::I just wanted to say thanx to all the people who reviewed this fanfic-it made me happy! lol Here is the next part, just to let you know, I've got some cute Max parts coming up and a REALLY great max/liz moment soon. And for Isabel fans (which I'm not so much no offense) she'll show up eventually. Patience is a virtue. Read on...::
Part Two
Rustic countryside past by the coach's window. Large green trees mixed with bubbling brooks, rolling green meadows, and the occasional village with grain crops. I must admit this is a beautiful kingdom, thought Prince Max, But I'm still homesick. . .. He was trying his hardest to get over it, because he would be staying in King Raoul's kingdom for some time.
It had been a long tradition between the two kingdoms, to visit the other and learn about their culture, daily life, and share new information. As a result, there had been peace and prosperity between the kingdoms for the past 800 years.
An old legend says that it started as a result of a great feud. While the kings fought tooth and nail against each other, their queens had sense enough to see that war would not accomplish anything. They took their children and journeyed to the far mountain ranges, which bordered both kingdoms. After weeks of travel, they reached the mountain peaks and a quiet, secluded convent. There, the two queens made plans, plans so that their children would never have to fight each other, to end the bloody feud. The children grew and bonded as the months pasted by. When the news came that the kings had died in battle, the queens packed up their belongings and began their journey home. When they took the throne, they ended the terrible feud once and for all. They were great rulers, giving the just justice, providing for the poor, and such. Under their combined wisdom, both kingdoms became prosperous once again. As for the children, they grew into noble youths, then great leaders. Their time spent together as children instilled strong feelings of brotherhood (and sisterhood) and because of such, the realm continued to be a peaceful and wonderful place.
Max thought of this old legend and smiled. He could still picture his grandmother, cloud-white hair and a smile that could light up a dark room, waving her hands along as she recalled the tale. It was her favorite, because it demonstrated the wisdom, wit, and courageousness of women. It had taught him a long time ago that women were smart and things not to be toyed with.
"We'd be approaching the palace soon Majesty."
Prince Max sighed, I just hope that the princess is like those ancient queens and not like the silly-nilly noble girls at home.
He turned back to the window and let his thoughts slip into the stream of colors passing by.
o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o
A loud sound, almost like horns and yelling, woke Maria up from her chair. Startled, she looked up quickly.
One thing no one in the castle did was wake her up when she was sleeping, by accident or not, they got a big piece of her mind. Liz had given her a pet name a while ago, it was "snoring fury". It went unsaid that Maria did not like the nickname, but what can you do when your best friend is also the heir to the kingdom, although that never phased her.
Maria's sparkling blue eyes darted back and forth, looking for the source that had woken her up from her beauty sleep. Her eyes settled on the window looking out to the drawbridge and the road leading to the palace. She got up slowly, easing her tired muscles into working properly. As she reached her window, she heard the trumpeters clearly.
"Something important in happening," she muttered to herself, "Maybe it's that damn prince." The reply was a purple coach, approaching the palace.
"Purple?" This time she addressed her dog, Bruno, "Ohdeargawd, it has to be the prince. Purple is the color of royalty, did you know that Bruno?"
The dog, a regal bullmastiff nodded as if he understood her. She had gotten him four years ago when his mother whelped in her room. Despite being the runt, he'd grown quite big, up to her waist.
"Let's just hope that he has some real fashion sense, or . . . GRRR!" She covered her face with her hands.
Bruno woofed. Maria peeked between her fingers at the dog and laughed.
"I don't know when I got bitter . . . love is surely better when it's gone . . ." She rubbed her forehead, "Where did that come from? Anyways, maybe it was when Liz just had to try on all her dresses, ball gowns, riding clothes, every outfit in her closet to be sure they all fit and to pick this one or that one to wear on such and such a day. She is never like this usually . . ." She turned back to the window, "I better go tell her that true love is on its way."
She laughed and went out the door. Passing by a fellow servant Maria nodded with a forlorn look on her face.
o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o
Princess Liz danced around her room, twirling, sashaying, and dipping to the music in her head. It was a marvelous love ballad, by the great romantic composer, Liz.
