Prologue:

Once upon a time, in a hidden part of the Archipelago, a warrior princess lived in a magnificent castle. Although she had everything one could desire, the princess was proud and unkind. She was the greatest fighter in all the land and had successfully fought back many rival Viking armies who attempted to take her kingdom. Her subjects all admired her strength but cowered in fear of her temper, for she also ruled the land with an iron-grip like her father before her. The princess demanded the best of the best, including champions to be her suitors. But no matter how many she would see, she always cast them aside, deeming none of them to be skilled enough to be her equal.

Oh, how divine

Glamor, music and magic combine

See the suitors so anxious to shine

Look for a sign that enhances chances

He'll be her special one

What a display

What a breathtaking, thrilling array

Every prince, every dog has his day

Let us sing with passion, gusto, fit to bust

Oh, not a care in the world!

Then one night, an unexpected intruder arrived at the castle, seeking shelter from the bitter storm. As a gift, she offered the princess a single rose…

Repulsed by her haggard appearance and weak demeanor, the princess turned the woman away. But the old woman warned her not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty and true strength was found within. When the princess dismissed her again, the old woman's outward appearance melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress… a Valkyrie…

The princess begged for forgiveness, but it was already too late, for the Valkyrie had seen there was no love in her heart. As punishment, she transformed her into a hideous beast, and placed a strong spell on the castle and all who lived there. As days bled into years, the princess and her servants were forgotten by the world, for the enchantress had erased all memory of them from the minds of the people they loved…

But the rose the Valkyrie had offered was truly an enchanted rose. If the princess could learn to love another and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, the spell would be broken. If not, then she would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.

As the years passed, she lost all hope and fell into despair, for who could ever learn to love a beast?