Author's Note: Now I will take the time to answer a couple of questions that you, the readers, have asked me.
Question: Why does Lily seem snobby in the last chapter?
Answer: I think if we were all honest we would admit we would be the same way. Lily has grown up knowing nothing other than the royal life she has lived. She's never been outside the castle walls before. That's also why Sirius knows more of James and Remus and things of that sort.
Question: Will Sirius stay loyal and true to Lily?
Answer: I'm assuming you are talking about the comment of will Sirius take Lily back to her castle or when the time comes, will he fight his own men for her. Dun, dun, dun...you will just have to read to find out.
Question: Why has James been using his wand and we haven't seen Lily use hers yet?
Answer: Okay, I was expecting someone to ask this. As you all know, James is from a pureblood wizard family. Lily is a muggleborn and the only one capable of using magic in her family. That's going to come into play in this chapter. Queen Celeste, Lily's mother, forbids her to use her magic unless it's a life-changing situation she's in.
Question: Are you going to use the same plot as Ever After?
Answer: To be honest, I didn't even realize I was going along the same lines as that movie. I haven't even seen the entire thing. It is the one with Drew Barrymore in it, right? Well, I'm trying to be as creative and original as I can. So...no, I'm not going to use the same plot. At least I'm trying not to. I admit though, I did use a bit of dialogue from Pirates of the Caribbean in the last chapter. I'm sure most of you caught that from the beginning.
I hope that clears up several matters and don't forget that I am completely broad-minded to suggestions and questions that you might have. I might even put some suggestions that I have received into my story, of course I will credit you, don't worry.
Chapter Title: Kingdoms Mix
Disclaimer: The characters (Ex. James, Lily, etc.) are not mine and never will be. The plot is the only thing I can take credit for unfortunately.
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It seemed to be a cheery morning. The birds were making a ruckus, women gossiped to each other, children bustled about but Sirius wouldn't know this in the slightest because he was still in bed and not alone either. The wind outside made the inn room ceiling creak and the shudders on the window flap open. Sirius slowly aroused from his sleep and ran his hand through his hair, which was a tangled mess on top of his head. The maiden next to him rolled over on her side and went right on sleeping. Sirius scooted to the end of the straw mattress and attempted to search for his clothes that were scattered around the wooden floor. He managed to fully dress himself as he scuttled across the room to the exit. He opened the door soundlessly and slipped out, not even disturbing the slumber of the woman in the bed.
He shook the wrinkles out of his robes and fixed his collar, trying to make himself presentable to her Excellency. Sirius stepped across the corridor to the room directly across from his own where Princess Lily was resting her royal head. He rapped on the oak door twice and waited. There was no answer. Sirius knocked again and this time put his ear to the door, listening for signs of movement from within the room.
"You high--" Sirius cleared his throat, "I mean...milady? Have you awaken yet?"
Still hearing no answer, Sirius reached down and twisted the doorknob, letting himself in. He stepped through the threshold into Lily's parlor. He peered around the room only to find Lily's knapsack hanging from a nearby chair and her clothes from the previous day that were thrown carelessly on her bed sheets. Frowning slightly, Sirius walked over to the bedside table and picked up the lace handkerchief he had given her to hide her lush, red hair and rubbed the cloth between his fingers.
Sighing heavily, Sirius pocketed the handkerchief. "That girl is going to be the end of me," Sirius said, walking swiftly out of the room and slamming the door behind him, "How could I possibly go back to the queen and tell her I lost the only heir to her throne?" Sirius muttered to himself, clutching his wand inside of his cloak and ignoring the strange looks the guests were shooting at him.
He pushed his way out the doors of the inn into the bright, morning light. In his panic state of trying to find his lost princess, he collided with a man with light brown hair and blue eyes, knocking the person clean off his feet and into the dirt. Muttering a quick apology, Sirius walked right past the man, knowing that he had more important things to accomplish at the precise moment.
"Excuse me sir," a man with untidy, black hair called after Sirius, "I think a suitable apology is in order here." Sirius turned around to see the man with the untidy, black hair help up the man he had knocked over.
"I'm deeply sorry for knocking you over but," Sirius examined both men up and down, "I am sure both of us have better things to do that chit chat in the middle of a dirt road so I'll be on my merry way." Sirius made a little bowing gesture and started to walk in the opposite direction, searching for any sign of red hair.
"Your mouth is going to corrupt you if you don't watch your tongue," the untidy, black-haired man said.
