Your Highness
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: I am innocent, I tell you! INNOCENT!!!
A/N: Reviewers are, as always, awesome! Very random title, but... my story, my random titles! So go away! ~people start closing this screen~ No, wait! I was just... gah. Can't you people take a joke? LOL... my own insane sense of humor here... enough! Read! Oh, wait, reviewers first, here:
Me, Acorn and Sometimes Banana ~ Go do your homework! Oh, and thanks for reviewing, BTW. And I hope you liked that Oreo... (Again, for all you lawyers, I don't own Oreos... ~cries~ I wish I did...) Read her story Dancing With Demons, people!
me myself and i ~ I am terrible sorry that I offended you. ~grins~ Hail, fair reader! I do thank thee for reviewing!
Peachy Garlic ~ You reviewed! Okay, people, go read her stuff! I especially recommend... well, I can't choose a favorite, so go R&R it all! Oh, wait, my favorite is her bio. It is absolutely rolling-on-the-ground-laughing hilarious. She also just wrote some really good Tortallan haikus and poems. ~reads the rest of the review~ ~cringes~ And for anyone who cares/is wondering, I'm working on the next chapter of In The King's Own. It's just taking me awhile. Thanks, Peachy! I always enjoy reading your reviews... they add a LOT of insanity to my day... LOL!
kaelyn29 ~ Thanks for reviewing!
hydrangea ~ Wow... someone called my writing descriptive... thanks! Being a brunette with brown eyes, I agree. Why should the blonde, blue-eyed girls get to have all the fun?!? LOL... thanks!
SukiYumi ~ I know it was really direct, but the idea is that the potion drew her into the magical sleep. So, naturally, her first thought is, "There's a strange guy kissing me!" I'm glad you like it!
JLF ~ Glad you liked it!
angel-kiss7 ~ Thanks for reviewing! I'm sooooo sorry that I haven't updated in forever...
Teigr ~ It was just an old woman from the street... as far as you know... ~cough~ I just used Grandmother as a respective term.
fairychil2004 ~ Thank you!!! I really appreciate that!
~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as I woke up from my faint, I tried to sit up and found myself once more in the bed. Prince Phillip was standing impatiently by the door, flipping the tassel on a tapestry back and forth between his fingers. He didn't appear to have noticed yet that I was conscious.
I silently tried to make sense of what was happening. The only thing I could remember before the prince had kissed me was drinking the potion that old woman had given me.
I absently rubbed the silk of my gown between my fingers. If the man who claimed to be the prince truly was he and actually wished to marry me, I couldn't think of what else to do other than to consent. After all, if I refused, at best I'd be royally ordered to marry him. At worst I'd be killed.
Phillip turned. "Ah, dearest Aurora, you are awake. I - "
I winced. "Dearest prince, my name is Ara. I am no princess."
The man smiled condescendingly and, walking to the bed, sat down beside me. "It seems that the sleep had addled your mind. You say such strange things, my lady."
"All right, then. If I'm a princess, then where am I from?" I challenged, forgetting for a moment that this man ruled me.
Prince Phillip frowned. "I – I do not know, princess. They only say from some far off land. But you will surely remember yourself soon." The smile returned. "Are you ready to depart, dear one?"
I considered. Leaving with him seemed the only option, as he certainly wasn't going to accept refusal. "I suppose, highness," I sighed. I was truly uncertain as to what was to happen, but I had no choice, after all.
It may seem odd to you that I hesitated to go to the palace and marry the prince, but think for a moment. I knew nothing of court manners. I usually wore dresses, but I also loved the freedom of breeches. I also knew nothing about our country, other than that the royal family would always take care of our troubles. In short, it would be obvious that I was no noble, and certainly not a princess, and I would be accused of impersonation.
Prince Phillip held out his arm. I stared at it, wondering what her expected me to do.
He coughed and lowered his arm to his side. "Shall we leave?"
I followed him out the door into what seemed to be the grand hall of the castle. Although it was well built, it wasn't as finely adorned as my chamber had been. Staring at the intricate molding on the ceiling, I stumbled into the prince. "Beg pardon, your highness," I murmured, blushing. Clumsy, I scolded myself. This was the prince!
Phillip didn't say anything, just opened another door. I caught a glimpse of blue sky and a snow-white cloud hovering in the air. On the ground, a black stallion was tied to a post next to a chestnut mare.
The prince mounted the stallion with ease, then gestured to the mare. "She's yours," he told me. "Do you need help mounting?"
