Spellbound

Chapter 1

Andalasia

Once upon a time in a magical kingdom known as Andalasia there lived an evil king. Selfish and cruel, he lived in fear that one day his stepson would marry and he would lose his throne forever. And so he did all in his power to prevent the prince from ever meeting the one special person with whom he would share true love's kiss.

—-

"Sherlock, Sherlock!" Two blue birds called, "how about this for your potion?" They dropped a grey feather into Sherlock's waiting hand.

"Oh, yes. This will do nicely. Thank you." Sherlock was desperate to finish his potion and get another glimpse of his prince charming. Seeing him had become Sherlock's only escape and with each potion he brewed he got a clearer image. However, Sherlock didn't harbour any illusions about how the man would feel about him. Everyone hated Sherlock.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! Move it! We have a limited amount of time to add everything before it's ruined." The chipmunk, Mrs Hudson, was playing foreman over the other forest animals.

"Oh, Hudders last time was such a lovely trip. We were holding hands and dancing." Sherlock sighed wistfully. He loved dancing.

"And these for the eyes?" A rabbit bounced up and gave Sherlock two sapphires.

"Where did you find these?" Sherlock didn't wait for an answer. In his experience it was best not to know. "I haven't gotten a good look at his eyes yet." Sherlock set them aside.

He was missing something; what was he missing? He had feathers for the greying hair, creamy tea for tanned skin, gun oil for the officer's uniform all added to the hallucinogenic base. This was Sherlock's prince, his dream come true. Sherlock closed his eyes and pictured the man he'd seen. He was licking his- "Oh!" Sherlock's eyes snapped open. "I need something for his lips!"

"Does he have to have lips?" A fawn asked.

"Of course," Sherlock knew an explanation was needed. "When you meet the someone who was meant for you..." Sherlock could feel the music building. "Before two can become one there's something you must do."

The animal asked inane questions and Sherlock knew better than to insult them. They were basically children and Sherlock loved children. Besides, they were his only company besides his horrible brother.

"No, there is something sweeter everybody needs..." Sherlock stood so he could vocalize properly and move to the music. "I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss. And a prince I'm hoping comes with this. That's what brings ever aftering so happy. That's the reason we need lips so much; for lips are the only things that touch. So to spend a life of endless bliss just find who you love through true love's kiss." Sherlock caressed the rim of the beaker holding his potion gently. Breaking into song was a common pastime in his world. He loved when it spontaneously happened.

Sherlock had read his parent's will, the only way he could be free of his brother is if he wed. His parents hadn't trusted him on his own since he'd gotten addicted to coca tea. Now he was free from its influence but they were gone.

"If we're going to find the perfect pair of lips we're going to need a lot more help," Sherlock determined. He leaned out the open window and sang, "Aa-aa-ah, aa-aa-ah, aa-aa-ah!" It was a small spell that called the nearby animals to him.

The animals poured in and started singing. Sherlock rejected a comb, a pea pod, a crab, and an apple. A fuzzy worm poked its head out of the apple and Sherlock yanked it out and considered it. He finally rejected it when he remembered he'd have to drink the potion.

"So to spend a life of endless bliss just find who you love through true love's kiss," Sherlock sang with the animals. The potion had boiled. There wasn't time to add anything now. Sherlock was disappointed it wasn't perfect but there would always be next time.