Sirius waved his hand impatiently, "I will be sure to mark your words but I've heard the same statement so many times, I'm afraid they do not move me."
The brown-haired, blue-eyed man chuckled. "You don't know who we are do you sir?"
" I do not know nor do I care who you are," Sirius replied, climbing up on a rather large boulder on the side of the road. He glanced around the village and still saw no sign of Lily. "Damn," Sirius muttered.
"I am Sir Remus J. Lupin of the High Court and personal advisor to his Excellency Prince James," the brown-hair man said.
"Yes, yes. I am so very obliged to hear--" Sirius did a double-take and stared down at Remus from his rock he was standing on, "Did you say...advisor to Prince James?"
Remus nodded solemnly and Sirius looked at the man with the untidy, black hair. "So, I assume that makes you the prince."
James stood up straight, "You assume right."
Sirius wrapped his cloak around his body, concealing every outline of every weapon he had hidden underneath his clothing. He jumped down from the rock and with a slight bow of his head and a look of utmost dislike; Sirius headed in the other direction away from the men, not saying another word to either of them.
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"Absolutely rude, that man is," Remus said, watching the man that had knocked him over walk off, "Didn't even hand us the knowledge of his name, did he?"
James shrugged as the unusual man began to disappear into the throng of commoners by the market. "I don't think he's from here Remus," he pointed at the man's back, "Look at the way he dresses. That's a rather large cloak to be wearing on such a day like this and not to mention the way he walks."
Remus nodded his head, "You noticed to sire? He walks as if he was--"
"Of noble blood? Yes, yes I noticed too." James said, waving his hand in the stranger's direction.
Remus and James walked towards the great lake that was located next to the market place. This lake was mostly known as the 'sacred waters' because many kings and nobles had been baptized right off the shore of the lake and it had become a great area to attract foreigners. James glanced from stall to stall, looking at the different things the peasants were selling.
"Would the young sir like to buy some pecans? Walnuts? Perhaps some peanuts?" The man behind the counter asked Remus. Remus shook his head politely and followed James down the dirt road.
James peered at a group of maidens talking to each other in a tight huddle by the water well. "How is it that I'm suppose to find a bride fit for me to marry by next month?" James asked, snatching an apple from a nearby booth and sinking his teeth into it, "How am I going to manage such a task? It's impossible! What the bloody hell was I thinking?"
Remus tossed the merchant a bronze knut to pay for the apple. "You were thinking that it was best for you to pick your own bride rather than be forced to marry another princess," Remus replied, shading his eyes from the hot sun, "Who was the damsel that your father betrothed you to?"
James snorted, "Some prissy, high-class princess from the kingdom of Flanna," James waved his hand at Remus, "Princess Lula or something of that nature."
"Lily? Princess Lily of Flanna?" Remus rubbed his chin, "That's a fine match sire. I've seen her at her baptism ceremony when I was a lad of eleven."
"That means absolutely nothing. They all appear good-natured on the outside but in reality most are only after your riches," James tossed Remus the rest of his apple, "Remember that."
Remus nodded and took a bite of the green apple. They both walked further down the rocky path silently, watching the different peasants around them.
James ran his hand through his raven hair, "Just on the curious side, what did this Princess of Flanna look like exactly?"
Remus rolled his eyes and threw the core of the apple on the ground. "Well, she--"
While scanning the throng of commoners throughout the market, his eyes seemed to lock on a certain woman looking at a selection of jewelry. He found himself captivated by her beauty. Her long, red hair spilling out over her white dress and her figure perfectly poised in every way. The maiden's eyes seemed to sparkle like emerald diamonds in the sun and her smile alone made him buckle at the knees.
"Would the lady like a pretty necklace? A pretty necklace for a pretty lady," the merchant said as he held out a gold chain.
"Oh, no thank you," the woman said, stepping away from the booth. She watched with interest as a man performed his talents in the middle of the street, taking a silver sword and swallowing it to the handle then taking the weapon back out of his mouth again. She clapped as the performer bowed and held out his hand for any donations of gold.
"Wow..." James sighed as he let himself be mesmerized by the woman's every move.
"Pardon?" Remus asked, creasing his forehead in confusion, "What's wow sire?" He turned his head in the direction of the distraction and his eyes landed on the beauty as well. He turned back to James and waved his hand in front of his master's face. James seemed oblivious to the fact that his advisor was still right beside him.
