Story of a Princess Unknown – Chapter 6
Once again thanks to everybody who reviewed! I really appreciate it as it lets me know that there are people out there who love my story!
JustWriter – Oh good! It's a good reason! Well you never can be sure these days what people mean... The end is nowhere in sight – I will make you suffer! Hehe. I want to do a really good job of this as it's my first story and I need to have a good long think in between chapters.
Pippa – NOOOOO! Not the feedroom! Not sponges! Please no! Anyway not while i'm sick – the doctor said I might have appendicitis. I'm not feeling too good. Went up to see Frankie but I didn't have the energy to brush him. Call me, k?
Emma – I KNOW! He's so cute ! Well done for leading everybody trotting!
Smittened by Marauders – Hey, didn't you review when I just started this story? Thanks for coming back and reading it – and such nice comments too! Makes me feel loofed.
Ladygwen – most people I know spell catherine with a c. I think it looks cool! No-one can spell my last name – it's Polish and very long! I do not live in Poland tho!
Okay, now for the story. I have some great dialogue for future chapters – I can't WAIT until Eve and Jared meet! The writing is gonna be cool then - I just have to be patient. Okay – one more thing. I'm thinking about making one of the future chapters into a songfic to one of Kelly Clarkson's songs – what do you guys think? Let me know in your reviews, k? Thanks.
Chapter 6
Eve woke slowly in the morning – grateful for a soft bed, she didn't want to get up, just wanted to lie there for a few moments more. Then there was a sharp knock on her door. "Eve! Time to get up!" A voice called.
Eve hurriedly got up and went over to open the door. She let Mandy in. Mandy was already dressed – looking wide awake and ready, unlike Eve, whose long black hair was mussed and tangled and green eyes were still bleary from sleep.
Mandy walked in confidentally, but suddenly and intensely painful look crossed her face.
"What is it, Mandy?" Eve asked the older woman, concerned.
Mandy gave her a watery smile. "It's just – you remind me so much of your mother."
Eve too looked sad for a moment, but then a small, sad smile crept onto her face. "I'm so glad I've met you, Mandy." She impulsively hugged her and felt Mandy start in surprise, then relax and stroke Eve's hair.
She cleared her throat. "Now, I've told Callum that we'll share a tent while we're travelling to the capital. It will only take two days or so – thank goodness. I hate riding horses for hours on end."
"We're ... we're riding horses?" Eve stuttered.
"Have you never ridden before, Eve?" Mandy asked, astonished.
"Well, my ... the lady I served took me out on a pony a few times when I was little, but that was ... a long time ago." Anna had sneaked Eve out of the house a few times and put her on a pony. Those memories were Eve fondest – when Anna was still healthy, could still stand and walk. And when she could still laugh.
"Not to worry, I know of a biggish pony who should take care of you well. You won't want a big horse like the men ride. We have a little stable here where we keep the horses for the group, and we always have a few spares." Mandy's kind words reassured Eve.
"Now, you can't possibly be comfortable riding a horse in skirts so I've got you some breeches and boots to wear instead."
"Thankyou, Mandy. I don't exactly like wearing skirts anyway!"
"I'll leave you to get dressed but make sure you're down to the dining room soon – we'll have breakfast and Callum will tell you and Lucas what your assignments are."
Mandy left and Eve was alone. She shivered slightly – she wasn't sure she wanted to be a spy or do an "assignment" for this group. Be quiet, she told herself. This is the man who is probably responsible for your parents' deaths!
Eve had barely been able to get to sleep last night. Her thoughts kept her awake – her newfound parents and identity kept running around her head. And when she had slept, she'd had nightmares about a woman screaming her name, a man plunging over a cliff – and Anna dying. Eve had often had nightmares after Anna died – but none as awful as this.
She quickly got dressed and ran downstairs, remembering Mandy's words about being quick. Everyone was already seated when she got to the door and as she was looking for Lucas she heard someone whisper "Women are always late. Trust me – it's a mistake Callum's making letting one like that into OUR band."
