***BeLoved*** Nayden AU Fairytale

[Kitten]

BELOVED

Hayden/Natalie AU

A cross between Beauty and The Beast, and Sleeping Beauty. Hayden is cursed to sleep until he can be awoken by true love's kiss



Once upon a time in a land far far away....

There was a Prince, Hayden was his name. Fair of looks, but dark of nature, spoilt and callous. One night, treacherous and stormy there was a knock on the door
Prince Hayden swung the door open, sneering as he saw an old crone quivering in the dark night

“Please...” her breath rasps, wheezing
Hayden shudders in revulsion
“Shelter, I beg you....”
Hayden inhales glaring at her
“I have no money...” she whispers, fingers trembling
“Ugh...” Hayden breathes as she clutches his vest
He laughs as she produces a blooming rose from her shredded cloak “A rose without a thorn...” she smiles, eyes gleaming at him hopefully
“What use have I of such things?” he mocks
“Please I beg you, have mercy....”
“BE GONE!” he roars, blinking as just as he is about to slam the door, her palm slaps across the wood, the sound vibrating all through the palace making it shake
“What?” he breathes, falling backwards scrambling he falls, stroking the hair out of his eyes, gaping in amazement as the crone before him is transformed into a radiant beauty
“I...” he murmurs, stuttering as he gazes at her golden locks rippling down her willowy body, eyes shining azure, glaring at him
“Please I....” he breathes, clasping her hand, kissing it “I beg pardon....”
She looks at him sadly
“Now you will give me shelter...”
“My home is yours!”
She sighs eyes glistening with tears
“Do not” he pleads as he sees her sorrowful gaze
She shakes her head
“For your heart of stone....” she breathes
Hayden gasps in horror as he sees glistening particles of light swirling from the rejected rose
“What?” he breathes
“You will slumber....”
“What?”
“And yet be awakened to your own misdeeds” she breathes
“I...” he gasps as the particles of light buzz around his head
“Your body will slumber, yet you will live on....you will hear, you will feel...” she smiles
“What is this...?” he rasps, whole body trembling as he watches the light dance above him
“Until your heart can be softened...until you can be loved...until you can love in return...then with a kiss...from your truest love...shall you be truly awoken....”
With that, the lights engulf his body and he falls to the ground with a swoon
****

HELP ME, HELP ME

Hayden screams and yet no one hears as his body slumbers on, spirit still keening
The servants eyes each other as they looked at the slumbering Prince, what should they do where should they go, their master had slumbered for so long, how could they stay here, weeks and weeks had passed and still he slept.

Then the women started to arrive. In bewilderment they looked at the eager young faces

“Is it true?” they breathed
“Is what true....”
“The Prince....”
They hang there heads
“It is said that...he can be awoken...only by true love’s kiss....”
The servant’s nods, sighing as they spy the rose clasped in his fingers
“It is true” they sigh
“Then I shall awake him!” One dark haired one boldly intones,
“No I!!”
They fight and they squabble, sure, that their kiss would be the one to awaken the slumbering Prince, all their hearts mean and grasping thinking of the glory that one kiss could bring.
Hayden listened to them sorrowfully, and yet he could not let them know his disgust his hatred, all they cared about was his riches, his wealth, none cared for him he thought mournfully.
He cried then, deep and alone in the dark as he felt kiss after kiss on his unwilling lips, and still he lay frozen, untouched, unmoved and unloved.
One by one all the girls in the land have kissed his frozen lips, with no avail. With sorrowful hearts, they left him slumbering on. The servants, stroked his golden hair, and kissed their prince goodbye
Hayden felt their touches and was most sorrowful at their laments of him. Only now did he know their devotion, their love that he was most undeserving of. And so they left him, frozen in time.


2/

Years passed and a new king was crowned the people of the land having chosen him. The palace was once again teeming with life. The frozen prince cast away to a darkened room, where no-one dared go, some even unaware that he resided in the palace anymore .
Hayden heard the murmurs of voices, of life going on without him, and longed for death, sweet oblivion, the thought of eternity like this to unbearable. For who could love him? He realised now, all too late, that he would lay frozen in time for ever more

One day one of the Queens ladies was searching through the palace, her small dog scampering at her heels
“Oh Charlie” she breathes “I am so bored” she murmurs wistfully as they descend the swirling staircases in search of adventure
She gasps as she sees an arched doorway, she had never seen before
Charlie barks in delight scampering ahead
She laughs
“Sssh” she tells the small dog, looking over her shoulder fearfully as she creaks open the door
“Charlie!!” she gasps quickly entering the room, closing the door wincing as it makes a dull thud
Hayden listens at the sound of scampering paws on the floor
“Charlie” the girl gasps as the dog growls at the bed, nose nuzzling the draping curtains apart
“Charlie behave...” she laughs rushing over, gasping as she sees Hayden laid on the bed
Charlie barks
“Oh my” she breathes “So it is true...” she whispers, biting her lip as she looks at the handsome slumbering man
“I didn’t believe it” she whispers
Hayden laughs inwardly, wondering what she looked like, her voice was sweet, husky and soothing
She laughs; Hayden can tell from the sounds that she is now holding the dog in her arms
“What do you think Charlie?” she breathes, “Should I kiss him...” she teases
The dog barks
“Should I?”
Feeling himself soothed, he awaits the touch of her lips on his, no expectancy this time, but he would like to feel her skin on his
“No” she breathes, shaking her head
Hayden listens bewildered, the silence in the room growing, she had not moved not an inch, she just looked at him, he found to his surprise that he did not mind this; her presence soothed him
“No” she states again with a soft sigh. She laughs “Like my kiss would wake a prince...” she laughs harder, stroking the golden hair. Hayden wishes he could lean into the touch; it was so gentle
“I will save us the disappointment shall I not sweet prince...”
Hayden sighs as he hears movement; the girl catches her breath
“Quick!” she gasps to the dog “We must go....”
Please do not, Hayden thinks mournfully
Natalie laughs easing the curtains back into place running to the door. She turns looking at the dusty curtains, just able to see the profile of the man in the bed
Do not leave, Hayden wails
“I...” she breathes, “I’m Natalie,” she whispers
There is a moment’s silence
Natalie; Hayden thinks what a beautiful name Natalie laughs
“Oh Charlie, what a fool I am, I act like he can hear me....” she laughs merrily blowing him a kiss as she leaves
But I can hear you sweet Natalie; he thinks, hoping that that was not the last he would hear of his sweet Nat


