Author's Note: I was very pleased that everyone seemed to get along with the first chapter. How'd you like it? I couldn't wait to get started on this chapter because the thought never occurred to me to make Lily and Sirius best friends. You know? It was always Sirius and James. I hope you like this chapter. And if you don't, well...SCREW YOU! Review please!
Thanks a lot to my reviewers!
Suggestions? Questions? Counseling? Just ask Indiangurl!
Chapter Title: Lady Lily Finds Freedom
Disclaimer: The characters, such as: Lily, James, Sirius and Remus, are not mine. All belongs to J.K. Rowling. Plot belong to Indiangurl.
Along the southern borders of the Golden Kingdom, where the Winding River cuts through the Hidden Forest, there was another empire ruled by a well-known queen. In this kingdom known as Flanna everyone was treated with dignity and respect and as such, the people of Flanna were expected to act in the same manner.
In this valiant empire located in southern England, a princess tried to escape the cage that trapped her:
Princess Lily Evans lay on her soft sheets not asleep, on the contrary, but wide awake. She listened intently to the soft murmurs of the guards that made their morning rounds around the castle. When their footsteps and whispers grew faint Lily slipped out of her bed and quietly made her way to the castle window. Lily looked down the castle wall toward the courtyard below. It was deserted.
With a faint smile of satisfaction, Lily slipped her white, sleeping gown over her head revealing her peasant-clothing underneath. She had sent a servant out the previous week to retrieve the common garments for her. Lily folded her nightgown and stuffed it in the knapsack that lay on the ledge of the window. She grabbed a bundle of old, ragged fabric that she knotted together and threw it out the window. She slowly eased her way out the window into the morning mist.
With the knapsack tied around one wrist and the old fabric clutched tightly with her hands, she peered at her parlor once more before she carefully lowered herself down into the courtyard.
Lily was quite pleased with herself. That is until a boy with raven hair and a huge grin plastered on his face called to her from the window. This boy's name was Sirius meaning 'brightest star' and he was Princess Lily's protector. He wore long, flowing robes that concealed his wand, daggers and sword that was attached to his belt. By order of the queen herself, he was to follow and protect her wherever she went. In his duty to do so, he had become Lily's best friend.
"And where, pray tell, do you think you're gallivanting off to? Hm?"
Lily cursed the timing as she replied, "I'm going to go to the temple and pray," Lily called up to him, trying desperately not to look down.
The boy smirked, "You? Pray? Oh, Queen Celeste would just love to see this. Here, let me go summon her majesty--"
"NO!" Lily swayed back and forth on her old, ragged cloth. "Alright, alright! I'm going to cross into Chrysander Kingdom."
Sirius rested his elbows on the ledge and sighed. "You know what I have to do now, don't you?"
Lily's heart plummeted, "Sirius, please don't tell mother. You have to understand! I was betrothed last night to a boy I've never even heard of and I can't just sit here and have my life lived for me." Lily's arms were starting to ache from holding herself up next to the wall.
Sirius shook his head, "Yes, yes. Prince James of the Golden Kingdom is just on the other side of the Hidden Forest. Heard he was an arrogant prick." Sirius looked down at Lily and felt a wave of sympathy wash over him. "Well, I just can't let you go alone now, can I?"
Lily grinned, "Going to tag along, are you?"
"I couldn't live with the fact that I let the princess wander off by herself into the horrifying world of the peasants," Sirius said, throwing his leg over the side of the window and easing himself down the wall.
Lily kept making her way down as well. "No, you just don't want me to tell mum you've been taking maids into her private chambers again."
When both teenagers reached the bottom, Sirius rummaged into his back pocket and pulled out a white, lace handkerchief. "Here," he said, wrapping the garment around Lily's hair, "Your hair will draw too much attention to you, milady." Sirius grabbed her hand, "Here, this way. We might have a fair chance if we take the north exit."
Lily nodded and allowed herself to be guided by Sirius. They were walking at top speed towards the exit when suddenly Sirius threw himself behind a suit of armor, taking Lily with him.
"What are you doing?" Lily hissed.
"Shh! Listen!"
Lily held her breath and heard two men talking to each other farther down the courtyard. She peeked her head out from behind the suit of armor. She could see the exit. It was so close. Not even twenty feet away.
Sirius poked his head out as well; "There's the north exit. I think we can make it if we run for it," Sirius whispered. He took her by the hand again, "On the count of three. One…"
The echoes of the men grew louder. "Two…"
Lily's heart was prepared to jump out of her mouth. "THREE!"
