A/N: You all might be wondering why I am writing. Well, I am guess this was already typed before I jammed my finger and had been planning on posting it today. This is set after Ella Enchanted and is about Char and Ella's son, Jerrold, and a girl, Leigh.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ella Enchanted.

-Chapter 1-

Leigh rode on her horse, her hood concealing her face. Only her light blue eyes could be seen as they scanned the forest. She urged her dark brown horse further, still tense and alert. Her dark brown hair was hidden in her hood and her posture was alert and on guard.

A twig snapped behind her and she whipped around, her right hand moving to the slit of her sword. Her left hand tightened on the rein of the now nervous horse. She scanned the ground with alert eyes that were narrowing, focusing. Something moved out of the corner of her eye; something dressed in black. She immediately whirled around, sword drawn out and held out, ready for an attack.

Suddenly, a man, dressed in all black and his face masked, came charging from behind the tree he was hiding from her. His sword was raised and came swinging down. Leigh immediately blocked the attack with a swift block. She leapt off her horse and stared at the man, her sword ready, and her posture in defense stature. The man merely chuckled and held out his sword, as if accepting her unspoken challenge. A ghost of a smile crept on the girl's face and she touched the man's sword with her own. And then they began.

Swords flashing, the two opponents circled each other, slow at first, then faster and faster, both moving with quickness and swiftness. There were some pauses during the fighting, as both opponents studied the other, trying to find a weakness. And then they would start again, both swords whirling and being thrust at each other's.

Sweat beads were now on the girl's forehead but she didn't stop to wipe them away. A moment's distraction could be enough to kill you, she thought grimly, remembering her Master's teachings.

Suddenly, the man kicked and her sword went flying out of her hand, landing some five yards away from here. He pointed his sword to her neck, signaling the end of their duel. "You fought hard, Leigh," came his deep voice from under the mask.

Leigh bowed her head. "But it wasn't my best," she finished. The man strolled over to her sword and picked it up.

"No, it wasn't," the man quietly agreed, handing her back her sword, which she put back into her sword hilt. The man threw back his hood, revealing dark blond hair and gray eyes. He looked to be in his late thirties and he was watching Leigh carefully. "But you did fight better than usual. You are improving, Leigh. Don't put yourself down."

Leigh smiled. "Thanks, Jonas." The man raised an eyebrow and she quickly said, with a roll of her eyes, "I mean, thank you, Master Jonas." Yes, this man was her Master, the man who taught her who to sword fight. He was also an army official, one of the best, in fact. He had raised Leigh when both her parents were killed in a carriage crash. Her father had been an army official with Jonas and both had been close friends.

Jonas gave her a small smile. "Your father and I used to duel all the time, Leigh. And – with more time and practice – you can be as good as him. Maybe even better."

Leigh highly doubted this for two reasons. One, her father had practically been the best. He had awards and medals for his talent and winning sword tournaments. And the second reason was...well, she was a girl. And no one took a girl warrior serious. It didn't matter if she was the best fighter in the whole world; people would still ignore her talents and only say she was good enough to be a housewife and that's all.

Leigh grabbed the reigns of her horse, Timber. Timber snorted, looking completely angry to have been taken by surprise like that. Leigh sometimes had a feeling that if Timber could talk, he would have told Leigh he would rather be a horse who had to be on display than being a horse scared out of his wits.

"Come on, Leigh," Jonas said, staring at the now darkening sky. "We best be heading home. It's not safe to be in the forest after dark." He shot her a look. "Even for the best warrior in all the world it isn't safe."

Leigh rolled her eyes again and mounted on Timber, who shot her a glare before Leigh nudged his side with her heels and he looked forward, moving. Jonas climbed on his black steed and followed Leigh as she led the way out of the forest and back to their home.

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"What's for dinner?" Leigh asked as she and Jonas entered their house. It wasn't huge but comfortable. There were three bedrooms and two floors. Around the small house was a garden Leigh had planted, to make the house look more welcoming.

Jonas laughed. "What are you making?" He asked, his eyes twinkling. Leigh sighed, not even trying. She always tried to get Jonas into cooking but he rarely did, saying Leigh made better food. True, yet Leigh didn't like to do so.

Leigh began to hum as she began to cook. Jonas sat down in the kitchen, took a glass of water, and began drinking as he stared out the back window, where it faced the forest. His eyes traveled to the bright moon and then to the forest again. He looked like he was waiting for something.

"Hey, Jonnie?" Leigh teased, using her old nickname for him. "If you're that bored to be watching the forest and moon, why not grab an apron and help me here?"

Jonas raised an eyebrow. "I'm waiting for something, Leigh," he said. And at that moment, there was a knock on the front door.

Leigh raised her eyebrow. "Wow. Are you psychic or something?"

