Story One: A friend for Christmas
Pre-series little Lavender /Ambrose
Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights to the characters in this story . All rights belong to the spirit of L. Frank Baum , Sci-Fi Channel , RHI Entertainment
Author´s Note: I quickly have to announce that I´m not sure if anybody else ever used the name Lucaster for Lavender´s mother. The name came to my mind and I liked it so I used it . If anybody used it before and doesn´t want me to keep it , please let me know because I honestly have no idea but I also don´t mean to steal anything.
Dedicated: To my dearest Lady Aloysious who read this story again and who encouraged me to publish it .
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.O.o
Princess Lavender was known to be a curious girl, always getting herself into trouble and never listening to the instructions of her mother.
Today was no exception! It was a snowy morning and although she was wearing a long coat, her dress was wet from the high piles of snow and her shoes left little puddles of mud on the expensive marbled floor when she tried to sneak past her mother's working office in the western wing.
To her relief she could hear voices speaking on the other side of the closed door, it gave her an opportunity to breathe for a moment and the hope that she would get past the room without anyone noticing. When she made it to the end of the hallway without feeling her mother's hands on her shoulder she smiled triumphantly.
The smile vanished quickly though, when she suddenly heard her mother's voice.
"Lavender? Lavender my dear, is that you?" The voice was slowly coming nearer and Lavender could feel AND hear her heart starting to race in her chest –she feared the worst.
Her mother would be furious when she saw her dress and shoes. Unfortunately, she saw no chance in running away and hiding from her mom until she was old enough to care about her clothes all on her own, so instead Lavender decided to turn around and face her fears. She was going to be Queen one day after all and a Queen had to show bravery. Facing her mom though, seemed even more difficult than she had thought and so she stared at the ground instead of looking her mother in the eye, which made her look like an innocent little lamb.
"Oh Lavender look at your dress! What have you done again? Didn't I forbid you to go out into the snow today? Today is a special day and what's more important, you will get a horrible cold if you keep that dress on for any longer! I want you to change and then you´ll come down for breakfast. As I said, today is a special day. We have guests and I want you to meet them." The Queen tried to sound fierce but Lavender could see the worry in her eyes, as she had found the courage to look up.
"Yes mother, as you wish," the young girl mumbled and as her mother walked away she quickly made her way to her chambers. No one could see it , but she was relieved that her mother's lecture had been much gentler today.
Whatever it was that made her mother so cheerful must have had something to do with the guest that the Queen had been talking about. And to her surprise Lavender could hear her mother laughing when she came closer to the dining hall where breakfast and a couple of strangers were waiting for her.
She had changed her wet light-blue dress for a dry crème colored one that fit her thin body very well. She had turned 12 some time ago and her body was starting to show more feminine features and she liked how her dressed underlined them.
Due to her image of a crowded and filled dining hall, she was surprised to see that her parents were sitting in company of just two adults and a teenage boy, the table in front of them filled with an extraordinary breakfast that nobody seemed to have touched yet.
When they heard the doors open and the light footsteps of the young princess they all turned around and faced her with curiosity. When she reached the table the guests jumped up from their places, the woman curtsying, the man and the boy bowing. According to their garb they seemed to be of a high rank and of importance to her mother. The man was probably a duke, the woman his wife and the boy his son.
"Your highness it's an honor to finally meet you." The man gently took her hand and brought it to his lips causing Lavender to blush lightly. She was used to having her hand kissed but the man's hazel eyes looked deep into her soul as if they could trace all her weaknesses. He seemed to be a kind man but he certainly knew how to leave a strong impression.
Before she could thank the man for his kindness he turned around to her mother and let go of her hand. As the warm grip was gone her hand felt suddenly cold and icy.
"My Queen, I must say your daughter is as beautiful as a diamond in the sun! And her eyes, I´ve never seen someone with lavender eyes before." Lavender's blush deepened as the man showered her with compliments.
"They say it happens once every 500 years that a child with lavender eyes is born," the boy suddenly said behind his father.
"Seems like he's the smarty pants in the family," Lavender thought to herself, being relieved that something else caught her attention.
"Thank you for the compliments, My lord. You honor me with your kindness," she said curtsying in front of the man and his wife (who oddly enough hadn´t spoken so far) and smiled at them with her best and most gentle smile.
"And look at her good manners, you must be very proud of her Lucasta," the man smiled back at Lavender who decided it was best to ignore his looks.
