100 REVIEWS, GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 100 REVIEWS!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
Authoress's Note: WOW!!! I'm sooooooooooooooo happy!!! You guys are INCREDIBLE!!!!! This is the best random-middle-of-September-gift I've ever gotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whopee!!!!!
Extra-extra-large-great-biggie-size kudos bars and candy bags (to get a head start for halloween) to everyone who's EVER reviewed, but especially to: Nathronoelei (where did Angelas go? =o( ), Michi Yuy, AquariusDragon, Zel the Stampede (I'm sorry for the suspense...actually, not really, cuz i mean for it to be suspenseful, but...anyway...), Elle, Damian, Mary F. Sunshine ("Once Upon a Winter's Night" is a dif retelling of this story, and I read it mainly to get an idea of another author's pov...naturally, i liked mine better, but that's mainly b/c i'm a WHOLE lot closer to these characters that i myself made up as opposed to ones I'm reading out of a book...I enjoyed it as more of an epic story (it's a lot longer, too...lol), but there was a wee bit more sex than I would perfer to read over and over...i read the book once, and thought it was ok...it's good if you want another pov, but not the best book i've ever read...i know this sounds really confusing...sorry!), and...Cricket (I'm so glad that you don't hate me...and i can understand your reasons for putting "Noble Duty" in historical (personally, i didn't hav a problem w/ it there anyhow, but your explanation clears up any doubts), I hope that it's a LOT longer...oh, the places you could take it! (personally, i favor the nomads, but that's just me...i mean, she could learn to fight, and dress like a man, and come back and get back at Lucan! Along with the ladies in waiting, of course (heehee...that part kinda reminded me a bit of "The Bachelor!" lol...)...but i hope you update soon! I can't wait! I'm glad you liked my story! I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO glad that you came by to read it! If you ever don't know what to do in "Noble Duty," email me (juniorita_peeps@hotmail.com) with questions or whatever, and i will be MORE than happy to help! Until your next update, tootles!)
*Whew* Sorry for the long note...but it ain't over yet! I'm going to give awards to the top reviewers! B/c I love you guys so much! And b/c you take the time out of your busy schedules to not only read my story, but to write nice reviews about it! Mucho gracias!
*Ahem* Out of 41 different reviewers (42 iffin you include me!), The Top Five (actually 8) Reviewers Are:
8-4, but #5. A 5-way tie between: chikki-g, sopraniluna, ArwenAria18, MountainDew, and Stancy McKatt - 4 reviews!
3. hemlock - 5
2. Zel the Stampede - 6
1. Faeriegurl - 15!!!!!
Many thanx to all who have reviewed!!!! I love to hear what you think! Please take a couple seconds out of your busy lives to tell me what you like and why or what you don't like and why or what you think will/want to happen!!!!!!!!! pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!! Thanks SOOO much!!!
~Jenny the chica~
ok...on with chapter nineteen!!!! (my apologies to those who don't like my looooooooooooooong authoress's notes!)
Chapter Nineteen: In which a newfound hope and happiness are at last achieved...
After she had finished talking with the man, Celia put her doubts aside and went back to the bed. It was hard to keep her tears in when she glanced at her husband, not conscious of anything, but she swallowed slowly and went to sleep.
Celia woke just before dawn, and was once again dragged out by the princess. She wept once more, but it was not the hopeless wail that she had wept the morning before, for this time, she had hope.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Once again, Celia recited her plan inside her head as she waited. She had a feeling that the troll princess was expecting her to try again, but she was ready, as long as the man did his part and her husband was able to prevent whatever the troll princess was doing.
Unnerved by the tenseness waiting creates, Celia leaned against the trunk of the tree she had been sleeping under. It was nearly noon. Soon, Celia would begin her last chance at seeing her husband. It's now or never.
Although it seemed as if noon would never come, it did, and Celia picked herself up, brushed the leaves and dirt off her dress, and walked over to beneath the window.
Celia had scarcely sat down before the troll princess hurried to her.
Looking up and squinting in the sun, Celia innocently asked, "Yes? Is there something you want?"
"You know what I want. Give me that spinning wheel. Now."
"What will you give me in exchange for it? It's far too precious to give away for free."
The princess laughed. "You don't give up, do you? I suppose you want to spend the night with the prince in there?"
Celia nodded.
"Well, then. You may. Enjoy it."
The princess, snatching the spinning wheel from Celia's hands, walked back into the castle. Celia finally let her breath out, relieved that step one was over. For good.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Thoughtfully studying her apple, Celia sat once more in the fireplace, waiting for sunset. Flicking off a bit of broken stem, she rubbed it for the last time on her vest and took a bite. As she did, she continued to study the misty countryside outside the window.
Sunset began as she was studying it, and she hurriedly took one last bite from her apple, throwing the core into the meager scrap pile. The trolls who lived here, hundreds at least, did not leave much for it!
Celia walked through the castle to meet the princess in the normal place, and she allowed herself to be led, although this was once again a different route there. Celia would not have been able to find the room on her own if she had tried.