3/

“Hello sweet prince....”
Natalie! Hayden gasps at the soft voice
She giggles, sitting on the bed beside him, stroking his hair
“I am hiding” she confides
Hiding? He questions even though she can not hear him
She sighs
“The Queen has us doing our chores” she breathes, sighing “but all the other girls are so lazy...” she informs him “So it is left to me...” she sighs again “I feel like Cinderella” she giggles
“You don’t mind if I hide here do you?” she whispers “Just for a little while...”
Hayden listens, soul soothed as she talks to him soft and low of the days chores, reading aloud from her book, a tale of danger, intrigue, and romance
“You have to have romance” she sighs
Hayden laughs to himself at her soft dreamy sigh
She sighs harder dropping the book to her knees
They are so lucky,” she mourns fidgeting with the pages of the book making them rustle
“I wish I could have some dashing young man sweep me of my feet, and care not for the world...” she whispers “But then these girls...they are all so beautiful....” she murmurs, the hint of longing in her voice making his heart ache
“What man would look at me...they all want girls with .long legs...and...” she laughs nervously “Well curves I suppose...beautiful blond hair”
Hayden remembers the witches blond hair and shudders
“Not small and dark, with... ‘no womanly attributes’...”
Hayden sighs at her small voice; he longed to soothe her. He could tell those harsh words were from another, how they hurt her, could they not see her gentleness, her sweet nature, tenderness, her humour, her brains...were they blind? He rages. The thought billowing through his head
“But what matter, these are for fantasises...I am quite lucky that I have found someone...”
What? Hayden gasps inwardly, pain engulfing him at the thought of his sweet Nat in the arms of another
“All shall be well, I am sure we will be most contented, as long as I do my duty eh?” she laughs nudging him softly “give him sons...all shall be well...what for love eh...that is for sweet tales....” she sighs
Hayden listens heart sore, to hear her so weary and broken
“Alas, I must leave you sweet prince” she breathes “I should like to come again, as much as I am able...once I am married....”
She lets the words hang in the air
“Oh what matter” she laughs “I find your company pleasing...” she breathes
Hayden cries, Natalie kisses his cheek oblivious to the tear running down it as she takes her leave
Oh sweet Natalie he mourns, the cruel irony wounding his heart, he could see all the goodness in her, how she deserved so much more, she deserved love, he could see all this...how it took him to have his eyes taken from him to truly see


4/

Hayden gasps inwardly as he hears the scampering paws
Charlie! He breathes to himself, heart thundering as he waits to hear her soft step, his heart begins to pound as he hears the creak of the door
“Arf!” Hayden smiles softly to himself as he hears the soft bark
“Charlie! Sssh!”
Natalie!!!!, she was here, she had come back, she had not deserted him
“They’ll hear you...sssh” she breathes
She laughs softly, Hayden waits, as he hears her run towards the bed, he hears the whoosh of the curtains as she pulls them back
“Hello” she whispers
Hello, he breathes back
“I’m hiding again” she laughs, he feels butterflies explode in his belly as she and Charlie clamber onto the bed, he smiles inwardly as he feels the wet nose against his palm
“Charlie No!” she breathes “Bad...no sweetmeats for you...” she teases, making Charlie whimper
“Sorry” she murmurs to Hayden, he gasps as she raises his hand to her lips kissing it, tingles engulf his body at the gentle caress.
“Oh!!” she sighs as Charlie paws at her whimpering, she nudges Hayden softly “He is such a greedy boy....” she breathes “Loves his sweetmeats, don’t you honey....” she breathes
“Arf!”
“Who’s a greedy boy!” she laughs “All the ladies, I swear even the Queen thinks I’m a glutton...all the treats I take for you...” she coos to Charlie, “Mm” she breathes as he laps at her face
“I see their eyes, they’re jealous...of me....” she squeaks “They think how ca she be such a glutton, and stay so slim...little do they know eh....”
Hayden listens, longing to see her, just once to look upon that darling face,
“It is all they have to be jealous of eh?” she sighs “Sorry...” she whispers to Hayden “I must be boring you” she laughs. “They’re having a party...” she whispers
He had wondered where all the noise was coming from
“It is usually such fun...” she breathes “But some new guests have arrived, and they well...let’s say they are...um uncouth....”
Hayden sniggers to himself at her prim tone
“That sounds silly...doesn’t it....” she sighs “But seriously...they are all drunk....ugh....” she sneers “their words are most...suggestive...I must say....their hands more so...”
WHAT Hayden roars to himself, who dared touch his sweet one?
“Even for me” she laughs “Eh? What strong wine they must have....either that or someone has put a spell on them eh?”
She gasps in horror
“Oh” she winces, biting her lip “That wasn’t...oh dear...” she sighs “Sorry...” she laughs again “why am I...not that you heard...but I am sorry I didn’t mean...me and my mouth...what trouble it gets me into it....”
I forgive you, Hayden thinks in amusement, happiness blooming in his veins as he feels her lips against his cheek
Oh Natalie, he thinks as she winds her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder
“So I seek refuge with you my sweet prince...you do not mind company I hope....” she murmurs
Hayden could care less if she never moved from that spot, the warmth of her body seeping through him, and for the first time he was content. He listens as she tells him off her day, voice growing fainter
Natalie? He thinks; Natalie?
It is only with she gives a soft whispery murmur, he realises that she has fallen asleep, delight fills his body, knowing that she would be with him until she woke, and who knew when that would be. He hoped she slept long, if she never moved he would be happy just the touch of her hand, the caress of her breath on his cheek made his heart throb. How was he going to make her love him he wonders, for she must be the one to break the spell, never had anyone’s mere presence touched his heart so, but how could he make her kiss him

