I am ashamed at how my current two stories are going to have some very similar themes. Perhaps I shall find an idea to fix that. I'm sorry for the late update. I've been busy and distracted lately.

Also, our character Shannaye is the brainchild of InChrist-Billios. The story line is mine.

In the mean time, here's chapter eight…

Eight

I strode towards the woodsman's shed near the edge of the palace grounds the next afternoon. I knocked on his door and the tall, burly man opened the door. He squinted at me and said, "Ah, the princess. I was told you might stop by."

"Yes, I'd like some shelves for the music room," I informed him.

He furrowed his brow. "How many shelves, and how large?"

I thought for a second. "Six shelves, and about this long…" I held out my arms in demonstration.

"You want them decorated or painted in any sort of way?"

The walls in the music room were blue, I recalled. "Decorate them if you want, it doesn't matter, just so I can get them as soon as possible. You can paint them… um… perhaps white?"

He nodded. "I'll get those in there as soon as possible, princess."

I smiled. "Thank you very much. Oh, and can you make some boxes to hold some of the music?"

"Of course," he said, bowing. I dipped my head in return and went on my way to the castle.

As I was passing a tree, I heard someone say, "So you're the guest." I looked around, confused. I didn't see anybody. "In the tree, silly girl."

I turned my head towards the tree and stared at the raven. "Yes, I am the guest."

"You sound bitter," he accused.

I stared at him. "Do I? Well, perhaps bitter is not the word…"

"Sad and angry then. No, do not argue," he cawed as I opened my mouth to protest. He cocked his head to one side. "We were never properly introduced yesterday. I am the Raven Lord Adrian."

"Ade, don't fool my guest." I looked back at Rush. He looked at me and said, "He's no raven lord. He's just Adrian. Call him Ade."

Ade cawed indignantly. "What? You're a fool, Rush. I am a lord, you know it. And I have not been properly introduced. Really, show some manners."

"If you are some lord, then I have heard nothing of it other than your silly tales. I shall ignore you, then, and disbelieve this statement." He sighed and took on a formal tone. "Princess Shannaye, may I present the raven Adrian. Adrian, this is Her Highness Princess Shannaye."

"Nice to meet you," Ade said.

"Charmed," I replied.

A caw that sounded like a laugh came from Ade. "Keep an eye out on this particular guest, Rush. She's quite the bitter one."

I stared at the bird, wishing to shoot it down from the tree. "Now Ade…" Rush began.

"I'm only kidding, Rush. I'm off to feed the family. More than likely I'll be back later."

He groaned. "Of course. The day we don't have an issue to deal with is the day I die a happy man."

Ade flew off and Rush and I headed back to the castle. "I know you're wondering still," Rush said, "what business I have. I cannot tell you yet. I'm sorry to keep something from you, but you must understand."

I nodded. "It's alright." We reached the castle and I said, "Well, I must get to the music room."

"Would you care for some company?" he asked me, somewhat hopeful, I could tell.

I immediately wanted to answer no. I stopped myself, though, and thought of the previous day. I had felt so lonely working on the music room alone. So I took a leap and said, "I'd like that."

I knew he was excited, but he didn't show it. "Let's go, then," he said, and led the way to the music room.

When we entered, he whistled. "It's already looking nicer. I can't wait to see the shelves in here."

I nodded. "Yes, it will be quite a vision."

He rubbed his hands together. "So where do we start?"

I dumped a large stack of sheet music in his arms. "Sort these. The pile over there is the clarinet, there's the viola, and right here is the piano, vocals are around here somewhere…" I frowned, found it, and showed him where the other piles were.

He got to work and I found myself a stack of unsorted music. Hours went by and finally Rush said, "Is that it? I don't see anything else to sort."

I stared at my own stack and realized I was nearly done. I glanced around me, and soon found that no pile was unsorted. "Wow, it's actually finished!" I laughed.

He blinked at me in shock. "You laughed!" he said, shocked, and began to laugh himself. "Ah, I shall play something to celebrate. Help me find a good piece to play."

Surprisingly enough, I found myself not quite as angry with him. In fact, I was beginning to enjoy his company. He found a piano piece to his liking and sat down. He blew at the keys and a little dust mixed into the air. He began to play a very cheery piece. When he finished I said, "That was really good."

He shrugged. "I suppose. Now you play for me. Or sing. Something."

"Oh no!" I cried. "No, I do not play in front of people. I do not sing if people hear me. Besides, I am not very good."

"Your brother said you're quite well." He smirked, and urged, "Come on, just a little short piece. If you wish, I can play a duet with you if you're uncomfortable with people focusing on you."

I frowned. "Can we some other time?" I looked out a window, startled at the sun's position. "And look at the sun! It's so late, and I'm hungry. Can't we go and get ready for dinner?"

He glanced out a window as well and raised his eyebrows. "I see you are right. I will have to enjoy your playing another day. Go ahead and get ready. If Deb gives you any trouble, tell her you were with me. That'll satisfy her enough. And best not to argue at all with her. She gets quite cross."

"So I've seen," I murmured. "Then I will see you at dinner."

