Title: The Snow King Author: Zoycite Rating: G =============================================================== Hello! I am Zoycite, writer of Sailor Moon fiction that focuses on the villains. All my stories are based on the English dubbed Sailor Moon copyrighted by DIC. Some characters and places in the story were created by me – Zoycite's mother "Zoey" and the ice fairy "Kayinelle" for example. This is a Sailor Moon - Negaverse fairy tale that I have made up. Malachite, king of Frostica, was enchanted with a wicked spell that made his heart cold and unfeeling. Zoycite is the heroine who lives with her brother, Jedite in a little cottage in the snowy land. Their mother and father disappeared mysteriously, and they were left to fend for themselves. Zoycite encounters the Snow King one day, and falls in love with him, not knowing that he changes young maids into ice statues. Her love is the only thing that can break the spell. Hope you enjoy! Email me with any comments or requests at princess_zoycite@hotmail.com ======================================================================== ==== The Snow King Deep in the snowy land of Frostica there stood a towering castle of ice. Nearly sixteen stories high, it glittered like crystal in the pale winter sunlight. Tall crystalline spires reached toward the blue- grey sky. Within this beautiful castle lived a young sorcerer of about twenty-five years. He had long white hair tinted with green highlights that fell several inches past his broad shoulders, softly bronzed skin and a face that was handsome beyond words. He was truly breathtaking to behold. But he was just as cold as the icy castle he resided in. A wicked ice enchantress had kissed him with her cold blue lips and frozen his heart, so that he was incapable of feeling. Her kiss had run through him like a shiver, trickling down his spine, making every part of his body tingle with its iciness. His eyes were impenetrable orbs of silvery blue that reflected the coldness in his heart. His domain was the coldest in all Frostica, and few people dared to venture that deep into the land, for the snow was coldest and deepest where the "Snow King" lived. Those who had heard of him preferred to stay as far away as they could anyway, and avoided his lands. Each day he would go forth from his castle in the form of a beautiful white stallion with a mane that matched his own in color and silkiness. Maidens who saw him were lost, for they were lured to his irresistible beauty and could not help approaching him. The great stallion would kneel down to let them on his back and then he would whisk them off to his castle of ice. Once there, the maidens were changed into statues of ice, to laugh and play no more. The cold young man liked to look at them - ice maidens frozen forever. "They are much more beautiful this way," Lord Malachite thought as he stood on one of his balconies gazing down at them. It was a shame. Such a handsome man, yet so cold… "Gotcha!" yelled the copper-haired young maiden as she pelted her brother with a shower of snowballs, catching him off-guard and causing him to drop the load of kindling he had been carrying back to their cottage. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Her high-pitched laugh echoed through the snow-blanketed valley. "Zoycite!" The blonde young man scolded her. Now his coat was soaked. But he couldn't help smiling at his mischievous sister who was now looking perfectly innocent and sweet with her arms clasped in front of her. "Oh, Jedite, you've dropped all the wood you were carrying. Hmhmhmhm." "Why don't you help me pick it up?" he asked as he bent over, his back to the pretty girl. "Okay," she lightly skipped over and was promptly hit with a big snowball. "AHHH!" It fell in pieces down the front of her dark green cloak. "Hey, no fair!" "And I suppose it was "fair" when you attacked me, missy?" "Well…" She thoughtfully stroked her soft cheek. "Come on, let's get inside," said Jedite as he brushed snow from his golden forelock. "Not me, I want to stay out and play some more," replied Zoycite. "I want to go play in the forest." "First you help me carry this firewood," ordered her brother. "And change that wet cloak." Zoycite mock-pouted for a few seconds, then complied. "All right." She picked up the remaining wood and followed his footprints in the ankle deep snow to the cottage. "Okay, I'll see you later!" called Zoycite as she headed for the door, dressed in a dry cloak of pale icy blue. It had belonged to their mother, who along with their father had disappeared on a hunt two years ago when Zoycite was seventeen. Since then Zoycite and her brother had been living by themselves in their cottage near the hunting village. "Wait! Zoi," called Jedite, as he emerged from his small bedroom, in fresh clothes. "What?" "Be careful, okay?" Jedite was very concerned about the well being of his sister. