Not Your Average Princess

by Kylee Kosoff

  GRIM

  Pheew! I talked him out of it.

  “I need a minion.”

  Ah, dang!

  “Do you know where the Igor shop is?”

  “It closed down when Igorton Luther King Jr. protested.”

  “I’m sure I can find an idiot around here somewhere—”

  “Look, Hook, if you really want a happy ending, you can’t do it this way. It’s wrong, and it will never work!”

  For a moment he faltered. His blue eyes flashed with pain and regret. Almost as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. His face hardened. “It has too.” He stormed off probably looking for something to curse Henri with.

  If this story was going to make it, I needed to figure Hook out. Why was he so desperate? And why did he insist on doing this the hard way?

  Another great thing about being a Grim is that we keep a record book. If a particular character causes a lot of trouble, we can figure out exactly what makes him tick. Pulling it out of my backpack, I began to read.

  ***

  Peter Pan

  Recordings of Jack Grim

  I have just entered Neverland. What a marvelous star! My story is about two brothers James and Peter Thorne sons of King Thrushbeard the princes of Neverland.

  Peter is quite the scamp and has vowed to never grow up. He spends much of his time in a tree house. He is part of some secret club called the Lost Boys. They are quite mischievous and their favorite pastime is to play tricks on Peter’s older brother James.

  James is the oldest son and heir to the throne. I believe Peter looks up to his brother as all young boys do. But James is very pressured by his parents. With all of his responsibilities, he has very little time for his younger brother.

  The Journal of James Thorne

  I never wanted to be a prince, but Father says one cannot escape fate. We all have our roles to play.

  My brother Peter is a better prince because he actually wants the throne, but he was born the younger son.

  Father is sending me to school. It is no matter that I do not wish to leave.

  At first, I was angry that I was sent away. Father wanted me to better myself through education. But now, I find I enjoy the salty air of the sea. I love the rolling and crashing of the waves. I like the rocking and creaking of the ship. All too soon we arrived at the school that my father wanted me to attend. It surprised me how much I missed the peaceful lull of the sea.

  Recordings of Jack Grim

  James’s absence bothered Peter more than he would admit. In his absence, however Peter’s parents had much more attention and affection for their youngest son. He truly flourished without being under his brother’s shadow.

  In a few years, James returned a fine young man. He begged his father to let him build a ship. He had always been happiest when he was near the water.

  At first Peter was genuinely happy to have his brother home, but once again Peter was in his brother’s shadow. He was no longer the only son and jealousy consumed him.

  James and Peter fought constantly almost as much as James and his father fought.

  As the year passed Peter became an even bigger trouble maker. I am appalled at his lack of honor. But some stories must be tragedy.

  James; however, has become a successful merchant. Though his merchant days are temporary, he truly belongs on a ship rather than on a throne.

  The Journal of James Thorne

  Captioning my own ship is where I belong. My crew has become closer than family. I was uncertain about branching out on my own, but my merchant business is thriving. However, I know this life cannot last no matter how much I love it.

  Father is pressuring me to find a bride.

  Mother has even invited princesses to stay at the palace hoping that I might find my princess.

  Today, I met Princess Wendy. She was beautiful, and she smiled at me. I know that Peter likes her, but I think I could love her.

  Recordings of Jack Grim

  King Thrushbeard and his wife opened their home to Princess Wendy. They are hoping she will be a bride to one of their sons. Since Wendy, I have noticed a change in Peter.

  He is no longer running wild with the Lost Boys or tormenting his brother. Instead he is following her around like a lovesick puppy.

  James has developed feelings for Wendy as well.

  And I cannot help but be worried about the outcome.

  Wendy enjoys the attention and leads both brothers on.

  The division between James and Peter is only widening.

  The Journal of James Thorne

  Wendy promised me that she loves me and not Peter.

  I feel sorry for my brother, but I love her.

  She wants me to put away my seafaring dreams and focus on my duty.

  I’m going on my last trip as caption of my ship before Wendy and I are to be wed.

  Recordings of Jack Grim

  In an act of rage, Peter led his Lost Boys on an attack against James’ ship. They lit the ship on fire trapping many below deck.

  James refused to leave his crew and risked his life to save them. Once the crew was safe, James ran to retrieve a cherished family heirloom that his mother gave him for Wendy’s engagement ring. The mast collapsed crushing James’s arm.

  His crew was barely able to rescue him, yet nothing could be done for his hand.

  When Wendy saw the damage caused by the fire, she screamed and declared that she could never marry a cripple.

  His ship was lost, his crew scattered, and the woman he loved chose to marry his brother.

  His parents did everything they could to mend the rift in their family, but nothing could be done.

  Peter and James despised each other.

  On the day Peter married his brother’s beloved James’ strong heart broke.

  Despite being married, Peter still refused to grow up. He continued his foolery with the Lost Boys most of which was to antagonize James. They were crueler than they had ever been before.

