**
CHAPTER TWENTY
Elizabeth knew the castle.
She knew the dark stone halls like the back of her hand. She knew the secret underground passageways one of her ancestors had installed in case there was any need for a royal family's quick escape. She knew that the stairway spiraling from her father's private chambers led to a darkened hallway that held portraits of her entire family line, looking cold and distinguished, and all very royal. But most importantly, she knew the quickest route to take in the early morning with the least chance of meeting anyone.
She knew she would be quite a site if anyone happened to see her-her dress was rumpled and her hair was mussed, her lips deliciously swollen and red. She certainly had enjoyed the way she had come to look so disheveled, but she doubted her mother would approve of anything her daughter had been doing lately.
She tread quickly on the stone floor, her feet stinging with each step. There were no windows this deep into the heart of the castle, and what little light found it's way here was cast into faint shadows. Elizabeth doubted whether this particular part of the castle had ever seen the light of day. The moss growing on the stone walls seemed to back up that theory.
A shiver passed through her as a cold draft came down the hall. Rubbing her arms in an attempt to create some warmth, she continued on, hoping no one would see her.
When she reached her rooms, she sighed in relief. She had made it.
She quickly stripped her clothes and fell back into her giant four poster bed, drawing the heavy curtains around. Her head hit the pillow and she relished in its softness. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
Elizabeth was awakened by the sound of two female voices, both cheerful and very giggly. Elizabeth smiled slightly. Cordelia and Winifred. For so long, they had been one of her only outlets to the outside world. Their presence could always cheer her up.
"No," Fred said.
"Yes!" Cordelia replied emphatically.
"She actually told you that?" Fred asked.
"Well, no.but, I swear it's true," she replied earnestly, "She wouldn't have been hanging off him like that if it wasn't."
"What's her name again?" Winifred asked.
"Buffy. something? I don't know. I haven't actually spoken to her."
Fred smiled knowingly. This was so like Cordelia. "Of course not," she laughed.
"Hey!" Cordelia objected. "I have a very reliable source. Alana saw them by the market this morning! Liam and 'Buffy.' Said they were-"
"Cordelia!" Fred said, pretending to be scandalized.
"Oh stop it, Fred. You're not offended. I seem to remember finding you and Gunn in quite the same predicament," Cordelia said, a glint in her eye.
"Cordelia!"
Elizabeth's eyes shot open, all of her weariness forgotten. What's this? She and Liam were being talked about? People had seen them. Oh dear. Elizabeth groaned softly, as to not disturb the two girls' conversation. This could be very bad.
"Anyway, as I was saying, it seems Liam's got a new girl. And no one knows who she is. Alana thought it might have been Darla for a second, but everyone knows how much he hates her. A few days ago, Riley told Forrest about how he liked a blond girl named Buffy, and everyone knows how much they hated each other. What better revenge? Steal his girl. Even when Riley is dead. I thought Liam had more respect than that."
Fred frowned. "You know Liam. He would never do that. Even if he hated him. And you didn't even like Riley."
Cordelia smiled, "I guess not. But still. I'm pretty sure her name is Buffy. Who else could it be?"
"I don't know," Fred replied.
Cordelia approached the giant bed where Elizabeth lay, opening the curtain and allowing the morning sunlight into the dark haven. Elizabeth feigned sleep as the two girls set out upon their duties.
Both Cordelia and Fred were about her age, maybe a year older. They were quite beautiful, in Elizabeth's opinion, with long dark brown hair and slim figures. They were proud to be Elizabeth's private maids.
Cordelia fingered an elegant dress from Elizabeth's wardrobe, taking it out and laying it on the bed near Elizabeth's feet. She looked almost wistful as she traced the line of the seam, feeling the fabric beneath her fingers.
"I wish I had a dress like this," she whispered to Fred, who had also stopped what she was doing to admire the dress.
"Maybe someday you will," Fred said encouragingly, with a smile.