Just as Eve was about to turn around and give that person a piece of her mind, she spotted Luke. He was sitting next to the man she vaguely remembered as being called Morgan. Morgan was giving her a death stare and Luke, when he spotted her, shook his head softly with a pleading look on his face.
Eve just stood there, feeling frustrated and humiliated. So that's how it's going to be, she thought. He cares about me when we're alone – but when I might make him look bad, I'm nothing to him.
She didn't have time to dwell on Lucas, though. "Eve! Over here!" She heard Mandy call. She went and sat over by her fairy godmother. "Everything okay, Eve? You look – upset."
"Everything's fine," Eve replied in a tight voice.
They didn't have time to continue talking as Callum started to speak.
"You all know that we're moving to Frell today. I want everyone out of here in fifteen minutes, mounted and ready to go. All of you know your assignments – except for Lucas and the girl. You two – stay behind. Everyone else – get moving."
Eve was sick of these men already - "the girl!" She wasn't going to be treated like that – but she knew she had no choice. If she told Callum what she thought of him, he would probably kill her. So she just gritted her teeth and moved up to stand next to Luke and Callum while everyone else left.
"Lucas, you'll be spying on the King's noble friends with Blake. Ask Morgan to point him out to you – Blake knows you're with him.
Now you, girl, will be at the house of two nobles, Lord Eric and Lady Cythera. These two are our only noble allies in this whole scheme. Rest of them don't like Mordred – but they're too scared to come out. Anyway, the Lord and Lady are pretending to be good friends of Mordred. His son, Prince Jared, comes to stay with them quite often. You will be pretending to be their niece and you will use your ... er ... feminine charms to get close to Jared. We need to know every move of the "Royal family," Callum finished sarcastically.
"Lucas – go choose a horse to be your own while you are with us. You, girl, Mandy has chosen one for you. Now go get ready. And," he said menacingly, "DON'T be late again."
Eve just wanted to hit that stuck up prick who thought she was just a tool he could use. And her .. her feminine charms? NO WAY! Eve's mind screamed. And the Prince who replaced me? Probably a jerk who's worse than Callum. I'm in trouble.
But Eve didn't say any of this aloud. Who knew what Callum would to to her? Instead she turned on her heel and went out, shaking but keeping her anger inside her. Luke tried to take her hand on the way out. She pulled it away. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Eve, don't be mad, please! You KNOW it's the right thing to do – we're new here, I've got to keep on the right side of these guys! If I spend too much time with you, they won't accept me!"
Eve's anger towards Lucas relented slightly. She knew that he was having a tough time at the moment, what with losing his family and all.
"I don't know, Luke. I just don't know what to think about you right now."
And with that, she marched off, leaving Luke standing by himself, his mouth open in disbelief.
Eve walked outside. At least it was nice weather for travelling – sunny but not too hot, a cool breeze but not too windy.
"Eve! There you are!" Mandy bustled up to her. "Come and meet your horse – are you all packed?"
Eve showed Mandy her small bag which contained her two dresses and white shifts – and her blanket.
"Oh, Mandy – I forgot to show you something. Do you recognise this?"
Eve drew out the tattered pink blanket, the letters EVE embroidered on the corner.
Mandy stroked the blanket. "Your mother just KNEW she was going to have a baby girl, Eve. And she knew exactly what she was going to call you – Evangeline Lily Sienna. She HATED sewing – but she spent hours making this blanket for you. It was certainly a labour of love – the many times she pricked her fingers! She was so angry – sewing just wasn't for her. But she wanted to try – for you, Eve."
Eve blinked tears away – enough with the crying already! She thought. But now she knew – her treasured blanket was indeed from her mother. Something to remember her by.
Mandy led her along the stalls, passing horses of many different colours – chestnut, bay, black – all being saddled up. She needed to hurry!
