Alright, since a few of you wanted more desciptions and stuff, I've revised the chapter a bit. I really didn't do much, just added a sentence here and there. Also, for some reason it wouldn't let me reply to any of your reviews. I don't know why, it seemed to think they didn't exist or something. And I don't think they've showed up on the review page either, I just got them on my e-mail. I don't know what's going on, but here are your replies:

Scoutcraft Piratess: Glad you liked. No, I'm not tired of hearing you like the queen. I'm glad you do, since she's supposed to be the likeable type. She not especially smart, but what she doesn't have in cleverness she makes up for in kindness.

Bingo5: Thanks for reading, I did try to add some of what she's thinking on this revision, I hope it didn't come out choppy, though...

Crayola Color Sky: New reader, eh? Glad you like, hope you enjoy the rest.

Sunbitten: Yes, peaceful moments do add to the story. I tried to add a little description, but I didn't do much, because I always find it kind of hard to revise, I don't know why. Glad you liked the part with her mother, I always like writing for the queen. And Aleia will soften a bit, but don't worry she won't be a wimpy damsel in distress. She made need a little bit of help, but nothing where she acts like a wimp.

InChrist-Bilios: Thanks! And yes the duke will be around a bit. Glad you like the mystery, I'm always wondering what you guys think is going on...

Reader: I fixed the typos and thinks that didn't make sense. And I know, she is supposed to die, I just thought frozen in time sounded cool, but I fixed it up a little as you can see. Yes, the queen does take infinitely more interest in her daughter than the king does, because, well, hehe I can't tell you! Perhaps he has some strange reason...or perhaps he's just not a very emotional man...or maybe he's evil! Hehe, well, you'll just have to wait and see.

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Aleia sat at her window and watched the snow fall. Each white flake lazily drifted from the grey sky. Looking up at the clouds, she could just make out the figures of them. The duke would be arriving in a matter of days, which she was not happy about, but for now she was content simply to watch the intricate white flakes fall to the ground. She heard two knocks on the door, then the queen opened the door and came in.

She smiled. "Hello, Darling. I've been rather busy lately, planning for all of the winter activities, so I thought I would come and talk to you, while I have a spare moment."

"Oh—thank you," Aleia said, coming out of her daze.

The queen came over to the window.

"Watching the snow? It is very pretty, isn't it?"

Aleia nodded, looking out at the sparkling white hills.

"The duke will be arriving in a few days," the queen said. "Are you—alright with that? I know he wasn't exactly the nicest to you during his earlier stay. I don't know why your Father invited him to come so early."

"I'll be fine. He was cruel, but—I can handle him," Aleia frowned at the thought of him

For a moment the queen said nothing. Then, "Do you miss being a spy?"

Aleia smiled slightly. "Yes," she said. It wasn't a lie, really. She hadn't been able to spy lately, because, frankly, there was nothing to do. They couldn't go on any missions far away, since Aleia was the princess, and without the duke they couldn't spy on him. They had went to the city a few other times, but nothing was going on, involving Morwenna or otherwise.

"I do feel most sorry that you had to go through such a change in lifestyle. It must have been so difficult. I suppose it can't be helped, though. I hope you find being royalty satisfactory. If not, perhaps there's some other activity you could do."

Aleia perked up slightly. She had been quite bored about the castle lately. "Well, I do find I have a lot of spare time with nothing to do."

The queen smiled. "Oh! Then we must find something for you to do! Let's see, there's embroidery...no, I don't think you would like that...once it gets warmer you could go to riding more often and hawking! I think you would love hawking, Darling, I'm not particularly fond of it myself, but I think that you would be. Don't you?"

"Yes, I think I would." The idea of the magnificent birds was quite enticing.

"Yes, yes, but we need something you can do in the winter. Well, you could take out the sledge and horses."

"Could I?" Aleia asked. "I would like it very much." She started to get excited. She really wanted to get out of the castle for a while and do something interesting.

"Yes, certainly, I thought you would," the queen answered.

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"Are you sure you want to drive it yourself?" the stable boy asked Aleia, nervously handing her the reigns.

"Quite sure," Aleia answered. "Now, tell me which way is it so that I won't run into any people?"

"Left," he said.

"Thank you," Aleia then turned to the horses. "Yah!" she yelled to the horses, flicking the reigns slightly.

The horses took off at a run. Aleia smiled as the cold wind blew in her face. She felt free, for the first time since she'd become princess. She rode through the countryside, plowing through the piles of snow. She was freezing, but she didn't mind it.

When she reached the forest, she paused for a moment, contemplating the wiseness of entering it. She shrugged. "Why not?" she said to herself.

The horses pranced in. Aleia laughed as they brushed several pine branches, shaking them just enough so that the snow felt right on top of her. She shook it off and looked around. She had to duck to avoid being nailed with boughs from the thick trees. Afterwards, she realized that they were heading right towards a frozen waterfall.

"Whoa!" she said to the horses. They abruptly stopped and she hopped from the sledge to look at the waterfall.

Aleia walked to it, examining the huge, hanging icicles. Their origin was a cliff high above her, which she looked up to in amazement. She touched a finger to the ice and marveled at the cold. It was beautiful, each drop of water frozen in place, frozen in time.

Aleia swallowed. Frozen in time. Cold and stuck in one place. Dead until spring brought warmth to it again. Dead. That's how she would be if...she didn't allow herself to think it. She went back to the sledge and spurred the horses on.

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Later in the week, Aleia read a book at her window seat. She glanced up and happened to see Duke Conrad Kevar coming from his carriage. She frowned, but got up. She knew she would have to greet him. The queen had told her, that since the king personally invited him to come early, instead of it just being propriety that brought him, they would need to greet him as soon as he came. Aleia found it a rather stupid idea.

She found the queen as she went out the corridor.

"So you saw him, as well," the queen said. "It's such a pity he's here already. We're dining with him as soon as he gets settled in his chambers."

Aleia agreed that it was a pity, and they walked to the gates. The king was there already.

"So good of you to come, Kevar," the king said.

The duke smiled. "So good of you to invite me." He smiled at the ladies. "It's so nice to see you again, so soon."

Aleia forced a smile. "Indeed," was all she could bring herself to say.

The queen sensed the awkwardness. "Well, let's not all stand out here in the cold. We'll go in, you can go to your chambers, and then we'll have some nice hot food and sit by the warm fire."

The king followed the queen, with the duke and Aleia behind.

He smiled at her.

She glared in return.

"Well, I see you're glad to see me," he said with sarcasm. "Don't worry, I won't try any petty tricks this time. I have other things in mind."

Aleia frowned as he hurried to catch up to Queen Lydia and King Ardahn. She would definitely have to watch him.

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I know its kind of short, and not very much happened, but thats because it was kind of a lead in to the next chapter where stuff is going to happen. I know whats happening next chapter so it should be up soon, its just a matter of me sittinng down and taking the time to write it.