Chapter 7,
Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.
NikiJane
"I can't believe you persuaded me to go on a picnic," Sam moaned trying to stay on balance on her snow white horse.
Danny laughed and directed his chocolate brown horse in between two trees.
Sam screamed as her horse jerked forward.
She huffed, "I can't believe this."
"What's your favourite colour?" Danny asked.
"Random much," Sam laughed.
Danny shrugged, "you are my fiancé."
"Temporarily and it's black."
Danny rolled his eyes and laughed, "I could have guessed."
They came to a space under large oak trees. Danny jumped off easily with a basket in his hands. Sam turned in the saddle and fell off succeeding in getting a mouth full of sand.
Danny tried to hide his laugh and helped her up.
Sam mumbled something under her breathe and opened up the table clothe. She set out the food, it looked amazing and her stomach yearned to try it.
The cooks in the palace had come to love Sam and whipped up an especially delicious lunch meal for them.
"What about your parents?" Danny asked, "I know you live with your granny."
Sam shrugged, "died when I was 3, Pam something and Jera something"
Danny was quiet and he ate his sandwich.
They remained in silence and Sam packed whatever was left of the food away (that wasn't much). She climbed onto the horse, almost falling twice, and so did Danny.
Danny gently slapped the horse's side with his foot and they started trotting.
Much to Danny's surprise, they suddenly started stepping back and Sam clutched at the reigns.
Danny looked around and saw nothing but the Horses refused to go any further.
Sam urged her horse forward.
From the ground rose a thick and long cobra.
Before Sam could shout or scream the scream she so badly wanted to the horse bolted in a different direction. She screamed and the other horse followed closely behind. Danny grabbed Sam by the waist and they fell down rolling down a long hill. Sam landed on top of him. They were both laughing in pain.
She looked into his ocean blue eyes. They locked but she promptly rolled off of him before she did something she would regret. They starred at the clouds just lying there.
Danny rolled over and said, "I'll get the horses."
Sam dusted off her pants and waited for him. His eyes kept popping into her head. She slapped her face and groaned.
GET A GRIP SAM! She shrieked in her head.
Danny came back and cocked an eyebrow, "you ok?"
Sam quickly removed her hand and said, "Yeah."
They got back on the horses slightly shaken but Snakes in Egypt were normal.
"I wonder how Jazz is doing." Sam said.
Danny shrugged, "Studying, that's all she does when she's at school."
Sam nodded, "Yup, that sounds like her."
When they arrived back in town Sam dressed into pants and a tight top. She walked down the stairs and to Lancer's office.
He bowed respectively, "Lady Samantha."
"I'd like to have this sent off," Sam said, "in private."
She extended her letter to granny and Lancer nodded taking it.
"I will see to it personally."
Sam curtsied, thanked him and decided to go for a walk in town. She dressed into a dark green velvet gown (with another irritating corset) and let her hair hang loose. The guards opened the gate with a chorus of 'hellos'.
A man who looked like he had been sitting outside the palace all night quickly stood and followed Sam.
She turned, "can I help you?"
"I'm a reporter for the Egyptian Beetle and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions."
"If you must," Sam said slightly annoyed. They started walking down the road.
"Where did you meet the prince?"
"The palace, actually."
"Do you share common interests and beliefs?"
Sam nodded, "I believe we do."
"Everyone says you are from France, is this correct?"
"It is."
"Do you have other family members?"
Sam hesitated but said, "My parents are deceased and I was raised by a governess they hired for me."
"No other relatives?"
"A grandmother, but I haven't seen her in years."
The reporter nodded jotting down notes, "where do you shop?"
"As you learnt, I am from France so relied upon Jazz for clothes stores. I do enjoy most of her choices."
The reporter noted Sam's choice of words: 'Jazz'.
"So does this mean you and the princess are close?"
"She's one of my best friends," Sam declared with a smile.
She looked across the road and saw Lady Countess Cornelia.
"I have to go, but come by anytime and I will answer your questions."
The reporter looked very thrilled because he was the first journalist to get an interview with Sam.
"Samantha!" Cornelia said happily when she saw Sam.
Sam curtseyed, "how are you?"
"Fine, just fine," she responded, "how is the family?"
"Jazz has left, as you know but everyone else is fine."
"The strangest thing those shootings," Cornelia said shaking her head, "the English are becoming more and more unsettled. I do hope the Pharaoh doesn't give in to any of their demands."
Sam shook her head, "he said so himself, he would NOT."
Cornelia nodded and exclaimed, "You have a bruise on your arm dear."
Sam looked down and laughed, "Danny and I went riding today, and I'm not very good."
Cornelia smiled, "come visit me sometime dearie."
Sam curtseyed again and walked down the street. With out realizing it she came to the middle class. The market place was less organized but still smelled magnificent.
