Disclaimer: I don't own anything that Tamora Pierce came up with. Pretty simple. I also don't own the Simpsons, but you'll see where that comes in later.

O My GOD! I just looked at the publish/updated dates on this story, and it has taken me the better part of a year to get up 4 chapters of this story. I'M SOOOOOO AWFUL!!!!!!!!!! I feel really bad, so I'm trying to rush more chapters on all of my stories that aren't one-shots. By the way, please check out my fic, Head Over Feet, if you like Alanna/George. It's a one shot song fic. Now, on with the story!

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Chapter 5

I entered the throne room, and I couldn't help but gasp at the wonder of everything. The gold and silver nearly blinded me, it was so bright. The fact that the curtains were thrown back, letting in all the light of a sunny summer afternoon, didn't help either. And sitting on the thrones were the two people I had least expected to see in my life and not be facing death or torture. The king and queen of Tortall. They were sitting there, in all their finery, looking down at me as I kneeled on the stone floor. Other people were there, nobles, I assumed, but my attention was drawn to the queen. She did not have the stern look I expected from all tortallans who knew the truth about me. In fact, she looked kind. And she was very beautiful. She sat on a throne that was equal to the king's and appeared to have his ear as well.

The king, on the other hand, was also good looking, but had a certain something about him that made me fear him. His blue eyes were not the soft color of my mother's eyes, but a harsh, clear blue that made me think of blue glass, which I had only seen once or twice.

"You may rise, Lady Krystal," I heard a voice say. I looked up as I stood, and saw that it was the king. He spoke in Common. "We have heard reports of why you are here, but we should like to hear your story from yourself."

"I ran from my home in Scanra, Your Majesty," I replied in the same language. "My father is the Warlord, Maggur Rathhausak." I heard a collective gasp from the nobles. "I wish nothing more than to be free of him, and I beg Your Majesties for pity and help." I was not too proud to beg. I would if I had to, but it turned out that there was no need. Queen Thayet looked at the king, who nodded.

"Of course you have our help," the queen said, rising. "And you may stay in the palace until arrangements are made elsewhere."

I curtsied again. "Thank you for your kindness, Majesties, but all I need is a small amount of money, and I can make a living in the city."

"Nonsense." She dismissed my remark with a wave of her hand as she placed her hand under my chin and lifted me up. "You are no commoner. You are a princess."

She led me out of the room, and when we reached the corridor, I spoke. "Your Majesty, I'm no princess. My father is just a cruel man who forced others to support him through violence and cruelty. I don't deserve the title of princess."

"One's father does not need to be a king for one to be a princess in her own right. I have heard how you acted at Fort Steadfast, and you acted like a princess, everything about you being royal. And if any noble here wishes to argue with me, they may do so, but my opinion remains the same."

This woman amazed me. She held the title of queen, normally given to the wife of a king, not good for much except entertaining and bearing children, but she acted as queen in her own right, a woman who had true power. And it was obvious she was intelligent. And she had volunteered to help free me from my father. I made up my mind. I would follow this woman to the end of the earth, if she asked me.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." I followed Queen Thayet through several halls to a room in an elegant wing of the palace. I could tell it was where visiting nobles and dignitaries stayed. As we walked, I noticed that everyone bowed to the queen, but stayed away from me.

Towards the end of a hall, the Queen stopped and opened a door. It led into a room finer than anything we'd had in the castle at home. "Goddess," I sighed in Scanran. Switching to Common, I said to the queen, "Your Majesty, this is wonderful. But I can't stay here, it's too nice." I didn't want to give up the marvelous room, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

"Nonsense." That was the second time in ten minutes she had said that word. Apparently I was a very nonsensical person. "You will most likely be staying with us a while, and so these shall be your rooms. This is the sitting room. There is also a privy, a dressing room, and a bedroom. If you need anything, ask one of the servants."

I nodded. It was so much to take in, all at once. I had one little request, and I felt bad, after all the queen's kindness, but... "Your Majesty, how do I find my way around?"