"No, thankee, my lord," I said, swinging myself onto the horse. Russ had taught me to ride years ago, and we had occasionally 'borrowed' horses to go for a ride.
The prince was staring at me in obvious discomfort. I wondered what I had done wrong before realizing that he expected me to ride sidesaddle. I blushed deeply. "My... my lord, I have only learned to ride such as this. I have never been taught to ride sidesaddle," I murmured softly.
Prince Phillip continued to stare at me in disbelief. "Surely they would not let a lady such as yourself ride as such?"
My mind spinning, I told him, "In the palace where I live, the – the women ride this way, my lord."
He nodded, seeming to believe me. "Very well. You will have an opportunity to learn to ride properly at our royal palace." The prince nudged his stallion to a brisk canter and I followed.
I lost rack of how long we rode. Neither the prince nor I said anything. The prince seemed bored, but I was lost in wonderment at the scenery. I had never before been outside the edge of my own small town, and I couldn't help but stare as we passed through large villages and cities.
What truly unnerved me was that whenever we met others along our way, they would instantly drop what they were holding and bow down to us. The prince nodded at them regally, but I kept my head down. I was no different from these peasants, for all the nice clothes I was wearing, and it felt awkward to pretend to be something I wasn't.
Hours later, as we rode through dry, deserted land, I thought I saw a dark spot on the horizon. In a few hours I could clearly make out a large building rising up from the ground. As we got closer, I couldn't help but stare at it. It was beautiful, a castle made of white stone, with blue banners waving from the towers. The banners were emblazoned with a silver star and moon. I knew I had seen that emblem somewhere before...
I gasped. "This is the palace?"
Prince Phillip looked uncomfortable. "I know it's not very big, or grand, but we're still adding on to it," he said apologetically. "We do hope to ensure that your highness is provided with the lavish lifestyle you are accustomed to in your own home."
I didn't say anything. The prince was apologizing? My life had most certainly changed... although I was soon to wonder if it were for better or worse.
~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Another short one. I know you're all screaming at me, or else cheering since you hate this story (Although, if you hate it, why have you read this far?), but I have a hundred and twenty question test tomorrow in science, and I haven't studied, plus a whole load of other stuff due tomorrow.
Hope you liked what little you got... if you didn't, flame away!
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: I am innocent, I tell you! INNOCENT!!!
A/N: Reviewers are, as always, awesome! Very random title, but... my story, my random titles! So go away! ~people start closing this screen~ No, wait! I was just... gah. Can't you people take a joke? LOL... my own insane sense of humor here... enough! Read! Oh, wait, reviewers first, here:
Me, Acorn and Sometimes Banana ~ Go do your homework! Oh, and thanks for reviewing, BTW. And I hope you liked that Oreo... (Again, for all you lawyers, I don't own Oreos... ~cries~ I wish I did...) Read her story Dancing With Demons, people!
me myself and i ~ I am terrible sorry that I offended you. ~grins~ Hail, fair reader! I do thank thee for reviewing!
Peachy Garlic ~ You reviewed! Okay, people, go read her stuff! I especially recommend... well, I can't choose a favorite, so go R&R it all! Oh, wait, my favorite is her bio. It is absolutely rolling-on-the-ground-laughing hilarious. She also just wrote some really good Tortallan haikus and poems. ~reads the rest of the review~ ~cringes~ And for anyone who cares/is wondering, I'm working on the next chapter of In The King's Own. It's just taking me awhile. Thanks, Peachy! I always enjoy reading your reviews... they add a LOT of insanity to my day... LOL!
kaelyn29 ~ Thanks for reviewing!
hydrangea ~ Wow... someone called my writing descriptive... thanks! Being a brunette with brown eyes, I agree. Why should the blonde, blue-eyed girls get to have all the fun?!? LOL... thanks!
SukiYumi ~ I know it was really direct, but the idea is that the potion drew her into the magical sleep. So, naturally, her first thought is, "There's a strange guy kissing me!" I'm glad you like it!
JLF ~ Glad you liked it!
angel-kiss7 ~ Thanks for reviewing! I'm sooooo sorry that I haven't updated in forever...
Teigr ~ It was just an old woman from the street... as far as you know... ~cough~ I just used Grandmother as a respective term.
fairychil2004 ~ Thank you!!! I really appreciate that!
~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as I woke up from my faint, I tried to sit up and found myself once more in the bed. Prince Phillip was standing impatiently by the door, flipping the tassel on a tapestry back and forth between his fingers. He didn't appear to have noticed yet that I was conscious.
