The Enchanted Kingdoms (Haunting Fairytales Book 1)

by R. L. Weeks

  The mermaid smiled. ‘I am Josephine.’

  ‘I am Lori. This is Stilt, Prince of Darkness,’ she stated.

  ‘Prince of Darkness eh?’ Josephine asked.

  Stilt bit his tongue. He never had such a title, but ever since the disastrous incident, he had been known as that. ‘They used to call me the cunning snake. I always found a way to thwart my enemies, no matter how powerful they were!’ he said, staring angrily at Lori. She laughed, dismissing him, and turned back to Josephine.

  ‘I require mermaid hair,’ she said, not wasting any time.

  Josephine ran her hand through her wet, yet untangled red hair. It was a dark red; that’s how Lori could tell she was old. Younger mermaids from this lake had bright red hair. ‘I cannot give you mine,’ she stated.

  ‘I require young hair. I need as much power as I can.’

  ‘I have a daughter, Ariel. She will give you her hair. In exchange, I need something from you.’

  ‘Of course,’ Lori said, expecting nothing less.

  ‘Find a sorcerer, someone, to place a curse on my Ariel. She wants legs, to become a human. I can never allow this to happen.’

  Lori grinned. ‘I am a sorceress. However, I cannot grant such a thing. No one can. Although, I can do something else. A curse that will only ever allow her, if she found a way to become human, to leave the lake for up to three days before she has to return or she will turn into sea foam.’

  ‘What? No. I don’t want her to die,’ Josephine said quickly.

  Lori shook her head. ‘She would feel herself being lured back to the lake, if she gets legs, they will turn back into a tail after three days. She would find a way to return to the lake and will never be able to become human again. It is all I can do,’ Lori said. ‘Now, do we have a deal?’

  Josephine hesitated and looked down into her underwater kingdom. ‘You have yourself a deal.’

  Lori grinned and conjured up a vial of red and green liquid. ‘Make her drink this. It will enact the curse.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Josephine said, took the vial, and swam to find Ariel.

  Lori and Stilt waited. ‘Never call me a prince of darkness again!’ he said through clenched teeth.

  She cackled and pulled her hair down from the tight bun which stretched her skin on her forehead. He noticed when her hair fell, it tumbled down past her waist, and was slightly curly. She looked much younger, more innocent with it down. All except for the eyes, it gave her away. You can always tell by someone’s eyes, the darkness in them, of their true nature, and her’s were as dark as they come.

  She sighed. ‘You’re never going to get over it, are you?’

  He clenched his teeth. ‘Obviously not.’

  She huffed and plucked one of her black hairs and popped it into another vial. She waved her hand and the hair turned into an oozing black liquid.

  ‘What is that?’ he asked.

  She handed him the vial. ‘This is an apology, the only one you shall ever get. Well, it’s more of a pity gift. It will make your wife forget that you ever had a child, the one that you ate.’

  He scoffed. ‘I would say thanks, but this doesn’t even come close to making up for it.’

  ‘It’s all I can offer you,’ she stated. He snatched it from her and put it into his pocket. The boat rocked a little and Josephine returned with Ariel. She had beautiful red hair that clung wetly to her face, neck, and chest.

  ‘Hi, I’m Ariel’ the chirpy red head said excitedly. ‘Mother says you need hair. Here,’ she said. She was bobbing up and down excitedly. Lori had never seen anyone with so much energy. Ariel cut her hair with a sharp shell until her hair was shoulder length. As soon as the hair was on the boat, it became instantly dry and shone a little.

  ‘Thank you, Ariel,’ Lori said and smiled.

  ‘That’s okay. Hey, can I have that?’ she asked and pointed at Lori’s cloak.

  ‘No!’ Lori exclaimed.

  ‘Sorry,’ Ariel mumbled and swam back into the lake with a huff. Josephine rolled her eyes.

  ‘Sorry, she’s obsessed with collecting objects used by people.’

  Lori forced a laugh. ‘We will be on our way now, thank you.’

  They sailed back to shore. Stilt had tried to transport himself using his powers, but the power of the lake prevented anyone from doing that. She looked properly at his jacket which was sewn entirely with thread made from Gold. It matched the colour of his straw-like hair, even his eyes, though amber, had a slight gold hue to them.

