Prince Strongheart starts to believe that Lady LovelyLocks has little time for him because of her commitments to her kingdom, but gets more than what he bargained for when a water sprite tries to solve the situation! With Lady LovelyLocks completely 'love-struck' will her kingdom fall apart? And will Duchess RavenWaves finally gain the power she craves?

My second LLL plot line, this one follows on from "The Royal Engagement: The Masquerade". This one involves an introduction of some characters of my own creation (namely those from NeptuneWaves) and there is a cameo from Maiden GoldenWaves in chapters coming up...for all those mermaid fans out there! Tell me what you think, and if you have any ideas for adventures LLL and her friends can enjoy, let me know in the Fan Fiction Discussion thread! Enjoy!

Part One

The light of dawn filtered its warming rays over the land of LovelyLocks as the sun peeked above the horizon. Sunlight caused the droplets of dew that bejeweled the lawns of Castle LovelyLocks to acquire a rainbow gleam and glisten. The tender new rays of light washed over Lady LovelyLocks’ balcony, slowly the shadows receded in her bedroom as the light of a new day reached the sleeping form of the ruler of the land…Lady LovelyLocks. The sun kissed her rosy cheeks as she slept, nestled into her pillow, her blonde streaked locks a magnificent halo upon her pile of downy white pillows. Snuggled under the coverlets, drawn up to her shoulder, Lady sighed and rolled over, letting the sun’s rays bathe her face. Her eyelashes fluttered. Yawning, Lady LovelyLocks opened her blue eyes upon a new morning. Her soft rose-tinted lips wore a small smile as she sleepily rubbed her eyes and propped herself up upon the pillows. Her wavy blonde tresses, streaked lavender and pink, cascaded and pooled upon the pillows behind her. Turning to her right, she noticed PixieBeauty snuggled in a curl of her hair, her ear flopping every time she exhaled. Lady giggled silently, covering her mouth with her hand. Although Lady LovelyLocks did not want to disturb the silently sleeping Pixietail, she was impatient to start the new day. Gently Lady’s slender finger prodded the snoring PixieBeauty. PixieBeauty gave a reluctant squeak, not surfacing from her slumber. Lady prodded a little harder. PixieBeauty opened one eye, holding up her dangling rabbit ear.
“Rise and shine PixieBeauty!” Lady whispered to the yawning Pixietail who lazily hovered, her luxurious tail twinkling.
“It is such a beautiful day outside!” Lady LovelyLocks smiled as she stretched, awakening her drowsy body, ready for the new morning.

Lady LovelyLocks pushed back the soft pink bedspread, slipping out from under the coverlets, walking over to the French doors leading to her balcony barefoot. Lady LovelyLocks wore an empire waist-ed nightgown of gentle pink, the colour of the blush of her cheeks. The bodice was latticed with crisscrossing silken ribbons of lavender, rose and ivory, generous bell sleeves with low hanging cuffs adorned her pretty wrists and the skirt fell loosely to the floor, the hem hovering just above her toes. Lady LovelyLocks lightly skipped over to the doors, turning the golden handles to push open the doors. She inhaled the sweet morning air as she stepped out onto the balcony which, but two weeks ago, was the source of much drama. PixieShine and PixieSparkle were roused in their mistress’ tresses, poking their heads out of her golden waves, yawning and stretching. Lady cupped her chin in her hands as her gleaming blue eyes surveyed the awakening kingdom…her kingdom, her people. She smiled and sighed, twirling a strand of her blonde hair about her finger idly.
“It is such a beautiful day!” She repeated excitedly, “A perfect day for a picnic…perhaps a market fair in the village…or, even better yet, the perfect day for a ride! I have been meaning to take SilkyMane to Mirror Lake for some time…and I am sure Prince Strongheart would love to join me…” Lady trailed off dreamily as she thought of her fiancé.

