This story is a different view of fable III...the view of the princess and a different kind of Elliot. When the Princess Aya realises she is unsafe in her own home under the rule of her brother Logan, she needs out...this may not be so easy with the new commander of Logan's army in the form of Elliot, read more to find out!

Let me know what you think…M for later chapters x

Disclaimer: None belongs to me!

Chapter 1: Face off

Shuffling her many layers of skirts, Aya shifted on the slippery rock beneath her to steady herself. Her slippered foot slid slightly on some moss beneath her and she felt her heart skip a beat as she got a birds eye view of the substantial drop beneath her. Suddenly the three feet from the edge felt like three centimeters and she swallowed loudly. Peeking over the edge once she had steadied herself she dew in the sea air, the salty breeze whipping her dark curls around her shoulders. Her eyes stung slightly from the wind which threatened to push her backwards as she stared at the angry waves crashing into the rocks below her. Crouching lithely she crept closer to the edge until she could grasp the edge of the rock, the ridges digging into her delicate palms as she gripped them tightly. Closing her eyes to the sun she let the air whip around her, the crashing of the sea below her block out her thoughts and imagined herself floating away to unknown lands. A loud bark brought her back to reality and a chill suddenly ran through her as her skirts clung damply to her legs. Sighing she squeezed her eyes tightly to try and hold onto her daydream but the moment was long gone. Standing slowly she turned towards the castle, a black cloud spinning around it and Aya couldn't help but feel in sync with the weather. She caught a flash of red out of the corner of her eye and immediately groaned. Soldiers from her brother's army had been dispatched in search of her.

Had she been gone for that long? Her brother was going to kill her. Dusting what she could off the priceless, ruined gown; she stepped quickly off the rock and stood waiting for the soldiers to find her. Rolling her eyes as one of them shouted and pointed to her she placed the back of her hand against her forehead and made her lip wobble.

'Thank god you're here! I've been so scared after I got lost!' She pretended to sigh in distress making the soldiers slow as they neared her, 'Where have you been? And only ten soldiers sent to find me? I'm insulted!' She almost snorted at the stricken look on the men's faces at the thought of getting in trouble with her brother.

'Princess,' one of the men puffed, 'we have been searching for hours…'

She strode past them feeling guilty but ignoring them nevertheless, her dog on her heels.

'Traitor', she whispered to the dog and smiled as he ran around her. Making her way back up to the castle, the soldiers trailing behind her, she kicked a rock grumpily at the thought of returning to the castle. Her brother would have no doubt not even noticed, it would be Walter who would be worried about her. Smiling at the thought of the old soldier she loved like a father, she would have to apologise for worrying him. He had after all practically raised her, her brother barely registering her existence. The tyrant he had turned into did nothing but frighten and disgust her, the suffering of their people leaving devastation in his wake. As they entered the castle grounds, Aya nodded to the soldiers who bowed deeply to her before she entered the side doors into the kitchen. She saw the cooks pursed lips as her dirty dress and slippers left mud trailing through her kitchen. She uttered a quick apology and only then registered the chaos that was taking place in the kitchen.

'Whats going on?' she asked a servant who jumped and stuttered at being addressed by the princess.

'T-the ceremony my lady,' she squeaked and twisted a cloth in her hands. Aya frowned,

'What ceremony?'

The servant's eyes flitted to the ground where the princess' gown was dripping slowly onto the immaculate floor and Aya bit her lip with guilt knowing this girl would probably have to clean up after her.

'Er, sorry about that, let me,' she whispered and tried to take the cloth out of the young girls hand. The girl's face drained of colour and almost choked on Aya's words. She held onto the cloth for dear life,

'My lady,' she whispered desperately, stunned at the preposterous statement. Aya clenched her jaw once again not able to forget what she was in her own home. She pushed past the girl and completely forgot about the answers she wanted. Dodging past servants she made her way up the stairs into the round room which lead off into the bedrooms and the throne room. Frowning she noticed the lack of anyone other than servants whom all looked flustered and only stopped briefly to give her dress a horrified look and a quick bow. Stepping into the round room she pulled off her muddy slippers which squelched into the lush carpet. Beginning to pull at the ties at the back of her dress she looked around quickly and saw nobody around so pulled off the suffocating weight and was left in her damp slip. Dragging the dress behind her she stepped out into the hallway and walked past the throne room. A voice suddenly stopped her and she squeezed her eyes shut.

'Shite,' she whispered, 'Ceremony…'

'Aya? Is that you?' She recognized her brother Logan's disapproving voice and she turned slowly. Gasping slightly she felt a blush creep into her face. The entire room was full of soldiers. She noticed the men that had come to find her standing near the back. Not one of the soldiers dared to look below her face at the damp slip clinging to her body. Stepping slowly into the room she saw Logan sitting in his throne his fists clenched angrily on the sides of it. Walter stood at his side; his head bowed in what Aya could only guess was embarrassment. Two men stood at his side and Aya swallowed loudly, the room in complete silence.

'Logan,' she said simply, awarding him with a quick bow. Her brother's jaw was clenched and the look of fury on his face was terrifying. His soldiers must have thought the same as they seemed to have stopped breathing.

'Step forward, princess,' he hissed the last word as if it burned his tongue. She frowned at him and crossed her arms over her chest, highlighting that she was highly indecent.

'Logan-' she began and was cut off by a violent sweep of his hand in dismissal. She felt the blush creep down her neck and she stepped down the aisle towards her brother. She looked to Walter for support but knew as well as he did if he spoke out of turn he would be in a worse state than her. Looking her brother directly in the eye she let her arms fall to her sides, refusing to let him embarrass her further. His glare was piercing and she clenched her fists to stop her hands trembling.

'Well well well,' he growled, his voice echoing around the silent room. 'Would you like to meet the soldiers who will be dying for you around Albion?' he smiled cruelly, motioning to the men behind her. Her emerald eyes did not leave his empty black eyes as he stood from his throne.

'The men that fight for your extravagant lifestyle,' he began to pace the length of the stage. 'The men that get shot, stabbed and burned,' he slammed his fist down on the window ledge behind him with the last word. 'For you!' He began to laugh, shaking his head. Turning swiftly he swept his hand in her direction.

'Men!' he cried, 'This is your princess!' Nobody made a single sound and Aya lifted her chin against what she knew was coming.

'You will die for this girl while she is waltzing about in her underwear like a whore!' he spat. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Walter start forward but one of the men placed a hand on his arm. She felt her nails cut into her palm as she clenched them harder.

'Why don't you just pass her around yourself since she chooses to dress like a commoner and embarrass this entire court,' he turned away from her and suddenly Aya had enough. She barely felt the dress leave her fingers before she tossed her muddy slippers straight into the back of her brother', leaving a dirty splatter on his uniform. She saw his shoulders raise as the slippers fell to the floor. Her chest heaved with anger and she saw Walter and the two men start forward to hold Logan back, knowing the King would not stand for this.

'You disgust me,' she hissed, 'These soldiers hold no respect for you, only pitiful fear.'

'Aya hold your tongue,' Walter whispered as the King turned, fury etched on his face. The rage inside her would not allow her words to stay surfaced,

'You are hated by every single person in Albion,' she whispered and she saw a muscle in Logan's jaw move but he stayed where he was. 'The only embarrassment of this court should belong to our mother for giving birth to you.'

Walter's mouth dropped open and she swore she heard a snort come from one of the men standing by Logan. She did not wait to see what Logan would do, but rather turned from him and walked out of the room towards her bedroom, leaving the dirty dress as a reminder of her harsh words.

:) xxxx