5/

Hayden gasps to himself as he hears the thundering boots
Natalie jerks awake
Natalie, Hayden breathes worriedly
"Oh no!" his heart lurches as he hears the fear in her voice "oh no!!" she gasps again
"Arf!"
"Sssh Charlie!" she whispers. Hayden feels his heart pound, worry filling him as he feels her tremble against him
"What to do!" she breathes "I am sorry" she murmurs to Hayden
Sorry, what for? he questions
"it is best he doesn't know you're here" she whispers gently "He would never let me see you....I'm sorry...."
Wait Natalie! he gasps
"Goodbye for now" she kisses his cheek quickly
Natalie, he pleads, but as usual she does not hear
"Hide Charlie"
Charlie whimpers
"I am leaving him with you sweet prince" she breathes "look after him..."
For you I will, he thinks, sighing as he feels the dogs trembling body against his
"Be a good boy Charlie, Mommy'll be back soon..."
Natalie just manages to draw the curtains of the bed running to the door when it is flung open
"Oh!" she cries out
Hayden listens intently at the heavy sound of boots
"what are you doing here?" a deep voice growls
"L-looking for Charlie"
Hayden trembles, heart somersaulting as he hears her fear
"That useless beast..."
"I think the music frightened him" Natalie breathes
"Forget about him, useless!" the man roars
"I was just...."
"How dare you leave the party!"
"I'm sorry I...."
"You leave when I tell you too!!!"
Hayden growls inwardly, who was this, it was he that was the beast
"Y-yes..." Natalie whispers
"When we are married..."
Hayden gasps to himself tears of utter rage filling his eyes, this was the animal his sweetheart was being forced to marry,
"there will be no more of this! You will be mine..."
Everything stops as Hayden hears the sound of skin against skin
NO!!!!!!!
His mind roars as he realises he is hitting her, her soft whimpers tearing his heart as she is dragged from the room, her soft sobs, echoing in his ears, tormenting him
Tears fall unchecked from his eyes, raining on the silk coverlet again and again as he realises that he is useless he could not even protect her from this animal
He had to find a way to awaken, and when he did, he was going to find this man, and he was going to kill him


6/

Hayden waits in agonised torment as the sounds of the palace continue around him. Charlie making soft wheezing noises beside him, thankfully the trembling of his little body has stopped.
Worry gnawing through his brain as he relives the moments over and over, her crying out, her whimpers of pain, the soft cries that were tearing his heart. He is soothed as Charlie nuzzles his hand, licking it softly, as if sensing his distress
Where is she Charlie? He whispers,
Was she somewhere alone, hurting? The thought is unbearable, but then if she was not alone then that brute was with her and that was so much worse
Goodman his selfishness to hell, he thinks, if he had been a better man, he would not be laid here now, and he could protect her
Alas, in that thought laid the biggest irony, if he had been a better man he would not be laid here now, and he would never have met her.
He lies there all night, soul tormented; weary finding no respite, mind torturing him with the worst ideas imaginable, and still she did not come.
The birds began to chirp merrily no care for his tortured soul, the sun glided high in the sky, shedding light into his gloom, every moment long and arduous and still she did not come.
Fear gripped him then, by the heart it’s icy fingers curling it’s wispy tendrils around him, making him tremble
Natalie, My sweet Natalie, Please come to me
And yet, she still did not come
****
As the day passed his thoughts turned dark, in his mind he pictured the beast, and thought of ways to make him beg forgiveness for his treatment of sweet Natalie.
He would make him beg, Hayden decided, he would beg for his life by the time he was done, he would beg for Natalie’s forgiveness. He would kiss her dainty feet, for she had dainty feet he had discovered as her body was pressed against his, so small and delicate she was , her exquisite fingers against his, soft and gentle, how he longed for her merest touch , she filled his mind every moment he could think, feel nothing else but her
He gasps as he hears the small creak of the door
Natalie! He gasps in delight, the soft steps walking towards the bed making his heart race, to hear her voice, to feel her touch
“Hello” she whispers
Natalie, my sweetheart
She sighs softly
“Come Charlie”
Hayden listens as Charlie scampers from the bed
Natalie?
“I’m sorry” she whispers
Hayden listens bewildered, what did she have to be sorry for
“I can not stay” she chokes out
Hayden fights tears, at the words, and the pain in them, and his own disappointment weighing him down
She sighs
“I am a fool,” she whispers mournfully, tears ravaging her face “A fool...” she swallows
She raises his hand to her lips, he gasps as he feels the cuts there
Rage and pain fill him, a red haze clouding his mind
She sighs softly
“I am only glad that you will never know”
Hayden’s mind fogs with bewilderment,
Know? “What a fool I really am...” she sighs “and yet I can not stop, here talking to you...like you can hear...” she sighs,
I CAN HEAR, I CAN I CAN he screams, frustration filling him, easing away as she strokes his forehead
“I only wish...you could take me away from all this....” she sobs, her tears falling on his skin, unwittingly mingling with his
“But you can not” she sniffles
Kiss me, please my darling, and I will take you anywhere you want “It is for the best...if I leave...never to bother you again” she whispers
NO PLEASE NO, NATALIE, PLEASE NO he screams, praying to anything that will listen that she did not
“At least I can never disappoint you” she gives a hiccupy laugh, words muffled as she begins to cry again
“But I can not....I can’t bear....” she sighs, crying again
Thank God, oh Thank God,
Hayden listens to her soft breath, wishing he could hold her, just press his body close to hers, kiss those sweet lips, look deep into her eyes, and be lost there forever
Natalie sighs, kissing his forehead, resting her cheek there for a moment
“I will see you later...I hope...” she whispers “If I can get away...” she breathes “I just wish you knew how happy you made me” she murmurs wrapping her arms around him, “I long for the moments I can be with you....”
Oh Natalie, I feel the same, my darling, please
She sniffles, tensing as she hears movement
“I have to go,” she whispers
Natalie NO
“I will think of you, to give me cheer....” she breathes, “Goodbye my darling prince”
Hayden cries as she leaves, pained and bewildered
Disappointment? How could she think such thoughts, she was his whole world, he prayed that he would get the chance to show her that

