Prince Philip stood on the balcony that was connected to his bedroom and stared unseeing across the countryside, He stared past the tiny village that stood just outside the castle's keep. He stared past the sun-dappled hills and dales and past the freshly tilled fields. He stared past the streams that seemed to be sewn throughout the kingdom, like a sparkling blue ribbon, holding the land together. He stared past the forest that lay beyond, and all the way to the horizon. He saw none of it; something else occupied his mind.

For as long as he could remember, he'd been told that he was betrothed to Princess Aurora, daughter of King Stefen, his father's best friend. He'd always been told that their marriage would join together two great families and two friendly kingdoms; a dream come true, they'd told him.

The problem was that Philip didn't know this girl-he'd never met her, never read a letter sent by her, never had any sort of communication with her. King Stefen had visited his father many times, so Philip always thought there was ample opportunity to meet his future bride, but Stefen never spoken of his daughter, and Philip had always been discouraged from asking questions. They were questions that seemed to haunt his life.

Of course, to say that he'd never met her wasn't quite true. He'd been told that he had attended a ceremony in honor of her birth, and he vaguely remembered that, but he would freely admit that he'd been a bit more interested in the uninvited guest who had caused a great stir then the infant that lay in her cradle. Besides, Aurora would be sixteen soon-perhaps today-so she would certainly be different than a baby in her cradle.

Noises from below broke his reverie and Philip moved to lean over the stone railing that encircled his balcony. Still suffering from thoughts of who Aurora might be, he gripped it as if he might break the masonry and gritted his teeth in frustration.

Really, he didn't even know if she was even alive. The way Stefen acted so grieved when he visited, Philip half-expected that the princess had died and everyone was too upset to tell him. That only made it worse-nobody was telling him-her future husband-what had happened to her!

Honestly, he had half a mind to ride out today, find some beautiful peasant girl, get down his knees and propose. That would show them, wouldn't it?

He scowled, knowing he wouldn't do it..

But, wouldn't a ride do him good? He loved to get outdoors and feel the wind snapping through his cape as Samson's feet flew over the roads.

Leaning a bit farther over the rail to have a better look at the goings-on below, his head brushed against a tall magnolia tree and soft white petals showered him and stuck to his tunic

The cook and scullery maids were cleaning up from lunch. A blacksmith had just finished repairing some armor and was brushing the dust from his arms. Several maids were tending the vegetable gardens and fruit trees and there were grooms working with some of the young colts outside the stable.

Philip sighed inwardly-he really needed to go for a ride, just to get away from own mind.

Pulling roughly away from the sights below, he walked resolutely into his room, threw his cloak over his shoulders, and, brushing aside a stray petal, tossed his hat to his head. Then he yanked his door open, but shut it softly to avoid a noisy slam, and hurried down the servant's stairway and out a side door.

He half walked, half ran to the stable, keeping a cautious eye out for anyone who might be interested as to where the Crown Prince was slipped into the barn.

Once safely inside, he paused for a moment to allow himself a silent chuckle-that had been too easy-then hurried to the tack room and gathered Samson's blanket, saddle, and bridle. Then, checking in all directions, he hurried to Samon's stall and got him tacked up.

Leading his faithful stallion out of the barn, he mounted quickly and turned Samson sharply towards an open gate, urging him to run. Soon they were just the way Philip liked it-running down the road with dust flying in their wake. He breathed deeply and began to relax. Samson seemed to fly even faster.

All too soon, they came to the forest and had to slow their pace. Philip really didn't mind-he enjoyed watching the friendly little creatures that came out of their homes to watch them pass. He pulled his cloak off to better enjoy the cool breeze that blew gently around them and hung it on a limb to be picked up when they headed for home.

After a while, Philip dismounted to stretch his legs a bit. Perhaps, he should head back-it was getting late, and he'd be missed soon enough. He headed back towards where he'd left his cloak.

But, suddenly he had something else to think about-the most beautiful sound...

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream..."

Yes, he needed a closer look.