*non-traditional
Dedicated to two of my favorite fanfic writers, Marys Hanson and Eric, because I was rereading some of their work and got inspired to write. So blame them ;) Not my characters, no profit from the story, and no animals (or redheads) were injured in the making of this tale (so rest easy, PETA and WETJ, women for the eating of tasty -- err, ethical treatment of Jim). You may have to use your suspension of disbelief. Lots of pod characters too, but I couldn’t make it work without them. Just imagine the BWG’s and Company as being in a play, if it bothers you a lot. May the weirdness ensue...
Trixie Belden in Sleepyside Fairy Tales
Cinderella, Bob-White Style
By Moon-Spinner
Once upon a time in a land far away there lived a maiden by the name of Beatrix Belden, Trixie for short. She lived on an estate, Crabapple Farm, with her mother and three brothers, Brian, Mart, and Bobby. Trixie’s mother doted on her sons and deprived her only daughter, though she was a great beauty. She was forced to sleep amongst the cinders from the fireplace in the attic and she had to tend to the chickens and crabapple trees and gardening while her brothers were allowed to roam the countryside to their hearts content. She toiled all day and never got to have any fun.
"Gleeps!" Trixie said, "If I don’t get to have any fun soon, I’ll just die!"
But the days went on and Trixie continued to toil and sleep in the cold attic amongst the cinders while her brothers continued to ramble the countryside, having fun adventures and teasing her because she couldn’t.
"Poor little Beatrix," Brian would say, "left to tend the garden like girls should. You should stop wanting to be a boy and do woman’s work like you’re meant to."
"Our fair sibling is too virile to succumb to the tribulations of her sex without disputation," Mart would reply and the two would go off laughing merrily as Trixie searched for Bobby’s lost glove or picked apples.
One day something wonderful happened. Mart and Brian both rushed to the house while Trixie was trying to dress Bobby in his playthings and her mother watched, frowning. They both were out of breath from excitement and it took several moments before they regained enough composure to speak.
"Oh the most wonderful thing has happened, Moms!" Brian exclaimed, completely ignoring Trixie.
"Indeed!" Mart gasped in agreement.
"The great castle on the hill, Manor House, has been occupied by the royal family Wheeler. They are giving a great ball to celebrate and it is rumored that the Prince Jim must choose a wife so he may gain the throne from his father, King Matthew. They say that the Princess Honey and neighboring Lady Diana shall be there. Lady Diana shall be the favorite for his bride, I suspect, but they say that even the common village girls are not without merit and all are welcome to attend!" Brian finished looking ecstatic.
As Mart began to tell his version of the story, with many big words and phrases, Trixie sat back on her heels and daydreamed about what it would be like to be allowed to go to such a grand ball. Maybe even meet the Royal Wheeler family. Maybe dance with Prince Jim. Maybe even be considered to be his bride...
"Trixie forgotted me!" Bobby complained loudly.
Blinking, Trixie woke up from her reverie and finished putting Bobby into his clothes while her older brothers and mother scowled down at her.
"Honestly, Trixie, can you not pay attention to the simplest things?" Moms snapped.
"I’m sorry, Moms," Trixie said shamefacedly. "I was just thinking of what the Royal Ball will be like... If I’m allowed to go that is..."
Her bothers burst into laughter as her mother sat surveying her critically. "Why on earth would we take you? Of all people you would be the last I would want there. We don’t want to be totally humiliated in front of the Royal family, you know," Moms said scathingly. She laughed bitterly and continued, "As if Prince Jim would ever want a backwards tomboy for a wife! You positively look like a goon in dresses! No Trixie, I’m afraid you shall have to stay here at Crabapple Farm and tend to the washing. There is too much to do to allow you to attend the ball. Maybe in a few years when you don’t look so... rough."
As Trixie sat blinking back tears her brothers continued to laugh while Bobby chanted "Tomboy Trixie, Tomboy Trixie!"
Moms sat a few minutes in thought before she said, "You know, we really should ask Hallie to go. She’s such a pretty young lady, I’m sure Prince Jim might find some interest in her. I shall contact her family immediately and see about having her stay with us. Trixie, go get one of the guest rooms ready for your lovely cousin Hallie. I’m sure her father will send her when he hears about Prince Jim."
