Beauty and the Beast: A Prologue
BY RIPLEY DOUP
Once upon a time, in a land unknown there were five cities and in the center of
these cities was the largest city that was ruled by a long line of corrupt kings. However,
the people that these kings ruled over respected them, treasured their every word and accomplishment, and saw them to be kind and generous but in the eyes of the elves, they
were cruel. Many elves were murdered due to their pointed ears, pale skin, and to the
stereotype that they were magic (which in truth some were but only very few) while others were sold into slavery but most took refuge deep within the forest, hoping to be left
alone. Then, one day, a brave elf went to the castle and requested an audience with the
king.
In the throne room the young elf demanded that the king leave him and his people
alone but the royal family and council men, amused by his request, just laughed at him.
He asked twice more only to be mocked and laughed at again. Once the nobles quieted
the king said that ‘the elf was to be hanged in front of the palace for everyone to see’ but
just as the guards went to handcuff him he closed his eyes, slowly lifted his hands, and
began to speak in a voice of booming thunder.
“Take heed friends and foes, for this kingdom’s days are numbered!
Death will come and claim half of this city taking your beloved queen with it.
The other half will abandon you and then you too, oh king, will die!
Only you son shall live but in the form of a hideous and repulsive beast and
Only a female elf’s love will end the curse!”
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, a bright light flashed, and the elvish man
disappeared. “Find him!” roared the king, “Find him and all the other elves and kill
them! Kill them all!” And so it began.
All the elves in the kingdom were executed but it did not prevent the curse from
taking place. A terrible earthquake shook the city causing most houses to collapse and a
horrible plague occurred, taking half of the population and the queen with it. Those who
survived went to the other five cities, creating more hatred and spurring more hunts for
elves. Soon the king perished and the castle disappeared only to emerge, hidden and
deep within the forest and the prince, who had had his share of elvish executions,
changed into a hideous creature that roamed the desolate ruins. He lived there for one
hundred years until one day, a young elvish woman heard his lonely cry…
26