[Kitten]

7/

“Hello”
Natalie!
He gasps with delight, at the sound of her soft tread; he had not expected her back so soon
She giggles softly; his heart feels light at the soft sound. It felt so good to hear her laugh again
“I can stay but a moment” she breathes, disappointment fills him, heavy on his heart
“I was sent this way to look for one of the Queens dogs...” she sighs, “and I could not go past without seeing you..” she laughs shyly “Silly is it not”
No, he thinks, filled with affection for her
She tuts softly as she strokes his doublet
He laughs to himself
Oh dear, does my dress displease the lady?
“It’s torn...” she whispers
Oh no, he laughs
She strokes his hair softly
“Don’t fret” she murmurs to him gently,
You will fix it, he thinks with amusement
“I will make you a new one....”
Hayden listens in surprise, he had expected her to sew it, but to make a whole new garment?
“That is an attribute I do have” she laughs softly, pinching his cheek
You have more than that, a lot more
“Mm, but what colour?” she breathes,
What matter? He thinks, women and their fashions, he thinks with amusement
“Red?” she breathes, stroking his cheek “No...” she breathes, “Black, would be most becoming....” she breathes “But too sombre...blue...yes...royal blue...for a prince...perfect...” she beams pleased with herself, she turns on her heel and leaves
While Hayden lies there bewildered, she had left without a farewell his heart sinks to his boots, as he thinks of the long hours ahead without her
He wheezes with relief as he hears the rustle of her skirts as she runs back into the room, her breath fanning over his face
“Oh” she gasps
Forgot something? He thinks sullenly
“I can’t believe it!” she gasps, flinging her arms around his neck “Forgive me love...” she breathes
All thoughts are blown from his mind at her soft whispered words, heart skipping a beat as the word love ripples from her lips
Oh Natalie
“Please forgive me,” she whispers, pressing her lips to his cheek, while her fingers caress his hair
Natalie my darling....
She sighs,
“And now, I really must go” she breathes, kissing his golden skin one more time before scurrying out
His heart is still sore over such a brief moment, but it is no longer heavy as before, her had tasted the feel of her lips on his skin, the caress of her hand, and now just to wait for the next moment when they will be together
***
His heart leaps at the sound of steps, she was back again so soon he thinks in dizzying delight, but no his heart stall for a moment at the heavy tread, was it that beast that had hurt his sweetheart?
He waits, bewildered as he hears the soft murmurs
“The Queen wants this cleared....”
What? Hayden thinks in panic
“Right men move!”
What was this? Hayden thinks in abject horror as he hears them move about, they could not do this, he thinks in panic, his sweet love had made no mention of this!
“Dear Lord!”
Hayden shudders as one of the men gasps as the bed curtains are ripped aside
“It is true!” the men gasp
“Aye it is true....” the leader mutters to them
“I thought it to be a fantasy...”
“What matter is that now, come on men, we have a job to do...and not much time!”
“But....”
“He is to be moved too!”
WHAT, WHERE, Hayden screams in panic, Natalie my love.....
He screams inwardly as their rough hands grab him tearing his doublet and breeches, uncaringly
NATALIE, WHERE ARE YOU, PLEASE MY LOVE HEAR ME he screams, she would not know where he was, the thought is unbearable, he could not even entertain the thought of his days without her.
“It is to be moved further down”
“Move it men”
Hayden can only scream in horror as they hoist his immobile body, dragging it he knew not where
NATALIE MY LOVE NATALIE
He trembles as he is flung aside, one eye, brushed open by careless hands. His body quivers as he sees again for the first time in an eon, and instead of seeing his beloved’s face all he sees is darkness, would he see her again, he would have to hope so, he could not think any other way
****
Hours later, Natalie wanders down the steps eager to see her prince, the new doublet and breeches in her eager hands, she strokes the rich velvet, oh how handsome he was going to look. She gasps, as she sees the door flung wide, she runs into the room giving a startled scream as she sees only the bed, the curtain torn aside
“My sweet....” she rushes to the bed, wailing as she sees he is gone “My prince!” she sobs, the doublet and breeches falling to the bedding, as she whirls
“My prince...” she whispers
she sniffles, lips quivering, shoving a fist in her mouth as she stifles cries
He was gone, awoken? It must, be for had he not lain here for years undisturbed Awoken By his true love’s kiss? It must be, she feared, she slumps to the floor, heart wrenched asunder at the thought of his golden skin next to another’s, those ruby lips kissing another’s
“Oh!!” she whimpers, clambering onto the bed, sure she can smell the scent of him as she lays in the imprint of his body on the rumpled bed, and cries, for her heart was truly broken never to be repaired, she feared.