Trixie did as her mother bade her and wept silently while she cleaned.
* * *
Crabapple Farm was in a great deal of hustle and bustle as the day of the ball approached. Hallie had arrived and was waltzing around the house as if she was already Prince Jim’s new wife. She constantly found ways to make Trixie miserable. The rest of the Belden family got ready for the great affair, too. Trixie was run ragged with errands and her usual chores. That’s why the day before the ball, when her mother’s prize chicken escaped and went towards the Haunted Frayne Ruins, she was so upset she was almost ill. She had to go after the chicken of course, her mother would be extremely upset if something happened to it, but Mart and Brian had told her so many hair raising horror stories of the Frayne Ruins, Trixie was terrified of the place. The brothers had just been trying to scare their sister, of course, but Trixie didn’t know this. Since she wasn’t allowed to go anywhere, she had no idea that over half the scary stuff her brothers told her wasn’t true.
And so the chicken continued on its merry way towards the ruins and on into the Royal Game Preserve and Trixie scurried after it, hoping desperately that her presence would not be missed at Crabapple Farm.
As she entered the gloomy quiet of the ruins she felt her heart beat accelerate and she jumped at every sound. Just as she was about to grab onto the chicken, a wispy figure suddenly stumbled out from behind a tree and Trixie had to choke back the scream she felt rising in her throat. As she regained her composure she realized the figure she was seeing was a very small, sickly looking girl about her own age, dressed in a ripped riding gown. Her face was tearstained and she looked as terrified as Trixie had been of her.
"Who are you?" Trixie questioned nervously.
The girl assessed her quickly and seeing that she wasn’t dangerous looking walked forward gracefully and held out her hand saying "My name is Madeline Wheeler, how do you do?"
Trixie looked down at the frail girl’s hand in confusion and shook it dubiously. Suddenly she realized this odd girl was Princess Honey Wheeler of the Royal Wheeler family, Prince Jim’s younger sister!
Curtseying gracefully, Trixie said "Your majesty, why are you about this place alone?"
Growing misty-eyed Princess Honey said "I was riding through the Royal preserve when my horse, Starlight, got spooked and threw me. He ran away through these woods and I’ve been wondering around lost for hours!"
Trixie felt sorry for Princess Honey so she quickly forgot about her mother’s prize chicken and offered to go in search of Starlight. Looking very relieved Princess Honey was able to stop crying and follow her new friend into the woods on the track of the runaway horse.
The two walked in silence at first but gradually eased into conversation as time passed and they got further and further into the woods. Trixie had never been allowed to have friends her own age before, and since Princess Honey had been a fragile child, she had never had a real playmate before either.
They quickly found the path of broken branches that Starlight had torn down, and they followed, discussing various aspects of royal and farm life along the way. Princess Honey was shocked and sickened at the thought of her new friend living under such conditions from her family. After all, the Beldens were one of the better families in the area, even if they weren’t royalty.
"This shall surely have a stop put to it, Trixie!" Honey said angrily. "When I tell my father, he’ll --"
Horrified Trixie could only shake her head and say "Oh no, Princess Honey, please, if my mother finds out I’m not at home right now tending to Hallie and the garden, she’ll be so angry, I’m not sure what she’ll do! Oh if only my poor, dear father was still alive." She gave a pathetic sniffle and bravely fought down her tears.
Tenderhearted Princess Honey could not bear to see her new friend so miserable, so she said impulsively, "Do come to the ball tomorrow night, Trixie! Even if your mother won’t let you, I’ll send down some clothes and maids to help you get ready!"
"Oh, Honey, do you think I really could?" Trixie gasped in shock, hardly daring to believe the Princess was serious. "I should love to go more than anything in the world. I don’t think that the Prince Jim will pick me to be his bride, but to be there for one night! Oh what fun it should be!"
"Of course you shall be there!" Honey cried. "I’ll send my maids to your back door as soon as I see your family depart! Oh, there’s Starlight!"
The horse was calmly picking apples from a tree off the path. Honey quickly mounted and offered Trixie a ride back to where she had first met her. The two girls set off and in no time, Honey was departing from Trixie at the ruins with a promise to see her friend again the next night at the ball.
