| “ | Impressive magic, digger rat, but I suspect it's mostly show. Here is true power. Silly upstart. Magic based on collective belief structures is always the most fragile kind. | „ |
| ~ Prince Aspen to Brock Blueheart in Fables #97 — "Dark Age Party Girl, Chapter Four of Rose Red" |
Prince Aspen is a dryad native to the mundane world, assigned to be Geppetto's bodyguard by Grandfather Oak along with his sister, Princess Alder. He first appears in Fables #91 — "Geppetto: Chapter Five of Witches."
History
Geppetto's bodyguard
Prince Aspen and his sister Princess Alder are two dryads[1] who are among the fewmagical beings that are native to the mundane world. When Geppetto wandered into the deep woods of the Farm, he meets Grandfather Oak, the Patriarch of all the trees in the woods, in not just the area around the Farm, but in others. The old woodcarver recognized the tree's power and proposes an alliance between the two. Grandfather Oak complied to Geppetto's offer and gifts the former Adversary two of the offspring of his sapline,[3] his grandchildren Princess Alder and her brother, as bodyguards. The two are jolted awake from their slumber. This disturbance, in the midst of winter, throws off their natural sleep cycle.[1]
Accompanied by their employer, the two individuals arrive at the main square of the Farm. Alder and her brother politely request for people to make way for Geppetto as they make their way through the crowded area. He instructs them not to be so courteous, and simply push others out of the way instead. Experiencing winter for the first time, as he's never been awake to see it before, Aspen is delighted and proclaims it an age of wonders. The two stand by Geppetto's side as he attempts to convince the occupants of both Fabletown and the Farm alike to choose him as their leader, so he can save everyone from the grip of Mister Dark. However, when Ozma rudely interrupts him, he orders Aspen and Alder to slay the meddler. Aspen refuses to kill anyone for him, stating that they will only protect him from genuine danger. He clarifies that rude behavior does not warrant their intervention. But when Ozma threatens to cast a spell on him, Aspen confronts her and warns that they will step in if she tries it. It's at this moment that the Blue Fairy shows up at the Farm, seeking retribution against Geppetto.[1]
Alder and her brother move in to protect Geppetto, but things take a surprising turn when Geppetto's son Pinocchio attacks the Blue Fairy, as he is mad at her for making him stuck as a little boy for centuries. Geppetto beckons for the two to interfere, explaining that his son is in grave danger. However, Aspen reminds him that they are only bound to protect Geppetto himself, not his son. The Blue Fairy overpowers Pinocchio and moves to attack Geppetto, who orders his bodyguards to keep the fairy from harming him. The two comply, and Alder orders the fairy to step no closer, or they will have to harm her. However, the situation calms down when Beast intervenes. The two then watch as Geppetto tries to free Pinocchio from a magic cage conjured by the fairy.[4]
Fired
The dryads later accompany Geppetto for a secret meeting with Ozma and Brock Blueheart. The latter points out that Geppetto was supposed to come alone and asks him to send the dryads away, but the old woodcarver counters that Aspen and Alder are sworn to stay by him by binding oaths, and he couldn't dismiss them if he tried. Brock offends Geppetto by claiming that he lacks understanding of the term "secret," prompting Aspen to reprimand him for his choice of words. He claims that tree folk are known for their ability to keep secrets, unlike beasts such as himself. Brock becomes furious at this and grows into a giant, armored badger. Geppetto orders his bodyguards to protect him, and Alder does so while her brother neutralizes the badger. Aspen dismisses Brock as a mere "digger rat" and belittles his powers, claiming they are insignificant compared to the magic of trees. He clarifies that magic relying on the belief of a group is always the most vulnerable, and demonstrates by conjuring tree roots that encase the giant badger, reducing him to his proper size.[5]
The two siblings accompany Geppetto when Rose Red addresses her fellow Fables after finally overcoming her long depression. Tired of Geppetto's antics, she warns him to leave her porch before she gives him a good slap. Prince Aspen cautions her to be mindful of her words, and Princess Aspen adds that any more threats towards Geppetto will result in violent actions from her and her brother. In case Alder, Aspen or Geppetto threaten her again, Rose Red orders her enforcer Clara, a fire-breathing raven, to destroy Grandfather Oak by burning him down if any of the three threaten her again. Following this, Rose orders Aspen and his sister off the Farm, saying that their job is over; no one gets bodyguards or special treatment on the Farm, and if Alder and her brother are still lurking around the Farm by nightfall, they will be apprehended or potentially face even worse consequences.[2]
Alder's dating life
Aspen and his sister later move to the outskirts of the Farm. Joel Crow shows his intentions to court Princess Alder, his attempt at a romantic gesture backfires when the candles he lit for her sets her on fire. As a result of this disastrous event, she rejects him. Joel makes multiple attempts to reach out to her, but ultimately understands the message when Prince Aspen tells him that never under any circumstances is he allowed to go near Alder again.[6]
Aspen is also present when Mr. Pickles shows up at his first date with Alder, which also goes badly: When Pickles brings her roses, she points out that dead flowers have all the sentimentality of a person handing over the corpses of her distant relatives.[6]
After Alder's date with Reynard the Fox ends in embarrassment, she meets up with Geppetto and Alder. Aspen tells Geppetto that he believes it's a bad idea to turn friends into romantic partners, citing Alder's latest dating disaster as evidence for this moral.[6]
Death
Aspen later becomes attracted to the now awakened Briar Rose and the two start a sexual relationship, with Briar Rose sneaking up to the Farm once or twice a week for a tryst with him. The serial killer Goldilocks is disgusted with the relationship and when she walks in on the two making love in the woods, she takes special pleasure in murdering Briar Rose, with Aspen as the second victim demanded of the sword Maerorgladi Goldilocks was wielding. She then uses Prince Aspen's tree-based body as kindling to provide a pyre for Briar Rose's body. Though Cinderella ultimately finishes off Goldilocks and is told that Goldilocks' victims can be resurrected, she can only choose half to be resurrected; and ultimately chooses Briar Rose, referring to Aspen as a "leafy asshole."[7]
Physical appearance
Prince Aspen is a handsome dryad with skin the hue of brown tree bark and eyes that resemble green chlorophyll. His physical structure is similar to that of a human, but with a few noticeable differences in his appearance. He has green leaves on his head instead of hair, and his pubic area is covered in green grass. As a plant, he goes without clothing and is completely naked, regardless of the setting.[1]
Personality and traits
Aspen and his sister are highly protective of Geppetto, but they will not obey any order that will force them to kill someone.[1] Due to his naturalistic nature, he has no qualms about being nude and is fully comfortable appearing in public without clothes.[1] Cinderella refers to him as a "leafy asshole."[7]
Powers and abilities
Chlorocinesis: As a dryad, Aspen possesses chlorokinetic powers and can control plant life and vegetation to an unknown extent. When threatened, Aspen rapidly grows roots to ensnare Brock Blueheart.[5]
Appearances
Fables
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Fairest |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Fables #91 — "Geppetto: Chapter Five of Witches"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fables #98 — "Red Dawn, Chapter Five of Rose Red"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fables #90 — "Ozma: Chapter Four of Witches"
- ↑ Fables #94 — "The Barbara Allen Incident, Chapter One of Rose Red"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fables #97 — "Dark Age Party Girl, Chapter Four of Rose Red"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Fairest #14 — "Aldered States"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fairest: In All the Land