Azalea scrambled out of bed. Her back ached terribly. Her bed wasn't big enough for a fifteen-year-old girl. She certainly had enough money to buy a new one but she liked doing things the hard way. Azalea lived in her Grandmothers cottage but a year or two ago; she had passed away from old age. The woman was a great healer and had taught Azalea everything she knew and all about the forest's magical inhabitants. Despite her back pain, a smile appeared on Azalea's face. In roughly a month, the army men would come home for a small time to visit their families. She loved seeing Tristan every year along with Peter. As far as things went, Peter was Tristan's only friend. She remembered the year before. She was working in the market with her friend Sera when a loud cheer suddenly developed and soon the army could be seen marching down the streets. Azalea, Tristan and Peter went to a small cave within the forest. It was their special place and only the strange, magical animals would disturb them. In the cave, Tristan explained how he was forced to use his magic for the army. Azalea was disgusted. She never knew the Duke was that selfish, ignorant or just plain evil!

Azalea quickly got dressed and picked up her basket. She would be helping Sera today at the Markets.

She looked outside her small window, the forest looked extra beautiful today. Sounds of birds could be heard. She lived so very far away from the city but she liked it that way. The forest was peaceful- the market wasn't.

As she skipped down the path to the centre of the city, she couldn't help let out a squeal. She was so excited, Tristan meant everything to her as she did to him. He was kind and an absolute genius! Who else in this world could have so much power and be able to use it so easily. An hour or so later, Azalea had finally arrived at the centre of the city. She watched as people furiously went about the place. Stalls were set up everywhere and sellers were shouting from all over. Mornings were always extremely busy.

Azalea fought through the crowd until she finally arrived at her best friends little stall. Together, Azalea and Sera sold flowers. The best thing about selling flowers was that mainly young couples would buy them and they were mostly sweet people. Every now and then, small magical creatures were found sleeping in the flowers. It's nice getting close to a pixie without it flying away.

"Good morning Sera!" Azalea shouted as she slid behind the counter. Sera was sitting down by a small table within the stall, sorting flowers as usual.

"Oh, hello Lea!" She replied. "you are in a joyful mood today." Azalea smiled as she picked a rose from a basket.

"I don't think I need to tell you why, dear friend."

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"Tristan, you're insane!" Peter cried. "How could you reject such an offer! God knows what the black hawks would have done to you if you weren't capable of such magic!"

"Well Peter," began Tristan. "If I wasn't capable of such magic, I wouldn't be in such a mess, now would I?"

Tristan laughed as Peter shook his head. It had been a week since he was offered to become the six member of the black hawks and the duke was extremely "pissed off".

"Excuse me, Sir Tristan?"

Tristan turned around to see one of the servants that worked in the Dukes's office.

"yes?" he replied.

"Sorry to disturb you but his lordship Duke Remington wants you in his office, immediately!" She said quickly.

Tristan frowned. "I'll talk to you later, Peter. Why won't that stupid old man just get off my back?!"

Tristan walked to the Duke's office the same way he did every time but something was not right. The usual sound of men training was replaced with silence. Where is everyone? He thought. The servant flung the doors open to reveal the Duke arguing with one of the black hawks. This man had a black cloak on and a hood over his head revealing just a bit of his long silver hair. Stefan was leaning over the big, sturdy desk and was shouting in the old mans face.

The man suddenly turned around, facing Tristan. A disturbing smile slid onto his face. Tristan realised only three of the five men were here.

"There you are, Tristan." Stefan said kindly but it was too easy to see it was an act.

"What the hell do you want now?!" Tristan demanded as he clenched his sword. It was certainly not as powerful as the ones the other three had.

The smile on Stefan's face disappeared instantly. "The old man's right, you have a terrible attitude but hey, it makes it much more easier to kill you!"

Stefan pulled out his sword and charged towards Tristan. Thankfully Tristan had pulled out his sword in time to defend himself. The two began to fight madly. The Duke stood in shock as he watched the two skilled men fight. Little did he realise that Dominic was moving towards him. Before the Duke could react, Dominic brought out his sword and slit the mans throat. He smiled as the older man fell to the ground.

Suddenly the doors opened and the other two men came marching in. It was the prince and the man who wore a head band over his forehead.

"Stefan! What are you doing?!?!" The prince shouted. Both the prince and Vincent watched in horror as Tristan accidentally tumbled and Stefan stabbed him in the chest.

Tristan fell to the floor, coughing. Blood slowly coming out of his mouth.

The prince ran to Tristan's side and knelt down beside him.

"What HAVE you done?!" He shouted at Stefan. He then caught a glimpse of a dead body behind the desk. "You killed Tristan and my uncle?!"

Stefan yawned and dropped his blood covered sword. Prince Theodore stood up as the other men came walking over. "He had a family you know!" He argued.

"So does Pretty eyes." Stefan smoothly replied. "We'll just find his sister instead."

