On my travels I was privileged to be among those who gathered by the fire on a crisp winter evening to hear tales of daring adventures, wicked royal plots and magical mythical tales of mystery and legend as told by the spellbinder Jacup. One story captured my imagination. As did countless others before him, the story teller began this tale of faeries and princes, love and betrayal, jealousy and spite with,
"Once Upon A Time."

The tiny principality of Mayrhofen, nestled between Austria and Germany, was preparing for the wedding of Crown Prince Rupert and the lovely if somewhat headstrong Marissa. Though many thought the match to be political and financial in nature, the two were very much in love.

One fateful evening as Marissa and her Prince were dancing on the terrace at the official engagement ball, envious eyes watched from just beyond the light. Sharp bright eyes belonging to the powerful and infatuated faerie Givan. As the couple danced near, Marissa caught a slight movement among the branches. Rupert noticed her nervous glance. "Only a faerie's breath of wind," he laughingly soothed. Marissa, uncomfortable, tossed her rowan red head and quipped over her shoulder as she stepped inside, "I don't believe in the horrid creatures." Givan's jealousy and spite threatened to consume her. In a terrible moment, quick as a garden viper she cast a spell. At the stroke of midnight Marrisa would leave the human world and join the faeries. "Thou may keep thy beauty and thy memory, but human thou shall cease to be," she muttered into the night air.

As it happened, the couple quarreled and Marissa fled to the garden, where, just then, midnight struck. The spell was completed and she disappeared. Rupert was only slightly amused, as his beloved often enjoyed small fits of temperament. As the days passed and it became clear Marissa would not return, he wrongly assumed he had been jilted. In his anger, he vowed never to speak her name again.

The faerie queen was powerless to reverse the spell. However, in answer to Marissa's heartbroken pleas she added a codicil. "Thou may visit thy love in his dreams and if he bespeak thy name the spell will break."

Rupert was a wise and honorable ruler. He had sons who would govern well, and his life was well spent. His devoted wife never asked him why, in the wee hours before dawn, he would rise and go to the window, there to softly wonder aloud "Who are you?". Or why he seemed to gaze longingly into the distance and turn expectantly at a gentle breath of wind.

It is said, on his deathbed, Rupert bespoke a name.
Some would swear they saw a beautiful rowan haired lady, bronzed in copper, and glistening with tears, drift through the garden and disappear into the mist.

Some will swear they see her still, when the night is soft and hearts are filled with longing.

The "Belle Epoque" Gown - black chiffon over copper charmeuse over dress. Gold and copper glass beads accent the delicate flocked floral design. The petal shaped hem is inset with bronze and black metallic gussets. A bronze and black knit underskirt with ribbed black velvet gussets. Both skirts are accented by hand made copper silk roses and copper glass beads. A matching black chiffon ruffle floats over the lined copper charmeuse bodice. The bodice back is finished with black bead "buttons". Delicate bronze shoulder straps, tiny bronze glass beads and tiny faceted gold beads from a vintage beaded bag drape her shoulders. Gold armbands tied with narrow black silk ribbon and gold rings support a long black chiffon scarf which has been delicately edged in bronze glitter. The scarf is supported in the center back by a copper rose and gold ring and may be arranged as desired.

The Wings - designed and handcrafted by the artist. Two pair, large and small, attach at the bodice back and are removable. Translucent and wired for creative arrangement, they are embellished with tiny gold, black and clear round glass beads. They are very flexible and durable.

The Accessories - a "topaz" crystal accented black lace fan. Necklace and earrings of gold faceted vintage beads and black "pearl" drops. Copper glass bead and peacock feather accented black chiffon turban band frames her upswept and styled red hair. Black fishnet stockings and glittery black sueded shoes complete the costume.

Marissa's eyes have been painted a soft gray green with soft russet shadows, human hair lashes and feathered brows. Her lips are a soft bronze. She has natural nails with white tips. All paint has been carefully sealed.

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