As Trixie made her way back to Crabapple Farm, she knew she would be in deep trouble. From the hill she could see her brothers searching for her on the grounds. Sighing in despair, she made her way back to the farm.
* * *
Trixie’s mother was furious. In fact, she was so furious, she threatened to disown Trixie completely, and would have, if her prized chicken hadn’t returned home by itself. Luckily, the chicken came strutting into the yard and Bobby came screaming into the house about the returned poultry. But as punishment, Trixie had to clean the entire house from top to bottom by the time her family returned from the ball. If she didn’t, her mother would turn her outside to live with the pigs. So, needless to say, Trixie was terrified and completely heart broken.
The next day she was dusting the living room when her family came downstairs, dressed to the max in formal wear. Hallie was stunning, of course, in a dark green gown. Her mother looked regal in pale pink, and Bobby was adorable with his curls and cherubic face. Even Mart and Brian were dashing in their best suits.
Helen Belden wanted desperately to be a part of the royal family. She would have let Trixie go, because indeed Trixie was such a beauty, but Helen hated her daughter and went out of her way to make her miserable. If Hallie didn’t get the prince, then perhaps one of her sons would get the princess!
Trixie watched enviously as Mart turned to Brian and asked him to make sure his butt did not appear to be too large under the tails. Then the family set off to the Royal Manor. Trixie watched them from the back window, and sobbed bitterly. She went back to her dusting, completely forgetting that Princess Honey had promised to help her get to the ball.
Trixie had just finished the coffee table when she was startled by a brisk knock on the back door. Groaning, she quickly ran to explain to Honey why she couldn’t go to the ball.
When Trixie opened the door, she gasped in surprise as several women pushed past her into the house, chattering merrily. In the midst of them was a tall gray-haired woman, carrying a pair of crystal slippers and smiling at Trixie’s shocked expression.
"I brought some of Honey’s attendants," the woman said to Trixie. "I am Lady Trask." She wore a long blue dress with sensible shoes. Trixie murmured a how do you do and looked around her in astonishment.
"Oh, I can’t go with you!" Trixie cried. She quickly told Lady Trask what her mother had said. "I’m sorry you wasted your time," she finished tearfully.
"Nonsense," Lady Trask said briskly. "Celia, you and Marjory quickly clean the downstairs, Betty, you clean the upstairs bedrooms. I shall help Miss Trixie to dress." The pretty maids all set to work at once. The house was beginning to transform practically before Trixie’s eyes. "Let’s go to your room, Trixie dear," she said, heading towards the stairs. Trixie followed meekly, still staring around the house with wide eyes.
She led Lady Trask up to the cold attic that was her bedroom. Lady Trask raised her eyebrows in surprise, but didn’t otherwise comment. She quickly set about cleaning Trixie up, doing makeup, and dressing her in a beautiful, long white gown (like the one Eliza wears in My Fair Lady at the palace) and the crystal slippers. Her blonde curls were twisted into an elegant knot. When she was finished, Trixie looked like an angel. Just then, Celia stuck her head into the room to let them know that they were finished cleaning the house. She smiled approvingly at Trixie and headed back downstairs to get ready to go to the ball.
When Trixie saw herself in the mirror, she was shocked. She had never considered herself pretty, but now she was gorgeous! In stunned silence, she let Lady Trask lead her downstairs and outside to a waiting carriage. Tom, the carriage driver, and also Celia’s husband, held the door for the women and looked appreciatively at Trixie. "You look lovely," he said, bowing to her and helping her inside. Trixie smiled and entered wordlessly. She was still struck dumb at her good fortune.
* * *
When they pulled up to the palace, everyone immediately ran to escort the Lady Trask and attendants inside. Trixie hung back, but everyone assumed she was a lady in waiting of Honey’s. She followed along behind while the women were announced and received in the ballroom by the royal family. As soon as she appeared, everyone in the room began to whisper and wonder who the beautiful lady was. She looked around nervously and wondered exactly where she was supposed to go or what she was supposed to do now that she was here. Luckily, at that exact moment, a dark-haired gentleman in military uniform offered his arm to lead her onto the dance floor. She took it nervously and followed him out. Immediately the music began to play and she found that dancing with this gentleman wasn’t as difficult as she had feared.