8/

And so, the days passed, melding into the other.
Hayden sits tormented the sound of her beloved voice ringing in his ears, the softness of her touch, the scent of her skin. All these thoughts play over and over in his mind, tormenting him.
He looks over the room, seeing all the dusty furniture. Things strewn all over the wooden floor, worn, unloved and forgotten. He laughs wearily to himself, was it not a bit like himself then, maybe this is where he belonged.

He had met an angel, by fault or by design he would never know, that he did not deserve her he knew to be true, but oh how he had wanted her...

Would she even look for him he wondered, surely she must he thinks for had she not spoken of her torment...of the brief moments they shared together, how it was not enough.

Did she know he languished here in the gloom, aching for her, praying and pleading to all above that one day she may find him again, just to see her beloved face one more time, was it too much to ask? he pleads, as the daylight seeps from the room, and all things loom large and ominous above his head, he begins to fear so...
***
"The poor girl"
Natalie is oblivious to the soft words as she sews, head bowed, fingers working quick and fast, fingers savage as she tugs at the thread
"All the sparkle has left her..." The Queen sighs to the King
The King sighs too, looking at the small girl who is now staring into space, out the window, eyes shining with unshed tears that always return no matter how many times she tries to blink them away
"She is missing the betrothed you think?"
The Queen laughs sadly
"Nay my love, for how can one love such a brute..."
"Aye, tis a sad affair so lovely a young maiden as Miss Natalie to be paired with...." he shakes his head
"Alas, not everyone can have the love match we share...." The Queen sighs
"Her love must have left the court..."
"Perhaps..."
They both sigh again
"It hurts so to see her so broken and sad..."
Natalie sighs as she looks out the window, watching the sky turn dark and grey, fat droplets of rain smearing the glass
Alas, such is my life now she thinks, no longer able to see the sewing in front of her but still she bows her head, and hopes no one can see her tears

[Kitten]

9/

"Oh Charlie!" she whispers, as she sews,
"Arf!"
She shakes her head
"My sweet Charlie" she coos, Charlie barks again, licking her fingers as she strokes his fur
"Do not scare me like that again" she scolds, sighing as big eyes stare back at her; limpid and big
"Oh darling" she coos
"Arf!"
"You know I can not resist you when you look like that" she murmurs, flinging aside her sewing she snatches him close
Charlie barks happily, wet nose nuzzling her as she lavishes him with hugs and kisses
"When I thought..." she swallows, as her mind drifts back to her sweet prince. She sighs harder
"I have lost him...I can't lose you, my darling...no..." she breathes hugging him close again
"What do you think my darling?" she breathes holding Charlie up,
"Mm?" she questions as his wide eyes peer at the clothes in front him. Sumptuous velvets, with deep indents of colour, exquisite embroidery on the soft fabric
"See that one..."
"Arf!"
"That was the first..." she swallows as she looks at the royal blue doublet, stroking the shimmering silver embroidery "I made it for him..." she whispers, kissing Charlie's fur. Charlie whimpers as she begins to cry again
She shakes her head
"And see?" she breathes, pointing to a black doublet with rich ruby red embroidery, "And this one...?" she breathes "Again black, but this time with shimmering hues of blue and silver thread, all utterly breathtaking
"Once I started I could not stop...I just...I saw him in my mind..." she breathes. "I thought of him...and..." she trails off
She shakes her head
"Perhaps, something good shall come of this...we can sell them eh darling...and run away..far away from here...leave everything behind..."
Charlie whimpers licking away her tears as she cries
She whimpers, a choked sob as she looks at the royal blue doublet
"Not this one...I could not bear the thought..."
***
Hayden groans as the darkness fills the room again, crying helpless tears, his prayers going unanswered, had she forgotten him...? No there had to be a reason she did not come, there had to be, he could not believe that she would just desert him. was she married now, was that it? he feels ill at the thought of her married to such a brute
His whirling thoughts stop as he suddenly hears muffled barks
CHARLIE, PLEASE GOD CHARLIE?
He screams over and over, caring not that the animal probably can not hear him, and yet he is beginning to think that he can as he is sure the soft paws are running this way
CHARLIE, CHARLIE, CHARLIE!!!
Hayden sobs as he hears the paws scratching at the door, soft whimpers
CHARLIE
More scratchings, and them for a moment silence
Oh please Charlie, if that is you lead her to me, please
There is a soft scuffling and the door swings open
CHARLIE?
Hayden beams as he hears the soft paws scurry round the room
Over here Charlie
Hayden laughs, beginning to cry as the dog whirls black eyes peering at him
Hello
"Arf"
Hello, Oh Charlie, you found me, where is she,
he waits eagerly for Natalie, but she does not arrive, it was just the dog he realised
"Arf"
Oh Charlie, how I've missed you, he laughs as he sees the small furry face, sniffing him
"Arf"
Yes Charlie
Charlie barks again, running to the door, barking
Good boy Charlie, Good boy, bring her to me, Hayden breathes in delight
Charlie stops to look at him
On you go, Hayden encourages
Charlie runs back towards him
No Charlie, get Natalie...Natalie
Hayden sighs as Charlie grabs his doublet with his teeth trying to take him along with him, only succeeding in ripping the doublet
Charlie whimpers, covering his face with his paw, waiting for a reprimand
Hayden laughs softly to himself
It's OK Charlie, It's OK, get Mommy...get Natalie
Charlie appears to understand him as with a wag of his tail he picks up the torn fabric in his teeth and with one last look to Hayden he runs away
Hayden trembles, heart pounding, crying unashamedly with delight, his prayers had been answered they were to be together again soon