  I guess you spun the gold yourself?’ She asked.

  He grinned, showing his crooked, partially blackened teeth. ‘Yes lovey. As you know, I am the only man who can spin straw into gold.’

  ‘Yes, yes,’ she waved her hand impatiently. ‘It looks beautiful. I have never seen anything look like that. When the light catches it, it’s mesmerizing,’ she admitted, in a trance-like state.

  ‘Want to strike another deal? I can make you the most beautiful golden dress,’ he said, his beady eyes locked onto hers.

  ‘No,’ she said, turning away from the jacket. ‘I know of your deals. I’d never be idiotic enough to make a deal with you, no matter how beautiful a dress you could make. After we get off this boat, we go our separate ways.’

  Stilt nodded. ‘Agreed.’

  They jumped off the boat and waded through the shallow water until they reached the pebbly beach. Lori twisted the hair until it too turned into liquid. She magicked a little glass bottle and uncorked it. The liquid danced into the bottle. Lori poured the contents of the vial from Ursula into the bottle and pushed the cork back in it.

  Stilt looked through jealous eyes. Lori was more skilled at sorcery than he, despite the magical power, she had skill. He hated that and would never admit it to her. But he did appreciate it. Ursula was a sea witch, which meant her magic worked in a different way. Merlin prevent the use of sorcery to take other’s powers from them. However, mermaids were not under his domain and realised that Lori must have made a deal with Ursula before to gain unlimited power. Stilt took the bottle.

  ‘Don’t forget,’ Lori warned. ‘Prince Edward does not get a happily ever after!’

  MERLIN

  Stilt clicked his fingers. He arrived back at his home. A manor house covered in ivy. The garden was overgrown, the stone walls were cracked, and most of the windows were broken.

  He looked around at the many surrounding fields, with the same dead woods to the left, and rippling pond to the right. The house had not been looked after in his absence. Of course, he knew his wife, Sadie was okay, after receiving reports from his spies who kept an eye on her while he was away. However, she may be physically well, but mentally, she was not. People now called her Crazy Sadie. He sighed as he approached the front door, knowing that if she saw him, it could tip her over the edge. He hesitated by the knocker when he heard a horse approaching. He turned and saw Edward on a magnificent white stallion.

  ‘Stilt,’ said the Prince, breathless. ‘I was hoping to find you. I knew you lived here.’

  Stilt cackled. ‘Edward, I was going to come and see you soon. How are you?’ He asked, pretending to care.

  Edward jumped off the stallion and walked up to Stilt. Stilt wrapped his arm around Edward’s broad shoulders. Edward had grown fond of Stilt, seeing him not only as an ally but a friend. They understood each other’s need for power. They didn’t look down on the darkness in each other. They did not judge each other. Edward liked that, for so many looked down at him for his decisions, his selfishness, his power lust. Stilt did not. When they had arrived back in Dolorom, Stilt had been extremely understanding of Edward’s problems. He’d even given good advice on what to do next. Now, Edward hoped that Stilt could help him with another problem. ‘My mother and the King wish to have a child,’ Edward said.

  ‘So I have heard,’ Stilt admitted. ‘What are you going to do about it?’ He asked, devilishly.

  Edward sighed. ‘I have heard rumours that they may have found a magic strong enou
gh to help them. However, if they have a boy, he will take the throne before me. I cannot allow this!’

  Stilt smirked. ‘Of course.’ He looked at Edward with a mischievous grin. ‘You are the Prince. It does not matter that the King is not your father! You are the rightful heir to the throne. Your mother is a queen. How dare some little kid come into the world and take that from you. Perhaps, if they had a girl then that would be okay?’

  Edward smiled. ‘My thoughts exactly.’ Stilt hid a grin. Knowing Edward, of course, he had and calculated all his options first. Edward continued. ‘They won’t give up until they have a child. However, like you said, if they have a girl, that would be okay. He is desperate for any child of his own, girl or boy. I don’t think he would care.’

  Stilt piped up. ‘We must find a way. My wife, she is childless, and in the same position. I’d tried to find a way for magic to help her, but nothing could help. She had her ovaries and other parts ripped out many years back,’ Stilt admitted.

  Edward turned slightly green. ‘Oh gosh, how awful.’