Jonas ignored her comment and made his way to the front. "Stay in the kitchen, Leigh," he ordered as he left. Leigh frowned, defiance in her stirring. A little ears dropping wouldn't hurt, now would it? She quietly edged to the door of the kitchen and listened. Jonas had opened the door and was apparently speaking to someone.

"...yes, yes, thank you," Leigh heard her master say. "Here's a silver coin for delivering the message."

A stammered followed her master's words. "I-I-It w-w-w-was a pleasure to d-d-deliver the mess-message, s-s-sir. A-An honor to b-be able to me-meet you in per-person."

Leigh rolled her eyes. Another admirer of Jonas's. Many people did admire him because of his and her father's quest to drive most of the ogres into hiding and not attacking people frequently. Instead, the attacks had slowed down and there barely was any nowadays. The ogres must still have feared both Jonas and William, the men who fought them and held no mercy against them.

The door closed and there was silence. Then, "Leigh, if you are so interested, you can come out here." Leigh groaned but opened the door. How did he always seem to know when she was there?

Jonas was holding an envelope that was embossed with a fancy symbol. The royal crest, Leigh realized. Why would the royal family be sending Jonas letters? Sure, Jonas was on the good side of the king's but they never really sent letters to each other before.

"I thought you would listen," Jonas said. "Your father and I used to always listen to our generals talk behind doors too. Your mother, of course, highly disapproved of this but Rebecca soon did so herself when she wanted to know if her father would allow her to marry William."

Leigh eyed the envelope. As if reading her mind, Jonas opened it and scanned it with a small smile. "Well, then," he said. "I suppose you can read it." He handed it to her and Leigh eagerly took it and began reading.

Dear Jonas,

I hope you are doing well. No ogres attacking you, I hope. Well, I'll get straight to the point. Ella and I are in need of your services again. Our son – Jerrold – is in danger. It seems that someone wants him to be dead. As future king of Kyrria, we must protect him. Not only because he is the heir to the throne but because he is our son. I ask for you or one requested by you to protect my son. He is going ogre hunting like I used to do when I was eighteen and I am allowing him to go. But out there, beyond the palace walls, the danger is far greater.

Please, send us an answer as fast as you can. We know that you will only send the best for our son.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, since Ella just walked in to remind me. Our son is having his official eighteen-birthday ball tomorrow night. I know it's late notice, I know. Yes, I also know he hates balls but what can we do? Ella thinks he will have a little fun, at least, although he heavily disagrees.

I hope this reaches you well,

Char

Leigh stared at the letter and then at Jonas. "Have fun at the ball," she snickered. Leigh never really liked the whole "dressing up" thing like most girls her age did. Right now she was wearing trousers and a simple shirt, like the boys. No huge, hourglass gowns.

Jonas laughed. "Ah, but, Leigh," his eyes twinkled. "You are coming too."

Leigh glared at him. "I wasn't invited so I don't have to go."

Jonas smiled gently. "Well then. I suppose I'll just have to request another to be Prince Jerrold's bodyguard for his trip." She froze. Did he mean it? Was he really saying what she believed him to be saying? He grinned at her stunned expression. "Well, the king does say here that I should send my best and you are my best."

"But...but what about you? Aren't you going to...?" Leigh asked faintly. Leigh, a girl, protect the future king of Kyrria.

Jonas laughed. "I'm getting old, Leigh. I can't go doing these jobs anymore. The best I can do now is train pupils, like I have done with you. And I think you're ready for your first mission."

Leigh grinned. Ever since Leigh could wield a sword, which was when she was eight, she wanted to go on a mission. Leigh always wanted to have a job but she always thought that since she was a girl, she wouldn't be allowed to do anything. But this was her chance to show everyone that girls could be as good as boys, even better.

"Now," Jonas said, frowning. "To get you some proper attire for a ball." Ah. The downfall of her happiness. A ball meaning she'll have to dress up in a gown. Leigh grimaced. Leigh would rather go as her boy self but she didn't want Jonas to change his mind and pick someone else. So she glumly followed him into the kitchen as he began thinking of some places she'll have to go to find a gown fit for a prince's birthday.

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When Leigh woke up, she thought about her"job." And began getting second thoughts. What if Prince Jerrold was a spoiled brat who made her polish his shoes every two seconds? What if he hated her and complained about her to his parents? Leigh would surely never get another job again. Why couldn't she start smaller, something not so big?

But Leigh knew, deep down, that this was what she wanted. For people to know her name and respect it; to respect her despite her gender.

Leigh got up from bed and began stretching out my muscles. It was something Jonas taught her a long time ago. To be already stretched in the morning so she was prepared for anything. Leigh took a quick bath. Today, Jonas wanted her to go gown shopping. But Leigh had pointed out that she knew practically nothing about gowns and he'd have to come along. He hadn't looked so smug then.

