Cinderella decided she had enough of her step family's abuse & filed for legal emancipation at age 16. Noting there were multiple witnesses to Cinderella's treatment, the Town Magistrate granted her request, finding her to be an intelligent, resourceful & mature young woman.
The Magistrate even ordered Cinderella's stepmother to pay her a monthly stipend (taken from her daughters' allowance) as reparations for her abusive treatment toward the teen. The local hedgewitch took Cinderella under her wing & offered her a room in her cottage. The old woman taught the girl all she knew about midwifery & healing, effectively taking her on as an apprentice. As a sign of respect (as well as a nod to her age), Cindrella addressed her teacher by the title of 'Good Mother.'
About a year after Cinderella's emancipation the King & Queen held a ball in honor of their son & invited all the unmarried ladies in the kingdom to attend. Cinderella wanted to go just like all her friends were, but knew she had no dress fine enough. As a surprise, the hedgewitch updated a dress belonging to Cinderella's mother in time for the big event. The night of the ball she gave the remade dress to her ward & the 2 of them cheerfully drove to the ball in their goat drawn cart.
At the palace, Cinderella spotted her resentful step-family & went out into the gardens to avoid a scene. While strolling she noticed a young man leaning against a tree covered in poison ivy. She quickly informed the man of his folly & proceeded to list off several different remedies for the itchy rash he was surely going to develop soon. Fascinated, the young man engaged Cinderella in a conversation that ranged from medicinal herbs to the importance of hygiene classes & comprehensive sex education in village schools.
By the end of the night, Cinderella & the mysterious young man were firmly attached to one another. Though she was a bit perturbed when he informed her of his royal status. Having ditched her shoes hours earlier, Cinderella only noticed her misplaced slipper when it was time to leave the garden & meet the parents. Uncaring, the besotted Prince took his barefoot new girlfriend to meet the King & Queen who were delighted with Cinderella's sincerity, outspoken opinions & real world experience.
After a 3 year courtship the prince & Cinderella were married. However, while they were dating they implemented a few experimental social programs (based on the ideas Cinderella had espoused on the first night they met) in several volunteer villages. After their marriage, the Prince & now Princess presented their successful findings (increased infant mortality rates, fewer unwed teen mothers, lower death tolls during flu season, etc.) to the King & Queen who were impressed enough to implement the programs throughout the kingdom.
After returning from her honeymoon visiting their neighbor Queen Snow White & her Council of 7 (see "Proactive Snow White"), the hedgewitch informed the Princess that while she appreciated her fancy new rooms at the palace, it did not mean she wouldn't call upon Cinderella for help at the next 3 AM childbirth.
The End.
Emancipated Cinderellal: http://www.dolldivine.com/LotR-Hobbit/LadySky-2904998 |