The pair had been engaged for two weeks and Lady LovelyLocks considered herself very much in love with her handsome and brave prince. Every time she thought of him her heart skipped and butterflies fluttered in her stomach…sometimes she found herself drifting off into dreamy thoughts about her fiancé when she was supposed to be concentrating upon other things. On occasions she found her sensible friend Maiden FairHair rousing Lady from her faraway thoughts with a knowing smile. Only just yesterday Maiden FairHair remarked that Lady LovelyLocks was becoming ‘as giddy as Maiden CurlyCrown!’ Lady smiled to herself…how she wished everyone could share her happiness…the giddy, fluttering, warm and cuddly, frothy, tickly sensation of love! She spun around to her three sleepy Pixietails.
“Today is going to be a day for Prince Strongheart and I.” She declared excitedly, her eyes glistening with anticipation, “I have not spent as much time as I should have with him…today is going to be reserved for us, together, with no interruptions!”
Lady pirouetted, daintily waltzing back into her bedroom, her hair swishing as she twirled. PixieShine yawned, the trio sharing a smile at their dreamy mistress. Lady perched herself in front of her vanity table, picking up her brush and humming a lilting melody as she ran her brush through her radiant locks…today was going to be the perfect day.

Matters at Glory Manor, however, were not so optimistic. Prince Strongheart had awoken from a fitful sleep to seek the counsel of his wise friend and mentor, the sorcerer, ShiningGlory. ShiningGlory could sense that something was amiss with Prince Strongheart even before he entered the room. The wizard did not look up from his rainbow hued crystal ball, the reflective discs throbbing with light as he drew his hands in closer.
“What is worrying you Prince Strongheart…?” ShiningGlory raised his wizened voice as soon as he felt the Prince’s presence. Prince Strongheart paused, surprised at his mentor’s intuition. By now he should have known that his friend possessed senses and talents beyond the ordinary. Prince Strongheart fixed his askew cape and pushed back the fall of his fair hair. His footsteps echoed in the cavernous, reflective hall of Glory Manor.
“How did you know I was worried, ShiningGlory?”
ShiningGlory gave a gentle chuckled as he looked up from his crystal ball, withdrawing his hands and letting the magic fade.
“That I could feel as soon as I heard your footsteps, Strongheart. There are some emotions which are stronger than others, and worry is one of them. Tell me what is bothering you, Prince. I presume it has something to do with Lady LovelyLocks …?” ShiningGlory gave the Prince a knowing smile.
Prince Strongheart shook his head and sighed wonderingly.
“Are there any secrets that you do not know?” He laughed self-consciously, scratching the back of his neck.
“What is on your mind?”

Strongheart gave a reluctant sigh.
“I know it is foolish…but I have felt lately…that my Lady has not had time for me.”
ShiningGlory shrugged, turning back to the glowing crystal ball.
“That is understandable. Lady LovelyLocks has her kingdom to rule…” ShiningGlory raised his silver brows, reasoning with the Prince. Prince Strongheart however, reacted in a manner quite apart from reason.
“And I am useless to her! I am no better than when I was Prince the dog…at least I had bones to chew back then…!” He stated bitterly, folding his arms. He huffed. “Sometimes I feel as if I am merely a distraction!”
ShiningGlroy’s brows drew together, perplexed.
“You are not speaking reason, Prince Strongheart.”
“But it is true! I have no kingdom. My kingdom was lost when I was cursed to be a dog. I have no purpose…I am not the leader I was born to be…I am merely a hindrance! Lady has her kingdom, her people…and who am I? A Prince merely by virtue of title…” Prince Strongheart’s expression morphed from exasperated to surly with a heavy air of brooding as he concluded.
“Perhaps I was better off as a dog…” He sighed softly, scuffing the toe of his boot against the sandstone floor. ShiningGlory shook his head at the Prince.

