Once upon a time there lived a young girl named Prudence who was as sweet as she was beautiful. She lived with her mother, in a tumbled down shack at the foot of a hill where a gleaming white castle glowed in all it's splendor.
Prudence's mother was a plain woman who resented her daughters growing beauty more every day. She would screech at Prudie (for that is what her friends called her) for the slightest infraction, real or imagined. She would say mean nasty things, sneering in disgust and contempt.
But Prudie smiled and laughed, never showing any pain or resentment. Her friends and neighbors smiled and laughed with her, but whispered together in private sympathy for poor Prudie.
Prudie loved to go into the forest, following the faint animal trails. She was so at home in the woods, that the animal denizens treated her as one of their own. Squirrels scampering down from the trees to steal bits of biscuits out of her hands. Rabbits sitting up on their haunches, noses twitching as they edged closer to listen to her low voice coaxing them out of the underbrush.
One day to escape from her mothers wrath, she went deeper into the woods than normal. Following a faint trail up the short hill, she was delighted to see a tiny lake glittering in the sunlight of a clearing.
Skipping down the trail she made her way toward the lake, stopping to pick some wildflowers along the way. Sitting down on the bank, she pulled a bundle out of her pocket and began to nibble on some biscuits. Soon several squirrels were gathered around her begging for handouts, their bushy tails twitching in excitement.
Looking into the water she saw some rainbow colored fish flitting about. Leaning over to look closer, the bank she knelt on gave way and she fell into the water with a splash.
Sputtering she stood up, pushed her hair out of eyes and saw a beautiful woman floating in the water a short ways away. Suddenly frightened, she started to turn and run away.
"Please don't go," said a sweet melodious voice. "I am so lonely here."
Prudie hesitated, then turned back to the woman. "Who are you and where do you live?"
"I live here in the lake." frowned the woman. "I am under a spell to live here in the lake. I was a beautiful, vain woman who only cared about myself. One day I carelessly pushed past an old woman in the market place, throwing her into the dirt. She lay there in the dust and put a terrible curse upon me, banishing me here to this lost lake. Here I stay until I can find someone to grant a wish to."
She broke off looking longingly in Prudies direction. "Is there anything that you desire, or need? Please let me grant you a wish, release me from this curse!"
Prudence gazed at her in silence for a moment, chewing her lip in thought. "I would like to live in the beautiful castle that sits above the village," she said dreamily. Then laughed at her own foolishness. "But that will never happen. I have no skills to work at the castle, I am just a simple minded girl."
The woman gazed at her shrewdly, "It shall be done." Then she began to laugh hysterically, as she started to spin in the water. Faster and faster she spun, her laughter becoming a horrible screech, striking terror in Prudies soul. Raising up into the air, she suddenly shot forward and slammed into Prudie.
As Prudie fell back into the water, the last thing she felt was an icy coldness racing through her veins, burning and terrible.
When she woke it was dark, the moon shown down with a bloated heavy look to it. Confused Prudie sat up and looked around. She was no longer in a lake, but laying in a meadow. The forest loomed frighteningly a short distance away.
Whimpering in fright, she leaped to her feet and raced through the woods. Branches seemed to reach out and hit her with cruel stinging slaps. It seemed she ran for hours before breaking through the trees and seeing the comfort of lights in the distance.
Racing heedlessly toward the village, she didn't see the rider in the road until the horse reared up in front of her. Screaming with fright, Prudie threw her arms up in front of her, then crumpled to the ground.
Sunlight streaming into the room woke Prudie the next morning. Opening her eyes, she quickly scrunched them shut again as the bright light sent stabbing pain darting through her head.
Slowly she opened her eyes again, letting them adjust to the light. Confused she looked around a foreign room. Rich blue tapestry surrounded the bed, tied to posts at the corners. The large room was full of beautiful furniture.
A knock on the door, sent fear racing through her again. Clutching the blankets to her throat, her eyes huge, she watched the door open.
A handsome young man stepped into the room along with a serving woman carrying a tray with food on it. "Good you are awake," he said with a smile. "You have been asleep for almost a day."
"Where am I?" she asked faintly, overwhelmed by the rich furnishings and clothes the young man was wearing.
"You, dear lady are in the castle, I am Prince Reginald." Stepping forward he bowed graciously and lifted her hand to his lips.
Blushing, Prudie tugged her hand away. "My Lord, please I am not a lady, just a poor girl from the village."
Delighted with her humility, the Prince bid his farewells and hastened to see the King.
"Father," Prince Reginald exclaimed, striding briskly into the King's study. "I know you have been worried about my lack of an heir, I have found the woman I wish to marry."
Stunned the King stared into his son's face. "What? When did this happen and which kingdom is she from?"
"Why father, she is from this very kingdom. A girl of great beauty and humility, stumbled under my very horse. I almost rode her down!"
The king, happy to have his son finally settle on a bride, gave his blessing readily. The bans were read and the kingdom rejoiced and the impending event.
Prudie overwhelmed and bashful at first, soon settled into life at the Castle. Truly happy for the first time in her life, she jumped into the wedding plans with enthusiasm.
But soon a change began to come over her, her sleep restless, night terrors taking over her dreams. Her face became drawn and pale, her fingers nervously plucking at her dresses as she stood to be fitted.
Prince Reginald seemed to be unaware of the change as he happily contemplated their upcoming marriage. But the castle staff had noticed and whispers were spreading. Clucking tongues were heard and quickly silenced when Prudie or the Prince approached. A few insisted that it was just nerves and after the ceremony, she would settle down and all would be fine.
Finally the big day arrived, dignitaries from all over the world had come. Flowers overflowed from every container that could be found, their perfumes filling the air. Fantastic carriages and horses arrived hourly all morning long.
The time had come, Prudie was dressed, perfumed, primped and hauntingly beautiful with skin so pale as to almost be translucent. As if in a daze, she stood waiting at the back of the cathedral, clutching the bouquet of bloodred roses.
When the music changed to her entrance march, she swayed and the maids rushed forward in alarm. Abruptly she stood tall and firm, brushing the maids concerns away with a slight hand gesture. Head held high, she strode down the aisle with sure steady steps.
As Reginald lifted the veil and kissed his bride, a terrible change came over her. Prudie threw back her head and began to laugh wildly. Her face twisted and bore little resemblance to the Prudie that the Prince fell in love with. Madness ravaged the features, and something else. A hatred borne in ages past, nurtured for untold ages, finally able to enact it's revenge.
"Finally, I have been released from my terrible prison!" she cried triumphantly. "For 500 years I have waited for this day. Now I shall be avenged on the descendants of my jailers!" With another high shrieking laugh, she turned ripped out the throats of the King and Prince. Turning, she raced from the cathedral, blood staining the white wedding gown.
No one ever saw her again, but it is said that in the night her laughter is heard on the wind. Haunting the nightmares of the kingdom forever more.