10/

"Arf!"
Natalie sighs, dropping her sewing as she hears Charlie's paws scampering towards her muffled barks
"Oh Charlie" she tuts, waiting for him to appear, he really was a naughty boy, she was very lucky to get to keep him with all the disruptions he made
"Charlie!"
She turns, hand flying to her lips as she sees the small dog charging towards her fur rippling, and something flapping in his mouth
"Oh Charlie, what have you done?" she admonishes with a tut,
"Arf!" Charlie barks, wagging his tail looking at Natalie expectantly as he drops the cloth at her feet
He barks again, nuzzling her pockets for sweetmeats
"Charlie" she chastises, how could he think he deserved a reward for destroying someone's clothing
"What...have..." she trails off gasping as she finally looks at the garment properly, tears welling in her eyes, she would know that faded brocade anywhere, the dull hue of the velvet so faded by time
"My...My..."
"Arf!"
"C-Charlie?"
"Arf!"
Charlie runs to the door, peering back at her for a moment wagging his tail before charging off
"Charlie...darling..." she gasps running after him, fingers clutching the torn doublet piece close to her heart, was it true was he here, awoken, most likely, but...just to see him again. She cries out as she falls against the hard wall in her haste, but still she carries on, focusing on Charlie's scampering legs
"Where are you taking me..." she breathes as down, down, down they go, past her princes room, still further, further down, down, down
"Oh Cha...."
She gives a shriek stumbling over Charlie, falling into her Princes lap
NATALIE? Hayden breathes, torn between delight and worry Oh Natalie, you are here, we are together again, my love my sweetest love
"Oh!" she gasps with delight flinging her arms around him, squeezing him so tight, as if he could slip from her grasp
Natalie, oh my darling Natalie, Hayden breathes, at last she was here they were together again
Sssh, sssh, he soothes as he feels her tears hot against his neck, although tears sting his own eyes. How he longed to hold her, just once, press his body close to hers
"I thought..." she breathes, shaking her head, smothering his hair and cheeks with heated kisses, he strains to see her, he wants to look into her face; but all he can see is her chocolate and honey coloured hair, and big brown eyes peering at him
His breath is stolen away as he looks into her eyes, everything stopping in that moment, she was breathtaking, he could drown in those limpid pools. He did not have to see the rest of her face, not now, not since his eyes have looked with that gaze, his soul is soaring, those eyes were the most exquisite thing he head ever seen, she was an angel his angel
"Oh what have they done to you?" she whispers, easing down his open eye
NO! he wails distraught, he longed to see her, just a moment longer, just...but it was no good his vision was dark again, but what matter when her sweet arms were around him
"Oh my darling..." she whispers stroking his hair, winding his arms around her so that she is cocooned in his embrace, holding him as if she would never let go, crying with utter happiness
"I thought I had lost you....I couldn't bear...."
Oh darling,
"Each moment..." she shakes her head
I felt it too
She does not speak again, just clings to him too overwhelmed, but then he reasons, as she presses her cheek to his, slim arms winding around his neck they did not need words, they had each other and that was enough

11/

She sniffles raising her head
"Look at me..." she sighs, shaking her head, wiping her nose and cheeks, laughing nervously as she peers at her sleeping prince
Hayden smiles to himself as she strokes her thumb over his eyelids . He wonders what she is doing, as she doesn't move a muscle for a long time, but all she is doing is looking at him, drinking in the sight of his beauty. Pheraps she thinks with pleasure, she should get his portrait made, so that he can be with her always..after she is married...her heart drops at the thought, but she has to be honest with herself, the times where she would see him would be scant, her only salvation would be when her betrothed was away on courtly matters for the King. She bites her lip, but then for that to happen, she would have to share him with others, and that she was not ready to do, she was too jealous of their time together, it was to precious...Maybe she could try... she laughs at the audacious idea...but then she tells herself if it is a disaster then no-one could see but her
Yes, she decided that idea pleased her greatly, some token of him with her always
Hayden sits in bewilderment as she murmurs
"Yes, tis perfect"
He laughs to himself,
What is perfect? he muses
She gasps as she remembers
"Oh love..."
Hayden's heart flutters as she presses her lips to his cheek
"I forgot..."
Forgot?
"I have a present for you" she breathes "I won't be a moment...." she murmurs "Infact..." she breathes
Hayden blinks as he feels her wrap his arm around her shoulder
"Come my sweet prince" she murmurs softly
Where? he wonders, Not that it mattered as long as it was with her
He marvels at her strength as she edges his body towards the door, taking most of his weight
He fears it is too much as she scrambles up the stairs with him, stopping often, panting
Natalie my love, stop, tis too much he worries for her
"We will get there" she murmurs gently
And so they continue, the time drawing deeper into the evening by the time she has managed to lift him up all the steps his head pressed against her neck, she tugs at his legs lifting them onto the last step
"We did it..." she beams, panting heavily, skin damp with sweat
Hayden shivers at the feel of the moist skin, warm against his cheek, was that what she would feel like, after making love skin damp, flushed, but then it would be with pleasure
He dare not think these thoughts and yet, he can't help himself
"Here" she breathes
Natalie? he questions
"These are old rooms, never used...and so much better..." she breathes, as they stumble into the room quickly
She winces, catching Hayden just before he falls
"Sorry love but we had to be fast...if we were seen..."
Breathing heavily she manages to get him over to the bed, easing him down
She gasps slumping down beside him for a moment
"I best go..." she murmurs sorrowfully
Natalie
"I must yes..." she sighs "They will wonder what has become of me..." she whispers, drawing the curtains around the bed she strokes his cheek
"At least you will have some comfort while you wait..." she breathes
"Oh my heart...it races...." she gasps "Feel..."
Hayden gives a choked gasp as she presses his hand to her chest,
"It beats fast does it not, it beats for you..." she kisses his fingertips
Oh Natalie, my darling, you are my everything
"I can't bear for us to..." she sighs "And yet I...." she trails off "I will find a way" she assures him as she listens to the muffled sounds of the castle
Natalie...
"I am going to find a way to leave here...and I'm taking you with me..."

