Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 6: The Beginning of the End

So quick note here. What I really love about this story is that there is actually no villain. This goes deeper and, instead of focusing on a villain that must be defeated, it focuses more on what tragedy can do to family and them trying to pull thru it. Anyways, I'll stop rambling now and let you get back to reading.
Above picture is of Merlin.
Summary: Many men take on the challenge but all fail.

     That very day, just as the king had commanded, a proclamation was sent out to all 7 kingdoms and beyond: 'I, Uther Pendragon, king of Paradise, declare that any man whosever can figure out the mystery of how my daughters get out at night to go dancing may marry the princess of his choosing. However, if he cannot solve the mystery in three days, he will be executed. No exceptions.'
     That night, as usual, the princesses went to their wonderland but when they got there, they warned their princes of the unfortunate turn of events.
     At their usual toast, Merlin replied, "But this is good news! This means we have come to the beginning of the end." At everyone's confused expressions, Merlin continued, "All the decisions your father and king has made will be what brings about the year of jubilee. Now you must all listen carefully to what I'm telling you."
     All of the princesses leaned in to listen to his words. "Many will come to accept the king's challenge and many will be imposters and bad people. Some of us shall try as well but none can reveal the truth until it is my turn to solve the mystery. When my friends fail, their magic will protect them from death. It will take time but, believe me, the time is important. If I were to reveal the truth so soon, the peace will never last. Just trust that we know what we're doing."
     No one questioned Merlin; something about his words made them trust him.
                          * * * * *
     The next day, the first challenger arrived. His name was Vlad and he was the prince of Auradon.
     Vlad, himself, was a very handsome man with shoulder-length black hair and dark eyes, strongly built, and Uther was very pleased with his appearance.
     This man was strong and brave! Surely he could find the answer to how the princesses got out!
     Unfortunately, Uther was blinded to the truth that this man was a dishonorable one. He was a thief who had been punished for his crimes, though not badly enough, it seemed.
     With the prince's arrival, Uther threw a huge feast and party to celebrate. Throughout it, Vlad's eyes stayed transfixed on Elsa. She is a rare beauty! He thought. With her fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes, she will make a perfect queen!
     Meanwhile, the princesses were faced with a conundrum. How could they get away to go dancing tonight? Natalia hatched a plan.
     That night, Vlad was brought into a small antichamber next to the princess' room. Natalia came in and offered him wine, which he drank and then promptly fell asleep for she had laced his goblet with a sleeping potion.
     Once he was asleep, Natalia called for her sisters that it was time and they went out to be with their princes.
     Vlad couldn't believe how easily bed been tricked but he thought he could outwit a few princesses. Two days later, he still hadn't found his answer and was executed.
     The next challenger was from Powys and his name was Adrian. He was a blonde haired, blue eyed snake. He decided that he would marry Rose for she was beautiful and her temper would make her fun to break.
     He didn't learn the answer either and was executed.
     As time went by, many men, from many kingdoms tried and failed to discover the mystery. Each thought he would be the lucky one to discover the princess' secret. And everytime, the princesses would lure the man to sleep usually by using a sleeping potion although they also dabbled with spells and other tricks as well. Everytime the man would fall asleep and in three days be executed.
     Now that's not to say that the princesses felt no guilt because they did but the pull to be with their soulmates and to dance was stronger than anything else.
     After awhile, Uther stopped throwing parties, hosting banquets, and arranging for any type of entertainment because anyone who took up his challenge ultimately met their end anyway and it was just costing too much money.
      At some point, the princess' lovers entered the challenge and, though they knew the truth, they kept it secret, according to Merlin's wishes.
     Uther was none the wiser, as he stopped coming to the executions, in addition to no longer throwing parties. Thanks to this development, the princes were able to escape, per their magic, and Uther was none the wiser on this either.
     When Damen accepted the challenge was when everyone knew their troubles were coming to an end. Of all the princesses, Elsa was the hardest to get close to but during the three days that Damen remained in Paradise, Elsa was constantly by his side so when his time to be "executed" came around, Elsa's reaction was all the more convincing.
     Uther, of course, assumed he was finally getting a breakthrough. He had no idea that it was not one he'd ever expect....
To be continued....
    
Sorry for the sucky chapter but had to get it out the way.