Disclaimer-Friends isn't mine.
Summary-The Friends gang in the 1600's. What will become of everyone in their trials of love and government, as the war between England and France continues?
Note-Janice, Gunther, Chandler, Rachel, and Joey's parents will have original names, as will Rachel and Joey's sisters. If anybody knows their real names, can you send them to me so I can change them?
Casting:
Main Characters
Rachel-Princess of France
Chandler-Prince of England
Monica-Rachel's servant, palace chef
Ross-Monica's brother, training to be a knight
Joey-Chandler's servant
Phoebe-Minstrel who plays in the palace
Parent of the Main Characters
Jack-Monica and Ross' father, Eric's advisor
Judy-Monica and Ross' mother, Melissa's advisor
Frank I-Phoebe, Frank II, Ursula's father, an artisan
Phoebe I-Phoebe, Frank II, and Ursula's mother, Rachel's governess
Thomas-Chandler's father, King of England
Carly-Chandler's mother, Queen of England
Eric-Rachel's father, King of France
Melissa-Rachel's mother, Queen of France
Betrothed to the Main Characters
Barry-Rachel's betrothed, Prince of Spain
Janice-Chandler's betrothed, Princess of Portugal
Parents of the Betrothed
Philip-Barry's father, King of Spain
Tanya-Barry's mother, Queen of Spain
Derrick-Janice's father, King of Portugal
Samantha-Janice's mother, Queen of Portugal
Siblings of the Main Characters
Ursula-Rachel's servant, Phoebe's sister
Frank II- Phoebe and Ursula's brother, his Father's apprentice
Jennifer-Rachel's sister
Courtney-Rachel's other sister
Melanie-Joey's 1st sister
Christina-Joey's 2nd sister
Lily-Joey's 3rd sister
Minda-Joey's 4th sister
Sarah-Joey's 5th sister
Laura-Joey's 6th sister
Margaret-Joey's 7th sister
Others
Alice-Frank II's betrothed
Donald-Jennifer's betrothed
A Meeting Of Allies
Princess Rachel winced as the curtains were thrown back and the sun shone in on her face. Groaning, she pulled the blanket tighter around her and hid her face in her pillow.
"Come, madam, the hour of awakening is upon us," her personal maid, Ursula Buffay, said, holding back the curtains with tiebacks. "Their Majesties request your appearance at the conference."
"Why in God the Lord's name would they request me be there?" Rachel whined. "All it is, is a dull meeting where they try to press Barry onto me."
"I believe you just answered your own question, madam," Ursula said, biting back a smile. "Now, come. The dressmaker, the Baron Mark Picard, has just delivered your new dress for the meeting."
"If I must, I must," Rachel said, not sounding the least bit happy about it.
Rachel's dress was light brown, the color of a deer. Ursula pulled her hair back into a bun, formal enough for a meeting, but had a flair of wayward tendrils to make it attractive.
"You look splendid, madam," Ursula said, enviously looking at her mistress's attire, then looking down at her black and white maid's outfit. At least being Rachel's personal maid had awarded her high-heeled shoes. How wearing high-heels had evolved into such an honor nobody knew, but it was much sought after by maids or peasant folks to be considered rich or privileged enough to wear them.
"So, how fares Phoebe nowadays?" Rachel asked, slipping her feet into her own pair of heels.
"She's doing well," Ursula said distractedly. "Well, we must hurry if we are to reach the royal breakfast in time."
For the life of her, Ursula could not figure out her sister. They were identical twins, but they were so different. Ursula couldn't understand how clothes and fashion could mean so little to Phoebe. Phoebe wouldn't care if there were shoes on her feet, much less if she were awarded high-heels. Phoebe was most content in the courtyard surrounding the palace, among nature, with her harp. The only time appearance meant anything to her was when she was called to perform for the royal family. She took pains to look her best then, dressed in a white gown and her hair teased to perfection.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle la Princess," the palace chef, Monica Geller, greeted Rachel, curtseying. Monica was 16, the same age as Rachel, but her admirable skills at cooking and baking placed her among the top chefs in all France, and only the best was considered worthy of the royal household.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle Geller," Rachel answered, curtseying back. Noblemen and –women clucked their tongues as they passed, disgusted that a princess should show respect to someone lower in rank than she. "I suppose that you have outdone yourself for this morning?"