12/

"Here"
Hayden gasps at the sound of her voice
Darling! he breathes with delight, he had not expected her back so soon, his heart leaps as she comes closer to the bed
He hoped she would speak more of her plans, it sounded wonderful, just the two of them, together forever
"Sorry" she giggles
He listens in bewilderment
Sorry?
"With the excitement.." He shivers as her lips brush his forehead "I totally forgot"
Forgot?
"Sorry about this..." she whispers
Wha...?
Hayden gasps as he feels her open his doublet, lifting his shoulders easing it off
Ah, the new clothes
Natalie hunches her shoulders embarrassed as she strips him, gently washing him as she does so
Hayden trembles, the damp sponge feeling so wonderful against his skin, he feels clean, fresh invigorated
"Hum..." Natalie breathes, Hayden's breath catches, strangled in his throat
"Sorry..." she whispers, as she tugs off his breeches "I won't look" she assures him gently, brushing her lips over his forehead again
Hayden blushes deeply as he hears her soft gasp as his body responds to her closeness
"Milord!" she teases, swiping him gently with the cloth
Hayden is mortified
Oh Lor...What must she think of me
Natalie is embarrassed, trying to keep her eyes off his crotch, but then she reasons, tis the way of men, sometimes they could not help it, she had heard many a time from the other girls how they had awoken to find their beau's in a similar state while they slept, so... with that thought she continues her task, patting his cheek
Her poor prince, if he only knew she was sure he would be mortified
"So which colour would you like?"
Colour?
"There is the blue...as promised..." she murmurs "Black and...." she trails off
"The blue..." she murmurs to herself "I chose the blue for you" she teases giggling
Then you choice works well for me my sweetheart
"Mm..." she murmurs quickly dressing him with deft fingers
Hayden smirks as he feels her brushing his hair
"Beautiful" she breaths, looking at him smugly, stroking the velvet of the doublet, she was most pleased with her handiwork
"Here..."
Hayden smiles to himself, as she sits him up, he frowns as he hears the sound of something scrapping along the floor
"Look" she whispers, easing herself behind him, easing his eyes open
Hayden gasps as he sees his reflection, he could only see the doublet, but it was magnificent, intricate beautiful threading, the velvet rich and becoming
He is speechless with wonder
"Did I do well?" she teases
Well? It is utterly exquisite!
"I hope it pleases your majesty..." she teases, kissing his cheek
Hayden strains to see her, but all he can see is the dip of her head, and a flash of crimson dress, before she eases him down, entering him into darkness again
"There you are a Prince again!" she breathes
A prince who needs a Princess he thinks as she fusses over him

[Kitten]

13/

Hayden smiles to himself as he hears her approach, her soft humming making his heart soar, he chuckles as he hears the soft scamper of Charlie's paws along side her
"Here we are" she breathes, as she creaks open the door "Charlie!" she admonishes as he dives towards the bed with a an excited bark
"Charlie!" she tuts laughing
Hayden beams as he feels Charlies wet nose nuzzle his palm
"Charlie...Sorry..." Natalie laughs
No, don't be
"Get down..." Natalie giggles
"Arf!"
"You are so naughty..." she giggles, as he licks Hayden's face "No..." she breathes
Hayden just smiles to himself
"He's just a little overexcited..." Natalie breathes in his ear. She dips her head with a blush
"I'm afraid I spoilt him a little...."
Oh yes? Hayden chuckles to himself
She laughs, petting Charlie she breathes
"well if it wasn't for my little Charlie..." she whispers, stopping to stroke Hayden's cheek "I wouldn't have found you now would I?" she breathes
True
"And then, when I thought I'd lost you..." her voice thickens "But my little angel..."
"Arf"
"Yes you, yes I'm talking about you..."
"Arf"
"He found you for me again..."
Hope he was well rewarded, Hayden thinks with amusement
"So I snuck into the kitchen..." she whispers, laughing "Oh I shouldn't laugh..." she swallows "And I stole the sweetmeats..."
"Arf"
"Yes for you...a full plate...my little greedy guzzler..." she giggles poking Charlie's stomach
"The cook was most angry..."
He didn't hurt you? Hayden thinks in horror
"So I confessed...and he was most kind...I didn't say it was for the little guzzler mind...he must have thought it was for the Queens ladies...I was trembling so hard...if he had not been a gentleman....I would have had to have run would I not little guzzler and all for your sweet tooth..."
Hayden sighs, dismayed as he thinks, another way in which he failed her, how he longed to show her his love, how he would protect her from all harms way
"There is to be a banquet...tomorrow night..." she whispers "And then dancing..."
Hayden's heart drops, so he would barely see her
"But I will not go..."
Natalie? he gasps
"Mostly because I want to be with you..."
Mostly? he growls to himself, wrathful thoughts disappearing as he feels her tremble against him
"My betrothed..." she swallows "He shall return...tomorrow..." she whispers
OH NO! he thinks
Natalie sighs, resting her cheek against his "That is why I am here...I refuse to think of it...I just want to...enjoy...." she trails off
"And, well," she whispers "Hopefully he will have just a little too much wine...so he will not miss me when I am gone...I want to be with you...as much...before..."
She does not continue, neither can bear to think of it, the thought of parting
"I had hoped..." she sighs "But how is it possible for us..." she shakes her head
No, Natalie don't give up
She sighs,
"I shall pray for an answer...it seems we must let fate decide my sweet prince..."

