VICTORY IS MINE! I'm updating quickly and it makes me happy! YAY! Thanks for not abandoning me! Just don't abandon me if it takes me a little longer next time to update… I have to go back to school and soccer and stuff next week. Also, in honor of booksrule39's request, THIS IS A LONG CHAPTER! YAY! I hope you like it… PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING AND LET ME KNOW!
Thank you, booksrule39, dancrchick, Lela-of-Bast, Lady Emma, and flammingirl for the reviews! I'm so happy I haven't been abandoned! I'm glad you guys understand that MOVING SUCKS! (ahem) Sorry. Lela-of-Bast: YOU MOVED TO JAPAN? HOLY CRAP! And I thought moving three states away was bad… wow. Lady Emma- Keep reading! You'll see! THANK YOU ALL! I'M SO HAPPY! ONTO THE STORY!
A few days later, there were two other letters for us to deliver to the princes. John continued his teasing remarks until we were out of sight, headed for the castle.
When we got to the castle, the princes galloped up to us on their purebred, extremely expensive horses.
"Would you like to ride before going off to deliver letters?" Prince Rilean offered.
We glanced at each other and grinned.
For the next couple of hours we raced their horses through fields and through the woods, jumping over logs, splashing through streams, and allowing the wind to whip in our faces. It was an awesome ride.
"You ride well." Rilean said to me, gasping for breath after the ride.
"Thank you. And you aren't so bad yourself… for a human." I grinned at him.
He laughed. I could tell it was a genuine laugh by the gleam in his eyes. My heart melted, and my mind reprimanded me. What's the matter with you? You're still acting stupid.
Emma was laughing at a joke Caspian had made. She hadn't been this happy for a very long time. And, I realized with embarrassment, neither had I.
Of course, our "break" put us behind with our other deliveries, but we didn't care. The two princes had said that they would recommend us to be the deliverers for next time, so neither of us could wait until there was another letter to deliver to the two princes.
A few days later when Emma, John and I were together after another day of delivering mail, we told him about our ride. I told him about it with less enthusiasm than Emma, covering my true feelings.
"Awww…" John smiled sarcastically. "Isn't that cute! The two runaway 'paupers' – isn't that what the Lady Sarah called you? – fall in love with the princes of Kyrria! How touching."
"If I didn't know better," I said calmly, leaning against the barn wall, "I would think you were jealous."
John immediately became defensive. "Jealous?" He asked incredulously, trying to remain calm. "Of course not!"
With that, he changed the subject. Emma and I said nothing.
It was a glorious day. The sun was streaming in gentle rays through the trees, the birds sang quietly, and mostly it was still in the woods. The only sound that truly broke the silence was Moonlights soft hoof-beats on the dirt trail. It was my first time on this trail; I had seen it before and it seemed to be a short-cut from the Palace to… well, I didn't really know where. But it seemed like a short-cut, and I needed a break from the usual loud cobblestone roads.
I was in no hurry and took my time simply enjoying nature. There was a stream that emptied into a lake, which reflected the light beautifully. I hesitated. It was so tempting. The sun was just reaching its peak in the sky; my mailbag was light and wouldn't take to long to empty. So… tempting…
I gave into temptation. I leapt off Moonlight's back, took off the saddle and mailbag so he could roll in the grass, and I dove into the water. So refreshing. So relaxing. I had needed a break. I tore off the cap and let my hair fall gently into the water. Moonlight nickered, rolling in the grass beside the stream, enjoying himself. I lounged in the water, relaxing tense muscles from months of hard work.
After doing a couple of laps around the small lake and enjoying myself immensely, I stopped. There was something wrong. Moonlight was quiet, not grunting as he scratched his back or whinnying as he ran up and down the bank of the lake. He was looking… right… behind me. Before I could spin around, I felt the cold, sharp metal of a sword tip pressed firmly against my neck. I froze.
"Lovely day for a swim," the voice behind me said, "on the King's Property!"
