As You Wish Chapter Six: Before the Beginning
This is chapter six! To start reading from the beginning, check out Chapter One: True Love
Summary:
Warlock rarely got sick, all illnesses passing him by as though he was wholly immune, but today he felt surprisingly ill. Since his parents are at work and Nanny is on her honeymoon it’s up to his Nana Agnes to stay with him. Much more interested in video games than books, he is surprised to find himself enthralled in the book she has decided to read aloud.
—
Do you not know? True love is ineffable. Death cannot stop it, only delay it for a while.
A classic tale of true love, ineffability, adventure, and miracles. You might think you know the story, but there is more to this edition of The Princess Bride than meets the eye.
Chapter Preview:
“Gabriel wasn’t supposed to be King? What does that mean?” Warlock asked curiously, and got visibly more upset. “And why is Aziraphale still going along with the wedding? Why hasn’t the wedding planning stopped? She can’t marry Gabriel. She has to marry Crowley, I’m sure of it. After everything that they’ve done for each other it wouldn’t be fair!”
“Well, who says life is fair? Where is that written? Life isn’t always fair. It’s ineffable.”
“I’m telling you, you’re messing up the story, now get it right!” Warlock cried out passionately, his hands balled into fists.
“Do you want me to go on with this?” Agnes asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes.” Warlock replied moodily.
“Alright then. No more interruptions. I think you’ll like this part actually, it takes place some years earlier…”
Author’s Note:
Hello my dearest readers! Thank you so much for sticking with this story. Not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous for this chapter, because it’s the one where I throw the established canon of The Princess Bride COMPLETELY out the window. It’s also quite a bit shorter than some of the other chapters, but hopefully the content makes up for it! I really want people to like this one.
Many thanks again to TinyMoonDrops, skullfragments, sososomebody, and Nate for being my cheerreading squad as I worked on this fic, and special thanks to sososomebody for the AMAZING art of Aziraphale and Crowley as Buttercup and Westley.
CWs for this chapter: Murder & attempted murder including the presumed death of children. (The baby is fine! But a lot of people think that they aren’t.)
Chapter Six: Before the Beginning
“Gabriel wasn’t supposed to be King? What does that mean?” Warlock asked curiously, and got visibly more upset. “And why is Aziraphale still going along with the wedding? Why hasn’t the wedding planning stopped? She can’t marry Gabriel. She has to marry Crowley, I’m sure of it. After everything that they’ve done for each other it wouldn’t be fair!”
“Well, who says life is fair? Where is that written? Life isn’t always fair. It’s ineffable.”
“I’m telling you, you’re messing up the story, now get it right!” Warlock cried out passionately, his hands balled into fists.
“Do you want me to go on with this?” Agnes asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes.” Warlock replied moodily.
“Alright then. No more interruptions. I think you’ll like this part actually, it takes place some years earlier…”
—
Some fifty-odd years prior to the start of our story, before Aziraphale came to the capital of Florin to become their Princess and future Queen, two sisters made their way to the castle ruled by King Michael. They were distinct in age, the elder, Uriel, being twenty-one, whereas the younger, Lilith, was only twelve.
Prince Gabriel was yet to be born, and the Crown Prince, aged thirteen, was named Samael. He was the son of King Michael and Queen Carmine, who had sadly passed away only the year before. Samael resembled his father in all respects except for his hair, which was a vivid red, and his face, which was dotted with freckles. His eyes were the same dark brown as his father, though he often wished for his mother’s eyes instead, which had been a shining gold. Despite the fact that he often caused mischief and chaos he was adored by the court, and widely regarded as someone who was growing into a fine young man. His parents instilled in him the idea that to be King was to be a servant to his people, and made sure that while he respected authority, he treated everyone with equal respect.
His closest confidant was a girl named Marjorie. She was only a few years his senior, and the daughter of Archibald Potts, the King’s elderly miracle man. She considered herself to be a witch, and the two of them made a pact that when Samael was King, Marjorie and her beau, Shadwell, would have a place in the castle as miracle workers. The two had met at Miracle School, and while Samael didn’t get on perfectly with Shadwell, he was a decent sort and Samael trusted him to take care of his dearest friend.
So it was that Samael and Marjorie were laying on the grass in one of the castle’s courtyards, picking out shapes in the clouds, when the two sisters arrived. Samael took an instant liking to Lilith, who despite her preference for books over the types of chaotic roughhousing and pranks that Samael preferred, was nevertheless charmed by his mischief.
Soon, Samael realized that he had somehow developed feelings for Lilith and confessed to his father that he wished to court and eventually marry her. Given the way that both Lilith and Uriel were in good standing with the court, Samael fully expected his father’s approval. Though he did not expect his caveat.
“Samael, you know that you are my only son, my only child, my only heir.” Michael said consideringly after Samael had said his piece, expressing his undying devotion to Lilith.
Samael nodded, a little confused but thinking he understood where this was going. “I understand, father. That is why I thought it prudent to marry soon. I know that I am only fourteen, and it is rather early to take a bride, but I am sure in my love and affection for Lilith.”