Of course her dance partner was fabulously gorgeous and charming. Who else would he be dancing with with? She sighed and imagined what they would say to each other, maybe talk about the weather, the price of tea in China, or about marriage . . .
A breathless Maria interrupted her. She had come through one of the secret passages of which only the two of them and the ancient architect knew about.
"What the hell are you doing Liz?" Maria asked. "Dancing with your invisible friend?" She giggled.
Liz stuck out her tongue.
"Well, I'm sorry if I did interrupt something, but I think what I have to tell you will make up for anything."
"And what is that?" questioned Liz.
"You'll never guess who is nearly at the gates this very moment."
"Umm. . . Santa Claus, no, the messenger man, no," Liz looked mischievously at Maria, "Perhaps, is it Prince Max?"
They snickered in unison. Then Liz went pale.
"You're serious right? Oh my goodness! What am I going to do?! Just look at me, I'm a mess!" she spoke rapidly.
"Nonsense, you always look like that - oh wait, that's bad," Maria retorted.
Liz scrunched up her face, "How can you joke at a time like this? Seriously, I'd think you'd be the first one to know what an important moment this is."
"I don't see why you have to be so fussy about it. And don't get me started on when not to joke missy."
"What do you mean by that perchance?"
"I mean that you are always the one cracking the joke in inappropriate moments, be it in the classroom, at dinner, or even at mass!" Looking around, Maria spied a hairbrush. She picked it up and pointed it at Liz.
"Are you planning on beating me with that?" Liz replied with fake horror, "My goodness, I'm shaking in my boots!"
Maria walked up to her menacingly, whispering, "I'm going to get yoooooouuuuuuu . . ." She lifted her arm as if she was going to strike Liz.
Liz squealed and began to run. Maria chased her around the room waving the hairbrush.
"No please don't hurt me Miss! I-"
The sound of bells and yelling erupted from outside. Liz and Maria stopped in their places and looked towards the window. The sounds continued with more excitement. The girls turned their heads to look at each other. They nodded at each other, with some unknown agreement and bolted towards the door.
Liz made it out of the door first and yelled a challenge to Maria.
"Bet you can't beat me to the prince!"
With newfound speed Maria passed the princess, running down the hall. When she had reached the staircase she turned back to Liz smugly, "I could always beat you down the stairs so there!" and stuck out her tongue. And with one fluid motion she swung herself over the stair banister and slid down the stairs.
Liz, not one to be beaten, ran after Maria twice as fast as before. She too swung over and down the banister. They had done it with such grace that it was quite obvious that both had done it numerous times in the past.
When she reached the floor, Liz found Maria kneeling before someone. She looked closer and found that someone to be her mother and she was not in a good mood.
"I beg your forgiveness your Majesty." Maria said in a quieter, calmer tone than before, "I did not mean to cause any trouble."
The princess walked up to her mother, "You needn't ask forgiveness Maria, we weren't doing anything disgraceful." She looked defiantly at her mother.
The queen turned to look at her daughter. "Nothing disgraceful?" she asked with angry amusement. "NOTHING?! So do you think running around like uncivilized children, yelling and sliding down the stair rails with your under things free to see is not disgraceful?"
She stepped forward and grabbed Liz's arm. "I'd hate to see what you think is disgraceful. What if the prince were to see you two, acting like heathens? You do know that he's just arrived, isn't that why you were in a hurry?" She looked at both girls, one defiant, the other submissive, and arched her eyebrow. "Well it doesn't matter now because you two are restricted to your rooms until further notice."
Liz gasped, "But mother - Queen - you surely don't mean that . . . do you?" She exchanged an exasperated look with Maria, "b-but what about the prince? Assuredly, he expects me to greet him, welcome him to the kingdom, show him around . . .isn't that right Maria?"
Maria nodded in agreement, "She's right madam."
"It does not matter whether you think she is right or not Maria. And do not worry dear, your father and I will be there to welcome him. Besides," she looked at Princess Liz, "he is tired from his journey, he doesn't need you around nagging him."
