Lily woke up the next morning at the crack of dawn, the sun lazily poking its head above the distant mountains. She was sore from the vigorous training session she had last night but did not care, she had felt the burning sensation many times before, and now found it too familiar to even care that it was there.

Stretching she groaned as her ladies maids hauled her to the wardrobe and continued to squeeze her into the 'beautiful' gown. Today was the day that the riders from Bruina would be arriving and as they were in the company of the prince, 'have to look your best for the prince', to quote one of her ladies maids, jasmine.

The court and her father had had a long discussion on how they were going to break the news that their captain of their prestigious warriors was female not to mention the princess. They had many ideas, but they eventually settled for one.

When the prince and warriors of Bruina arrive, Lily will just be Princess Lily, stand by her father's side, and greet them all like a princess should. Then when it is time to announce the Naralee warriors and captain, Lily will reveal who she is, warrior captain and all. If they do not take the news well, they will be asked to leave immediately as to prevent a fight.

After clambering into the dress, having her hair done to perfection, her make-up plastered on, her shoes squeezed onto her feet and her crown balancing neatly upon her head, she tottered out of her room down the stairs with great difficulty.

Seeming as it was still early in the morning (even though it had taken hours to make her up) and the Bruina Warriors did not look like thy were turning up any time soon, Lily decided to walk out and stand on the balcony above the main front stairs leading to the castle and watched over her people.

Normally if she was bored Lily would wander down to the training arena and practice with a spear or a double blade. But seeming she could barely walk, if was not the best of choices. So she watched. For what seemed like hours, simply standing there, looking out over the plains of Naralee. AN: Naralee is sort of like Rohan from Lord of the Rings. The town and castle are the same as well.

Lily loved watching her people at work, the black smith making shiny new horse shoes, the baker kneading fresh bread and the stable boy leading the horses to newly laid hay.

What ever they did, there was always passion for the job at hand, and Naralees people were famous for there amazing skills in the simplest jobs. They dedicated there lives to making their job better in every way, shape and form. She was proud of her people; they were loyal and humble, hard working.

She could only feel guilty for not being as good as them. But that was not entirely true Lily herself had dedicated herself to a profession, even if it was the wrong one. She was yet to be defeated in combat.

Suddenly out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of 20 or so figures riding across the plains, although they were far away as such she could still see the Bruina colours on the men riding. Taking a deep breath she muttered 'Here we go' before stepping into the hall to notify her father and the court of their arrival.

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WOW! Chapter three! I am impressed with myself! Lol are you as well, tell me please! REVIEW! R-E-V-I-E-W!!! love it? Hate it? Tell me what I can do to fix it up a bit.

G.E.A