SPELLBOUND
Chapter Three: Friends and Games
Amy
Even with Lady Kaze away, the Windam Palace ran like clockwork. I made a place for myself in the kitchen as a helper of the head-baker. And when my chores were done early, I usually helped Dulcie to clean in the fifth floor.
At first people had been a little weary of me. How I had showed up out of nowhere. I didn't blame them. I just tried to show I was harmless and that I wanted to belong to the household. In time they all warmed to me. They even stopped looking at my scar all the time.
"Hey, Amy." I heard Prince, no, Alec call when I was carrying some linens down the hall one afternoon I was helping Dulcie.
"Oh, hello." I said, still a little bit shy.
"I haven't seen you up here in a while. I was beginning to think you had gone sick again." He said, Frog was right at his side as usual and when he stopped in front of me, Frog began to circle me, sniffing my skirts. I must have smelled like Apple Pie which I had been baking half and hour earlier.
"No. Not at all, just busy downstairs. That's where I really work, in the kitchens. I'm officially the baker's helper."
"That's… good?"
I laughed at his hesitant tone. "Yes, it's good. I think people here are beginning to accept me. Which is more I could have ever hoped for."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that you're being accepted. Don't doubt to tell me if someone is not good to you." Alec said as if he meant it. Like he wouldn't mind if I took up his time to complain about my daily life… He was a kind man, I was beginning to realize.
"And how have you been?" I asked.
"Same old. Lots of work though, mostly supervision, you know, making sure the people in the Village have enough supplies of food and wood for the winter, the coldest is about to begin. Which reminds me… Cherry wanted me to ask you, we are going to this pool in the river this Saturday; it always freezes over during the winter, by now it should be hard enough to skate on it. Cherry wants you to come. If you can of course."
"I… I don't think that's very appropriate…"
"Never mind that! We aren't formal at all in the Windam Palace. I mean, sure, some people are still very strict about society conventions, but Cherry and I never have to mind about that. We can do whatever we want, Dad says, as long as we don't hurt anything or anyone."
"Still… I-"
"Come on, Cherry would really like that you came."
"But…"
"Say yes."
"Amy!" I heard Dulcie call from a guest room down the hall. "Do you need help?"
"I'm okay!" I called back. "I have to go," I said to Alec.
"But, are you coming?"
"I don't know."
"Just say yes." I began to walk. "Humor me!" He said walking after me. "C'mon…"
I nodded. "Okay."
He began to walk backwards, towards the study where I had first met him a week ago. "I'll let you keep with your work, we'll talk later about the specifics." He said, turned and left with Frog running beside him.
I entered the guest room Dulcie was cleaning. "Did you lose your way?" She asked concerned.
"No, just got delayed on the way."
Dulcie smiled, her hair as fair as my own was dark fell over her face as she shook her head. "You got many secrets, don't you?"
I smiled. It felt so good to have a friend. "Just one." I answered. I never lied more than what was necessary. "But it's a big one."
"Secrets are like dust balls," She mussed. "The get bigger with time."
I didn't know what to answer tot hat, so I just smiled.
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Cherith
It was a clear, cold winter morning.
Just the kind I liked best.
Callie, Gerry, Alec-the-dumb and I were waiting for Amy to finish her morning chores.
Callie and Gerry were Alec's best friends. They had served in the Palace's Guard – just as Alec had – since they were sixteen, and they had been made into knights just six months ago. Officially, Callie was the first woman to serve in the Guard since my Great-great-(inset many Greats here)-great-grandmother Merle, ages ago. But off the record, my mom had served for a while before she married my dad.
After that my dad modified the rule that say women weren't allowed in the guard without the King's special license. Now women could apply freely and become members of the Guard if they were deemed worthy of the spot, just like men.
Which I thought was rather cool of my dad.
But what can I say, I love my daddy.
Anyway... We were waiting for Amy.
"Why are we doing this again?" Gerry asked.
"Because, I like Amy and we want her to feel welcome." I answered automatically.
"Okay, I get that, but –and I mean no offence- she's a servant, you shouldn't be worrying about servants." He said to me and then looked at Alec. "Neither of you."
"Shut up, Gerry." Callie said annoyed with him. "And be nice to her." She added.
"Am I ever anything but?" He said all seriousness. Callie laughed in his face.
"I'm so sorry I'm late." Amy said, running down the front entrance of the Palace. "I'm so sorry."
"That's okay, we haven't been waiting all that much." I said. "Let me introduce you to everyone. That's Callie and the dumb over there is Gerry. You know Alec, and Frog."
Frog ran up to Amy, sitting in front of her and sniffing her pocket. Amy pulled a cookie out of her pocket and gave it to Frog. No wonder Frog liked her.
We set out to the river. Callie was walking with me and Amy, while Gerry walked next to Alec. Supposedly they weren't on duty, but once a guard always a guard and Alec and I were prince and princess and... Well, you know. Callie and Gerry both had that kind of 'thing' in which they appeared to be all calm and relaxed but then, at the same time, they were in attention, looking out for whatever treats maybe be lurking around.
Once in the Forest they were more relaxed. The Forest protected it's own. Especially Jadzia's Forest – where we were. Mom knew Jadzia well, they were friends. She had always been present in Alec's and mine lives, she taught us how to use and control our magic, just like she had taught our parents.
I handled Amy a pair of skates she may use. She had told me she didn't have skates nor that she knew how to skate, so I had offered to teach her.
Well, I was attempting to teach her. Alec kept interrupting every so often yelling things like "Be careful!" "Stay near the edge!" "Do not get in the way where we are racing!" "Don't go so fast."