"I'll send a knight to help you find your way for the first week or so. Hmm. Who isn't on border duty, and is around your age? Don't worry, I'll find something."

I nodded dumbly again, and curtsied as the queen left. I stood there until I was certain she was out of earshot, then closed and locked the door. That done, I ran through the rooms, screaming with glee! I was free of my father, in a place where I may be accepted! I jumped on the bed, and ran to my closets, throwing open the doors. Nothing was there, and I didn't expect anything to be, I just did it for the sake of the action. I ran into the privy and found a small tub with a robe over the side. I was wondering if I should call a servant so I could take a bath when I heard a knock on the door.

"May I help you?" I asked the young man who I assumed had knocked. He was near my height, several inches and years older, with nice eyes. He had the look of someone who had been chubby in youth, but had since grown into it. (AN/ I LOVE Owen, don't you? I had to put him in.)

"Actually, milady, the queen sent me here to help you. Owen of Jesslaw, at your service," he said, with a nervous bow. He probably hadn't been around females much.

"Krystal," I introduced myself, knowing that he probably knew who I was.

I was right. He dropped his stiffness and his face acquired an eager, almost childlike look. "Pardon me lady, but is it true that you're a princess of Scanra?" I nodded. "How jolly! You must know all about everything in Scanra!" He saw the shocked look on my face and became a knight once again. "I'm sorry – er – your highness."

"No, please don't be! I like when people are honest, and when they don't act the way they're expected to. To answer your remark, no, I don't know much about Scanra. I was mostly confined to our family's castle and grounds."

"Oh." He looked disheartened for a moment, and then perked up. "Well, would you like a tour of the palace?"

"That would be wonderful!" I remarked. "If it's not too much trouble, that is."

"Of course not." He offered his arm and I took it, as he led me out of the room.

That afternoon I saw everything on the palace grounds. Kennels, stables, practice yards, galleries, halls...everything much bigger and much grander than anything I'd ever seen or even been able to imagine in Scanra.

As Owen helped me find my way back to my room that evening, I was filled with different emotions. Joy for my new home, jealousy for people whose biggest problem was worrying why a Scanran princess was in the palace...and fear.

The thought came into my head suddenly. I had no idea where it came from, and I wished it hadn't been there at all. Until that moment, I had managed to forget that there was probably a bounty on my head right now, and that as much of my father's forces as could be spared were out looking for me.

We stopped before my door. "Well, goodnight," Owen said. I nearly jumped. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I had forgotten he was there.

"Goodnight. And thank you. Thank you so much!" I debated for a moment over whether or not I should, then hugged him quickly, making sure no one was looking. I had found my first friend.

TBC

Lana: Awww. That's so sweet.

Elfy (yup, that's my new name for myself!): Thank you Lana, I thought so too.

Lana: Not your story, idiot, the Simpsons marathon I'm watching.

Elfy: How is the Simpsons sweet?

Lana: I dunno, I just felt like saying that.

Elfy: Ugghh. Calls in friend RuneSpirit, who is holding two baseball bats

RuneSpirit: Handing one bat to Elfy Here ya go!

Elfy: grinning maniacally Lana, you have till the count of three to run, screaming for our mercy.

Lana: laughs hysterically at the Simpsons, paying no attention whatsoever to the 2 slightly insane girls behind her.

Elfy: One...

Lana: still laughing hysterically

RuneSpirit: Two...

Lana: Still laughing

Elfy: Two and a half...

Lana: Notices girls and stops laughing

RuneSpirit: Two and 3 quarters...

Lana: Uhh...what are you two planning on doing with those baseball bats?

RuneSpirit and Elfy: THREE! Begin approaching Lana with baseball bats

Lana: Running and Sobbing AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! MERCY!!!! MERCY!!!!!

Elfy: Well, gotta go, review using the little purple button, cuz I didn't give you the cliffy I was planning. Oh, and don't try to reenact this scene with two friends, it could get painful.

BYE!