The Pink Princess and the Blue Knight

Disclaimer: No. Sheesh!

A/N: Well. I am really excited about this; it's so different from anything I've ever done before. This was actually inspired by one of those pet commercials and it said something about pink princess and blue knight hamster cages and I went, "Hmm, sounds like Sky and Syd, doesn't it?" I've twisted some things for my own convenience (i.e. Marin is Mariner Bay, Silverhill is Silver Hills, Rhian is Dana's brother Ryan, etc) And so here it is…heh.

Cast of Characters

Princess Sydney: Princess of Marin, daughter of King Carter and Queen Dana. Betrothed to Emperor Gruumm of Troobia.

Sir Sky: Princess Sydney's bodyguard as she travels from Marin to the neighboring empire of Troobia.

Jack: Sir Sky's squire.

Lady Elizabeth: Princess Sydney's lady-in-waiting. She is along to keep the princess company.

Court Jester Bridge: The princess' entertainer.

Lord Wesley: Sir Sky's father. He is King Carter's closest friend along with being the king's advisor.

Lady Jennifer: Sir Sky's mother. She is the Queen's closest friend and lady-in-waiting.

King Carter: Ruler of Marin. Doting father of Princess Sydney. A man who demands justice in Marin, the King is admired by his people.

Queen Dana: Ruler of Marin. Doting mother of Princess Sydney. A kindhearted woman, the Queen is much loved by Marin.

Sir Cruger: Head of the Knights of the House of Grayson. He advises King Carter in battle.

Duke Rhian: The queen's brother.

Emperor Gruumm: Ruler of the neighboring empire of Troobia. He is forcing Sydney into marriage.

The courier made his entrance into the throne room, his arrival announced by a tooting of horns and trumpets. The court of the king and queen of Marin was in session. The courier came to a stop in front of the king, unrolled the parchment scroll, and cleared his throat.

"Let it be known, kingdom of Marin, that the Troobian army is at its peak in both size and strength. Troobia is twice the size of Marin and your precious affluent country can be crushed at any moment. Marin will be left untouched, however, if my demand is met."

Queen Dana gripped her husband's hand. "Read on, please, courier," she managed hoarsely.

"My demand is this: I will have Princess Sydney's hand in marriage." The courier cleared his throat once more and rolled the scroll up again. A bright red ribbon was tied around the parchment, and the courtier presented it to King Carter with a flourish.

The king read the emperor's message with a frown. His wife watched on with anxious eyes. To the queen's left side, Lady Jennifer of Silverhill brushed a wisp of chestnut brown hair from her face, fanned herself, and then made eye contact with her husband, Lord Wesley, seated on the king's right. Surely King Carter would not allow his treasured daughter, the jewel of Marin, to wed the emperor.

"Carter?" Queen Dana asked softly.

"It must be done, my dear," the king replied grimly. "Courtier, summon my daughter, the Princess Sydney and her lady-in-waiting, Elizabeth."

The courtier bowed to their Highnesses and ducked out of the throne room.

The princess and Lady Elizabeth had just finished fixing Princess Sydney's new comb adorned with forget-me-nots in her golden curls. Princess Sydney's eyes shone as she and Lady Elizabeth made their way to the throne room. Her royal parents were good rulers, just and unbiased, and it was Sydney's hope that she and her consort would one day have the same experience.

Princess Sydney curtsied to Lady Jennifer, then to Lord Wesley, and then to her mother and father. The queen looked like the world had betrayed them all.

"Mother?" The princess took a step towards the queen.

"My dearest one, Father and I have some horrible news for you," Queen Dana announced. "It is far too terrible for me to bear, my daughter."

Here Dana rose and descended the dais to where Princess Sydney stood. The queen embraced her daughter, then pulled back and kissed the princess' cheek.

Princess Sydney looked rather bewildered; while her parents doted upon her and granted her every wish, they rarely publicly displayed little more affection than the customary briefest of embraces.

"Daughter, your mother and I have received word from the country of Troobia. It seems that Emperor Gruumm wants your hand in marriage in order to keep the peace between Marin and our much larger counterpart. It is with a heavy heart that I must concur with his demand, my dearest. It is for the good of your homeland; while we are quite wealthy, we simply do not have the foot soldiers required to defeat the Troobian threat," King Carter gravely explained to his daughter.

Sydney's face hardened, her jaw setting. Then she gave a tiny of her golden head, curtsied to her father once more. "Yes, Father, I shall wed the emperor of Troobia. I understand what is required and I shall complete my mission."

Carter descended the dais as well, joining his wife and daughter. He too clutched her briefly to his chest and then kissed her forehead.

"With good grace, my daughter agrees to this marriage. Let her be an example to you all," the king boomed to the higher-ranking members of Marin society. "If you would all kindly adjourn to your quarters, the royal family must meet with Sir Cruger."

Without another sound, the higher citizens filed out, excepting the Lord and Lady of Silverhill. They were the princess' godparents, surely they would be allowed some kind of input.

"Sire," Lord Wesley began, "The princess cannot be allowed to wed that beastly brute. Is there any way you know his word is the truth?"

The king fixed Wesley with a glare. "Sydney is to wed the emperor. Gruumm has given his word Marin will be unharmed, and I must trust him."

"Your Highness-"

"Enough, Wesley," Lady Jennifer commanded. "Can you not see this is the hardest decision our king and queen have ever been forced to make?"

Lord Wesley folded his arms over his chest. "Surely this is the most foolish decision you have ever made, my friend."

Queen Dana had resumed her seat on the golden throne. "Wesley, Jennifer is quite correct in telling you enough. Sydney has agreed; she knows what her duty to the country is. My daughter is the closest person to my heart and it kills me that she will be leaving so soon, but Troobia would crush us in one fell swoop. We were given an option; we can be grateful for that."

Sir Cruger galloped into the throne room. "Duke Rhian informed me of the message from Troobia. Princess Sydney will need protection on her journey. I will choose my best knight, your Highnesses. There will be no danger on the road that the princess will not be secured from. The danger is from whom she is to give her hand to, but I know that is not my place."

"Too right it's not," King Carter remarked. "But I respect that you accept that, Cruger, and it is with a heavy heart I ask that you select Sir Sky of Silverhill."

"My first choice as it was, Sire. He is the best of the best, and his squire is shaping up nicely as well. They will ensure the princess' well being."

Carter nodded. "You are dismissed. My daughter, I will also allow you to bring one of our court jesters. Might I suggest Bridge; he is quite amusing. Sure to keep you smiling in your new home."

Sydney bobbed her head. "I thank you, father. "

Lady Elizabeth spoke for the first time since she and the princess' summons. "Sire, I must ask that I am allowed to stay with Princess Sydney. I've been attending her for six years, as you are aware, and we are quite close. I cannot imagine being lady-in-waiting to anyone else."

"But of course, Elizabeth," Dana gave her permission. "I wouldn't dream of separating my daughter from you."

"Then it is settled. My daughter, you leave in two days' time."