"But-"
The queen held up her hand, "There are no 'buts' about it, now off with you!"
"How long do we have to stay in our rooms?" Liz asked.
"Until I say you can leave," said the queen in a firm whisper. She gestured up the stairs, "Now get, before you are confined to the dungeons."
Maria rose from her knees, Liz released a groan. They both walked slowly up the stairs.
"And Maria . . ."
Maria turned back to face the queen.
"Make sure Liz looks like the princess she is before dinner tonight. I cannot have the prince thinking the help dresses better than the royalty." There was more than a little bitterness in Queen Eleanor's command.
Maria winced slightly, then straightened. "As you wish, your Majesty," she replied coolly. She turned and continued up the stairs.
When the girls reached the princess's room Liz turned and faced her friend.
"Why do you let my mother boss you around like that, I mean why do you put up with her silent insults?"
"In case you didn't notice, your mother IS the queen," she sighed, "I am just a servant, we may be best friends, but your mother doesn't care. She really doesn't think that we should be as close as we are and she just wants to remind me that I ain't royalty. Just a bastard."
Liz listened and grew agitated, "But that isn't true! It doesn't matter!"
"It does to her," she said matter-of-factly.
"My mother may be the queen and she may be powerful, but that doesn't give her the right to degrade good people." She looked intensely at Maria, "You are the goodest person that I know, and you should stand up for yourself sometimes."
Maria snorted, "And risk being sent away? Away, where I could starve or be beaten by a cruel boss? Besides, we would never see each other again." She shook her head. "No, the risks are too much, too much to just save my pride."
The girls looked at each other with a deep understanding. Both shivered from a chill deep inside. Maria shrugged it off.
"Hey, as the servants say, life's full of bad times so that we can really appreciate the good ones."
"So then we can recognize the precious moments and save them," agreed Liz.
"You got it Buck-o." Maria walked over to her best friend's wardrobe and opened its doors wide. "You'd think this was a room by itself!" she exclaimed, "hmmm. . . If I'm not back in twenty minutes send a search party ok?"
Liz chuckled, "Yes sir!"
After taking a deep breath, Maria boldly strode into the big closet. She rummaged around for a couple minutes and stepped out with an armful of dinner gowns. They varied in style and color. There were gowns of indigo, violet, red, orange, yellow, and green, the colors of the rainbow.
"Got enough there?" Liz asked. She walked up and helped Maria put the gowns on her bed.
Maria sighed, "I'm afraid you'll be so picky that I'll have t'go back for more." She cringed in fake horror, "I'm truly afraid too, I think something nipped at my leg in there."
"Its only because you never clean it out," she replied smugly.
"Whatever snot."
Maria held up a deep ruby red colored gown with a low neckline. "Think your mother would like this one?" She winked, "I know the prince would!"
"I wish! That gives me a good idea, we should separate all these gowns into three piles: 'I wish', 'This makes me look hot', and 'Ok'"
The girls set to the job and they were finished in less than five minutes. The 'I wish' pile was mostly tight, scarlet, cleavage showing dresses. There was even one with no straps and a very, very short skirt (it went down to the mid thigh). It was an eccentric invention the girls had come up with one really late night after a big box of Spanish chocolate. The 'This makes me look hot' pile was slightly bigger than the previous pile. The 'Ok' pile was the largest, with many pastel and drab colored gowns with lots of ruffles. There was also too much lace on several of these gowns.
"I think you should wear an 'Ok' gown to dinner. You know, something that your mother will approve of when she intros you to the prince-" Maria started.
Liz interrupted, "I'd think you'd be on my side woman!"
"Would you let me finish?" Maria picked up a pillow and bonked Liz on the head. "Ok, anyways, then you can change right after dinner and walk into the ballroom with a 'This makes me look hot' ball gown. Prince Max will never know what hit him and he will want to kiss you passionately." She winked.
The brunette smiled broadly, "That is a wonderful idea, a Cinderella type thingie, right?"
