girl ran deeper and deeper into the woods, finally resting on a rotted log covered in green moss.

  Starting to cry uncontrollably, the young woman didn't see the danger that ensued. A figure emerged, dark at first and then becoming more and more apparent. It's features more sinister than friendly.

  “What is the matter girl?”. Replied the dark figure in a hoarse voice.

  The crying young woman looked up to see a ghastly old hag, with rotted black teeth and warts covering her once beautiful face.

  “Leave me alone”. the girl snapped.

  The hag smiled wickedly circling the young woman.

  “Such a pretty young thing, replied the old witch, why so sad beautiful one?.”

  The young girl looked at the old woman angrily, not knowing if she was to be trusted.

  “What does it matter to you old woman?.”

  “Because... the old woman smiled, I may... be able to help you.”

  “How? The girl's expression changed

  The old woman was pleased at the girl's change of heart and sat down gracefully beside her.

  “I can see inside your heart the old hag replied touching her finger to the young woman's chest.

  “You... are in love.”

  “I am, answered the girl, what of it?”.

  “What if... the old woman said with a wicked grin, I could help you change your circumstance? Make happiness truly yours.”

  “Take this, the old hag said pulling a small glass vial from her tattered shawl.

  “Drink this, and all your wishes shall come to pass.”

  The young woman looked at the witch uneasingly.

  “How do I know this is not a trick old woman, said the girl nastily.

  “Oh, my dear cooed the old hag, I would never... trick anyone as beautiful as you.”

  The young woman snatched the vial from the witches disgusting hands and put it in her pocket.

  “This better not be a trick old woman the girl hissed, or I shall call the....

  The young girl looked around to see the old hag was nowhere in sight. The girl smiled wickedly,

  pulling the vial from her pocket. laughing at her foolishness. , the woman walked back towards

  the village, tucking the vial carefully back into a hidden pocket in her patched dress, putting it

  there, just in case it ever came in handy.

  18 years later

  The sun was just barely rising over the small kingdom of Darkwood a lone figure stood before a large stain glass window, looking over the palace grounds and village outside the large stone castle walls. Deep in thought, the Queen did not notice her eldest daughter appear followed by her two maid servants waiting patiently for the Queen to notice.

  “Mother? The princess said in a quiet voice, Father said you wanted to see me.”

  The Queen turned around a foul look on her pretty face.

  “You're late! Hissed the Queen.

  “I'm sorry Mother replied the princess, I was...

  “ No excuses Eleanor replied the Queen clapping her hands loudly, two other maids frantically appearing grabbing the Queen's drapery.

  “You have a visitor”. said the Queen not even looking at the princess.

  A young prince stood in the reception room, tapping his foot on the floor to an unheard beat inside his head. Going towards a window, the young man looked at his reflection in the mirror, putting a finger over his teeth and smiling egotistically at himself.

  A footman appeared, an older man with a wavy mustache and large feathered hat, announced loudly that the princess and Queen of Darkwood had arrived. The Queen came in first not acknowledging the prince but walking right past him as if he wasn't there, her two maids helping her sit down on a small elegant chair. Eleanor came next, seeing the prince she bowed, her plump legs a little shaky and took a seat next to her mother.

  “ Welcome to Darkwood, Prince William said the Queen in a monotone voice.” “I trust you slept well.” The Queen gave the boy an icy stare.

  “Yes madam replied the prince, very well thank you.”

  'Now, for business, continued the Queen. “My daughter Eleanor is seeking a husband as you are seeking a wife, am I correct?.”

  The prince could only nod.

  “Eleanor the queen replied poking her daughter hard in the back, Eleanor gasped in pain. “Prince William would love to see the gardens, why don't you escort him?.”

  Eleanor jumped out of her chair before her mother could poke her again.

  “This way, Eleanor replied in a annoyed voice, her two maids running after the young couple.

  Eleanor didn't say much to the prince as they walked through the large hedges and past the stone fountains spouting water in little droplets over small carved cupids.

  “So... said Prince William in an uneasy voice, trying not to look at the princess. “What, uh... shall we talk about?.”

  “Whatever you like really, replied Eleanor.

