GROTESQUE

Lorna was an attractive, young woman. She also happened to be a
princess.
She never let her regal position go to her head, though - unlike her father, King Curtis.

Every year, at around the time of Lorna's birthday, a surprise would be organised for her. She never had any idea what the surprise might be.
And, it was that time again, when her birthday was approaching. This time it would be her 18th.

"Lorna, I have a different kind of surprise for you this year," said Curtis.
Lorna was unsure what to expect, as ever.
"Well," said Curtis, "Don't you want to know what it is?"
Something told Lorna that in fact she didn't want to know.
Curtis sighed, "This year, Lorna, you will be staying in a secluded forest for 7 days and 7 nights."
"What?" screeched Lorna.
"I haven't finished," Curtis firmly said. "You will not be alone."
Lorna asked, "So, who will be with me?"
Curtis clapped his hands together once. A strange and completely displeasing to the eye character walked into the room.
Lorna had an uncontrollable little shiver. "What? What is this? Is that who I am to stay with, father?"
Curtis looked at the hideous creature and flinched. "Rather you than me, my dear."
Lorna shook her head, "But why? Why are you doing this to me, father?
What have I done to deserve this?"
Curtis sighed. "Look at it, Lorna, as a test of character."
"A test?" said Lorna, "Testing what exactly?"
Curtis ignored his daughter's clear concerns. "You'll not go hungry. I'll see you in a week."

And with that, Lorna and the grotesque being were taken to a small cottage, in a dimly-lit and isolated forest.

Lorna fought hard to hold back her tears.
"I'm sorry," said the being.
Lorna swallowed. "What?"
"I can see you're upset," said the being.
Lorna sniffed, "I think I'm more...frustrated than anything. Like when you want to cry when you just can't understand something. It's silly,
really."
"Well," said the being, "I don't know if this will be of any comfort to you, but I'd like you to know that I didn't want this situation to be
put upon you."
Lorna nodded.
The being paused. "I'll try to make this week go by for you as quickly as possible."
Lorna was touched by the being's compassion. "Thank you," she said.

And so Lorna and the creature began their week-long stay with each other.
"Do you not have a name?" asked Lorna.
The being laughed, "People might call me names - I don't think they would actually address me with a proper name."
"Were you not given a name, though?" asked Lorna.
"I think," said the being, "That when I was born, it was more of a nasty shock than anything else. For those who had the misfortune of seeing me, that is. The last thing that anyone would have thought of was to give me a name - why would you name something you don't even want to look at, let alone ever associate with."
"That's terrible," said Lorna, "You can't not have a name." She thought. "We'll call you Victor, shall we?"
The being stopped. "Why Victor?"
Lorna smiled. "Short for victory."
The being laughed. "Is that what is going to come out of this Princess Lorna, is it?"
Lorna giggled excitedly, "You bet! But can you do me a favour?"
The being nodded. "Of course. What is it?"
"Drop the princess - just call me Lorna."
The being smiled, "As you wish, Lorna."

Each day seemed to pass more quickly than the next. Lorna's fears that she first had about staying with Victor had gone completely - in fact, the more time she spent with Victor, the more she liked him. Much more than she ever believed she could.