"That is so, your Highness," Monica answered.
"And how fares your brother, Ross?"
"Very well, your Highness. His training in the skills of knighthood are coming along exceptionally, and hearsay reports that he will be posted as a guard of the Bastille."
"Ah! He has my congratulations, then."
"I will report the message to him when I see him next, your Highness."
"Oh, Monica, stop calling me by titles," Rachel said, smiling. "You and I are best friends, you know."
"Yes, I know." Monica dropped her serious mien and smiled. "Mother tells me that I should make an exceptional actress."
"She speaks no lies," Rachel said, also smiling.
"Madam, I apologize, but their Majesties insist on your appearance," Ursula said.
"Oh!" Rachel groaned. "Very well. Monica, I shall see you in the stables?"
"Of course, your Highness." Monica dropped into a curtsy, her serious attitude returning, and walked off.
"May I present her Highness, the Princess Rachel!"
The doors swung open and Rachel, slightly lifting her billowing skirts so as not to trip, walked into the room.
"Ah, the beautiful princess!" Prince Barry of Spain said, bowing to his betrothed.
"Spain shall be graced to have such a beautiful queen!" King Philip of Spain announced heartily to his old friend, King Eric of France.
"Oh, stop it, you're embarrassing the poor girl!" Rachel's mother, Queen Melissa said, mistaking Rachel's flushed cheeks as a sign of humility rather than of anger and indignation.
Rachel's sisters, 15 and 14-year-olds Jennifer and Courtney, smirked smugly at Rachel. Jennifer put her hand on her beloved Donald's wrist and gave Rachel a look of pure spite.
Rachel made a face at her sister.
"Come now, Rachel," Melissa scolded. "Don't scowl."
"I apologize, Mother." Rachel shot Jennifer a glare and walked to her seat. A servant pulled her chair out and she sat down. To her disgust, Barry sat next to her.
"It is imperative that we receive those forces," King Eric started off the conversation to King Philip. "We have to crush the English dogs before they gain the upper hand!"
"Sire," Monica said, a trace automatically, as she set down a plate in front of King Eric.
"Of course," King Philip agreed. "General Little should be bringing his forces within the month."
"Oh, don't discuss this! Not here!" Queen Tanya of Spain said, her eyes darting to Barry and Rachel.
King Philip caught the glance and smiled broadly. "Of course. Why don't we discuss this later, while our happy couple strolls the gardens?"
Rachel was prepared. Turning her head slightly, she blinked at Monica.
Monica nodded and smiled. She picked up Rachel's cup and hurried off to the kitchen with it, only to emerge a few seconds later with Rachel's plate.
"My apologies, your Highness," she lied for the whole table to hear, "but your drink has yet to be prepared."
"Quiet all right," Rachel said. "I shall wait."
Monica hurried off to the kitchen and returned, holding Rachel's tea on a saucer. "Your Highness," she said, winking at Rachel.
Rachel picked up the scalding hot tea and drank down a large gulp. Her tongue burned as her face twisted to handle the heat. She curled her tongue and gulped before speaking.
"Mother, Father, my apologies, but I haven't been feeling well since I got up this morning," she lied. "I feel hot."
Queen Melissa looked at her daughter. "Good God, Rachel! You're on fire!" She snapped her fingers at Monica. "You, girl! Take Rachel to her chambers!"
"Yes, your Majesty," Monica said.
Rachel stood up, feigning weakness, and Monica took her arm in mock melodrama, leading her out of the dining hall.
Rachel laughed out loud as she slammed the door to her chamber shut. "We fooled them!"
"Poor, idiotic fools," Monica said, laughing, as she handed Rachel a crystal goblet of ice cold water.
Rachel gulped the ice water down, and continued laughing. "Such simpletons!"
"Phoebe has prepared the horses," Monica said. "Shall we?"
"Of course!" Rachel smiled. "Come, my friend, let's get changed!"
Well, was the first chapter okay? Compliments and constructive criticism are welcome. Flames will be used to heat the stove so I can have some more Top Ramen soup!
REVIEW!!