Discalimer: the bits of fairy tales that you recognize aren't mine, what you don't recognize as anything already written/published/copyrighted is. :o) on with the story!
"Oh hello, my little prisoner!" I looked up into the blue eyes of Princess Eleanora. "Have we decided to remember our name yet?"
I looked at her, and then pulled the sheet back up over my head. I wanted to go back to sleep, since I was still tired and she had woken me up.
"Ah, ah, ah! No going back to sleep my little Runner!" She laughed and pulled the sheet off the bed. I was going to have to wake up.
"What do you want?" I asked, glaring at the blonde-beauty.
"Your name," she said, blue ice turning hard.
I ran a hand through my tangled brown hair. "Sorry, I still can't remember."
"Oh really? You expect me to believe that? Hah!" She twirled around, skirts flowing. "You will tell me someday, I know you will." She looked me over, her eyes taking in what I was wearing, my hair and everything else about me all at once. "We'll need to get you some new clothes, that's for sure. I think that some black will do nicely. Maybe some hunter green gowns as well…"
"Why are you planning all these new clothes for me?" Usually, prisoners did not get treated to new outfits by their captors.
"Because I want everyone to be able to see my handiwork. You will be attending Alejandro's Coronation with me. I am presenting you as a gift to him. You must look good, of course. Otherwise no one will think that you are what I say you are, and we can't have them doubting the word of the Princess." So lost was she in her musings that she didn't notice Cedric come in.
"Eleanora!" He barked, "Get out!"
"C-Cedric! What're you doing in here?" Eleanora had frozen where she stood.
"I should ask you the same question." Cedric stared at his sister, one eyebrow raised.
"I was outfitting the prisoner for Alejandro's Coronation. She will be going to the Ball as your escort beforehand." Eleanora regained her composure quickly, it seemed.
"She does not need new clothes. What she has on is fine!" Cedric threw his hands up in the air and looked at me.
Now it was Eleanora's turn to give Cedric a wither glare. "Shows what you know. That wouldn't be suitable for rags, much less for your escort." Cedric blanched.
"I'm going to the Ball? I have to take an escort?" He stared at me. "I have to take her?"
"Yes," Eleanora said triumphantly. "That is what you must do. Now," she turned to me, "You will have a hunter green dress for the ball, and a black gown for the Coronation. The rest I will discuss with Mother. I will have something more…covering for you to wear by tonight." Eleanora spun around and pulled a lock of Cedric's black hair and yelled, "Open up!", and left the room.
Cedric stood there, a surprised look on his face.
"Why do I have to go to the Ball?" I asked him in a small voice.
"Because…Because Eleanora is making me go too."
"Oh." I sighed. "I can't dance, you know."
"That's okay, neither can I." I laughed softly, and he looked up. "What?"
"You're a Prince, shouldn't you be able to waltz perfectly across the floor with the lady of your choice?" I sat with my arms curled around my legs, my chin resting lightly on my knees.
"I will, at least that's what the Foreseer said." I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Now what?" he asked rather irritably.
"Who is this damned Foreseer?"
"I am she." I almost fell off the cot with shock. Where had that voice come from? "I am right here, child of my Prophecies." I looked at the mirror. There, encased in a gilt frame, was a woman dressed in a gown that seemed made of stars.
"Oh, I see now," I said shakily. Cedric sat back with a smug look on his face.
"A damned Foreseer I may be, but fickle is he." A ghostly thin hand pointed at Cedric.
"Excuse you! I wish you would not repeat such stuff in front of prisoners!" He sat up, indignant.
The Foreseer giggled. "Prisoner of stone is she, but prisoner of heart is he."
"Just shut up," Cedric grumbled. "And stop all the rhyming! I know you like to impress others, but just stop."
"Fine," she said with a sniff, "I will." She turned to me. "Child of my Prophecies, I am the Foreseer of Lamar."
"I would tell you my name if I knew it, but I don't. Anyway, I'm pleased to meet you." I smiled at the mirror.
"Prince Cedric!" The little woman in the mirror rounded on Cedric, "You haven't given her your name for her yet? Your little pet name? The one you call her in private? Or hasn't that come to pass yet?" The little woman looked a little confused. "Yes, I remember now! You called her your little Sparrow last night while you were consulting me. Something about your love life, or was it your hair? I don't remember, anyway, it's not important. What? Why are you blushing so red like that, Cedric?" The little woman was right: Cedric's face was scarlet.
