A/N: I looked back at the previous chapters and I found a bunch of grammar mistakes, but being lazy and all I haven't fixed them yet. So, if you see any please feel free to point them out.

Prison Walls

            "It's been almost an year since she's been in there."

            "Aye, you think she might be ill."

            "I hear that she hasn't slept since her father's death. I don't think that she might be ill; there is no doubt she is. Everyday I pass by this cottage, and everyday I see her shadow by the window. Poor thing, I believe she hasn't gotten over her father's death."

The sound of a carriage diverted the attention of the two men from the cottage to the road. A magnificent carriage adorned with extravagant decorations with sparkling jewels appeared from the horizon, and was heading toward the two men. The men stood in awe at the sight. The sleek white horses had colorful ribbons in their hair and were ornamented with golden bells, which rung like crystals. The carriage seemed to appear from a fairy tale. It stopped in front of the cottage, and the carriage door opened, revealing a beautiful woman. She wore a stunning dress of dark red and shimmering gold. When the men looked onto her face, they realized that she was the queen. She was an exquisite beauty, with the look of a fairy more than a mortal.

"Good afternoon, kind sirs, is this the home of woodsman's daughter Evelyn?"

"Aye, dear queen."

"Is that her by the window? She looks ill…"

"My queen, I am sure you have not heard, but dear Evelyn's father has passed away just an year ago. Evelyn has been in shock since. She barely eats, and never sleeps. And I know this, for I pass by this cottage many times."

"How did he pass away?"

"… My queen he was killed by the demons of the dark forest. Little Evelyn went into the forest herself and found him dead."

"I see…I had no idea. Thank you, kind sirs. I will see to Evelyn now. Good day to the both of you." The two men went off on their way the queen slowly walked to the cottage. A year had passed and there was no word from the girl, and the queen had a sinking feeling that something might have happened. She entered the cottage to find Evelyn sitting by the window looking off into nowhere.

"Evelyn…"

"…"

She was no longer the happy and vivacious little girl, the queen had always known her to be. Her skin was pale, and her eyes had lost their sparkle. She had grown thin the past year. She ate once in awhile, but her body was malnourished and not taken care of.

"Evelyn, my child. It is, I, the queen."

"…"

"Child, I know about your father, and I am sorry for what has happened to him. But you cannot do this to yourself. Have you eaten at all this week? Evelyn?"

"I am fine. Please leave me."

"You are not fine! See, your hand is trembling. You are not well, my dear," the queen said with a sigh, "There is no other way. You will come with me to the palace. I will take care of you from now on and"

"I am fine on my own! Please leave me… please," interrupted Evelyn; her body trembling.

"I will not leave you here on your own!"

"LEAVE ME! I don't need you, I don't need anyone! Do you hear?! I don't need anyone…" cried Evelyn. She stood up by supporting herself on the windowsill. Her body was trembling. A sudden wave of fatigue hit her, as Evelyn fought the urge to fall down.

"I don't need anyone… I don't need…" she whispered softly. Evelyn swooned and fainted falling into the queen.

"Durwin!" The queen's servant rushed in to meet the demands of the queen.

"Please take the girl into the carriage."

"Of course, m'lady."

Evelyn slept upon the queen's shoulder, not knowing of to where she was being taken.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

            Where am I?

            She awoke to not the small cottage she expected to see, but a grand room, fit for a princess. She rose from the bed, and looked about her surroundings. The blankets were soft to the touch, for it was silk. She was wearing a nightgown, pink of color, and made with good cloth.

            I must be dreaming. This cannot be real.

            She pinched herself, and found that this was truly no dream but reality. Then she remembered the queen. Of course, the queen had gotten her way, and here she was now in the palace. She walked to the door and saw that it was locked. She let go of the doorknob and felt her hand tremble. All of a sudden, the door opened, and the queen entered the room.

            "I see you are awake."

            "I told you, your highness, I was fine on my own. There is no need for me to stay here."

            "I will not let you go. Have I not told you before? You are like a daughter to me; I do not want you to be ill or unhappy. You will stay here, until I believe you can be happy again."

            "I thank you for your concern, but keeping me here will not do anything. I just want to be alone."

            "And you will, somewhat. This room is part of a section of the palace, which we do not use. When the palace was built, there were five sections made: the north wing, the south wing, the east wing, the west wing and the center palace. They had made the west wing, which is where we are now, but they decided to not use it for, the west wing was dark both night and day. A funny reason yes, but in the days of the old, people feared the dark and worshiped the sun. We still do not use the west wing, for we do not have a use for these rooms, but I think you do. There will be no one here to bother you and, I will give you everything I am able to give you. You will be fed routinely, and"

            "Wait, just wait! Do I have no say in this?"

            "… You are just a child. I do not want to see you give up on your life so soon. Please stay here in the palace; you will have everything you need… If you are determined to leave I will let you go… when you turn eighteen."

            "Eighteen! But…but that means I must stay here for five years."

            "I know this may not seem fair to you, but I believe this way is the best. Remember Evelyn that you are like a daughter to me. I only wish for the best."  The queen took a hold of Evelyn's shaking hand, and let it go.

            "You should get some rest. You are still ill. Good night."

            Evelyn was left speechless. So, she was to be held here like a prisoner. She knew it would be pointless to escape. The queen would find her eventually, and then she would be back here again. She would just have to comply with the queen, even though she did not agree. She closed the door, and went to the window.