Dislcaimer: I don't own the characters.

A song. That's all I'm good for. A melody, some words, they are all I have. All I will ever have.

I did fight away the nymphs. But first I nearly got killed. My one accomplishment. The only one I have, I can't tell anyone.

I'm not beautiful like Pippa. But she isn't beautiful anymore. She's corrupted. But her cries that I heard as she ran in her grief and anger… They haunt my dreams, taunting me, telling me I should have gone after her. But she was beautiful, and forced into a life she didn't want. Just like me.

I'm not clever and brave like Felicity. She knows what to do and how to do it. She gets what she wants. Always. Always, always, always gets what she wants. I never do. Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself, for having to go be a governess to my horrid cousins, but I don't care right now. I just want to drown myself in my comforts. I did fight away the nymphs. But first I nearly got killed. My one accomplishment. The only one I have, I can't tell anyone.

Gemma is powerful. I'm not. I don't have the power to go into the Realms, to get fine dresses, to do anything, except for what I am told.

I always do what I am told. I don't know any other way. If I don't, I'll be hurt. They'll slap me with their words, stinging mercilessly. And I flinch. I don't stand tall and courageous, bearing the pain. I cower back into my hole, my safe place.

"I wish I were you, Ann." Pippa throws those cruel words at me, unaware of what they mean. She's away in a pool of her own sorrow. She should see how deep mine is.

"Why on earth would you want to be me?" I ask, startled.

"Because you don't have to worry about these things. You're not the sort of girl people are constantly fussing over so there's no room to breathe. No one wants you." No one wants me. It's the truth. My awful cousins sent me away so they can lord my debt to them over me. The girls all taunt me, and Tom, oh Tom, he wouldn't even look twice at me.

"You mean I don't stand out."

"Exactly."

And I don't. Not like they do. Pippa is almost too lovely to bear, especially for me. Felicity snatches everyone's attention. Even those who don't know her. Her boldness attracts them like bees to honey. And I am vineagar. Gemma… it's her eyes. Her stunning, piercing, sparkling, unnatural emerald green eyes. But she was an outcast like me at first. Then the caves happened.

I'm the invisible, ugly girl- no, governess, who watches everyone live their life through an unbreakable window. The window looks delicate enough to shatter, but it defies you, remaining strong. Strong like Felicity. Strength. They will take strength. Beautiful like Pippa. Beauty must pass. Giving you hope like Gemma. Lady Hope.

While there is room for strength, beauty, and hope, there isn't enough for song. Not enough for a girl who must cut herself to feel something. To make sure she is still there. No room for a small, unnoticed bird whishing to fly up to the everlasting heavens.

Song, hope, strength, beauty. Three go together. One does not.

I know this was rather short, but it felt really good when I was writing it. Tell me what you think, and be honest. Tell me your ideas about stories! Anything, just review! And I am not as desperate as I sound. Okay, I am for reviews, but not in everything else. Do you know that I have gotten TWO reviews for one chapter of my story that has thirteen chapters? If you like Tamora Pierce, check it out! The title is Goddess Bless.