"I'll leave you two to get aquainted – do you know how to saddle a horse?"
Eve nodded. At least she remembered something from those years ago!
"Then meet Frankie. I'll leave you now – see you in ten minutes out the front."
Eve smiled when she saw the cute pony she had been assigned – a dun called Frankie. He was a lovely golden colour with black mane, tail, legs, nose and ears. He had and inquisitive, friendly look on his face, as he checked Eve out.
When Frankie found the carrot Eve's pocket he started whuffling and whickering – generally getting quite excited. (A/N – yes he does this in real life too!)
"Hey, Frankie, chill! I'll give you the carrot."
Frankie continued nudging Eve and checking the other pockets of her breeches – he just had to make sure she didn't have any more food!
"Well, you're certainly the most friendly pony I've ever met!"
Ten minutes later, Eve was outside, mounted and ready to go. Mandy had had a good talk with Frankie – telling him to behave and take care of Eve. Eve just hoped that she wouldn't embarrass herself in front of all these men who disliked her so much already.
As they rode out of the village, Mandy beside her on a flaxen chestnut gelding called Toi, Eve knew that she was really leaving her old life behind. She was no longer Eve, wench who was pushed around by Colin and Coral. She was Evangeline Lily Sienna, heir to the throne of Kyrria.
That night, after many hours of riding, Eve was sore. Everywhere. Frankie had been good – he had slowed whenever he felt her unbalance and she hadn't embarassed herself. She and Mandy had taken care of the horses and then crawled into their tent, exhausted.
The next day was the same. Eve was glad they only had one night in tents left – she missed her bed! She was becoming very attached to Frankie – hopefully she could take him with her to Lord Eric and Lady Cythera's manor.
Both nights, Mandy had told Eve countless stories about her mother and father. It was fascinating to hear about how Ella had been cursed with obedience and nearly killed Char before breaking the curse. It just about broke Eve's heart to hear of how her mother screamed when she found Eve's cradle empty, and then wasted away. Of how her father's body had never been found.
On the second night, Mandy asked Eve if Callum had asked her about a new name.
"What do you mean?"
"You need a new name when you're spying for us – just for safety, in case you're caught."
"What should my name be? I LIKE my real name!"
"How about – Sienna? Like your middle name?"
"To long – how about just Enna? It's almost like ... like Anna. But different. Me."
Eve's old life was really gone forever.
The next evening they arrived in Frell. Eve looked about her in astonishment – she had never seen so many people in one place at once, let alone so many colours, sights and noises. She moved closer to Mandy and Toi – Frankie was a bit of a wuss, he wanted to hide as much as Eve did!
She was taken to the rebel HQ in Frell where she said goodbye to Luke. He didn't seem to care that she was leaving – he was too busy joking with Blake and Morgan. Then Mandy took her to the manor.
On the ride out there, Eve refused to let herself be scared. This was nothing – compared to the fear of always being whipped and beaten by Colin. She wouldn't let her fear show.
The manor was about ten minutes back into the countryside outside Frell. Eve and Mandy rode down an impressive crescent-shaped driveway to find a huge house – compared to Colin's manor, it was a castle. It was a huge old English house made of brick, vines and plants climbing over it. It looked friendly, at least.
Eve and Mandy dismounted and led the horses up to the stairs. A stable hand appeared.
"I'll take your horses, m'lady," he addressed Mandy, then bowed to them both. He walked off with Frankie and Toi.
Here goes, Eve thought. Mandy squeezed her hand to reassure her. Eve smiled at her gratefully.
They walked up the steps to the front door of the grand old house. Mandy knocked on the door.
Almost immediately the was opened by a man who was apparently the butler. Eve stifled a snigger as she saw his ridiculous wig he was wearing.
Mandy spoke first. "We're here to see Lord Eric and Lady Cythera."