  I do not think Peter realized the slippery slope he teetered on or perhaps he did, and he planned the entire thing. Eventually he pushed James too far and any love James had ever had for Peter vanished.

  Peter had not only taken everything from James but had destroyed his brother’s life. James’ heart hardened. He changed so quickly that I fear it is irrevocable. He replaced his hand with a hook and became a ruthless pirate with only one purpose: to destroy Peter Pan.

  Attaining a new ship and crew, Hook wasted no time in his quest for revenge. He set fire to Peter’s tree house and slaughtered the Lost Boys.

  Peter fearlessly attacked his brother, but he was no match against James’ sword.

  If their father had not intervened James would have killed his brother. He realized that his son James was dead and in his stead was only the ruthless pirate Captain Hook. Having no other choice, he banished Hook from Neverland.

  Because the king and queen did not want to lose their son they swore if he could ever give up his quest for vengeance, he would be welcomed home.

  I do not think that they completely understood the depth of Peter’s betrayal against his brother. James would never return, for he would never be able to forgive his brother.

  Everything fell into place exactly as Peter wanted: his brother was banished, and he became his father’s sole heir.

  The boy, who would not grow up, never grew up for he only ever cared about himself.

  The end.

  ***

  Well, that sure explained a lot. Hook had lost everything. He had been betrayed by his brother, and the girl of his dreams literally ripped out his heart and spit on it. If I had to guess, his swagger was just a cover. A shield to keep everyone away.

  Sometimes when people face the worst that life has to offer, they won’t allow themselves to feel anything else.

  Hook wouldn’t even consider love because he was so afraid of the past repeating itself. He was terrified of letting someone in and being hurt again. He thought if he saved a p
rincess, he would finally be happy.

  But that’s not how happily ever afters work. It wasn’t a cure all, and it couldn’t be forced. No one was guaranteed happiness even in fairytales. The truth is stories hurt, and that's what makes it a story. No one likes to read about characters with perfect lives; instead, they want to read about characters who hurt and struggle. A story is a story after all.

  HOOK

  The poisoned apple in my hand glistened. In any moment Henri would be coming out of the tunnel exactly in my direction. I would honorably offer her the apple.

  She would take a bite, fall asleep, and need a kiss from a dashing pirate. She would wake and be so grateful; she’d forget her stupid vow and marry me.

  Finally, Henri emerged from the tunnel she frowned when she saw me.

  I grinned.

  “What do you want, Hook?”

  “I just wanted to make sure that you had the proper nutrients for the day.” I held out the apple.

  “You know I eat one of these every day.”

  “You’ve missed your quota for today though.”

  “Fine, but you have to tell Queen Grimhilde for me.”

  “Deal.” I handed her the apple.

  She took a big bite, and I waited. She ate the whole apple, but nothing happened. “Thanks, I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Most definitely.”

  I watched as she walked away.

  “What did you expect? She’s an un-cursable princess; an apple’s not gonna cut it.” Grim frowned at me.

  “Then what do you suggest.”

  “We have to think bigger—much bigger,” She said somberly.

  Chapter 8: At the Ball

  The ocean is a dance of crashing waves.

  HENRI

  “Show time,” I muttered. I had no idea what Dwarf had done, but I knew that it would be giant size. Taking a deep breath and adorned in my fabulous dress, I stepped into the ballroom.

  A giant prism hung from the ceiling, black streamers and green balloons hung in the air. Pixies trapped in jars lit the entire room.

  The Wrong Direction boy band was on a stage playing their hit single “What Makes You Terrible.”

  A gigantic cake hovered over an array of repulsive foods such as: Eyeball Soup, Lava Cake, Lady Fingers, and an assortment of Rattlesnake Eggs, Lizard Gizzards, and Snipe Tripe.

  Everyone was there.

  Queen Grimhilde was in a grand Rotten Apple red gown, Dad was in a gold suit, Tiger Lilly had a beautiful deerskin gown with turquoise embellishment, and then there was Hook dressed in a maroon brocade coat and black leather pants.

  I was enveloped with congratulations and happy birthdays.

  “That’s enough!” Dwarf bellowed. “We are going to sing to our beautiful Henrietta.”

  The room erupted in an offbeat, tone deaf performance of Happy Birthday.

  The wicked witch of the west added the—You look like a monkey—part.

  Once the cake was cut Dwarf announced that it was time for my first dance.

  Hook winked at me.

  I sighed and grudgingly held out my hand to him.

  His smirk turned into a grin.

  The band began playing “Not So Little Things” as Hook expertly waltzed with me. “This is quite the party,” he remarked.

  “Dwarf was in charge.”

  “I must say that nothing quite compares to you in that dress,” He murmured.

  “Now, Captain, I expect you to be a gentleman tonight.”

  “Ah, my lady, I am one thing and one thing alone.”

  “And what is that?”

  He lowered his mouth until his stubble tickled my ear. “A pirate.”

  “Stop it.”

  “Stop what?” he asked twirling me.

  “Ruining the moment.”