"Come on Remus, we must meet her," James exclaimed, taking Remus by the sleeve and dragging him behind.
Remus dug his heels in the dirt but that plan didn't prove effective in the least bit. "We? What is this 'we' you are referring to?" Remus shook his head, "I don't require to have a marriage. I'm actually encouraged not to marry so I can look after you all the years of my life."
"You WILL come with me. I've never talked to a commoner before and I may need your assistance," James said, pulling at Remus' cloak.
Remus sighed, "Yes your majesty," he yanked his sleeve away from the prince, "If I may say so, just because she's a commoner doesn't mean she's any different from the noble women at the castle."
James ran a hand through his hair, "Why do you think you're qualified to hand me advice about women?" He looked over his shoulder to see if the breath-taking woman was still there.
Remus rolled his eyes impatiently, "Oh I don't know, perhaps because I'm your advisor maybe?"
"Point taken," James grabbed Remus' cloak again, "Alright come on then, let's go offer her our compliments."
But it was too late. The young maiden was gone as well as James' hope.
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Queen Celeste of the Flanna Kingdom was nearing a hysterical breakdown, muttering and crying to herself in her private chambers of the castle. The queen's personal servants and maidens tried to talk her into eating or leaving her parlor but none of them prevailed. When the alarm rose that the princess, her daughter, was missing Queen Celeste immediately sent out her best lords to go and track her down. They had just come back empty handed and no lead as to where Princess Lily had vanished off to.
"She's taken her personal belongings with her including clothing, food, jewelry and her wand," Kate said, averting her eyes from the tear stricken face of the queen, "And that's not all. We also have belief that Lord Sirius Black has followed her on her journey to where ever she may have gone." Kate was the most honored servant of her Excellency the queen and was the only person allowed to speak to Celeste at the present time.
Queen Celeste wiped the stray red hairs out of her puffy eyes and reached for her handkerchief to dry her tears. "Lord Sirius? What brings you to this conclusion?"
Kate stood up straighter by being addressed; "He's nowhere to be found in the kingdom your highness."
There was a faint flicker of relief in Celeste's eyes as she continued to clean her face with her lace handkerchief. "It's my fault, isn't it Kate?" Queen Celeste sniffed, "It's my fault she ran away."
Kate stepped forward and took hold of the queen's hair. Reaching for a nearby brush off the vanity, Kate began to gently brush Celeste's hair. "No milady. Don't you think on it for one moment. You are an excellent mother," Kate cooed softly.
"Nevertheless, she's never reached her full potential because of me," Celeste cried, still clutching onto the handkerchief, "I've never even let her practice her own talent inside the kingdom and because of that she's out there with a wand that she doesn't even know how to use."
Kate shook her head slowly, untangling the queen's red hair, "You were trying to do what's best for her as any mother would and besides," Kate said, setting the brush back down, "Lord Sirius Black has been teaching Lady Lily to use her wand ever since they were young."
Queen Celeste's eyes lit up as she turned to look at her honored servant, "You know this for a fact, do you Kate?"
Kate lowered her eyes, "Yes your majesty. I see them occasionally in the deserted areas of the Stone Plaza in the middle of the night."
Celeste waved her hand, "That will do Kate. You may leave me be."
Kate bowed her head and exited the parlor, shutting the door softly behind her. Queen Celeste stood and paced in front of her wide, open windows. She remembered the first time her daughter showed traces of magic. Celeste remembered sitting Lily down in the middle of the garden vicinity and trying to make her understand the importance of living a normal and muggle life. Lily was hurt and didn't comprehend why she couldn't show her true and special abilities. Celeste's explanation was simple: The royal family must be strong for their kingdom and being strong means not being dependent on magic. Being older now she realized that she had made a mistake.
Queen Celeste sighed as she gazed out the window into the dusk of day. The sun was slipping out of sight behind the mountains and the crescent moon peaked out from behind the clouds.
"Please be careful my dear Lily," Queen Celeste of Flanna pleaded with the daughter that wasn't there.
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"Thank you for your kind hospitality but we really must be on our way," Remus said politely, carrying a fully-fledged drunken prince out of the local pub, "Thank you for the rum good sirs!" Remus called back inside the smoky pub, as the door slammed shut behind him.
