Hi! It's me again. Here's a new update. By the way, it is not Mary-sue, at least not now. Aurelia's character was created by my best friend and has nothing to do with me personally. It's only the matter of the plot that she seems to be the main character here. But there will be another surprise! I promise!

So, enjoy!

Chapter 2 "Strange magic"

The sun broke into the window and fell on king-sized bed. And though it was early morning, Princess Aurelia was awake. In fact, didn't sleep all night, partly because she still feared a new intrusion, partly because with all thoughts running through her head it was impossible.

Now, in the morning light, she almost hadn't got any doubts that the Scepter was not only relic, but some kind of weapon; it did have power, power that Sauron man wanted. Strange name, but what can I do? Why I'm so sure he's not a good guy? The Scepter must be returned!

Upon reaching that conclusion, she vigorously shook her head. No, Aurelia, don't even think of it! Stop these childish dreams of adventures! Nonsense! You have never even been outside the castle; you've never been in town!

But something deep inside her heart stirred. She knew that if the Scepter wouldn't be returned, many terrible things could happen. But the King seemed to close his eyes on everything and put up with his loss. He wouldn't even listen to her. Then, what should I do? Oh, Valar, help me!

Aurelia knew, she wouldn't solve that problem alone, she needed help and advice, but who would give her one? On this thought she was interrupted, as her maid, Kaira, entered the room, carrying a bowl of hot water.

"My lady, you're awake! What a terrible thing happened last night. I was so scared, so scared! Oh, you must have been frightened too…

Aurelia practically didn't listen to Kaira's chatter. Five minutes later the maid seemed to notice Princess' blank expression, as she stopped and looked at Aurelia attentively.

"My Princess is deep thought. What worries her so much? Can I do something about it?"

"Ah? Oh, no, I just…was thinking…Tell me, Kaira, if something serious happen and you wouldn't have any idea what to do, whom you will turn to for advice?" Aurelia regretted it as soon as she asked Kaira. It was no good to tell your maid more than she is supposed to know. But from the other side, Kaira was her closest to a friend person. Kaira smiled secretly, understanding what her mistress meant and spoke in a low voice, like she was afraid somebody would hear her.

"As I understand, my Princess, this is not a matter of heart and it's not the case you can tell your father. But I also see it is rather serious, as it troubles you much. There is one man then, who can help you with wise advice. People say he's a wizard, but I personally think he's man of wisdom. And if no one you know can help your case, he's the one for you then."

Aurelia looked Kaira straight in the eye. Could she do it? Could she believe her maid and break her father's word? She searched an answer in her heart and it gave her unexpected Yes.

"Where can I find this man, Kaira?"

"Oh, my Princess, he lives far away from the castle. His workshop is in the outskirts of the town." Aurelia frowned. How will she leave the castle without being noticed? Kaira looked at her as if she knew what her Princess was thinking and a mischievous grin appeared on her face.

"If you really-really want to speak with Milmand, that's the wise man's name, then I've got an idea how to make your escape, my lady."

Somehow Aurelia could tell she wouldn't enjoy it.

Twenty minutes latter two figures clad in worn cloaks with hoods, covering their faces, left the main gates of King Deimon's Castle, passed the guards without any suspicions and entered the heart of the town. No one would ever imagine that one of these figures, a young girl in dark-blue cloak, was Princess Aurelia. That was how she made her "great" escape.

Wearing one of Kaira's dresses, a light-blue and plain one, with her uncontrolled curly hair in a loose bun, wrapped in a patched cloak of her maid, Aurelia followed Kaira, street by street, further from the castle, her home and fortress for eighteen years.

The Princess hardly could stop herself from staring around; everything was so new and unknown. Try to act usual, stop staring, you, idiot! Her devoted maid led Aurelia one street, then another and soon she was completely and hopelessly lost. To her all the streets were alike. Thanks Valar, Kaira is with me! They already left crowded streets behind and now walked a small path, side-tracking among gloomy trees. There Kaira stopped.

"Here, my lady. I won't go further. You see…well…I never was fond of wizards and everything…but l will wait for you here. Just go straight along this path and soon you'll see his workshop…Oh, and don't forget, my Princess, his name is Milmand."

Aurelia looked at Kaira pleadingly. She can't just leave me here, alone! She has to come with me! After all, I can order her to come with me. And I will! Instead, she smiled at her maid, who risked her well-being to bring the Princess here.

"Thanks, Kaira. It means very much to me…"

"Oh, it's nothing," the maid smiled back. "Well… good luck and hope you'll find answers to your questions."

Did it sound like she was saying good-bye? Stop fretting, Aurelia! You are Princess after all! And lifting her head up proudly, she walked straight ahead confidently. After some twists and turns the path took her to a small wooden house. It looked insignificantly, but one could feel power and might of wisdom and past years all over it. Aurelia stood by the door doubtfully. Maybe I should go away? It was a stupid idea, very stupid. Coward! Come on, just get in!

