Sam and Mirana found the other boys in one of the last possible isles of
the library.
They had pulled a number of armchairs into a tight circle and Perin and
Kevis were arguing in quiet voices. Cerry watched them and Ter was absorbed
in his book.
Sam sank onto the armrest of Ter's chair. "Hello, my ducklings! Did you miss us?" "Not really!" Ter muttered without looking up from his book. Sam glared at him and Ter added grinning, "I mean, Mirana is a good companion, but it wouldn't be tragic if your father had looked you into your room! But now that you are here, why don't you pull up a chair?" Sam grinned and sat down. He motioned for Mirana to sit down too, but she shook her head and browsed along the shelves.
After a while Ter joined her. "Looking for anything specific?" He asked her. "No, just browsing along!" the girl answered without looking up. Ter sighed and leaned against the bookcase next to her, arms crossed. After a brief silence he sighed again making Mirana look up at him. For the first time, she noticed that he was about half a head taller than her. "Listen, Mirana," He said, "I'm just curious, don't take this the wrong way! But, are you sure this is the right company for you to be with? Don't you want to be a proper young damsel who goes to the convent, learns to sing and dance, finds a husband and have many little children? Isn't that what all girls dream about? To be carried away by your dream-man to a far away castle and live your life surrounded by your off-spring?" Mirana blinked. She had often wondered the same thing, but after meeting the young ladies the night before at the ball and comparing them to the loose way the boys acted around her; there wasn't much to question.
Mirana looked at her feet in their new shiny boots. No proper ladies would wear them in public, or for that matter, show their legs to the world, even if they were covered in material. "Ter, I don't know!" she finally told the boy, "I love life the way it is at the moment. I am free to wonder with anyone at any time. But it won't stay like that. We're all growing up but I am still leading the life of a child! I haven't been exposed to difficulties. I've been sheltered and cared for as long as I remember. It hasn't changed since I came here. I've been accepted by their majesties, I don't have to be a wallflower and even if I do mistakes I have to excuse of being new to this world. But . . ." She paused and looked at Ter, "sometimes I wonder if I wont wake up all of a sudden and find myself lying in bed at House Ravens Call. Life seems too easy to be true!"
Mirana heaved a sigh. Ter raised his eyebrows, "My mother always said that life goes up and down. There will always be a time when it seems as if your stuck in a hole out of which you can't climb. But all of a sudden you'll find a ladder and you return to sunlight and peace." A smile played around Mirana's lips, "But once you start wondering and not taking care, you slip and fall again."
Ter nodded wisely, "Trust me, your life will get harder again. A big choice is coming up. A choice that will change your life forever. And I don't think it will be easy for you." Mirana shook her head "No, that it wont!"
A silence fell over them. It wasn't an uncomfortable one. Mirana leaned back and watcher Perin and Kevis argue. She was too far away to hear what they were talking about, but it couldn't be too serious because both Cerry and Ter, who were watching, were smiling broadly.
Mirana nodded into their direction, "What's the matter with them?" Ter looked up form the book he had pulled from the shelve. "Oh, those two! Kevis thinks that red is a girly colour and that just happened to be the colour of Perin's gift. So offcourse they are both trying to prove each other wrong." Ter sighed and read the back of his book while telling Mirana "Only problem is that Perin is good at debating and can think of good arguments, but our Kev is hopeless at proving a point, but he is very head-strong! So no one has a chance of winning! Come on, we better break it up!" Ter tucked the book under his arm and together with Mirana returned to the group.
That evening was a quiet occasion. After dinner the royal family and Mirana retreated to lounge room. A fire crackled in the corner, a candle burned on the wall and on desks and the atmosphere was peaceful.
