A Chance Meeting

Florian awoke very early the next morn and walked out to his balcony. Groaning slightly, he ran his hand through his tangled mass of dark curls. Last night had been nothing but a bore with the exception of the "mystery maiden." Was she perhaps the solution to the current conflict that raged on in Florian's heart and mind? He knew that for monarchs, marriage was not always for love, but he loathed Brigitte. He loathed the snobbish, selfish wench that portrayed herself as someone of importance. He placed his chin into his hand and stared at the glowing horizon before him. An idea finally struck him like lightening. He wanted...no needed a break and he loved the town so much. Smirking, he walked back into the warmth depths of his room and into his closet. He then pulled on an older pair of clothing, something to resemble the peasantry men and he pulled on a nice, but plain brown cloak. Clasping it around his neck, Florian hurried from his room and ran down the steps and out the door. Walking over to the stables, he called to his horse, and jumped upon the stallion's back. Throwing one last look at the castle he rode down the trail to the town.

Annika awoke sometime around the time Florian had. Sighing she walked over to the window and pulled open the shutters before she sat down at the vanity. Pulling her long blonde hair out of the braids, she hummed softly to herself. Now that she was back in town, she had little idea as to what to do. She had only a small amount of money that Miriam had given her, and that was to pay for the Inn until she found something more appealing. She had to stay away from Lady Giselle and her horrible children, which would not be that difficult as long as she did not publicize her return. She looked back at the unmade bed, and habit made her walk over to the bed and fold down the sheets and pull up the duvet. Smoothing her hands over the duvet, she felt satisfied as she realized that she would no longer be forced to do such distasteful duties for others. Annika looked around the room and sighed with sheer boredom, deciding that she would walk into the town; Annika changed into her day gown and pulled her tattered brown cloak over her gown. She pulled her hair up into a simplistic bun and walked out the door only to be stopped by Priden. Annika gasped in surprise and backed up into the closed door. Priden grinned.

"Gute Morgen Annika."

"Hello...what are you doing here?"

"Helping you."

Annika sighed as she mumbled, "You have been doing that a lot lately my friend."

"That is what friends are for ja?"

Annika smiled and nodded, "Ja." She said.

"Gute! Come now you need..." Priden was grasping for words, "a Better cloak."

Annika looked down at her cloak and laughed, "Yes I suppose I do."

"Then you will let me buy it?"

"Who am I to discourage a man from his mission?" Annika agreed.

"Shall we then?" Priden asked as he held out his arm to her.

"Ja." Priden and Annika walked out of the Inn and then walked around the city. Annika spoke vivaciously as she walked with Priden who nodded his head at certain areas and smiled. Finally they came onto a woman whom was selling made cloaks. Annika looked at the many fine pieces of clothing as she said, "I have never noticed this kiosk before."

"It is new." The woman croaked, "What may I do for you?"

Annika was about to speak when Priden broke in, "She needs a new cloak, and I would like to see your finest." The older woman nodded and she pulled out four boxes. She opened each. One held a crimson robe, one held an emerald cloak, one held a blue cloak, and the last held a black cloak. Annika indicated the black cloak. Priden winked at her, "She would like to see the black one."

"A fine one indeed." The woman said as she smiled. She pulled out the long black cloak and Annika smiled. The cloak was indeed black, but it seemed to shimmer a little blue at times. The clasp was beautiful; it was a silver leaf that seemed to glow slightly. Priden looked at the admiration in Annika's eyes.

"I think the lady has made her choice. How much?"

"Zehn Marks." The woman squawked. Priden smiled at the woman as he handed her the money. "Is there anything else you wish for?" The woman asked hopefully. Priden looked back down to Annika and at her shoes and gowns.

"May I see your gowns?" He asked.

Annika's head shot up, "Priden, I'm fine, really you don't have to-" She began.

"Certainly." The woman interrupted. "Follow me." The woman nodded to a young man that had appeared by her side, and Priden and Annika followed her to a small store. The woman unlocked the doors and pushed it open. "Pardon the mess, the store is not quite ready to be open for the public, but it would be my pleasure to have you take a look around."

Annika looked at the clothing store in awe, "Did you make all of this?"

"My husband and I ja."

"The clothing is beautiful." Annika commented.

"Danke." The woman said softly. "Now, what exactly are you looking for?"

"Well...uh." Annika started as she looked at Priden uncertainly.

He cleared his throat and spoke up, "Just bring out what you think she would look best in." The woman nodded and went to work. Annika and Priden sat down at two chairs that had appeared and watched the woman in awe. A few moments later she came back with twenty gowns in every colour. Annika tried them all on and fell in love with one in particular. It was a scarlet gown with gold thread. She walked out and Priden raised his eyes in appreciation. "You look beautiful." Annika blushed at his kind words.

"I want this one." She stated simply.

"Certainly." The woman said, "Anything else."