The week was soon up, and Victor and Lorna were quickly collected from the cottage that had become their temporary but happy home.
Lorna was back at the palace, where she was greeted by her father with an expectant look on his face.
"Your nightmare is over now, Lorna," said Curtis.
Lorna laughed slightly, "What nightmare? I had the most lovely time. In fact, I'd say it was the best birthday surprise you've ever given
me."
Curtis frowned, "Surely you must be...having a sick joke, Lorna?"
"There's nothing sick about it." Lorna stopped. "Though I think one would have to ask themselves, why would a father make his daughter stay with someone who he would not even wish to stay with himself. A person might, perhaps, perceive that as rather sick."
Curtis swallowed. "Well, that wasn't the surprise."
Lorna was confused, "So, what was it?"
Curtis called for someone to be brought into the room. A finely dressed, well-mannered and devastatingly handsome young man was introduced to Lorna.
"This is Micheal," said Curtis, with a rather smug expression. "He, Lorna, is the best birthday surprise you've ever had."
Lorna seemed speechless.
"I think you'll find he is a most appropriate and fetching gentleman," nodded Curtis, "And most definitely perfect husband material."
"Husband?" gasped Lorna, "Who said anything about me getting married; especially to someone I don't even know."
"Lorna," said Curtis, "Don't be so silly! Look at him! What do you need to know, when you can see for yourself how charming he is."
"Oh, he looks all right," said Lorna, "But I don't know him, as a person. Not in the way that I know Victor."
Curtis laughed out loud, "Victor? And I suppose this is the thing that you stayed with, is it?"
Lorna felt angry, "He's not a thing, father - he's a gentle, kind and beautiful being."
Curtis mocked, "Beautiful? BEAUTIFUL? My darling, do you want your eyes tested?"
Michael laughed with Curtis.
Lorna felt like she would explode with the rage she felt inside her, "How dare you insult something that you don't even understand. And do you know what I don't understand? Father, why did you make me stay with Victor if you thought there was no reason? Were you just being cruel, in your eyes?"
Curtis looked towards the floor and nodded, "Yes."
Lorna felt hurt. "What?" She had tears in her eyes. "My own father wished to be deliberately evil to me?"
"Oh, pull yourself together," said Curtis. "I just wanted you to truly appreciate Michael. And to appreciate heaven, it might seem fitting that one should go through a bit of hell."
Lorna shook her head and huffed. "I can't believe how shallow you are. I've found my heaven, all right - with Victor."
Curtis started to get annoyed. "Now stop it, Lorna. You're marrying Michael."
"No!" snapped Lorna, "I am not marrying Michael."
"Of course you are," said Curtis, "What a dashing couple you two shall make."
"No, we shall not," refused Lorna, "I don't want to marry Michael. No offence Michael, I'm sure you could make someone a suitable husband...well, perhaps, but you're not for me."
Curtis raged, "How dare you disobey my wishes, Lorna."
"Your wishes?" huffed Lorna, "You didn't care about my wishes, did you - when I didn't want to go away to the forest. What about what I want? What about my wishes?"
"I can't have my daughter saying she'd rather be with a monstrous thing than with the fine gentleman that Michael is."
"Victor's not a monster! What's wrong with you? Don't you listen?"
"I don't like your tone, young lady," said Curtis.
"I don't like a lot of things at the moment," said Lorna, "And right now, Victor is the only one that I do like."
Curtis was furious. "Right, that's it. You shall be punished. This time you will stay on your own - so you'll have time to reflect how foolish
you have been."

Once again, Lorna was back in the cottage - but this time without her companion.
Being in the place they shared only made her think of Victor even more - and in a way, she felt close to him there, because that's where they had shared such happy times together.
Lorna wished he was there. She pined for him, even.

On the second night, Lorna heard rustling outside. She got out of bed and quietly went to the door to see if she could discover where the
noise was coming from...

Lorna's eyes lit up. It was Victor.
She smiled excitedly and almost pushed Victor over when she eagerly wrapped her arms around him.
Victor laughed, "Well, I didn't expect such a nice reaction as this!"
"Why not?" said Lorna, "You're such a nice person to be with."
"Person?" said Victor.
"Of course you are!" Lorna said, "You might look a little different than a lot of people, but...you're the only person I can see myself being with."
"But you're a princess," said Victor.
"I told you, I'm Lorna - I see you for you, and I want you to see me for me."
Victor's eyes seemed to be filling up with tears. "But, what will other people say, Lorna?"
"I don't care about other people. I care about you." Lorna stopped. "Do you care about me?"
"Of course I do, I absolutely adore you, Lorna."
Lorna smiled. "Then let's go."
"Go? Where?"
Lorna breathed deeply. "I don't know. Somewhere. Anywhere. Away from anyone who doesn't want us to be together."
Victor almost looked excited by Lorna's suggestion. "But you can't just do that! People will wonder where you are."
"Will they, Victor? The only person I see caring about me right now, is you."
"But you're a prince-"
"I'd sooner be a gypsy than be a princess, if it means I can be with whoever I want, wherever I want."
"But am I what you really want?"
"You're not just what I want, Victor - you're what I need."
Lorna and Victor's eyes remained locked for a few moments. Without words, the couple left the cottage and made their way through the forest.

Never before had Lorna felt so free.
And never before had either of them been so in love.

Around 2003