Deborah indeed gave me a bit of trouble, but immediately stopped when I explained I had been with Rush for the past few hours. She did my hair and put me into a ridiculous dress. I didn't argue, thinking of Rush's suggestion. I went down to the dining hall, where he stood waiting for me. Once we sat down, he said, "I will go see the woodsman tomorrow and get the shelves on the wall. I will come find you later to help me put them on the shelves, how does that sound?"

"That would work," I replied, biting into a piece of bread.

"Good." We ate for a bit longer and he commented absent-mindedly, "Imagine that, Ade hasn't been back today." He sounded extremely relieved. I glanced up at him. He was staring out the windows, as if he half-expected the raven to zoom in the room that instant. He returned his gaze to the table and me. His deep brown eyes studied me for a bit, but I did not look away. "Shall we have tea and cake in the library once we are through with dinner?" he asked.

"That sounds enjoyable."

We finished our dinner in silence and headed to the library. We sat on the ground floor and not on the balconies and chatted idly.

"You have been here for quite a few weeks now," he said, "and yet we know very little of each other. Shall we ask each other some questions?"

I looked at him curiously. "I suppose so," I relented.

He raised his eyebrows. "I'm surprised you agreed. Anyway, I shall ask you… what are your hobbies?"

"Well now that the music room is done," I joked, laughing. Rush laughed along and I continued, "Actually, reading. My sister used to tease me about it constantly. She called me a 'book-hermit.' What are your hobbies?"

He frowned. "I used to have many, but I have no time for them anymore. I enjoyed woodwork, reading, and gardening- don't laugh!- when I used to have more time. Now I mainly do archery and play piano as much as possible."

"You do both extremely well," I commented. "Why did you compete in the archery contest?"

He replied, "I had some extra time on my hands. There wasn't as much urgent business to attend to. Only the day after that did all of these urgent things come about."

"I see." His mysterious urgent business was still a mystery to me, and I was extremely curious as to what it was. However, I did not let my curiosity get the best of me. I looked over at him and straight into his eyes. Surprised, I turned away, blushing. I did not like being stared at. "I think… I might… I'm really tired," I finished. "I shall retire now." I stood and he did as well.

"Goodnight, then." Rush dipped his head and I repeated the gesture. I left the library and went back to my room.

I changed with the help of Deborah and picked up a book and plopped on my bed to read a little of my book.

The moon was out and the stars twinkled at us cheerily, though it was cold and there was a light layer of snow on the ground. We strolled in silence and we found ourselves in the maze…

He put his arm around my shoulders as I shivered through my cloak. I glimpsed at him quickly and he looked down at me. "You're a lady now, it's alright if I keep you warm."

I sighed, smiling at the story. I finally put the book down and went to sleep.


I sat down for breakfast alone. I looked around, waited a couple minutes before eating. I finished and went back to my room.

"Deborah?" I asked as I stepped in, seeing her bent over something.

She turned around and smiled widely. "Oh, Shannaye dear! I hope breakfast went well?"

"Rush was not there, but the food was quite good," I told her, knowing that was what she wanted to know.

"Oh. Well, I thought you would be checking on those shelves! I do believe the woodsman has them finished."

Of course! The shelves! I had nearly forgotten about them. "Thank you, Deborah. I had forgotten I was going to check on that," I said. "I shall go do that."

I rushed from the room to the music room to see if they had been dropped off. If they had, I would have to find a servant to help me. As I opened the door, I realized that I wouldn't have to do that.

The beautiful shelves were already set up on the walls, as were the boxes. The white shelves were carved beautifully. Large treble and bass clef signs were the supports for the shelves. I was amazed at the skill the woodsman had.

The music had been stored inside them. I grinned broadly at the amazing transformation the room had undergone. I walked around, touching each instrument that was neatly set on a table or shelf. I was surprised to find the piano dusted. Everything was shining and I had the urge to play everything twenty times.

I took down a box and looked inside. Lyre, harp, and piano music were filed in it. As I was about to put the lid back on it, hands covered my eyes. I squeaked, suddenly scared. "Rush?" I heard his laugh and relaxed, laughing with him. I then squirmed as an attempt to get his hands off my eyes. "Alright, let go!" He released me and I spun around to face him. "Good heavens! You scared me."

"Well I'm quite sorry for that," he said. He gestured around the room. "How do you like it?"

"The shelves- they're so lovely, and it's all sorted. The room has made a complete transformation."

"So you like it?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes, absolutely."

He looked relieved. "That's good…"

A noise at a window interrupted us. Ade was sitting outside, pecking as hard as he could. "Rush!" he cawed.

Rush turned sharply to the window. He cursed under his breath. He ran to the window and let Ade in. The raven looked worried and said, "You've got to come."

At first Rush didn't reply. He seemed fed-up with it all. He looked at me and for a second I noticed sorrow. "I'm sorry, Shannaye. I have to go. As soon as I return, I'll get you started on another room." With that, he changed into a raven and flew off with Ade. I watched them fly off and shut the window.


Well, Billios, I hope Shannaye isn't going too far from your main idea. If she is, go ahead and PM me. I'll try to get her back on track!

And as reader sally pointed out, the book Shannaye is reading is another story of mine. If you want, go to my profile thing. It's The Days to Fly. Just in case you haven't read it.

The title will stay Shannaye because I can do that, and Rae Simmons suggested it's what I keep.

I'm not sure how good this chapter is, I did it bit by bit, and didn't proof read. So alert me of any mistakes!