"Choose a few more." Priden pushed. Annika nodded and returned to the dressing closet. She then chose five more gowns: a black one, a white one, a dark sapphire one, an emerald one, and a green one that separated at the bottoms to reveal white. When she came out Priden laughed at her, "Finally! An Annika who indulges herself." Annika blushed once more but did not dispute his comment. The woman then looked at Annika's shoes and tsked. She measured Annika's feet and brought out a pair of black nicely tailored boots. Annika's eyes gleamed like a child's. Priden nodded. The woman then totaled up the six gowns and black boots and Priden handed her the money. She put them in boxes, but Annika asked her to keep the red gown out and the shoes out as well. She quickly changed into the scarlet gown and black boots and pulled the black coat over her. Priden smiled at her and the two left the store and walked down the street, Annika never saw the store or the kiosk disappear. Priden looked down to Annika and said, "Annika, I need to return to the estate for a moment, I will take these back to your rooms, will you be able to occupy yourself for a few hours while I am gone?"

Annika scrunched up her nose, "I shall try." She stated dramatically. Priden laughed and headed back the other direction. "And Priden?" Annika called out.

"Yes Annika?"

"Danke."

He grinned, "Bitte."

Annika then walked the other direction from Priden towards the food booths. She looked up and down until she came up to a fruit cart. A young man begged her to buy an apple and Annika smiled, "Of course." She pulled out her old change purse and her eyes widened in surprise as she felt that it had become heavier than when she had left the Inn. "Priden..."She whispered logically. She gave the young man a few coins and he handed her a large apple in return. She smiled at him and turned to walk away when she bumped into a cloaked figure. "Oh I am so sorry." She said as she looked up into the cloaked figure and gasped.

Florian looked at the young woman at her apology and narrowed his eyes, she looked familiar yet...different. The woman from last night!

"You." He whispered. Annika nodded her head at his statement. "Follow me," he demanded. Annika looked at him uncertainly, "Please." He begged her slightly. Annika relented and followed the man to a small café. He pulled out a chair for her and then sat down across from her. He pulled down his cloak and smiled. "You left last night before I could get away," he said warmly. Inside Annika was screaming in victory, He remembers me! Yet her hopes were dashed when he asked, "What is your name?" Annika frowned. He remembered the woman from last night, not Annika. Sighing, she thought for a moment, and decided to play a game with him of her own.

"Ella."

"Ella...that is a lovely name."

Annika shrugged her shoulders, "I suppose."

"Tell me," Florian began, "why did you leave so early?"

"I saw that you were...preoccupied."

"With Brigitte?" Florian spat distastefully.

"Ja." Annika replied.

"She is to be my wife."

"You do not sound pleased with that." Annika declared.

"I'm not." Florian affirmed.

"Why? She is lovely."

"She is not for me." He said simply.

"Then who is?"

"Someone interesting, smart, and beautiful. Someone like you."

Annika blushed, "A woman like me? Is that not a bit forward, and more to that, you barely know me."

"You are everything I could want."

"So are many women." Annika whispered.

"None like you."

"You talked to me for a few hours, how can you be so sure it was not an act?" Annika said skeptically.

"You remind me of someone I once knew."

"Really? Who?"

"Oh no, I would be too embarrassed."

"Why? Was she a servant or alike?" Annika inquired, hoping he would answer yes.

"Ja."

"And why is that embarrassing?"

"You know mein Vater correct?" Florian said incredulously as he pointed to the castle above the city. Annika sighed.

"Ah, the prices of royalty. I do not feel sorry for you though, you can change that."

Florian snorted, "You are much to like her."

"Like who?"

"Annika."

"Ah, the servant has a name."

"Of course she does!" Florian said.

"Calm down, I meant no offense."

Florian sighed, "I know." The two continued in conversation until finally Florian said he needed to depart.

"Where are you staying?" He asked Annika...Ella as she stood up.

"At the Inn." She clarified.

"May I call upon you tomorrow?"

Annika smiled softly, "If you wish."

"Then I will." Florian declared.

"I will wait." She walked away after Florian kissed her hand, leaving her cloak behind. Florian looked down at the cloak and he picked it up to follow her. He ran after her but the scene before him made him stop. Ella was talking to a man. Florian narrowed his eyes at the man's familiar face and stature; it was the man the worked on the Terrich estate...Pre-Pri-Priden! Suddenly realization dawned on him. Ella was not Ella at all; instead it was the servant-maiden who he had spent so many hours thinking about. Holding tightly to the cloak he began walking back to the town's stables. What had just happened?

A/N: So sorry for the late update...but I had Rent last weekend, and le sigh it was amazing.  Alright I know it was kind of predictable, but I hate long drawn out stories, and Im sure a lot of you do too, besides I had already planned this and there are at least two more chapters left.  So sing and dance.  Okay to the reviewers:

Lady Gwen:  Heres the update, and for guard we're doing rifle work now...I suck it up.  Anyways good luck with the orchestra thing and kudos to you for having that kind of coordination, haha.

S. Marie: Thank you.

Ana: Heres the update...though not soon.

Aerinha: Sorry about the crappy e-mail alerts, but thanks for all fo your reviews.  I hope you liked this chapter.

I love reviews...ten would be nice!