Characters:
Naomi: Handmaiden (Hobbit)
Ryle: Butler (Elf)
Master Mitchell: Teacher (Wizard)
Lord Lance Devin Carter: Best friend to Emily, Related to Thomas (Elf)
Lord William Jacob D'Oshet: "Brother" to Emily, Best friend to Emily (Man)
Lord Parker Cole Meriè: Love interest of Emily, Best friend to Emily(Hobbit)
Lord Thomas Ben Lane: Librarian, Teacher, Related to Lance, Best friend to Emily (Ent)
Queen Emily Jane Bruyè: Ruler in 5th era of Middle Earth (All Races but only show: Elf/ Hobbit/Man/Wizard/Dragon)
Prince Charles Hemmingsworth: Ruler of Mordor in 5th era of Middle Earth (Man/Orc/ Goblin)
Chapter 1: Just Another Problem
"Killer Queen" came across the radio. I shrugged and rolled over. "Time to get up." came Naomi's familiar southern drawl.
"What time is it?" I complained as I shrugged on a jacket and walked to the bathroom.
"Almost 9 before the noon." She smiled and brought my clothes. "You know the Prince and Lords want to see you today..." She sighed. "...and you will be there or I am not your handmaiden."
I tightened up with the cold water. "He isn't a Prince. He is just a Lord as well."
"You love him and he loves you."
I shoved my head underwater instead of answering her, because she was right. Taking a bath let me think. Think free of maidens and butlers and protocol and everything.
"I'm going to be outside the door but, I'll be here if you need me." Naomi shut the door as I came up for air. As I washed my hand absently ran over the tattoo on my right arm. The crest of my family. All I ever had of my family to be exact. My parents died in a war when I was small. They left me a kingdom and the worries of a lifetime. My finger traced the delicate runes and flowing pattern that was my tattoo. I sighed and finished washing. I pulled on my 'under-slip' as I called it. Naomi came in and helped me pull on my dress and robe (and the dagger or two I was not supposed to have). I sighed as she fixed my long black hair back into a braid. Naomi pushed me down the stairs. "Now, go. You have a kingdom or two to discuss."
I sighed and said, "More or less." I braced myself for the faces just beyond the corner. The sound of familiar laugher wound its way up to my ears. "Lance, William, Parker, and Thomas." I smiled. It was going to be okay. Ryle, my main butler, set forth to announce I was coming down. "The Queen Emily has come." He announced in his old monotone way. At that I walked down the stairs pacing my steps to my breathing. Four people. All my friends. I continued my slow descent; I couldn't run to Parker and hug him like his eyes begged. I stopped right in front of them. Lance bowed. The others followed suit. I curtsied, following regulations. I stood. "Gentlemen, shall we?" Parker held his arm out for me to take. I smiled and blushed on the inside keeping my decorum on the outside. As we all walked into the conference hall, I turned to Ryle. "Close the doors behind us and let me enjoy my friends." I whispered. He nodded and padded for the door, opened, and after we were inside promptly closed it.
"Emily!" Thomas's voice rang out.
"Thomas do be quiet and have decorum for once." Lance sighed. "It's bad enough you are my brother."
William just laughed. "I see my adopted sister has all of the fun these days."
"Fun? Oh, you mean the jokers that are my friends...and Lords." I shifted and sat in my chair smoothing my dress.
"Well Parker over there has done nothing but stare at you with the same look in his eye that you give him."
"If you are assuming something I will..."
"Em." He stopped me. "I know you. Plus it's written all over your face. Don't worry. I'm the only one that noticed." William laughed.
"I hate you sometimes." I smiled. "Why do I keep you around again?"
William laughed again. "Oh, Em. You can't get rid of me."
I paused taking advantage of his cover to look at Parker. "Maybe because you're providing great cover."
He smiled and moved. "Just ask him to stay." He kissed my forehead as Parker turned. Parker gave me the look of sadness then his eyes hardened as William whispered in my ear. "Now you have something to explain."
I stood. "Gentlemen. Take your seats." I said. Parker winced at my sudden change of tone.
"My Queen. Your accent is changing." Thomas said quietly.
"Explain it to her." Lance said.
"From your normal British one to the Irish one saved for when you lose your temper..."Thomas faded off at the end.
"I'm sorry. Just did not like what I have to say. I was hoping to delay it as much as possible." I sighed. "Ryle..." I called. The doors swung open revealing a man in a long robe and fancy wear.
"Emily darling." His British accent rang through the room.
"This is..." I started.
