~*~
Chapter 5 – FriendsAfter a couple of weeks avoiding Ann, Liam finally worked up the courage to talk to her. He still felt guilty for not standing up for her. But he had fixed her drawings as best as he could and he wanted to give them back to her.
When Liam walked to the maple tree, Ann was already sitting there on a carpet of fallen leaves playing a sad song on her flute. Liam stood and waited patiently for her to finish because he didn't want to interrupt her.
Ann put down her flute and looked at Liam expectantly, "Yes?"
Liam cleared his throat, "I, uh, I fixed these for you." He handed Ann the pieces of parchment.
"Oh, thanks." Ann smiled gratefully, "Won't you sit down?"
There was an awkward silence after Liam sat down. Finally Liam broke the silence.
"You know, I'd like to be your friend, if only you'd try to please Briana," Liam stopped, that didn't come out right. But before he could try again, Ann interrupted him.
"Why would I want to do that?" her eyes flashed.
"If you stop being so defiant to Briana and do what she wants, she'll lose interest and leave you alone. I know her way, she can't stand anyone not obeying her and being stronger than she is."
Ann turned to look at him with fire in her eyes, "So you are telling me to suck up to that arrogant girl you call your friend?"
"It's for your own good," Liam pleaded.
"If you want my friendship, don't try to change me. I'd rather be my defiant self and suffer than suck up to Briana." Ann got up to leave, but Liam pulled her back down.
"I, I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to tell you so Briana wouldn't hurt you anymore."
Ann sat down and sighed, not sure of how to reply. Another silence passed between them before Liam broke it again.
"Ann, you've been working here for more than a month now. I've been talking to you a lot, yet I don't know much about you, other than the fact that you are very talented and beautiful."
"Beautiful?" Ann said accusingly.
Oops, did I say that out loud? Liam blushed, "Um, yes you are."
"Don't try flattery with me, 'cause that won't work."
"I, I'm not," Liam stuttered. He cleared his throat, "So, um tell me more about you."
Ann looked as if she was deciding whether to oblige or not. Finally, she spoke, "Well um, there isn't much to tell. I guess I like nature, especially autumn and winter, but I like the summer too because that's when roses bloom. Aren't the leaves beautiful?" she gestured. There was a faraway look in her eyes, "My mother that I've been travelling a lot over the years."
Liam thought of asking her why, but changed his mind and nodded. There were so many questions he wanted to ask her, like how and where did she learn the to play the flute and where she came from. Maybe some other time.
Autumn whizzed by, soon winter was upon the land.
Liam had been spending a lot of time with Ann. He tried to teach her archery, but she didn't seem to be interested. She was more interested in riding, but since it was too cold to ride, they decided to wait for spring. Ann had been in Annon for quite a while. When the first snowfall came, she and Liam had a wonderful snowball fight.
On Christmas, everyone exchanged presents, as was the tradition. Liam gave Ann some paints and brushes. She was delighted and promised to try painting his portrait.
Briana seemed to turn her attention to someone else, for she hadn't done anything to Ann after the last incident. But whenever Ann and Liam were together, she'd give Ann dirty looks. Ann noticed, so one day she confronted the princess.
"Why do you hate me?" she asked bluntly.
"Me? Hate you? Why would I do that?" Briana replied innocently.
"Just what do you have against me?" Ann pressed.
"Go away, you maid! And stay away from my Liam. You're not worthy of my hatred."
Ann suppressed her laughter, her Liam? Not worthy of her hatred? Ann knew that she was jealous because Liam had been spending more time with her than Briana. But before she could voice her thoughts, the princess walked huffily away.
Liam was wondering aimlessly around the castle one afternoon. His lessons were cancelled for the rest of the week because his tutor went home to his family for the holidays. I'm bored. What should I do?
His thoughts had been answered, for Ann came running holding something white in her hand. When she got closer, Liam realized that she was carrying four slivers of bones. One long side was flat while the other side looked like they'd been sharpened. Each was about a foot long.
"Where did you get those and what are you going to do with them?" asked Liam, not sure if he wanted to know the answer.
Ann smiled, "I got them from the cook, they're from the banquet roast." Then seeing Liam's look of disgust, she added, "Don't worry, I cleaned them."
