To Shimmer or to Shine

By The Pearl Walrus

Fairy tales

--Chapter Three--

The next morning I awoke to the sounds of the door scraping against the floor, but not the front door, no that was locked, but the side door. The servant's entrance.

I sat up, abruptly, rubbed my eyes and swung out of bed, it was hardly dawn but better late than never. For my purpose getting up this early was necessary, I needed to get out of the castle quickly while I was able.

Walking to the wash basin, I splashed water on my hands and face. The water was freezing but at least it woke me up, as the servant was rummaging through my closet for appropriate attire.

"Mi'lady." She bobbed a cutsy before handing me a light blue gown, one of my favourites, with sleeves that came halfway between the elbow and the wrist, which were tight, and a fairly loose body which came down to a V shape with a flowing skirt. Donning matching shoes and picking up a purse which I clasped tightly to get the coins to not jingle.

Unbolting the door, I skipped out the door, and soundlessly past Cam's room I successfully completed my purpose, to get outside the gates almost undetected.

I took the scenic way through the gardens up the outer walls and picked up my rope from its usual hiding spot. Tying it to the top, I glided down, like I had so many times previously to this occasion, my gloves protecting my hands from the burning of the rope.

Getting to the bottom of the twenty foot, ivy covered wall, I stopped tied the rope to an overhanging piece of ivy and continued my way.

Glancing around I made my way across to the marketplace which, despite the hour was bustling with activity.

Approaching my favourite vendor, Joe, stood as usual with his baked bread and sweets. "Dawn! Lov'ly to see ye'! But were for art the good lord?"

"Joe, you better not tell him I'm here alone or he'll skin me alive. I came early to escape the savages." I stated referring to the nobility that was due to arrive this afternoon for a great summer ball in a month.

"Ah, well in t'at case, a free loaf, on the house!"

"Why, thankyou Joe." I thanked the old, toothless vendor and walked on. After a few more hours of wandering and loitering I came across the procession that most noble girls had been waiting for.

Minstrels playing merry tunes, mighty war horses, flags from every corner of the world, exotic animals and in the centre of the very load commotion sat carriages of every size, shape and colour, but the colours really didn't vary that much…

He looked out at me and for a moment we were connected, though he in his carriage and I on the ground. His dark eyes were distinguishable even from the distance and through the crowd. I smiled slightly as I turned and fled.

I could hear a slight commotion going on behind me but I was soon at the wall, climbing up the rope, dodging the sentries and back in my beloved rose garden. As soon as I entered, the strong aroma met my nose but it had been a mistake to come. It was the prince.

"Why do you always end up in the places I go?" I asked irritably.

"Stop leaving the castle and stop disobeying my orders." He was clearly angered.

"If you stop giving orders then I'll stop disobeying them." I replied pertly. He walked forward menacingly.

"They are for your own good." He cockily answered.

"Since when do you determine what is good for me."

"I am your prince!" grabbing my wrist he towered over me. "Show your sovereignty respect."

"Oh, go kiss Susana." His grip tightened before he pushed me to the ground, not hard enough to hurt me but yet enough to prove his point. "I hate you." I looked disdainfully up at him, telling him with spite.

"And your opinion matters." He replied cockily before turning to leave.

"But still, your actions speak far louder than my words." I stood up and walked past him.

"Audrey I am truly sorry."

"The only apology I can accept is your permission for me to go outside the castle walls and the dungeons."

"I apologise but I can't let you do that."

"Yes you can, stop abusing your power over me! The only reason you are doing this is to prove your power, but I hardly even care."

"From tomorrow onwards you shall be confined to your rooms, only to be able to leave if royal permission in granted."

"Then I shall never speak and never beg permission, you shall never hear my voice again unless you beg it of me."

"I shall never reduce myself to a begging dog, and it shall be a lovely pleasure not to have you speak, the glory of you begging me shall be a point to remember."

"I am going to ask you one more thing: when did you become so cocky and spoiled?"

"I have never been and shall never be. Good day."

Sitting on the windowsill of the library, leaning against the wall, with my legs crossed behind the large curtains, obscuring me from the outsiders view. I glanced up as a voice spoke to me, "Are you not the maiden I saw this morning?" a man around his mid to late twenties spoke to me, with dark eyes and dark hair, I recognised him, as indeed the man I saw in the marketplace. He pulled back the curtains and sat on the other side of the sill.

"Aye, I was, well I believe to be." I smiled slightly and glanced back through the window, a small hint for this mysterious man to leave.

"Are you not slightly intrigued as to why I singled you out?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." I uncrossed my legs as he leaned closer to me, he smelled faintly of some kind of male fragrance.

"You are a strange one."

"Am I supposed to take that as an insult or a compliment? Because from this point it sounds rather like an insult."

"A compliment I insist."

"Well then I thank you but must bid you farewell, for I must be off." Slight butterflies appeared in my stomach as he leaned closer once more, looking me straight in the eye.

"I shall see you again." It wasn't a request it was a command. And I nodded and walked off, I could almost feel his gaze on my retreating back.

Very disappointed I walked back to my rooms, to find a guard already waiting for me. "Mam'."

I nodded and sat in my vow of silence. Over the next few days my only visitor was Lord Cameron, for I refused to see anyone else, even the noble lord who had called upon me thrice already. I sat in waiting, for the prince to come and call. I slept little, ate less but as agreed, I didn't stray from my room, I just sat by the window and stared out. I am sure that the prince saw me a few times while he was outside though, and he was always with some of his lady friends. I am sure that was deliberate to try and get to me but I have no feelings for him so it is of no consequence.

Thankyou for reviewing all! this was a bit sinister and she is quiet irratable for my liking but i have already started the next chapter, it is well on the way, it has a few revelations a bit of romance and a bit more cam. If you can guess the three types of love in this story then i shall update before next sunday! well good luck, thanks for reviewing and well yeah.. happy reading!

Thanks as always:

li'l bling bling

beavergirl

hottyjessy

that-girl-who-likes-dolphins

Masked Dragonfly 0926

Moonlight Enchantments