Sam and Evie were playing a board, Sarisa embroidered, the King and Queen were talking about a certain law relating to the export of merino wool and Mirana was buried in on of the books she had buried from the library. Mirana had learned quickly that the royal family didn't belief in formalities. Korala had her feet up, Neptune was stretched out on the opposite coach to his wife and Sam and Evie were lying on their bellies on the crimson carpet. Only Sarisa sat in a perfect posture, a feet neatly together under a wide sweeping skirt. Her eyes were modestly downcast and her fingers were quick and deft as she pushed the needle through the fabric. Mirana wasn't sure how proper to behave so she sat in the armchair closest to the fire and too kept her feet neatly together even though she slouched back.
Mirana was so absorbed in her book "Past, Present and Future: A Story of the Realm of Aquas" that she didn't hear Sam call her name until he came over and waved a hand between her nose and the page. "Um, Mirana, are you awake?" Mirana jumped and just managed not to yelp. Sam grinned down at her, "I remember Don mentioning something about a certain person always being so engrossed in her readings! Any guesses who that might be?" Mirana glared and Korala told her son "Stop it, Samiel! At least she reads!" Sam groaned, "Please, mother, how many times do we have to go through this? I read, but I also enjoy other things like sharpening my warrior skills or playing games!" Korala raised her eyebrows, which Sam ignored. Turning to a grinning Mirana, he added, "Which reminds me! Do you want to play with us?"
While Sam talked, Evie had come up behind her older brother. Now she walked up to Mirana and smiled at her disarmingly taking the older girl's hand. Mirana's heart melted. She had never known any younger children, or older children for that matter, and even though she didn't know how to act around the young princess, for one of the first time she felt loved. To earn the love of a young child meant, in Mirana's point of view, to be accepted.
Mirana smiled and rose to her feet. "Sure! Why not?" she said. Evie pulled her back to the big empty space were the game had been set up. Sitting down, the young princess didn't loosen her grip on Mirana's hand, forcing the older girl to follow suit.
The bell rang, startling Mirana. Listening to the sound, she heard the bell ring ten times. Evie yawned next to her and curled up into a tight ball and closed her eyes. Her even breathing soon told Mirana that the child was asleep. Sarisa stood up and announced, "Good night, I'm going to my room!" she kissed her mother and father and without looking at Sam or Mirana left the room. Korala stretched and picked up her youngest daughter, whose only response was to frown in her sleep. "I think it's time for you two to go to bed too." She said to Sam and Mirana.
Mirana got to her feet and, bidding, the royal family good night, made her way down the corridor and into her room.
The next morning dawned dark and grey. Mirana groaned as she rolled out of bed. She tottered to the window, pushed it open and leaned out. A cool breeze blew her hair out of her face. Taking a deep breath, Mirana closed her eyes. She remind in that position till a timid knock on the door announced Silna. While the Silna swept the room, Mirana washed and got dressed. She felt that, in the presence of their majesties, she should wear a dress and not breeches and tunics.
Finally clad in a grey tunic dress with a white blouse, white stockings and black slippers, Mirana made her way to breakfast. Like the morning before Neptune was already sitting at the table. While servants brought in bowls of sticky oatmeal porridge, Mirana sat silently and looked at the table. "Cat got your tongue, youngster?" Nep's voice was kind and again it reminded Mirana of waves rolling onto the beach. Mirana ducked her head to hide her slightly blushing cheeks. "No, every thing's fine!" She said. Nep raised his eyebrows but nodded. "Well, maybe not everything!" Mirana said breaking the short silence. "Oh?" Nep said turning his bright blue eyes on Mirana. "You see, Nep, the airers have a Neptune in their stories. He is the mighty king, who is a merman and has many beautiful daughters. Are you the Neptune of their tales?" The king chuckled and Mirana blushed scarlet. "No, child, I am not! You see, a long time ago, an airer saw one of my ancestors swimming up at one of their beaches. That was before the barrier was erected. The person thought it was a dolphin till he saw his head. The man was terrified and called him King Neptune. I was named after that king of Aquas. Does that help you understand?" Mirana nodded and smiled.
