Me: I have no clue why I start all these fics cause I really have no time to work on them.
VampGirl: Sit down, shut up and just….shut up.
CJ: That's code for I don't like your voice.
Me: You guys suck.
VampGirl: We have established the fact that I go suck peoples necks for a living and I am your muse so just shush.
CJ: I don't think that's what she meant…
Fred: Take a breath and I try to draw from my spirits well.
Yet again you refuse to drink like a stubborn child.
Lie to me,
Convince me that I've been sick forever.
And all of this,
Will make sense when I get better.
But I know the difference,
Between myself and my reflection.
I just can't help but to wonder,
Which of us do you love.
(Breathe no More-Evanescence)
Disclaimer: As of now, nothing but this lame plot is mine.
Saying of the Day: I'm lost, but making great time.
The raven haired princess gazed with a wistful gaze out of her window. She watched all the people working so far below her and yet they were so close. If only she could go down there and walk among them. That would be her greatest wish; To be a normal girl and not a royal betrothed to a man she had never met.
There was a knock on the door and a soft voice called.
"Adriane, darling, are you decent?"
"Yes mother. You may enter."
Queen Willow swept into the room with a grace that her daughter envied. Princess Adriane's two ladies-in-waiting came in after the queen, bowing low to the royals. The princess gave the women small smiles.
"Your father and I are pleased to annouce that your betrothed, Prince Joseph, will be here to take you hand in marriage before the end of the month."
Adriane gave a smile. "It would be nice to meet my fiance before our wedding." she commented. The blonde lady-in-waiting's body gave a small jerk, a sign that she was stiffling a giggle. The redhead beside her elbowed the blonde's ribs and gave a sharp glare.
"Oh don't be such a downer, darling. I have heard he is handsome and would be a perfect match for you." Queen Willow gave her daughter a smile. "I have to go now, dear, but be a good girl and get dressed and join your father and I downstairs." With that said, the queen left the room.
"I feel bad for you milady. I used to live under Prince Joseph's father and that prince ain't to bad. He would be a smart match for you." the blonde lady-in-waiting said, a sly grin on her pretty features.
"Kara you know I don't want to have a damn arranged marriage. I want to choose my husband but there is no arguing with father. Could you fetch me a gown, Emily?"
"Yes milady." the red haired woman said, giving a polite curtsey. Adriane grimaced and turned to her window. She looked down apon the bustling commoners going about their daily lives.
A flash of gold caught the young princess's dark eyes. A young man, perhaps a year or two older than she, strode into the courtyard like he owned the place. He had a handsome smile on his well chisled features. He was tall and lean muscled. His eyes were like the sky, twinkling many different shades of azure. The princess's lips twitched into a small smile.
"Here is your dress milady." Emily said, bringing out a beautiful velvet gown of deep purple. The dress seemed even more gorgous when on Adriane. The bodice was tight enough to show the princess's feminine figure. The sleeves were belled on the end and the opening was long enough to brush the ground had not the young royal been trained to keep her sleeves from trailing the earth. The skirt flared out as it went down and had a slight train.
Princess Adriane spun in front of her full length mirror and gave her reflection a weak smile. She half wished her skin was paler like the other court ladies instead of a golden tan. She wished she didn't have her well defined jaw line or strong chin. She wished was a plain looking girl with nothing to set her apart from the other nobles. She wished she didn't have her unique beauty.
Princess Adriane took and deep breath and steeled herself so that she may face the court. So she could appear to have a slight excitement that her betrothed would be arriving to sweep her off her feet in just a short month or two. That was the way she had to act around the nobles in her parent's court. She had to be a raven haired beauty that would never be available to no one less than a prince.
As she entered the grand outdoor garden and place of social gatherings, she had to once again remind herself not to go running back to her safe haven called her room. Putting on a pleasant smile, she strode forward. People bowed low to her and muttered greetings. The princess simply nodded her head to each noble and gave them a welcoming smile. She went to the group of young sons and daughters of lords, barons, and dukes.
"Good day, Princess. I must say you look especially radiant today." a young man said, giving a sweeping bow that was slightly mocking. He would never of course mock a royal but it made Adriane feel more welcomed amongst the group.
"Oh stop flirting dear brother of mine. She's taken and you know it." Kara said, slightly growling as she took her place beside her princess.
"So good to see you my darling sister. Do tell me what things you have been sticking up your scrawny arse?"
Kara smacked her brother's arm and swelled to her full height. The group laughed and began chatting. But the princess could not help but stare out over the stone walls into the world of freedom. For just one day, she would give anything to be beyond these prison walls and walk among commoners like she was one of them. She would give anthing.
