"Oh my, what happened to her!" came Doctor Valer's voice, as he set her upon a bed. "That is what we want you to find out, for we think she was harmed by a sword, but I am not positive." Rumor whispered. "Well, I will see what I can do for her, and I will try my best don't you worry!" Doctor Valer croaked, looking much worn. "Sit down in the next room; I will come for you when I am done." Rumor strode into the hall, but Avi hesitated, looking at little Eleanor one last time. "Come on Avi, there is nothing else we can do." Phineas whispered, standing in the hallway. Nodding, Avi joined Phineas, as she jogged down to the waiting room. They entered the room, and took a seat on a wooden chair. It had a straw roof, unlike the marble ceiling in the other areas of the building, and was very dark and dreary, for no torches were lit to pierce the blackness. "What if the ceiling falls down on us, what will we do then?" Phineas asked, looking anxiously at the damp ceiling. "Then, my dear, we will climb out of the straw that is hurled upon us." Rumor stated, trying to hold back laughter at the stupid question. Phineas scowled, not seeing what was so funny.
"Do you think Wiley can find us?" Avi questioned, squinting to see Rumor in the dim light. "Oh yes, he knows this place better than I do, and he will know where we are." Rumor chuckled. Avi smiled sadly, hoping that everything would turn out ok. "Where will we stay, since we are obviously not welcome here?" Phineas scoffed. Rumor pondered this for a moment, tapping his chin with one finger. "You know, I really am not sure, but I think I have an idea of where we could stay." Rumor admitted, shrugging his shoulders. There was light footsteps, and in that moment Wiley walked in. "Does Doctor, umm, I have forgotten his name, anyways does he have her?" Wiley asked, looking at the group. Avi nodded sadly, her eyes drifting to the floor. "We must go check on her, as soon as we feel is a good time." Rumor said. "In the meantime, let us find a place to stay, since we will most likely be here for a while." Phineas suggested, looking around for everyone's consent. "Yes, that is a good idea, let's tell the doctor where we are going." Avi agreed, rising from her chair.
"Let us go!" Rumor sighed, also rising. As they where walking out the door Phineas screamed in pain. "Wait, owww, I think a have a splinter in my behind!" Everyone laughed, except for Phineas who was grimacing in pain. "Oh, I am sorry, but I can't help you there, it will come out on its own soon." was all Rumor said. Phineas scowled, but said nothing more.
"Doctor, we are going to find a place to stay, be back soon!" Wiley shouted, still not remembering the guy's name. Doctor Valer nodded, deep in thought. Once out the door, they all turned to Rumor. "You said you knew of a place, where is that?" Avi pried, giving Rumor a quizzical look. "Well, I was thinking, since I am good friend with them, maybe we could stay in the palace, with the royal family." Rumor stated, looking doubtful. "YES, that is a GREAT IDEA!" cried Phineas, jumping in the air. "Settle down Phineas, we are not sure yet!" Wiley said forcefully, but you could tell there was laughter in his brown eyes. "Well, let's go see, shall we?" Avi smiled, putting her arms in the air. Rumor stood still. "The castle is not that far a walk from here, so let's start walking." Wiley piped in, smiling. "Don't worry Rumor, the Prince is like your best friend, don't you want to see him?" Wiley asked, patting his friend on the back. Rumor shook his head, coming back from his own little world.
"Why yes, let's go!" he sung, with artificial cheeriness. Avi, Phineas, and Wiley exchanged glances, but just decided to let it go. The walk to the castle was filled with tense silence, between the group. Avi looked around her, they were passing through the market. There were people running around, merchants were shouting out prices, and a huge fountain stood on the middle of the square. It took about ten minutes to reach the castle gates, and when they finally arrived Avi's eyes widened. The iron gates where huge, about as tall as three horses, standing on their rear legs. Let's just say, it was wide enough for five carriages to pass through, at the same time!
"Who are you, and why do you come near these royal gates?" demanded an elderly man, that stood just inside the huge fence. "I am Rumor-" Rumor started, but before he could finish, the guard cut him off. "Rumor, you should have told me before, come one in with your friends, you are always welcome here!" The huge gates opened, and the group entered. Avi was the last to walk through those gates. She felt like she did not belong there, as if she was intruding somewhere she should not be. "Hurry up Avi, the royal family wished to see us!" Wiley called, quickly following the guard. Snapping out of her thought, Avi ran up to them. "The royal family is being informed of your presence, and I think they will wish to see you, am I correct?" the guard asked, looking at Rumor for an answer. Rumor just nodded, appearing distracted.
