CHAPTER 1

In the glistening white corridors of the imposing building I ran trying to catch my friend and advisor Remulin. My laughter bounced off the large hallways making it sound more cheerful then it usually was. I stopped suddenly and turned around next to a tall colonnade. I heard heavy breathing and I knew it was him, but I didn't want are game to end. I pretended I didn't hear him and ran around the other side of pillar only to find him waiting to ambush me. I screamed bloody murder as he grabbed me. His laughter was quickly joined by me as I started laughing, although I was still shaken up from him scaring me. "Remulin," I pouted, "How can you be so mean. You scared the wits out of me!"

"I had to scare you before you got to me." He said grinning, "I wouldn't hear the end of it after you told your father."

"Speaking of my father, Remulin," I questioned, "do you think he is done with his audience with the Atracians?"

"I don't know, my lady." He answered worriedly, "This audience is extremely important. If they don't come up with a common ground will be thrown into an intergalactic war."

"Let's go see if father is done, Remulin. I'm so scared what the outcome will be."

We walked through the mighty building that belonged to my father. It was the pearl of the empire and nothing was brighter then it. I shivered involuntarily at the thought of what would happen if the Atracians got their hands on what made this building and the beings in it glow with an unearthly inner light. King Erelaus, my father, was the caretaker of the most powerful artifact of power in the galaxy; the Orb of Frenmar. It was his responsibility to make sure that the orb was never used for sinister purposes or it would be the end of Earth and all the life in the galaxy. This is what the Atracians a more lizard-like species then human were after. They believe that they should be the ones to possess the orb and thereby control the vast empire that is under the rule of my father. I was born too this world of conflict and into the endless battle that my father was in. I was not six years old yet, but I already since the day I could speak been taught my responsibilities as the next ruler of Earth. I was the Crown Princess Eluned Anorien Leander and heir apparent to more troubles then any one person should be able to handle.

We finally arrived at the entrance of the throne room. There were many shouts and yells coming from within the chamber. They had already been in there for more hours then I could count and it was at that moment that the massive doors were thrown open and out stepped the numerous Atracian diplomats that had come to talk to my father. Remulin quickly pulled me out of the way as I was almost ran over by one of the massive lizards. "Out of my way, elves spawn!" It hissed.

"You must be more careful my lady." Remulin whispered into my ear. "The King would be mighty displeased if I showed him a pancake for a daughter."

I glared at him, but said nothing. I didn't know how he could joke at a time like this, but Remulin was always at his funniest in the direst of circumstances. I, however, was more interested at what the last Atracian diplomat was yelling at my father. "Mark my words King Erelaus, you and this godforsaken planet will pay for not giving over the orb. Lord Guidok will be most displeased at this unfortunate news. This is the end of the line of the Leanders. You and your planet will be nothing but a pillar of dust by the next moon. I leave you with these words." The Atracian quickly walked out of the throne room amidst the curses and hollers from the members of my father's court.

"Silence!" Father yelled, "I will not have this throne room turn into a circus."

There were a few shouts of protest, but the chamber became deadly silent at my fathers words. There is no one who would go against my father's direct wishes. He was a figure of majestic respect and affection to his people and his words were law. He was a powerful being well over 6 feet with golden hair and piercing violet eyes. He had been on the throne on earth over a thousand years and he was timeless. I would have been scared of him if I didn't know that he was a deeply loving and affectionate father. I loved him dearly and he returned it ten-fold. I was his pride and joy or so he told me. Remulin and I steadily walked into the throne room among the deadly silent court. There were numerous acknowledgments of my presence and a few smiled at me, but I ignored them. My focus was on the man on the golden throne in front of me. "I see that you heard those last words Princess, and I thought I prohibited you from being anywhere near this meeting. Why did you disobey me?" Father asked me with steely eyes.

"It is my fault, your majesty." Remulin apologized fearfully.

"I didn't ask your opinion Master Remulin I asked the Princess." He stated.

"I am sorry my lord. Remulin isn't to blame. I suggested that we go and see if the audience was over." I said sorrowfully. "I was curious and it had been such along time since the meeting started that I thought it would surely be over. I am very sorry to disappoint you father."

I looked into his eyes and for a quick second I noticed they crinkled with amusement, but were then again the somber expression they were before. "I'm afraid that there isn't time to punish you, but since you heard the conclusion of this audience you will stay and listen to what we must discuss. This is important to you as the heiress of the Orb of Frenmar and the throne. Come stand by my side and listen. Our world is in danger and war is inevitable."