“You have been thinking deeply upon this, I see.” He stated idly. Strongheart merely bit his lower lip, his blue eyes looking away, “And I am sorry to say that I shall have to disprove your thoughts. Lady LovelyLocks loves you with all her heart, she hardly considers you an inconvenience. You are the world to her…”
“No, her kingdom is the world to her.” Strongheart retorted.
“Her happiness is her kingdom, Strongheart. I have watched Lady LovelyLocks grow and learn over the years since she arrived at the land of LovelyLocks. I have guided her through turbulent times…and I feel that my time as her guardian is drawing to an end. Lady LovelyLocks cannot rule her land by herself Prince Strongheart. She needs someone to help her, to guide her, to be her counsel…to love her. When she is happy, her kingdom is well. You are her happiness, Prince Strongheart, do not ever doubt that.” ShiningGlory explained soothingly to the doubtful Prince.

Prince Strongheart sighed again and walked over to the other side of the room. Whether he liked it or not, ShiningGlory’s words were ringing true. The wizard continued, his tone soft and sympathetic.
“I know it is hard for you to know that you have lost your kingdom…your birthright…”
Strongheart stared vacantly at the floor, reflecting upon the magnitude of his loss.
“I am a nobody, ShiningGlory…the Prince of a land that no longer exists, the heir of an extinct line! My father, King StrongPride, would never have let this happen…but I let him down. If only I had kept my mouth shut that fateful night…!”
“The curse that befell you was hardly your doing, Prince Strongheart.” ShiningGlory asserted. Strongheart merely shrugged his shoulders slightly, shuffling his boots as he stared at the floor.
“I was born to lead, ShiningGlory and now…I am made a mockery of. How I must seem…the Prince with no land, no subjects, no rule! I am not a Prince at all! My father always told me…”
At this Strongheart straightened up, adopting a more authoritative tone, lifting his chin for the first time that morning and holding up a finger,
“’You will be king, Strongheart, you were born into this line to lead!’…now look at me, my Lady is the one who rules…not me.”

ShiningGlory placed a comforting hand upon Strongheart’s shoulder.
“Do you love her, Prince Strongheart?” He asked softly. Strongheart looked up incredulously at the pale-eyed sorcerer.
“Of course I do! I love her with all my heart!”
“And she loves you with all of hers. All that matters is that you love one another. Lady LovelyLocks would not care if you were a prince or not, or whether you had ten kingdoms…what matters to her most is that she loves you and that you love her. Go, visit her. I am sure she will be awaiting your company.”
Strongheart looked up at the wizard from under his eyebrows doubtfully.
“She will probably be in her Looking Room…she will not have time for me.”
ShiningGlory was not taking the Prince’s excuses for an answer.
“Go, Strongheart. Do what is right.”
Strongheart sighed, knowing he had little choice in the matter.
“I suppose you are right…” He admitted reluctantly, striding towards the door.
ShiningGlory watched the young and hesitant prince depart, shaking his head and smiling to himself. He had believed that once the curse was broken, Strongheart’s troubles would be resolved…how wrong he was.

Lady LovelyLocks, meanwhile, was dressed and radiant as she stepped out of her bedroom and headed towards the landing of the grand castle staircase. Her three Pixietails giggled and swished around her, their tails sparkling. Lady wore an expression of unbridled joy at the prospect of such a wonderful day to be spent with just her and her prince…she looked about dreamily as all the possibilities this day could hold raced through her mind. Her slender fingertips trailed along the staircase banister, curving in towards her as she started to descend down the stairs, her flounced bell of pink skirts trimmed with ivory ribbon floating as she took each step.
“Lady LovelyLocks? There you are!”
Lady paused, her hand lifted as she heard Maiden FairHair’s voice echo from behind her. She turned to her friend, the brown-haired maiden hurrying to her mistress, a large roll of parchment in her hands.
“Good morning Maiden Fairhair, what a beautiful day it is today!” Lady greeted her friend cheerily. Maiden FairHair looked distracted as she unfurled the parchment roll, letting it drop to the floor and roll down several steps. Lady’s brow furrowed as she regarded something that looked like a very long list.
“Yes, it is a beautiful day.” Maiden FairHair agreed hastily, tracing her finger down the list, “And we have much to do!”
Lady blinked.
“But I was intending to spend the day with Prince Strongheart-“
“I am afraid that will have to wait, Lady. The Springtime Fair is almost upon us and we have so much to do! Letters also need to be sent to the surrounding kingdoms thanking them for their attendance to the Royal Engagement Ball…we need to change the castle decorations, the village children will be visiting any moment now…” Maiden FairHair rattled off the list. Lady LovelyLocks’ shoulders slumped. It seemed that today would not be as she had intended.

