Nixiesocean: I would've updated sooner, but a persuasive essay, work, algebra homework, world studies homework, science homework and german studying got in my way…
Life. What can I say?
I have to mention this: The song All Ye Fair Ladies is my own creation, and by that right, I lay claim to it. Feel free to dissect it. However, I enjoy free-verse poetry, and if it seems like it rhymes, that is completely unintentional.
I hope you like it. It's more like a ballad, though shorter. :-) You'll understand what I'm talking about around mid-story.
Responses:
To the author who formerly was named Bingo5: Wow! You're the youngest of seven? Man! I'm only the youngest of four! Aw, no Mercy isn't the antagonist. She's just sad and, don't worry, she doesn't stay angry with Hannah for long.
AphroditeIncarnate: I love your sn! Do you pronounce it "Af-row-dite" or "Af-row-di-te"? Anywho, Maybe you'll like Hannah more later, she's still kind of underdeveloped. I know she follows the "smart princess" stereotype, but, then again, all I'm doing is expanding upon a prewritten story.
Piratess of Summer: Things change. I know I have. Man, when I was ten years younger than I am now, I was a crying baby. I cried over everything. I cried when my brother squished an ant. Sad, huh?
Sea's of Bitterness: Aww, thanks!
I should probably put in a disclaimer.
Disclaimer: I do not own the plot. I own the characters, the names of everything and the world. I thank the Brothers Grimm for this work of art, although there is debate as to how much they changed.
The REAL disclaimer: I do not own the plot, though I wish I did.
Onto the story!
Chapter 9: All Ye Fair Ladies
Mercy closed her eyes and wished for dinner to be done. She had seen her brother clasp Hannah's hand, and was rather irritated. It was irrational, she should be happy her near-unconquerable brother had found a love, apart for the forests of Hanor! But, anyone but that selfish girl!
"Herald!" King Jonas called to the man near the door. "Bring in the harpist!" He snapped to attention, bowed, and ran out the door. A man slowly entered, taking his time and paced himself evenly.
"Get on with it!" Someone shouted. "We've got things to do."
King Jonas' eyes snapped together and searched for the speaker. "Lord Peter Gideon," King Jonas addressed the nobleman. The rowdy young noble turned on his king with fearful eyes. "You have things to do? Other than attend my court?" Lord Peter was visibly sweating. His blonde greased hair was beginning to sparkle unnaturally. King Jonas' eyes softened in kindness. "Perhaps you and your lady would like to attend those problems at home."
A young lady, of maybe eighteen years, stood up to stand next to Lord Peter. Probably his wife, Mercy thought, since Lord Peter had only just gained his title after Lord Gideon Adam died last midwinter and non-titled nobles were rarely at court.
The young lady, most likely Lady Riana Tami, held onto her lord's sleeve, whispering urgently in his ear. She was shapely, her brown hair was curled in the current style and large blue eyes made for sapphires in her face. Lord Peter Gideon and Lady Riana Tami bowed and curtsied, knowing a dismissal.
"Your father can do that?" Mercy heard Hannah ask her brother.
"Yes," Marcus told her. "I hope we get the harpist soon, he's good."
Hannah nodded. She loved the harpist at home, and it would be a welcome comfort. At least she had left just after the colder seasons at home, to be here, in the north, during their "summer".
The man dressed in blue wool and black silk finally stood near enough to be heard. He cleared his throat. His hair was once black, but was showing the grey of age. He still stood perfectly erect, though. He was tanner than the gathered people of the northern region.
He bowed to the royal family. Then, he spotted Hannah, seated next to Marcus.
"My lady princess," He murmured to her. The gathered courtiers eyed her suspiciously. What he did next shocked her. "How fare you this far north?" He asked in the native tongue of Bavar.
She grinned broadly. "I am fine, thank you." She smiled and turned to Marcus, who was rather confused – along with most of the nobles – to explain. "He asked me how I was."
As if that had broken some sort of ice, the harpist sat down and began to strum a tune.
All ye fair ladies,
Listen well this tune.
And, king,
Let me spin my tale,
Though too forward
You may find it.
Far from this frozen world,
A land hot did appear and
In it lived a princess,
Her name was Hannah,
And she was the king's beloved.
In a twist of fate,
Did Hannah leave her land,
To visit a frozen world,
Far from her cherished own.
All ye fair ladies,
Listen well this tune.
Many miles upon miles,
Did the beauty travel.
Unto a frozen world,
So unlike her own.
Into the land did she travel,
Into the cold did she wade.
Into the ice did she journey.
To uphold her father's wish.
All ye fair ladies,
Listen well this tune.
Hannah was a smart one,
And cunning princess, too.
But even intellect,
Did not sway the prince's charm.