I was shaken at his words and it was made real the words the Atracian had just threatened. Our world and the orb were in danger. It could very well be the end of the shining city and the immortal line of the Leanders. I managed as steady I could to go stand by my father and listen what was to be decided. "Fellow councilmember's, Earth and the Orb of Frenmar are in danger. We will be against the largest military the galaxy has ever known. This will be a war that determines our existence and our freedom. What would you have me do as your ruler? I am yours to command." My father spoke with charismatic concern.

All eyes were for my father and many were awed at his words. He had gotten to the heart of the problem and many were starting to voice there opinions. He pointed to one and bed him continue, "Your majesty, I beg that you pull all military at the farthest outposts in the galaxy to protect the Orb and Earth. Everything depends on its safety."

"I will not leave are people defenseless at the outer colonies. It would be senseless slaughter. Any other suggestions?" Father said sternly.

Over the next hour my father listened and dismissed dozens of suggestions. There seemed to be no solution to our overwhelming problem. I was starting to get tired and my eyes were glazing over. Remulin looked at me in concern, but I steadfastly refused to succumb to my weariness. My father allowed me to stay and listen to the council and I would support him as much as I could. It was then that I noticed that many eyes were wandering to the entrance of the throne room. I saw the eldest of our people walk into the room. He was ancient amongst the already ancient. No one knew his real age. Yougna, the wise painfully made his way to the front of my father's throne and tried to bow. It was painful to look at. "There is no need to bow Sage Yougna. At your age you shouldn't need to bow. What do you wish to say, wise sage?" Father asked.

"Only this, your majesty." Yougna rasped, "The prophecy of her birth and the fate of this galaxy are tied together. You know of what I speak. Where she goes, the orb will go. If she dies, the orb dies. The Goddess Queen is among us and hope remains if she and the orb are safe. Nothing else matters."

"I know this, but I had hoped to avoid this outcome." Father smiled down at me sadly. "It seems my little butterfly that are time together is about to end."

My eyes watered with tears and they fell down my face. "What do you mean father? Surely, I am not the one the prophecy speaks of. You are still King and I am too young to be Queen."

"You are the destined caretaker of the Orb. I hoped to spare you of this fate till you were older, but it is not to be. Your birth has been expected for eons and the Orb will reach its full power in your hands. If you are safe and this world is destroyed then it can be remade. That is why you must leave this place and time. Cheer-up, my little butterfly. It hasn't happened yet. It's not guaranteed that it will happen. This is just a precaution." Father said wiping the tears from my eyes as they fell.

"Will I see you again, papa?" I whispered.

"I don't know love. I can't see the future, but we'll live each day to its fullest won't we, butterfly." His eyes were wet with tears as he picked me up and gave me a hug that squished the air out of my lungs.

"I can't breathe, papa." I gasped out.

"I think you can breathe just fine butterfly if you can still talk." He grinned at me as he loosened his grip.

I smiled up at him and hugged him with all the strength in my small arms. "Now you can't breathe!" I giggled.

"I give up!" He said laughing and he sat me down on the ground.

"Remulin!" he shouted, "Take the princess back to her quarters. It has been an eventful day for her. I will see you tomorrow butterfly. Get some sleep and don't dwell on what the future holds. It isn't set in stone yet."

I looked up at him with stars in my eyes. "Goodnight, papa! I love you!" I took hold of Remulin's hand as he escorted me out of the room. I took one last look at father and he smiled at me. I waved back and we were then out of sight.

We got back to my large chambers and as Remulin was opening my door to my bedroom he said, "Princess I am sorry for any trouble I have caused you today. Everything that has been reveled today must be overwhelming you and I just want you to know I am here if you need someone to talk to."

"Your so nice, Remulin!" I cried happily as I hugged him close to death. "Oh! And there is nothing to forgive. I love you Remu! Goodnight."

I ran into the room and slammed the door in his face before he could retaliate due to me using the nickname he absolutely loathed. I heard a loud growl outside the door and I giggled.

I managed to get undressed and into my pajamas in record time. I was exhausted and I fell asleep almost instantaneously. I didn't think about what the elder had reveled about my destiny. I didn't want to think that very soon everything I loved would be dead and the only way it could be brought back was by me.