Allyson

Allyson laid in bed with her eyes staring at the white and gold ceiling. She felt numb, like a stone in a rushing river. Everything else around her was moving but she was still. She didn't want to come back to reality because she knew that if she did, she would have to accept the truth. Her father is no longer here. Allyson heard the bell tower ring 6 times. I've been up all night, She told herself. Slowly, Allyson got out of her warm bed and walked towards her window. Her hands wrapped themselves around the red, heavy curtain and pulled them back. Light filled the room, burning her eyes slightly. Allyson rubbed her eyes and wobbly walked away from the window and towards her wardrobe. She opened the doors in front of her, which was a tiring task for a girl who barely slept. Her eyes met a black fabric that was laid out for her to wear today. The black dress stared at her, almost tauntingly. Her father's funeral was being held in 4 hours and Allyson didn't know if she could do it. She didn't know if she could say good-bye. Allyson sighed before closing the wardrobe doors. Reality could wait for a little while longer.

She grabbed her song book and walked over to her piano that sat in the corner of her room. Allyson pulled the bench out and sat with her fingers resting on the keys. She opened her book up and flipped the song she was looking for. Allyson closed her eyes as her fingers played the first note. The noise from the piano gradually started to build which blocked out all of her other thoughts. And for a moment, it's was just her and the piano. The song ended abruptly, and her breaths are rigid. Her cheeks were moist. Was I crying? She thought to herself as her hand touched her cheek. Allyson jumped out of her seat when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She looked up and saw her mother standing besides in all her grace and beauty. She's said to be the best queen the kingdom has ever had. Her reign will be over as soon as Allyson turns twenty-one, which means she'll have some big shoes to fill.

"I miss him too." She said with a quiet voice. "That was a beautiful song. Your father would be proud that you finally finished it." She gave her a small smile as her response. She sighed and sat down next to Allyson on the bench.

"Remember, being a queen means that you have to be strong for the people. And today, everyone will need every once of strength they can get. It's not fair of me to ask you this, but you must stay strong. Can you do that for me?"

Allyson nodded, her eyes staring at the black and white keys of the piano. She kissed Allyson's forehead. "I love you Allyson."

"I love you too Mother." They sat together in silence, mentally preparing themselves for their goodbye's. Allyson didn't realize how deep in thought she was until she was hit in the head with a dress. She looked at her mother with false annoyance, and her mother started giggling, the first time since her father's death. Allyson smiled at her.

"Get dressed. I'll meet you in the entrance hall." She said before leaving the room. Allyson slipped on the dress. It was a simple black long-sleeved dress that ended just above the knee. She accompanied the dress with a pair of small black heels, her golden heart locket, and a silver crescent moon necklace that her father gave her for her sixteenth birthday. Her maids, Lucy and Erica, came in with her breakfast. But Allyson didn't feel like eating. Looking at the food made her feel sick. Erica looked at her with sad eyes before doing her magic on Allyson's hair. Lucy brought the makeup kit from the bathroom and put very light makeup on her. After they were done, they each gave Allyson a hug. They didn't say how sorry they were; they just held her in their arms, which gave Allyson the most comfort. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." Allyson said. Trish, one of her best friends, walked in.

"Hey Allyson." She said as she gave her a hug. When they parted, Lucy and Erica curtsied, signaling to Allyson that they were leaving.

"You look beautiful, as always." She smiled.

"Thank you Trish. So do you."

"Oh, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to your dress."

Allyson let out a small laugh. Trish always knows how to cheer her up.

"Her majesty sent me to get you. She said it was almost time." Allyson nodded and together they both walked out of her bedroom.

"I must leave you, but I'll see you there." Trish said as she gave Allyson a hug and walked away in the opposite direction. Taking her time, Allyson made her way to the entrance hall. Her mother was waiting at the bottom of the grand staircase with a man unfamiliar to Allyson. He was a tall man with short blond hair and was wearing the official military uniform.

"There you are. Beautiful as ever." said her mother as she tucked a piece of Allyson's hair behind her ear. "This is Major Mike Moon." She said, gesturing to the man who stood next to her. "He is here to make sure everything goes as planned."

"Good morning Princess." Mr Moon said while bowing. Allyson curtsied in response.