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I've got my dagger with me," she replied, patting one of her furry boots. Zoycite carried her father's dagger with her for safety. "I'll be home in time for dinner," she called as she ran out into the snow. The young maiden headed for the forest. It could be seen from their cottage, a thick wall of trees on the horizon. It looked so beautiful all covered with snow. She made her way through the trees, careful not to startle any of the wood creatures. She saw deer and foxes, rabbits and birds. Then her eyes met a sight they had never seen before – a huge white stallion with hair tinted pale green. His mane, tail and the fur surrounding his hoofs flowed in the breeze as he ran. "Wow, such a magnificent creature," thought Zoycite as she watched the majestic stallion galloping through the snowy woods. She hid behind the nearest thick tree. The stallion approached and suddenly stopped close to where Zoycite was hiding. Then, to the young girl's surprise, a wondrous thing happened. The beautiful horse began to change shape until there was an extremely handsome young man standing about fifteen feet from her. Zoycite gasped. The handsome man turned towards her direction, startled. But just then a noisy group of hunters could be heard. The man concealed himself behind a tree and watched as they charged right by. He laughed as he turned to walk in the opposite direction. Zoycite watched Malachite as he walked away, her heart pounding. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. She was in love. "It's about time you came back…dinner's been ready for twenty minutes…Zoi?" Jedite stared at the little beauty who seemed to be in a trance as she stood in the doorway letting the cold air blow inside. He walked over to her. "Zoycite…" "Mmm?" She stared ahead dreamily. "You've got a spider in your hair…" "Wha- AHHH! Jedite get it off!" yelled Zoycite as she jumped around frantically, drawn out of her trance. "Oh! UGH!" "Just kidding," he grinned sheepishly. "JEDITE! What's the big idea, scaring me like that?!" "Sorry, but you seemed a bit out of sorts…are you all right?" he asked, serious now. "I'm okay…I just kind of met someone…" The dreamy smile returned to her face. "Here, sit down," said Jedite as he escorted her to her chair at the table. "Tell me about it while we eat our dinner." "Well, I was just walking through the woods," began Zoycite as she picked up a spoonful of soup, "looking at the animals and I saw this big white horse with greenish hair…" "White horse with greenish hair?" echoed Jedite. "Mmhmm…and he wasn't really a horse at all, he was a handsome man! Oh, Jedite you should have seen him! He was gorgeous!" "Whoa, whoa wait a minute, first he was a horse and then he was a man?" "That's what I said…" "That means he has to be a sorcerer…an enchanter…" Jedite wasn't feeling too good about this. "Zoycite, they can be dangerous…" "Oh, no Jedite…he's not dangerous…" "Zoycite if you're going to tell me you let this strange man…" "Oh, no, no Jedite…I…he…didn't really see me…but I saw him and I've just got to see him again!" "Zoycite, you shouldn't be alone with strangers, especially…" "Oh, Jedite!" interrupted Zoycite. "Don't you want me to ever find romance?" "Of course," he replied softly. "But you need to be careful, Zoi. I don't want you to get hurt." "I'll be careful," said Zoycite. "I promise." "Well promise me that you won't go off to see him alone. He could do something terrible to you…" "Okay, okay…" But secretly she vowed to find Malachite again. And secretly Jedite was still very worried. He decided to seek the advice of his friend who lived nearby. "Zoycite, do you mind if I go visit Neflite?" "No, go ahead…I'll be fine." "I shouldn't be too long." He stood up and picked up his cloak that had been hanging over the fire to dry. Putting it on, he went to their small barn, saddled up his horse and trotted off. Jedite reached his destination and dismounted. He went up to the door, leaving the horse tied to the fence. After several knocks, Neflite's mother answered the door. "Oh, hello, Jedite. What a nice surprise! Sit down and have some cocoa," she said as she took his cloak. Jedite greeted her, sat down and then explained why he had come over a very delicious mug of cocoa. "Neflite's upstairs in his room but I'm sure he'd like seeing