"Is that my name then?" I asked. "Then I shall be Sparrow. Cedric?" I turned to him.
"Yes?" he said, his face going even redder, "Wait, I know why you want to know why I was talking about you. I was talking about you because…because…" I nodded to keep him going. "Because I was telling the mirror about a pretty prisoner that I was in charge of." He said in a rush.
"Wow. Okay then." I was startled. No one had ever called me pretty before, not even my mother. I looked at him out of the corner of my eyes. "Do you really think I'm pretty?"
"Yes, I said I did, didn't I?" He glared at the woman in the mirror, who had been giggling uncontrollably. "Shut up!" he turned to me again, "Do you like the name Sparrow?" he asked shyly.
"Yes. I think it is fine. It suits me, anyway!" when he looked at me quizzically, I explained. "I'm small and brown. Like sparrows." I touched my short brown hair, "See?"
"Sparrow is your name, and…and…oh dear. I don't know. You're right, Cedric-dear; I should stop trying to rhyme. I'm getting to old for this." She sighed. "I think I'll go take my afternoon nap now. Cedric, come give your Grandmother a kiss now."
Cedric got up and walked over to the mirror. "Have a nice nap, Grandmother." He kissed it gently, and then draped a midnight blue cloth over the mirror.
"She's your Grandmother?" I was stunned.
"Yeah, I mean, Yes," he hastily corrected himself, "She was Queen Xanon, married to Adamon the Peacemaker." He looked at the mirror, "Now she is just the Foreseer."
Suddenly I was very tired. I yawned, and my eyes started to flutter closed…
"Sparrow?" I looked up, "Good night." Cedric was sitting slumped in his chair, eyes closed. It appeared that I was not the only one who was suddenly exhausted.
"Night…" I murmured. My eyes closed and I slipped into blissful sleep. As my eyes closed in the physical world, I woke up in Sky's realm.
"Liana, my chosen one, come here." I ran into Sky's open arms, hugging him tightly.
"Sky! I have found the one who will help me! His name is Cedric, and…and…" I stopped because Sky was laughing.
"Yes I know my chosen!"
I stopped laughing and sighed. "He's so handsome, he's a lot like Alejandro…green eyes, black hair…except Cedric, and oh Cedric is so much more handsome…" I trailed off, letting a dreamy expression slide onto my face.
"Chosen, I am glad you like him. I believe that he is enamored of you too. I made it so." Sky stroked my hair in a fatherly manner.
"You made me like him? What!" I am not one to be easily manipulated. "But…but..." I sputtered angrily.
"Yes, I knew you would not like it, but you'll grow used to it."
"But I thought I was supposed to fall in love! I need to know it's real, and not…not…fake." I expelled all the breath that I had been holding angrily.
"Oh, trust me, my chose, it's not fake." Sky looked smug. "My helper, come here."
"Yes, Sky, what would you have me do?" Cedric said pleasantly.
"Meet the one who you are supposed to protect." Sky shoved me into Cedric's line of vision.
"Sparrow? But…but…" Cedric stared, mouth agape.
"Yes, me." I glared at him. "Are you disappointed? I thought your little grandmother-Foreseer told you it would be me?" I was still nettled from what Sky had told me about his meddling, and I was taking it out on Cedric.
"Oh, I knew that," Cedric scoffed, "But I just didn't expect to see you here."
I rolled my eyes, "Why wouldn't I be here? You heard what Sky called me: his chosen!"
"Well, fine then. Maybe I won't protect you, if you're going to be that way." Cedric turned around and started to walk away.
"Ah, ah, ah!" Sky pushed him back toward me. "You stay and make a plan. I need 'Sparrow' in Syrlan before Beltaine."
Cedric's mouth hung open. "Beltaine! But that's a two days after Alejandro's Ball!"
"I know, and it's your job to get her there." Sky pushed us both down so that we sat facing each other.
"Sky, why should Cedric help me?" I asked. It didn't make sense: Cedric was from Lamar and I was from Syrlan. Wouldn't Cedric want Lamar to win? I would indubitably help Syrlan to win.
