Hm. Well I didn't get as many reviews, as I would have liked for that chapter, but oh well. Can't complain.

50th reviewer gets a cameo!

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Three days later, I found myself checking out of the Verdanina Inn. Making sure Cerdames' mirror didn't break; I left and went back to the almost-forgotten pony that the elves in Penepia had given me. Thank goodness for the horse keepers of the Inn. I found the pony being groomed in a stall by the back of the Inn and left.

That's right, I left. Just packed my bags and went, no weeping farewells, no funky memorabilia to mark my coming and going, no stops on the way or frantically trying to run back before some huge chance nearly explodes in front of my eyes (not that there was chance, anyways). Just leaving without any emotional drawl.

And that felt good. As much as leaving can feel good. It was then, that I realized how uncomfortable my horse was and that wearing a dress while riding has impact on your butt.

"Oh, hell" I groaned, mentally chastising myself for not practicing to ride. But I kept riding, no matter how much it hurt on my rear end.

What's coming next may disturb some readers. Parental Advisory Content may be suited for your child:

I saw a giant. And it honked at me.

Okay, don't laugh, but I had forgot that the town of Ralene was a giant's town. And it scared me. It/he had a scraggly brown beard (which lead me to believe it/he was, well, a he) and a club in his hand, made out of wood. A club. A very large club. Why? Why me? If I were a good, smart person I would have asked, why after staying in Ralene for over a week, I had not seen any giants.

And then if I had done that, I would have gotten the answer that the giants live on the east side of Ralene.

Which was where I was now.

So looking up at that giant in terror, the giant honking at me, the pony rearing up, my belongings sliding off of the horse, my butt killing me, and I was almost ready to give it all up and go back home to Desi.

That giant scared the bejesus out of me. And I'm not using that term lightly.

I mean:

1. That thing/man was tall. At least 12 feet tall.

2. Honking and squeaking are how giants talk.

3. I had never seen a real giant before. And for some weird reason, I noticed that it wasn't at all fat or anything. Its/his width was just slightly more than mine, I think.

First thing to do that came to my mind was scream. So I did. And then I pulled the reins of the horse and the pony went fast. The only word I could find for how fast we went is scram.

There is no such word as scram though. I must be picking up on Darren's "English". The unorthodox son of a lord.

Unfortunately, the pony wouldn't stop riding so fast, so I had to cling on to the bridle with the strings of my life. And within a record-breaking day, we were already almost halfway to Cavereta. When we finally slowed to a stop, I got off of my horse, a painful experience. But in the process, something slipped out of my carpetbag and onto the floor.

I bent down to pick it up, exercising my already sore legs, and saw it was the fairy diary that Chenate had given me long ago. I nearly forgot about it during my stay in Ralene!

I flipped it open to the first page. There was only my name, written in fine ink. It was long past nightfall already, but for some reason, I could see my diary and it's contents perfectly. I sat down by a majestic oak tree and nestled in the crook of two roots. The horse, being extremely tired, lay down and slept, too tired to even sleep standing up.

A picture caught my eye. It was almost like a portrait, but it was much finer, like a scene that was frozen in time and cut out. Don't laugh. I'm sure they'll invent something like that in the future.

The picture was of Chenate and I, as children. I was a mere six years old, and he was eight. We were facing each other, but neither of us was facing the front. I had my head cocked to the side while he gave me a carefully wrapped package, which was without a doubt, the diary. Beside the picture was a neat scrawl, definitely not my writing when I was younger. It simply read, "To Annabelle, from Chenate."

I smiled softly as I looked at the picture, and back to the writing. I memory came to me head on like a stampeding rush.

"Here, Annie-Belle, Happy sixth birthday." He shoved the scarlet and yellow wrapped present into my hands ungracefully.

I tore the package like a beast would maul its dinner. Inside was said diary, and I looked at it in wonder. The diary itself was a bloody scarlet, adorned with a few jewels the color of the ocean.

"It's…a book for you Annie-Belle," He said, uncertain of my reaction. "Except you can write our own stories about being a princess."

"Thank you" I smiled, but that turned into a frown. "Are you saying I'll never be a princess?" I teased.

Chenate's eyes widened. "No, I'm just saying for right now, Annie-Belle"

"Well how do I become a princess? I'm just a lord's daughter right now, whatever that is. But I know that means I'm not a princess." I ventured.

"Well, you could marry a prince, I think." He nodded.

"Well, you're a prince, could I marry you?" I asked innocently. "Wait. What does 'marry' mean? Isn't that your mom's name?"

He shrugged. "I'm not really sure. I think it's when two really good friends just start living together or fall in love or something." He finished.

"Well, if I just fell in love with you then I could be a princess, right?" I wiped my nose on my sleeve.

"Yup. Let's do that when we're older, 'kay?" He asked me, just glad that I liked the present.

"Promise?" I gave him my best puppy-dog eyes.

"Yes Annie-Belle. I'll ask mommy or Nurse Sarah to help me make you a crown. We'll make them matching" He laughed and nodded.

"Oh thank you Chenate!" I gave him a hug.

"I love you, Annabelle," He said, solemnly. I stood, slightly shocked that he said my name properly, but didn't think much of it.

"Huh?" I asked, ungracefully.

"Just practicing for when we are older." Chenate pointed out.

"Okay. Uh… you're it!" I tagged him across the shoulder and bolted away, knowing he'd chase me.

And through the palace, we tore, just having fun.

I laughed quietly, closing the diary, and I fell asleep instantly, still sitting by the tree.