"That I am, my dearest Richard... that I am. Lavender dear, this is my old friend Richard Johnson, Duke of Gillikin. Our most powerful ally in the North and one of the best strategist in our Realm. He will be my new Head-Advisor." Richard's smile grew bigger as the Queen announced him her advisor, being proud of the trust she gave him.
"And this is his lovely wife, Amelia, and their son, Ambrose. They´ll stay here with us from time to time now," her mother announced joyfully and the adults sat down again.
The boy stood still for some longer and looked at her with a stiff smile on his lips. Lavender decided that she didn't like him –without giving him a proper chance. She told herself that he was arrogant and boring. She couldn't tell why, but she assumed that she was right since he seemed to be a know it all. No she didn't like Ambrose.
*****
It was after breakfast when her mother asked her to show Ambrose around.
"Lavender would you be so kind and show Ambrose the palace? His family won't stay here for the whole time because they have their own city and land to take care of, but as the son of the head advisor he should know where to find things. Who knows, maybe he will become your advisor one day." Lavender shivered at that thought but she knew when it was best to listen to her mother so she nodded and took the hand of the lanky boy next to her. His hands were cold, not as warm as the ones of his father, that confused Lavender a bit but she didn´t ask any questions.
O.O.O.O
She had shown Ambrose the big ballroom, her mother's office, the laboratories, the garden, the kitchens and now they she wanted to show him her room –or rather rooms.
"Aren't those too many rooms for one little girl like you?" Ambrose asked curiously, to Lavender it sounded nasally.
"For your information I´m a 12 year old lady and not a little girl anymore. And I´m the princess of the O.Z I can have as many rooms as I want!" she answered, anger shown in her voice.
"You´re feisty... I suppose that's good! That's still no real answer to my question." The boy smiled wickedly.
"Aren´t you too young to be so precocious? How old are you anyway?" She didn't like his snobby behavior and she would do anything to let him know that! Who did he think he was? Talking to her as if she was some farm girl.
He smiled as she still refused to answer his question properly. He liked the princess, she was strong-minded and she knew what she wanted.
"I´m 14. Maybe you're right and I´m a bit too stiff and precocious for my age but I can´t stop myself from reading and studying, it's what I love. I guess people who call books their friends are seen as crazy any way." For a moment his smile turned into a sad one. He could show emotions then. "Anyway, I´m sorry if I left you with the wrong impression. I didn´t mean to offend you, your highness." Now Lavender was completely confused. Where was the arrogant boy who was responsible for the burning feeling in her tummy? Why did he apologize now?
The young girl didn't know what to think anymore. She didn't want to admit it but Ambrose Johnson was a moving mystery to her –and she found that interesting. While he seemed to have been bored of their little tour through the Palace, his eyes had lit up the moment he had started to talk of his studies.
"Thank you for the apology. I will accept it for now." She hesitated first but if books were able to show her a friendlier side of the young man she was willing to take a risk.
"I have a lots of books about the History of the O.Z, do you want to see them?" His eyes really lit up again and for the first time his smile was genuine.
"I´d be honored."
He followed her into her reading chamber, it was filled with some book shelves, a desk and a little board for private lessons. Ambrose had always dreamt to be taught at home, at a place where he could concentrate on the important things, but his father had sent him to a public school for nobles, for he thought that learning in a public environment would be much more improving for the shy boy. He wanted his son to become a successful advisor as well. Telling his father that the other students hated him for his wit and his odd behavior (which could quickly be interpreted as arrogant) didn't help him to convince his father of the opposite. The presence of the books and the smell of fresh paper caused his heart to jump in joy.
As she brought Ambrose to her private room of studying, his face showed the queerest expressions she had ever seen. For some reason she thought that he looked cute when he did that. Gone were any attempts to look aristocratic.
"That's a lots of books! Have you read them all?"
Lavender had to giggle. What a stupid question, she hadn´t thought that he could be so naïve.
"NO! My tutor would love to see me in class more often than outside in the gardens but I can´t help myself. These four walls make me feel caged after some time."
Ambrose nodded absentmindedly and Lavender was glad that he didn´t judge her with a nasty comment. Maybe he knew how she felt, only in a different way. Instead of mocking her he kept focusing the bookshelves.
"May I?"
"Of course! Go ahead!"
Nimble fingers brushed over the ancient book covers as Ambrose stepped closer and observed the titles with serious concern.
"The story of the First Slipper, the legends of the Wizard, Ozma´s reign. They're all here!" he breathed out in delight. Then his gaze fell upon another shelf that was almost empty. Only a doll and an expensive looking miniature statue resting on it.
