Nixiesocean: I'm so happy to see the reviews! I hope you like this. I'm not going to tell you what the fairy tale is. Bwhahaha!

Responses:

InChrist-Billios: Now that you point out that Hannah is rather stereotypical, I notice it. (haha!) I didn't really see that, but I guess she sort-of is. And you assume Hannah is the heroine! (Evil grin)

FaylinnNorse: I think of David as a good supportive friend. He enjoys hunting, but doesn't have the passion (obsession?) with it as Matthew.

Thai Libre: I refuse to tell you the plot – then what fun would that be?

Enjoy chapter two.

Chapter 2: Children's Fables

In a month, Lorelei had become a glittering jewel of the court, renowned for her grace, beauty and elegance.

I didn't like it. My aunt once had that title, but had long forsaken it for the much simpler title of "lady". Although my cousins were of royal blood, it was unlikely they would even inherit the throne due to the fact that even if Matthew didn't marry, James surely would.

Adelle visited me after the first month of Lorelei's introduction to the court, and, oddly enough, Lorelei declined a ball in celebration of her new title.

It was of little consequence, as Adelle Mercy was my favorite among my first cousins. The eldest, Isaac Renold, was too ambitious and the younger, Jonas Gideon, was too aloof. Adelle and I matched well. While Sarah was my opposite, Adelle was similar.

I greeted her at the gates, without much ado because she had already been greeted formally as a baby visiting the heir of the throne, and again when she turned sixteen. Adelle was seventeen.

We walked the halls, talking about life at Aevron's Pass and life at the winter palace. I agreed that the palace of Hielkt was boring, and asserted life at Aevron's Pass was much more interesting (Adelle disagreed).

This was when Adelle Mercy met Lady Lorelei. Of course, her ladyship was perfect, as usual. She curtsied prettily and spoke softly, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Adelle Mercy," Neither Adelle nor I missed the implication of Lorelei's title.

"I have heard much about you, Lady Lorelei." Adelle swept a passable curtsy.

"Your father owns Aevron's Pass?" As we tried to walk away, she followed us, continuing to pester Adelle and I.

"Yes, your ladyship," Adelle murmured.

Lorelei cocked her head, "That is the new holding, is it not? Given to Guardsman Renold Smithson for good works benefiting the Crown?"

"Yes, your ladyship." I was sure Adelle was tired of everyone knowing her father's lands weren't the oldest in Hanor.

"I see. Not even a half-century old." She smiled sweetly at Adelle and walked off.

When she was out of earshot I whispered, "Enter Lady Lorelei, court gossip, beauty and flirt. Her current project is David." We knew which David I spoke of.

-

When I least expected it, that is, when I was back from hunting in the Royal Forest and soaked in sweat, Lady Lorelei appeared. I say "appeared" because I didn't notice her walk up to David and I.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness, and your lordship." She said softly and swept us a perfect curtsy.

"And you, Lady Lorelei," I attempted to sound cordial. I gave her a bow, "But if you will excuse me…" I trailed off. She nodded and smiled sweetly at David. I walked away. I knew David would fall head over heels.

I looked back once and already Lorelei clung to him like tree sap and whispered. Her giggles carried this far, and I couldn't help but noticed how at ease David seemed. It bothered me how quickly my friend had taken to Lorelei. I looked back once, and saw them walking slowly talking about trivial things.

It wouldn't have bothered me as much as it did if I didn't know how disinterested in women David was.

I found Adelle and Hannah walking, arms linked.

"Morning ladies," I said with a formal bow.

Hannah's unnerving eyes met mine, "Adelle just met Lorelei." She said simply.

"I assure you there is nothing for you to fear of Lorelei, Adelle," I tried to act gentlemanly, but I couldn't resist adding, "If you are a female." I smiled and walked off.

I heard Hannah whisper; "She's been following him since she arrived."

I sighed and headed to by rooms to bathe. I hoped Lorelei would stay far away from me… and for that matter… David.

-

I laughed. "He's bothered by her." I explained. "He doesn't like how persistent she is." Adelle sighed. Her green eyes met my miss-matched ones. "What?"

She shook her head. "Do you remember the fable from when we were really little? The one my mother told us?"

"The Lion and the Frog?" Adelle nodded. "It's just a children's tale, Adelle. It didn't actually happen. Even the commoners know that."

"But it did!" My cousin asserted. "The lion was Uncle Marcus, the frog, Aunt Hannah and my mother was the maiden in it!"

I laughed, "You almost convinced me, Adelle. I agree the Royal Forest is old and odd, but enchanted? Besides, why wouldn't my father tell me?"

Her eyes seemed to penetrate into my head. "Because he knew it wouldn't change anything. My mother told me because I asked. When your mother first came to Hanor – when she was ten – she hated it, hated Uncle Marcus and was very good friends with my mother. She left because Uncle Marcus avoided her or acted less than civil." Adelle stopped. "He hunted avidly." She whispered, her eyes large.

I stopped, hands on my hips. "Are you implying that Matthew is going to turn into a lion and his true love will become a frog? And one of us maidens is going to have to rescue them?"

"No…" Adelle trailed off. "I think it's going to be something entirely different."

-

I sighed as I looked out my window. The Royal Forest taunted me. I loved to hunt there, it was always so mysterious and I knew I could catch a doe or buck in it, even a mountain lion. I eagerly polished my bow, tested its strings, honed my knife, and rubbed oil onto my boots. A knock at my door took me out of my passion.

It opened. My mother's head appeared. "I hope you are not planning to go hunting, Matthew." She told me sternly. I looked away. "I know you are! I told you, Matthew, we have dinner tonight. The cook is complaining because you overload her with meat she does not have enough room to hold!"

I breathed deeply. "I do not hunt because I want meat, mother. I… enjoy it greatly."

She sighed. "You are too much like your father, do you know that?" She entered and sat on the chair I rarely used. "When we first met, he was trying to get away by hunting. The second time, after I had been here for a while, he took me hunting."

"And you fell off you horse, he caught you and that is when you knew you were in love." I rolled my eyes and continued to perfect my gear.

"No." Her tone made me look up. "Your father chased after a silver doe, and when we came around a bend, there was an old lady, we had trespassed on her lands. We forced into the shape of an animal. Me? A frog. Your father became a lion."

I snorted. "There is no magic in the Royal Forest. I have been in there enough times to know."

"Then you are ignorant." She hissed and stood. "Her dress spun around her waist as she exited my room. "And ignorance is not bliss." She slammed the door.

I gaped after her. My mother… a believer in children's fables?

I shook my head and continued to rub oil into my boots, ensuring every inch of the leather was waterproofed.

-

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