Cordelia looked down at her own plain dress, and sighed. "She has it so easy," she said, referring to the Princess. "She doesn't do anything! She's showered with gifts and new clothes and all she does is sit around the palace."
Elizabeth fought the extremely strong urge to snort and tell Cordelia exactly how wrong she was.
Fred came to her defense, "I doubt her life is easy, Cordelia. It must be terribly lonely. And she has to marry William the Bloody. I doubt she's looking forward to that. The man is. evil, Cordelia. He conquered my land and took me as a slave. Liam as well. Only Liam was lucky enough to have the Princess free him. It took me five years," she said, pained by the memory.
Cordelia stared at the dress regretfully, "I guess," she said. "I still don't think she deserves all of this," she stated, gesturing around the large chamber, "but I guess her life isn't easy."
Elizabeth could have sworn Cordelia was pouting.
"Well, if you were a Princess, you could have all of this," Fred said.
"I wouldn't be a Princess, dearest Winifred. I would be a Queen."
"Queen C?" Fred asked, smiling.
"Of course," she said. The two girls burst into laughter, and set about their duties again. Fred began folding.
"All hail Queen C!" she exclaimed.
"Control thy impudent tongue, girl, or I will have to punish thee," Cordelia said in mock seriousness, and Fred was sent into an immediate fit of giggles.
"I'd best be waking the Princess up. She has a luncheon to attend with Lord William," Fred stated, moving over to the bed.
Cordelia grimaced. "She has to eat with that man? I guess I do pity her."
Fred shook her head in exasperation. "Oh, Cordelia," she sighed.
Feeling Winifred's presence, Elizabeth pretended to be affected by the morning sunlight that was currently filtering into the room. She grumbled as Fred gently shook her awake.
"Come on, milady. You're to dine with Lord William this afternoon. You must be dressed and ready!" she said cheerfully.
Elizabeth gingerly sat up in bed. "Oh, Joy," she said, her sarcasm evident. She had forgotten about the luncheon until the girls had mentioned it.
"Now, Princess," Fred said disapprovingly. "It's not that bad. Think of Lord William! He's quite handsome, and everyone know how taken he is with you," she said, trying not to flinch.
Elizabeth looked at Fred sadly. Having heard her conversation with Cordelia before, she knew she was just trying to cheer her up. And she was thankful for it.
She sighed and stepped out of bed, where Fred and Cordelia helped dress her in a formal gown. It was quite beautiful, and Elizabeth could feel Cordelia's jealous eyes raking over her body. As Cordelia was fixing her hair, she could tell that she wasn't going out of her way to be gentle.
When she was finally finished dressing, a look in the mirror. Even though her reflection was warped (for the mirror was not perfect), she could tell that she looked beautiful. If she couldn't tell from the mirror, Cordelia was practically screaming in envy.
Still, she felt for her. Cordelia would never have the things she did... she would always be a chambermaid.
As the girls left, she called Cordelia back. She came reluctantly, a pout forming across her lips.
"Yes, Princess?" she said in an overly sweet tone.
Elizabeth went to her wardrobe and pulled out the dress Cordelia had been admiring. She pulled it from its hanging, careful not to damage it in any way.
She turned to the servant girl, the elegant costume in her hands. "I hope it fits," she said simply, as she thrust it into the other girl's hands.
"Wha-what?" Cordelia sputtered.
Elizabeth smiled. "Take it. Lord knows I have enough. Go be Queen C," she said.
Before Cordelia could reply, Elizabeth swept out of the room. Risking a quick glance backwards, she saw the girl staring down at the dress in a state of utmost shock.
She chuckled to herself the entire way down to the Great Hall.
Upon arriving, William descended upon her like a plague. Or something equally undesirable. "Oh, Elizabeth! I'm so glad I could see you today! It's been almost a week!"
"That it has," she said sweetly, hoping he didn't hear her grinding her teeth.