James clutched onto Remus' shoulder, staggering dangerously around the dirt road. "She was right there Remus, did you see her?" James slurred loudly, pointing at the booth the beautiful woman had been earlier that day, "And I missed her by that much." James held out his hand to indicate about an inch apart between his fingers.
"Perhaps it was for the best sire," Remus grunted, trying to maintain his balance while carrying James, "Your father wouldn't have been to pleased to hear your engagement to a commoner."
James pushed Remus away violently, "I don't give a dragon's ass about my father," he yelled, holding his hands to his side to catch himself if he fell, "If it's my will to marry a peasant then I will do as I damn well please."
A woman peeked her head out of her window. "Quiet it down! Some people are trying to sleep!" The lady yelled from a room located above the pub they had just exited.
Remus and James looked up at her. "So sorry ma'am. My friend has had too much rum for this evening," Remus called up to her. The woman scowled at James who had made a rude gesture up at her before disappearing behind her curtain.
"James!" Remus hissed, grabbing hold of the prince's elbow, "You are behaving like a scoundrel! Pull yourself together because we can't very well return to the castle with you acting in this manner."
Remus couldn't feel irritated at the young prince for long once he examined James' appearance. He had dark circles under his bloodshot eyes and it looked like he was on the verge of collapsing.
"Let's make haste then," Remus said, trying to brush leftover ash from James' cloak, "Time to head back to Chrysander Castle."
James ripped his arm away from Remus; "I don't want to go back."
"We must your highness," Remus said gently like he was talking to one of the stable lads.
James shook his head vigorously, stumbling away from Remus in the other direction. It was hard for Remus to argue with his master any longer because James plummeted onto the ground with a THUD.
"Bloody hell," Remus muttered to himself as he began to drag James over to the lake. The smell of alcohol Remus smelled on James was almost unbearable as he brought his master over by the shore, squatted down and splashed water on his face.
"Sir? I have a potion that will cure that right up if you want it."
Remus stood and turned around to see the same beautiful maiden from that afternoon holding out a vile of red fluid. She was still wearing the white dress and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of her neck. Her shoes lay at her feet and it appeared she had been wading in the shallow end of the lake because her shins were sopping wet.
Remus took the vile, "Thank you, err-"
"Lily Eva--," Lily cleared her throat, "I'm Lily Black." Lily looked at the unconscious man lying on the ground, "And may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
"How rude of me," Remus took Lily's hand and held it to his face, "I am Remus Lupin." He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it out of respect.
"Is that man a brother of yours?" Lily pointed at the man by the lakeshore.
Remus looked back over his shoulder and shrugged, "More or less. His name is Ja--"
"LILY! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Lily jumped at the sound of her name. "I must be going sir," she said, retrieving her shoes from the ground and running off towards the dirt path, "Goodbye Remus Lupin!" Lily called back, her white dress streaming out behind her.
"Wait! I must insist on finding out--" But it was too late. Lily disappeared into the dark and Remus was left with a drunken Prince of Chrysander and nothing else but a name. "Lily," Remus mumbled as he squatted down by James again, "Lily Black."
Remus uncorked the vile and poured the contents into James' mouth. Immediately, James snapped his eyes open, smoke pouring out of his ears. He ran around wildly, his mouth on fire before he lunged his head into the water.
"The maiden's name was Lily," Remus said as James gulped down water from the lake.
He turned and looked at his advisor, "What maiden would that be?" James asked, his black hair dripping wet.
Remus smiled, "The right one sire."
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Sirius had been looking for his princess all day going on into the night. He had searched the market, the praying temple, the farming land and the outskirts of the Hidden Forest.
Sirius was back to where he started. He cupped his hand to his mouth, "LILY! WHERE ARE YOU?"
All the weapons he was carrying started to take toll on his body, weighing him down to where he could barely walk anymore. The oversized cloak he wore didn't assist either, as it was already warm outside. Sirius had practically decided to march back to Flanna Kingdom and tell her majesty the queen that he had misplaced Princess Lily Evans.
"I'm here Sirius!" A voice called from behind him. His heartbeat slowed as he recognized the voice. Sirius turned around and saw Lily run towards him, the bottom of her dress dripping with water.
Sirius held out his hands right above her throat, "I could KILL you!" Lily smiled. "No really! I could actually strangle you until you die!" Sirius let out long, heart felt sigh of relief as he placed his arm around Lily.
Lily smiled as she listened to the CLANK of Sirius' sword against his leg. They walked towards their inn and Sirius held the door open for her. "What's the agenda for tomorrow?" Lily asked.