After a while of this, Celia bit her tongue in order not to scream. Can you not go any faster? Tonight is all I am going to have with my husband, and I still have to save him! Please!
Of course, saying these things out loud would have been the worst thing Celia could have done, so she wisely kept her mouth closed, one to prevent these screams, another to drown out her wheezing. It really wasn't her fault, of course, but she felt so weak and tired and helpless that it was getting on her nerves.
They finally reached the familiar door, which could be recognized from its shiny silver handle. The princess took forever in finding the key, trying out each one in her long ring, although the correct one was, of course, at the end of it.
Dramatically turning the key, the princess acted as if it was stuck. Celia knew better, but she was so focused on praying that he would be awake that she didn't even notice, not like the princess cared about Celia's reaction anymore.
The door finally swung open, and the princess nudged her in, looked in the room once more for a sort of final inspection, then slammed the door. Celia heard the click that the key made as it locked her inside. As long as it wasn't inside a prison of silence again.
Celia forced herself to be calm, and she picked up the box of matches and lit every candle in the room once more.
She turned towards the bed, shuddering in nervousness, to see her husband. Asleep. She fought against the sobs, but they won in the end. She collapsed on the side of the bed nearest to her, since he had slid over across to the other side.
Celia's whole body shook with sobs, and she had never felt such despair. How could she go on? She had a baby to take care of, and how could she do that alone?
But most of all, Celia truly loved her husband, and she couldn't stand the thought of that troll getting him, with her not being able to say even a single word to him.
In her despair, Celia even imagined that she felt her husband's arm around her, comforting her as he had before when she had cried. But she knew that this was not the case.
Celia couldn't stand this sorrow anymore, but she remembered the man next door, and how he said that they all had heard her the first night. Even in her despair, Celia tried to be considerate to them. She pulled herself nearer to the headboard of the bed, to muffle her sobs in the pillow. But when she put her head down, she did not feel the softness of a pillow, but the warmth of flesh.
Crying even more, now due to the bitter reminder that her husband was here and they couldn't talk or anything, she sat up and tried to move his arm. It wouldn't move, but in the process, Celia turned towards his sleeping form, to see him staring back at her, eyes open.
In her hopelessness, Celia thought that she was imagining it. But when he pulled her head gently to his shoulder, bringing her along with it, gently kissed her neck, and held her, she knew that it was real. This might have been meant to stop or at least slow her tears, but it spurred them on more than ever, but at least they were full of joy.
A/N: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! Now go review!
Authoress's Note: WOW!!! I'm sooooooooooooooo happy!!! You guys are INCREDIBLE!!!!! This is the best random-middle-of-September-gift I've ever gotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whopee!!!!!
Extra-extra-large-great-biggie-size kudos bars and candy bags (to get a head start for halloween) to everyone who's EVER reviewed, but especially to: Nathronoelei (where did Angelas go? =o( ), Michi Yuy, AquariusDragon, Zel the Stampede (I'm sorry for the suspense...actually, not really, cuz i mean for it to be suspenseful, but...anyway...), Elle, Damian, Mary F. Sunshine ("Once Upon a Winter's Night" is a dif retelling of this story, and I read it mainly to get an idea of another author's pov...naturally, i liked mine better, but that's mainly b/c i'm a WHOLE lot closer to these characters that i myself made up as opposed to ones I'm reading out of a book...I enjoyed it as more of an epic story (it's a lot longer, too...lol), but there was a wee bit more sex than I would perfer to read over and over...i read the book once, and thought it was ok...it's good if you want another pov, but not the best book i've ever read...i know this sounds really confusing...sorry!), and...Cricket (I'm so glad that you don't hate me...and i can understand your reasons for putting "Noble Duty" in historical (personally, i didn't hav a problem w/ it there anyhow, but your explanation clears up any doubts), I hope that it's a LOT longer...oh, the places you could take it! (personally, i favor the nomads, but that's just me...i mean, she could learn to fight, and dress like a man, and come back and get back at Lucan! Along with the ladies in waiting, of course (heehee...that part kinda reminded me a bit of "The Bachelor!" lol...)...but i hope you update soon! I can't wait! I'm glad you liked my story! I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO glad that you came by to read it! If you ever don't know what to do in "Noble Duty," email me (juniorita_peeps@hotmail.com) with questions or whatever, and i will be MORE than happy to help! Until your next update, tootles!)
*Whew* Sorry for the long note...but it ain't over yet! I'm going to give awards to the top reviewers! B/c I love you guys so much! And b/c you take the time out of your busy schedules to not only read my story, but to write nice reviews about it! Mucho gracias!
*Ahem* Out of 41 different reviewers (42 iffin you include me!), The Top Five (actually 8) Reviewers Are:
8-4, but #5. A 5-way tie between: chikki-g, sopraniluna, ArwenAria18, MountainDew, and Stancy McKatt - 4 reviews!