She walked up to one of the stands.
The man smiled. He was missing his two front teeth and an eye. Sam still smiled sweetly not affected by his appearance.
"Would you like a caramel filled Croissant?" he asked. Sam noticed how skinny he was, you could literally see all his bones.
"I'll take two," She said.
He beamed happily. Two croissants for him was usually three days pay.
He handed a flaky pastry to Sam that smelt delicious. Inside was a sticky syrup, caramel.
Sam handed him two gold coins and his eyes widened.
"I can't accept this miss," he said genuinely. He tried to hand it back.
She folded his hand in to the coins and said, "Yes you can."
He smiled and she walked away with the two croissants. When she first bit into the croissant her taste buds exploded. It was delicious. She decided she would come to the old man more often.
Sam carried on walking down the street watching people do their day to day business. People turned a few times to look at the woman dressed in high class clothes.
Sam actually felt ridiculous. She wasn't a noble but a peasant; she should be living amongst these people.
A little girl, probably four, snuck up to a cart and picked an apple up. The cart owner, a bulky bearded man, swerved on her and shouted, "STREET RAT! You don't pay you don't get!"
He raised his hand to strike her but Sam quickly stepped in the way, "don't you dare!"
The man's face turned red and he shouted, 'who are you to tell me I can't do something!"
He took out a long sword and grabbed Sam's wrist. She kicked at him and spat, "I'll pay for the damn apple!"
The man released her and smiled, "wonderful doing business with you."
Sam rubbed her bruised wrist angrily and turned around to the small girl. She handed her the apple and said, "If you want food come to the palace, ok."
You sound stupid Sam admitted to herself.
"Ok,' she said in a gentle and soft voice.
"What's your name?" Sam asked.
"Dani," she squeaked.
Sam smiled, "my fiancé's name sounds like that."
Dani smiled and Sam turned to pay the man. She handed him 5 copper coins, the price of the apple and took Dani's hand.
She handed her the other croissant she had bought and Dani said thrilled, "thank you."
"I'm Sam."
There was a lot of screams and ten guards rushed up to Sam.
One of them huffed, "you must be careful Lady Sam… these parts aren't safe."
Sam rolled her eyes, "I don't want guards following me around all the time."
"Sorry, it's the king's orders."
Dani's eyes widened and Sam said, "Fine…."
Dani whispered, "Bye Sam." Before Sam could stop her she had ran away.
Sam frowned and started walking back to the palace followed by ten guards.
Danny was outside fencing with his teacher. She yanked him away and the teacher disappeared quickly.
Sam pointed at the guards and said, "I can't walk around like this."
"Then don't walk around," Danny suggested plainly.
Sam rolled her eyes and stormed away annoyed. Danny chuckled at her figure disappearing into their room.
Sam lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. She was thinking about Dani. A four year old out alone on the streets. She shook her head wordlessly. Danny dropped on the bed next to her. She barley noticed him.
He frowned, "what are you thinking about?"
"Dani," she said sadly.
"Me?" he said surprised.
Sam laughed, "no... I met this girl and…. Ughh… never mind."
Days went by… and days turned into weeks…. Sam became more used to the life of a royal and was always greeted when she went for her daily walk.
There was a lot of noise from the gates so Sam and Danny went outside to see what was going on..
Sam was horrified when she saw Dani on the ground bleeding. She screamed and rushed to the small girl's aid. After checking the wounds weren't fatal Sam shouted at the guards.
"We're sorry lady Sam," one of them stuttered, "she's a street rat; we didn't think she knew you."
Danny remained silent looking at the small girl.
Sam said angrily, "if someone asks for me, you come TO ME!"
"Yes," the commander said, "sorry."
Sam nodded and Danny picked up Dani and walked her to one of their beds.
Her dark black bangs curved in on her face and her hair reached little past her shoulders.
Sam cared for her and washed her face. She ordered clothes be made to fit her. Danny watched her the whole time but she barley noticed because she was so worried about Dani.
Her eyes finally flickered open to reveal light blue eyes.
Sam smiled and Dani said, "hey Sam."
Sam laughed and hugged the small girl. She fit right into her arms.
A servant walked in carrying a light green dress. It was the best money could buy.
"The queen wants to meet you," Sam said happily.
Dani's eyes widened and Sam helped her into the dress. She tied the ribbon at the back and did her hair into a neat pony tale to the side. Dani looked at herself in the mirror and laughed, "I look weird."
Sam nodded and started giggling, "yes I know… It's strange isn't it."
Dani nodded and Sam took her hand. Dani looked over at Danny who was waiting at the Dining room's door.
She said, "The prince is handsome."
Sam looked over at Danny and whispered, "Yes he is."
Danni laughed and hugged Sam's legs.