"He's so annoying." I complained and Amy smiled sympathetic. "I'm sorry he's being so 'protective' – that's what he calls it – it's dammed stupid of him... but..."
"That's okay. I know. I had a big brother too."
"You did?" I asked curious.
"Yes. He was two years older than me."
"Was? Is he..."
"Dead? I don't know. All I know is that he's gone." She answered, her eyes clouded by a great sadness. She smiled, tried to at least but all she managed was that pained quirk of lips that comes when someone tries to smile when what they really want to do is cry. "Can we not talk about it," She said so softly I almost didn't hear. "Please?"
"Sure." I answered, attempting cheerfulness.
That's me. Cherry-cheerful.
"So… what do you think of the weather?" I asked. And that earned me a true grin.
"Why, the weather is lovely." Amy answered.
"What's that?" Gerry called suddenly as he rushed to Alec's side and Callie rushed to mine, knocking Amy to the ground in the process.
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Alec
Alright, it was uncomfortable having Gerry practically on top of me. I mean, he's my best friend and I would do just about anything for him but I didn't particularly fancy having his considerable weight crushing my lungs.
"Oh, Callie! Let go. It's just Jadzia!" I heard Cherith complain.
Jadzia laughed. Funny how unicorn's gestures sound almost human. "That's an interesting position." She said mirthfully as she walked over to us. She looked like a horse, slender and purely white. It was one of the most beautiful creatures of our world.
Both Gerry and Callie gained their feet. Amy sprang back up puffing indignant. "That was unnecessary." She said and skated away from Callie and towards Jadzia. "But it's nice to see you, Jadzia, as always."
"You're kind, Cherith," Jadzia answered in her serene way.
I noticed that Amy was struggling to get back to her feet so I skated over her and helped her up. She was gasping for air. "Got. Wind. Knock. Out."
"Who do you have there, Alec?" Jadzia called amused as I helped Amy to slide along towards Jadzia and Cherith.
Next to me I felt Amy tense. Jadzia had done it to me often enough, I knew that Jadzia was speaking directly into Amy's mind. "Don't do that, Jadzia." I said, not that there was anything I could do to stop her; Jadzia's powers were far bigger than my own.
"I apologize." Jadzia said and I felt Amy sag slightly next to me. I slid my arm around her to keep her upright.
"I'm not feeling so good." Amy said quietly.
"Better take her back home." Jadzia said.
I nodded. "Gerry and Callie say if you want." I said. "I'm taking Amy back."
Callie and Gerry didn't look as if they wanted to let me go without escort but they couldn't leave Cherith alone either and if they split it was going to be so obvious that my parents had sic them on me and I was going to start ditching on them.
"Frog, come." I called for my dog. "Nice to see you Jadzia. Cherry, don't stay in the cold so long."
"Yep." Cherry said.
I took Amy's hand and began to walk back to the Palace. She went without protest, for a moment it seemed to me she was completely lost.
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End of chapter Three.
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Notes:
Thanks so much for sticking with me and this story. I'm so sorry for the delay. This chappie is a bit of a filler, I know but fillers are needed. Next chapter you'll find out what Jadzia told Amy when she was 'talking' mind to mind with her.
Thanks so much for reading!
Katty::Clings to Katty: Thanks lovey!
Bratise: Me loves you, pookie! Hehehe, okay. Thanks so much for reading. I just thought that Alec was such a cute baby arguing with Christ that frogs were called green :P So I wanted to bring the Frog back into the piccy.
Connie: I think Chris is ubber hot too. I love him so much... he's one hot daddy. Hehehe. Thanks so much.
EreshkigalGirl: Heheh, I know. Spanish is hard :p And it knd of gets stuck in your head. But I'm trying my best )
Rosina: Well, Merle and Rafer were great-great-great-great grandparents of Chris'. Chris talks of them during Love and Magic, telling a little of their story -which is later told in Wind Warriors. That's how they are related.
li'l bling bling: Thanks! You're very kind )
Nurin: There will be a little bit of fluff before bad things start to happen ) I'll try to put a little of it in the next chapter... because what's a story if it isn't a bit fluffy? Thanks!
hoolihoopgrl13: Funny, I've always liked the name Amy, but never used it for one reason or another and when I was writting the first draft it just seemed to fit. Alec & Amy. Besides It means "Beloved" and I kind of like that (I've used names that mean 'beloved' before, like Zane (Don't Say You Love Me) and Aimee in... I think it was Wind Warriors). Thanks!
Drea: You red bottomed minx you! Heheh. Alec is really carefree because that's how he was raised. He knows of his responsabilities and all but he just isn't ready to grow up just yet - or he thinks. But he's a good guy and does loves his people and wants to be a good king... some day. And about the Lady of the Forest, I must say that I got no comments! Heheh but wait to see what Amy says next chapter ;) About her little 'talk' with Jadzia.
Masked Dragonfly 0926: Thanks so much! You made me blush! You're very kind. Love & Magic has a very special place in my heart, and I'm very glad you like it! I'm going to work hard to get this story going. It's a little weird know, because the characters are just getting to know each other. But I promise there will be good stuff in the future. Thanks so much!
Maggie: I dunno why they all got kids. It just kind of happened... it's a funny thing that. I just tend to see the couples as families and being mexican and all for me a family has to have kids. Thanks so much for reading!
Love you all so much! You ROCK MY SOCKS!
Love & Kisses & Best Wishes.
Clavie, on Cloud No. 9