"Yeah, why should I?" Cedric looked frightened that he had just questioned a god.
"Because if you don't, all will be lost: Alejandro, Eleanora, the Foreseer, and eventually all of Lamar." Sky turned to me. "You will cooperate with him from now on, you know, whether you like it or not. Or," Sky amended, "Only when it suits my purpose."
"Fine. Just don't make me do anything stupid." I though of another question, "When will I remember who I am again, in the physical world?"
"When you have both feet on the way to Mirkyn." Sky smiled at Cedric, "Now, you will have to wake up, both of you. Someone will be missing and suspecting something soon."
"Sky, can you tell me Sparrow's name?" Cedric sounded as if he was awkward using my assumed name in front of me, when I knew who I was.
"No, my helper, I cannot." Sky smiled, "You will know it someday, do not fear. As for now, it remains best that you keep calling my chosen Sparrow."
"Yes, sir." Cedric bowed his head and closed his eyes. He was gone with a small pop.
"Now, Liana, it is your turn. Trust me," Sky patted my head, "I have nothing to do with what goes on in your heart. I just happen to have employed the Foreseer in helping me to determine the best candidate for my helper."
"Sky," my brow furrowed in thought, "How will I find the Kirin Gardens?"
"I will instruct you the closer that you get. Now it is truly time for you to wake up," Sky said with a slight frown. He gently reached over and closed my eyes. "He will hurt you, dear one, but true and you will succeed in more ways than one."
I slipped back into the physical world, and screamed.
a/n: yippee! this chapter is up! Unfortunately, it is thursday, which means that i am going away before i can get another chapter done. sad isn't it? i'll try to right while i am computer deprived. Anyway, thanks to all who reviewed! *hugs* this chapter is longer. I'll try to make up for my away time with an extra long chapter and hope fully some real romance (yes, tally, it's coming.) anyway....review this time too! i love my reviews...i want at least five by the time i get back...that gives you a week or so!
cherry chica thanks for your reviews...and your praise! it makes me feel so special! and to answer a question- Sky made Dom forget so he couldn't reveal Liana.
Review!!! All!!!! Review Crazy me wants somemores reviews!!!!! :o)
"Oh hello, my little prisoner!" I looked up into the blue eyes of Princess Eleanora. "Have we decided to remember our name yet?"
I looked at her, and then pulled the sheet back up over my head. I wanted to go back to sleep, since I was still tired and she had woken me up.
"Ah, ah, ah! No going back to sleep my little Runner!" She laughed and pulled the sheet off the bed. I was going to have to wake up.
"What do you want?" I asked, glaring at the blonde-beauty.
"Your name," she said, blue ice turning hard.
I ran a hand through my tangled brown hair. "Sorry, I still can't remember."
"Oh really? You expect me to believe that? Hah!" She twirled around, skirts flowing. "You will tell me someday, I know you will." She looked me over, her eyes taking in what I was wearing, my hair and everything else about me all at once. "We'll need to get you some new clothes, that's for sure. I think that some black will do nicely. Maybe some hunter green gowns as well…"
"Why are you planning all these new clothes for me?" Usually, prisoners did not get treated to new outfits by their captors.
"Because I want everyone to be able to see my handiwork. You will be attending Alejandro's Coronation with me. I am presenting you as a gift to him. You must look good, of course. Otherwise no one will think that you are what I say you are, and we can't have them doubting the word of the Princess." So lost was she in her musings that she didn't notice Cedric come in.
"Eleanora!" He barked, "Get out!"
"C-Cedric! What're you doing in here?" Eleanora had frozen where she stood.
"I should ask you the same question." Cedric stared at his sister, one eyebrow raised.
"I was outfitting the prisoner for Alejandro's Coronation. She will be going to the Ball as your escort beforehand." Eleanora regained her composure quickly, it seemed.
"She does not need new clothes. What she has on is fine!" Cedric threw his hands up in the air and looked at me.
Now it was Eleanora's turn to give Cedric a wither glare. "Shows what you know. That wouldn't be suitable for rags, much less for your escort." Cedric blanched.
"I'm going to the Ball? I have to take an escort?" He stared at me. "I have to take her?"