Question: Why does Lily seem snobby in the last chapter?
Answer: I think if we were all honest we would admit we would be the same way. Lily has grown up knowing nothing other than the royal life she has lived. She's never been outside the castle walls before. That's also why Sirius knows more of James and Remus and things of that sort.
Question: Will Sirius stay loyal and true to Lily?
Answer: I'm assuming you are talking about the comment of will Sirius take Lily back to her castle or when the time comes, will he fight his own men for her. Dun, dun, dun...you will just have to read to find out.
Question: Why has James been using his wand and we haven't seen Lily use hers yet?
Answer: Okay, I was expecting someone to ask this. As you all know, James is from a pureblood wizard family. Lily is a muggleborn and the only one capable of using magic in her family. That's going to come into play in this chapter. Queen Celeste, Lily's mother, forbids her to use her magic unless it's a life-changing situation she's in.
Question: Are you going to use the same plot as Ever After?
Answer: To be honest, I didn't even realize I was going along the same lines as that movie. I haven't even seen the entire thing. It is the one with Drew Barrymore in it, right? Well, I'm trying to be as creative and original as I can. So...no, I'm not going to use the same plot. At least I'm trying not to. I admit though, I did use a bit of dialogue from Pirates of the Caribbean in the last chapter. I'm sure most of you caught that from the beginning.
I hope that clears up several matters and don't forget that I am completely broad-minded to suggestions and questions that you might have. I might even put some suggestions that I have received into my story, of course I will credit you, don't worry.
Chapter Title: Kingdoms Mix
Disclaimer: The characters (Ex. James, Lily, etc.) are not mine and never will be. The plot is the only thing I can take credit for unfortunately.
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It seemed to be a cheery morning. The birds were making a ruckus, women gossiped to each other, children bustled about but Sirius wouldn't know this in the slightest because he was still in bed and not alone either. The wind outside made the inn room ceiling creak and the shudders on the window flap open. Sirius slowly aroused from his sleep and ran his hand through his hair, which was a tangled mess on top of his head. The maiden next to him rolled over on her side and went right on sleeping. Sirius scooted to the end of the straw mattress and attempted to search for his clothes that were scattered around the wooden floor. He managed to fully dress himself as he scuttled across the room to the exit. He opened the door soundlessly and slipped out, not even disturbing the slumber of the woman in the bed.
He shook the wrinkles out of his robes and fixed his collar, trying to make himself presentable to her Excellency. Sirius stepped across the corridor to the room directly across from his own where Princess Lily was resting her royal head. He rapped on the oak door twice and waited. There was no answer. Sirius knocked again and this time put his ear to the door, listening for signs of movement from within the room.
"You high--" Sirius cleared his throat, "I mean...milady? Have you awaken yet?"
Still hearing no answer, Sirius reached down and twisted the doorknob, letting himself in. He stepped through the threshold into Lily's parlor. He peered around the room only to find Lily's knapsack hanging from a nearby chair and her clothes from the previous day that were thrown carelessly on her bed sheets. Frowning slightly, Sirius walked over to the bedside table and picked up the lace handkerchief he had given her to hide her lush, red hair and rubbed the cloth between his fingers.
Sighing heavily, Sirius pocketed the handkerchief. "That girl is going to be the end of me," Sirius said, walking swiftly out of the room and slamming the door behind him, "How could I possibly go back to the queen and tell her I lost the only heir to her throne?" Sirius muttered to himself, clutching his wand inside of his cloak and ignoring the strange looks the guests were shooting at him.
He pushed his way out the doors of the inn into the bright, morning light. In his panic state of trying to find his lost princess, he collided with a man with light brown hair and blue eyes, knocking the person clean off his feet and into the dirt. Muttering a quick apology, Sirius walked right past the man, knowing that he had more important things to accomplish at the precise moment.
"Excuse me sir," a man with untidy, black hair called after Sirius, "I think a suitable apology is in order here." Sirius turned around to see the man with the untidy, black hair help up the man he had knocked over.
"I'm deeply sorry for knocking you over but," Sirius examined both men up and down, "I am sure both of us have better things to do that chit chat in the middle of a dirt road so I'll be on my merry way." Sirius made a little bowing gesture and started to walk in the opposite direction, searching for any sign of red hair.
"Your mouth is going to corrupt you if you don't watch your tongue," the untidy, black-haired man said.
