A/N: Okay...here you go guys. This chapter is short. I had to get back into the feel of the story. I changed the direction up a bit. I should be posting once or twice every two weeks (Im a mommy with little time) from here on out.

Disclaimer: Smeyer owns Twilight and its characters.

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CHAPTER 4

Memories and Surprises

I was playing in the Far East corner of our estate when I noticed something moving in the dense trees. I had hoped it was a fawn. My father had spoken of seeing one earlier that day and I was curious to meet the "poor motherless creature". I thought the fawn and I had a lot in common.

The thick trees and brushwood made it hard for me to see. Whatever it was that I was following knew its way through the flourishing forest. I started making kissing noises at it the same way I would call my cat, Scruffy, to me with my hand down low, beckoning the small animal to me. After about five minutes of calling and kiss noises, the noises in the brush stopped and a grimy boy climbed out asking, "Are you meaning to kiss me then?"

The squeal that came out of me reminded me of the screaming pigs at the Hole in town. "What on earth, pray tell, are you doing out here? You nearly killed me with fright!" I screamed at the boy when I had calmed down enough to do so.

"I shall ask you the same thing? Do you make it a habit to chase boys into the woods trying to kiss them?" He asked with humor in his voice.

I gasped, "You…" I said angrily, "I thought you were a dog," I lied as I took in his appearance. "From the looks of you, I wasn't far off."

The boy had long dark hair that matted on the ends; dirt saturated his clothing and covered his face and limbs. The only thing that looked halfway decent was the small bag he held. "What do you have there in your bag?" I asked, pointing at the brown satchel.

"Nothing that concerns you." He retorted.

"Did you steal it?" I asked.

"And if I did, then what? Would you call the Kings sheriff and have me arrested?" He asked coolly.

"Maybe." I said with my hands on my hips, pushing my own bag behind me, hiding it. "You did not answer my first question. What are you doing out here?"

"I am searching for something. Obviously."

"There is nothing but forest for miles. You should go home before you find yourself in front of a mountain lion or….the Moon Beast." I said, scaring myself.

The boy looked a little scared as well but he still muttered quietly, "There is no such thing as the Moon Beast. Besides, I can't go home."

"Don't you have one?"

"Of course! I am only looking for something and when I find it I will go home," he informed me.

"What are you looking for? These are my lands. Perhaps I can help." I offered.

After a moments deliberation he asked, "Have you seen any sort of rocks around here? Big ones? In a circle?"

"No. This is the farthest I've ever been in the forest," I admitted. "I can ask my father, the Duke, he knows everything. He is very smart- the smartest man in the world." I said with my nose in the air.

"No, no." the boy suddenly looked terrified. "Don't ask him. Please do not. No one can know where I am."

"Okay," I said interestingly. "As long as you let me help you find it. The sun will be up for a few more hours."

"No it's too dangerous for a girl. You already said there were mountain lions out here." He looked at me strangely and added, "And the Moon Beast."

I shuddered at the thought of being torn to shreds by a savage beast and moved closer to him a smile forming on my lips.

"I may be a girl but I am a good fighter. I am skilled." I said as I decked him in the stomach, a big 'oomph' echoing in the forest.

"See?" I asked, grinning.

"Never in my life….have I ever….and by a little girl!" He started, hunched over, clutching his stomach and trying to catch his breath.

"I also have food." I said while pulling out some bread from my bag completely ignoring his little tantrum. "Does that help your decision?"

He glared at me for a full minute before straightening up and taking the small loaf from me.

I woke up and grinned at the memory of my feisty ten-year-old self. Occasionally, when the memory would resurface I would remember that boy and wonder what had come of him. Was he still out there wandering around in search of the stones? Did he ever make it home?

I had helped the boy look for the stones for three days. Every morning, I would meet him on the Far East side of the estate with a large bag of food and we would spend all day searching before I had to make it home by sunset. It was on the second day that I realized the boy was a runaway.

He was speaking of the stones being enchanted and that people could travel through time and change things to make them right. I had half believed him until I had mentioned something to my chambermaid the second night about such a place, and while laughing, she informed me that it was just a story that parents make up to get their children to sleep. She told me one her mother had told her.

It did not stop me from imagining a little circle of big colorful rocks- pink, purple, and sparkling like diamonds. I fell in love with the idea of an enchanted place and soon became fixated on finding it. As I grew older, I never gave up that childhood obsession. A small, hopeful, part of me is always looking for it subconsciously even if I believed it to be a story.

That small, hopeful, part of me wished for an unheard of magic.

I had been doing my best to avoid Edward, only speaking at meals when prompted. I was humiliated by our last encounter that I could not look him in the eyes. I had the notion that Edward was possibly embarrassed as well but brushed it away. He did not think someone had come to defile him or nearly "unman them" that night.

Though we were polite towards one another, Edward usually bolted out of the dining room every time the meal was finished. He tended only to acknowledge me with a nod or a few short words, no eye contact, when forced to spend an evening walking the gardens or conversing with guests.

Until today.

The king informed us that we would be going horseback riding since the day was nice out.

"Lady Swan, I suspect you may want to get out of the palace walls? You have been cooped up for too long. Surely, the strolls in the gardens are getting rather wearisome?" He had one eyebrow raised in question.

"The garden is magnificent. I would never tire of it." I spoke honestly. "However, I think I would enjoy a ride."

"The Duke tells me you are fond of riding and drawing. I will have a sketchbook brought to you. If there is anything else you need, let your chambermaid know."

"I shall let her know of my needs. Thank you." I expressed my gratitude with a grin.

He waved off my thankfulness but gave an earnest smile.

"Edward, son, you should take her to Whisper Falls on your ride." He instructed.

I stiffened. We were going…alone?

"Do you not plan on accompanying us?" Edward asked.

"Your mother and I made prior engagements with the Crowley's. So we will be heading out shortly." He said, standing up. "Have fun."

He walked out with Esme following behind.

Edwards sat there staring at the door where his parents just went through, his eyebrows furrowed in anger. Well, I guess we were going to have to speak then if we were to be alone.

"What is Whisper Falls?" I asked.

Edward looked at me then, not making eye contact, and cleared his throat, "A waterfall."

"Oh?" I asked.

A waterfall? With Edward? Alone?

How romantic!

My mouth started twitching into a smile. I caught it in time. Traitor.

It was not romantic.

I should not be excited about a forced romantic evening with Edward -forced because the King had suggested it. Edward did not want to go anymore than I did. Which was made painstakingly obvious by the way he had glared at his father's retreating form.

He looked at me then, emerald eyes piercing into mine, I looked down unable to hold the intensity.

"I shall have the cook make some food for us to take. We will not make it back until the evening." He stated, standing up, and reaching a hand out for me. "Some port as well," he added.

I took his hand and he led me out of the dining hall towards my chamber. My treacherous heart beating faster as excitement for the day consumed my mind. My heart and mind seemed to agree when Edward stopped in front of my door. He looked at me deeply; completely stopping all thoughts as well as my heart, as he slowly brought my hand up and kissed it.

I nearly keeled over.

"I will meet you by the stables in an hour."

Edward whispered as he walked towards his own chamber.

I was baffled, to say the least, by the sudden change in behavior by the prince. I wondered what else the day had in store. I anticipated that dining by a charming waterfall was sure to make an interesting afternoon. Especially with port, I will have to watch myself with that.

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-Wings