"Please excuse me, but I must go and check in with the rest of the guards. Once again, I'm sorry for your loss" He said. He gave another bow then turned on his heels and walked away. Allyson and her mother walked side by side to the royal car. The ride to the ceremony was quiet. Only a few words were passed between Allyson and her mother. They finally arrived at the church after 25 minutes. Brightly colored flowers were scattered everywhere. The black clothing of the guests really brought out the colors of the world around them. Allyson's mother only invited a few guests, such as family and a few close friends. The queen made sure that no media was there, which wasn't that hard to do. The reporters respected the royal family's need for privacy on this day.

Everyone took their seats inside the small church and the priest began his speech. He started out by saying that today was not a day to mourn but to rejoice, for the King was free from pain. After his long speech, Allyson's mother walked up and gave her eulogy. Once she was done, it was Allyson's turn to say a few words

"I realize that everyone is expecting a speech from me, but I'm afraid I won't be giving one. Instead, I will show you how my father and I bonded. Through the art of music." Allyson said before walking over to the piano that sat near the corner of the stage. She took a deep breath in before playing the song from earlier in the day (A/N: the song is Steve's Theme from the move The Last Song in case any of you want to hear it). She finished the song, but her body became numb like it did that morning. Allyson could feel herself slowly breaking. The strong mask she wore was slowly chipping away.

Everyone went back to the palace after the service. The guests were eating, trying to work through the pain. Allyson looked around the room and her mother talking to Major Moon. He looked tense, as if he was waiting for something to happen. His eyes were darting across the room, keeping track of every single movement. What's going on? Allyson thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud gun shot, followed by a high-pitched scream. Suddenly, everyone was running, becoming a large cloud of dark grays and black. Before Allyson could react, she was picked up by the waist. She tried to scream but a hand securely closed her mouth. Her attacker took her to the west wing of the palace. He set Allyson down carefully, allowing her to gain her footing. She backed up far away from her attacker and turned around. It was Major Moon. Allyson stood there in disbelief. Was he working for them?

"I know this is a lot to take in but I was sent to protect you from General Max." he said. Allyson nodded, not completely trusting this man. But she knew it was better to not put up a fight. She had nothing to defend herself with. He turned to a wall with beautiful carvings on it. He placed his hand on a flower and the wall made a grinding noise before opening. Allyson's eyes widened in shock. After 16 years, you would think a girl would know her own home. Allyson followed Major Moon down a narrow spiral stair case. Then it hit her. Where was my mother? She felt her stomach tie itself into knots and anxiety filled her chest. She remembered the gunshot. Was she the one who got shot? Major Moon looked at Allyson, and saw the fear in her face. He looked away and pulled her down at least 2 more flights of stairs. They stopped and he looked around, as if he was waiting for some one. Allyson placed her head in her hands, trying to calm her self down. She saw her mother come down the stairs and relief washed over her. Allyson ran into her arms as if her life depended on it.

"What"s going on?" She asked, her voice dripping in fear.

"Our kingdom is being attacked by General Max and his army. He is after you. I knew he would attempt to do something like this which is why I had Major Moon come. You must go with him. Do what ever he tells you to do. He will keep you safe."

"What about you?" Allyson asked desperately. Her mother tucked a lock of hair behind Allyson's ear.

"I'm afraid that I can not go with you."

"But, mommy no. I just lost father, I can't lose you too."

"I have to stay, I must stay with our people. Please, promise me that you will do everything Major Moon tells you to do"

"I promise."

"We have to go now." Major Moon said hurriedly.

"Come on!" Allyson's mother said as she grabbed her hand and pulled her down more stairs. We finally arrived at the bottom of the stairs and ran outside to the courtyard. On the lawn was a big black helicopter that looked like it was waiting for them. Allyson quickly got in. Before she could say good-bye to her mother, Major Moon slammed the door shut. Allyson's mother backed up from the helicopter and waved goodbye. Allyson waved back, her eyes burning as fresh new tears approach. She saw General Max's men run up behind her mother and pushed her to the ground. Allyson screamed and started banging on the window, but they were already in the air. Allyson sat there crying, knowing she couldn't do anything about it. The palace slowly faded away from her sight. Her sobs calmed and were replaced with rigid breaths

"Princess," Allyson turned towards Mr. Moon, who was sitting on the other side of her. "Your mother gave me this just before we left." He said while handing her a brown leather songbook. She took it from him and clutch it with white knuckles. New tears filled her eyes as she held her songbook.