"Yes," Eleanora said triumphantly. "That is what you must do. Now," she turned to me, "You will have a hunter green dress for the ball, and a black gown for the Coronation. The rest I will discuss with Mother. I will have something more…covering for you to wear by tonight." Eleanora spun around and pulled a lock of Cedric's black hair and yelled, "Open up!", and left the room.
Cedric stood there, a surprised look on his face.
"Why do I have to go to the Ball?" I asked him in a small voice.
"Because…Because Eleanora is making me go too."
"Oh." I sighed. "I can't dance, you know."
"That's okay, neither can I." I laughed softly, and he looked up. "What?"
"You're a Prince, shouldn't you be able to waltz perfectly across the floor with the lady of your choice?" I sat with my arms curled around my legs, my chin resting lightly on my knees.
"I will, at least that's what the Foreseer said." I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Now what?" he asked rather irritably.
"Who is this damned Foreseer?"
"I am she." I almost fell off the cot with shock. Where had that voice come from? "I am right here, child of my Prophecies." I looked at the mirror. There, encased in a gilt frame, was a woman dressed in a gown that seemed made of stars.
"Oh, I see now," I said shakily. Cedric sat back with a smug look on his face.
"A damned Foreseer I may be, but fickle is he." A ghostly thin hand pointed at Cedric.
"Excuse you! I wish you would not repeat such stuff in front of prisoners!" He sat up, indignant.
The Foreseer giggled. "Prisoner of stone is she, but prisoner of heart is he."
"Just shut up," Cedric grumbled. "And stop all the rhyming! I know you like to impress others, but just stop."
"Fine," she said with a sniff, "I will." She turned to me. "Child of my Prophecies, I am the Foreseer of Lamar."
"I would tell you my name if I knew it, but I don't. Anyway, I'm pleased to meet you." I smiled at the mirror.
"Prince Cedric!" The little woman in the mirror rounded on Cedric, "You haven't given her your name for her yet? Your little pet name? The one you call her in private? Or hasn't that come to pass yet?" The little woman looked a little confused. "Yes, I remember now! You called her your little Sparrow last night while you were consulting me. Something about your love life, or was it your hair? I don't remember, anyway, it's not important. What? Why are you blushing so red like that, Cedric?" The little woman was right: Cedric's face was scarlet.
"Is that my name then?" I asked. "Then I shall be Sparrow. Cedric?" I turned to him.
"Yes?" he said, his face going even redder, "Wait, I know why you want to know why I was talking about you. I was talking about you because…because…" I nodded to keep him going. "Because I was telling the mirror about a pretty prisoner that I was in charge of." He said in a rush.
"Wow. Okay then." I was startled. No one had ever called me pretty before, not even my mother. I looked at him out of the corner of my eyes. "Do you really think I'm pretty?"
"Yes, I said I did, didn't I?" He glared at the woman in the mirror, who had been giggling uncontrollably. "Shut up!" he turned to me again, "Do you like the name Sparrow?" he asked shyly.
"Yes. I think it is fine. It suits me, anyway!" when he looked at me quizzically, I explained. "I'm small and brown. Like sparrows." I touched my short brown hair, "See?"
"Sparrow is your name, and…and…oh dear. I don't know. You're right, Cedric-dear; I should stop trying to rhyme. I'm getting to old for this." She sighed. "I think I'll go take my afternoon nap now. Cedric, come give your Grandmother a kiss now."
Cedric got up and walked over to the mirror. "Have a nice nap, Grandmother." He kissed it gently, and then draped a midnight blue cloth over the mirror.
"She's your Grandmother?" I was stunned.
"Yeah, I mean, Yes," he hastily corrected himself, "She was Queen Xanon, married to Adamon the Peacemaker." He looked at the mirror, "Now she is just the Foreseer."
Suddenly I was very tired. I yawned, and my eyes started to flutter closed…
"Sparrow?" I looked up, "Good night." Cedric was sitting slumped in his chair, eyes closed. It appeared that I was not the only one who was suddenly exhausted.
"Night…" I murmured. My eyes closed and I slipped into blissful sleep. As my eyes closed in the physical world, I woke up in Sky's realm.
"Liana, my chosen one, come here." I ran into Sky's open arms, hugging him tightly.