"What is that?" He asked pointing at the filigree construction made of metal and rubies. Lavender followed his finger and smiled. She walked to the shelves and grabbed a doll that was sitting next to the statue.
"This is my d…". She exclaimed while turning around quickly and stopping dead in her tracks when she heard an awfully loud crashing sound. Ambrose eyes went wide but Lavender decided to close her own instead. She hoped that she was wrong but she had the bad suspicion that her mother's beloved prize for the first place in dancing had fallen off the shelf (due to her damned haste and clumsiness) and that it was now lying on the ground –broken.
As she opened her eyes again and looked to the ground her suspicion was confirmed. The delicate figurine was deformed and several rubies had fallen off. Fear started to build up in her tummy, tears of shock started to build up in her eyes.
"Oh NO! Mother´s trophy!" Her hands shook furiously and so she lost the grip on her doll, not even noticing that it was falling to the ground. The porcelain face of her toy shattering. Lavender sank to her knees and tried to save what she knew couldn't be fixed anymore.
"She's going to kill me!" She whispered desperately. Ambrose walked to her and looked over her shoulder at the mess in front of her.
"Your highness, I'm sorry I didn´t mean to get you into trouble!" He said with regret in his voice.
"It´s not your fault! I have to be more careful!" She mumbled, while she collected the metal shards with her hands.
"You have to tell her, it's better if you tell the truth and not hide it from her. Believe me I speak out of experience." Ambrose's advice wasn´t very comforting and it only caused Lavender to cry.
"And you want to become advisor one day?" She asked mockingly as the tears streamed down her face.
"Princess, I can understand that you're afraid but your mother will find out one day if it is one of her most precious belongings, and you will get into even more trouble if she finds out on her own…" He laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "..and it wouldn't be very honorable for someone like you. You want to become a honest and good Queen right?"
A sob left Lavender's throat, she hadn´t considered that! It was hard to admit right now but Ambrose was right- She had to confess it. When she stood up she brushed over her dress to smooth the fabric a bit, then her gaze fell on her doll.
"My poor Emily," she said then she left the room and Ambrose followed her.
O.O.O.o.O.o.O.O.o.o
On their way to the dining hall, where they assumed their parents were still talking to each other, a hundred thoughts were rushing through Lavender's mind. Would her mother be very angry with her? Would her punishment be harsh? Would she feel ashamed of her daughter in front of the Duke? The questions caused an awful mess in her head and the panic made her hands shake lightly.
"You O.K?" Ambrose asked in concern. He really seemed to care. What and odd mystery he was! But just because he had changed from a silent prick into a human being with the ability to feel she didn't allow herself to show weakness in front of him.
"I'm fine, I'm going to be a great Queen one day, you will see," She answered.
In the end they reached the doors of the dining hall and Lavender's heart dropped. Now it was about time that she showed Ambrose that she really was going to be a feisty and brave Queen one day! She took a deep breath and opened the doors without hesitation. Their parents were indeed still sitting and talking where Ambrose and she had left them. Their voices were soft and the atmosphere in the room radiated warmness. When they heard the footsteps they all turned around with smiles on their faces.
"Have you finished your tour, my angel?" Her mother asked lightly, which made Lavender feel even worse. Her mother was in such a good mood and she was the one who was going to change that. Sometimes she hated to be so clumsy.
"Yes mother we did... but something happened when I showed Ambrose around and I feel obliged to let you know what it was," she began shyly. Maybe it wasn´t going to be too hard at all?
"Go on darling!" her mother encouraged her. Lavender's tummy felt like it was tying itself into knots it hurt so much. "Mother, I..," she began but Ambrose suddenly interrupted her.
"Your majesty what your daughter wants to tell you is that I broke the little statue you got for your remarkable dancing skills. I saw it standing at the shelf and got curious. Your daughter tried to stop me from grabbing it but I was too curious to listen to her, that was a mistake. I´m very sorry and I do feel very ashamed of myself. Please excuse my clumsiness. I didn't mean to show my gratitude for your kindness by destroying your most precious belonging. I accept every kind of punishment you may have in mind for me!" the boy was now kneeling in front of her mother. Eyes locating the floor humbly.
Lavender couldn´t stop her jaw from dropping. What kind of game was he playing now? What about his speech from earlier? Wasn't it important anymore to tell the truth? Had he planned it all from the beginning? Lavender felt hot and cold at the same time when she saw the different emotions flickering on her mother's face. Ambrose father stood up from his chair when he heard his son's confession, his face showing anger and disappointment.
Why would he take all the blame?