Author's note
This was shorter than planned, but as my mother is always kind enough to remind me – school is more important than FanFiction!! Please read and review!
Sam sank onto the armrest of Ter's chair. "Hello, my ducklings! Did you miss us?" "Not really!" Ter muttered without looking up from his book. Sam glared at him and Ter added grinning, "I mean, Mirana is a good companion, but it wouldn't be tragic if your father had looked you into your room! But now that you are here, why don't you pull up a chair?" Sam grinned and sat down. He motioned for Mirana to sit down too, but she shook her head and browsed along the shelves.
After a while Ter joined her. "Looking for anything specific?" He asked her. "No, just browsing along!" the girl answered without looking up. Ter sighed and leaned against the bookcase next to her, arms crossed. After a brief silence he sighed again making Mirana look up at him. For the first time, she noticed that he was about half a head taller than her. "Listen, Mirana," He said, "I'm just curious, don't take this the wrong way! But, are you sure this is the right company for you to be with? Don't you want to be a proper young damsel who goes to the convent, learns to sing and dance, finds a husband and have many little children? Isn't that what all girls dream about? To be carried away by your dream-man to a far away castle and live your life surrounded by your off-spring?" Mirana blinked. She had often wondered the same thing, but after meeting the young ladies the night before at the ball and comparing them to the loose way the boys acted around her; there wasn't much to question.
Mirana looked at her feet in their new shiny boots. No proper ladies would wear them in public, or for that matter, show their legs to the world, even if they were covered in material. "Ter, I don't know!" she finally told the boy, "I love life the way it is at the moment. I am free to wonder with anyone at any time. But it won't stay like that. We're all growing up but I am still leading the life of a child! I haven't been exposed to difficulties. I've been sheltered and cared for as long as I remember. It hasn't changed since I came here. I've been accepted by their majesties, I don't have to be a wallflower and even if I do mistakes I have to excuse of being new to this world. But . . ." She paused and looked at Ter, "sometimes I wonder if I wont wake up all of a sudden and find myself lying in bed at House Ravens Call. Life seems too easy to be true!"
Mirana heaved a sigh. Ter raised his eyebrows, "My mother always said that life goes up and down. There will always be a time when it seems as if your stuck in a hole out of which you can't climb. But all of a sudden you'll find a ladder and you return to sunlight and peace." A smile played around Mirana's lips, "But once you start wondering and not taking care, you slip and fall again."
Ter nodded wisely, "Trust me, your life will get harder again. A big choice is coming up. A choice that will change your life forever. And I don't think it will be easy for you." Mirana shook her head "No, that it wont!"
A silence fell over them. It wasn't an uncomfortable one. Mirana leaned back and watcher Perin and Kevis argue. She was too far away to hear what they were talking about, but it couldn't be too serious because both Cerry and Ter, who were watching, were smiling broadly.
Mirana nodded into their direction, "What's the matter with them?" Ter looked up form the book he had pulled from the shelve. "Oh, those two! Kevis thinks that red is a girly colour and that just happened to be the colour of Perin's gift. So offcourse they are both trying to prove each other wrong." Ter sighed and read the back of his book while telling Mirana "Only problem is that Perin is good at debating and can think of good arguments, but our Kev is hopeless at proving a point, but he is very head-strong! So no one has a chance of winning! Come on, we better break it up!" Ter tucked the book under his arm and together with Mirana returned to the group.
That evening was a quiet occasion. After dinner the royal family and Mirana retreated to lounge room. A fire crackled in the corner, a candle burned on the wall and on desks and the atmosphere was peaceful.