  “As you wish, my lady.”

  “I am not your lady.”

  “Yet.”

  “Ever.”

  GRIM

  This was very good.

  They were almost getting along.

  Hopefully, Hook wouldn’t mess this up.

  She wasn’t running from him.

  He hadn’t aggravated her—well at least she wasn’t yelling at him yet.

  Maybe this would be enough.

  He was almost happy. Maybe he would give up his stupid quest to curse her and just fall in love.

  Who was I kidding?

  This was Captain James Hook, and he was anything but ready to surrender.

  HOOK

  Henri felt like she belonged in my arms. When she wasn’t being so stubborn her company was amiable enough.

  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed her company. I couldn’t help but scowl as the song came to an end.

  Henri grinned and whispered in my ear, “It looks like I escaped your infamous hook.”

  My lips twitched. “For now.”

  She was quickly swept away by her friends. Everyone wanted to dance with her.

  Grim sashayed over to me in a regal black gown. “Smile at me.” she commanded.

  I acquiesced. “May I ask why?”

  “Because Henri’s looking at you, and I’m making her jealous.”

  “I like this plan.”

  “I thought you would.” She put her hand on my arm.

  “You’re quite good at this aren’t you?” I asked.

  “I just know what would make me jealous.”

  “You think it’s working?”

  “She could have chosen anybody for the first dance, but she chose you.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Girls dig bad boys; we just can’t help ourselves.”

  I looked over to where Henri was dancing with Napoleon.

  Sure enough, she was watching us. Our eyes met briefly before she looked away.

  “Ok, that should be enough.”

  “Enough for what?”

  “To get you the last dance, so you best behave yourself.”

  Chapter 9: Curses

  Sleeping Beauty—Pricks her finger on a needle; faints at the sight of her own blood; and marries the complete stranger who kisses her awake.

  Grim

  Because I uncovered Hook’s past, I decided to uncover Henri’s. Authors need to know everything that they can about their characters. Understanding who the character is creates the story. For example, we know that Hook is a pirate, and Henri is a princess. But there’s more to both of them. Hook was raised as a prince, but Henri was raised as a villain. This gives the writer and the reader insight into the character’s behavior and development.

  Looking at Hook’s background gave us a better understanding of why he is who he is.

  However, each character is different. They are affected by different things. Some are stagnant. Some are dynamic. But every character has his own background story.

  HENRI

  My feet ached, as I pulled off my shoes.

  “Did you have fun?” Dad asked.

  “Yes, I loved it. It was perfect.”

  My father smiled softly. “Did you like the cake?”

  “It was delicious.”

  “Did you love the dress?”

  “I could get used to being a princess with that kind of dress.”

  “And did you enjoy Hook’s company?”

  I laughed. “Does anyone ever really enjoy being around him?”

  “You danced with him twice, Henri. You’ve never done that before.”

  “Dad, it was just a dance.”

  “Two dances, sweetheart.”

  “Whatever.”

  He chuckled. “Good night, my little rotten apple.”

  “Good night, Daddy.”

  I plunked down on my bed and drew Mayfly into my arms. I fell asleep almost immediately.

  ***

  Hook used to be my best friend. When he was seventeen, and I was twelve; my father took him in. He had just been banished and established as a villain. He was young and angry, but he was the closest villain to my age. He was handsome, and I so desperately
wished for a friend.

  But more than that, I was fascinated with the sea.

  Hook would tell me stories of his adventures, and he even brought me back baubles.

  “When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!”

  Hook laughed, “A ship is no place for a lass.”

  “But I’ll be a woman not a lass!”

  “It’s bad luck.”

  “But you don’t believe in luck!”

  He patted my head, “Perhaps I don’t. It’s not for you, Etta.”

  “How do you know?”

  He smiled sadly, “Because you’ll miss all of this.” He gestured to the Dark Forest Republic and everyone in it.

  “But don’t you miss it?”

  “No, I don’t. I’m not like you; I don’t belong here.”

  But you could, I thought. I knew that he didn’t really see me. All he saw was a little girl with a silly, little crush. But I knew even then that I loved Captain James Hook.

  I should’ve known better, but I believed in the fairytales.

  But Hook wasn’t planning on staying. He received word of a precious metal that the greedy pirate just couldn’t resist. He told me he was leaving, but a part of me didn’t believe him.

  I was turning thirteen, and the only thing I wanted was for him to be there.

  But Hook left, never to return. Until now, five years later.

  But I wasn’t that little girl anymore; I didn’t believe in fairytales. And I didn’t love the pirate who had broken my heart.

  GRIM

  I knew there was more to Henri’s story, but it was blocked. Piecing together a story often comes in pieces. An author rarely sees everything at once.

  I sighed. How on earth was I supposed to bring a heartless pirate and a guarded princess together?

  Henri had changed drastically from a girl who loved fairytales to a princess who preferred not to have one. She had believed in Hook once, but she wasn’t going to make that mistake again.

  Hook