Seconds passed before the Queen found her ability to talk. Her voice was rough but her eyes looked too kind for anyone to believe her anger. She wanted to teach him a lesson but she wouldn't punish him or his family.
"Your honesty honors you, but it won't save you from the consequences of your deed. I won't punish you because I can see that you're a kind and honest young man. It was an accident and I believe that it won't happen again. Your father may think of a punishment for you though," The Queen announced showing no regret.
Lavender thought that Ambrose would have a meltdown now, the punishment of an angry father could be without mercy but he stayed unbelievably calm and frozen in place.
"Thank you for your graciousness, your Highness," he said and kissed the Queen's hand.
"Your majesty I'm very sorry for my son's behavior. I will do my best to teach him to use some control," The Duke promised while he grabbed Ambrose by the shoulder. "You may excuse us now there are some things I need to talk about with him."
The Queen nodded and the Duke left with a strong grip on his son and steady steps. Lavender didn't see the boy for a week.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
It was the 1st day of Christmas and Lavender couldn't wait to open up her gifts. She hadn't seen Ambrose again after the happenings of the dining hall, but her mother had said that the Duke and his family would join them for diner. When the first sun had left the horizon her mother finally allowed her to open her gifts. Patience was an attitude she had to learn yet as well. Her parents had showered her with everything she had wished for. A new dress, a tea set, a pair of shoes but also with books and school material. She thanked her parents because she was a grateful child and although she thought that she had gotten everything she had wished for she suddenly found two more packages.
"Mother look! This one is for you!" she exclaimed, confused. Only herself and her father had had a gift for her mother, but it was an unknown gift to them. Her mother seemed to wonder about it as well as she grabbed the gift in suspicion.
"That is strange!" She said and when she looked into the box her eyes widened in surprise and her jaw dropped lightly.
"That can't be," she said, now holding her prize for dancing in her hands. The metal was sparkling, reflecting the light on its surface while the rubies shone brightly. Someone had repaired it. Opening her own box she saw that someone had repaired her beloved doll as well. Its porcelain face shone brighter than fresh snow and her painted face looked more beautiful than before. Lavender's eyes filled with tears of joy and her heart started to pound harder. She now knew who had fixed them up.
"Ambrose," she whispered lightly. She couldn't wait for diner.
O.o.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
During diner Ambrose was sitting next to Lavender. His lips looked chapped and she could see that he had had a black eye. His father had beaten him! They boy didn't eat much, nor talk to her and if she didn't know better Lavender would have thought that he was his arrogant self again. But he wasn' the servants brought in the desert, she finally found the courage to ask him.
"Why did you do that? Didn´t you say that I have to be honest with my mom?"
Ambrose didn't answer first, only facing the pudding in front of him.
"You aren't ready yet. You're a strong young woman and you will be a generous Queen one day but you were so afraid to tell your mom. I could see your hands shaking and I felt bad that I had pressured you to tell the truth. Maybe that really had been bad advice. I didn't want to destroy your joy for Christmas either and since it was my advice I felt responsible for your fate. And I was curious about the statue which caused the whole incident after all," he sighed. "I'm sorry princess."
Lavenders eyes grew bigger with every word. How brave and loyal he was. Now she felt bad for having thought so poorly of him.
"There is no need to apologize! Thank you for lying for me. But please promise me that you won´t do that again!" Ambrose nodded.
"Why did you fix my doll?" Now Ambrose was smiling.
"See it as an apology for my odd behavior and as an offer of my friendship," he said and his smile grew bigger. It was a very beautiful smile.
"I would really like that," the princess said and now they both smiled.
"You will be a good advisor one day, my head advisor," Lavender giggled.
"Thank you and you will be the best Queen, my Queen," Ambrose answered.
In the end it turned out to be one of Lavender's most favorite Christmas memories.
O.O.O.O.o.O.o.
Many years later
"Oh Ambrose look! My doll! Do you remember it?" The Queen said with a familiar sparkle in her eyes. She gave the doll to Glitch who stared at it as if it contained all of life's answers, after some time he frowned and then shook his head.
"No, but I wish I could," he said sadly, feeling the warm fingers of the Queen's covering his hand.
"You will remember it some day. It will come to you, I know it. At least I will be forever grateful for what you did for me that day."
Glitch could swear that the Queen's smile was sad as well but it held so much warmness and comfort that he simply had to nod.
"For what are you grateful... if you allow me this question?" he asked, and now the Queen smiled without sadness showing on her features.
"For showing me what a true and loyal friend you are."
She placed a light kiss to his forehead and left him alone to solve the riddles in his head and to let his heart guide him to the answers.
The End ;)