Dani acted like a true princess through the meal and Jack and Maddie loved her. They also knew she was a peasant. When they were done Sam and Danni rolled down the small hills in the garden IN THEIR dresses. Maddie found the sight very amusing and sat outside watching them. She drank her tea.
"she will make a wonderful mother," she said to one of the servants.
Danny leaned against the wall and watched Sam laugh and twirl the small girl around.
Sam jogged over to Danny laughing and breathing heavily.
"She wants you to play with her," she said.
Danny said, "me… you sure?"
Sam laughed, "She thinks you're cute."
Danny frowned, "and you?"
"What about me?" Sam asked.
Danny sighed and ran off to play with Dani.
Sam sat down on a chair next to Maddie.
Maddie smiled as she watched Danny tickle Dani.
"Where is Jack?" she finally asked.
Maddie sighed, "he's talking to the court…. The English attacked another city… all of them dead."
Sam nodded sadly. There was a breeze in the air, the sky was clear blue, the garden was a luscious green and the birds chirped.
Maddie looked away from Danny, who was now chasing Dani around the trees, and said, "It's an amazing day."
Sam sighed, "What are we going to do about her?"
"Why doesn't she stay here?" Maddie said seriously, "you said she doesn't have parents and Jack would never put her out on the streets again."
Sam looked shocked, "you would accept her?"
"Of course dear," Maddie said.
Sam shook her head confused, "I don't understand the Pharaoh. He is a wonderful man but his laws….."
"His laws keep the country under control," Maddie stated.
Sam nodded but still didn't agree with Egypt's laws.
Dani raced over to Sam screaming in laughter.
Sam let her hop on her lap and she said, "Do you want to stay here with us?"
"You mean with Danny and You?!" she asked excitedly.
Sam laughed, "Yes."
"I'd love to!" Dani said smiling broadly.
Maddie laughed, "Welcome to the palace."
Sam whispered in her ear, "We can go shopping for those funny dresses this evening."
Dani laughed and nodded eagerly.
Lancer walked to them, bowed and said, "You have a visitor you're majesty."
"Who?" Maddie asked.
"Lady Paulina," he said.
Danny
frowned and a beautiful woman wearing a bright yellow dress and
carrying an umbrella walked through the garden. She hugged the queen
and said hello to Sam with disgust.
Sam already disliked the
gorgeous half-Latina.
Paulina turned to Danny, "Long time no see hey Dan?"
"Yeah," he said loudly and muttered, "to short."
Dani laughed because she was the only one to hear.
"Who is this?" Paulina asked looking down at Dani.
"She is staying at the palace," Maddie said, "she lived in the middle class."
Paulina laughed and said, "Bringing in riff raff, how interesting."
Sam took Danni's hand.
"It was wonderful to meet you, please excuse me."
She pulled Danni away. Danny smiled inwardly, pleased Sam didn't seem to like Paulina.
Later at Dinner Sam found out that Paulina would be staying in the palace in the guest room. She also learnt that Danny and Paulina used to date. Just the thpught of them together made her heart fall.
Dani was given Jazz's room for temporary. Jack had ordered another room built just for her. Sam and Danni ordered a few more dresses and shoes for her in different colours.
She felt very attached to the young child and had to know where she was at all times or she was worried sick. Danny seemed to care for Dani in the same way.
The next day Lancer knocked on the door. She stood still in her night dress and opened the door.
Lancer bowed and handed her a letter.
She beamed and thanked him.
"Who's it from?" Danny asked.
"My gran," Sam responded ripping the letter open.
Dear Sammy,
How are you dear? It took forever for me to be able to send a letter safely. I miss you very much and don't stop thinking about you.
This old cat has gone on a couple of dates since she got here. My business is doing even better but I'm hearing a lot of Bad news about English attacks. I hope the rebels don't decide to attack here. How is Danny?
You will never believe what happened; I got a letter from Jasmine. I was so thrilled. She is fine and enjoying college. She spoke about a person named Tucker. Do you know him? She really likes that boy. Ha ha
Love your granny
Sam smile and started writing a return letter. Danni came into the room and started to play a game with Danny.
Sam looked up from her note and smiled. The two were laughing and trying to play a board game. Paulina knocked and came in with out an answer.
She looked at them and laughed, "How nice."
Sam rolled her eyes and said, "Isn't it."
Paulina looked over to her glaring.
The glare was ineffective and Sam picked up Danni into her arms.
"I'll let you two catch up," she said.
"awww," Danni moaned.
Sam gave her a stern look which made Danni be quiet and she walked out the room. Paulina was going to be trouble, she knew it.
WOO HOO!!! The next chapter is the real kick off…. Preview: the English attack!!!
Please review… and flames are totally welcome.
NikiJane
P.S I had to make Danni really young so my plans for later would work…