"Allow me to introduce myself," he said. "My name is General Daniel Mangan, second in command of King Wheeler’s army and chief exploration party. Whom do I have the pleasure of accompanying this evening?"
Trixie smiled shyly and nearly whispered, "My name is Trixie Belden. I live close by at Crabapple Farm."
"Ah, yes, I have passed your farm on several occasions. I believe I have met another lady from there tonight. Do you know a Lady Hallie or something like that?" He didn’t look thrilled at the prospect.
Trixie laughed and said, "Yes, unfortunately I have the displeasure of being her cousin. I assure you that we have nothing more in common."
General Dan smiled at the small blonde woman. "I am much relieved. Your cousin has been making passes at me all night. I just had Duke Benjamin Riker take her onto the dance floor. With a little luck she won’t bother me again this evening. He’s a terrible dancer and an equally irritating person. The King had asked me to keep an eye on him, and his infamous practical jokes, this evening, so hopefully I’ve killed two birds with one stone."
Trixie laughed and looked around the ballroom at the other guests. She quickly turned her face as she saw her mother and brothers in the crowds of people. Unfortunately she then noticed her cousin Hallie glaring angrily at her over the shoulder of a tall, blonde man. Gulping, she looked down and continued dancing with Dan who was watching her worriedly.
"Is something wrong? You just got awfully pale," he said, concerned.
She nodded weakly and attempted a smile. The song ended then and Dan led her over to a table so she could sit down. He was concerned at the pallor of her skin and quickly went off to get her something to drink. While she was sitting there she looked over and noticed a beautiful woman in a long, violet gown that matched her eyes. She smiled at Trixie and said, "How are you this evening? Aren’t you Trixie Belden of Crabapple Farm?"
Surprised Trixie nodded and said, "You must be Lady Diana. How do you know who I am?"
"Our fathers were friends long ago, before your father’s death," she said softly. "My mother pointed you out while you were dancing. She said we used to play together when we were very young."
"I played with you when I was a child?" Trixie was incredulous. How had she managed to go from this beautiful lady’s playmate to the rags and cold attic she now lived in? It was unbelievable.
Lady Diana laughed gaily and said, "Apparently we were quite the twosome when we were babies."
Trixie still looked shocked. "But what happened?"
Lady Diana frowned and said, "You see, Trixie, your father was my father’s chief advisor. When he died your mother wouldn’t work and liked lavish living, so my father talked King Matthew into giving your family the land that Crabapple Farm is on now. For some reason your mother always hated you and she would never allow you to come over to the estate again. At least, that’s what my mother told me."
"I know my mother hates me, I just don’t know why," Trixie said sadly.
Diana looked sympathetic but had no idea what to say. Luckily at that moment General Dan came back carrying two glasses of punch, one of which he presented to Trixie. He then bowed to Diana and took a seat next to the two women.
Across the room Princess Honey was looking wistfully at their table, as she fulfilled her royal duty of greeting the guests. She desperately wished she could be sitting with her new friend and the other young people.
"Who is that charming young woman with General Mangan, sis?" Questioned her brother, Prince Jim.
"He’s sitting with Lady Diana Lynch and Lady Beatrix Belden."
"Beautiful. I shall have to ask them for dances later this evening."
"Well, Lady Trixie, would you do me the honor of another dance?" General Dan bowed.
Trixie blushed and gave him her hand. Diana watched as they again took the floor.
"I wonder if they know how striking they look together?"
Diana turned in surprise and smiled to see her mother.
"I don’t know, mother. I think they just met."
"They look absolutely beautiful together."
"You’re right, they do."
* * *
"May I have this dance," Prince Jim bowed to Lady Diana.
"Of course, good sir."
As Prince Jim and Lady Diana danced away, Mart and Brian scoped them out from their place with the rest of the wallflowers.
"Would you look at that," Brian said. "He hasn’t asked Hallie to dance once. That Duke has monopolized her attentions all night."
Mart couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful Lady Diana. "You think I should ask her to dance sometime?"
Brian snickered. "Sure Mart. I’m sure she won’t laugh too loudly in your face."
