Disclaimer: This story's foundation is based on Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine. Only the characters that aren't in Ella Enchanted belong to me.

(A/N) Ok this is the first chapter. It starts 5 years later, and is in Elly's point of view. It might be a short chapter, I'll find out when I finish… I'm not sure whether or not I'll add a cliffy; I'd decide that later.

And by the way, this isn't right after Ella, it's some time… I decided its not going to be Queen Ella (since according to Ella Enchanted she refused to become Queen), but her daughter or granddaughter or something… I'll clear that up later. All you need to know is that it's set some time after Ella and Char.

R&R please!

Forever Elly

Chapter 1

5 Years Later

I walked through the marketplace with my basket of fruits on my arm. I had to find Mandy. She was somewhere around here, getting other goods.

As I looked for her, I heard a trumpet call. While I was trying to discover where it had come from, there was another call. And another. The calls continued, getting steadily louder as the group progressed towards the marketplace.

People started whispering. Everyone was looking around at each other, trying to find out what was going on.

I was still looking for Mandy, but instead, I saw my best friend Chelsea amongst the crowd. "Chels!" I called. When she looked my way, I waved her over.

"Any idea what's going on?" she asked once she got closer. "No," I replied. "I wonder what happened. When they do a trumpet call normally it's to signal some type of emergency," I commented. "Could be an attack," Chelsea speculated. "Or maybe someone died," I considered. "That would be awful," Chelsea replied.

"Elly!" I heard a familiar voice call. "Elly!" I looked around, my gaze finally settling on Mandy. She signaled for me to come to her. "Chels, let's go stand by Mandy."

She nodded in agreement and I grabbed her arm so I wouldn't lose her as I led the way through the crowd to Mandy.

When we reached Mandy I asked her if she had any idea what was going on, but she told us to be patient and we'd find out in a minute. Chelsea and I shifted restlessly on our feet as we waited for the approaching figures to tell us their news.

The trumpet rang out once more, and then came to a stop. A Royal Announcer rode to the front.

"Hear ye, hear ye," he called. "A royal announcement has come from one of our closest allies." He paused and looked out among the silent crowd. "Queen Eleanor of Frell is dead."

Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. Everyone just stared with a horrified look on their face at the unlucky messenger.

And then suddenly people started crying and you could see the expressions of grief on their faces. People had loved Queen Lela of Frell. Frell was a strong ally to us in Ayortha, and we always warmly accepted the queen into our arms when she came to visit. She was a strong and fair ruler, and I had even had the good fortune to know her personally.

In fact, she always seemed to visit me and Mandy whenever she came to the kingdom.

Chelsea's mother came over and led her away. I waved as she was whisked into the distance.

Then I looked at Mandy to see how she was taking the news. Her face was white and her eyes were cloudy with a faraway look in them. She looked like she was in shock.

In fact, I think I was too. Then I snapped out of it a second later. I felt like I was going to cry, but Mandy was worrying me, so I ignored it.

I waved a hand in front of her face but she didn't move or even acknowledge my presence.

"Mandy?!" I said, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her. "Mandy?!"

Suddenly Mandy came to, but it was like she was in a fog.

"Oh, sorry sweet. I hope I didn't scare you there." She still looked pale but at least the faraway look in her eyes was gone.

She also looked like she was going to cry any second. "Elly, sweetie. There's something I need to tell you. I promised her I'd tell you."

"Tell me what, Mandy? What's going on?!" I shouted.

"Calm down Elly. I don't want to cause a scene and have people talk. I'll tell you when we get home."

And with that, she took me by the arm and with a last look at the mourning crowds, I followed her home.

The next chapters in this story will also get longer, don't worry. I know this is short.

I'll try to get the next chapter out quickly… Right now it just needs some fine tuning, but I have to find the time to do that between all my student rep. meetings, and tutoring people, and sports, and extra prep. sessions from teachers, loads of homework… etc. etc. I could go on forever, but I'll stop now.

R&R!

Thanks

Lauren