"Yeah. Then we'll just have to decide what to do with your hair," she grumbled.
They turned back to the bed and rolled up their sleeves. Liz glanced at Maria and they began to sort through the gowns.
Part Two
Rustic countryside past by the coach's window. Large green trees mixed with bubbling brooks, rolling green meadows, and the occasional village with grain crops. I must admit this is a beautiful kingdom, thought Prince Max, But I'm still homesick. . .. He was trying his hardest to get over it, because he would be staying in King Raoul's kingdom for some time.
It had been a long tradition between the two kingdoms, to visit the other and learn about their culture, daily life, and share new information. As a result, there had been peace and prosperity between the kingdoms for the past 800 years.
An old legend says that it started as a result of a great feud. While the kings fought tooth and nail against each other, their queens had sense enough to see that war would not accomplish anything. They took their children and journeyed to the far mountain ranges, which bordered both kingdoms. After weeks of travel, they reached the mountain peaks and a quiet, secluded convent. There, the two queens made plans, plans so that their children would never have to fight each other, to end the bloody feud. The children grew and bonded as the months pasted by. When the news came that the kings had died in battle, the queens packed up their belongings and began their journey home. When they took the throne, they ended the terrible feud once and for all. They were great rulers, giving the just justice, providing for the poor, and such. Under their combined wisdom, both kingdoms became prosperous once again. As for the children, they grew into noble youths, then great leaders. Their time spent together as children instilled strong feelings of brotherhood (and sisterhood) and because of such, the realm continued to be a peaceful and wonderful place.
Max thought of this old legend and smiled. He could still picture his grandmother, cloud-white hair and a smile that could light up a dark room, waving her hands along as she recalled the tale. It was her favorite, because it demonstrated the wisdom, wit, and courageousness of women. It had taught him a long time ago that women were smart and things not to be toyed with.
"We'd be approaching the palace soon Majesty."
Prince Max sighed, I just hope that the princess is like those ancient queens and not like the silly-nilly noble girls at home.
He turned back to the window and let his thoughts slip into the stream of colors passing by.
o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o
A loud sound, almost like horns and yelling, woke Maria up from her chair. Startled, she looked up quickly.
One thing no one in the castle did was wake her up when she was sleeping, by accident or not, they got a big piece of her mind. Liz had given her a pet name a while ago, it was "snoring fury". It went unsaid that Maria did not like the nickname, but what can you do when your best friend is also the heir to the kingdom, although that never phased her.
Maria's sparkling blue eyes darted back and forth, looking for the source that had woken her up from her beauty sleep. Her eyes settled on the window looking out to the drawbridge and the road leading to the palace. She got up slowly, easing her tired muscles into working properly. As she reached her window, she heard the trumpeters clearly.
"Something important in happening," she muttered to herself, "Maybe it's that damn prince." The reply was a purple coach, approaching the palace.
"Purple?" This time she addressed her dog, Bruno, "Ohdeargawd, it has to be the prince. Purple is the color of royalty, did you know that Bruno?"
The dog, a regal bullmastiff nodded as if he understood her. She had gotten him four years ago when his mother whelped in her room. Despite being the runt, he'd grown quite big, up to her waist.
"Let's just hope that he has some real fashion sense, or . . . GRRR!" She covered her face with her hands.
Bruno woofed. Maria peeked between her fingers at the dog and laughed.
"I don't know when I got bitter . . . love is surely better when it's gone . . ." She rubbed her forehead, "Where did that come from? Anyways, maybe it was when Liz just had to try on all her dresses, ball gowns, riding clothes, every outfit in her closet to be sure they all fit and to pick this one or that one to wear on such and such a day. She is never like this usually . . ." She turned back to the window, "I better go tell her that true love is on its way."
She laughed and went out the door. Passing by a fellow servant Maria nodded with a forlorn look on her face.
o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o
Princess Liz danced around her room, twirling, sashaying, and dipping to the music in her head. It was a marvelous love ballad, by the great romantic composer, Liz.