14/

"Ah, there you are..."
Natalie shudders as she sees her betrothed before her, she turns her head away for a moment, lips quivering
He laughs cruelly, grabbing her chin
"Aww..." he mocks "Are you not pleased to see me love..." he growls sneering at her
"Let me go..." she whispers wrenching away
He just laughs again, grabbing her tighter, relishing her whimper of pain
"I want a kiss..."
She twists her head away
"No" she pleads a single tear streaking down her cheek
"You do not say no!" he hisses, grabbing her chin, she bites his lip as he tries to kiss her
She whimpers as he slaps her roughly sending her sprawling to the floor
"No matter..." he sneers, wiping the blood from his lip, she screams as he hauls her up by the hair. Squeezing the tender mound of her breat cruelly
"It shall all be mine soon enough"
She trembles beginnig to cry in earnest
"Never"
"Oh yes you are to be my wife"
"No" she sobs
"Yes" he breathes "I will never let you go" he hisses
She just cries harder
"Stop living in a fantasy land...I am to be your husband...their is no prince for you milady..." he mocks nudging her with his boot in contempt
"What say you..."
She doesn't answer
"Ha" he laughs "They say there is a sleeping prince somewhere...mahap you will find him...and awake him eh?" he looks at her tear stained face slapping her again roughly
"Your kiss awaken a price eh?" he shakes his head, flinging her to the floor
"Never..." he laughs cruelly boots clanging heavily on the floor, as he leaves her broken and crying

15/

Sniffling Natalie sighs as she looks at her reflection in the mirror, eyes wide and wounded, as she brushes her long hair, she should have gone to her prince by now, but her thoughts were whirling. She had known of the kiss, a kiss of true love to awaken a sleeping prince, but she had dared not even hope that it would be her to awaken him. Her betrothed was right, 'twas just plain foolishness, she was but a plain girl, what could a prince see in her. If he could see her, he would take one look and laugh, she was no match for a prince.
She swallows a mouthful of wine, looking into the goblet sadly, swirling the ruby depths to see if there was an answer in them
Her head was sore, her heart heavy.
Sighing she eases into her nightgown, she would just rest for a moment, so that she was refreshed to see her beloved prince, spend the evening in his arms while she could.
She is asleep within moments of her head touching the pillow, soft breeze rippling through the room as she slumbers
Natalie murmurs in her sleep,....

Gasping as she sees her prince standing by her bed, Natalie whispers
"My prince..."
He smiles as she holds her arms out to him, easing onto the bed beside her, taking her into his arms
She gasps as his mouth glides over hers, her whole body aflame by the light touch
She cups his cheek, he smiles down at her, eyes soft and loving , he tenderly eases back the silk of her nightgown, thumb stroking over the tender rosy buds of her nipples
an arrow of sensation shoots from her breast to her groin, making her pulse, she whimpers, eyelashes fluttering, gasping as he lowers his mouth to them
Grinning against her soft mounds as she urges more of the flesh into his willing mouth
"My darling..." he whispers
She shudders as his fingers dance along her groin
"Ssh" he soothes gently as she automatically tenses her thighs
"Come darling..." he whispers, parting her thighs as his mouth teases her swollen nipples. His fingers dance along her saturated lower lips, grunting in satisfaction at the wetness he finds there
Natalie gasps, never had she felt anything like it she thinks as his nimble fingers dart along the tender nub of her clitoris
She looks down at him in bewilderment as he eases up her nightgown the silk gliding along her thighs making her shiver
He catches eyes with her for a moment, his gleam teasingly into hers, she murmurs in bewilderment
Squealing softly as he lowers his mouth to her moist core tongue gently stroking the aching flesh, lapping at her teasingly, she writhes her hips, mewling and panting, the heat building and building in her body until she fears she will explode...


Natalie awakes with a jerk, core pulsing in remembrance of the feel of that tongue against her, she presses a hand to her hot face, for shame! she scolds herself where had such thoughts come from
She buries her head in the pillow mortified with herself, it had felt so real, now she realises how she had wished it was real his lips on her lips, fingertips on her body...

It can be yours, if you are brave enough a voice taunts

She bites her lip, but was she?

The fear of disappointment swamps her, what if he just lay there? There would be no disappointment for him, he would be unaware that her very soul was shattering, but then if she did not....She would not return to him she vows if he was not awoken by her kiss, then she must let him slumber on and leave him to distant memory and longing
Sighing she reaches for the wine, draining the glass, cheeks hot, she reaches for her velvet robe

I have to know,so fortified with wine and resolve and with the slenderest thread of hope she sets off on her mission [/color]

[sexystarwarslover]

that was such a cool story, i want to see how it ends, please write more

[Kitten]

Cool, glad you're enjoying