  ‘I know,’ Stilt said. ‘Anyway, with no ovaries, there is no way she can have a child, even with magic. But, I can help your mother and stepfather, in exchange, for their first born. I will, of course, make sure both children are girls.’

  ‘Both children?’ Edward asked.

  Stilt nodded. ‘I will make sure they can have more than one child, seeing as I am to take their first.’

  ‘And you will make sure they are all girls if I help you?’ Edward asked.

  ‘Of course, I consider you a friend and an ally. I wouldn’t trick you,’ Stilt said with a menacing twinkle in his eye.

  Edward lifted Stilt up onto the back of the horse then jumped up himself. ‘I don’t know if they’d agree.’

  Stilt cackled. ‘Of course they will if they are as desperate as you say they are. For now, we need to find out who’s helping them, and kill them before they ruin both of our plans. Do you know who is helping them?’ asked Stilt.

  ‘Yes,’ the Prince said and whipped the horse, who was now galloping across the fields. Stilt looked back sadly at the house. He had hoped to see his wife. But, once he returned with a child, and gave the potion to make her forget what happened, then she’d be happy. They would be happy again.

  ‘Who is it?’ Stilt asked Edward.

  ‘He calls himself Merlin,’ Edward stated.

  ***

  Spring was nearing. The shrubs of green shot through the mossy mattress. They rode through the forest which showed little light, and toward centre of Cantata.

  ‘Merlin, present yourself!’ Edward shouted, once they were at the centre of Cantata.

  ‘You’d think the magical hub of the world would be more than just a tiny cottage,’ Edward said. Stilt rolled his eyes at Edward’s arrogance. A man with a long dark beard tied into segments with little bands covered in purple beads, appeared. The purple beads complimented his violet eyes. His wavy raven black hair, tied into a ponytail, reached down to his shoulder blades. He wore a long green velvet robe, patterned with gold thread. Stilt looked at it fondly. He was one the few who had enough power to force Stilt into making it for him.

  ‘Stiltskin,’ Merlin said. His voice was low and gruff. ‘It has been too long.’

  ‘It’s just Stilt now,’ he replied and looked at the ground. ‘You look well; you haven’t aged a day.’

  Merlin laughed throatily. ‘I see you’re still a coward.’

  ‘Merlin, I am Edward, Prince of-.'

  ‘I know who you are boy!’ Merlin spat. ‘A Prince, soon to be King. A coward who abuses his power. A man who will stomp on anyone to get what you want. I’ve heard all about you.’

  ‘At least I am more handsome and wealthy than you!’ Edward snapped back.

  Merlin raised an eyebrow and smirked. ‘Arrogance, oh how it must feel to be young and stupid. Ignorance is bliss as they say-.'

  ‘I am not ignorant, or stupid! You think you can talk down to me because you are a powerful sorcerer? You used to be someone to admire, now no-one hears of you anymore. I used to go off your teachings when I found out that I possessed the magic. Now you’re a laughing stock, hiding in this tiny cottage, afraid to make new deals with anyone.’

  Merlin gritted his teeth. ‘I am helping your parents. Therefore, I will warn you not to get on my bad side.’

  Edward smiled at Stilt. ‘I do not care. If you help my stepfather, the king, he will go back on any deal he has promised you. That is what he is like. He is uncannily like me for someone who is not blood-related.’

  Merlin laughed. ‘I will rain havoc on Dolorom if he dares cross me.’

  ‘You could try, but I will rise against you, along with all the sorcerers I can find, with all the men I have. I will find a way to crush you and your stupid magical cottage.’

  ‘Leave here now!’ Merlin ordered, shouting.

  ‘Refuse them help,’ Edward said.

  ‘Why should I? It is not you I made a deal with.’

  ‘I need you too,’ he protested. ‘Tell them you refuse or I will make you pay.’

  ‘Edward,’ Stilt said nervously. ‘This is Merlin you are talking to.’

  ‘Yes, Edward. Listen to your cowardly friend. At least he isn’t stupid enough to think he can take me on.’

  ‘What did they offer you?’ Edward asked. ‘When I become king, I will give you that plus more. I will sign a contract so I cannot break it.’

