Chapter 2
Sams POV
I was leading Topaz down a path to the stable behind the castle. The guard in front of me was telling me all of these things i was sure i wasn't supposed to hear.
" Yeah. So the His Majesty is away for the month. Princess Audrey is in charge. She is one beautiful woman..." The guard said slightly slurring some of the words. It was obvious that he was drunk.
" So will i have to talk to the Princess for the matters I'm here for?" I asked the guard.
" Yes-siree! -'HICC'- excuse me for a moment my good man, just con tinue down the path and then walk around to the courtyard. There will be someone there to take you to her -HICC- majesty."
" Thank you." I said not sure what to do now. I did pick out the important parts of his directions. And as I started to continue down the path, I turned around and watched the guard stumble away singing the ABC song.
I chuckled to myself and then leaned down to talk in Topaz's ear
" Looks like that guard had some trouble learning his ABC's in school." Topaz whinnied in response. I chuckled again.
Soon we arrived at the stable and I assumed it was alright to put Topaz in a stall. After I got Topaz settled I fed her a red, crisp, juicy apple.
" Good girl Topaz. I'll be back soon." I said patting her head while she chomped on the apple.
I picked up the Painting and my worn leather shoulder bag and started to walk around torwards the front of the castle. I was walking up the stairs to the great staircase admiring to carvings when two red-headed little children came running down the stairs giggleing. The boy looked at me and whispered somthing into the little girls ear and they took one last glance at me and then ran away again giggling. I frowned. Did I look strange? Or not proper enough? I shook my head and continued up the stairs. As I approached the enormous doors the guards swung them open and I entered the castle. And then, as I was looking up at the carvings on the marble ceiling that were similar to the ones on the stairs, I was suddenly lying on the ground with someone weighing down my left arm. I heard a groan and i looked over and saw the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. Immediatly i knew it was Princess Audrey. Her golden brown hair was in a ponytale with a sparkling ribbon tied around it. She was wearing a long beautiful gown that had straps over her shoulders and another pair of straps that came off her shoulders. It was green at the top and slowly flowed down into a deep turquoise blue. And as i looked up again I saw the deep sky blue eyes staring into my green ones. But then i remebered my manners i shot up and held out my hand and pulled her up from the ground. I lowered my head and said,
" I apologize for my recklessness your heiness, I should have been watching where I was going." I said embarassed as I bent down to pick up the painting that had dropped out of my hand when I fell.
And then i heard her voice.
" Oh no, Please don't apologize. I was the one who ran into you, it is I who should be asking forgiveness." She said.
" Well your heiness-" She interuppted my sencond apology.
" Oh , Please call me Audrey. I have never been fond of all that formality." She rolled her eyes and waved her hands dissmissively.
I smiled.
"Well, you know my name, but i still do not know yours." She smiled at me and my smile grew larger.
" Sam. Sam Canson." I said shaking her hand.
" Sam Canson... Oh you're here for the painting! Oh well come on! would you like to see where we're going to hang it?" Audrey said enthusiastically.
"Sure" I said smiling.
" Let's go!!" Audrey grabbed my hand and pulled me down the main hall and then up a little flight of stairs to.. the Grand Ball room. She led me across the room and torwards a little section of wall between one of the huge windows.
" This is where I'm going to put your painting. I always thought this room needed a spalsh of color and I know your painting will do the trick. Umm may I?" She asked gesturing to the painting.
" Oh, Of course!" I said as I handed her the painting.
" Thank you." She took the painting and strode over and put the painting up on a hook, and then came back to stand next to me.
" Perfect!" Audrey exclaimed "You're amazing!"
" Thank you Audrey." I said dreading this moment."If you'll excuse me I must be going now."
I was halfway through the ballroom when i heard the clicking of heels on the floor " Wait!!" And then Audrey grabbed my arm. And handed me the letter.
" Please read it when you get home." She pleaded. And then she smiled with a curtsy she said goodbye and ran off. I smiled and looked back at my painting now hanging on the Grand Ballroom wall. Maybe life coulde get better but for now all i wanted to do was read Audrey's letter. I put her letter in my bag and ran out the doors and down the stairs to anxious to admire anything. I ran around the side of the castle and to the stable where i saw someone familiar. It was audrey walking slowly torwards Topaz with one hand extended torward her. She held an apple in her hand that was extended torwards her.
I called her name and i walked torward her," Audrey!" She gasped and whirled torwards me but tripped on her dress and she tried to walk and started to fall. I ran and caught her right before she hit the ground.
" We do have a problem with falling don't we?" I questioned fighting back a smile and a laugh. She glared at me and pulled herself out of my grip. She sighed. " Well, Thank you so much Sam." She turned to go.
" Wait!" She turned around." D-do you want t-to take a ride? Or pet her?" I asked stuttering. She smiled
" I'd like a ride but not now. I'm sorry but father expects me to take up on all the 'business'." She used her fingers to quote business. " Later though, I promise!" She smiled again." Good bye Sam." She was walking away before my brain processed that.
" Goodbye Audrey." I got Topaz all saddled up. And i took off and when i glanced back at the windows of the Grand Ball room i could have sworn i saw her. Waving at me. I smiled again and it seemed like I smiled more today than i had in the past 7 years. I got home and my father was waiting for me.
" How did it go?" He asked.
" Tell you at dinner!" I ran to my room and yanked the letter out of my bag. It said--
Sam
I'd like to thank you for the painting of the beach. It is very beautiful. I was also curious to if you would come over sometime again soon so I could see your paintings. And I have another request. There is an old willow tree in back of the castle. out past the courtyard. I very much like to go there to think.Also...it's magical. I know it sounds very uncanny but it is true. I see ... fairies flittering around at night when the moon is out. Anyways, I was wondering if you could come paint the tree for me. I would also very much like if you came tomorrow night to see the fairies. I guess it is their celebration of the full moon. I've never witnessed it myself. I would like it if you came to watch it with me. There is music,(fairy style), and dancing. But again you don't have to if you don't wish to. I hope to see you tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Your Friend,
Audrey
I gasped. And then i smiled. I couldn't wait until tomorrow. Life really could get better.
