I'M BACK!!! The Maritimes of Canada was soo much fun (my fav is PEI) although I missed my computer!!

Thanx to erin for the suggestion, from now on I'll use "Dee" instead of "D", so
Dee=D, k, hope you aren't too confused.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter 5 – Father's Announcement

At dinner, I thought about John as I ate. He was a great rider, almost as good as me. He's also a lot of fun and very easygoing. I wondered why he was so nervous about going near the palace. I cursed myself for forgetting to ask him where he lived.

"I have an announcement." Father's voice interrupted my thoughts, we all looked up. "It's that time again, when Edward is going to spend a year in the court of Ayortha." I looked back to my food, for this doesn't concern me. Edward is the first in line for the throne, so he alone is required to go to Ayortha. Although I would miss him, I'm relieved that I don't have to go. Ayortha is a nice place and the people are nice (like Aunt Areida), but the nobles are so boring.

"But this year we've decided that you my dear daughter," Father looked at me "Would accompany your brother."

"What!" I jumped up without thinking "I'm not going!" I announced. Being stuck with Henry alone is pure torture, but it's better than going to the Ayorthaian court.

"Yes you are Elly." Mother looked at me and frowned. Mother almost never calls me that, except when she's mad.

"No I am not." I got worked up "I hate going to Ayortha, it's so boring there! Nobody talks and they make me feel bad about my singing." I couldn't sing if my life depended on it. My brothers laughed, but Mother still wasn't convinced, so I tried again. I turned to Father and said, "Father, please, oh please tell me I don't have to go. You know how boring it is there. What if um," I searched my brain for an excuse "What if my tongue withers from misuse, and I can't ever talk anymore? What would the people think if the Princess (I winced at the word) couldn't speak?"

Father looked surprised for a second, then he laughed. It took him a while to calm down. "Oh Dee. You are just like your mother." He smiled at Mother lovingly while I made a face. Almost everyone in Kyrria knew about their romance, it's now a legend in our country. But I think it's quite disgusting when they smooch and the way they look at each other.

Father turned back to me "I know it's going to be boring Dee, but it's for the peace of our countries."

I sighed; sometimes I wish I wasn't a princess. I gave it one more try "Please Father, please!" I begged.

"Sometimes I wish you could be more docile." Mother sighed.

I know what she's thinking: she wished that I had the curse of obedience like her. She'd never say that though because you have to be careful what you wish for. She said that a fairy put a curse on her at birth that she will always be obedient. But I don't believe her; I think Mother told us that story to scare me into being more obedient. And I don't believe in fairies. I believe in making things happen myself.

"Too bad. I'm not docile and I'm not going to Ayortha!" I know I was being rude but I really didn't want to go. "And nothing can make me!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~ A couple of days later, on the way to Ayortha ~

Okay, so I've lost and have to go to the Court of Ayortha. But not before I negotiated with my parents. I refused to ride in a carriage so they gave in and allowed me to ride. Also, I didn't have to stay the full year, only half a year was required. If I had to go to Ayortha, I'd have to bring my horse and travel my way. Now I'm riding Lightning alongside my brother Edward and Sundance. Of course, I was wearing men's clothes again. My parents didn't mind, but I saw the nobles wrinkle their noses.

Before we left, mother gave me a strange old book with a dusty leather cover she said belonged to her. She said it will entertain me on my journey. But I know it will be more use once I'm in the palace of Ayortha because the journey would be more entertaining.


I was right, on our way our guards spotted ogres. Luckily we were able to escape without too much trouble. We put beeswax in our years and rode as fast as we could, soon we outran them. But it was my first time being so close to these creatures. I shudder every time I remember their oily hair and the dried blood under their nails. I don't know how my mother ever faced up to them…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Thanx to all the ppl who reviewed!!
Brittney-Btrflies - sry, I didn't plan to have John as a bandit but I'll consider it as a possibility
Squeegiechick – I'll try to stick with fewer names but it's hard 'cause different characters have different names for her. As for John, you'll find out why he didn't want to go near the castle
arcticshewolf – I'm not sure what John's last name is 'cause I haven't thought about that. G.C.L. didn't put any last names in EE, so I don't know what the last names in EE are like.

Yeah I know I shift tenses, so can anyone help me with that??

REVIEWS PLZ!!!