  Merlin raised a tangled eyebrow. ‘I want a ship, a unique ship.’ Edward's expression twisted into one of frustration. ‘You know what ship I am talking about Edward. The same one you have been looking for. A pirate ship, with a particular pirate, owned, controlled, by a very powerful boy.’

  ‘I have been trying to get to Neverland for years, it’s impossible,’ Edward replied angrily.

  ‘It is merely improbable, not impossible,’ Merlin said and conjured up a contract and handed Edward a quill. ‘Sign here, if not I will help your parents. Oh, and I know what you want, it is evident. You don’t want them to have a boy, for you will lose your right to be King first. If you do not get me what I desire, if you do not sign, I will make sure they have only boys.’

  Edward begrudgingly signed the contract.

  ‘You have three years from the moment you are crowned King to deliver the ship to me. Unless you die first,’ Merlin stated. ‘Now leave.’ He turned to Stilt. ‘Oh, Stilt. I will need you to re-do some of these threads at some point.’

  ‘But, they are made of gold, they cannot fray,’ Stilt replied.

  Merlin laughed. ‘They haven’t, they are just dulling in colour!’

  ‘Every time I spin gold it takes some of my power, I cannot-,’ Stilt protested.

  ‘I do not care. You will do as I asked,’ Merlin interrupted.

  Stilt stared at him coldly. ‘I will come here after I have finished my business in Dolorom.’

  They walked away, and Merlin and the cottage vanished, leaving nothing but a sea of trees. ‘You just do what he asks?’ asked Edward.

  ‘He has always pushed me around. I want to say no, but he is powerful. He could ruin me,’ Stilt admitted.

  ‘Ha,’ Edward laughed. ‘I would never let anyone speak to me like that, whether it was Merlin or the King himself. I would crush them,’ Edward said and laughed. He stood proudly, pushing his shoulders back and chest out. His white jacket was untarnished and fitted well over his muscular stature. He put his feet into the silver stirrups of the horse and grasped the hilt of his sword before lifting it into the air. The beautiful gold lines cracked their way around the blade; the edge was terrifyingly sharp. The hilt was covered with rubies, and it was long and thick. ‘How do you think I got this Stilt? I took it, from a King many years ago. I always get what I want. Remember that.’ He didn’t mention that his other sword had been broken by that enchantress. Well, he almost always got what he wanted.

  STILT’S DEAL

  ‘Majesty’s,’ Stilt said and bowed. He brushed his h
air from his face and smiled warmly at the beautiful Queen.

  The King looked at him coldly. ‘What do you want Prince of Darkness?’

  Stilt bit his tongue. ‘I see the name has caught on,’ he said making light of it. ‘I was cursed; I could not help what happened. I hate myself for what happened. However, that is why I am here.’

  The King arched an eyebrow and leant forward in his throne. ‘What do you want?’

  ‘I have heard rumours that Merlin has chosen not to help you. Edward can confirm.’

  Edward nodded stiffly which was followed by a sigh from the Queen. ‘We know, he sent us a message.’

  ‘Well,’ Stilt said, smiling broadly. ‘I am here to offer you a deal. I will give you the chance to have children. You will not be able to find any other sorcerer who has the power to do it, asides from Merlin.’

  The King stood up and ordered the guards to leave. They marched out leaving the King, Queen, Edward, and Stilt alone. ‘What do you want in return?’

  ‘Your first-born child. I will guarantee that you can have more than one,’ he said, getting straight to the point. He could see that the King was not one to skirt around things.

  ‘No,’ the Queen said.

  ‘Enough, Kathryn!’ the King barked and walked over to Stilt.

  He extended his hand and Stilt shook it. ‘You have yourself a deal, Stilt. Make your preparations,’ he said and turned to Edward. ‘Give him your chambers so he can carry out his work. He must have space and comfort to carry out the preparations for such a spell.’

  ‘No!’ Edward protested.

  ‘I was not asking,’ the King replied sternly and left the throne room. Kathryn ran over to Edward and hugged him.

  ‘I have missed you so much, Son,’ she admitted. ‘It has been incredibly boring without you here.’ She even had a regal air when she hugged. Her eyes were jade green, unlike her Edward’s, whose were brown. She had broad shoulders, but the rest of her was petite. Her thin, colourless lips suited her square face perfectly. Her brown grey streaked hair was tied into a knot. A gold crown sat above it.