Michael nodded in return, accepting of Samael’s words, though when he spoke again it was with utmost care. “It would be… unconventional if you were to marry Lilith. And not,” here, Michael held up his hand, as it appeared as though Samael were about to speak again. “Not just because of your age. Plenty of people marry young, though I would prefer that you have a longer courtship, given that you are both still all but children. I am referring to the fact that I myself have begun to court Uriel as my bride.”
Samael recoiled in shock, and for some moments was unable to speak. When he was a child, his parent’s love for each other had always been so open, so clear, and even despite the fact that he knew his mother had failed to produce another heir— that she had died in attempting that task— his father had never loved her less, and had mourned her deeply. The idea that his father would remarry, and to someone who was of a closer age to Samael than himself, was rattling.
It was not, however, a no, with regard to his potential marriage to Lilith, and Samael clung to that fact like a lifeline as he collected his thoughts.
“Many happy wishes to you both.” Samael managed to speak in a way that mostly concealed his distress, despite the fact that his tongue felt as though it was made of lead.
“Thank you, son. Your word matters greatly to me, and bringing another into our family is always a cause for celebration. If Lilith will consent to your courtship, my blessings go forth to you both. Her beauty is immense, and I can see the devotion she has for you. A good match you make indeed.”
—
Uriel became Queen Consort just a few months later, and only a year beyond that, when Samael was fifteen, she gave birth to Gabriel, the second Prince.
Samael loved his little brother. It is true that while the Prince was only a baby, he was not very interesting. But still, Samael adored him. And Gabriel adored him in turn. By the time that Samael and Lilith solidified their own marriage, he had reached the age of ten, and was proud to stand beside his older brother at the altar. As he watched Lilith walk towards him, an absolute vision in white, her copper hair shining in the sun, Samael felt his heart clench. This was true love, it had to be, and when it came time to lift her veil and she graced him with a kiss, he could not have been happier.
“Ugh, kissing, again?” Warlock interjected. “Why should I even care about the Prince’s older brother!?” he groused. “I want to know more about Crowley and Aziraphale. This all happened years ago, why does it matter?”
“Now what did I say about interrupting?” Agnes huffed. “This part of the story is just as important as the rest. But if you insist, I’ll skip the kissing parts since they seem to bore you so much. Now can I continue or not?” Warlock shrank back at her piercing gaze and simply shrugged before sneezing abruptly. Agnes handed him a tissue and he blew his nose loudly before tossing the tissue at the trash can next to his bed.
He missed, and they both stared at the tissue for a moment. Warlock did not really feel up to getting out of bed, and Agnes, for all that she had multiple children and grandchildren, still hated cleaning up someone else’s snot.
The tissue was left on the floor as Agnes went on with the story. Warlock was so engaged, he did not even notice that within seconds of him taking his eyes off of it, the tissue had hopped itself into the can without any intervention.
—
It was some years before Samael and Lilith successfully had their own child. Gabriel was a grown man himself when he became an uncle. By the time his niece, who the happy parents named Antonia, was born, he had already reached the age of twenty-one. Everyone was pleased about how smoothly her birth had gone, and aside from the parents themselves, no one could be said to be happier than Gabriel, though perhaps Michael was also a strong contender, as he was filled with excitement to have a granddaughter.
The only person who remained unexcited, and perhaps could even be said to be unhappy, was Uriel. The Queen had always been jealous of Michael’s relationship to Samael, for the love that she could tell he still had for his long-dead first wife. And that is to say nothing of the hatred Uriel had for her sister. Their mother had died giving birth to Lilith, and for that Uriel had never truly forgiven her, nor had she forgiven their father for how distant he became, how much he doted on Lilith, how much he shielded and protected her, while Uriel needed to become a mother to her siblings at only nine years old.
When Uriel became Queen, she thought that she had won, only for her brat younger sister to go on and fall in love with the Prince, meaning that the two of them were all but stuck together for the rest of their lives, when the whole reason that she had wanted to leave home was to get away from the mess that was her family. And now here there was, another baby, another reason for everyone to leave Uriel in the dust.
The anxiety and resentment festered within her for years, and she could not help but admit that the way it all played out was her fault. The inciting incident— the last straw, as it were, came just a few days before Antonia’s second birthday. Gabriel was a young man, having grown into himself at twenty-three, and made a confession to the family.
“I have no interest in the throne.”
The immediate royal family was startled by the declaration. It had interrupted Lilith’s enthusiastic description of how Antonia was starting to show interest in the castle’s gardens, and despite her young age seemed to have a budding green thumb.
“What does that have to do with plants?” Lilith asked in confusion.
Gabriel sighed and rubbed at his brow. “Sorry, it doesn’t really. I just have been trying to figure out the best way to tell you all, I am leaving.”
“Leaving? To where?” Uriel asked in dismay. “This is your home.”