Mart glared and was about to respond when the other lady at the same table that Lady Diana had just vacated caught his attention. She was deep in conversation with General Mangan and looked quite happy. "I say, Brian, isn’t that..."
Brian looked over and gasped in shock. "Yes, it is. Let’s find Moms. She won’t be too happy about this."
* * *
Princess Honey watched glumly as her brother danced with Lady Diana. She wished desperately that she could be allowed to go find her new friend Trixie, or even be allowed to dance with some of the young gentlemen in attendance. But her father strictly forbade any such activities. After all, she was a young princess and this ball was for her brother Jim to find a wife. Decorum was imperative.
She gasped as a large hand brushed her shoulder from behind. She turned quickly and gasped, "You!"
"Me!"
"I can’t believe it, you’re back! Oh, this is so wonderful! Did you complete -"
He laughed softly. "Of course I did. I’ll speak to your father tonight."
Speechless with happiness, Princess Honey could only smile into those beautiful eyes. Suddenly the night didn’t seem so horrible after all.
* * *
"It was a pleasure, Lady Diana," Prince Jim said, bowing as she returned to her seat.
"Thank you, your highness," Lady Diana said, curtseying.
Jim turned towards Trixie, interrupting her conversation with General Mangan in mid sentence. "Lady Trixie, is it? May I have the next dance? That is if General Mangan does not object."
Dan smiled tightly and nodded in acquiescence.
Trixie gaped, too stunned to move, until Lady Diana nudged her.
"Of course your highness," she whispered, giving him her hand.
On the dance floor Prince Jim smiled and said, "You dance divinely. Do you go to many balls? I don’t recall seeing you before."
Trixie laughed, "I don’t go to many balls. This is actually my first one. Dancing isn’t so hard, I just follow where you lead. General Mangan made it seem easy."
"Ah, yes. General Mangan is quite the dancer. It would also appear that he has impeccable taste in ladies."
Trixie blushed and smiled shyly.
Suddenly someone grabbed her roughly from behind and jerked her away from the prince.
"You wicked girl!" Moms shrieked in outrage. "How dare you dance with the prince! How dare you step foot in his castle, dressed above your station!"
"Madam, you would be well advised to calm yourself immediately," Prince Jim said, turning red.
"Your highness, this urchin with whom you consort is the illegitimate daughter of my late husband. The love child of one of his sick and sordid affairs. She isn’t fit to shine your majesty’s shoes, let alone impose herself to dance with you."
Trixie’s eyes filled with tears and she had trouble breathing. Could this be true? Uncomfortably she realized the entire ballroom was now watching and listening to the scene with rapt attention.
Apparently Moms did too, for now she was milking it for all it was worth. "Yes, you little urchin, your dear father picked your mother up from the trash to have a little fun while I was just getting over birthing Mart. After you were born he decided to keep you. Then just after Bobby was born he went and got himself killed, leaving me to care for you. My embarrassment and an abomination. Get out of this place, it’s too nice for the likes of you!"
Trixie was now sobbing uncontrollably as she turned and fled through the throngs of people surrounding them. She thought she could barely hear Princess Honey calling out to her, but she continued to run out of the palace and down the steps. Just as she reached the bottom she fell and lost one of her shoes. Hearing people running behind her, she was too afraid to stop and pick it up, so she continued to run down the hill and back to Crabapple Farm so she could gather some of her things and escape.
* * *
Standing at the bottom of the steps in the shadows, holding a single crystal slipper was Lady Trask. She looked worriedly into the night toward Crabapple Farm as a man on horseback quickly rode up to her.
"Which way did she go, Lady Trask?" Dan asked worriedly.
Two more figures on horseback appeared just then.
"Princess Honey!!!" Lady Trask gasped at the site of the slim girl. The Princess had a determined set to her jaw and a steely glint to her eye. She looked just like her father did before he rode off to war.
"We’re going to find Trixie, Lady Trask," said Honey angrily. "Her mother and brothers have already been escorted from the palace. They have been sent to pack their things and leave my father’s land. Lady Hallie is gone as well. I believe she and her family will be attending Duke Riker to his war-riddled homeland. Good riddance to them all."
"We’ve got to hurry," growled the third figure. "She won’t be able to last long out there in the dark forests. The catamount is on the prowl."