"Prince Charles Hemmingsworth." He finished, placing his thin figure next to mine.
"He is one of a few bachelors that I can marry to expand my empire and bring peace." I paused seeing Parker and Williams eyes. "He will now present his case to my Father Adversaries." I walked to the patio. I was going to listen to my sentence but while looking out over my kingdom. Some people do not even know my face yet I rule over them.
"I rule over Mordor. I will add it to this empire of peace. My younger brother also pledges his lands to this empire." A long pause. For affect no doubt. He was such a pompous man. Why did I have to abide by these rules? Why couldn't I just choose Parker? Oh yeah. Because he was just a Lord. He didn't have land to give to the Empire of Peace. What did that hold anyway?
"What do you hold of Emily?" William's voice floated to my ear. I clasped my hands over the railing and waited for his response.
"She is strong, independent, kind..."
"Something we don't know, Prince." Lance said, breaking protocol rule number 1 (Don't talk against Royals). I smiled. He did care.
"Well..." He paused. I felt his eyes travel my bare skin. "As for that part, I cannot say. I may be eligible, but I don't know her like anyone in her kingdom would." I felt him smile as he reached my open back. He was such a pig. He talked his way out of that. I sighed. Oh well.
"Em." Will said just behind me. "Say goodbye."
I walked over to him smoothing my dress as I went. "Goodbye Charles." I used my sweetest voice. I held out my hand to him.
"Goodbye Emily." He kissed my hand and left. After the doors shut and he was outside in his carriage, I said "And Godspeed send you away from me."
"We must all sleep on this and leave." Will said. "See you tomorrow Em." He kissed my head and left.
Lance and Thomas both kissed my cheek and left with a hug. Parker got up and started to leave.
"No." I staid. Parker turned and looked at me. "We must walk." He offered his arm to me and I took it. He didn't say a word until we were sitting down in the garden.
"William, Lance, and Thomas don't think that guy is good for you." His sweet Irish accent said.
"What do you think?" My blue eyes traveling his face.
"I think you'd be a good choice for anyone...even William. He is a royal. He is eligible." He looked up into my eyes. His green eyes, the shade of spring.
I looked away and answered, "William is more a brother than the man of my dreams." I paused. "The man if my dreams is someone who I have always loved. He has the best eyes. He loves me unconditionally. He isn't a royal, though. To be honest, I would change Protocol to be with him." I looked back at him. He was smiling, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Parker!" I stood, upset.
"My Queen?" He answered in his formal tone.
"Stand up." I said scoffing. He followed my orders. He was a few inches taller than my 4'11 frame. I pulled his body next to mine. "Parker...I love you..." I kissed him, winding my arms around his neck. He pulled away. "What's wrong?" I asked, hiding my disappointment.
"I can't love you." He turned away.
"I can't love anyone else." I answered walking away slowly.
"Em..." He started.
"No. I can't love you because you could never love me. It's best if I spare myself the hurt." I walked away leaving him alone. He called after me but I climbed the stairs to my room. I shut the door. William looked up at me from my bed.
"Come here Em." He said. I walked over to the side of it, pulled off the daggers, my shoes and the robe around me leaving the dress. I curled up on the bed next to him and cried. He stayed even after I feel asleep
"Emily..." Williams's voice called.
"Yes...?" I said without opening my eyes.
"Someone is here to see you." He spoke gently, almost like he was talking to a child. I sat up slowly and opened my eyes. I looked at the mirror in the corner. I was in my fighting dress (it was a long dress with slits for my legs to move freely, straps that exposed my shoulders, and a place for a scabbard to be attached). My hair was curled around and around. I stared at myself.
"I'm sorry I changed you, but..."
"Don't be." I turned and faced Will.
He smiled. "Let's not forget your visitor."
"Who is it?" I said walking back to the mirror.
"You had better see." Will opened the door. Someone walked across the room and put their hand on my shoulder. I looked down from the mirror. They pulled my hair away from my neck and placed their head there. A tear fell down my neck. Will left and shut the door.
"Is there something you want or are you going to sob all day?" I straightened and pulled away.
"I...love...you..." Parker's voice filled my ears. I turned to face him. His eyes were red from crying. I took the end of my sleeve and dried his face.
"Oh Parker..." I sighed. "You are about to disrupt all that should be."
"It's not all that could be..." He said.
"Parker..." I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Emily..." He looked at me with his big green eyes. He slowly wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Don't do something you might regret." I whispered
"I regret not doing this." He kissed me, then lifted me onto my bed and rolled over next to me. I feel asleep in his arms.