Fictional Romances by Mirriam N.

Fictional Romances

An extraordinarily helpful and somewhat snarky look at several fictional romances that I like. (I know it's late; I'm so sorry!)

1. Beauty and the Beast.

Now who doesn’t love a story like this?

A beautiful, innocent, brave girl + mean, gruff, overbearing monster = happily ever after, right?

Not quite.

They both have to overcome several obstacles in order to make this romance work. The Beast has to let his hard exterior soften to reveal the heart of gold underneath, and Belle has to learn to be kind and patient with him (after a few temper tantrums, slaps, and slamming-of-doors). Finally, the Beast provides the ultimate act of heroism, risking his life for hers and – eventually – releasing her from his clutches, even if it means living in his monstrous form for the rest of his life. They both end up being what the other one needs.

Theme Song: Trainwreck by Demi Lovato

2. Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidalla

This is one of the ‘weirder’ romances out there. When they first meet Anakin is only nine, and Padme only fourteen. They meet again ten years later, and things are slightly different. Anakin has been in love with Padme the entire time, but she doesn’t realize until she sees him again that she reciprocates the feeling. However, she’s a Senator and he’s a Jedi who isn’t supposed to get married! The odds are completely against them, and in order to be together they would have to break almost every rule imaginable. The only thing left to do? Get married, of course!  But then Padme gets pregnant. Oops. And Anakin, being won over to the dark side, begins to change until he’s not the man she married. He turns into a Sith Lord – but the first thing he asks after being transformed into Darth Vader is ‘Where is Padme? Is she all right?’ The Emperor lies to him and tells him that he killed her in a fit of rage (when really she died from hopelessness. I won’t talk about this point because helllooooo? She just had two KIDS!! Isn’t that enough to live for??) This breaks Anakin’s heart, and (if you’re a Star Wars lover like me and read all the books, etc.) through the years Anakin never stops loving her, even after she died.

Theme Song: My Immortal by Evanescence

3. Eristor and Sienna

Gasp! Two of MY characters? I know, right? But they pestered and nagged at me until I allowed them a small space up here. Mainly because it’s pretty much my favorite type of romance, and I can’t think of another example off the top of my head.

When they first meet, Eristor (who’s an elf) bumps into Sienna around a corner. She goes sprawling. He glares at her and walks past without so much as a howdyado. Classic boy-meets-girl. They hate each other from the very beginning; he’s got a grudge against humans – a very large grudge – and she simply doesn’t like him. At ALL. But over the course of two years their enmity changes into toleration… friendship… and eventually love on Eristor’s part, though Sienna’s oblivious. Eristor realizes he loves her when something happens and everyone believes her to be dead. She realizes she loves him when he risks his life to save hers, and ends up severely and permanently wounded. (Just a note: I don’t know how he’s going to propose to her yet. Any ideas?)

Theme Song: That’s How You Know from Enchanted

4. Eragon and Arya

This one can be summed up in a very few words. I don’t recommend this one.

Eragon: Will you marry me?

Arya: No.

Eragon: I love you! Will you marry me?

Arya: No.

Eragon: Will you marry me? I love you so much!

Arya: NO!

Eragon: Will you marry-

Arya: *hits him over the head* NO!

Eragon: *whimpers* Fine.

Theme Song: Breaking Up is Hard To Do

5. Princess Leia and Han Solo

Who doesn’t love this pairing, right? She’s feisty, headstrong and opinionated. He’s snarky, sarcastic, somewhat on the selfish side, and doesn’t care what other people think. They were destined to be together. Basically, they end up being attracted to each other out of sheer opposition! (For the same kind of relationship but in a younger, more ‘oh-it’ll-turn-into-love-eventually’ way, see ‘The Secret of Moonacre’ for Robin and Maria♥)

Theme Song: I Can Do Without You from Calamity Jane

6. Aragorn and Arwen (Movie version, as Peter Jackson didn’t seem content to have the elven girl flit in and out of the pages.)

Aragorn is a mortal and Arwen is immortal. Sad, right? Just like Beren and Luthien all over again. She has the choice to go to the Gray Havens where she will be relatively happy (all pining, heartbreak and loss aside) or stay with the one she loves and give up her immortality (though apparently she’ll still live for a very long time. Or, as her father so optimistically puts it, ‘linger on .’) She ends up staying with Aragorn, giving up her immortality. Ah, me. Old love.

Theme Song: Young and In Love by Jordin Sparks

I know this helped you out immensely, but I have to go now so you can bestow your boundless gratitude on me at a later time. Just remember the formula for a good romance –

Tension + Hatred + Sarcastic Remarks + Tantrums + Throwing Things + Yelling and Fights = True Love and a Happily Ever After.

That’s Amore!