The Stone Hearted Princess

by Queen

A story not of the Old Silver Millennium, but of the Old Earth, told through the eyes of one whose place in destiny was not as expected.... (complete)

2. Childhood's Hour 2

The Stone Hearted Princess-

I hate mornings. But then again, I love them. Giving up the wonders of sleep is painful, a world where I could fly and run and swim and not have to put up with stupid princes and their guardians. But I love them because they are a new day, a fresh day, and it meant I would be riding, exploring, or learning about this new world I was trapped in.

Right now, Swallow was spinning my hair up into a long tail high on my head, and braiding the base, so that my hair looked like a fountain. Forgive me if I dwell on my hair. It is my greatest vanity. But I'm aware of it, and don't brag. Really. I don't. But I like to think it reflects my temperament, dark. Besides, I'm too young yet to see what I will look like in a few more years. Everyone should be proud of one aspect of their body. It makes them feel prettier. Far too many dwell on what is wrong with them, rather than what is right.

"Ouch! Swallow, stop pulling!"

She dropped the brush to the dresser with a clatter. "You said put it up in the ponytail. I put it in the ponytail. You like?"

She offered me a hand mirror, though I could see myself well enough in the dresser's round one. Absently, I tucked a strand behind my ear. "Fine, Swallow. Who taught you to do hair?"

"Pheasant."

Oh, that meant a lot to me. "And she is?"

Swallow shrugged. "One of the maids."

Great. Evasion. I'd have to break Swallow of that. But right now I didn't have time. "Is the Queen ready as well?"

"Yes, my lady. Dart came while you bathed, and told me that you were to meet her Highness at the stables. He told me that the Queen told him that you like to ride."

I like to ride? It was my life, outside of reading the histories.

"I find it entertaining."

"Are you ready, then, my lady?"

"Yes. Attend me."

Swallow scurried along a step or two behind me, and when she sensed indecision from me in direction, she led. The stables opened out onto a courtyard, a wall running its length to keep the animals in. It smelled like a stable anywhere, manure, straw, and the stink of sweaty horses. I loved it.

Grooms were leading mounts out into the yard, holding their tethers as they waited. There was a giant black among them that I hoped was to be for me. He snorted and pawed the ground fiercely, eyes rolling as I looked him over. "Swallow, whose mount is that?"

"The black belongs to the Mistress of the Horse, my lady, the dame Kitsune."

Kitsune. I looked around, searching for someone who looked like they would fit

the name. The milling figures didn't seem like the type, and mostly were male. Out of the moving bodies, I saw a small knot of boys moving forward. Endymion and his cronies, I saw after a moment. Well, I had the upper hand at the moment, so I decided to play it. "Swallow, you are dismissed. Return to your duties."

"Yes, my lady."

Taking a breath, I headed towards Endymion. "So, looks like you gave your friend," I gestured with a smile at the brown haired one, "a fat lip."

I watched as the five went into a defensive posture, literally getting behind their leader. Endymion frowned at me and shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. "Actually, it was Kunzite who did that."

"Really? And which one would that be?" I looked at the four behind him.

"Me," the white haired one replied, bowing politely. "You must forgive our rudeness from the night before. We often become over-involved in our...debates."

Hmph. The guy was good. Very smooth. Well, now, let's see.... "And Kunzite, what debate would that be?"

He suddenly turned a bright shade of scarlet. Endymion was red as well, and trying to look at anyone but me. The other three had varied expressions. The smartass blonde whose name I remembered being called 'Jadeite' was smirking, fat lip was shaking his head, and the blonde with the long hair just looked flat out embarrassed.

So, they'd been talking about me. I wanted to laugh, but I controlled it.

"I suppose it must not have been very important, if all of you forgot what it was about," I drawled, letting them know damn well that I knew what the fight was about now. One of them, probably smartass big-mouth, said something rude about the betrothal, and Endymion got upset. It probably escalated from there, until Gaia and I walked in. But I thought it was time to let this drop.

I gave them a genuine smile, and curtsied politely, introducing myself formally to the Prince and his guardians. Coming up, I looked questioningly at them, awaiting introductions.

"I am Endymion, eldest son of Gaia, Crown Prince of the Earth. These are my guardians and companions, Kunzite, Jadeite, Nephlite, and Zoicite."