They entered the palace's dining area, or at least that is what Avi thought it was. A huge cherry colored table reached across the room, gold china sets lay on the table neatly, awaiting someone to use them. They quickly passed that room though, and came to a meeting room, where two huge thrones set, high on gold painted stairs. There were also ten regular wooden chairs at the bottom of the three stairs, for the guest, Avi presumed. "Sit here, and their Majesty will be with you in a moment." the guard stated, pointing to the wooden chairs. As they all sat and did what they were told, trumpets resounded throughout the circular room. The king, and queen entered the room, hand interlocked, holding their head regally.
This act ended, once they reached the bottom of the stairs. The queen ran to Rumor, and caught him in a suffocating embrace. "Rumor, I have not seen you in such a long time, how have you been honey!" She breathed, pulling away to get a good look at Rumor. "I have been fine, how have you been doing!" Rumor laughed, but his eyes seemed preoccupied. "It is good to see you, my boy!" the king bellowed, shaking Rumors hand. "Wonderful to see you also, but where is Galeth?" Rumor asked, looking over the kings shoulder. "My son will be here in a second, but first you must tell me why you are here?" the king questioned. Rumor told them all about Avi, Eleanor, and everything that had happened. After a moment, the queen spoke up "I see, you must stay with us!" As she said this, she smiled at Avi.
At that moment, a young man came down with a little boy in his arms. "May I introduce, my sons, Galeth, and the younger Jerrold!" the queen sighed proudly. "Galeth, Jerrold!" Rumor shouted, running up and hugging Galeth, and patting Jerrold on the head. "Rumor, good to see you, my friend!" Galeth laughed, smiling a very broad smile, his light blue eyes dancing, straight brown hair falling into his face. "I'm glad to see you!" the little, what seemed like a five year old Jerrold, shouted. "And I am glad to see you also, little Jerry!" Rumor said, ruffling the boy's blonde curls once again. "May I introduce all my comrades, to you all?" Rumor finally said, leading them all over to the very confused group.
"You will stay, won't you!" the queen pleaded, after they all were acquainted. "Yes, and we thank you very much." Rumor sighed, smiling. "We would show you to your rooms ourselves, but we have a special guest!" the queen squealed, clapping her hand with happiness. "That is quite alright." Rumor said, looking at the queen. Avi was wondering who this guest was, and was mustering up the courage to ask. "Who is this guest, your majesty?" Phineas asked for Avi. "No need for formalities dear, and yes our guest is Prince Mick of Tarkena!" the queen laughed. Avi froze, her eyes widening in horror. "What's wrong Avi?" Wiley whispered, looking at her with worry. Avi shook her head "It is nothing, nothing at all!" she said with fake cheeriness. Wiley gave her a concerned look, his eyes telling Ave, he did not believe her.
"Servant, please show our guest to their room!" the king asked, clapping his hands. The servant nodded, and briskly showed the way down the hall. Avi lingered behind, thinking. "What if he finds out who I am, will he take me back and my assassin find me?" Avi thought to herself. She looked up to find Wiley right there next to her, giving her a look Avi did not recognize. "What is bothering you Avi, you can tell me." Wiley spoke softly, stopping. Avi sighed, and explained to him everything about Prince Mick, how she was going to be betrothed to him, and everything else. Wiley did not once interrupt, only nodded. When Avi was finally done, he gave her this funny look. "Don't worry Avi, I won't let anything happen." Wiley sighed, looking at the ground.
As promised Galeth means Prince. I am so sad, I think you all forgot about me!! LOL, sorry it is just, not very many reviews, that hurts me deeply, you scarred me for life. Let me go and weep ( Mackensie goes into other room, and weeps for three hours straight, finally she runs out of tears and returns to computer) ok I feel better now, oh thanks to my one reviewer, I will thank you again, with your screenname in the next chappie,lol. Only one more thing Please Review!!!!!!!!!!