Leigh went downstairs and found Jonas had already made breakfast. He was sitting at the table, eating quickly. Leigh sat down across from him and began eating her eggs. Jonas broke the silence as she finished up my eggs. "I think I know where we can go, Leigh. I know the lady who owns the store. Her name is Cynthia and her gowns are wonderful. We'll go there first."

Leigh raised an eyebrow. "Is this the same Cynthia who somebody has a little crush on?" Jonas turned slightly red but muttered a quick no. Cynthia was a pretty blonde who, Leigh was sure, Jonas liked.

"All right, then. Finally done?" Jonas joked as Leigh finished up the remainder of her breakfast. "Good, let's go."

Both master and apprentice left the house at half an hour before noon and began the long walk to village. Their house was built away from the village for some reason. Jonas had found the silence perfect for concentrating while teaching Leigh some new moves; sometimes, Leigh felt like strangling the birds that occasionally chirped.

After about thirty minutes, they reached the village. It was active with activity and people walking around. They made their way to the marketplace and people began shouting out things like, "TOMATOES! GET YOUR TOMATOES!" or "Only five silver coins, that's a bargain!"

The pair stopped in front of small store. They walked inside, a bell ringing. Behind the counter stood a woman in her late thirties with blonde hair and twinkling dark blue eyes. She was talking with a customer but as soon as she spotted Jonas, she turned scarlet and cried, "Jonas! How nice to see you!"

Jonas turned slightly red and smiled. "It's nice to see you too, Cynthia." Cynthia threw her arms around Jonas in a hug. Jonas looked surprised but, awkwardly, hugged back. Then Cynthia released him and turned to face Leigh with a smile. "Ah, Leigh! You've grown up so much!" She then enveloped her into a hug and Leigh also awkwardly hugged back.

When Cynthia stopped hugging Leigh, she turned to the two with a smile. "What brings you to my store? I doubt you," she wiggled her eyebrows at Jonas, "are here to buy a gown."

Jonas cleared his throat. "Actually, Leigh here needs a gown. She and I are invited to the prince's birthday ball." Leigh grimaced inside. Cynthia, however, gasped and several other customers looked in interest at the pair.

"The prince's birthday ball," Cynthia gasped out, her eyes wide. "Why...that's...that's amazing! And you want one of my gowns to be there when so many more expensive stores are out there?"

Leigh smiled kindly. "Well, your gowns are the best." They were beautiful, although not as expensive as the other gown shops.

Cynthia beamed at her and suddenly grabbed her arm, dragging her to a dressing room. "Come, come! Ooh, a gown of mine at the prince's ball! This dress just has to be perfect, it just has to be!"

She grabbed an armful of gowns and stuffed them in Leigh's arms. "Go, go and try them on and come and model them for us!" Cynthia said excitedly. Cynthia's assistants looked interested to the girl who was attending the prince's ball and one of them muttered enviously, "and she is beautiful."

Leigh managed not to roll her eyes as Cynthia shoved her into the dressing room. This is going to be a loooong day, Leigh thought, grimacing again.

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After four hours of trying on gowns, Cynthia and her assistants had found the perfect one. It was a light blue, matching her eyes. The neckline, which was cut as a square, was trimmed with white lace. A silver necklace was around Leigh's neck. The gown twirled gently as Leigh twirled and it moved gently as she walked. It was comfortable, not very expensive or fancy looking but it was beautiful.

Cynthia bid Leigh and Jonas goodbye, her eyes shining happily that her gown as going to be shown at a ball. Leigh and Jonas made their way back home, Leigh grumbling, "Ugh, those gowns were suffocating me, I swear. I'm just happy she picked one not so fancy that made me looked like a hourglass, I would probably have to kill her."

Jonas had also got his suit for the ball. They both walked home then in silence, Leigh exhausted from the assistants and Cynthia making her try numerous gowns. Why have a ball when it's so pointless? You wear the gown once and never again! Leigh thought angrily. All that money could be put towards poor, starving children.

When they got home, Jonas turned to Leigh and took a deep breath. "Leigh? I would suggest to you to prepare early; the ball is a mere three hours away."

Leigh shrugged. "So? It'll only take me, what, thirty minutes to get ready."

Jonas smiled. "Girls usually take much longer than that. But, besides that, a carriage is picking us up an hour early, since we live a little far from the palace."

Leigh groaned. "Fine. I'll go prepare and take two hours like girls do to prepare so a dumb ball!" Leigh stomped up to her room, still fuming. Get ready? She was planning on practicing her sword fight. Well, there goes that idea, she thought glumly. And then she looked at the gown she had placed on the bed. It was pretty, even Leigh could admit it.

She rolled her eyes and then began getting ready for what she felt would be the worst day of her life.

A/N: I know that might have seemed rushed. Like, one second she's training, the next she's going to a ball. But, hope you enjoyed it anyways! Please review!