#matched wits

[theoneandonlyespa]

Some Ella X Tadius textposts because I'm still obsessed with them 💚

[veryace-ficrecs]

Ella/Tadius Fic Recs

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

over shoes, over boots by youthoughtyouknew - Rated T

over shoes, over boots Brit. fully committed to continuing something, especially in a reckless manner

A silly little what-if where Tadius convinced the Prince not to shit in the river and gets roped into his own Cinderella plotline as a result

Command and Obey by kermitthelesbian - Rated E

“My ideas are never bad,” She said, walking in front of him, down the garden path. “But yes, get some sleep. Your Queen commands it.”

Tadius involuntarily let out a soft sound as all the air simultaneously left his lungs. He prayed to the Nine Good Gods that she was far enough ahead of him to have missed it. She's trying to kill me he thought, before following behind her, her words ringing in his head.

-

OR: Tadius starts getting turned on by Ella's commands and jerks off about it, eventually leading to a permanent shift in their dynamic.

The Prince's Bride To Be by Fuckdarcy - Rated T

Ella Ashmore has been told her whole life that as soon as she meets the Prince she will be swept off her feet and made into a Queen, but she doesn't want to marry a dull prince from the castle on the hill. However when Ella, Lucy, and Justine are sent to the castle to meet the prince they all agree that the man who greets them is nothing like they expected - Prince Tadius doesn't seem much like a prince at all in fact. But maybe that's just what Ella wants.

Resemble Nothing That Is Ours by Capriciously_Terminal - Rated T

Ella Ashmore, undeniably, was dead. He wouldn’t live in denial of such a thing. It wouldn’t be useful.

Her life had ended.

And yet she wore pearls in her hair, now, and crowns of feathery green stone.

She was wrapped in fine gowns by girls who discreetly rubbed their palms together as they walked up a great many stairs to her chambers each morning so as to avoid her discomfort.

She smiled with a practiced ease and spoke cleanly and crisply from atop her gilded throne. She had all her teeth (and no new ones) which remained only as sharp as they’d been before (which wasn’t all that much).

Sometimes, she had him check. Had him count as she tipped her head back. Had him swear on his name as to whether anything looked any different. It hadn’t in all the times he’d checked but he never rolled his eyes at her request.

(AKA Ella Ashmore was only mostly dead...and of all people Tadius is, surprising nobody, pretty okay with that).

One Hit High, Play It One More Time by Ducktape_ducky - Rated M

Ella got her Happily Ever After but the Narrator isn't done with her yet. Ella lives though her tale, again, and again….and again.

The Softer the Skin, the Sharper the Teeth by Capriciously_Terminal - Rated M

It looks worse than it is, he tells people with a dry sort of chuckle to put any listeners at ease, because they are somewhat paradoxical in nature.

The words and the old wounds and the man they’ve been painted onto for years.

The thought of his pain and the way he wears his hair.

The way he trims his beard and keeps his teeth clean and how he must have screamed.

(AKA There are three stories Tadius tells in regards to what happened to him on the road that night. A beautiful lie. The ugly truth. And something in between).

You're so Beautiful, Painted with Hues of Fruit. by Ducktape_ducky - Rated G

It was late, far later than the man normally would ever happen to wander into the kitchens, but Ella had set her trap.

The fruity handprint stamped onto paper Ella had burned the edges off of and hastily thrown under Tadius door with a note to join ‘her world of mysterious’ had to be more than enough to lure him out of his room….. Unless he was truly mad at her…. By gods Ella really hoped that wasn’t the case

stars below, bridge above by SolivagantStories - Rated G

Before he realizes what he’s doing, Tadius is touching her. His hands come up to brush gently against starlight, feeling the very real stone-like troll skin beneath. He touches her arms, looks up into the starlight of her eyes, and breathes out shakily.

“What shall I call you then, my lady?” Tadius asks, and the words come out reverent.

There’s a beat of silence, in which they both breathe. The water underneath laps gently at the edge of the moat, threatening to overtake the toes of Tadius’ boots.

“Ella,” comes the eventual reply. “Ella of the house of Ashmore.”

—

Or, in which Tadius sneaks out after dark to speak to the troll beneath the drawbridge. Said troll is Ella turned troll because of magic (specifically she is in Putrices body because of how the magic worked when Putrice put the magic slipper on her foot while Ella was dead)

matched wits (Ella Ashmore/Tadius) by deepseadumpsterdiver - Rated T

One-shots and vignettes of Ella and Tadius from Cinderella's Castle. Put in chronological order, but do not need to be read as such!

i'll hear the fireworks outside by Anonymous - Rated T

“I just wanted to say,” he begins, glancing around the hall with a nervousness to him. “That I am here for you. All of us are. This change can’t be easy, ruling so much and so far. You have lost more than anyone should take, and yet you stand tall and prideful before us all, a noble woman and a hero to this kingdom. But you’re not alone, and if you ever… Whether it’s matters of rule, or of heart, I will be here waiting for your call.”

“Thank you, Tadius. You’re a good friend, and a good man.”