3. hemlock - 5
2. Zel the Stampede - 6
1. Faeriegurl - 15!!!!!
Many thanx to all who have reviewed!!!! I love to hear what you think! Please take a couple seconds out of your busy lives to tell me what you like and why or what you don't like and why or what you think will/want to happen!!!!!!!!! pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!! Thanks SOOO much!!!
~Jenny the chica~
ok...on with chapter nineteen!!!! (my apologies to those who don't like my looooooooooooooong authoress's notes!)
Chapter Nineteen: In which a newfound hope and happiness are at last achieved...
After she had finished talking with the man, Celia put her doubts aside and went back to the bed. It was hard to keep her tears in when she glanced at her husband, not conscious of anything, but she swallowed slowly and went to sleep.
Celia woke just before dawn, and was once again dragged out by the princess. She wept once more, but it was not the hopeless wail that she had wept the morning before, for this time, she had hope.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Once again, Celia recited her plan inside her head as she waited. She had a feeling that the troll princess was expecting her to try again, but she was ready, as long as the man did his part and her husband was able to prevent whatever the troll princess was doing.
Unnerved by the tenseness waiting creates, Celia leaned against the trunk of the tree she had been sleeping under. It was nearly noon. Soon, Celia would begin her last chance at seeing her husband. It's now or never.
Although it seemed as if noon would never come, it did, and Celia picked herself up, brushed the leaves and dirt off her dress, and walked over to beneath the window.
Celia had scarcely sat down before the troll princess hurried to her.
Looking up and squinting in the sun, Celia innocently asked, "Yes? Is there something you want?"
"You know what I want. Give me that spinning wheel. Now."
"What will you give me in exchange for it? It's far too precious to give away for free."
The princess laughed. "You don't give up, do you? I suppose you want to spend the night with the prince in there?"
Celia nodded.
"Well, then. You may. Enjoy it."
The princess, snatching the spinning wheel from Celia's hands, walked back into the castle. Celia finally let her breath out, relieved that step one was over. For good.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Thoughtfully studying her apple, Celia sat once more in the fireplace, waiting for sunset. Flicking off a bit of broken stem, she rubbed it for the last time on her vest and took a bite. As she did, she continued to study the misty countryside outside the window.
Sunset began as she was studying it, and she hurriedly took one last bite from her apple, throwing the core into the meager scrap pile. The trolls who lived here, hundreds at least, did not leave much for it!
Celia walked through the castle to meet the princess in the normal place, and she allowed herself to be led, although this was once again a different route there. Celia would not have been able to find the room on her own if she had tried.
After a while of this, Celia bit her tongue in order not to scream. Can you not go any faster? Tonight is all I am going to have with my husband, and I still have to save him! Please!
Of course, saying these things out loud would have been the worst thing Celia could have done, so she wisely kept her mouth closed, one to prevent these screams, another to drown out her wheezing. It really wasn't her fault, of course, but she felt so weak and tired and helpless that it was getting on her nerves.
They finally reached the familiar door, which could be recognized from its shiny silver handle. The princess took forever in finding the key, trying out each one in her long ring, although the correct one was, of course, at the end of it.
Dramatically turning the key, the princess acted as if it was stuck. Celia knew better, but she was so focused on praying that he would be awake that she didn't even notice, not like the princess cared about Celia's reaction anymore.
The door finally swung open, and the princess nudged her in, looked in the room once more for a sort of final inspection, then slammed the door. Celia heard the click that the key made as it locked her inside. As long as it wasn't inside a prison of silence again.
Celia forced herself to be calm, and she picked up the box of matches and lit every candle in the room once more.
She turned towards the bed, shuddering in nervousness, to see her husband. Asleep. She fought against the sobs, but they won in the end. She collapsed on the side of the bed nearest to her, since he had slid over across to the other side.
Celia's whole body shook with sobs, and she had never felt such despair. How could she go on? She had a baby to take care of, and how could she do that alone?
But most of all, Celia truly loved her husband, and she couldn't stand the thought of that troll getting him, with her not being able to say even a single word to him.
In her despair, Celia even imagined that she felt her husband's arm around her, comforting her as he had before when she had cried. But she knew that this was not the case.
Celia couldn't stand this sorrow anymore, but she remembered the man next door, and how he said that they all had heard her the first night. Even in her despair, Celia tried to be considerate to them. She pulled herself nearer to the headboard of the bed, to muffle her sobs in the pillow. But when she put her head down, she did not feel the softness of a pillow, but the warmth of flesh.
Crying even more, now due to the bitter reminder that her husband was here and they couldn't talk or anything, she sat up and tried to move his arm. It wouldn't move, but in the process, Celia turned towards his sleeping form, to see him staring back at her, eyes open.
In her hopelessness, Celia thought that she was imagining it. But when he pulled her head gently to his shoulder, bringing her along with it, gently kissed her neck, and held her, she knew that it was real. This might have been meant to stop or at least slow her tears, but it spurred them on more than ever, but at least they were full of joy.
A/N: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! Now go review!