"A pleasure to meet you," I glanced around for a moment. "Is the Queen not attending?"

Endymion shook his head. "Mother was called out this morning on business. She won't be coming."

He looked a little disappointed by this, but was trying to hide it. Machismo. Go figure. He probably didn't get to see his Mother that often, with state business and all, and to top it off, she'd probably given him quite a lecture last night. I felt a little sorry for him. My mother was the opposite. Always wanting to go do something together. Usually attend a tea or go shopping or attend some gala or another. They were for good causes, I knew, but that didn't prevent them from being boring.

"That's too bad, Prince. I was looking forward to seeing her today. Perhaps next time. Do you like to ride?"

There was a snort, and I looked behind Endymion to see Jadeite smothering a laugh, and Nephlite grinning like an idiot. Zoicite and Kunzite exchanged a look, but waited for Endymion to respond. Well, he was either born in the saddle or couldn't stay on straight.

"I do well enough. And you can call me Endymion, if you like."

I thought about it for a moment. "Sure, Endymion."

So, now I knew the group.

Endymion, it seemed, was born in the saddle, rather than falling off. I considered it a challenge, keeping up with him. He was a better rider than his companions, and they were hardly poor. Kitsune strode in a few minutes after the introductions, boots clacking on the flagstones. She was a short, strong looking young woman, with a prominent jaw and long black hair, which she wore in a knot at the nape of her neck. I liked her from the first moment I saw her, barking commands at the grooms. A woman who obviously knew her place and position.

She took us sightseeing, mostly, but had an arrow and bow slung on her back. For any unexpected trouble, I assumed, but then what would hurt us so close to the palace? Thymos was high on the rocky cliffs, with the town and its people below, a fair league away. It allowed a peaceful feeling to permeate the place, and kept the palace within arm's reach of the people. The lands were up to my expectations, which I believed to be quite high. It contrasted to the slowly sloping hillsides and crags of my lands, far rockier and with more spare shrubs, rather than the lushness of the land of rain. Here, like there, one could stand on the ground and turn in all directions, breathing in and out, turning and spiraling around, looking for far flung distances in all directions. This was my favorite part of riding. The escape of the world of walls and order.

They looked at me strangely, of course, when I tilted my head back, and laughed up at the clouds that ranged the sky like so many starships. A fleet of them, sailing with their wings wide. That's what I thought they looked like, at least. Call me crazy. I pity those who are blind to the world.

Kitsune, after a moment, had turned away, and began to settle the horses again, the duty she had begun when we decided to stop for our lunch. This was supposed to be time for me to get to know Endymion, and the others. But there was far more to see, and I would be spending more than enough time with them later. So, into the grass I waded, leaping down over a dip in the land, pushing through the brambles. I was easily within shouting distance they would call when they needed me to ride again. And I wasn't overhungry anyway. I'd eat later.

So, I settled into the ground, flipping my hair out around my head. I must have looked like a rogue angel, the ponytail a fanned stream around my head. It was warm out, with a crisp breeze. Just right. I let my eyes glaze over as I stared up into the emptiness. So very much emptiness. Simply staring was relaxing, and I let my mind wander, straying to the past, the future, to dreams.

"You'll cross your eyes."

I snapped out of it, looking irritated. Endymion, of course. Who else? Well, maybe Kitsune, but I assumed she would have let me have my peace, and wouldn't scold like a chicken. I gave Endymion a death glare, but he seemed completely unaffected. I considered a tantrum to get rid of him, but somehow I decided that would give him the upper hand. No, best to be calm and quick. "What do you want?"

I watched him shift down into the hollow of land, looking a bit awkward. Wasn't right for one of the royal line of Earth to be uncomfortable in his own element. He just stared at me. I stared right back. After a moment, I realized he wasn't challenging me, but just plain staring. Trying to take me in, I supposed. So, I returned the favor, appraising the boy who would be my husband. Maybe.

He was skinny, and his fashionable riding tunic was hanging just slightly too large, letting it hang off his lean frame. He had some grass stains on the knees. Bits of leaves and grass were mixed up in his black hair. His hands were too large, and they were clasped around his legs. Most remarkable about him were his eyes. A wonderful shade of blue. Like the sea not too far from the palace. They were large in his face, and looking somewhat uncertain. Well, if he was uncertain, then I must be a rock.

