Introduction: Cursed from Birth

Once upon a time, in the far-away land of Sibira, lived a princess.
The king and queen were overjoyed with the birth of their baby girl,
for she was their first-born and they feared they would never have a
child to love, or an heir to the throne.

They called her Aurora, because the golden color of her hair and the
way she laughed reminded them of the rising sun. King Richmonde and
Queen Marilyn had never had it so good. At Aurora's birth celebration,
she was promised to the one-year old Prince William, who was the son of
King Allar and Queen Sharla of Cigam. They had been best friends with
Richmonde and Marilyn, and back in this day this was a very common
thing to do.

The little party at which this decision was made was certainly a happy
one. Fairies from Hammington attended, and three promised to give her
gifts no mortal could ever give.

Fleurelise, fairy of the arts, gave her the gift of song. Every note
she sang would be sweet and clear. "From me to you I cast this spell
When sing you notes, you sing them well. I give you song this happy day
While on your cradle-bed you lay."

Ella, fairy of grace and beauty, gave her the loveliest looks in the
world. She would be the most beautiful mortal ever born. "Beauty is my
gift to you Locks of gold, and eyes so blue. Cherry lips and smooth,
cream skin, Shining beauty from within."

Last, but not least, was the Queen of All, Lady of the Sky, Empress of
Magic, Chanda Titania Miranda Christina Elwin. Queen Miranda, as she
was known to all. She was about to bestow her great and glorious gift
when?

The candles went out. Day turned to night and gray clouds swept across
the sky. A sudden chill shot through the room like an arrow. Miranda
knew exactly what was happening. She knows all. So she wasn't surprised
when a cloud of black smoke formed in the middle of the room, and the
greatest enemy to all man-kind rose from it.

"Malvada!" Queen Marilyn shrieked, dropping her glass goblet. It
shattered into a thousand pieces, and the queen trembled in fear.

"Hello, your majesties!" Malvada said, violet eyes glittering. They
seemed like lights in front of her black hair. "Can you tell me why I
wasn't invited to this little gathering?" She walked around the room,
twirling her staff in her fingers.

"I don't know why you wouldn't want me," she continued. "I can be a
great entertainer!"

In a move as quick as the blink of an eye, she pointed her staff at the
golden chandelier. It fell to the ground and shattered into thousands
of pieces. Aurora started crying, but Malvada just smiled.

Suddenly the pieces of the chandelier gathered up and fixed themselves,
though no one had moved.

"What fairy has dared to challenge me?" Malvada shouted. "Come
forward!"

Miranda stepped up to face her. "Leave," she said quietly.

"Miranda, I should have known. I will leave. But first?" She gripped
her staff tightly and closed her eyes.

"She'll poke her finger on a spindle
Then this curse on her will kindle
In a move as black as night
Her life on seventeenth birthday smite"

Queen Marilyn collapsed, and her husband looked both angrily and sadly
at Malvada, knowing there was nothing he could do about his daughter.
Ella and Fleurelise rushed to the baby and held her protectively, their
tears running down their cheeks like a steady stream.

Malvada smiled wickedly. Such a horrible, evil smile that sent shivers
down your back and made your blood run cold.

"I think," she said, "my welcome is worn out here. Farewell, my
people!"

And she disappeared.

Miranda stared after her, feeling that horrid, sickening sadness. She
did her best to calm everyone down, saying, "I have not yet given my
gift! This baby will not die!"

"On that night so dark and dreary Aurora will become so weary
She won't die but only sleep
And her living soul will be hers to keep.
Her true love's kiss can only wake her
Then evil spells will find their maker
And all will be well in this fair land
Fear not, it has all been planned."

Fear remained still: Who could find her true love so easily? And what
if the spell failed?

My name is Princess Aurora Charlotte Ansel. Today is my birthday. Only
two years to live.