"No!" Lady Trask said, aghast. She squinted into the dark, trying to make out the speaker. Moonlight glinted off red hair. "She ran towards her cottage. If you hurry you might be able to catch her there. Take this slipper, she might not have shoes."
The threesome nodded their thanks and set off at a gallop towards Crabapple Farm. But when they arrived it was clear that they were too late to catch her. The door was still open and the cottage was being cleared out by the remaining Beldens.
"Her tracks are leading into the old Frayne Ruins and the forest. We’ve got to move fast, Sir Maypenny found the mutilated carcass of a dear there a couple nights ago. He said it was a catamount kill."
Dan and Honey nodded worriedly from their mounts, and the three quickly followed the tracks to the woods.
* * *
"Where the devil is Princess Honey?" King Matthew roared. His ball was ruined, his daughter was off gallivanting who knew where, and Prince Jim still had no wife.
"There, there dear, have a tonic," Queen Madeline placated, putting a glass in his hand. "Princess Honey went with General Mangan after that poor dear who ran out of the ball. Not to worry, I’m sure she’s in good hands. You know General Mangan would never allow any harm to befall her."
King Matthew grunted in displeasure, but let his wife continue to pet him. "Where is Prince Jim then? Is he off to save the day too?"
"Why, I don’t know. I haven’t seen the prince since that revolting display in the ballroom. He could be with Princess Honey. Don’t worry dear, everything will turn out all right."
* * *
Trixie ran blindly through the forest, tripping over tree roots and ripping her beautiful gown. The only thought in her mind was to get as far away as possible. Finally she came to a cave where she dropped her small parcel of belongings and collapsed, sobbing bitterly, and letting the horrible memories of the ball wash over her once again.
"I can’t believe my father was guilty of infidelity," she thought. "And now the entire country knows that I am his illegitimate daughter. I have no home. I am sure I must be shunned from the country. I would be better off if I died now."
A low growl came from some bushes, and Trixie looked up in terror. The moonlight caught the lethal glint of two yellow eyes.
She fainted.
* * *
"Trixie!" Dan yelled, as the scream of a wildcat sounded from a distance.
"It came from over there," Princess Honey said, pointing to their right.
"You two stay here, I’ll go further to investigate."
Honey and Dan did not protest. They knew that he was the better woodsman, and it could be a difference between life and death to disobey him.
"Oh, be careful," Honey whispered. They caught a last glimpse of moonlight on red hair and a crossbow cocked at the ready as he disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
"I hope she’s all right," Princess Honey whispered. She felt like crying, but was resolved to keep the tears at bay until she had a reason to cry.
General Dan patted her hand in sympathy. He felt like crying too.
* * *
"Mother, father! I have wonderful news!" Prince Jim rushed into his parents sitting chamber. They both looked up in surprise at his flushed and excited face.
"Where have you been Jim? We’ve searched the castle for you, the ball has been over for hours!" King Wheeler looked highly put out.
Prince Jim laughed gaily. "I’ve been finding the woman of my dreams! She has agreed to become my wife!"
The king and queen looked thunderstruck. Queen Madeline was the first to recover her voice.
"Why, that’s wonderful Jim! Who is she?"
* * *
Trixie began to regain consciousness as she sensed her body moving. She opened her eyes and looked up to see a red-haired man, carrying her through the forest.
"Who are you?" Trixie asked, bewildered, but too worn to be scared.
"Sir Regan at your service, m’lady," the young knight said, with a bow.
"What’s going on?"
"You were almost eaten alive by a catamount. I shot it and now I’m carrying you back to where General Mangan and Princess Honey are waiting with the horses."
"Oh. Thank you, sir. I do believe I can walk now, though."
"Nonsense, you’re missing a shoe."
"Oh, I forgot about that," she said, looking at her feet.
"Quite all right, we have the other shoe with us."
"Too bad. Do you know uncomfortable those things are?"
Sir Regan laughed loudly. "No, but I can imagine. So, why were you running?"
Trixie blinked back tears. "Did you not hear what my mother said in the ball? Well, I guess she’s not actually my mother after all. That’s little consolation, after learning of my father’s behavior."
"Yes, well, not to be rude, but after knowing that woman can you blame your father?"