"You'll cross your eyes," I snapped at him, tossing some hair over a shoulder. I wondered what he would look like in a few years. Still knobbly? No...somehow, I could see a certain elegance that may develop. Gaia certainly was beautiful.

"Yeah, well, you should eat. It's lunch," he reached behind his back, andtook out a smushed roll of rye bread. He offered it to me. I was a little hungry, and he wasn't testing me or anything, so I accepted. Breaking the roll into bits, I stuffed them slowly in my mouth, as he began to talk.

"Mother told me they picked you because you were closest in age to me."

"Is that all? I'm noble," I sniffed, settling myself into a more comfortable position, tucking my legs under me.

"So are Kunzite and Jadeite, and Nephlite and Zoicite."

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "What, you want to marry them?"

Endymion stared, turning red. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Who's being ridiculous?" I looked past him, back up to the land beyond. So I was posing. Big deal. I needed every advantage over the boy. I glanced at him. He was trying to be nice. I felt a little sorry for him. He was being passed around in this just as much as I, if not more. Nothing official, yet. There would be, and within a few short years. My position understood, but not yet official.

"You don't want to marry me?" He sounded as through he had finally come to a conclusion about it. And he was somewhat surprised.

"Did I say I did? I got stuck with you, like you with me. Don't go thinking I'm chasing you or anything." I finished the bread roll, and flopped onto my back, looking up at the clouds again.

"But I thought...."

"You obviously didn't think at all. Someone told you that every girl in her right mind would just love to be the Queen of the planet, right?" I looked at him, flat out. He nodded in confirmation. "Not your mother though?"

He shook his head.

Good. Gaia was smart. She would know better. Why she would pick me...other than the age and rank...Gaia was intelligent. I could see it glowing in her eyes. There must be some reason. Who knew what went on in her head?

"Well, good for her. And don't listen to everyone else. Most people are idiots. Of course, they have to prove whether they're smart or not before you know for sure, but still. Anyway, I don't want to be Queen, and I don't want to marry you. I don't love you. I don't even know you. I haven't even decided whether I like you or not. If I do, I'll let you know. But until then, you'll have to put up with me and my attitude, same as everyone else. Or I'll kick your butt. Remember?" I made a fake jab at my face, the left eye. Endymion frowned and gave me a dirty look.

I just grinned. So he did remember. "Don't worry, Endymion. I won't clobber you again."

He got very full of himself then, and straightened up, puffing out his chest. "You wouldn't be able to do that again."

I didn't think that fighting right now would be the best thing to do. Bragging or not, I could take him. Regardless, I didn't think that Kitsune would like that too much, or Gaia. "Sure I wouldn't," I agreed a little too wholeheartedly. He knew sarcasm when he heard it, and stood up.

"You're a girl."

"You're a boy," I repeated, the same tone.

He gave me a disgusted look.

"Well," I agreed, folding my arms. "don't underestimate us. Besides, thisis a matriarchy, not a patriarchy. You should know that better than anyone."

He peered down at me. "Maybe."

So, he didn't want to budge. We seemed stuck on the same ground. It made me

respect him more, at least. If he could equal me now, hopefully he would when we were older and had to rule or do something. I still was curious about the fuss over marriages. Maybe I'd ask Swallow. She acted like she knew everything.

"What?"

I blinked.

"Huh?"

"You were staring."

"Oh. Just thinking."

"About?"

About? Uh, not something I want to share with you! Shook my head. "What, just because I looked spacey, I had to be thinking something that you...."

"You didn't look spacey. Like you were thinking hard."

Oh. Um....that was me getting defensive. Back off a little.

"Is that bad?"

"No. It makes you look...like one of those paintings, in the hall. They're...."

One of those painting in the hall? Ugh! He must have noticed the disgusted look on my face.

"Now what?"

"You waste time looking at drawn pictures? They're so boring! Same thing, all the time. Someone's interpretation of what reality is. It's all fake."

"But that's talent! People study years to learn how to draw-"

I cut him off again, not really caring about his protest. "Look," I waved a hand around. "I mean it. Look."

"It's the land."