Lady tried to shake off her feeling of disappointment. Her kingdom needed her, even when she wished to be doing other things. Her heart was heavy but she smiled and nodded at the ever organized Maiden FairHair. Prince Strongheart would have to wait…again. Suddenly, Maiden CurlyCrown burst through the doors, a letter in her hand. Her green eyes were alight.
“Lady LovelyLocks! We have news! A representative from the kingdom of NeptuneWaves will be arriving this afternoon!”
Lady’s expression fell. Her day was becoming busier and busier by the moment! Maiden FairHair’s eyes widened.
“An official visit? But we hardly have time!” FairHair procured a quill, scribbling away at the list, “Well, I suppose the recipes for Louis could wait…”
Lady LovelyLocks, never one to displease her friends, wished to politely express her desire to have a little time for her fiancé…
“I really am looking forward to this official visit but I really would like some time-“
Lady’s voice was drowned out by Maiden CurlyCrown’s enthusiasm.
“How exciting, we have never had a visitor from NeptuneWaves before! Is it true that they all look like fish? How absurd!” The maiden with strawberry curls clapped her hands excitedly.
“But-“ Lady tried in vain to make herself heard.
“Well, we cannot be standing around here wasting time! There is so much to do!” Maiden FairHair’s brown eyes were sparkling as the two Maiden’s linked arms with Lady LovelyLocks and steered her downstairs.

A member of the Castle LovelyLocks’ serving staff appeared.
“Prince Strongheart, my Lady.”
Lady looked over her shoulder as Prince Strongheart entered. She smiled radiantly and opened her mouth to speak but found her words stolen by Maiden FairHair.
“I am sorry Prince Strongheart, but Lady LovelyLocks has much to do today- perhaps you could come back to visit later?”
Lady saw her fiancé’s shoulders slump, his gaze fall to the floor as he ran his fingers through his hair. He muttered something, his voice tainted with disappointment. Lady gave her love an apologetic look as she was suddenly whisked away by two very enthusiastic Maidens. Strongheart sighed heavily as he saw his fiancée hurried away from him, the three bell-skirted young ladies disappearing into the next room, only the echo of their footsteps remaining. Heavy-hearted, the Prince wandered outside to the LovelyLocks garden.
“I knew I was right…” He murmured to himself softly, sitting down on a bench, watching the butterflies flutter about the myriad of pastel hued flowers that grew in this enchanted land. Alone and feeling sorry for himself, he spied SilkyPup trot into the garden, an expectant look upon her puppy face as she held a ball in her mouth. He saw the little dog stop, look around, and then her tail which was previously wagging excitedly, slump. She had been hoping on such a beautiful day that her mistress would come outside and play with her…but alas, it was not to be the case. SilkyPup wandered over to the brooding Prince Strongheart, dropping the ball by his boot and resting her chin on his knee. Strongheart gave her a small, sad smile, scratching behind the ears of the little lap dog, where he knew she liked it best.
“Perhaps I was better off as a dog, SilkyPup, at least I had you to keep me company.” He sighed, staring at the castle window where he saw three female shadows. SilkyPup gave the Prince a sympathetic whimper.
“I know what it is like to be lonely too, SilkyPup.”