you. If I can help you just let me know." "Thank you," said Jedite. The blonde man walked up the curving wooden staircase and knocked on the door with the carved out star decoration. "Come in." Jedite opened the door and found his friend sitting on his bed with his charts of astrology, his favorite hobby. "Jedite, hi," He got up to greet him. "How is everything? How is Zoycite?" "Well it's Zoi I need to ask you about." "What's the matter? Did you have a fight?" "No, I'm worried about her. She saw this man today and he was a shape changer or something…first he was a horse and then he became a man…" Neflite looked concerned. "What kind of horse was he?" "White. With greenish tinted hair. Very big." "And he could change himself into a man, you say?" He frowned. "Yeah, really handsome according to Zoycite. She's all taken with him. She wants to see him again…" "Don't let her," said Neflite. "That sounds like the Snow King to me." "Snow King?" "He's dangerous to young girls. I've heard that he's a young man who's very handsome and he often becomes a stallion when he leaves his castle. He takes girls to his castle and they never return…they fall under his enchantment, I believe." "Oh, no…" "You had better warn Zoycite." "Yeah…thanks so much…I'd better go now…" "No problem. Just make sure that she understands." Jedite rode home, thinking about what Neflite had said. If this were true, no way would he let Zoycite see her handsome stranger again. He intended to tell her right away, but when he arrived back at their cottage, he found her fast asleep in her bed underneath her soft quilts. He sighed. "I guess it could wait until tomorrow," he thought, not wanting to disturb her sweet slumber. He also retired and fell into an uneasy sleep. The next morning, Zoycite was up bright and early. She quietly rose from her bed and changed from her nightgown into a warm dress, cloak and a pair of boots. Then she tiptoed out of her bedroom and through the main room to the door. She was planning to sneak off and find the handsome man who had captivated her. Jedite stirred a little in his room next to hers. Hearing the door close, he opened his eyes and sleepily got up. He looked out the window to see Zoycite heading off in the direction of the woods. "Oh, no!" he cried and hurriedly got dressed. He took his bow and arrows and headed off to follow her. "Oh, I hope I find him," thought Zoycite as she made her way to the forest. She felt guilty about sneaking off without Jedite knowing, but she just had to find Malachite. The Snow King was indeed out hunting and Zoycite soon spotted him. Jedite, being secretly close behind her, also saw him. Zoycite went closer and closer until the magnificent horse noticed her and approached the pretty maiden. A voice seemed to be calling her, urging her forward. As Zoycite reached to touch him, Jedite panicked and drew an arrow. He shot, aiming for the great beast. "Oh!" Zoycite cried as the arrow shot past, fortunately missing her but grazing the stallion's back and drawing blood. "ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGH!" cried Malachite as he became human again. "Who did that?!" "Zoycite! Run!" yelled Jedite as he emerged from the trees. "Jedite! What are you doing!" "He's dangerous, Zoycite! Run away now!" "No!" she cried. "You will pay for this," said Malachite coldly as he turned to the young man who had shot at him. "With your life." He raised his arms and conjured a deadly energy, blasting it toward Jedite, who was knocked to the ground. "No, please don't hurt him! He's my brother," cried Zoycite, jumping in front of Malachite. "He tried to kill me," replied Malachite coldly, pushing the young woman aside. "For that I will destroy him." "No! Please," sobbed Zoycite, throwing herself at his feet. She continued to cry and make such a fuss that Malachite was disgusted. "Very well. Cease your loathsome crying." He looked at Jedite. "I will spare your life as she wishes, but she shall come with me." "You can't have her," protested Jedite, rising to his feet. "Jedite, no, let him take me…I don't mind," said Zoycite. "I don't want him to hurt you." "But Zoycite…" "So be it," said Malachite. "Come, girl." He pulled Zoycite to him and teleported away. Jedite stared miserably at the spot where Zoycite had just been. Whatever was he to do now? In an instant, Zoycite was standing outside a beautiful castle. She looked at it in awe as Malachite led her closer. Malachite observed the young lady walking, or rather being pulled beside him. She was indeed the fairest maiden he had ever seen. "What a fine addition she will make," he