Chapter 4- Princess Lela
A/N: It's back to Frell for chapter four. Now we'll see what Lela's thinking.
Disclaimer- See chapter 1.
I awoke to a strange scent. The small bed chamber where I was lying was filled with smoke. I tried to get up, but loving hands gently pushed me back down onto the bed. Among the fragrances wafting through the air, I discerned lilac and moily herb. I felt someone clasping my hand, and looked up through the haze to see my father.
He was smiling at me, his face filled with relief. Again I sat up and this time I was immediately wrapped in his warm embrace. Over my father's shoulder I saw Mother and Mandy, and an elfish doctor, Gothel. I smiled at them, and received more hugs.
I had to stay in the infirmary for two more days. On the third, I was allowed togo out alone for a picnic. Mandy packed me a basket of food, which was delivered to me by a serving maid.
I left the palace and I found a quiet spot near a small weeping willow tree. I sat under its branches and started weaving a crown of wildflowers. After awhile I began to feel a chill, so I pulled my shawl tighter around me, grateful that Mandy had insisted that I bring it.
I was glad to know that Mandy was my fairy godmother. It was she who saved my life after I inhaled the toxic fumes from the bouquet of flowers. She burnt the petals of blossoms in the herb garden, and the scents were perfect, each blending together to create the perfect perfume. They masked the poison, and I revived.
Gothel had said that if it had been just a few minutes later I wouldn't have survived.
As I sat pondering this, I started to unpack the food that Mandy had prepared. But I was unprepared for what was under the checkered napkin.
An asp lay coiled, evil eyes glaring at me. I froze, unsure of what to do.I was startled from behind by a voice.
"Hold still," it whispered. I obeyed terrified at what would happen if I moved. I tried to close my eyes, but they wouldn't mind. So as I watched, a boy walked slowly around the snake. As he drew his sword, the snake began to lunge at me. I did not see the boy strike the asp, but within a split second, the snake's head was severed from his body, and he lay dead.
"Do maidens always dine with snakes in Kyrria?" the boy asked. I only shook my head, trembling too badly to speak. This was the second time someone had tried to kill me in the past few days. "Are you alright?"
"I shall be fine," I said bending down to gather my things, and carefully avoiding any of the dark red liquid that was seeping into the dirt around the dead animal. "Who are you? You saved my life."
"I am Gavin," he said.
"Prince Gavin of Bamarre?" I asked.
"Yes, why?" He now sounded irritated.
"Because, my good sir, you have rescued the crown princess of Kyrria, and that deserves a great reward, which I shall happily give you if you will only do one thing for me," I said.
"You are Princess Lela?"
"I am. I have been sick recently. Someone tried to kill me with a bouquet of poisonous flowers. Today was the first day I was allowed to do anything on my own, and then I found the asp."
"What is it that you need for me to do?" he asked with a friendly smile.
"Well, it's been very lonely for me, growing up with no brothers or sisters. I would like it very much if I had a friend," I said.
"Princess, just being counted as one of your friends is reward enough," Gavin said, bowing with extravagant flourishes. I smiled at him, and he began to gather the snake back into the basket. I must have looked puzzled, because he told me that he wanted to ask an elfish doctor that traveled with them what could have been done once the snake had bitten someone.
"Milton can treat nearly anything," Gavin said. "I'd also like to learn a little more about the snake itself." I smiled politely, knowing that I would be happy just to never have the incident mentioned again. I led Gavin on the path out of the small grove and back to the palace, where the line of Bammarrian carriages were ending their parade through Frell. Gavin handed me the basket.
"I'd best get back before I'm missed by more that just my sister," he said. I watched him climb into the third carriage from the front, and then turned. Mandy and Mother were waiting for me in the kitchen.
"You are a sight," Mandy said, looking up and down my dress. I looked too and realized with horror that blood had splattered on it, although it was hard to see with the grass stains and dirt smudges.
"Hurry and change, Sweetheart," Mother urged as I backed away. In my chamber I stashed the basket with the dead snake in the bottom of the wardrobe and hurried into a fresh dress. I smiled at the thought of my new friend and stepped out into the hallway to meet the arriving royalty.