The Beginning Of A Great Ally-ship:

DAMIAN:

The knight began to take off their helmet and hold out a hand for me to shake. "I'm Ashton." The previously muffled voice had become distinctly feminine. Long chestnut curls fell out of the helmet and down her back. Her! I'd been saved by a girl.

First I can't even take on a troll by myself, then I scream and now, I've been saved by a girl. It's just not my day. I felt more than a little embarrassed.

Her hand was still extended; she lets out a huffy breath when I still hadn't clasped it to shake. In my defense I was in shock and felt humiliated.

"I know, I know, you got saved by a girl. Embarrassing, disconcerting, blah blah. Get over yourself and be grateful." The girl's green eyes flashed in anger.

"Wait, no I'm sorry. I was just surprised." I ran after her, only to see her getting up on a tall grey horse. She looked back at me and my eyes met hers.

Her eyes were glorious, a bright green, and appeared very intelligent. They seemed to be searching my face.

"Hmm." She appeared to be thinking. "Alright I believe you. You seem sincere enough."

"Thank you, for uh, saving me." I said it a bit hesitantly after all I had been saved by a girl and I am supposed to be a prince.

"Sure, no problem. I really should be going now." She waved at me.

"Wait, where are you headed?" I called after her. I didn't know why but I couldn't let her leave. There was something about her that caught my interest. I didn't want to see her go. Which seemed strange because I had never cared for any of the pretty girls I had met before, they all gave the impression that they were ditzy.

"Algeron." She responded exasperatedly.

"I'm going that way too." I realized aloud. "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not." Her nonchalance seemed forced and I felt like she was impatient. "Do you have a horse though, I'd rather ride then walk." I blushed bright red.

"Uh, the troll ate my horse…"

"Drat." She said. Ashton then jumped off her horse, loud out a loud yell of "Go!" and hit the horse's flank. I gaped at her.

"Why would you get rid of your horse?" She turned to look at me.

"It would've slowed us down, I've got all the stuff I need." She held up a large sack to prove her point. "I've got to change. Armor is way to difficult to walk in. Stay here." She walked off behind a tree and a few moments later came back changed from armor into brown leggings, brown boots, and a green tunic. The only lady like clothing item was the small circlet atop her head.

"That's an interesting outfit." I give her a skeptical look. With a shrug she replied.

"Dresses are just as restraining as armor, even more so and I'd like to walk through the forest, not trip. So I'm not going to wear awful heels."

"And the circlet?"

"A simple tiara. Shows I'm royalty if you look close, but it doesn't rub it in peoples faces and it doesn't scream 'steal from me.'" Ashton explained it simply. I nodded at her words because they made perfect sense.

"Wait you're royalty?"

"The one and only Princess Ashton of Gramiere. You're royalty too?" She says it more as a statement then a question. I feel the crown on top of my head which some how hadn't fallen off during the fight.

"Prince Damian of Berterc." I nodded, this time I hold my hand out for her to shake. She ignored it as she sliped her pack onto her back and begins to walk.

"Come on, this way to Algeron." I frowned after but followed quickly not wishing to be left behind.

Ashton:

Damian was blond just like every prince and princess. He had those stereotypical blue eyes too. He looked like every other prince I had met but I felt there might be something different about him. I scoffed at my own feelings.

All princes and princess were the same. I've met plenty to know and don't try giving me the, 'It depends on how you're raised' speech because I have four brothers and two sisters. We were all raised the same yet they all act ditzy and full of themselves while I act, well like myself. I'm not like anyone else, it may sound conceited but that's not how I meant it.

All my siblings have blonde hair and blue eyes, except John and I. John is my oldest brother and he has brown hair with blue eyes. I however have my father's brown-red hair, and my mother's green eyes. Everyone in my family has perfect curls or perfectly straight hair. I on the other hand have messy half curls, more waves that go down to my mid-back. Trust me I'd cut it shorter but I've upset my mother enough by running off and acting like a knight.

Damian followed me quietly; thank the gods for about ten minutes until he had to talk. I didn't see the point in filling silences with useless words.

"So why are you headed to Algeron?" He looked genuinely curious.

"I've heard they have a dragon problem." I stated simply. He looked horrified.

"You're going to kill their dragon."

"Or ask it to leave politely, I'm not much for just killing without asking politely first." He gaped and continued walking after me.

"Why are you headed there?"

"I'm supposed to go to the ball that the King is throwing because my parents want me to find a suitor." He had wrinkled his nose at the last word and I scoffed. Suitors, ick.

"My mother wanted me to go to that too and my friend is actually the princess there, so I was planning on stopping just before I go talk to the dragon."

"If it's okay, I'd love to accompany you."

"Sure." I replied because the poor guy was probably lost and I wouldn't mind showing him where the palace was. Plus as my mother has told me 'You need to make more allies Ashton.' I suppose she's right so maybe I'll make an ally out of this Prince Damian. I'm not saying we'll become best friends, I'm saying he might not be a bad ally to have.

What do you think? Good? Bad? Ok? Let me know. I'd love if you reviewed.

PeaceLoveCorn

Jenn