thought, thinking about his collection of ice maidens. As they drew near to the castle, Zoycite could make out what seemed to be statues. She noticed that they were all young girls. Suddenly she saw one that looked just like her mother! "Oh!" she cried. "What's the matter?" asked Malachite. "That…that ice statue looks like my mother!" cried Zoycite pointing to the frozen woman that resembled her. "Really? Then perhaps I should place you next to her," said the lord of the snow. "What – what do you mean?" asked Zoycite, horrified. "You will share her fate. You will join her in my ice maiden collection." "Oh! No, you can't!" Zoycite was shocked. "Can't I?" "Please, no! I'll do anything! I'll give you anything you want!" "Hmmph. What could you possibly give me?" he sneered. Zoycite flung her arms around him desperately. "You can have my heart," she said softly. "Please spare me and let my mother go." "I have no need of your heart," replied Malachite frostily. But something emanating from the girl touched him inside and he decided not to freeze her. "But a servant will do. You will be my servant." "And my mother?" she asked hopefully. "She stays here," he said firmly pulling her past the ice statue and to the castle door. "To ensure that you don't leave me." Zoycite was sad, but at least her life had been spared. "Maybe I can change his mind," she thought. Malachite worked the young girl very hard, giving her many chores to do. Each morning before he went out hunting he would tell her what he wanted her to do. He expected all the work to be completed by the time he returned. If not, she would be punished. Poor Zoycite tried hard to make him love her because cold as he was, she believed there was some goodness in him. She wanted him to love her so badly. She tried hard to please him, but he never seemed to notice. "At least he could give me a kind word or a gentle look," she thought. He fed her, of course, and provided her with sleeping quarters and clothes. He took care of her as much as was necessary to do. But he never smiled at her. He was rather unemotional and regarded her coolly with his cold pale blue eyes. One day he went out hunting and stayed out longer than usual. It was nearly sunset and he still had not returned. "I wonder what is keeping him," thought Zoycite. She was very worried because he always came back at the same time each day. She decided to go out and look for him. Putting on her cloak and boots, she ran outside into the deep snow. She found him wounded in a trap not too far from his ice castle. His eyes were closed and there was blood coming from his leg. "You can be free now," a little voice whispered. "Just run away and leave him to die." Zoycite looked up and saw a little ice fairy hovering above her. "I can't just leave him. I have to help him." "To really help him," said the ice fairy, "you have to heal him." "Heal him?" "Yes, his heart is frozen with coldness from an evil ice fairy. Perhaps your warmth can melt it." Zoycite hoped so. She used all her strength to pry open the trap, bringing a groan from Malachite. "Please be okay," she thought as she lifted his heavy body into her arms. She held him as tightly as she could to her, praying that he would be all right. She concentrated all her love on him. The warmth of her emotions spread through Malachite's body and melted the cold ice surrounding his heart. He opened his eyes and smiled at her for the first time. He had such a beautiful smile. Zoycite smiled back. And so the cold Snow king was no more. Malachite was very sorry for what he had done and asked Zoycite for her forgiveness which she gave to him willingly. "It wasn't really your fault," said the little ice fairy. "My wicked cousin enchanted you." "Who are you?" asked Malachite. "I am Kayinelle. My cousin is a dark snow enchantress. She desires coldness everywhere, even in people's hearts. That is why she cast her spell, to spread her iciness into you and the people of this land." Malachite wanted everything to be made right. All the ice maidens were freed, including Zoycite and Jedite's mother, Zoey. She told Zoycite that she had been captured by Malachite and now she was free. But unfortunately their father had not survived. "He was wounded too badly," said her mother sadly. But she was very glad to see her daughter and Zoycite was just as happy. They returned home to Jedite, who was overjoyed to see both his mother and sister home and safe. But Zoycite did not stay at her home very long, for at last Malachite had come to love her and wanted her as a bride. She moved into the castle and was treated very lovingly by her new husband.