Tristan, on his last breathe, quickly picked up his sword and stabbed the closest knight towards him-Tal. Tal dropped to the ground instantly for the stab was fatal. After a short moment of shock, Stefan brought out his sword- looking more dangerous than ever and stabbed Tristan in the stomach.

"Stay dead this time, Pretty eyes!" He screamed. Tristan felt another shot of extreme pain and then his world turned pitch black. Forever.

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It was the day the men would return back to their homes. A massive crowd had formed in the central of the city-the market area. The whole market was closed for the day as it would be too crowded to sell anything. Azalea sat eagerly in the flower stall. She was so excited. Her stomach was doing funny things and her jaw was sore from smiling too much. Suddenly a large cheer developed and Azalea jumped up to see. Hundreds of men came walking happily into the markets- immediately being smothered in hugs and kisses. Azalea gave out a squeal, any minute now, Tristan and Peter would come walking through.

"Calm down Lea!" Said Sera but she couldn't even hide her excitement. "They'll come here first, like they always do."

Peter walked among the men- waiting for the path to be easier to pass through. He gave out a sigh. How am I going to explain this to Azalea? He thought. He turned to his side and saw the prince on his stallion followed by royal guards. He seemed upset too but then again, his uncle had also been killed in the incident. Finally once the path was slightly cleared, he walked through. He spotted the flower stall and began making his way. As he reached the stall, Azalea swung her arms around him and gave him a big hug. Peter felt like he was about to fall over but regained his balance and embraced her back.

"Peter, I've missed you so!" Azalea spoke into his chest. "Where's…Tristan?" She asked worriedly. Azalea watched Peter's face as tears slid down his cheeks.

"Azalea, I'm so sorry!"

4 years later

Azalea woke up to find her window letting in rays of sunshine in. She got out of bed and quickly changed from her night gown to a simple blue dress. As she looked into her mirror, she noticed how much she had changed. She was a woman now. Her midnight black hair reached down to her thighs and her eyes were a darker shade of violet. Her skin was lightly tanned and her height was pretty average.

She brushed through her straight hair and tied it up into a bun. After looking in the mirror for a final glance, she smoothed out her skirt, grabbed her basket and began making her way to the market.

As she walked out of her cottage, her eyes opened wide as she saw a beautiful unicorn eating the grass around a massive oak tree. The unicorn saw her and fled into the forest. She smiled as the white blur disappeared.

She suddenly realised she was going to be late and began running. She worked in the market every day now. Sera could use any help she could get especially with a new born baby. Sera had married Peter a year or two ago and now had a beautiful baby girl.

Azalea came to a holt and saw a wolf feeding on a young deer. The wolf looked up- his teeth covered in blood. Azalea swore she saw him smile. The wolf slowly came walking towards her. She instantly pulled out her bow and arrow from her basket and hit the wolf in the leg. She didn't want to kill it. The wolf yelped in pain and faded into the forest. Azalea took in a deep breathe and began running again. She had the perfect excuse.

As she walked to the flower stall, she could see Sera holding Elena and Peter smiling down on her. Azalea smiled. "You guys are so cute!" She laughed. Peter came up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Mornin' Azalea." He picked up his bag and waved at the girls before leaving.

The morning went by quickly and they didn't have many customers but Azalea was fine with that because now she could talk to Sera and hold the baby. She kissed Elena who was sleeping in her arms.

"Sera, she is so beautiful!" She whispered.

"You'd make a great mother, Lea." Sera replied. "You really should find a man."

Azalea sighed. Sera was right but she wasn't going to let her win so easily. "I'm too old."

"Nonsense! There's many folks who are older than you and still not married. There's the prince and his cousins plus many more!"

"Yeah, well they're royalty for god's sake! I'm…nothing."

Sera stood up. She would have smacked the back of Azalea's head if she wasn't holding Elena. "Azalea, you're freakin' magical! I think that beats royalty anytime."

Suddenly a little girl walked in. Azalea recognised her immediately. The little girl sniffed the flowers and then smiled at Azalea. She slowly walked up to her and leaned over to see the baby.

"She is so cute!" The little girl said. "Is she your baby?" Azalea's thoughts had drifted else where. She watched the crowd and suddenly noticed two other people walking into the stall. It was the prince and Lady Penelope- his cousin. The prince picked up the little girl- not even looking at Azalea. She quickly stopped staring.

"No- she is not." She replied.

The prince gave Azalea a confused look which soon turned to shock.

"She is mine." Sera said as she walked up to the little girl and gave her a flower.

"It matches your dress perfectly." The little girl giggled as Sera placed the flower in her hair.

"It matches her eyes too!" She said as she pointed at Azalea. Azalea felt embarrassed but smiled anyway. The prince was still staring at her.

"Prince Theodore and Kara!" Came Lady Penelope's voice. The Eldest of the Prince's three cousins.

"We shouldn't be here! Especially without guards!" She shrieked. "Come, before we get dirty." At this point, Lady Penelope looked straight at Azalea and raised an eyebrow. "What strange eyes you have."

Azalea ducked her eyes and just after she and Sera curtsied, the royal family left.