That chance came later that day. While everyone was down in one of the lower dining rooms, eating, Adriane feined ill and ran to her room. She snuck into the servents quarters and changed into faded, tan breeches and a gray tunic. She pulled her hair into a knot on the back of her head. She slipped on wearing leather boots and with a final cautious glance behind her to the door, she leapt out the window.
Adriane landed with a soft thump. Her head slowly turned from left to right, searching for any sign of life. There was no one anywhere in sight. She took of at a light sprint. A smile crept onto her tan face as she breathed in a breath. She laughed slightly. She was free for the moment. It would be hell to pay when she got back, though.
Adriane walked into town, looking at merchant's wares with interest. Since the tunic his her breasts and with her hair tied back like she had seen people do, everyone thought she was a boy come to browse through goods. She didn't try to argue, it would only help her if no one recognizd her as the princess of their country.
While looking through pendants with amber tigereye gems in them (me: I couldn't help but do that. No, that jewels and bonded animals will not be mentioned in this story. It is a Zach/Adriane love story so…yeah…just humor me.) someone was pushed into her. Adriane's heart skipped a beat when she recognized the person who knocked into her as the golden hair man from earlier. A noble was looking down his rather crooked nose at the blonde and some of the man guards were closing in around them.
Anger began burning deep inside the princess. Adriane stepped in front of the golden hair man, her chin in the air. Her dark eyes flashed dangerously.
"Tell me what this man has done for you to feel he must be delt with by your knights?"
"He touched my horse. No one but I or one of my stable hands may touch my steed." the hook nosed man announced.
"Nobles. You all are always so proud about really stupid things. Ever think that this man couldn't help touching your horse? I doubt it. I suggest you just leave or beat this man to death. I think the king will frown apon a murder for no justified reason." Adriane snarled.
"How dare you speak to me like that, boy? I belive that my word will be believed over yours."
"Maybe the combanation of an entire market place will convince who is the liar, sir."
The man lunged at Adriane. His guards took hold of her arms and held her tight. The golden haired man, long forgotten, shifted his gaze over his rescuer to the men that planned to kill him. Damn that boy had a lot of courage to stand up to a lord like that.
Adriane growled, struggling. She was starting to panic. If she was found out, there would be no way to explain her actions to her parents. They would lock her in her room with a constant guard until her betrothed came to wed her. She kicked at her holder's knees. They only gripped her arms harder. The lord with crooked nose leaned towards her so she could feel and smell his putrid beath on her face.
"You look familiar boy. What is your name?"
"I…I…I am Nakoda of the forest people." Adriane said, using her grandmother's name. It was partly true, she was a half blood of the clan of humans who lived among the animals in peace, harmonizing with the very earth itself. The lord raised an eyebrow.
"Nakoda? Why are you dressed as a male and a commoner, Nakoda?"
"So questions would not be asked. Women have little influence in your world so I came to buy goods as a man and a commoner so I would be left to my own devises." Adriane said. She had to stop herself from sighing in relief for it was against the law to kill a child of the forest unless they attacked you or one of those in your charge. Adriane was released.
"Get out of my sight, forest wench. If you ever speak to me as you did before, you will never see the sun rise again."
"Then you be hanged. By the laws of my queen and yours, if you touch me without rightful cause, your corpse will hang as an example."
The man smacked Adriane across the cheek and, grumbling and cursing under his breath, the lord mounted his precious horse and rode off. The princess sucked in a shaky breath and let it back out in a sigh.
The golden haired man stepped forward. He looked into Adriane's dark eyes with his sky blue orbs. He smiled and made his handsome face light up some. He put a strong hand on her shoulder.
"I owe you my life, Nakoda. My name is Zachariah, but as your saved me, I suppose you may call me Zach like my friends do." the man said with laughter in his voice. Adriane went weak in the knees when he spoke. She gave a small smile and nodded.
"Does that make me your friends too, Zach?"
"I think it does."
Adriane felt a smile and a blush creep onto her face. She hoped her darker skin could hide the redness.
"I would love to speak with you more, Zach, but I must return. My father would go crazy if he found I left. I believe I would be locked in my room for a good deal of time if I was discovered."
Zach laughed. It was a good natured sound that made his features seem even more handsome then they were. Adriane had to mentally kick herself so her knees didn't give out.
"Then until next time Nakoda." Zach said, his hands on her shoulders squeezing slightly. He gave another winning smile and released her. She gave a small wave, turned, and ran as fast as she could to the castle. She snuck quietly through the stone corridors and rushed into her room silently.
Kara and Emily rushed to her with scared looks.
"Oh miss, you scared us to death! Where have you been?" Emily asked in a breathless voice.
"And why are you wearing mens clothes?" Kara pressed. She gazed apon the garments with a look of disgust.
"I have just been experiencing freedom! It was the most amazing thing ever! I've never felt so free in my life! To walk among people without being bowed to…it was paridise."
Me: That is chapter one my people! Review me!