“I know, mother. And I will always love it here, love Florin. But I want to see the world, I want to learn more about other places. Father is still as healthy as ever, and now that Samael has his own family and his own heir, I am not as needed here. I have no interest in taking up the throne, and now I know I will not have to. I feel it’s time.”
Samael cleared his throat, and the smile he gave his brother was slightly strained, but it was nevertheless genuine. “If this is what you want, I am more than happy to support you, brother. We will miss you of course, and you must write and visit regularly. This place will always be your home, and we welcome you gladly.”
Gabriel looked at the rest of the family. Lilith and Michael were both smiling hesitantly, but Uriel’s face was full of dismay and pain. Her only child was leaving her. She attempted to school her mouth into a smile, but knew that it came out as more of a grimace. Something had to be done about this.
—
If Uriel loved her sister more, it perhaps would not have been so easy to arrange for her death. But truthfully, it was a little too easy. Lilith and Samael were taking Antonia on a trip for her birthday to see more of the countryside. The young princess indeed had a strong interest in plants and that which grew, and they brought only a small regiment of guards with them.
Only one of the guards came back.
Saraquel was badly injured, and would likely never walk again. They struggled to tell the story, which was almost too horrible to bear. The group was attacked en route to the country house as they were crossing the bridge over the River Dowling. Everyone there was struck down and those who did not die from their wounds were drowned in the river, even the baby.
—
“But that’s awful! What did the baby ever do? I don’t think I like this part of the story.” Warlock cried out. “Is this why Gabriel is so awful?”
Agnes sighed and closed the book gently. “Do you want to stop now? I don’t have to keep reading if this is upsetting you so much. Maybe I should have chosen a different book…”
“NO! I mean, no, you can keep going, I can stop interrupting. It’s just sad is all.” Warlock mumbled, wringing his hands.
“Well let me read a bit more and then you might like what happens next.” Agnes smiled. Warlock looked at her dubiously.
“Are you sure?”
“Well, one thing I think you’ll appreciate is that Saraquel was wrong.” Agnes whispered conspiratorially.
“Oh?” Warlock asked, perking up in interest. “What are they wrong about?”
“No one realized it, but Saraquel wasn’t the only one to survive. They were very disoriented and injured, so they didn’t realize that Samael had managed to fight off the attackers well enough for Lilith to jump into the river of her own volition, cradling Antonia as she did so. Once she was in the water she slung the girl across her back and swam away, letting herself be caught in the current until she happened upon a farm, and the kind older couple who worked the land for the family who lived there.”
“Oh! So the baby was okay after all?” Warlock asked excitedly, before faltering. “But wait, why was Gabriel still such a jerk?”
“Well, he didn’t know that Lilith and Antonia were still alive, did he? Lilith knew that someone was trying to kill her and her family, so she kept them secret, and called Antonia by a new name, laying low as she recovered. But she knew that eventually she would have to go back to the castle, and she did not want whoever tried to kill them to succeed again. Lesley and Maud let her live quietly with them at the farm, and were careful not to ask any questions. Lilith figured that if she kept them secluded, and hid Antonia’s heritage from even Antonia herself then no one could find them.”
“So Lilith and Antonia have been hiding this whole time? Why didn’t you tell me that part?” Warlock demanded.
“Child, do you want me to read this or not? We’re skipping a lot of important dialogue here.” Agnes replied in exasperation.
“I just want to know what happens to Lilith and Antonia.”
Agnes sighed again before flipping forward in pages. “You really are having me skip some good bits.” She groused. “But the short version is that you’ve already met Antonia. She just doesn’t use that name anymore after Lilith started calling her by the nickname she chose.”
Warlock sat up straight in excitement.
“Is Crowley Antonia?” He asked. “But wait, where’s Lilith? Why did she let her daughter go off and become a sailor if she knew that Crowley was a princess?” Warlock’s brow was furrowed in confusion again.
“I was getting to that, but you’ve been insistent that I skip a lot of this. Hmmm, so to summarize, if it pleases your highness, Lilith and Crowley only lived with Lesley and Maud for a few months before Lilith decided to go back to the castle and tell everyone what happened, trusting them to look after Crowley. To make sure that no one would find her, Lilith went back to the capital by way of Guilder, to make sure that no one would question her when she explained why it had taken so long to get back, and also told them all that Antonia had drowned, so as to keep her safe from whoever was trying to kill them.
“Uriel realized that of anyone was going to discover the truth of who had been after them it was Lilith, and fearful for her own life, Uriel decided to take matters into her own hands and killed Lilith herself, staging her sister’s death as a suicide.”
“So Crowley has no idea that she’s the actual heir to the throne? How is everyone going to find out?” Warlock asked.
“This really is a very good book, and I think you’ve already had me skip ahead enough. I am going to keep reading now, and I really would prefer it if you stop interrupting.” Agnes replied haughtily. Warlock grumbled a bit, but nevertheless swaddled himself once more in his blankets and stayed silent, waiting for Agnes to continue.
Endnote: Please leave a comment here or on ao3 if you can, I don’t always respond super fast but comments really make my day whenever I get to read one!