I was awoken late that night when the lights suddenly turned on and I buried head down since the light hurt my half-asleep eyes. A girl with short brown hair walked into the run and nearly tripped as she walked over towards the bunks. She had not heard Hemlock stir at the new girl's arrival, but was sure she would if this newcomer had stepped in the circle. Seeing her walk around it made me feel even more stupid for the mistake I had made earlier.
"Turn off the lights" I muttered
"Oh sorry, but then I can't see." The newcomer replied.
If I had an extra pillow I would have tossed it down at her, and if I had more knowledge of magic I would have just turned the lights off.
"Just get in bed, newbie and I'll turn off the damn lights with a spell." Hemlock said, annoyed that we had woken her up.
The new girl listened to Hemlock's annoyed words of rational and for another moment Hemlock made me think of Aiden.
The next morning, I slept in late. I figured that I would not have as much time to do so after tomorrow, my last day before the start of school. Hemlock was already up and hanging various plants from her shelf to dry out. The new girl who had come in last night was unpacking her things. I wondered how she would react at the ceremony that would most likely take place later tonight. I had a feeling that unlike me, she would have to share her ritual with other girls.
"You should stop sleeping in, Elena, once school starts up, your not going to have a single chance." Hemlock remarked as I climbed down from the top bunk.
"So you're Elena. That's a really pretty name you know. I also like your name Hemlock, it's very unique. Anyway my name is Ama. I'm the Princess of Solaria. I really sorry if I seem like--" Ama started.
"For the love of Diana, shut up!" Hemlock screamed at Ama.
"I'm sorry. I really am." Ama stammered hurt by Hemlock's harsh words, I saw tears form in her eyes and she ran out of the cabin.
"Was that necessary?" I asked Hemlock.
"Yes, though not as it was with what you did and I apologize for yesterday. I need to test how people react before I can be kind to them. You seemed nice, but this 'Ama' seems annoying." Hemlock replied.
The use of the name 'Diana' caught me off guard, but I decided not to say anything, lest I invoke Hemlock's wraith. I decided to change the topic from testing people, though from what I had seen of her, I did agree with Hemlock, Ama was annoying.
"So were are you from?" I asked Hemlock.
It seemed the personal question caught her off guard, because of the surpised look on her face, which she quickly shook away.
"I'm the princess of the All Green Fairyland" Hemlock replied simply. Hemlock then changed the subject, "So were are you from?"
"Earkalon and Sparx" I replied, "Didn't you hear Lady Aisha at the dinner thing."
"Yeah" said Hemlock "Anyway, why did you decide to come here?"
"At first it was because my parents made me, but well… after yesterday the reason was… um..."I replied afraid of hurting Hemlock's feelings.
"Well?" she asked after my hesitation.
"To prove you wrong. At first I thought you didn't like me, and I wanted to prove that I could do magic just as well as you could." I replied, feeling childish.
"I never disliked you, though some things you don't know have annoyed me, since you don't know them. I wanted to kill you when you walked into the circle unprepared, but I never disliked you. Elena, you seem like you'd be a great person to lean on when times get rough, I wish I could say I'd do the same for you." Hemlock replied after a moment of thought.
"Well, its good to know you never hated me, and I'm sure you really can be loyal." I replied to Hemlock.
"I'm not so sure, but I'm sure we'll find out when the time comes." Hemlock replied changing the subject.
Hemlock's subject changing was helped when Ama came back into the room, her eyes were swollen and red as if she were crying.
"Apologize!" she demanded of us.
I did not know how to react, so I just sat there and said nothing. I had done nothing to harm her, and it would most likely made matters work if I pointed it out to her.
"Why should we? Elena has done nothing against you and I feel no need to respond to such a bratty demand." Hemlock replied, which were almost the words I was thinking in my head.
"Becuase, you Hemlock, have been nothing but rude to me since I got here. I gave you and Elena a chance." Ama roared.
"Elena did nothing to you! Leave her out of this! She should not have to tolerate your rude comments, bitch!" Hemlock responded.
"Stop defending Elena! She really shouldn't be—" Ama replied.
"Enough!" I shouted angry over there petty bickering, "I can be friends with whoever I want and Hemlock, just give her a break."
Hemlock and Ama were silent.
Just then a thin woman who looked to be the same age as my mother opened the door.
"Ama, and you two girls, what have you been doing?" asked the woman.
"Aunt Stella" Ama stuttered.
At this Hemlock and I curtseyed, we had heard of Queen Stella of Solaria, who had fertility problems, so Ama must be the heir instead of the child that Queen Stella would never have.
"There is no need to curtsey to me" Queen Stella replied to Hemlock's and my curtsies.
At this Hemlock and I stood up straight, "Sorry," I muttered, "I was taught—"
"Yes, to be respectful and kind, but its not needed here. Except for the Lady Aisha, in Annwfn, there is no ranking between royals, nobles and commoners." Stella informed us
A part of me want to be happy that there was something about this place that Hemlock did not know, but I could not be mad at her. Her knowledge of this place and magic easily surpassed my own.
"Anyway, what is going on in here?" Stella asked, going back to her original point.
"We had an argument, Ama and I" Hemlock said, "Elena was not involved and tried to break up the fight."
"It wasn't a fist fight, they were just yelling at each other, and I took Hemlock's side. I didn't stay out of it!" I almost shouted.
My story was true and Hemlock showed some type of loyalty. It was not the stereotypical kind of loyalty, but she did not know how good it made me feel that someone would get in trouble for my sake.
"I see" Stella said after a moment, "Ama, do have anything to add to this?"
"No, Aunt Stella" Ama replied, greatly subdued by her aunt's presence.
Stella gave Ama a look and then walked out of the cabin. "I think its best that you guys decide to make a truce." She said and then walked out.