"What are you going to do with them?"
"I'll show you. Get dressed warmly and in your boots and follow me."
Liam did as he was told and followed Ann to the frozen pond behind the castle. Ann whipped out some leather straps from her pocket and used them to attach a sliver of bone to the bottom of her boot flat side up. Liam followed suite.
"I tested the ice this morning, it should be thick enough for us." Ann finished tying bones to her boots and stepped gingerly onto the ice. Liam tried to follow her, but as soon as he stepped onto the slippery surface, he fell on his backside.
Ann laughed and tried to help him up, but his weight dragged her down so that she fell on top of him.
"If you want to fall, you don't have to bring me down with you," Ann laughed as she picked herself up.
"Hey, it's my first time doing this. And you volunteered to help me," Liam protested.
So they slid around the pond hand in hand, for Ann had to help Liam with his balance. When Ann's hand touched his, his body tingled and he blushed. He couldn't help but smile. He stole looks at her to see if she felt the same warmth that he felt. If she did, she didn't show it.
"I need a rest," said Liam. He let go of her hand reluctantly and slid to the side of the pond. He sat on a fallen log on the bank and watched Ann intently. She moved so lightly and gracefully. She probably had lots of practice before.
Liam was watching so intently that he didn't see Briana show up with her lapdogs; nor did he see them tapping away at the ice at the end opposite of where Ann was. He didn't notice until he heard a crack. He looked and saw that the ice was breaking and that Briana's gang were putting away their tools. Ann was concentrating on keeping her balance that she did not see the danger that she was about to get into.
"Ann, get off the ice!" Liam shouted and ran towards her with difficulty since the bones were still on his boots.
Ann looked up and saw what was going on, but it was too late for her to stop. She screamed and fell through.
Liam got to her as fast as he could. Luckily, she wasn't too far from the edge of the pond, so Liam was able to reach and pull her out.
Ann was shivering all over, so Liam quickly carried her inside to the nearest fire, which was in the kitchen. There, someone took over and sent for a nurse. Liam was reluctant to leave her side, but he had business to take care of.
He met Briana and her lapdogs coming in from the cold and blocked their way.
"What did you do that for?" Liam asked coldly.
"Do what, dear prince?" Briana, as usual when accused, put up an innocent face.
"Don't lie to me Briana. Admit to what you did and apologized to Ann and I'll let you go."
Briana smiled sweetly, "I don't know what you are talking about.
Liam tried one more time. He grabbed one of Briana's partners' arms and held up the pick. "I saw you," he said flatly.
Now Briana looked nonchalant. "So what. She's just a maid."
"Oh, so you admit that you tried to kill her."
"I wasn't trying to do anything," Briana looked scared, Liam guessed that she was a bit remorseful for what she could've done. "Like I said, she's just a maid. I don't know why you care so much about her," Briana looked disgusted, "You, are a prince, and shouldn't lower yourself to people of her class. I don't. So why should I apologize to her? She's just a dirty slave."
Something inside Liam snapped; anger and rage filled him. It took all his strength not to punch the arrogant princess. "Admit it, you tried to kill her. Why should I follow your example? You, you are…" anger took over and he sought for the right words. "You know what? Get out! Get out of my country, go back to where you are welcome!"
Briana was stunned, and she was silent for once. Liam had never been this mad before, he had always been laidback and easygoing.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get packing and leave! I want you out of the palace by nightfall." He turned and walked away, leaving Briana with her mouth hanging open, which was very un-princess-like.
~*~
Yay! Another chapter (finally). Sorry to keep you waiting for so long, but I've been preoccupied with stuff.
I was gonna make this into two chapters, but since I took so long, I'll give you a long chapter.
Briana finally got what she deserved…and if you are wondering the same thing about Ann as Liam was, it'll be revealed in the next chapter.
Thank you sooo much for reading and reviewing my story!!!!
Cyjj – I've never seen Shaman King, so I don't know if my character is like Anna or not
Kaio – I liked your idea, so I put it in, thanx
I'll try to update ASAP, but since the holidays are coming, it might be a while.
*
/\
/ * \
/_ _\
/ * \
/ * \
/_ * _\
/ * \
/ * \
/____ _*__\
| _|
Happy holidays!!