Sirius yanked her out from behind the armor but just as he did so the two watchmen rounded the corner.
"Hey! You two over there!" One of the watchmen yelled at them. Both were pulling out their wands as they ran to where Lily and Sirius were standing.
"Damn!" Sirius muttered.
Still holding onto her protector's hand, Lily asked, "What now?"
The watchmen were getting closer.
"Give me a minute to think--"
"We don't have a minute," Lily hissed, tying the handkerchief around her head tighter, "This was your bright--"
Before Princess Lily finished her sentence, Sirius pulled her by the back of the neck to his lips. Lily struggled but Sirius was too strong for her. He just flattened his body tighter to her own. When Sirius broke away, Lily was flushed with anger and embarrassment.
"How dare you!" Lily squealed, wiping her mouth furiously with her sleeve.
Sirius clasped his hand around her mouth, "Don't speak unless spoken to, don't look them in the eyes and keep your head down," Sirius whispered before he pressed his lips against hers again.
"You there!" The nearest and shortest watchmen tapped Sirius on the shoulder. Sirius spun around, standing in front of Lily, trying to keep her from view.
The watchmen's eyes grew wide. They stood up straight and tucked away their wands. "Lord Sirius! So sorry sire-We didn't realize it was you."
Sirius waved his hand impatiently, "Please tell me good sirs as to why you are interrupting me and my maiden?"
The watchmen peered around Sirius and looked at Lily. Lily averted her eyes to the ground and didn't make one peep. She even made sure that they couldn't hear her breathe.
"What's your name miss?" The taller watchmen asked.
Sirius cleared his throat, "This is Belle, from the house of…uh…Grimmauld."
"If it isn't too bold for me to say sire, she's prettier than the other ones," The watchmen whispered.
Lily blushed.
Sirius ran his hand through his hair, "That is too bold."
"Sorry sire, it wasn't our place. We'll be on our way."
The two watchmen bowed and left Lily and Sirius' presence.
"Are they gone?" Lily asked, still standing behind Sirius.
"Yes milady. I believe so," Sirius answered.
"Good," Lily reeled back her hand and smacked Sirius on the side of the head. Sirius staggered. "Don't you EVER do that to me again! I may be a girl but I can still whip you!"
"You think I took pleasure in that?" Sirius demanded, rubbing his head where Lily had hit him, "I mean look at yourself," Sirius pointed at her, "That straight red hair, those beautiful eyes, your fair skin and look! You have the whitest teeth I have ever seen! Now, I ask you, why would I ever want to kiss that?"
Lily grinned, "Oh, come on. Let's get out of here."
"Your majesty, do you have the slightest clue as to where you're heading?" Sirius asked, stumbling over several rocks that were in the middle of the dirt road.
The sun was now directly overhead and Lily was beaming with fascination. The dusty road they were on was crammed full of peasants washing their garments, making conversation and haggling over high vegetable prices. Small children played 'Sleigh the Dragon' with each other and young maidens made puppy eyes at Sirius.
"Isn't this all captivating?" Lily asked Sirius, "Who would have thought that there was a whole different world out there away from servants and tea parties?"
Sirius arched his eyebrow, "You, dear princess, have led a sheltered life."
Lily swung her knapsack at Sirius, "Shh!" Lily hissed, "Don't address me as your princess in a place like this!"
Lily walked on down the road, swinging her bag as she did so. Sirius followed closely behind her, trying to conceal his weapons underneath his cloak.
"Which way to Chrysander?" Lily asked Sirius, still peering around at her unique, new environment.
Sirius pointed north, "That way, through the Hidden Forest and over the Winding River."
Lily nodded her head, "Then that's the way we will take our journey."
"What's an enchanting woman, such as yourself, doing out here all by your lonesome?"
The words were slurred and made Lily's insides turn cold. She turned around and gazed at a stranger. His face was smeared with dirt and his breath was putrid with a smell of whiskey. He took hold of her by the elbow.
"What say you if we go and find ourselves a private spot to--"
Lily ripped her elbow free, "Excuse me sir but I am NOT that kind of a woman. Now good day to you!"
The man stumbled forward; "There's some shiny galleons for you if--"
Sirius appeared behind Lily, "She said good day to you." He forced Lily behind him.
The drunkard sneered, "Who are you, her keeper?"
Lily saw Sirius reach inside his cloak and grasp something, which probably was his wand or sword. It didn't matter because her guardian was skilled at both. The awful peasant took a swig out of the bottle of whiskey he held in his left hand. He seemed to survey Sirius, looking him up and down.
