A/N- Once again, Most of these characters belong to Tamora Pierce.

Aerin's POV-

"Princess Aerin of the Sivinly Islands!" The Announcer announced.

"Here we go." I whispered. I walked into the ballroom. I tried my best to be graceful. It was kind of hard, being as nervous as I was. As I entered, I could feel all eyes on me. I heard faint whispers, "Wow, Princess Aerin…beautiful..than..Queen Thayet.."

"Mo.t. Beautiful…in court."

 I felt my cheeks getting red. I briskly I walked to the King and Queen and curtsied with all the courage I could muster. Then I sat down on the chair or throne in between Kally and Roald. Keeping my head high enough to show that I had pride but low enough so I don't strain my neck. I looked around and gasped. The ballroom was beautiful. Wow!

"Princess Aerin?" asked Aunt Thayet.

"Yes your Highness?" I replied

"Would you like to honor us with a song or two or maybe even your own performance, tomorrow perhaps??" She questioned.

I blushed and stammered, "Well ummm…sure I guess…" 

"Alright, Ill set this up." She answered. Then glanced at Prince Roald and narrowed her eyes. Prince Roald rolled his eyes and came up to me, "Would you like to honor me with this dance Princess?"

I scowled, "Why of course your Highness." We waltzed around the room, I have to admit I found myself staring up into his eyes, I felt myself drowning in the great deep blue sapphire pools. Then I snapped out of it when the song ended. Could it be? Could I be falling for Prince Roald? The shy boy that used to make fun of me? Crazy. I must be getting ill or something. I went over to Kel. "So how was the dance" She asked playfully

"Don't ask" I glowered.

"Okie Dokes" She answered

"Oy" I replied. Then before I knew it the guys were surrounding me. Oh what pure hell this was. I needed to get out of here NOW!

"Excuse me, Pardon me." I said as I moved out of the group. I glanced at Roald. He was looking my way but quickly glanced away. I hid behind Kally then sneaked out into the gardens. I went to a hidden from view bench and sat their. The Peace and tranquility of the plants surrounding me. I then called my friends to me. Not normal friends. But the elements. The air and plant elements came to me and started surrounding me and chattered to me all at once. I laughed and played with them for a while. Then I heard footsteps. The Elements were really frightened. They were flying everywhere around me and almost blinded me.

"Stop!" I ordered. All of them stopped. They didn't move a single muscle. Then I said, "Ok everyone leave calmly."  They all disappeared without a frenzy.

"Wow!" Roald whistled.

"Yea." I answered.

"How did you do that?" He asked.

"I just can, since always." I replied simply

"Oh. Did you tell anyone?" He inquired.

"Nah. Then I would go through all this training and stuff, I didn't want to take all those stupid lessons." I spat

Changing the topic, Roald questioned, "Why'd you leave?"

"Wouldn't you if you were surrounded by lovestruck maniacs?" I said.

He chuckled, "Good point."

Then before I knew it he started leaning in. I closed my eyes. Then, shocked, I opened my eyes. What am I doing? What is he doing? I yelped and do what first came to my mind. I ran. I ran like my life depended on it.

            Finally I slowed down. "I'm going crazy! The day after my family died I thought I would never love again!" I panted. Suddenly I collapsed, what was happening. There was pain in my arm and someone was dragging me away. I screamed, " HELP ME!!!! ROALD!! HELP SOMEONE!!!HELP! mmph" and I was gagged. I am telling you, I have never fainted in my life, I am not one of those court ladies who blacks out when she gets a small paper cut. But just then, I couldn't handle the pain. I blacked out.