Disclaimer: I have no hold on any of the original characters of Ella Enchanted, but do hold some claim on my own creations.



So this is becoming increasingly difficult for me. I never expected it to take this long to get the third chapter out. It, too, is really short. Sorry about the wait. And so it continues...





A Small Triumph





I had managed to learn three important things since I'd arrived in Ayorthia: 1) the insects hold an unchallenged leadership in the Council sessions, 2) one could travel through the entire country of Ayorthia with only knowing one phrase, "by your leave," and 3) I have no singing talent whatsoever.

Four months into my stay that was all I had managed learned; I was beginning to question the integrity this visit was suppose to bring me.

I had told Daphne of this in the letters I wrote her. Unfortunately, rather than the reassuring answer I hoped for, she asked whether it was the experience itself or my own lack of learning prowess that caused me to perpetually remain in my hole of ignorance. And people say my sister is understanding.

I of course knew she meant nothing by her repeated stabs and was merely trying to lighten the depressed mood I apparently conveyed.

Despite the lack of life altering epiphanies, I was enjoying myself; Lukas and I spent our time in good enough spirits and I was daily growing more accustomed to the flowing hills and plains of Ayorthia.



~ * ~



One afternoon, Lukas found me in the palace courtyards relaxing. I had just received my usual letters from home and retreated to my favorite reading spot under the yew tree in the east corner of the gardens. I did not hear his approach and did not realize his coming until he alerted to me of it.

"Pining for home? And here I thought you were suppose to be brave!" he shouted out to me.

"Even the bravest of men long for the comforts of home," I defended myself without looking up. He reached my bench and sat down with the usual book in his arms. "At least I don't need a security book to keep me company a few meters from my own home." Lukas laughed and began reading over my shoulder.

"Who's this one from? You mother?" he questioned in a non-jokingly fashion.

"No, Daphne." I could see him physically shift in his seat out of the corner of my eye and became generally confused.

"Really? That doesn't look like her script, not that I would know it by sight," he hastily added. Was this a recent development or one that had evaded my radar? I always kept Daphne's potential suitors under harsh speculation. I knew each and every one of them by name and family and could tell you all of their nervous habits. Don't get me wrong, I was the same way for my other sister, Eleanor, before she married.

No, it is. Her writing changes with her mood. Now," I said, as I folded up the letter and placed it with the others from my friends and family, "was there a reason you decided to come and bother or me, or do you just delight in torturing me?" Lukas' uneasy demeanor was changed as I speedily changed the topic.

"As much as I delight in your pain, I do indeed have a reason for coming. I'm suppose to inform you of the 'great and magnificent Sing' that is to be taking in place in two days time." I groaned. "What, aren't you happy to be taking part in our heritage's awe inspiring events?" he asked cheekily.

"Of course. It is a well known fact I adore making a fool of myself."

"Well, that's obvious. You do it enough. I was beginning to think you were just that stupid." I pushed him hard enough to make him fall off the bench and laughed at his look of confusion.

"Keep that up and you'll be experiencing much worse than that," I said while laughing. Lukas just mumbled incoherently.



~ * ~



I looked at myself in the mirror. Dressed in a richly embroidered suit I looked the part of the foreign prince without a clue.

'Black,' I thought wryly. 'Every time.'

The door opened, revealing a grinning Lukas.

"I see they are still trying to make you appear as pale as possible."

"Can it. At least I have better dimples than you."

"You shouldn't pay attention to what my 8 year old sister tells you."

"Well she appears to be the only one with good taste around here, so why shouldn't I?" Lukas smiled at me and we both laughed.

"Come on, let's go. Don't want to miss the whole thing, now do we?"

"Yes," I replied gloomily. Knowing my discomfort with their Sings, Lukas did not push the topic.

We met his parents, Areida and Addison, and his younger sister, Adia, in front of the entrance. After a few minutes of polite, friendly, and enjoyable conversation, we separated and made our way into the great hall. I slowly made my way to the front of the room. Many young girls smiled and waved at me, and, being the polite dignitary I am, I waved back, highly annoyed by the giggles they emitted.