Lily rolled her eyes. Do you think her mother, the queen, would choose a scrawny, little boy to protect her daughter? No, of course not! Sirius towered over the poor smelling man by about a foot and was at least twice the man's size. He was very intimidating and his image commanded respect.
The drunk staggered on his feet, "Fine. You can have the whore." He took another swig of his rum and pursued the next damsel he came across.
Sirius relaxed his grip on his sword and watched the peasant's back until he could see it no more. He turned around and faced Lily, taking her by her shoulders.
"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Sirius asked, examining her elbow and face, "Do you need medical attention?"
Lily smiled and hugged Sirius' middle; "I'm fine. Just take me to Chrysander."
"Yes, your ladyship," Sirius said, taking Lily up in his arms and heading towards the Hidden Forest.
"So, what of this Prince James of Chrysander? What is he like?" Lily asked, wiping her sweat stained forehead with the handkerchief Sirius had given her. Her long, wavy hair was now tied back with a white ribbon to keep it off her neck.
"Well," Sirius replied, pushing his way through the thicket of the forest, "Personally, I've never laid eyes on the boy but his reputation proceeds him."
"Reputation? I do not understand."
Sirius guided Lily to the edge of a small ledge of rock. He jumped off and landed on the forest floor. He then reached up and seized Lily by the waist and placed her gently on the ground beside him.
"From what I've heard from the noblemen, he tends to get in a lot of calamity," Sirius replied. Then his eyes turned hard and he dropped his voice slightly, "I've also heard he has a werewolf as a personal advisor."
Lily's eyes widened, "Werewolf? Are you sure?"
Sirius shrugged, "Can't be too sure of anything your highness but I wouldn't hesitate to believe it."
Lily nodded, "Then, I don't understand why my mother would betroth me to a prince whose closest friend is a werewolf."
Sirius cleared his throat, "Well milady, according to Chrysander laws, the prince must be engaged by his eighteenth birthday or his father will choose a suitor for him. Prince James' birthday is next month and he has no engagement nor woman," Sirius offered to hold Lily's knapsack and she handed it to him, "You just happened to be the princess King Eric chose."
Sirius and Lily walked in silence, their footsteps crunching on the leaves they trampled on. Lily's peasant clothing started to irritate and become rough against her skin. Sirius began to suffocate in the cloak he was wearing over the mass amount of weaponry he was carrying. Their spirits brightened finally when they heard the faint sound of rushing water.
Sirius grinned, "I believe we should be coming up on the Winding River."
Lily made no cheer or acknowledgement that she heard what Sirius said. "What if my mother's men come and claim me again? What if they try to take me back?" Lily looked at Sirius, "Will you help me resist them or will you betray me?"
Sirius frowned and for several moments didn't say anything. He sighed, "I must do what Queen Celeste orders her men to do. And if that means returning you then that's what I will be obligated to do."
Lily's throat tightened but she forced a smile, "Then I guess we can't get caught, can we?"
They reached the Winding River. Sirius carefully waded into the middle of the water, making sure it was shallow enough for the princess to walk through. Sirius nodded.
"It's all right your majesty," he held out his hand for her to take, "Come quickly before the current gains strength."
Lily slowly merged with the frigid river, placing her hand inside Sirius'. Sirius wrapped his long fingers around hers and steered her across the stream. He lifted her onto the rocky bank on the other side and pulled himself up on the dry land beside her.
"Welcome, your highness, to the Golden Kingdom," Sirius announced.
Lily felt a rush of freedom pour into her for the first time in her life.
"Now that we are here," Sirius said, grabbing his wand and drying both him and Lily off, "What shall our first errand be?"
Lily looked down at her wardrobe, "First we will change out of these horrid clothes then let us explore this foreign kingdom, shall we?"
Sirius sighed and tucked a stray hair behind his ear, "So many damsels and here I'm stuck with the princess who wants to study the geography of Chrysander," he shook his head, "Very well then. But if I can't make merry with any of the local virgins here then neither can you."
Second chapter…done! It is really easy for me to think up these chapters. I really like the plot line of this story and I'm sure you will too. Umm…okay, next chapter. I was thinking something along the lines of James and Lily running into each other or something. I know for a fact that I'm going to make Sirius not like James and not trust Remus. For the time being anyway. I don't know…I'll just have to wait until inspiration hits, won't I? And you'll just have to wait until the next chapter because it's going to be good!
Indiangurl