Of course her dance partner was fabulously gorgeous and charming. Who else would he be dancing with with? She sighed and imagined what they would say to each other, maybe talk about the weather, the price of tea in China, or about marriage . . .
A breathless Maria interrupted her. She had come through one of the secret passages of which only the two of them and the ancient architect knew about.
"What the hell are you doing Liz?" Maria asked. "Dancing with your invisible friend?" She giggled.
Liz stuck out her tongue.
"Well, I'm sorry if I did interrupt something, but I think what I have to tell you will make up for anything."
"And what is that?" questioned Liz.
"You'll never guess who is nearly at the gates this very moment."
"Umm. . . Santa Claus, no, the messenger man, no," Liz looked mischievously at Maria, "Perhaps, is it Prince Max?"
They snickered in unison. Then Liz went pale.
"You're serious right? Oh my goodness! What am I going to do?! Just look at me, I'm a mess!" she spoke rapidly.
"Nonsense, you always look like that - oh wait, that's bad," Maria retorted.
Liz scrunched up her face, "How can you joke at a time like this? Seriously, I'd think you'd be the first one to know what an important moment this is."
"I don't see why you have to be so fussy about it. And don't get me started on when not to joke missy."
"What do you mean by that perchance?"
"I mean that you are always the one cracking the joke in inappropriate moments, be it in the classroom, at dinner, or even at mass!" Looking around, Maria spied a hairbrush. She picked it up and pointed it at Liz.
"Are you planning on beating me with that?" Liz replied with fake horror, "My goodness, I'm shaking in my boots!"
Maria walked up to her menacingly, whispering, "I'm going to get yoooooouuuuuuu . . ." She lifted her arm as if she was going to strike Liz.
Liz squealed and began to run. Maria chased her around the room waving the hairbrush.
"No please don't hurt me Miss! I-"
The sound of bells and yelling erupted from outside. Liz and Maria stopped in their places and looked towards the window. The sounds continued with more excitement. The girls turned their heads to look at each other. They nodded at each other, with some unknown agreement and bolted towards the door.
Liz made it out of the door first and yelled a challenge to Maria.
"Bet you can't beat me to the prince!"
With newfound speed Maria passed the princess, running down the hall. When she had reached the staircase she turned back to Liz smugly, "I could always beat you down the stairs so there!" and stuck out her tongue. And with one fluid motion she swung herself over the stair banister and slid down the stairs.
Liz, not one to be beaten, ran after Maria twice as fast as before. She too swung over and down the banister. They had done it with such grace that it was quite obvious that both had done it numerous times in the past.
When she reached the floor, Liz found Maria kneeling before someone. She looked closer and found that someone to be her mother and she was not in a good mood.
"I beg your forgiveness your Majesty." Maria said in a quieter, calmer tone than before, "I did not mean to cause any trouble."
The princess walked up to her mother, "You needn't ask forgiveness Maria, we weren't doing anything disgraceful." She looked defiantly at her mother.
The queen turned to look at her daughter. "Nothing disgraceful?" she asked with angry amusement. "NOTHING?! So do you think running around like uncivilized children, yelling and sliding down the stair rails with your under things free to see is not disgraceful?"
She stepped forward and grabbed Liz's arm. "I'd hate to see what you think is disgraceful. What if the prince were to see you two, acting like heathens? You do know that he's just arrived, isn't that why you were in a hurry?" She looked at both girls, one defiant, the other submissive, and arched her eyebrow. "Well it doesn't matter now because you two are restricted to your rooms until further notice."
Liz gasped, "But mother - Queen - you surely don't mean that . . . do you?" She exchanged an exasperated look with Maria, "b-but what about the prince? Assuredly, he expects me to greet him, welcome him to the kingdom, show him around . . .isn't that right Maria?"
Maria nodded in agreement, "She's right madam."
"It does not matter whether you think she is right or not Maria. And do not worry dear, your father and I will be there to welcome him. Besides," she looked at Princess Liz, "he is tired from his journey, he doesn't need you around nagging him."
"But-"
The queen held up her hand, "There are no 'buts' about it, now off with you!"