With a small acknowledging nod he steps back. “As are you Ella. The friend part, not the man—”

“I understood. Good night.”

Tadius bows shallow, smiling at her again. “Night, my queen.”

//

Aka a character study of Ella Ashmore post-canon, an exploration of grief, and how friendship can develop into comfort and romance (with Tadius,,,, to be clear the romance is with Tadius)

Radiant and Terrible by Neverhadfun - Rated G

Queen Ella Ashmore rose from the ashes of her fallen house, radiant and terrible. Forged of fire and starlight, Ella defeated the evil that threatened to destroy the throne and all of The Lands That Are.

However, there is more to the story which unfurls in the castle on the hill. The Queen must adapt to her form, her re-kindled life, if it can be called so... while processing the past that she will never get back.

However, it is a little easier with her beloved, faithful knights, and a certain advisor whose loyalty seems to go further than just a servant's oath...

[I got so invested in Ella and Tadius. And then I rewatched and got so invested in Ella being an undead entity... so I combined them, naturally!!]

fire and starlight by warriorblood1 - Rated G

Ella Ashmore is Queen, and that means she's very busy. But she's found time to get back into an old hobby, and a friend to practice on. Through their sessions together, Ella learns about some unexpected side effects of the Fairy Queen's gifts for the ball.

Everyone Knows but the Queen by Fuckdarcy - Rated T

Five people who are well aware Tadius and Ella are in love, and one person who may need some help figuring it out.

Watching the Buds Grow by forgetmenotjimmy - Rated E

In the castle, there are eyes everywhere. Some are friendly, some are not. Ella and Tadius try to figure out where they stand with each other in the new direction their relationship has taken. Meanwhile almost everyone else rushes to get involved. This leads to mixed results.

[grahoriasfancave]

I'm not doing an Ella version bc capturing Tadius's view of her would take a lifetime.

[eternalyraven]

Mood boards for a Cinderella’s Castle/Once Upon a Time fusion story that has been bopping around in my brain.

I will probably never have the energy to actually write it but feel free to ask me about it if you’re curious.

[starcanwreckedpulp-doyoushipit]

do you ship it?

matched wits/elladius/tadmore/tadella (ella ashmore/tadius) from cinderella's castle

i ship it!

i feel neutral about it

i don't ship it

i don't know the characters

Voting ended onMay 14, 2025

[bleezebrew-writes]

"Stardust Powdered Wings" Excerpt

In honour of finishing the rough of the first big arc of this fic (100k words?! Just for the first arc???) I did mean to post a scene from this fic in advance of however long it'll take me to write it. Ao3 being down gives me motivation to get it out now. Enjoy <3

~

When he set the crown on her head, something changed, though for the life of him Tadius knew not what that change might be. Only that it had happened, something deeper than simple relief. Something fundamental. The very air seemed to glow with it—but no, that was just the light filtering through the tree branches.

"May I escort you to your entourage, Your Majesty?" he asked.

The Queen drew back to give him a look. "Entourage?"

"Yes. The lords and ladies of the court were most insistent upon seeing you crowned and in showing their support for your rule."

"Oh, were they?" she asked, the word underlain with something...seething.

Tadius blinked in the gleaming light in a vain attempt to clear his vision. The morning had suddenly grown as bright as if it were noon. "Your knight found them wanting," he explained.

She began to walk, glancing at him as he joined her. "But not you."

He smiled. "Ah, I am naught but a humble messenger, Your Majesty, and duty-bound to serve the royal house. I only came bearing news to my sovereign."

"Humble?" she teased him. "You wouldn't lie to a queen, would you?"

He bowed to her. "In comparison to you, My Queen—"

"Is this intended as a compliment, or an insult?" she asked, a glimmer in her eyes as she tried not to smile.

He bit back a smile of his own. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I'll hold my un-clever tongue."

"And hide your best quality?"

"If it please you."

She studied him for a moment as they walked. "I didn't say that."

She hadn't, had she? And she'd called him a good man as well, waiving his prior unkind words. He smiled to himself, taking in the day. The sunshine was bright enough to cast the marshy forest around them into stark relief. It felt almost dreamlike. He was tempted to pinch himself; things had gone too well so far.

"So," the Queen began. "You talked your way around Sir Hop-A-Lot's blade."

"Was there a need to?" he said, sarcastic. "I hadn't noticed." He was careful to stay only a half-step in front of her, just enough to lead the way without seeming to and easily turned into a bow to present her to the nobility in all her glory.

"I know that he is a little...overzealous," she allowed.

Tadius shot her a look. "Is that the word for inviting a dozen lords to die by his blade?"

She stopped in her tracks. "He didn't."

"Mind you, I don't believe it was undeserved—"

"Don't you?"

He stared at her a moment. "Your Majesty, you did meet the late prince."

"Oh. Oh." She grimaced. "Oh no. But surely they're not all bad?"

Tadius considered that. "I don't believe any of them are disguised trolls, at least."

"We will still need to check."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

They walked on through the mud. Where Tadius sank up to his ankles, his Queen barely seemed to touch the ground. She must have been familiar with the terrain.