Sirius waved his hand impatiently, "I will be sure to mark your words but I've heard the same statement so many times, I'm afraid they do not move me."
The brown-haired, blue-eyed man chuckled. "You don't know who we are do you sir?"
" I do not know nor do I care who you are," Sirius replied, climbing up on a rather large boulder on the side of the road. He glanced around the village and still saw no sign of Lily. "Damn," Sirius muttered.
"I am Sir Remus J. Lupin of the High Court and personal advisor to his Excellency Prince James," the brown-hair man said.
"Yes, yes. I am so very obliged to hear--" Sirius did a double-take and stared down at Remus from his rock he was standing on, "Did you say...advisor to Prince James?"
Remus nodded solemnly and Sirius looked at the man with the untidy, black hair. "So, I assume that makes you the prince."
James stood up straight, "You assume right."
Sirius wrapped his cloak around his body, concealing every outline of every weapon he had hidden underneath his clothing. He jumped down from the rock and with a slight bow of his head and a look of utmost dislike; Sirius headed in the other direction away from the men, not saying another word to either of them.
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"Absolutely rude, that man is," Remus said, watching the man that had knocked him over walk off, "Didn't even hand us the knowledge of his name, did he?"
James shrugged as the unusual man began to disappear into the throng of commoners by the market. "I don't think he's from here Remus," he pointed at the man's back, "Look at the way he dresses. That's a rather large cloak to be wearing on such a day like this and not to mention the way he walks."
Remus nodded his head, "You noticed to sire? He walks as if he was--"
"Of noble blood? Yes, yes I noticed too." James said, waving his hand in the stranger's direction.
Remus and James walked towards the great lake that was located next to the market place. This lake was mostly known as the 'sacred waters' because many kings and nobles had been baptized right off the shore of the lake and it had become a great area to attract foreigners. James glanced from stall to stall, looking at the different things the peasants were selling.
"Would the young sir like to buy some pecans? Walnuts? Perhaps some peanuts?" The man behind the counter asked Remus. Remus shook his head politely and followed James down the dirt road.
James peered at a group of maidens talking to each other in a tight huddle by the water well. "How is it that I'm suppose to find a bride fit for me to marry by next month?" James asked, snatching an apple from a nearby booth and sinking his teeth into it, "How am I going to manage such a task? It's impossible! What the bloody hell was I thinking?"
Remus tossed the merchant a bronze knut to pay for the apple. "You were thinking that it was best for you to pick your own bride rather than be forced to marry another princess," Remus replied, shading his eyes from the hot sun, "Who was the damsel that your father betrothed you to?"
James snorted, "Some prissy, high-class princess from the kingdom of Flanna," James waved his hand at Remus, "Princess Lula or something of that nature."
"Lily? Princess Lily of Flanna?" Remus rubbed his chin, "That's a fine match sire. I've seen her at her baptism ceremony when I was a lad of eleven."
"That means absolutely nothing. They all appear good-natured on the outside but in reality most are only after your riches," James tossed Remus the rest of his apple, "Remember that."
Remus nodded and took a bite of the green apple. They both walked further down the rocky path silently, watching the different peasants around them.
James ran his hand through his raven hair, "Just on the curious side, what did this Princess of Flanna look like exactly?"
Remus rolled his eyes and threw the core of the apple on the ground. "Well, she--"
While scanning the throng of commoners throughout the market, his eyes seemed to lock on a certain woman looking at a selection of jewelry. He found himself captivated by her beauty. Her long, red hair spilling out over her white dress and her figure perfectly poised in every way. The maiden's eyes seemed to sparkle like emerald diamonds in the sun and her smile alone made him buckle at the knees.
"Would the lady like a pretty necklace? A pretty necklace for a pretty lady," the merchant said as he held out a gold chain.
"Oh, no thank you," the woman said, stepping away from the booth. She watched with interest as a man performed his talents in the middle of the street, taking a silver sword and swallowing it to the handle then taking the weapon back out of his mouth again. She clapped as the performer bowed and held out his hand for any donations of gold.
"Wow..." James sighed as he let himself be mesmerized by the woman's every move.
"Pardon?" Remus asked, creasing his forehead in confusion, "What's wow sire?" He turned his head in the direction of the distraction and his eyes landed on the beauty as well. He turned back to James and waved his hand in front of his master's face. James seemed oblivious to the fact that his advisor was still right beside him.
