Disclaimer: Original and Disney characters in this chapter.

This chapter is dedicated to all aspiring writers, and talented artists who do not share their genius, but hide it away. I am currently drawing a picture of Amberly and Jack. Basically a cover for the fanfic. If you review me, I'll send you a copy via e-mail and I'll even sign it. Amberly is my own original work, not copied in any way. I only used a few pictures of Captain Jack Sparrow to help me draw his outfit and such.

Is that motivation enough for you to review? I hope so…

Chapter 7: Preparations for the Ball

"This way your highness, if you would turn ever so slightly… Thank you, your grace."

Another royal fitting. She sighed. She told them which dress she had intended on wearing, and they insisted on fitting it better and adding all the ridiculous décor to it to make her look like a porcelain doll, all dainty and refined.

"Only a slight gold trim, if you please. I don't want to look out of place."

"Out of place?! Why, your highness! You are so beautiful, you could never be out of place." The royal dresser exclaimed.

"All the same, I don't want it to be too extravagant."

"The lady is right, it would ruin the effect of highlighting her eyes, and that is what we decided on using the dress for in the first place," said Victoria, who was assisting the royal dresser.

"I do suppose you are right, Princess. Victoria, would you mind handing me that thinner gold trim? It will accent the turquoise of the dress, beautifully. Making it appear lighter, and flowing. Like, her highness, Princess Amberly herself," and the royal dresser managed to pull off a light laugh without giving away the fact that she adored the princess wholeheartedly.

"That you, Madame. I am most grateful for your compliments, and for administering my idea to the dress."

"Not at all, Princess. And you're welcome."

Amberly smiled. "Is the fitting almost done for now?"

"I suppose we can end it early. Why don't you go outside and catch some fresh air in the courtyard. But I do think that the guards will be having their swordsman practice today, so you may want to stay away. I heard they get quite rough, and they…" she shivered, "sweat!"

"How disgusting," said Victoria.

In her mind Amberly was already rolling her eyes at the prissy little thing. "I suppose I shall go to the stables to go out for a ride. I do need some time alone to think about the ball."

"Good, I'll send for James to accompany you," said Victoria.

"Oh, ummm, very well," Amberly said to the pair, regaining some of her regal ness at the last minute. She was actually planning something different, and the thought of James coming along caught her off guard.

Amberly walked on cats' feet to her bedchamber. Once reaching it, she silently opened the door and slipped inside. Taking off her shoes, she strode over to the balcony, looked out, then shut the drapes. Quietly squealing with glee, she skipped over to her chest in her extensive closet. Underneath all the old shoes she had,(she only kept them for emergencies in case she couldn't find a better matching shoe) was a lump of clothing. She had taken it from James, she was sure he wouldn't mind, and she slipped on the tunic. Then she had taken a fine looking vest from a gift for her father that she had intercepted. It was from one of the poorer kingdoms so it wasn't anything too fancy to draw attention to herself. She slipped it on over the tunic and tied it expertly in the front.

"I am pretty good looking for a man," she said to herself, and laughed at her own jest. She shed her skirt, and put on the breeches, and found them much more comfortable than the layered skirts she always wore. She pulled on the boots that she had taken from… who she had taken them from she didn't remember, but put them on. She turned to the mirror and liked what she saw.

"I look like a boy, except for my hair." She braided it quickly, and tied a large black handkerchief around it to hide the coils. She put on a hat that was just large enough to cover the back of her head.

A knock was heard at her door, and James called, "Princess? Are you in there?"

"Oh, yes! Do come in, James," she tried to control the laugh that was bubbling up inside her.

James entered and he looked at the strange man that was standing in the middle of the Princess's room. "How dare you come into her room! Who do you think you are? Where is she?"

"I am she, you ridiculous weevil!" And she burst out laughing at him, while he stood dumbfounded, but laughed only a moment later.

"How in the blazes…? What are you doing in my tunic?"

"Oh, you did notice it was yours. Well, I wanted to work on my swordsmanship. Since father won't allow me to do such a roguish sport, I took it upon myself to learn and master this particular art anyhow! What do you think of it, James?" she asked him excitedly.

