Three children were running and hiding from one another, all three were covered in mud. The girl among the three, Y/N , was a lively child who was laughing at the fact that she had just beaten Thor in a mud fight.
The said Prince was completely covered in mud the only part of him that wasn't was where he had wiped his eyes to see.
The third child among them was the young Prince Loki, although he too was covered in mud it wasn't half so bad as that of his brother.
The three children emerged from the small wooded lane that leads through the woods to the lake, they were laughing and having the sort of care free fun that only children are capable of. The lovely Queen Frigga was sat at the table in the garden of her dear friend Y/Ns mother, while having cakes and tea. Upon seeing the state three children were in she smiled.
The Queen had a soft spot for the young girl who seemed to have her son's under a spell, although she was hardly surprised, when Y/N was born a witch had foreseen Y/N living in the palace, among royalty. Y/N had been told this story a lot during her childhood, which had always led to the rumour of which Prince she would marry, especially when she would play with the Princes.
The Queen simply waved her hand and all the children were suddenly clean again, " I take it that Y/N won?" The Queen chuckled.
All three nodded of course Y/N nodded with the most enthusiasm, Thor and Loki didn't look quite so pleased. "Well then, congratulations my dear. It's time for us to go now I'm afraid, your father will be expecting us. "
They all said there fair wells, and all agreed to meet up again soon.
x
However none of them knew at that point the next time they would see each other would be sooner than they thought.
x
Less than a week since the mud fight, the same three children stood next to each other watching the funeral pyre as it burned all that was left of Y/N's mother.
Y/N had tears rolling down her face while the either side of her held her hand, the Queen was standing with them, as Y/N's father, Harold, was still away on business.
It was Prince Loki that helped Y/N walk away from the flame, this was when Y/N's father came, the Queen stood with the children while he said his goodbyes and paid his respects. When he came out the Queen and Harold spoke in hushed quiet voices but none of the children paid much mind to what was being said.
Y/N looked up at her father and he leaned down and picked up his distraught daughter, put her on the horse with him and galloped off.
Little did they all know how different things would be when they would meet again.
x
A few months later Y/N was still upset but her father had written to her while he was away on business that he had met a woman with a daughter who was about the same age as Y/N, and he had fallen in love and they had married, but she would never replace Y/N's mother, and they would all be home within a week.
This had obviously meant that all the staff at the house were running around trying to make everything perfect. Y/N liked to help it kept her busy which meant she didn't have time to ponder on sad thoughts, and also because of how often her father was away, the servants of the house were like her family and she did genuinely want to help them.
x
Y/N's stepmother, Lady Creel, seemed to take an instant disliking to Y/N, but never outwardly said anything , it was a cold demeanour and a stoney silence that told her this. Her daughter, Astrid, was no better, she refused to play with Y/N and wouldn't share anything with her.
Barely a month into the new marriage Lady Creel announced that she was with child, of course Harold was delighted and doted on Lady Creel night and day and showered her in gifts.
But of course he once again had to go away on business, but this time he never came back, he died while away.
The family came home after the funeral, the three of them were all wearing black cloaks, Y/N removed her cloak to reveal her black mourning dress, Astrid removed her cloak to reveal a bright pink gown, Lady Creel removed her cloak to reveal a bright red gown, neither of them were mourning.
"Black was never my color. It's just so unbecoming." Lady Creel declared.
"Especially when one's so young and pretty." Added Astrid.
The pair threw their cloaks at Y/N and started to giggle. Y/N was about to head up the stairs, when the cold voice of her step mother stopped her.
"Where do you think your going?" She demanded.
"To my room." Y/N answered quietly, her voice was strained from crying.
"My dear child, nothing is 'yours' now, your an orphan, your very lucky I'm going to even let you stay here. All the rooms in this house are mine now. Your father my Late husband, sadly missed by us all, is dead, child. Dead and buried beneath the snow in the same grave as your dear mother. That is a double misfortune for you. And now you must start a new life. Your father, as a token of his great love for me, saw fit to make a will placing you in my care and protection.
Believe me the streets aren't kind to beggars. But from now on you are a dependant, you will have to work to earn your keep. Do you understand?" She belittled.
"My father never loved you. You tricked him." Y/N angrily declared.
"How dare you!"
"You tricked him!"
"Well… Well if I did, he did not liveto rue the day, did he? And now you can curb. your tongue; cultivate humility, know your present place." Lady Creel sneered and seemed to relish in it.
"I hate you!"
"Now, listen to me, girl, and hear me well! Blood is thicker than a widow's tears, and God knows I have shed enough of those. I have my own daughter to support, which has forced me to make certain economies in the household. But being a woman of principle, I shall honor your father's last wishes and continue to provide a roof over your head below stairs! And do not think you will find sympathy with the staff. The staff have been dismissed. You are now the staff." It was all getting to much for poor Y/N to take she was getting confused and she was struggling to keep her emotions under control
"To take orders instead of giving them. Mostly from me." Astrid sneered, just like her mother.
"Never!" Y/N hissed defiantly.
"Oh, yes. You will cook and you will carry. You will fetch and you will mend. Your father's will allows and the law upholds. So, take your pick, either accept your lot or go to the orphanage." Lady Creel offered.
"They tell me, Y/N,one can be awfully happy there and very warm. They sleep 6 to a bed. Not counting the rats." Smirked Astrid.
"Do not tease,my darling. It spoils your looks." Chastised Lady Creel to Astrid, who immediately did as her mother had told her."From now on you shall refer to me as Ma'am or Madam, and you will address Astrid as Lady Astrid or Miss Astrid." Lady Creel sneared boastfully to Y/N.
Y/N resigned herself to her fate as she was too tired to fully understand and argue, not that it would do any good. She turned and headed towards the kitchen walking past Lady Creel when an arm blocked her path she looked up to see her step mother giving her an almost evil stare. "Well aren't you going to thank me?"
"Thank you?" She answered bewildered.
"For not throwing you out into the street, to keeping you here out of kindness, charity. I've often been told I have too big a heart. Don't forget your now meant to curtsey everytime you pass Astrid or myself."
All Y/N did in response was nod and curtsey and head towards the kitchen while carrying down the cloaks.
She could hear the two of them talking ,"Burying husband's is a cold job and now I have buried two." Lady Creel lamented.
"Oh poor Mama." Cooed Astrid.
She had just made it to the stairs when she heard them demand some tea and make a start on supper.
A/N just so you know I have never written a Y/N kind of story before but please leave a review to let me know how it sounds or help me improve.