"How long do we have to stay in our rooms?" Liz asked.
"Until I say you can leave," said the queen in a firm whisper. She gestured up the stairs, "Now get, before you are confined to the dungeons."
Maria rose from her knees, Liz released a groan. They both walked slowly up the stairs.
"And Maria . . ."
Maria turned back to face the queen.
"Make sure Liz looks like the princess she is before dinner tonight. I cannot have the prince thinking the help dresses better than the royalty." There was more than a little bitterness in Queen Eleanor's command.
Maria winced slightly, then straightened. "As you wish, your Majesty," she replied coolly. She turned and continued up the stairs.
When the girls reached the princess's room Liz turned and faced her friend.
"Why do you let my mother boss you around like that, I mean why do you put up with her silent insults?"
"In case you didn't notice, your mother IS the queen," she sighed, "I am just a servant, we may be best friends, but your mother doesn't care. She really doesn't think that we should be as close as we are and she just wants to remind me that I ain't royalty. Just a bastard."
Liz listened and grew agitated, "But that isn't true! It doesn't matter!"
"It does to her," she said matter-of-factly.
"My mother may be the queen and she may be powerful, but that doesn't give her the right to degrade good people." She looked intensely at Maria, "You are the goodest person that I know, and you should stand up for yourself sometimes."
Maria snorted, "And risk being sent away? Away, where I could starve or be beaten by a cruel boss? Besides, we would never see each other again." She shook her head. "No, the risks are too much, too much to just save my pride."
The girls looked at each other with a deep understanding. Both shivered from a chill deep inside. Maria shrugged it off.
"Hey, as the servants say, life's full of bad times so that we can really appreciate the good ones."
"So then we can recognize the precious moments and save them," agreed Liz.
"You got it Buck-o." Maria walked over to her best friend's wardrobe and opened its doors wide. "You'd think this was a room by itself!" she exclaimed, "hmmm. . . If I'm not back in twenty minutes send a search party ok?"
Liz chuckled, "Yes sir!"
After taking a deep breath, Maria boldly strode into the big closet. She rummaged around for a couple minutes and stepped out with an armful of dinner gowns. They varied in style and color. There were gowns of indigo, violet, red, orange, yellow, and green, the colors of the rainbow.
"Got enough there?" Liz asked. She walked up and helped Maria put the gowns on her bed.
Maria sighed, "I'm afraid you'll be so picky that I'll have t'go back for more." She cringed in fake horror, "I'm truly afraid too, I think something nipped at my leg in there."
"Its only because you never clean it out," she replied smugly.
"Whatever snot."
Maria held up a deep ruby red colored gown with a low neckline. "Think your mother would like this one?" She winked, "I know the prince would!"
"I wish! That gives me a good idea, we should separate all these gowns into three piles: 'I wish', 'This makes me look hot', and 'Ok'"
The girls set to the job and they were finished in less than five minutes. The 'I wish' pile was mostly tight, scarlet, cleavage showing dresses. There was even one with no straps and a very, very short skirt (it went down to the mid thigh). It was an eccentric invention the girls had come up with one really late night after a big box of Spanish chocolate. The 'This makes me look hot' pile was slightly bigger than the previous pile. The 'Ok' pile was the largest, with many pastel and drab colored gowns with lots of ruffles. There was also too much lace on several of these gowns.
"I think you should wear an 'Ok' gown to dinner. You know, something that your mother will approve of when she intros you to the prince-" Maria started.
Liz interrupted, "I'd think you'd be on my side woman!"
"Would you let me finish?" Maria picked up a pillow and bonked Liz on the head. "Ok, anyways, then you can change right after dinner and walk into the ballroom with a 'This makes me look hot' ball gown. Prince Max will never know what hit him and he will want to kiss you passionately." She winked.
The brunette smiled broadly, "That is a wonderful idea, a Cinderella type thingie, right?"
"Yeah. Then we'll just have to decide what to do with your hair," she grumbled.
They turned back to the bed and rolled up their sleeves. Liz glanced at Maria and they began to sort through the gowns.