The butler bowed. "Please come inside. I shall fetch them for you if you would just wait here." He walked off, into another room.
Eve stared at the huge hallway they were in. It had paintings and portraits hanging all over the walls. These people were definitely rich and important.
A moment later the butler returned with a man and woman – both looked to be in their early thirties.
"So this is the girl. Well, if you are to pretend to be our niece, we must find you some decent clothes straight away – and do something with that DREADFUL hair," the woman sniffed haughtily.
The man smiled, almost apologetically at Eve and Mandy. "Cythera, leave the poor girl alone. She's only just arrived! Allow me to introduce ourselves – I'm Lord Eric, and this is my wife, Lady Cythera. Welcome to our home. I understand that you are ... aquaintances of Callum's?"
"I'm ... Enna," it felt strange to say her new name out loud.
"Welcome, Enna. I'll call a maid to show you to your room – I can see you're exhausted, you need to go to bed."
"I've got to go now, Enna." Mandy spoke softly.
Eve felt her eyes fill with tears. She didn't want Mandy to leave – she had only known her
four days, but she had completely changed Eve's life. She hugged Mandy fiercely, and whispered, "I'll miss you."
Mandy nodded, then was shown out by the butler. Now Eve was all alone.
That night, Eve lay awake in a fourposter bed in a huge room, decorated with tapestries of battles on the walls. Other than that, the room was plain and bare. Eve was lonely – no-one here knew who she really was.
She comforted herself by thinking about going exploring with Frankie the next day. The house was next to a huge forest – there were bound to be some good places to explore there. It would be the first time she had actually had a day to herself, to do whatever she wanted.
With these comforting thoughts, Eve finally fell asleep.
The next day she was woken by a maid knocking on the door. "I've come to help you get dressed, Miss Enna. Lady Cythera's orders.
Since when do I need help getting dressed? Eve thought.
She changed her mind when she saw the dress she was expected to wear. She had to wear stockings, shift, corset, two petticoats and then finally the dress! The dress itself was an ugly gold affair with countless bows and lace. Eve stared at in distaste.
Unfortunately, she couldn't just refuse to wear it – everyone but the Lord and Lady had to believe that she was the daughter of the Lord's sister – a noble girl who was used to wearing awful clothes like this. Eve sighed, then relented and allowed the maid to help her dress.
Afterwards, feeling like a ridiculous doll, Eve had to go down and have breakfast with Lord Eric and Lady Cythera. Lord Eric seemed nice enough – but the Lady was unbearable, twittering on about fashion and dresses and how perfectly AWFUL Eve's hair looked, and how she must look good this afternoon as the prince was arriving.
Wait! Eve thought. Prince Jared is arriving this AFTERNOON? I CANNOT handle all this right now.
Putting her fork down, she spoke softly. "Lord Eric, do you mind if I take my horse into the forest for a while this morning? I just want to have a look around."
"Oh, you really should have a chaperone – the forest is a dangerous place!" Lady Cythera exclaimed.
"Oh, Cythera – she'll be fine. Yes, Enna, you may go," he replied to Eve's pleading look.
It was with relief that Eve mounted Frankie. Actually, it was with TROUBLE that Eve mounted Frankie.
This damned skirt! She swore.
Eve practiced trotting around the forest without falling off for a while, then chanced a canter. After picking herself up off the ground, she decided that cantering was not the best idea. Especially in a forest where you could crash into a TREE, of all things!
Frankie stood looking at Eve like she was an idiot. "I think we might just stick to trotting for a while, Frankie." He snorted in agreement.
As Eve remounted Frankie, her skirt's hem caught on the edge of her saddle and tore. She swore again. "I HATE skirts!"
After walking around for a while, Eve and Frankie found a stream. Frankie stopped to have a drink. Eve was so hot in that stupid dress that she could barely think straight.
No-one's here, she thought. If I swim here no one will know.