"Come on Remus, we must meet her," James exclaimed, taking Remus by the sleeve and dragging him behind.
Remus dug his heels in the dirt but that plan didn't prove effective in the least bit. "We? What is this 'we' you are referring to?" Remus shook his head, "I don't require to have a marriage. I'm actually encouraged not to marry so I can look after you all the years of my life."
"You WILL come with me. I've never talked to a commoner before and I may need your assistance," James said, pulling at Remus' cloak.
Remus sighed, "Yes your majesty," he yanked his sleeve away from the prince, "If I may say so, just because she's a commoner doesn't mean she's any different from the noble women at the castle."
James ran a hand through his hair, "Why do you think you're qualified to hand me advice about women?" He looked over his shoulder to see if the breath-taking woman was still there.
Remus rolled his eyes impatiently, "Oh I don't know, perhaps because I'm your advisor maybe?"
"Point taken," James grabbed Remus' cloak again, "Alright come on then, let's go offer her our compliments."
But it was too late. The young maiden was gone as well as James' hope.
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Queen Celeste of the Flanna Kingdom was nearing a hysterical breakdown, muttering and crying to herself in her private chambers of the castle. The queen's personal servants and maidens tried to talk her into eating or leaving her parlor but none of them prevailed. When the alarm rose that the princess, her daughter, was missing Queen Celeste immediately sent out her best lords to go and track her down. They had just come back empty handed and no lead as to where Princess Lily had vanished off to.
"She's taken her personal belongings with her including clothing, food, jewelry and her wand," Kate said, averting her eyes from the tear stricken face of the queen, "And that's not all. We also have belief that Lord Sirius Black has followed her on her journey to where ever she may have gone." Kate was the most honored servant of her Excellency the queen and was the only person allowed to speak to Celeste at the present time.
Queen Celeste wiped the stray red hairs out of her puffy eyes and reached for her handkerchief to dry her tears. "Lord Sirius? What brings you to this conclusion?"
Kate stood up straighter by being addressed; "He's nowhere to be found in the kingdom your highness."
There was a faint flicker of relief in Celeste's eyes as she continued to clean her face with her lace handkerchief. "It's my fault, isn't it Kate?" Queen Celeste sniffed, "It's my fault she ran away."
Kate stepped forward and took hold of the queen's hair. Reaching for a nearby brush off the vanity, Kate began to gently brush Celeste's hair. "No milady. Don't you think on it for one moment. You are an excellent mother," Kate cooed softly.
"Nevertheless, she's never reached her full potential because of me," Celeste cried, still clutching onto the handkerchief, "I've never even let her practice her own talent inside the kingdom and because of that she's out there with a wand that she doesn't even know how to use."
Kate shook her head slowly, untangling the queen's red hair, "You were trying to do what's best for her as any mother would and besides," Kate said, setting the brush back down, "Lord Sirius Black has been teaching Lady Lily to use her wand ever since they were young."
Queen Celeste's eyes lit up as she turned to look at her honored servant, "You know this for a fact, do you Kate?"
Kate lowered her eyes, "Yes your majesty. I see them occasionally in the deserted areas of the Stone Plaza in the middle of the night."
Celeste waved her hand, "That will do Kate. You may leave me be."
Kate bowed her head and exited the parlor, shutting the door softly behind her. Queen Celeste stood and paced in front of her wide, open windows. She remembered the first time her daughter showed traces of magic. Celeste remembered sitting Lily down in the middle of the garden vicinity and trying to make her understand the importance of living a normal and muggle life. Lily was hurt and didn't comprehend why she couldn't show her true and special abilities. Celeste's explanation was simple: The royal family must be strong for their kingdom and being strong means not being dependent on magic. Being older now she realized that she had made a mistake.
Queen Celeste sighed as she gazed out the window into the dusk of day. The sun was slipping out of sight behind the mountains and the crescent moon peaked out from behind the clouds.
"Please be careful my dear Lily," Queen Celeste of Flanna pleaded with the daughter that wasn't there.
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"Thank you for your kind hospitality but we really must be on our way," Remus said politely, carrying a fully-fledged drunken prince out of the local pub, "Thank you for the rum good sirs!" Remus called back inside the smoky pub, as the door slammed shut behind him.
James clutched onto Remus' shoulder, staggering dangerously around the dirt road. "She was right there Remus, did you see her?" James slurred loudly, pointing at the booth the beautiful woman had been earlier that day, "And I missed her by that much." James held out his hand to indicate about an inch apart between his fingers.