"Sky! I have found the one who will help me! His name is Cedric, and…and…" I stopped because Sky was laughing.
"Yes I know my chosen!"
I stopped laughing and sighed. "He's so handsome, he's a lot like Alejandro…green eyes, black hair…except Cedric, and oh Cedric is so much more handsome…" I trailed off, letting a dreamy expression slide onto my face.
"Chosen, I am glad you like him. I believe that he is enamored of you too. I made it so." Sky stroked my hair in a fatherly manner.
"You made me like him? What!" I am not one to be easily manipulated. "But…but..." I sputtered angrily.
"Yes, I knew you would not like it, but you'll grow used to it."
"But I thought I was supposed to fall in love! I need to know it's real, and not…not…fake." I expelled all the breath that I had been holding angrily.
"Oh, trust me, my chose, it's not fake." Sky looked smug. "My helper, come here."
"Yes, Sky, what would you have me do?" Cedric said pleasantly.
"Meet the one who you are supposed to protect." Sky shoved me into Cedric's line of vision.
"Sparrow? But…but…" Cedric stared, mouth agape.
"Yes, me." I glared at him. "Are you disappointed? I thought your little grandmother-Foreseer told you it would be me?" I was still nettled from what Sky had told me about his meddling, and I was taking it out on Cedric.
"Oh, I knew that," Cedric scoffed, "But I just didn't expect to see you here."
I rolled my eyes, "Why wouldn't I be here? You heard what Sky called me: his chosen!"
"Well, fine then. Maybe I won't protect you, if you're going to be that way." Cedric turned around and started to walk away.
"Ah, ah, ah!" Sky pushed him back toward me. "You stay and make a plan. I need 'Sparrow' in Syrlan before Beltaine."
Cedric's mouth hung open. "Beltaine! But that's a two days after Alejandro's Ball!"
"I know, and it's your job to get her there." Sky pushed us both down so that we sat facing each other.
"Sky, why should Cedric help me?" I asked. It didn't make sense: Cedric was from Lamar and I was from Syrlan. Wouldn't Cedric want Lamar to win? I would indubitably help Syrlan to win.
"Yeah, why should I?" Cedric looked frightened that he had just questioned a god.
"Because if you don't, all will be lost: Alejandro, Eleanora, the Foreseer, and eventually all of Lamar." Sky turned to me. "You will cooperate with him from now on, you know, whether you like it or not. Or," Sky amended, "Only when it suits my purpose."
"Fine. Just don't make me do anything stupid." I though of another question, "When will I remember who I am again, in the physical world?"
"When you have both feet on the way to Mirkyn." Sky smiled at Cedric, "Now, you will have to wake up, both of you. Someone will be missing and suspecting something soon."
"Sky, can you tell me Sparrow's name?" Cedric sounded as if he was awkward using my assumed name in front of me, when I knew who I was.
"No, my helper, I cannot." Sky smiled, "You will know it someday, do not fear. As for now, it remains best that you keep calling my chosen Sparrow."
"Yes, sir." Cedric bowed his head and closed his eyes. He was gone with a small pop.
"Now, Liana, it is your turn. Trust me," Sky patted my head, "I have nothing to do with what goes on in your heart. I just happen to have employed the Foreseer in helping me to determine the best candidate for my helper."
"Sky," my brow furrowed in thought, "How will I find the Kirin Gardens?"
"I will instruct you the closer that you get. Now it is truly time for you to wake up," Sky said with a slight frown. He gently reached over and closed my eyes. "He will hurt you, dear one, but true and you will succeed in more ways than one."
I slipped back into the physical world, and screamed.
a/n: yippee! this chapter is up! Unfortunately, it is thursday, which means that i am going away before i can get another chapter done. sad isn't it? i'll try to right while i am computer deprived. Anyway, thanks to all who reviewed! *hugs* this chapter is longer. I'll try to make up for my away time with an extra long chapter and hope fully some real romance (yes, tally, it's coming.) anyway....review this time too! i love my reviews...i want at least five by the time i get back...that gives you a week or so!
cherry chica thanks for your reviews...and your praise! it makes me feel so special! and to answer a question- Sky made Dom forget so he couldn't reveal Liana.
Review!!! All!!!! Review Crazy me wants somemores reviews!!!!! :o)