  “Alright replied the prince, I'm sure you've been dying to hear about me this whole time, that's why you haven't said anything.”

  “I... suppose”. replied Eleanor losing interest quickly.

  “Well, continued the prince, last week, my men and I slew the biggest dragon you've ever seen, 700 pounds it was, hideous thing If I do say so myself, but fortunately for my men, it was me that did most of the work, for I am very strong you know, and.... handsome.

  Eleanor rolled her eyes. Looking longingly over the hedges towards the walls surrounding the palace, the princess imagined herself somewhere else ignoring the egotistical prince completely.

  “Are you listening? Hissed the prince interrupting Eleanor's thoughts.

  “Oh, I am sorry, apologized Eleanor, I must have uh... been somewhere else. “

  “I see. Said William with a grimace. “Are you even interested in getting married princess? asked William, because from what I've heard, every prince that the queen has sent , has been dismissed for one reason or another.” “And I may be your last chance.”

  “I'm just not interested in getting married”. replied Eleanor,” it's a horrible business, especially, for a princess.”

  “Suit yourself, the prince said checking his reflection in a nearby pool, I was considering you, even if you are naturally ugly.”

  *

  “He called you what? Said a girl angrily with long brown curly hair stroking Eleanor's cheek.

  “Ugly, bawled Eleanor, he isn't the first you know.” I swear mother just wants to torture me with all this marriage business.”

  “Now, now Elli”. cooed her sister Katherine, everything will work out you'll see.” “You're not ugly anyhow, “you're very pretty.”

  “You only say that because you're my sister”. Replied Eleanor in a muffled voice.

  “I say that, said Katherine, because... it's true.”

  “What's true? answered a girl with light blonde hair and pretty blue eyes.

  Katherine glared.

  “None of your business Gwynn.”

  “It's Eleanor again is it? Said Gwynn with a snicker, “ Prince charming hasn't appeared yet Elli? The other princess started to laugh.

  “ Oh, do I see a pimple? Replied Katherine inquisitively.

  Princess Gwyneth rushed out of the room, screams being heard from the down the hall from her bedchamber.

  The two other sisters smiled at each other Katherine wiping the tears from Eleanor's eyes.

  “Come said Katherine, I think I would like a stroll in the g
ardens, wouldn't you? .”

  Eleanor smiled and followed her sister to the bedchamber door, only to be stopped by two knights in silver armor.

  “What is the meaning of this? Hissed Katherine, let us pass!.”

  “Sorry m'lady replied one of the guards, Queen's orders. “

  Eleanor was led gently as possible down the long corridor, the walls covered in paintings. As she passed Gwyneth's door, the princess gave Eleanor a wicked look like she knew what was going on. A chill ran through Eleanor's whole being.

  “Where are we going? Asked Eleanor in a panic.

  The guards just continued walking ignoring the princess's request, until they exited the royal family's chambers and down into a separate part of the castle that Eleanor had never encountered before. The Queen was waiting for them in front of the door that led to the lower parts of the castle with a nasty look on her face.

  “What is the meaning of this mother? Cried Eleanor

  “I think you know”. hissed the Queen. I”ve tried, and tried Eleanor to marry you off, and every... single time you disappoint me.”

  “I don't... want to be married mother!”. barked Eleanor. Give the crown to someone else.”

  “Oh I intend to, replied the Queen, someone that deserves it far more than you!.”

  The Queen made a motion with her dainty hand and the guards grabbed the princess by both arms and disappeared down the long stone steps towards the deepest darkest dungeons of Castle Darkwood.

  Chapter 2

  “Stop stepping... on my dress! Hissed the princess Gwyneth as she ascended down the long spiral steps towards the bright ballroom below.

  Katherine gave her sister a smug look. The ballroom was full of nobles, dignitaries, and kings and warlords from all over the seven kingdoms. It was finally time to announce the successor to the throne of Darkwood. As the two princesses gracefully walked down the red carpeted stairs, with their taller mother behind them, Gwynneth suddenly let out a loud screech startling everyone in the room as she fell face first on the ground below.

  Several maids ran to the princess's assistance, Gwyneth throwing a temper tantrum as her white bloomers shone for the whole world to see. Katherine held her white gloved hand to her mouth trying not to laugh.