"Perhaps it was for the best sire," Remus grunted, trying to maintain his balance while carrying James, "Your father wouldn't have been to pleased to hear your engagement to a commoner."
James pushed Remus away violently, "I don't give a dragon's ass about my father," he yelled, holding his hands to his side to catch himself if he fell, "If it's my will to marry a peasant then I will do as I damn well please."
A woman peeked her head out of her window. "Quiet it down! Some people are trying to sleep!" The lady yelled from a room located above the pub they had just exited.
Remus and James looked up at her. "So sorry ma'am. My friend has had too much rum for this evening," Remus called up to her. The woman scowled at James who had made a rude gesture up at her before disappearing behind her curtain.
"James!" Remus hissed, grabbing hold of the prince's elbow, "You are behaving like a scoundrel! Pull yourself together because we can't very well return to the castle with you acting in this manner."
Remus couldn't feel irritated at the young prince for long once he examined James' appearance. He had dark circles under his bloodshot eyes and it looked like he was on the verge of collapsing.
"Let's make haste then," Remus said, trying to brush leftover ash from James' cloak, "Time to head back to Chrysander Castle."
James ripped his arm away from Remus; "I don't want to go back."
"We must your highness," Remus said gently like he was talking to one of the stable lads.
James shook his head vigorously, stumbling away from Remus in the other direction. It was hard for Remus to argue with his master any longer because James plummeted onto the ground with a THUD.
"Bloody hell," Remus muttered to himself as he began to drag James over to the lake. The smell of alcohol Remus smelled on James was almost unbearable as he brought his master over by the shore, squatted down and splashed water on his face.
"Sir? I have a potion that will cure that right up if you want it."
Remus stood and turned around to see the same beautiful maiden from that afternoon holding out a vile of red fluid. She was still wearing the white dress and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of her neck. Her shoes lay at her feet and it appeared she had been wading in the shallow end of the lake because her shins were sopping wet.
Remus took the vile, "Thank you, err-"
"Lily Eva--," Lily cleared her throat, "I'm Lily Black." Lily looked at the unconscious man lying on the ground, "And may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
"How rude of me," Remus took Lily's hand and held it to his face, "I am Remus Lupin." He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it out of respect.
"Is that man a brother of yours?" Lily pointed at the man by the lakeshore.
Remus looked back over his shoulder and shrugged, "More or less. His name is Ja--"
"LILY! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Lily jumped at the sound of her name. "I must be going sir," she said, retrieving her shoes from the ground and running off towards the dirt path, "Goodbye Remus Lupin!" Lily called back, her white dress streaming out behind her.
"Wait! I must insist on finding out--" But it was too late. Lily disappeared into the dark and Remus was left with a drunken Prince of Chrysander and nothing else but a name. "Lily," Remus mumbled as he squatted down by James again, "Lily Black."
Remus uncorked the vile and poured the contents into James' mouth. Immediately, James snapped his eyes open, smoke pouring out of his ears. He ran around wildly, his mouth on fire before he lunged his head into the water.
"The maiden's name was Lily," Remus said as James gulped down water from the lake.
He turned and looked at his advisor, "What maiden would that be?" James asked, his black hair dripping wet.
Remus smiled, "The right one sire."
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Sirius had been looking for his princess all day going on into the night. He had searched the market, the praying temple, the farming land and the outskirts of the Hidden Forest.
Sirius was back to where he started. He cupped his hand to his mouth, "LILY! WHERE ARE YOU?"
All the weapons he was carrying started to take toll on his body, weighing him down to where he could barely walk anymore. The oversized cloak he wore didn't assist either, as it was already warm outside. Sirius had practically decided to march back to Flanna Kingdom and tell her majesty the queen that he had misplaced Princess Lily Evans.
"I'm here Sirius!" A voice called from behind him. His heartbeat slowed as he recognized the voice. Sirius turned around and saw Lily run towards him, the bottom of her dress dripping with water.
Sirius held out his hands right above her throat, "I could KILL you!" Lily smiled. "No really! I could actually strangle you until you die!" Sirius let out long, heart felt sigh of relief as he placed his arm around Lily.
Lily smiled as she listened to the CLANK of Sirius' sword against his leg. They walked towards their inn and Sirius held the door open for her. "What's the agenda for tomorrow?" Lily asked.