Before she could move one way or another, the door opened to reveal an old grey man in long brown-greenish robes. Aurelia was caught by surprise, so she jumped away from the door, making inaudible noise. The old man just smiled reassuringly.

"Do come in, child. I knew you'll come. I've been waiting for you, actually." He turned and walked back into the house, leaving the door open. Aurelia took a deep breath and stepped in, closing the door.

"What do you mean you have been waiting for me?" She asked haughty.

"Come now, child, sit down, and tell me what worries you so, that you sneaked off so "skillfully"?" He eyed her up and down. How dare he?

"I come here to speak seriously. Last night a very important thigh was stolen and…"

"Yes I know, my child…"

"Spot interrupting me! Don't you have any idea who I am?" Aurelia exploded. The man just chuckled.

"If you wish so, than yes, I know who you are. King Deimon's only daughter, Princess Aurelia, a young lady with short tamper and bad manners." Now Aurelia blushed. Never before had anyone thought her ill-mannered, she always was delicate and tolerant. But I'm for the first time in madman's house and I'm nervous. How did he know I'm a Princess?

"Sometimes knowledge can be gained without seeing or hearing, but the truth always lies in a man's heart, one should learn to feel it though," old wizard answered her mute question. Aurelia stared at him wide eyed. Can he read my thoughts?

"Anyway, last night our family relic was stolen. But, you see, er…Milmand,…I think it was more than just relic…"

"The Scepter of Fate…Really, Deimon made a fool of himself. It was the only thing he had to take care off…Dark times are coming, this is what I feel…"Milmand seemed to forget about Aurelia's presence, his voice became distant as he was far away from here. HOW DID HE KNOW EVERYTHING? I didn't tell him a thing, for Valar's sake, and still he knows more than I.

"Listen, do you know something about it? If yes, tell me, because this is why I came here."

"No, Aurelia, you are here, because you felt it. You began to doubt about your existence and that's why you're here. That's what I tell you: the Scepter of Fate is a very powerful thing and if our enemy lays his hand on it, our world would be plagued. But it's not so easy to return it. Only one can do it, the one, whose fate is connected with it. Dark times are coming. There, over the mountains and forests the last campaign is being gathered. Soon we'll learn our fate." He closed his eyes and went quiet. Aurelia set there, trying to understand all he'd said. Her façade was calm and controlled, inside she was overflow with emotions.

"So, what it has to do with me?" Aurelia asked uncertainly after some minutes of silence. Milmand opened his eyes and looked straight at her eyes. His look was so intense, boring into her very soul that she had no strength to meet it. Instead, her own eyes wondered around, but she saw nothing.

"You want to know it, don't you? If so, you should forget that you are a Princess and become just a man. Now, you have a choiceto follow the road of danger, where nothing is definite, there is no future, only now, where death can come to you any moment, but where you can know the truth and have your hope for happiness and maybe even love or to stand up and go away now, forget all I've said and live your life the same way you did for eighteen years, knowing only your father and brothers and nothing about the world around. Think well, Aurelia, as I meant every word. Make your choice now and here." The room once again went silent. Millions of thoughts rushed through Aurelia's head. She tried to think clearly, to analyze everything, find pros and corns, but it was useless. Her head began to pound. And than she gave in and closed her eyes. She let her heart to decide…

"I…think…that…," she couldn't turn her thoughts to words, so hard the decision was. Finally, Aurelia clenched her fists and said loudly:

"I want to have a change. I want to know the truth."

Milmand, to her surprise, smiled, stood up and walked to the shelf with different bottles filled with differently-colored liquids.

"Finally! Are you sure about it, Aurelia? This is a very serious decision." He took one of the bottles and turned to her. She nodded firmly.

"Here, drink it, this will help you to see," he handed her the bottle and she took it hesitantly, looking suspicious.

"This is not a poison, dear girl, but I can't say it has a pleasant taste. If you've decided, then there's nothing for you to fear. Drink."

Aurelia looked at the bottle, than at Milmand, his eyes were kind and somehow sympathetic, and in one motion she knocked back the contents of the bottle. And… Nothing happened. Though it really tasted sickeningly and she winced.

"WHAT WAS IT?" she demanded, her voice filled with panic. Did he poison me?

"Nothing special, child. The truth is always paid for. But…I can tell that you are being waited. You'd better go, Aurelia."

She stood up feeling strange weariness and reached for the money in her purse, but Milmand stopped her with a shook of his head.

"And remember, Aurelia, you passed the point of no return," was the last words she heard as she reached for the door.

Aurelia walked down the path to the place, where Kaira should have waited for her, hardly able to drag her legs. Her sight grew dim and all she saw were vague shades. She was frightened as never before. The man, he poisoned me! No, I don't want to die! NO, NO! I can't. Not like this. Oh, please, don't let it happen!

Partly because she didn't pay attention, partly because she couldn't focus her sight, Aurelia suddenly stumbled against something and lost balance. Falling to the ground, her head collided with a sharp stone and blinding pain blacked her sight. Her last thought, before she slipped into unconsciousness, was: "This is really the point of no return."