Thank you all for your reviews!! You're too nice... I'm not the deserving of all your praise. By the way, Orlando is based on the delectable Orlando Bloom. He's just too cute isn't he? Even with the pointy ears and long blond hair… Anyway, I haven't forgotten about Roan and Iris, you'll be seeing them really soon, so don't fret my dears. Oh, and also, did anyone catch Dame Olga's cameo in chapter eight?

Chapter Ten

            Plans were set, the carriage was ready, and our trunks were packed with our new clothes. A week after our arrival, Jerrold and I were preparing to return to Jenn. We stood in front of the palace's gatehouse, Jerrold, the royal family, and myself, saying our goodbyes. Coincidently, the redhead Jerrold took to the ball was no where in sight.

            "Goodbye, King Aubrey and Queen Claudia," I said to the king and queen, curtsying gracefully.

            "Until we meet again, Lady Daria," said the king, bowing.

            "You're a wonderful girl," Queen Claudia replied, nodding her head at me.

            Just then, Orlando pulled me aside, grabbing my hand. His face was peculiar; I couldn't tell if he was sad to see me go or not.

            "I'll miss you," he said.

            Honestly, I wasn't sure how to reply. My feelings for Orlando had been knocked askew by the conversation I'd had with Jerrold the night before. I wasn't sure how to feel.

            "And I, you," I replied genuinely.

            I noticed everyone staring at us, and grew uncomfortable. "We must go," I said softly.

            Orlando nodded, and grabbed both of my hands. He squeezed them and kissed my forehead, and led me to the carriage. Opening the door, he helped me in.

            "Goodbye Daria," he said politely, walking away.

            Jerrold got in, and the carriage began to move. I sat, frowning and confused. There was just something odd about Orlando's goodbye. I couldn't put my finger on it; he just seemed uncomfortable and distant.

            Out journey took us four days. We stayed at three different inns, every night Jerrold and I in separate rooms. I missed the company, but Jerrold and I still were uncomfortable and rather awkward around each other. Jerrold didn't speak very often; I think he was thinking about the war. Who wouldn't be? Besides me, of course.

            When we arrived in Jenn, I thought we'd be heading to Iris's manor to meet with the men of the revolution. But when the carriage began traveling down a twisty, dangerous road into the forest, I grew confused.

            "Jerrold?" I asked, "where are we going?"

            Jerrold looked up from his hands, not looking at me. "We're going to stay in an abandoned fortress within White Blossom Mountain," he said.

            "Why?" I asked, puzzled.

            Jerrold turned to face me. "We can't go back to the manor. The king and queen know to look there. We'd all be arrested," he said seriously.

            "So why this fortress? Where will we sleep?" I questioned nervously.

            Jerrold sighed, exasperated. "Daria, don't worry. You're not a worrier. We have allies up there. Everything has been taken care of," he said.

            "All right," I replied, equally exasperated. "When are we meeting everyone?"

            "Tonight. Many of the men and boys have already moved up there," Jerrold said.

            I frowned. "Really?" I replied, and thought for a moment. "I guess that makes sense. In case the king and queen find out that that they're connected to the revolution…"

            "You're invited to the meeting tonight, you know," Jerrold said, changing the subject.

            I frowned again. "Me? Why do I have to come?" I complained.

            "You don't have to. It just… people have been, asking for you," he said, finishing mysteriously.

            "Really?" I cried excitedly. "Who?"

            "No one," replied Jerrold.

            "Tell me," I whined.

            "No one," said Jerrold.

            "Spoil sport," I said crossly.

            "Baby," Jerrold replied, laughing.

            That night, all the men and the boys crowded into a large, round hall. The center of the room was the lowest part of the hall, and chairs were spiraled around it. Jerrold and I stood in the center, watching people trickle in.

            Finally, when the seats closest to the center were filled, Jerrold observed the people that were there, and decided that everyone who needed to be was here. He began to speak.

            "Thank you all for coming here tonight. Although it's out of everyone's way, this fortress is one of the safest in Kyrria. I called everyone here tonight because Lady Daria and I returned from Ayorthia with important news, and I thought everyone should be informed of what happened there.

            "I know many of you were expecting Roan tonight, with Lady Iris by his side. However, as many of you already know, Roan and Iris were captured by a mob and brought to the king and queen for treason. We think they're being held within the castle dungeons in Jenn. Roan had discussed what to do if this ever happened with many of you, as well as myself. I am taking control of the revolution.

            "Although many of you believe I'm just a simple street boy, I've deceived you. Don't be alarmed. My true identity is more helpful to the revolution then you'd know. While in Ayorthia, it was discovered that I was the Prince of Kyrria. This is true. I am. I speculate that many of you had already figured that. However, I am not planning on running back to my mother and father. I am staying here with all of you, I will not abandon this cause. By the way, I'll have none of you calling me 'your highness'. Call me Jerrold, that's my name. I'm no better than any of you.

            "The last piece of business is about our revolution. While in Ayorthia, I managed to secure an alliance with the Ayorthia. The Ayorthaian army is on call. But there is a small business matter to attend to…"

            I grew bored of war talk and looked at the men sitting, watching Jerrold. They seemed completely unfazed by his bizarre amount of announcements. Was I the only one who thought it peculiar that he hid his princedom from us?

            "…that will be our way of attaining information. I believe she can do it," I heard Jerrold say.

            The men and boys erupted in cheers. I started clapping as well, cursing myself for not listening. Again. I hadn't the slightest idea what was going on. I left the hall at Jerrold's side. I don't know why we kept pairing ourselves together. I guess we were comfortable with each other.

            We had a crude dinner, pheasant and rice, with cheap wine, and simple fruit for desert. After dinner, I found Jerrold in the sleeping hall. Of course, I had a bed right next to his. I was also the only girl in the entire fortress.

            "Jerrold, I have a question," I said. "Why was everyone cheering after your speech? Not that it wasn't good, I just got- um, confused…"

            Jerrold grinned. "You wandered?" he asked.

            I laughed. "Yes. I'm sorry," I replied.

            "Well Daria, I have a large favor to ask of you," he said seriously. "The castle is seeking a servant."

            I shrugged. "What of?" I asked, not understanding.

            "Daria, you begin work at the palace in two days," Jerrold explained. "You're the revolution's eyes into the palace."

All right, all right! Please give me reviews!! I love them!! I promise I'll have the next chapter up soon… we're coming closer to a little conflict. Also, an appearance by Roan and Iris soon? And you haven't seen the last of Orlando…

Tune in next time for… A Revolutionary Romance!