Tada! Here is a completely unprecedented story, co-written by myself and Cimh. It's rather lighthearted, due to Cimh's influence. I'm writing Thomas' stuff, and she's writing about Jared and Gloria. For reference, Gloria is Nre's mother, Jared is Carvin's father, and Thomas is Nre's father.

You won't have to have read Nasap to read this, though. It's definitely a stand-alone.

Hehe, my friend finally decided to do something about my moaning and groaning that I couldn't write. I still don't think I write very well, but she seems to think it's good enough to "publish", so there you have it ... Please be nice, I don't like fire! Or is the term flames ... Lol I know that they're flames, I was just kidding ...

Thomas Daniel Alphonse Samuel Windham, Crown Prince of Berensia. A title almost worthy of me.

The boy walked slowly down the length of his bedchamber, strong hands clasped firmly behind his back. His navy blue, satin pants swished with every step, and his black, polished boots whooshed gently in the soft carpet.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, click.

He stepped off the carpet onto the hardwood paneling. Every click echoed several times around the deathly silent, lavishly decorated room. Everything in his room was midnight blue and gold, a striking combination of utter darkness and wealthy light.

Thomas loved it.

As he paced, he thought about his favorite subject. Himself. He had recently been to town to make a speech. His father insisted on him going out in public so the people would know his face. Not that Thomas objected; he loved the heartbroken looks on the girl's faces as he passed and basked in the compliments he overheard the lords whispering to each other.

"Quite a handsome boy!"

"Quite! And such a gift for speech!"

"The people love him."

"The girls love him, at any rate."

"I hope he knows his place..."

"I'm sure he does, he's got a steady head on his shoulders."

"Too true, too true. He'll make a fine king."

"Aye, that he will."

The prince paused in front of a mirror and surveyed his reflection. Loose brown curls fell in a roguish manner over his ears and down the back of his neck, reflecting the sunlight warmly. He had a strong jaw that gave him a look of natural stubborness and determination and a firm nose. His perfect mouth curved into a smile and his fascinating blue eyes reflected an aire of innocence and trust.

Oh, Thomas did trust. He trusted in himself, and in the fact that no girl could resist him if he wanted to woo her. Such a commanding responsibilty for a fourteen year old boy, but he would manage somehow.

He grinned.

He always did.

"Go Sandy, go!" shouted fair-haired Gloria. "We've almost caught up with Jared!"

"Not for long, you haven't!" cried Jared, shaking his dark hair out of his eyes and encouraging his horse, Judy, to go faster.

For a while all that could be heard was the thumping of hooves and an occasional whinny from one of the horses, and then ... "Haha!" came the triumphant cry of Gloria as Sandy pushed in from just in time to pass the tree stump that marked the finish of the race. They both slowed to a walk, the horses breathing heavily, and headed to a nearby pond to give the horses a well earned drink.

"I believe that was one of our better races," commented Gloria, adjusting her skirts.

"It was definitely close," agreed Jared. "Here, let me help you," he said, dismounting and offering Gloria his hand.

"Thank you," she said, accepting his hand and sliding off her horse.

"For a while you thought you were going to win, didn't you?" Gloria asked, guiding Sandy to the pond.

"Well, yes, but are you trying to tell me that you knew you were going to pull ahead at the absolute last second?" Jared answered her question with one of his own. Both were trying to conceal their grins.

"Oh, I always knew Sandy was stronger. She found the strength to pull ahead of Judy, at any rate." Gloria turned around, took one look at Jared, and they both burst out laughing.

"That was great!" Jared gasped through his mirth.

"Wasn't it though? I couldn't kept it going for longer if I hadn't looked at you. You just had this look on your face, I couldn't help it!" Gloria giggled. "You've always been able to make me laugh, you know, even when we were little. Remember?"

"How could I forget! You coming outside looking all frumpy, just because your Father told you that you had to spend more time working on your sampler and less time at the stable. You would've thought that he told you that you were never allowed to ride again! But all I had to do was look at you just so, and you'd be laughing fit to burst!"

"Gloria!"

Gloria's neck snapped up and she made a face.

"That's Jennifer, drat it, I better go."

"Have fun!" Jared called as she mounted Sandy and began to trot back to her house.

She stuck her tongue out at him over her shoulder as he waved brightly, a teasing smile lingering in his eyes.

Final word count: 754

Please review! I hope you like it!

Yea, please review, but be nice! Unless there's really something wrong, then don't lie, but ...