Once I'd reached my seat I turned around to survey the turnout. I saw familiar faces from the Council sessions surrounded by their families and other important officials. I also saw faces I did not recognize. I remembered Lukas telling me that this was an important happening that not many courtiers dared to miss.

The Sing soon commenced and my attention was thoroughly captivated. I attempted to add my meek voice to the strong Ayorthian ones, but soon found that I could never hope to add to the beautiful sounds going on around me. I began to think of what my family was doing at that moment. The holiday season was probably the thing I had missed the most so far; after the traditional ball that was held, my family would gather and perform small traditions: gifts would be given, my sister would break o;ut into song at opportune moments while we all laughed, and we would stay up half the night doing nothing and everything all at once. Sitting in my chair I began to succumbed to the most crippling feeling of homesickness I had ever experienced. I longed to see the familiar faces of my mother, father, siblings, and godmother. I hurriedly fought back the urge to cry and resumed scanning the crowd.

In the middle of a game I fashioned for myself (I would name all of the people I could and then invent names for those I didn't) I saw her. It was Darcey, the girl from the meadow. I hadn't thought about her since a few days after our first and only meeting. I saw her standing in between two elderly figures and assumed that they were her parents. They were, indeed, advanced as Lukas had said. She was as beautiful as I remembered. Her dark hair was pulled of her neck and she wore a blue gown that matched her eyes. For the rest of the forty-five minutes I spent unobtrusively staring.

After the Sing had finished, I fought my way through the clouds, boldly ignoring my duty to remain with the royal family, and searched for the family I had spent my time observing.

There was to be a banquet after the Sing, as was customary, and most people usually stayed for it. But knowing their lack of affinity for the court, I assumed the family may be leaving directly after the Sing.

I dashed outside to see them patiently awaiting the arrival of their carriage. Gathering my courage I marched up to them. Clearing my throat, they turned to face me. Bowed and spoke in what I hoped to be a calm and steady voice.

"It is a pleasant surprise to see you here, Lady Darcey. Will you please introduce me to your escorts?" She was looking at me with obvious shock in her eyes. I did not see her parents looking at me with apprehension as I was too absorbed in the cerulean gaze I hadn't forgotten.

"Uh...Yes of course," she stuttered. "Um..these are..my uh parents. The Duke Lance and the Duchess Damaris." She continued to stare at me, dumbfounded. I turned to them and introduced myself.

"Duke, Duchess, I am Tyler of Kyrria. I made your daughter's acquaintance in the Fields just past your manor." I could see a look of recognition pass over their eyes as they nodded to me. I brazenly dared to ask them the question that I had been plagued with since I had recognized Darcey in te middle of the Sing. "I was wondering whether or not you might permit me to visit your daughter within the next week or so." I could see them hesitate. "I would, of course, not be alone. I would bring a friend of mine by the name of Lukas." It was a full three minutes before the Duke nodded his head. I smiled widely at them before coming to my senses and thanking them profusely. I dashed off to find Lukas as they climbed into their ancient carriage which, by that time, had come to take them home.

"Where've you been?" he asked me when I came into sight.

"No where," I answered, smiling slyly. He looked at me oddly before continuing.

"Well, let's go. Mum and Dad are waiting for us to join them. They just over there." He continued to watch me with his brows furrowed.

I smiled disarmingly at him. "Well then, let's go." I took off before he had a chance to respond. As I walked toward my friend's family I couldn't help but gloat at the accomplishment I'd just experienced. Turning around I yelled out to Lukas who was a few feet behind me.

"What are you doing next Tuesday?"





Like I said at the top, this story is getting really hard to write. I don't have a lot of time anymore either (we just started this massive research paper in English and it's consumed all the time I have to spare). My motivation has just dropped too. Right now its future is in jeopardy. We'll see. I could spend more time on it if I stopped reading all of my books, but I refuse to do that. Anyway, review and let me know what you think and any suggestions you have.



~Daphnia