Lady LovelyLocks, exhausted, but not willing to disappoint her busy and enthusiastic friends, flopped into a comfortable high-backed chair with a sigh. Three hours had whizzed past and Lady LovelyLocks was wondering how both Maiden FairHair and Maiden CurlyCrown could remain so active! Rubbing her temples with her fingers, she stared out at the garden where she last saw Prince Strongheart. Her lips curled into a soft, tired smile as she saw him throw the ball to a bounding SilkyPup. His shoulders were slumped, his eyes sad and vacant. Lady felt guilt pang in her chest as she got up from the chair, wandering over to the window. Leaning her chin into the cup of her hand, she looked longingly at Prince Strongheart. It was only a matter of opening the glass-paneled doors to the garden to be in his company, but she did not want to let her busy friends down. Closing her eyes as she imagined him by her side, his arms around her in a tender embrace…

“Lady?”
Maiden CurlyCrown’s voice broke her reverie. Lady LovelyLocks opened her eyes with a start. Lady turned about to her friends who were bent over a table piled with fabric samples.
“Yes?”
“What do you think for the hall curtains? I prefer the cream background with the little orange flowers…” Maiden CurlyCrown approached with a fabric sample. Maiden FairHair wore a dubious expression, her hands on her hips.
“I am afraid I have to disagree, Maiden CurlyCrown, I think the pale blue fabric is much nicer.”
“But Maiden FairHair, just plain blue…it seems awfully boring to me!”
“But the little orange flowers seem to me to be more of a summer shade than spring.”
“And blue feels just like winter!”
“The orange will not match the furniture!”
“The blue will not match the walls!”
“Maiden CurlyCrown, you are hardly being reasonable…”
“You chose the colour of the curtains last season, Maiden FairHair, at least let me choose it this time!”

Lady LovelyLocks’ expression transformed from understanding to exasperation as the disagreement between her two friends heightened. She could feel a headache impending. She shook her hair back from her face, her eyebrows drawing together with frustration.
“Maidens, please!”
She interrupted, her normally sweet expression looking somewhat annoyed. Maiden CurlyCrown and Maiden FairHair were silent immediately, their mouths left slightly open.
“I am sorry Maiden CurlyCrown.” FairHair apologized, “You are right, it is your time to choose.”
“I am sorry too Maiden FairHair…but I think you are right, this fabric is too summery for spring.” CurlyCrown shrugged her shoulders.
“Well…then what are we to choose…?” Maiden FairHair wondered aloud. Lady LovelyLocks sighed, about to express her own opinion on the matter when a herald of trumpets caught her words from her. The two maidens shared excited looks and rushed to the window.
“The royal representative from NeptuneWaves has arrived!” CurlyCrown giggled. Maiden FairHair looked perplexed.
“But it too early! They said the afternoon….it is not yet midday…”
“Oh, never mind that Maiden FairHair! Come on, we must receive him…” CurlyCrown, always the energetic one, skipped and clasped Lady LovelyLocks’ hand, dragging her out of the room…

Lady LovelyLocks winced as the elongated trumpets blasted a very loud proclamation as to the arrival of this certain dignitary from NeptuneWaves. Maiden CurlyCrown could not contain her excitement, giggling and whispering to Maiden FairHair animatedly as the three young ladies stood inside the Castle LovelyLocks entrance opposite to the bridge where an impressive carriage halted. Their bell-skirted figures were reflected in the shiny surface of the black and white tiles that floored the LovelyLocks main reception. Lady LovelyLocks composed herself, trying to will away her headache and smiling as her three Pixietails arrived to see the commotion.
“Goodness, look at that carriage! And those horses! How incredibly odd!” Maiden CurlyCrown whispered behind her hand to Maiden FairHair, her expression that of open curiosity.