"Shall we dine tomorrow night? Tonight is not very good; I have a meeting with one of my generals. We must discuss our strategy of war. It's terribly important."
"Really," Elizabeth said dryly. "Then, by all means, don't let me keep you. Tomorrow sounds fine," she lied.
"Fantastic!" he said jovially, taking her hand and kissing it. "I shall alert the kitchen staff."
She pulled her hand away as if it had burned.
She took her seat at the long table, as William sat down across from her. "We're just waiting for one of the noble men to join us. Then we shall eat."
Elizabeth groaned softly. This was going to be even worse than she planned. To top it all off, her stomach was starting to ache.
A man entered the hall, and William moved to greet him. They came back to the table, where William introduced the man.
"This is the Princess Elizabeth," William said, and the man bowed deeply to her.
She curtsied in return. "Elizabeth, this is one of my best generals, Lord Penn."
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Penn," she said, smiling sweetly.
He took her hand and kissed it gently. "I assure you, your highness, the pleasure is all mine."
A long shiver went down her spine.
**
END CHAPTER TWENTY
A/N- What? What's this? An update? In a week and a half? Is she sick or something?
Hehe... :)
This chapter was a fun one to write. I think we needed some comic relief, so Cordelia and Fred came out. The story is coming along nicely, I'm already working on the next chapter!
So review, kind readers. All the cool kids are doing it! PEER PRESSURE! Give in! Give in and review! ;)
Oh, and anybody interested, I started the third chapter of Oceans. It's about 200 words, but it's coming along. I promise that I'm working on it. Really! What? Do you not believe me? *hopes her charming smile is enough to placate angry readers*
I thank all who reviewed last chapter:
Lori- Hey! Thank you for always reviewing!
Lady Moiraine- Thanks for reviewing. To answer your question, I'm currently studying Latin. I don't know a whole lot, and the conjugations on the prophecy is probably a little off, but I tried my best! Interfecta means killer, or slayer, and lamia means vampire or witch (according to my Latin teacher). I also love etymology. One of my father's partners is one too, and he enlisted my help to write his next book on word derivations. I love the stuff. It's pretty interesting once you get into it. Gracias para tu review! Wow I have no vocabulary. ;)
Honey-B- You're positively frightening. Thanks for the review! I was in TAG when I was like in 8th grade, but then I got lazy and didn't want to do anymore work. I'm a Talented and Gifted dropout! For shame. Btw, affect = verb, and effect = noun. Hehe. it took me years to figure that out.
Kari- Thank you!! Such nice compliments *sigh*. Thanks again!
Arabow- If you thought that was fast, what about this? Teehee. Thanks!
Jess- Thank you for your review. Thank you for telling me what you wanted to see, what I did wrong. I tried to establish William as more of a character in this chapter, and I sort of addressed the Druscilla thing. Thanks a lot!
AngelRose4- Ah, AngelRose. Thank you for reviewing.
Never look back- The prophecy will come into major play soon enough. Soon enough. Be patient, and thou shall reap the rewards. ;)
Newbies! I love my newbies!
Angelicslayr007- why, thank you! That's very nice of you to say. Thanks for reviewing!
Sith Lord Darth Omar- Hey! I don't remember you ever reviewing before, but I'm glad you're a fan. And I'm glad Riley's gone as well; nobody likes him! And I think B/R shippers are a pretty nonexistent threat., hehehe. Thanks for reviewing!
nancy frisina- Thanks for reviewing! I hope this update was fast enough for you!
Miss-ange- hey, thanks for reviewing! More nice compliments!. And thanks for adding me! That's one of the coolest things that ever happens, to see your story on someone list. It's supercool, thanks!
To all of the readers, I'm having a contest. I'm going to change the summary that appears on the story listing, but I can't think of a good summary. Something witty, but true to the story. So drop your thoughts into a review, and whoever has the best one get there's put up on the listing!
So remember, cave into peer pressure and REVIEW!, and I'll work on the next chapter. And help me think of a summary sentence or two!
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