A Quickly Passed Week
Priden looked at Annika's shocked face and laughed deeply, a voice that resonated deep from his stomach. Walking over to Annika he grasped her hands reassuringly as he affirmed her statement, "Yes dear Annika, it is me.."
"But-but-how...why...you...oh my I am at a loss for words." Annika sputtered.
Priden cocked his head to the side, "I agree with that statement." He said cheekily.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked.
"And miss that priceless face of yours? No way! Besides, I couldn't."
"Why?"
"It was a promise I made to your father. I would never tell anyone of your history."
Annika's shoulders dropped and she turned her head away as she whispered, "So I guess you can't help me?"
Priden looked at her discouraged face and he placed his hands on her shoulders, "My dear Annika, of course I can help you."
"But you just said..." She began.
"I said that I would never tell, the lovely thing about loopholes is that you can demand it. That part was never entered into our agreement."
Annika beamed, "So you can help me?"
"Of course I can child. It'll take me two days to draw up the papers, but until then you are welcome to stay in the City as an esteemed guest."
She narrowed her brow, "What do you mean 'esteemed guest?'" She questioned.
Priden merely steepled his hands together, "You shall see."
"I was fearing that." Annika responded.
Annika and Michael were immediately shown to their rooms and Annika once again found herself in awe of the beauty. Her room was decorated in rich greens, something she knew Priden had a hand in, he really did know her to well. Michael's was decorated in crimson, and Schutz was taken to the stables after she was reassured he would be treated as royalty. Michael decided to nap while Annika took a tour about the city. Declining any companionship, she looked around the city herself. Eventually the city came to life after Priden had promised the people that Annika and Michael were friends. He had told her that after a few "unfriendly" visits with mortals, they had grown weary of them. But Annika found the elves to be very kind and generous. She soon found a small café and Annika took a seat outside as tea was brought to her. An hour later, Priden found her in the same seat and he sat across from her. "There is to be a gathering tonight in your honor."
"That is too much." Annika protested.
"Perhaps. Annika there is more to your father's secrets then you know."
"What do you mean Priden?"
Priden inhaled deeply. "What I mean child is this, you have been mislead greatly in your life."
"I am still confused."
"I shall start from the beginning. What do you know of your mother?"
"Just that she was a beautiful woman with a beautiful smile. She loved to sing, and she loved my father and me. What else should I know."
"Your mother...she was of high ranking in our world."
"You mean my mother was an elf?" Annika all but yelled.
"Do not shout. Yes your mother was an elf, and to be more specific, she was the last of the Camerion monarch. Your mother would have been Queen of the Realm if she had married properly."
"Instead she married my father." Annika concluded.
"Yes. AT first our peoples were disappointed, but Petar turned to be a wonderful suitor for her, despite his background."
"So wait. What does that make me?" Annika asked.
"A princess. Are you alright Annika, you look a bit pale."
"I feel a bit pale." She mumbled. "Please explain to me why my father did not wish for others, myself included, to know this."
"It is simple, you are a mixed child. Princess or not, the kingdom of Marchendorf would see you as less than worthy than even a servant. I do know however, that he did not wish what Lady Gisela has forced you into."
"Ah yes, the wonderful King Sebastian. A horrendous fellow."
"Not his son though?" Priden prodded.
Annika smiled weakly and shook her head, "No, not his son." The two friends were silent for a moment. "What does that make me then?"
"Do you want to be a princess?"
Annika thought about Priden's question for a few moments then, "No. Not particularly. I just wish to live a life as I want to live it."
Priden looked at her as he said, "I do wish you would choose otherwise, I have known you since birth, and I have seen the woman you have become. You would do wonders for the formation of a better land, but I will do as you wish. You shall be Lady Annika Terrich, and nothing more."
Annika smiled as she told him, "Thank you."
The gathering that night was splendid. The food was marvelous, as was the music. Annika was even asked to sing a few ballads until she refused to sing again. As the gathering continued, Annika continuously saw maidens walk up to Priden and ask him for a dance, and though he never refused, he did not dance with the same maiden twice. Annika's thoughts were returned to Sabine, and there an idea formed. Though she would not be able to perform her plan until later, she found that Priden and Sabine may be the perfect fit for each other. By the end of the night, Annika was worn out, and was all too thankful for the comforts of her bed. There she slept through most of the next day. That night a wonderful dinner was held for her and Michael. The only other member was Priden. Conversation was light. And Annika retired early.
The morning of their last day was when Priden handed her a silver envelope along with a ring. The ring was encrusted with the Terrich name and an Emerald. She looked up at Priden as he handed her the trinkets and laughed sweetly. "Thank you." She finally bit out.
"Anything for you My Annika. Now you must tarry. The prince's ball is in three nights, and it will take you at least two to return home."
"Care to give a damsel in distress a hand?" She requested.
"I shall do my best." Priden remarked solemnly.
"Good bye for now."
"Good bye Annika."
Annika walked out to Michael who was standing beside Schutz. She held out her hand and his jaw dropped. "I had no idea you were rich!"
"Not so."
The two rode back in haste, and Michael decided to join Annika in Marchendorf. When Annika reached the woods before her home, she paused. She jumped down from Schutz's back. "Stay here." Annika demanded. Walking silently to the kitchens, she opened the door only to find Miriam.
"Annika!" Miriam screamed out with joy. Annika placed her finger over her own lips and requested Miriam to follow her with a hand gesture. Miriam immediately joined her outside. The two women crept out to the woods. "Where have you been!" Miriam bellowed once they were out of sight of the house.
"I had some things to do." Annika brushed off. "I need a favor."
"What is that?"
"I need you to get my mother's dress."
"The blue gown?" Miriam inquired.
"Yes."
"You wish to go to Prince Florian's ball." Miriam mumbled wearily.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"Only that Florian and Brigitte are to be announced at midnight." Miriam answered hesitantly.
"Well, I shall have four hours to make sure that does not happen."
"I wish you the greatest luck. Where are you staying child?"
"That is not a problem, I shall stay at the Inn, just bring me the gown. Use the excuse that you need to go into town if you must."
"I know how to lie Annika, I have been doing it for years whenever Lady Gisela asks about her weight. Go." Miriam ordered. Annika giggled and hugged Miriam before departing for the town. She had only a few hours to be ready for Florian's ball.
A/N: Okay, if the dates don't match up let me clarify. When Annika found Priden she had a week...5 days until Florian's ball. She spent two days there and then spent two nights returning home...that's four days gone. She met up with Miriam on the fifth day. Okay wonderful. There are still like...three more chapters to go, unless I add another one from Florian's view. Okay to my reviewers.
Lady Gwen: Thank you for the review, luckily this upcoming Saturday is our last competition, and after that practices shall be limited up until Winter Guard. We owned this past competition, thank the stars. I'll update soon.
Crazaylady: Haha thank you for the review! I shall continue. And for your review on my "When they were Seventh Years." I will update on that soon. I had always planned for a sequeal, and that's why it ended as such.
Cheekychik: Thank you for the review, sometimes it's hard though because I put a lot of dialogue into the story. And no there will be no romance between Priden and Annika, breath a sigh of relief there. I'd like to hear from you again.