Prince Charming to Wed

 by Alan Wilkinson

A delighted but exhausted Prince announced that after a nationwide search he has found –his `Runaway Midnight Princess `and they are to wed on Midsummers Eve

The mystery girl who goes by the name Cinderella, Ironically lived just half a mile from the palace in the house of two courtiers.

Cinders had appeared unknown at his coming of age ball and swept him off his feet then a sudden dramatic end to their dancing at the chimes of midnight she…

“She fled the palace, as if pursued by Hounds of Hell “ said a watching servant  “She flew down the golden staircase, one of her dazzling glass shoes came off, she tottered regained her balance-she was lucky she didn’t break her neck, then she took off the other shoe ran to that  coach”

“I swear the slipper only had room for three toes, like no foot I’ve ever seen” said the Prince of Ruritania, who had been walking down the staircase and had nearly been sent flying.

Outside the Golden bejewelled coach was seen to visibly shimmer as Cinderella jumped in, then the horses whinnied in unison as if saying Hurry Cinderella. The coach then disappeared into the night, leaving a palpable emptiness and silence in its wake

The stunned Prince was desperate to find the woman who he was sure was the love of his life. He was half crazy wondering why she had run out on him

During the days that followed the Prince’s sent messenger to comb his kingdom, looking for the owner of the unique slipper. He would marry the person it fitted

Finally she has been found. She was the half-sister of two courtiers-her parents dead she had recently come to stay. Cinders had been found when the sisters tried on the shoe. The sisters- who had been trying they said to educate her in cooking cleaning running a house, the beginnings of estate management.

They had not taken her to the ball for her own good –she had seemed simple and tongue-tied, too shy for such a big social event.

The sisters remarked they had not recognised her at the ball. So they had not suggested her to the Princess messengers her as a possible fit for the shoe

A story persisted around the village  of a fantastical carriage that suddenly appeared outside Cinderella’s  kitchen – her ravishing bejewelled dress –but how could that be- asked others because she was apparently just a poor servant girl who had nothing.

But now  the wedding of Cinderella to Prince Charming approaches The soon to be queen is surrounded by  myths – giving the forthcoming wedding  a magical glow-to almost rival master Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream

Many rumours and questions remain unanswered where had the golden coach come from? Where was it now? Would they get married in? Both Prince and Cinderella were quiet on this.

Did she have some rich benefactor who had taken her to the ball after transforming her into a princess?

Was she was the daughter of a king from one of the countries The Prince had fallen out with, and her disguise was about to be uncovered so she had to flee into the night- no one dared ask the Prince about this

Another rumour said she had a rich patron.

A story persists amongst the village folk that there was something magical she was a Fairy Queen –this fitted people felt with -the sudden appearance and disappearance of the Golden Coach and with Cinders having to leave at the chimes of midnight, midnight

Some even said she had a fairy Godmother who with a magic wand had conjured up the coach and dress from mundane kitchen items.

Others of wild imagination say that Cinderella has put the Prince under a spell

There is still so much speculation about the soon to be Queen and that fateful night of the Glass Slipper. Is the Prince Wise to rush into marriage with the beautiful stranger with so many questions still unanswered?

Is this the end of the story of the mysterious Cinderella, or just the beginning?