"I can't believe I thought you were a man! I think you are the most persistent princess I have ever tutored in my life. You never stand for a no, do you?"

"Never."

James walked her down to the courtyard, and introduced her to the captain of the castle guards, who's name was Roderick.

"He has shown an interest in the fighting arts, and he shows much promise, if you are willing to train him up a bit. Though he is not able to join the army, he will pay for your services most handsomely."

"Ahhh… I suppose I can take ye under me wing young lad," said Roderick.

She was about to retort that how dare he address her as a male, but she stopped herself in time. In as much of a man-voice as she could conjure up, she replied, "I am indeed most grateful. I am your humble servant. Tell me what to do, and I shall obey."

"Very diplomatic… now let us see how much work we have to do, eh?" He handed her a rather heavy sword, and he turned and faced her after only a few paces. She raised her weapon, and poised it, as though ready to strike. He suddenly lunged at her and through shear instinct she blocked the blow. Roderick easily overcame her. Needless to say she was slightly disappointed at being beaten so easily by Roderick.

"We have much to do young lad. You have showed me that you have watched a few fights have you not?"

"Indeed I have. Let's go again. I am trying to copy your footwork, but then I get so caught up in blocking your blows, I look at your sword instead."

"Ah, that will happen. Let me show you a few basic stances for you to work on." Roderick showed her eight different stances, and they fought in slow motion so she could practice them. She learned quickly, for she had mastered at least half of the ones she had been shown with out being reminded. The other half were the more difficult ones. After working on the last four with her, they returned to fighting at the normal speed. She used mostly the ones she had mastered first, but then steadily began to include the newer ones as well.

Panting with much exhaustion, they finished.

"Will- Will I see you tomorrow, Roderick?"

"Aye, but I'll be at the training grounds, near the stables. Can ye go there tomorrow at 3:00?"

"I can. I will see you then." She suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to use a deeper voice when talking to Roderick.

"It is okay princess. I'll not give ye away. Be at the training grounds at 3:00 sharp," he whispered to her.

She blushed and hurried toward James. "I forgot to use a deeper voice, he knows now. But he is still adamant on continuing my training. I'll bring him a handsome sum of gold for that. I like him. A normal guard would have given me away."

"I think you will learn much, Princess. But for the present moment, let us get you up to your bedchamber and you get dressed into your proper clothing. You may keep my tunic however," And he smirked at her.

"You are too kind," Amberly poked at him.

After Amberly finished her dinner, her parents came over to her and whisked her away to their ballroom, where dozens of servants were lined up in front of her.

"Darling, we want you to choose a theme for your birthday, would you like a masquerade, a swan theme, ocean theme, a Romeo and Juliet theme, where we randomly match up couples, or something different?"

"I like the ocean theme idea, it would match my dress and I love to look at the ocean."

"Very well then. The ocean colored ribbons. I want all the blue dishes used, and a fine cake with a dolphin on it. Except the cake should be all the colors of the sunset. I know how much my little Amberly enjoys watching the sunset," said her father.

" I am most thankful, Father. But if you will excuse me, I am much fatigued by this day's activity, and I am afraid I must retire to my room for some rest.

"Oh, dear, then get all the rest you need. Off you go!" And her mother took over the preparations.

Amberly went up to her room and allowed Victoria to dress her in her nightgown before she went to sleep with a sore arm from all of the fatigue it had endured in her sword lessons. She slipped into a sleep filled with dreams that turned on her and gave her nightmares.

She woke up with the sweat beading on her brow. She was breathing heavily, but having forgot her dream, did not know of what had terrified her so much and awoken her so suddenly.

A/N:

Okay, now I really want some reviews. I don't care if you tell me I stink and that my fanfic sucks. A review is a review, and I am a developing writer, so you are insulting me by not reviewing and giving me some feedback as to how you like it. I'd appreciate any help I get. Thank so much!

Your loving writer,

Princess Amberly