The NeptuneWaves entourage was indeed curious for the kingdom of LovelyLocks, who had previously never seen the like! The horses, of normal equine form, were a shade of silver that reminded Lady of shiny, iridescent fish scales, their manes and tails stringy and green like seaweed! Their reins and harnesses were that of twisted, glittering kelp, and the most curious fish-like driver, bedecked in a canary yellow ruffed uniform sat atop the carriage. Two of the LovelyLocks staff rolled out a stretch of red carpet from the base of the carriage, which shimmered like the sea, the adornments and embellishments resembling fanciful golden barnacles and at the rear of the carriage was the figure of a mermaid. The door was opened.
“My Lady, I present to you, all the way from the Kingdom of NeptuneWaves, on the decree of Princess AquaCrest….Sir GlistenGill!”
The trumpets resounded triumphantly. Lady LovelyLocks and her two maidens’ eyes widened and leaned forward to get the first glance of this distinguished visitor. Upon seeing him, CurlyCrown could not help but give a giggle. FairHair gave her friend a stern look.
“Hush CurlyCrown, do not be rude!” She whispered.
“Oh, I am sorry FairHair…he is just so strange!” CurlyCrown laughed softly behind her hand.
Lady LovelyLocks shook her head at her friends, stepping forward to receive the visitor. Sir GlistenGill was unlike anything seen before in the land of LovelyLocks, but Lady regarded him as no different to herself. After all, the benevolent and kind ruler of this land had encountered many an interesting and strange thing before- dragons, giants of all shape and size, mermaids, magic roses and much more! Such was the nature of this enchanted land. Even if Sir GlistenGill resembled a strange mixture between a fish and an amphibian…

Sir GlistenGill was a stout being who would reach no further than Lady LovelyLocks’ waist. He wore a wide, welcoming smile, possessing a face that was very much trout-shaped, his hands and feet webbed and had skin that was lightly scaly, an impressive iridescent shade of green with a slight rainbow sheen. He wore a costume of red velvet with puffed breeches for his legs and starched ruffs at the neck and cuffs. Smiling widely, he shuffled up to Lady LovelyLocks, dropping onto one knee and lowering his head reverently. Lady LovelyLocks smiled down upon him.
“Enchanted, my Lady LovelyLocks, to be received in your land of such beauty! It is known far and wide of the beauty of this land…and of the Lady herself.” GlistenGill gushed praises, his voice trembling as if still underwater. Lady LovelyLocks noticed he had a little crystal flask tied about his neck, which he hastily took a sip from. He rose. Lady took his hand.
“It is an honour for us to receive you, Sir GlistenGill. You must have traveled far! Please, come in…”

Lady turned about to the reception to find Prince Strongheart hovering in the shadows by the staircase. He had heard this royal ruckus and with SilkyPup at his heel, proceeded to investigate the reception that he was obviously not a part of. Lady’s expression brightened as she laid her eyes on her love, oblivious to his disheartened expression as she went immediately to his side, linking arms with him.
“I present to you, Sir GlistenGill, my fiancé, Prince Stongheart.” She beamed, staring up at her fiancé with adoration in her blue eyes. Strongheart gave this awkward amphibious looking creature a half-hearted smile, his blue eyes vacant with disappointment.
“So this is the brave and handsome Prince Strongheart!” GlistenGill’s watery voice quivered with excitement, his fishy eyes gleaming, “Kingdoms afar have heard much about you…about your engagement to the radiant Lady LovelyLocks and…ah…about your…unfortunate curse.”
GlistenGill lowered his voice when mentioning the curse. Lady sensed her fiancé stiffen, his jaw set. He gave GlistenGill a forced smile. Lady became concerned for her love, soothingly stroking his shoulder. He is in an odd mood today! She mused to herself.
“An honour to make your acquaintance, Sir GlistenGill.” Strongheart replied cordially, but stiffly to the cheery official.

“So tell me Sir GlistenGill, why has Princess AquaCrest sent you to the kingdom of LovelyLocks?” Lady inquired, her eyes sparkling. GlistenGill puffed his chest as he adopted the officious tone of a court herald.
“Princess AquaCrest has sent me from the Kingdom of NeptuneWaves to convey my apologies that she was unable to attend the Royal Engagement Ball, and to express her warmest congratulations upon the engagement of Lady LovelyLocks and the Prince Strongheart!”
Maiden CurlyCrown giggled with glee.
“Oh, isn’t that lovely?” She asked about, her strawberry curls bouncing. GlistenGill continued.
“And she asked me to present to the royal couple, an engagement gift…”