Once they reached the nobility, she'd be swept up in the whirl of celebration and paperwork and politics. Even after that first rush, there would be hundreds of decisions brought to her attention—thousands, even. If he was going to ask to maintain his position, he ought to do it now, no matter how much he didn't want to ruin this suspended, perfect moment. But he had to try. "My Queen, may I retain my position as steward? I assure you, I will serve you faithfully—"

"What is your job?" she interrupted. "Aside from babysitting spoiled princes, that is."

"Ah. I'm meant to oversee the royal household."

"You planned the ball."

"With help, of course, it was quite rushed—"

"Of course."

"—But...yes."

"So if I were to ask you how you'd recommend dealing with the King's death...?"

"I would suggest to set the funeral for the morrow, allow a day of mourning, then announce your ascension to the throne the next. A day isn't long to organize a celebration, but I suspect you would be better served by proving that the royal house is not in turmoil—and with the wedding...largely uncelebrated, there are still some measures in place to provide proper feasting and merriment."

"And how many forks for a royal brunch?"

"Three, unless one of the courses is a soup."

She set a hand on his arm, halting him. "How would you suggest I deal with the nobility?"

The look in her eyes showed that she was serious. He had to blink hard again, feeling dazzled. "Your Majesty, you're asking me for advice?"

"I am."

"But I am only a servant—"

"One who prepares their food and guards them while they sleep, yes." She stepped forward, intent. "One who knows their secrets."

He stumbled back, the mud nearly trapping him. His heart fluttered in his chest. "My Queen—"

"I have heard you advise the prince, Tadius."

"But you asked—you mean it. You wish to know my thoughts on this."

Her expression gentled, leaving him warm. "Well, who wouldn't?"

It took effort to unstick his tongue. "I-I fear you've struck me thoughtless, Your Majesty," he stammered out.

"...Isn't the usual expression 'speechless'?"

"We've already established the quality of my—" Too long with the prince made the sentence turn from smart to bawdy right before he could finish it. He bit his traitor tongue. "...That my words remain un-clever. Clearly."

She raised an eyebrow. "Nice save."

He flushed. "And my point is made. Better I had been struck speechless than witless, Your Majesty."

She pressed a hand to her mouth, aglow with mirth. "If I have afflicted you so, perhaps it would be best that you were made the court jester instead."

He ducked his head. "Perhaps it would. I did entertain you, once. Will you hear this jester's advice all the same?"

"Of course."

"The nobility love you, for the moment—and they fear you. Give them a week, and let them show you themselves who is faithful, and who is not."

"Only a week? Will they truly reveal themselves in so short a time?"

He smiled at her. "You are wise, My Queen. I trust your judgment will be sound."

"And what should I do with the disloyal, Tadius?"

"Ask me again when you know how many they number, My Queen. There are...options."

"Mm. Many soft pillows?"

He shot her a look. "Perhaps."

She tapped her chin, thoughtful. "Or perhaps I should set Sir Hop-A-Lot to clear them out."

What a terrifying thought. "There's the knight, just ahead," he said, pointing out the frog and sliding just a half step behind her.

"Thank you, steward," she replied, and he...he'd been retained, just like that. His family would be supported. But then she was striding on to the frog knight, to the nobility, and he was a mere spark trailing in her glorious wake. The very air seemed to hum with her power as he supported an adorable, fuzzy little talking mouse on his shoulder and the lords all took the knee. Every moment only made it clearer: Ella Ashmore was a blessed Queen, ordained by the Gods themselves. Tadius was lucky to follow in her wake.

[warriorblood1]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

watched cinderella's castle last night. thought about it all day. wrote 6k in three hours. my first fanfic in like two years. god bless bryce charles and curt mega thank you goodnight.

[keydav]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Cinderella's Castle - Team Starkid Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Ella Ashmore/Tadius Characters: Ella Ashmore, Tadius (Cinderella's Castle), The Fairy Queen of Sweet Dreams (mentioned), Lucy Grizzwald (mentioned), Justine Grizzwald (mentioned), The Prince (mentioned) Additional Tags: Backstory, Pre-Relationship, Post-Canon, Trans!Tadius, Literally this is a story about Tadius coming out as trans to Ella before this officially get together, So if you don't like the idea of Tadius being trans or are a transphobe don't read, any transphobic comments or anything about how he couldn't possibly be trans i will delete, mentions of transphobia (past), mentions of how should i put this an unconventional top surgery (not graphic), Transition by way of magic, Oh also Ella is bi in this, So is Tadius but that doesn't really get mentioned I just wanted to put out there I think they are very much bi4bi, past Ella/Justine Summary:

“I...have not always been the man I am now. In truth, I was no man at all, save for here,” he touched his head with the hand not gripping hers, “and here,” and then he touched his chest, over his heart. Ella was confused, at first. He had not been a man, save for his heart and his head? But how could…? That would mean… “Oh.”

 Or: Tadius has to tell Ella something before they actually get together, so he waits until she's practically in his lap to do so