Trixie laughed through her tears. "I suppose not, when you put it like that. But where does that leave me? I’m an abomination. The town will spurn me."
"Don’t count on it. As we speak the Beldens are packing up their things from the manor and are heading North with Duke Riker. The town currently spurns your mother for behaving the way she did. I know of two very worried people waiting for us in that clearing up ahead there who will be so happy to see you that the thought of your birth will not even enter into their minds."
Trixie sniffed. "You really think that I’ll be OK?"
"I’m sure of it. After all, both my nephew General Mangan and I were orphaned at young ages and King Matthew did not think less of us. And to top it off, our parents were both of Irish decent and you know popular opinion of the Irish."
"Sir, I think you are the kindest gentleman I have met, outside of General Mangan. Thank you."
Sir Regan smiled as they entered the clearing.
"Trixie!" Princess Honey and Dan both rushed toward her.
"Oh, Trixie, we didn’t know if we’d see you again," Honey cried, throwing her arms around her.
Dan gently took Trixie in his arms from Sir Regan. Then Sir Regan took Princess Honey in his and led her off so that Trixie and Dan could have some privacy.
"Trixie..."
Trixie smiled, "You know, I can stand."
"But this is so much more fun. I have your shoe, by the way."
"You know, those things are so uncomfortable. You don’t know pain until you’ve tried to run in the woods with one crystal slipper and one bare foot."
Dan laughed, "Then maybe I’ll just keep holding you."
"I won’t complain."
"You know, I had a really wonderful evening. Finding you just now was the best part."
Trixie smiled.
Dan cleared his throat and looked into her eyes. "Do you think you and I could maybe get to know each other a little better? I know the romantic thing would be for me to propose, but we did just meet. Maybe you want to take things slow?"
Trixie kissed him.
* * *
"Sir Regan!" King Matthew exclaimed. "What a surprise!"
"I seek counsel with your majesty, if you please," Sir Regan said, bowing low.
"Of course, speak."
"It’s about Princess Honey, sire."
King Matthew narrowed his eyes. "Go on."
"Well, I’ve fallen in love with her, your majesty. I have come back from many dangerous quests to ask her hand in marriage."
"I see. And what are your accomplishments?"
Sir Regan took a deep breath. "I tamed the wild man, Lytell. He is now a respectable merchant on the outer fringes of the Royal Preserve. I slew the infamous wildcat that terrorized the villagers for so long. I captured countless villains setting up camp on the preserve and defended your majesty’s honor. I saved the Lady Belden just now, and I’ve won all the royal horse tournaments. All of this and I still clean tack and tend the stable every day. Not to mention when I get drafted into taking Her Majesty the Queen shopping -"
"Enough! You’ve proven yourself worthy. Anyone who could take my wife shopping and keep a cheery disposition is worthy of my daughter’s hand. When do you want to wed?"
* * *
It was a glorious affair. The Royal palace celebrated for two weeks, the double wedding of the prince and princess.
As they prepared to leave for their honeymoon in Saratoga, Princess Honey and Sir Regan looked radiant. They climbed into the back of their carriage happily. Dan gently lifted Lady Trixie onto the bench, then climbed up next to her. They hadn’t married yet, but Trixie was making great plans. For the time being, she would accompany him on his adventures, so they could get to know each other better. Her first adventure would be to see that Princess Honey had a wonderful honeymoon with Sir Regan.
Wedding guests waved and threw flower petals as the carriage began to pull away. Trixie noticed Lady Diana waving them off with a handsome, dark-haired gentleman at her elbow.
"Who is that with Lady Diana?" Trixie asked Dan.
"I believe that’s Count Mundy, Lester Mundy. He must be courting her."
As they passed the palace steps where the Royal Wheelers stood waiting, the beauty of Prince Jim’s new wife, Lady Trask, awed everyone.
"She’s stunning," Trixie sighed.
"Yeah, but his parents nearly had heart attacks when they heard who he wanted to marry," Dan chuckled. "Cook told me that she kept them supplied with tonics all night. Not only is there a huge age difference, but she was their servant! But they’re good sports. They’re happy that Prince Jim is happy."
Trixie looked at Dan fondly. "I’m happy too."
Finit