  “You think this funny Katherine? Hissed the Queen stepping closer to her daughter, her long nose almost touching Katherine's.

  “Uh, not at all Mother. Katherine though could not keep a straight face.

  “How do I know that you didn't cause this little incident inquired the queen with a sneer. Everyone knows that you are jealous of Gwyneth. “

  “Jealous?, of her? Katherine began to laugh. Mother, please.”

  “You are out of line Katherine scolded her mother.

  “And what of it replied Katherine, are you going to send me away like you did Eleanor? Just because you didn't get your way.”

  The queen gave her daughter the nastiest look the princess had ever seen since her childhood.

  “That might not.... be a bad idea replied the Queen, It doesn't really matter what happens to you Katherine, for your sister will be heir to my throne anyway.”

  The queen gave her daughter one last sneer and turned around to greet her guests. Katherine watched her mother leave with a slight chill running up and down her skin. Trying to shrug it off, Katherine tried to enjoy the rest of the night putting her dark thoughts in the back of her mind.

  The next morning as the sun shone brightly in Katherine's room, the chamber was completely emptied out, all except the dress that lay on the princess's bed that she had worn the night before.

  **

  A large indigenous wagon strode along the rough cobbled stones towards the kingdom of Darkwood. A large man sat at the reins smoking a pipe, his long red braided hair blew in the wind, including his dirty bear fur coat. His son, a tall young man, quiet but strong, sat beside his father looking at the passing landscape.

  “Cheer up Rupert!, replied the red headed man slapping his son hard on the shoulder with his hairy arm. “Just think you'll be king of Darkwood by to morrow.”

  “But I don't want to be king father”. replied the prince, with a sad look on his skinny face.

  “Look, hissed the chieftain, the deal is final Rupert, so there's no backin out now.”

  As the carriage neared the small village that surrounded the large castle, Rupert and the king stopped at a local inn to rest their horses. Rupert jumped off the wagon rubbing his sore behind, and walked toward the light of the small pub and loud music and noises of men yelling and fighting with one another.

  “What'll ya have sonny?”. Replied a dirty man with a long raggedy brown beard.

  Rupert ignored the inn keeper looking towards a pretty bar maid serving three large men at a nearby table.

  “You must be the prince everyone's talkin about eh? Replied the bar tender.

  “Yeah, what of it? Said Rupert with an annoyed look on his face.

  “You're in for a treat you is”. cackled the inn keeper.

  “What do you mean sir? Replied Rupert in a frightened voice sipping a large glass of fizzy cider.

  “You 'aven't 'eard? Gasped the hairy man. “They say the Queen did away with two of 'er daughters she did.” No one seen em in ten years. “

  Rupert's blood ran cold. He gulped down loudly the last of his drink and ran to the door. His father was putting away the horses for the night, Rupert's breath running in spouts in the cold spring air.

  “What's the matter with you Rup? Said his father with a strange smile, ya act like ya've seen a ghost.”

  “You could say that” stammered Rupert his whole body quivering. “Why didn't you tell me about this family Rupert demanded. A man in the tavern said the Queen is a madwoman.”

  “Ah, you heard then the older man said. “It's only rumors Rup, cheer up boy they say princess Gwynn is as pretty as a peacock.”

  Rupert tried to give his father a reassuring look, but deep down inside, his sanity said otherwise.

  The next morning as Rupert and his father neared the broad stone walls of castle Darkwood, Rupert started to sweat. The clang of the silver chains that held up the draw bridge creaked and groaned, and then slammed over the bank of the moat. Rupert crossed himself as he passed through the dark entryway into the castle. Darkwood castle seemed like any other castle the prince had been in and nothing was out of the ordinary until he saw the Queen. A tall woman with fair hair and skin, but dark eyes. Her daughter Gwynneth was as his father said, beautiful but just like her mother.

  “Good morning my Queen!”. replied Rupert's father cheerily, he bowed slightly, his knees almost giving out due to his overhanging belly.

  The queen smiled politely.

  “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.... Ethelred, the queen stammered, and this must be Prince Rupert.

  The prince tried to smile slightly keeping his composure.