By now, Hannah was blushing deeply and Mercy was stunned.
As wild as the tundra,
In which he did reside,
The prince awaited
His lady oh-so fair.
None could tame him,
None but the cunning Hannah.
So,
In a twist of fate,
Did Hannah travel from,
Her land so hot.
To follow her father's wish,
And find a prince so gen'rous.
All ye fair ladies,
Listen well this tune.
To find your man so fine,
At your journey's end.
The Harper sighed and set down his harp. The women clapped and some men smiled, obviously more aware of their more earthly attributes.
Hannah was bright red and Marcus smiled at her. The Harper refused to meet her eyes.
"Herald!" The king's voice boomed across the hall. The herald, another elderly man, looked at the king. The Harper shook – he had taken a risk in improvising. The old man turned and knelt before his king, hoping it wasn't a death sentence the king was ordering. "Never have I heard such a wonderful tale." He smiled at the Harper. "After this night, I require that Vincent write down his tune and sing it more often."
The herald nodded, knowing that to debate was to lose his job, or worse: his life.
Hannah glanced at the king, and saw him nod at her to stand and speak.
"Although the song was…" She grinned. "Unexpected, but, I enjoyed it immensely."
Of course you did, Mercy thought glumly. You're the heroine in it.
"Could you sing a folk song of Bavar, since you seem so fluent in the language?" Hannah glanced back at the King Jonas, he nodded again.
"It would be my pleasure, Your Highness." The lanky man replied.
Hannah smiled and sat back down. She whispered to Marcus, "Now you will get to listen to Bavarn music!" Where have I heard the name Vincent with a Harper before?
Vincent stood and bowed to the gathered nobles, then turned to ask the herald, "Have you a violin?"
- - - - - - - - - -
Mercy seethed. After the dinner, all the nobles crowded Hannah to talk about Bavar and her "hot" land. Mercy left after the party was dismissed. She went to her drawing room. She opened the drawer in her desk and found a stack of letters, tied with a purple ribbon and with addressed with perfect precision.
Her stomach dropped. She hadn't read these in… years! Slowly, with shaking hands, she opened the first letter.
Dear Hannah. She stopped. Could she read them in peace? Without anger and keep from throwing them into the fire.
Yes. She would. She remembered being Hannah's friend, and had even enjoyed it. She had loved having a friend. Why did she dislike Hannah so much now?
She began reading, from the very first letters; she was glad now that Mother had always insisted on making Mercy copy each of her letters.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Marcus and Hannah walked, arms entwined, to her guest rooms.
"You were very red back there," He whispered.
"You were too." She replied. They walked in silence for a bit. "Did you pay him? Vincent?"
"To sing that song?" Marcus asked. His blue eyes almost radiated their mischievousness. He grinned, displaying a full set of white teeth. "Of course, although the ending was different than when I first heard it."
Hannah laughed. "I knew it!" Their eyes met and Marcus slowly leaned in for a kiss.
And was stopped short.
"Your Highness," An imperious voice said. "Her Highness, Princess Mercy Anna, requests you in her study."
Hannah smiled at Marcus and nodded to the courier. She quickly kissed Marcus' cheek and whispered, "I will see you tomorrow, I expect."
"Aye, fair lady." Marcus replied. "And if my sister has unkind words, tell me and I shall speak with her." He left.
Hannah followed the message-runner, wondering why Mercy was calling on her.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Mercy was seated. Hannah came in, her brown hair with light red highlights sparkled in the candlelight. She smiled at the younger girl. A chair was open and Hannah took a seat. It faced Mercy.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Hannah asked. She had gathered enough from Mercy's current attitude to warrant the title, rather than just first-name.
Mercy's green eyes were sprinkled with unshed tears. "Where did it go?" She asked. "When did our friendship end?"
By now, Hannah was completely confused. "What?" Hannah asked rather ungracefully.
Mercy pointed to a stack of letters near her. "Why did it end?"
Hannah sighed. "I am not sure." The southerner's black eyes met the northerner's. "Remember the drawing you sent me of your mountain? I still have it up on my wall, framed."
Mercy beamed. "I am so sorry." She whispered. "I – I guess I thought your letter was a rejection."
"But it was not." Hannah objected. She was happy Mercy was speaking to her on not-angry terms. "Do you not care about who you marry still?"
"Yes." Mercy said softly. "Understand, though, that I am happy for Marcus. No princess has managed to be on his good side this long." Mercy's jade eyes dropped to the floor. "Can you forgive my actions?" Mercy stood and held out her hand to the dark princess.
Hannah stood and took her hand. "Can we restart, then?"
With a squeal of happiness, Mercy threw her arms around Hannah and repeated, "Hannah!" Over and over again.
- - - - - - - - - -
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