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Dragon suitably beheaded, Prince Charming galloped across the castle moat, brandishing his sword with practiced flair. If only a painter could capture me like this, he thought, picturing the scene: his white stallion frozen mid-leap, neck arched in a perfect curve and mane and tail streaming through the air, him astride in a resplendent scarlet tunic, with a stern profile and smiling eyes.
Wexford—his horse—cantered onwards without instruction, straight into the castle courtyard, his hooves clatter-clattering on the mismatched cobblestones. There he wheeled to a halt and stamped his foot twice.
“Never fear, Princess!” Prince Charming called out, uncertain whether she could hear him but feeling exhilarated at the returning echo of his voice. “I shall rescue you!”
He dismounted, giving Wexford one solid pat on the neck. Wexford ignored him, so Prince Charming ignored Wexford back. He shook his head and walked towards the stairs leading up to the main doorway. “Stupid horse,” he muttered, not paying attention to where he was walking. His suit of armour was so heavy he tripped on the first step and crashed down on his face. Wexford’s loud whinny sounded suspiciously like laughter.
Not to be discouraged, Prince Charming leapt to his feet and stomped all the way up the stairs, pushing the castle doors open and walking inside. Once inside, he stopped and looked around in surprise. He had been expecting an abandoned castle, overrun with weeds and the lazy cobwebs of large, content spiders. Instead he found a neat entrance hall, candles burning brightly in the lamps, and highly polished wooden furniture that gleamed so brightly he could see his face in the reflection.
But there was no time to waste admiring the décor. He had a princess to save! He could already imagine the reunion: her lying asleep on her bed, golden locks cascading over one shoulder, face upturned, waiting for a kiss. He’d walk into her room, lean down and press his lips against hers. Only that could break the curse upon her. Her eyes would flutter open, she’d take one look at him and fall in love. Wexford would carry them home to live happily ever after. Prince Charming smiled self-deprecatingly. The things a man had to do nowadays to find himself a wife!
The highest room of the tallest tower—that’s where Sleeping Beauty was. Prince Charming huffed and puffed his way up the stairs, using his broadsword as a walking stick. When he’d finally reached the top, he was so tired he had to sit down for a few minutes and breathe deeply. Then he got to his feet and walked the last few steps over to the narrow wooden door behind which waited his prize.
Prince Charming put his hand on the doorknob, then hesitated. He pulled out his travel comb and a small towel, wiped his face dry and combed his hair into a neat side parting so that he would look good for the Princess. He knocked out of habit, then pushed open the door and walked in to meet his future wife. Except there was one small problem to his great plan: the bed was empty.
Prince Charming walked over to the bed, stared down at the neatly pressed sheets in abject confusion. Where was she? The instructions had been clear, this is where the wicked witch had left Sleeping Beauty, ready to be rescued. But this bed didn’t even look like it had been slept in! That’s when he noticed the note on the pillow.
He picked it up. Was it a love letter? It didn’t look like the love letters he had seen before. It was not pink, and it didn’t smell like perfume. It smelled like old newspapers, and—when Prince Charming turned the paper around to stare at the back—he realized it was a piece of an old newspaper. It had a completed crossword on the back!
He turned it back around and stared at the no-nonsense handwriting. At least it was easier to read than the usual girly cursive.
Dear Prince Charming, the letter said. I am very sorry not to be waiting for you as you wanted me to. The thing is, I knew the witch was going to poison me so I took an anti-sleeping-potion beforehand. At first I spent a lot of time playing and teaching myself languages like ogrish. Then I got bored waiting for you to rescue me. So when I heard that Prince Dashing was captured by ogres when he was out fishing, I thought I’d go rescue him instead. I hope you don’t mind. If you want, you can wait here until I get back.
Lots of love, from Sleeping Beauty.
Prince Charming sat down on the bed and let the letter fall to the floor. Now what was he going to tell his parents?
Inspired by the wonderful 7-year-old Alexia.
A.M. Harte 
Miss Alexia likes this story and she likes having inspired it. She spent most of the reading time laughing raucously. The idea of the princess running off to do her own thing cracked her up and I think she did not expect to encounter that in a story about Sleeping Beauty. Brava, and the little one says “Thank you!”
I love this story too. A nice take on the fairy tale with a twist of self-assured princess. <3
She was the one who inspired me to come up with a self-assured princess, so thank you right back!
This is so cute. Girl Power in its truest form. Great read!
Thank you! I don’t see why all the fairy tales involve girls waiting around for their men to save the day.
Very fun slant on the fairy tale. Love the humor. It was just the thing to read after a tough day.
Thanks,
Laurel W.
Glad to hear it. :-)
Now that was…charming! One of my favorite things I’ve discovered I enjoy (besides zombie love stories) is modern rewrites of stuffy fairytales! Absolutely smiled through this, thanks for sharing!
Perhaps I shall have to write you a zombie love story then to complete the set!
Women…
Come on, Princess. She’s out rescuing a dude from multiple ogres. Go play back-up. Show you’re worth it in non-dragon affairs!
Ha! You know, I had actually considered having Sleeping Beauty add a postscript to the letter, telling Prince Charming not to hurt the poor dragon?
yes, I agree – charming :)
and amusing
thanks!
great to read. :)
Heehee, double post much? :-)
A completed cross-word on the back! I adore that detail. Great topsy-turvy fairy tale. I like this Princess. :)
Anna, I love it. Great work! :D
This was a lot of fun to read. I love alternate takes on fairy tales, and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. Well done!
Thank you!
Fun! :-)
This was FANTASTIC! I found myself smiling, then whinny–I mean laughing out loud.
I am reading “Hooked” on how to write openings. Your first two lines are perfect.
Thanks! I’ve never heard of “Hooked” — is it worth checking out?
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Haha! That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout! A REAL Princess!!!
Great fun, this post. Love it!
~2
Very cute, and quite funny. I love new takes on old tales, and this one fits the bill perfectly.
I love self rescuing princesses. Well done. :)
Thanks! I think she may even need to rescue Prince Charming from his parents!
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You’re superb. What an incredibly well-written short story you’ve made! Have a mug of ice-cold beer on me, sir!
Cheers from Rio de Janeiro, Bra-S-il.
Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed the story, and while I’m not a big beer drinker I appreciate the sentiment (rum is after all a far superior drink). ;-)