A/N- ok sorry that this took me a long time to update but everyone was hassling me to update my other story so I had to work on that first. But here I am! Back again. And this time I will take over the world! **Cough, cough** Sorry, different plan. **Mutters about midgets and hamsters**

Chapter six

A new friendship

Celeste stared at Hiroshi. "Um… Did you say of Conté? As in the son of Prince Roald?"

Hiroshi nodded shifting uncomfortably. "That's right."

Celeste mentally shook her head for being so rude. I'm sorry."

He smiled, something that gave him a mischievous look. "That's all right. A lot of other children do that." He then lifted a sword off the wall. "Do you do swordplay?" he asked tentatively.

Celeste nodded. At least I hope I do, she thought to herself. "I am not very good but Mother's teaching me." It's amazing how lies just roll off my tongue.

Hiroshi motioned for her to pick a sword from the racks and Celeste did so without hesitation. Her hand seemed to move of it's own will towards a finely made piece of work. The hilt was encrusted with various diamonds whilst in the centre sat a large sparkling emerald.

"This seems a bit fancy for the armoury." She then blushed and looked at Hiroshi. "I didn't mean any disrespect-"

Hiroshi held up his hand to silence her and smiled. "Don't worry. I must admit I have never seen that particular sword before." His brow furrowed in thought. "I suppose you should keep it. The emerald matches your eyes."

He then bent his head to whilst he moved back and stretched but Celeste still noticed a faint blush. She examined the actual blade and ran her finger along the centre so as not to cut herself. The metal was a fine steel with a beautiful finish that made it shine like the moon's silver light.

Celeste did some warm up stretches to get limber and when done she brought the sword round to rest against Hiroshi's. He smiled at her and she was so lost in his eyes she barely noticed they had started.

It was odd how her arm moved without Celeste knowing what she was doing. The blade clashed against Hiroshi's and the dull sound could be heard echoing around them. She struck blow after blow forcing Hiroshi to defend.

She parried from Hiroshi's blow and feinted left. Then right. She lunged forward and when she had stopped her blade was millimetres away from Hiroshi's neck. He grinned wryly.

"Well done. I yield," he stated whilst holding up his hands in defeat. He placed the sword back. Then he turned to her. "If I had had my sword I would of beaten you."

Celeste laughed. "I am sure you would have."

Hiroshi then clapped her on the back. "Come on, let's go show you off to my friends."

~*~

Hiroshi led her to the page's wing. He walked to the far end – where the first years were located – and knocked on a door with the name "Reid of King's Reach" written in chalk on the name board.

The boy who answered the door looked to be just a little older then herself and the Prince. He was handsome, quite tanned with dark eyes and dark brown curls. He chuckled when he saw Hiroshi and patted him on the back. "Hiroshi, how are you?" he asked.

Hiroshi embraced his friend and began to talk animatedly to his friend before Reid stopped him. "How rude of me," he said and stepped to the side of Hiroshi looking at Celeste. "Who's your friend Hiro?" (A/N- that's his nickname cause typing Hiroshi is way long.)

Celeste bowed rather then curtseying, as it didn't seem right. "I'm Lady Celeste of Pirate's Swoop."

Reid laughed again, something that he seemed to enjoy. "A pleasure to meet you. I would bow but I am afraid my back is playing up again."

All three of them laughed at this. "I am Reid of King's Reach." He grinned and then, voice dripping with sarcasm, added, "Though I am sure you didn't guess that considering it's right in front of you." He pointed to his door.

Celeste giggled helplessly. Reid was a naturally funny person. "It's good to meet you."

Reid's stomach then let out a low grumble. He fingered a curl. "I think I may need some lunch."

~*~

Hiro – as Celeste had taken to calling him – and Reid headed to the mess hall for pages and squires. As royalty Hiro could eat where he liked. Celeste headed back to her rooms after saying her goodbyes.

When she closed the door behind her Celeste saw her mother writing at the desk. Celeste walked over and kissed her on the forehead. "Hello mother."
Alanna swung round in her chair to face Celeste. "Good to see you're back." She waved her hand at the parchment and her quill. "It saves me writing this note to you."

Celeste grinned. "You could always write it anyway."
Alanna stood whilst laughing. "I could. I am sure you don't want to hear about what I was planning to let you do when you turned ten but-"

"Oh no! Please tell me," begged Celeste.

Alanna motioned for Celeste to sit and she did so. Alanna then sighed. "Celeste I think you should train as a page. Not only will you get to learn to defend yourself but you will also learn magic at the same time."
Celeste jumped up and hugged her mother. "That would be so fantastic! I can do things with Hiro and Reid all the time now!"

Alanna arched an eyebrow at Celeste. "Oh. And who exactly are Hiro? And Reid?"

Celeste stepped back and fiddled with her shirt. "There my friends. Hiroshi of Conté and Reid of King's Reach."

Alanna smiled. "So you made some friends. Well then I shall tell Lord Padraig you wish to join the pages this coming autumn."

Celeste nodded her thanks and rushed off to tell Hiro and Reid.

A/N- ok. It's kind of crap and pathetic but what can I say. It's my work. I am sorry it's all going a bit fast. I really should stop… Oh well. **Shrugs and continues eating yoghurt that has magically appeared** I will take more care with the next chapter and in the one after that page training will begin. Also the reason she is so good with a sword is because the Goddess, being a demi-goddess, blah, blah, blah. Now here are my thanks to all the wonderful reviewers:

Forget-me-not: as this chapter proves they are going to be friends. I am extremely happy you like my story. **Jumps up and down yelling about… nothing**

StarFire: ok I think I will definitely have fluff but it might be Celeste and Reid or Celeste and Hiroshi or a new friend she meets. Who knows? I do. **Evil laugh**

Anastazia Silverwind: funfunfun! Extremely fun. I am glad you find it fun. It's fun to write the story.

Clarylissa: sorry I wasn't sure which one you meant… But Maddy sounds totally cute. OMG today our classes form tutor who had been on maternity leave visited with her baby daughter. She is totally adorable! Her name is Olivia Grace Perry. Her middle name's my first name!

Morrigan: Thank you. I do like to think I have some original storylines in me. Somewhere. **Hits self on head** Hello, storylines? Are you there?

Darcel: I updated, I updated! Be happy. And be proud of me.

Princess Kohana: I really like your name. It's pretty. I am glad you liked to story and that I have a new reviewer! Yey!

E: ok… your name is slightly random. Cool. I love random things. I am super happy you like my story. Hurray!

MIAKODA: ok I explained what I meant. The Goddess means no one will realise that Celeste – who is now almost ten – isn't supposed to be that old. Thanks for reviewing though.