Sam and Evie were playing a board, Sarisa embroidered, the King and Queen were talking about a certain law relating to the export of merino wool and Mirana was buried in on of the books she had buried from the library. Mirana had learned quickly that the royal family didn't belief in formalities. Korala had her feet up, Neptune was stretched out on the opposite coach to his wife and Sam and Evie were lying on their bellies on the crimson carpet. Only Sarisa sat in a perfect posture, a feet neatly together under a wide sweeping skirt. Her eyes were modestly downcast and her fingers were quick and deft as she pushed the needle through the fabric. Mirana wasn't sure how proper to behave so she sat in the armchair closest to the fire and too kept her feet neatly together even though she slouched back.
Mirana was so absorbed in her book "Past, Present and Future: A Story of the Realm of Aquas" that she didn't hear Sam call her name until he came over and waved a hand between her nose and the page. "Um, Mirana, are you awake?" Mirana jumped and just managed not to yelp. Sam grinned down at her, "I remember Don mentioning something about a certain person always being so engrossed in her readings! Any guesses who that might be?" Mirana glared and Korala told her son "Stop it, Samiel! At least she reads!" Sam groaned, "Please, mother, how many times do we have to go through this? I read, but I also enjoy other things like sharpening my warrior skills or playing games!" Korala raised her eyebrows, which Sam ignored. Turning to a grinning Mirana, he added, "Which reminds me! Do you want to play with us?"
While Sam talked, Evie had come up behind her older brother. Now she walked up to Mirana and smiled at her disarmingly taking the older girl's hand. Mirana's heart melted. She had never known any younger children, or older children for that matter, and even though she didn't know how to act around the young princess, for one of the first time she felt loved. To earn the love of a young child meant, in Mirana's point of view, to be accepted.
Mirana smiled and rose to her feet. "Sure! Why not?" she said. Evie pulled her back to the big empty space were the game had been set up. Sitting down, the young princess didn't loosen her grip on Mirana's hand, forcing the older girl to follow suit.
The bell rang, startling Mirana. Listening to the sound, she heard the bell ring ten times. Evie yawned next to her and curled up into a tight ball and closed her eyes. Her even breathing soon told Mirana that the child was asleep. Sarisa stood up and announced, "Good night, I'm going to my room!" she kissed her mother and father and without looking at Sam or Mirana left the room. Korala stretched and picked up her youngest daughter, whose only response was to frown in her sleep. "I think it's time for you two to go to bed too." She said to Sam and Mirana.
Mirana got to her feet and, bidding, the royal family good night, made her way down the corridor and into her room.
The next morning dawned dark and grey. Mirana groaned as she rolled out of bed. She tottered to the window, pushed it open and leaned out. A cool breeze blew her hair out of her face. Taking a deep breath, Mirana closed her eyes. She remind in that position till a timid knock on the door announced Silna. While the Silna swept the room, Mirana washed and got dressed. She felt that, in the presence of their majesties, she should wear a dress and not breeches and tunics.
Finally clad in a grey tunic dress with a white blouse, white stockings and black slippers, Mirana made her way to breakfast. Like the morning before Neptune was already sitting at the table. While servants brought in bowls of sticky oatmeal porridge, Mirana sat silently and looked at the table. "Cat got your tongue, youngster?" Nep's voice was kind and again it reminded Mirana of waves rolling onto the beach. Mirana ducked her head to hide her slightly blushing cheeks. "No, every thing's fine!" She said. Nep raised his eyebrows but nodded. "Well, maybe not everything!" Mirana said breaking the short silence. "Oh?" Nep said turning his bright blue eyes on Mirana. "You see, Nep, the airers have a Neptune in their stories. He is the mighty king, who is a merman and has many beautiful daughters. Are you the Neptune of their tales?" The king chuckled and Mirana blushed scarlet. "No, child, I am not! You see, a long time ago, an airer saw one of my ancestors swimming up at one of their beaches. That was before the barrier was erected. The person thought it was a dolphin till he saw his head. The man was terrified and called him King Neptune. I was named after that king of Aquas. Does that help you understand?" Mirana nodded and smiled.
Author's note
This was shorter than planned, but as my mother is always kind enough to remind me – school is more important than FanFiction!! Please read and review!