He said it so plainly! Like it was just there. Well, I suppose it was just there, but it was really there! "That's art. The gods made this. All of this. This is art.Everything else is just a reflection. And what's in a mirror is never as good as the real thing."

He sat down next to me, and looked down. I had rolled onto my side, and was staring at him. "You don't see it, do you?" I asked.

"Yes. Sort of. I think."

Well. If I was going to have to marry him, he would have to at least have some true appreciation of beauty. I rolled back onto by back, and tucked my hands behind my head. "Lay back, and look up."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

He sighed, then obeyed, looking up. "Now what?"

"What does that one look like to you?" I pointed at a cloud, that I thought looked like a mouse, holding a sword.

"A cloud."

I smacked my forehead. "Endymion, did anyone ever tell you that you are infinitely without imagination?"

"No?"

"Try again."

He looked at the mouse. I watched it too, and saw the wind slowly morph it into a fox, the sword making it look like it was breathing fire. Weird things you can see in clouds sometimes, huh?

"A rabbit."

Well, it was a start.

Life went on from there, much as it must. I never really decided if I liked Endymion or not, and he never brought it up, so I assumed that he forgot in the course of the conversation. His guardians, I discovered, were there only for fivemonths out of the year, to spend time with him and to become friends. The rest was devoted to more individual study, at home. They were, after all, high ranking nobility, and had things to learn on their own. How to manage their estates. How to lead. I had a growing respect for Kunzite's intelligence, and in the absence of Endymion, (few times there were) his leadership. Zoicite, too, I began to respect, for his intelligence, though he was somewhat lost without a leader. Nephlite seemed too fixated on astrology for me, some bizarre hobby of his. Still, he was very sure of himself, and I liked that. Jadeite, though, could seriously piss me off. He was loud mouthed and with far too much attitude. A little too much like me. Except he never managed to get away with it. I couldn't help but laugh at the times he would be interrupted in the middle of some verbal abuse. It was highly amusing. But he was not stupid, and was very loyal to Endymion. Despite teasing, I could see that.

It remained that Endymion and I were the only ones at the palace through much of the year. You might think that would make us close, but it did not. We waltzed around each other, unsure. It was a strange relationship, ours. Respectful, wary, and when left alone, oddly open. I think, perhaps, that it was because we did not know how to behave around each other. Especially me, after I asked Swallow about marriage and what it meant. She knew, as I had suspected she would. I shudder to think about it.

So we continued this dance, separate but watchful of one another. I was schooled in many different things during these times. Gaia would summon me when she believed it necessary, and I would watch the matters of state pass before us on the dias in the throne room. There were petitions and proposals, ministers from the lands around the kingdom. I found myself more than willing to return home for the month of the year I was allowed, resting with the dull murmuring of Caer Sidi. It seemed more peaceful there, though still harried enough.

There was so much to learn.

I found my time for escape growing less and less as I returned once again the palace of Thymos. Time was flowing as I grew. It was a year now, and I knew my parents were glad I had not thrown a fit when I was told it was time to return. In fact, I had not thrown a tantrum since my arrival at the palace of the Earth. It was so strange, that. I used to be proud of my ability to wail loud and long. Now it seemed childish. Maybe the time was forcing me to grow up. If it was, then how else was I changing?

The palace was the same as I left it, white and marble,and I watched it grow larger under me as the sleek skyship wheeled, then settled itself onto the pad. It seemed like...not like home, but very close. Caer Sidi was home.

Swallow greeted me at I exited my ship, this time not in tatters, but in a dark blue dress that I had convinced mother to let me wear. She had been surprised. It was tasteful to her as well as to me. Simple, but with a full skirt and a heavy broach on my shoulder, and a wide belt. Not her style, but quite fully mine. And apparently she thought it good enough. No more frills, finally.

"My lady," Swallow bowed.

"Swallow. Attend me."

"Yes, my lady."

This time I knew my way through the tunnels that connected the palace's airport to the building itself. It was good to be back.

There would be so much, going on now. Endymion's quartet was still away this time around, and it left us to ourselves and our studies. He was good at the sciences, as I was, studying the earth. That was to be expected. Had he been unable to understand such things, he would have disgraced his family. But it was not books that we found our challenge in.

It was with a sword.