Chapter One

o-0-o This is my first FanFiction ever...so be kind...

o-0-o Read and review please (I don't know if my writing is good or not. Any advice is welcome.)

I was only four when my parents died. I remember the bright light in the night sky. I called out, 'Mama! It's fireworks.' And she looked out the window, sharing my joy, until she saw where I was pointing. 'That's not fireworks, Avie. It's a fire.' And she rushed off to tell papa. They bundled me up as they ran from the house but they tripped over. 'Run, Avie, run. There's no turning back. Just keep running.' I remember papa clearly calling out. I ran. I was too young, too innocent, to know I was running away from my parents, running away from chance to save them. I left them to die. I stood back as I watch the flames engulfing them. The guilt and shame had never left me.

Avarim relived the memory. She relived the horror and terror. She relived the terrible sense of betrayal and the guilt she felt. She relived the sense of loss as she watch her parents died. All this she relived.

Avarim lived in an orphanage now. After the fire and the destruction of her village, she ran to the closest shelter and from there was shown to the orphanage. She had adapted to her new life well but her memories had scorched her forever.

Her life was forfeit now. She could make no decisions and go no where without the permission of one of the Sisters who oversee the orphanage. She could not stand the lack of freedom and the continuous devotions and prayers happening everyday. Orphans had to at least attend three a day.

The strain of imprisonment, the boredom of the devotions and overall, the orphanage affected Avarim badly. She constantly fidgeted and frequently got restless. She had an urge inside her to escape, to run free. She often had the feeling that she was destined for something greater.

Avarim gathered her courage, her determination and her sense of imprisonment and stalked out of the confining orphanage. She would never set foot in there again. She left the regular nourishment and the continuing safety like she left her parents. She journeyed into a new world but this time, she felt she had done the right thing.

Although content in heart, Avarim was not entirely satisfied by her body's need for nourishment and regular sleep patterns. She was still a child and she was living an adult world. She did not gain enough food for her growing body and grew weak and helpless. Any predator could have came and taken her away.

And so, one almost did. Avarim should have felt it coming but by now all she could do was focus on survival. She did not listen to the steady footsteps gradually growing louder. She paid little attention to the soft exclamation of surprise and she almost felt relief as the man picked her up and carried her away.

Avarim woke up hungry but no longer cold. She was in a large room with a warm fireplace. There was a man sitting on a chair, seemingly paying no attention to her. With a great effort, she sat up and glanced wildly around the room. The man immediately turned to face her and studied her, his facing showing no emotion, and said softly,

'You must be hungry.'

As if on cue, a young girl rushed through the door with a tray of hot food and, bobbing a curtsy towards the man, placed the tray on a nearby table and rushed out of the room. Avarim looked at the man and said in a uneven tone,

'I, I…I ha…'

'Hush. We will talk later but now,' he pointed towards the table, 'Eat.'

Avarim stumbled towards the table and gratefully sank her teeth into the hot food. The man watched her intently but said nothing and betraying no emotion. After Avarim finishing eating, she stared at the man fidgeting under his gaze.

Finally the man spoke, 'I am Lord Roache, heir to the throne. Tell me, why would a young girl like you be sleeping outside in this harsh weather?'

Avarim unconsciously squirmed under his gaze.

'My…my Lord, I have no home to go to and so…so I sleep outside.

'Why, child? Why do you not turn for help, perhaps go to an orphanage?'

'I left the orphanage, my Lord. I felt I could not live in its confining environment.'

Lord Roache frowned at this news but otherwise displayed no sentiment on this matter.

'What is your name?'

'I am called Avarim, my Lord.'

'Well, Avarim, it is lovely to meet you, even under these strange circumstances.'

He reached out a hand and Avarim shook it.

'Avarim, I would wish for you to stay here until you are fully recovered.'

Avarim stared at him with a mixture of horror and delight. She could not think that the barriers she had just escaped from were to be replaced by different but just as confining barriers.

'Me…stay here? I…I cannot, sir'

'Why not, child?'

'I…I am not worthy, sir. I am but a commoner. I am not fit to be in your presence, my Lord.'

'I shall choose who is worthy and who is not. Avarim,' he fixed a stern expression on his face, 'You will stay here until you are well.'

Avarim cast here eyes down, hiding the embarrassment and relief she felt.

'Yes, my Lord.'

The tension in the room seemed to dissipate almost instantly.

'Good.'

He clapped his hands and a maid appeared, curtsying towards the Lord.

'Rshik, I want you to take Avarim here to a suitable bedchamber.'

'Certainly, my Lord. Was there anything else?

'Provide me with more supper. It seems out little guest had a large appetite.' Roache replied, with a wry smile.

'Of course, sir,' she turned towards me, 'My Lady, if you would follow me.'

She turned towards the door and beckoned Avarim to follow. Avarim looked at the Lord and said, 'Me…, I...,' but Lord Roache waved impatiently at her and said, 'Later, when you've bathed and rested.'

Avarim sighed and followed Rshik out of the room. Once outside, Rshik faced Avarim and whispered fiercely, 'Who do you think you are, barging into my Lord's house and heart? You've no right. Get back on the streets, you lazy slut.' She turned abruptly and walked off, not looking back if Avarim followed.

o-0-o A bit too much diologue. Sorry...