I silently tried to make sense of what was happening. The only thing I could remember before the prince had kissed me was drinking the potion that old woman had given me.
I absently rubbed the silk of my gown between my fingers. If the man who claimed to be the prince truly was he and actually wished to marry me, I couldn't think of what else to do other than to consent. After all, if I refused, at best I'd be royally ordered to marry him. At worst I'd be killed.
Phillip turned. "Ah, dearest Aurora, you are awake. I - "
I winced. "Dearest prince, my name is Ara. I am no princess."
The man smiled condescendingly and, walking to the bed, sat down beside me. "It seems that the sleep had addled your mind. You say such strange things, my lady."
"All right, then. If I'm a princess, then where am I from?" I challenged, forgetting for a moment that this man ruled me.
Prince Phillip frowned. "I – I do not know, princess. They only say from some far off land. But you will surely remember yourself soon." The smile returned. "Are you ready to depart, dear one?"
I considered. Leaving with him seemed the only option, as he certainly wasn't going to accept refusal. "I suppose, highness," I sighed. I was truly uncertain as to what was to happen, but I had no choice, after all.
It may seem odd to you that I hesitated to go to the palace and marry the prince, but think for a moment. I knew nothing of court manners. I usually wore dresses, but I also loved the freedom of breeches. I also knew nothing about our country, other than that the royal family would always take care of our troubles. In short, it would be obvious that I was no noble, and certainly not a princess, and I would be accused of impersonation.
Prince Phillip held out his arm. I stared at it, wondering what her expected me to do.
He coughed and lowered his arm to his side. "Shall we leave?"
I followed him out the door into what seemed to be the grand hall of the castle. Although it was well built, it wasn't as finely adorned as my chamber had been. Staring at the intricate molding on the ceiling, I stumbled into the prince. "Beg pardon, your highness," I murmured, blushing. Clumsy, I scolded myself. This was the prince!
Phillip didn't say anything, just opened another door. I caught a glimpse of blue sky and a snow-white cloud hovering in the air. On the ground, a black stallion was tied to a post next to a chestnut mare.
The prince mounted the stallion with ease, then gestured to the mare. "She's yours," he told me. "Do you need help mounting?"
"No, thankee, my lord," I said, swinging myself onto the horse. Russ had taught me to ride years ago, and we had occasionally 'borrowed' horses to go for a ride.
The prince was staring at me in obvious discomfort. I wondered what I had done wrong before realizing that he expected me to ride sidesaddle. I blushed deeply. "My... my lord, I have only learned to ride such as this. I have never been taught to ride sidesaddle," I murmured softly.
Prince Phillip continued to stare at me in disbelief. "Surely they would not let a lady such as yourself ride as such?"
My mind spinning, I told him, "In the palace where I live, the – the women ride this way, my lord."
He nodded, seeming to believe me. "Very well. You will have an opportunity to learn to ride properly at our royal palace." The prince nudged his stallion to a brisk canter and I followed.
I lost rack of how long we rode. Neither the prince nor I said anything. The prince seemed bored, but I was lost in wonderment at the scenery. I had never before been outside the edge of my own small town, and I couldn't help but stare as we passed through large villages and cities.
What truly unnerved me was that whenever we met others along our way, they would instantly drop what they were holding and bow down to us. The prince nodded at them regally, but I kept my head down. I was no different from these peasants, for all the nice clothes I was wearing, and it felt awkward to pretend to be something I wasn't.
Hours later, as we rode through dry, deserted land, I thought I saw a dark spot on the horizon. In a few hours I could clearly make out a large building rising up from the ground. As we got closer, I couldn't help but stare at it. It was beautiful, a castle made of white stone, with blue banners waving from the towers. The banners were emblazoned with a silver star and moon. I knew I had seen that emblem somewhere before...
I gasped. "This is the palace?"
Prince Phillip looked uncomfortable. "I know it's not very big, or grand, but we're still adding on to it," he said apologetically. "We do hope to ensure that your highness is provided with the lavish lifestyle you are accustomed to in your own home."
I didn't say anything. The prince was apologizing? My life had most certainly changed... although I was soon to wonder if it were for better or worse.
~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Another short one. I know you're all screaming at me, or else cheering since you hate this story (Although, if you hate it, why have you read this far?), but I have a hundred and twenty question test tomorrow in science, and I haven't studied, plus a whole load of other stuff due tomorrow.
Hope you liked what little you got... if you didn't, flame away!