"Err…" I was confused, scared half to death, and yet surprisingly calm (on the outside at least). "This is the King's Property? It would be nice if they put a sign out or let people know that they can't trespass on this land…"
Something was definitely wrong with me. There was a sword pressed against my neck, I was (without knowing it) breaking the law by trespassing on the King's Property, and yet, here I was, acting annoyed and not scared at all.
"You speak Kyrrian very well for an elf. No hint of an accent."
I swore under my breath. Stupid, stupid, stu- Oh no. I slowly put my hand on the top of my head. There was no cap. Only wet, long hair. Could this possibly get any worse? While my insides were panicking at my stupidity, my outside remained calm. "Would you mind removing that sword from my neck? You're acting as if I'm a horrible criminal for simply trespassing on the King's property without knowing it!"
What the heck was I saying?
"That is not the best way to address a prince," the voice replied, not removing the blade.
"Ha!" I laughed. I was laughing? Was I going insane? "I bet you're joking! You're not a pri-"
I did another stupid thing and I spun around to look the voice in the face. My mouth dropped open, and I really panicked. No. It couldn't be. Anyone but him! Not now… oh, by the Creator, not now!
A/N: You would all kill me if I stopped here, wouldn't you? Hmmm… I dunno… maybe I'll just end the chapter here… I love making cliffhangers, and the chapter's long enough… lol jk. All right, I'll continue.
"E-Elisha?" Prince Rilean blinked, and lowered his sword.
I sank to my knees in the water and mud, wanting the ground to swallow me up. Why me? Oh, Creator Almighty, WHY ME!
"You – but – how-" he took a deep breath, and started over. "Explain yourself."
Oh, joy, an order. He never took his eyes off me as I looked down at my reflection in the water and began stuttering something. I don't even know now what I was trying to say. Finally he sighed, "I meant the truth and for a dragon's sake get on your feet. It's embarrassing."
I hadn't realized I was still on my knees in the cool water. So, I stood up and with the curse pushing me to do as ordered, I began the true story, from the first time I met Madam Sarah and her children up to the point when I dove into the water of that lake. What choice did I have? When I was done, I stared hard at my bare feet, and refused to look at him. It was quiet for a very long time.
"Would you like to share my lunch with me?" He asked suddenly. "My cook always packs far more than I can ever eat."
I stared at him, incredulous. He shrugged. "What else am I supposed to say? You told me the truth, I believe you, and it's over. Now would you like some lunch?"
I smiled and nodded. I supposed I shouldn't have been surprised by his response. Although I didn't know him very well yet, it seemed like something he would say. He beckoned for me to follow him to his horse who was tied up to a tree near the lake. Then my stomach jolted. Moonlight!
I looked up to his horse, and almost laughed. Moonlight was nose to nose with Prince Rilean's horse, nickering gently.
"Looks like your not the only one who's made a friend today." He smiled at me, and my stomach did a back flip.
I laughed and replied, "Yes, but it just shows you how loyal he is to me. Here I was, sword pressed against my neck, and he's flirting with the prince's horse!"
Prince Rilean immediately turned serious. "I'm sorry about threatening you with the sword. I saw Moonlight – how could I ever forget a horse like that – and I thought that you had stolen him because I knew who he belonged to. Of course, I didn't realize, well…"
I shrugged it off. "It's done. I'm fine now."
With that, he brought out meat pastries, slices of pie, and fresh fruit. We ate and talked about our horses, about the Elfian language, and, of course, my adventure so far. Suddenly, I realized how late it was.
"I'm sorry, I have to go!" I leapt to my feet and called Moonlight over. I put my hair back in my cap, hoisted the saddle onto Moonlight's back, and grabbed my mail bag, which now seemed a lot heavier that I had so much work and so little time.
"Wait!" Prince Rilean called. "You know, I love this spot. I come out here for lunch every other day, to get away from the palace. Company would be greatly appreciated."
I grinned, vaulting easily onto Moonlight's back. "I think I could manage to come by here sometime."
With that, I was off, feeling even better about my life than I had for a very long time.