After quickly looking around to make sure that no-one was there, Eve slowly (painfully!) took of her dress, petticoats and corset, until she just had her thin shift on. She breathed out. "That's so much better."
Then she walked into the stream. It was freezing – just what she needed. She hadn't had a bath since the day after she and Luke had run away. Eve sank into the cool water, floating on her back, her dark hair spread around her.
Jared was riding through the forest at a slow canter on his chestnut mare, Vinny.
I've just had enough! He thought. I'm sick of Father – the way he ignores me and never listens to a thing I say.
He had desperately needed to get away so had come to see Eric and Cythera earlier than he had planned.
He could still hear the shrieks of the girls chasing him when he had left the palace grounds. "Oooohh – the prince! Catch him!"
Once they had amused him, but now he was sick of them, sick of their shallowness. They only cared about his title and looks.
He was cantering along, feeling sorry for himself when he saw a dun pony tied to a tree up ahead. What they hell is a horse doing in the middle of the forest by itself?
Wait – someone must have left it here! (A/N – CLEVER JARED!)
He slowed Vinny to a walk, and then slipped off her. He knew she wouldn't run away – so he just left her standing beside the dun pony.
Don't they know how dangerous it is to tie a horse up so a tree by it's bridle?
Jared heard splashing water. He crept forward, not wanting to startle the person, whoever it was. Then, he saw her.
A girl of medium height was swimming in the stream. She had black hair which fell to her waist and looked to be about three years younger than Jared.
Goddess, Jared thought. She's so thin! He could see the girl's ribs.
Then she turned so her back was facing him, splashing water on her face.
He gasped when he saw the long, jagged scars on her back. They looked raw and recent – scars that were so deep and dark they showed through her thin, wet shift. Who would beat a girl so badly – and so often – that she would have scars like that?
Then Jared accidentally stepped on a twig.
Eve's head snapped up. She gasped when she saw a young man with dark brown hair and hazel-green eyes watching her – and the look of peacefulness on her face was replaced by one of fear and panic. She suddenly realised that her wet shift was see through. Eve felt humiliated.
"What do you think you are doing?" She spat.
"Keep your hair on, I'm not doing anything," he replied indignantly.
She didn't wait to listen.
Eve stumbled out of the stream, jumped onto Frankie – and chanced a canter. She wanted to get as far away from this boy as she could. Stupid! She thought. Why did you think it would be private in there?
Eve found her way back to the manor, and, leaving an astonished stable hand to take care of Frankie, she burst through the door, and ran upstairs to her room. She could hear Cythera shrieking about the racket she made and the water she had dripped onto the ground before she had closed the door to her room. Burying her face in her hands, she stood at the window of her room.
How could I be so stupid – and humiliate myself so much? She groaned.
"Enna!" She heard Cythera shriek. "Get changed then come down here SOON!"
Eve hated the woman, but she did as she was told. I REFUSE to wear two petticoats! She raged, instead, only putting on her shift and a clean dress – then remembering that she had left the other clothes at the stream. Great. Even more trouble.
She chose a less ridiculous dress this time – just a plain, simple green dress that matched her eyes. Then she brushed her hair, but didn't bother to plait it. I don't care what Cythera says about my awful hair.
Then, sighing, she made her way down the staircase. I wonder what the old bag wants now?
"Ahh – there you are, Enna. There's someone here I want you to meet." Cythera's sharp voice now dripped with honey, but Eve could sense the menace underneath meant for her.
Eve refused to look at the person, instead she looked at Cythera, who was glaring at her. "Your highness, I would like you to meet my niece, Lady Enna."
So I'm a lady now, am I? Eve inwardly smirked. Cythera thought that she was anything BUT a lady. Then she caught on. Wait a minute – did she say -
"Enna – this is His Highness Prince Jared."
At that exact moment, Enna looked up, startled, into the familiar, mocking hazel-green eyes of a young man who now had a name.
"You!" Eve gasped!