Author's Note: On the advice of my dear sister, the authoress, I am going to try to flesh out my story more. I will go back to previous chapters and add more details as I have time. Thanks for the continued reviews and support everyone!

Chapter 4

As I left the court of Justices, I looked about myself. I could see a shimmering sea to the east, and farther up the rise from where I stood, I saw a large, sprawling estate settled on the hilltop. It was certainly the palace, so I walked toward it. I was now poignantly aware of my tattered clothing and appearance, so instead of going directly to the palace gate, I walked around the hedge until I came to a more utilitarian entrance. There were servants and merchants bustling in and out, so I slipped in unnoticed to the courtyard. I looked around, taking in the tidiness, despite the commotion. There was a tall, stern-looking woman who seemed to be in charge of the servants, so I approached her, making up a plan as I went.

"Excuse me madam, but I'm looking for work. Is there any job here that I might be able to perform for you?"

She cocked one thin eyebrow and looked at me critically from the top of my brown hair to the tips of my bare toes.

"Well . . . miss. . ."

"Addie, Ma'am."

"Ah, yes. Addie. As a matter of fact, I do have an opening for a scullery maid, on a trial basis, you understand." She looked like she would only give me the briefest trial, but it was something. I was going to be inside the palace, so I could look for the Chief Royal Guard, or maybe just look for the key myself.

"My name is Gertrude, and I am the Royal Housekeeper for the King of Lyon and his Royal family." Her long nose twitched a bit higher into the air, I could tell she loved saying this title to everyone possible.

"You will follow me to your quarters and clean yourself before donning the palace maid uniform. You will then report to the kitchen, which is in the north corner of the palace, beside the vegetable gardens. Do you understand, Addie?" Again one eyebrow raised in doubtful question.

"Yes Ma'am, and thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to serve." I curtsied and she turned and began to walk briskly toward the building.

I followed Gertrude into the cool interior of the palace. It was all fresh and clean, with window alcoves bathed in the warm light of the sunset. There were potted plants with huge leaves fanning out above my head. Beautiful tapestries hung on the sandstone walls and there were luxurious carpets beneath my feet. I was happy to be barefooted, it was as soft as walking on thick moss. After a few minutes we came to a dark wooden door. It was without ornamentation, but it was well-kept and didn't make a squeak when Gertrude swung it inward to reveal a small but neat room. I walked in and saw a bed, a small chest, and a few pegs on the wall. There was a window looking to the east, to the sea. It was bare, but the view was spectacular! On one of the pegs a crisp dress of green was hanging, along with a white starched apron. On the floor below were some wooden clogs.

"That is your uniform, you will be given more after you prove you can be of use in the palace. Just go to the far end of this corridor and turn left to find the kitchens. You have two days of trial, then I will know if I want to keep you or not." Gertrude did not smile, or frown. Her demeanor was strict, but not unkind. I curtsied again and she left, closing the door behind her.

On the chest there were things for washing. So I took off my threadbare dress and got myself truly clean for the first time in a long time. I slipped into the maid uniform; it was too long, but I thought I could ask for a sewing kit and alter it to suit me better. That is, if I passed the trial period.

I hurriedly braided my hair and tied on the apron. I slipped into the shoes and scampered out of my room and down to the kitchens. I could smell it long before I arrived, savory garlic and onion, sweet cinnamon, and roasting meat. My stomach rumbled and I remembered I'd had only a bun to eat that day. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the room. It was quite large and full of busy cooks and assistants. I tapped a young girl on the shoulder and asked where the head cook was. She pointed to a rotund man wearing a red and white striped apron. I thanked her and walked over to him.

"Pardon me sir, but I've just been taken on by Gertrude and she told me to come here for work." I looked up into his rosy face and knew this would be a friend. He smiled at me and shook my hand in his own massive one.
"Welcome to my kitchen miss! Tell me your name."
"My name is Addie, sir." I curtsied.

"Addie, wonderful! Please call me Borlan, that's a good lass!" He smiled at me and his blue-gray eyes twinkled.

"Borlan, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am eager to begin work, if you'll just direct me where you wish me to begin." I wanted to make a good impression on all these people so I would be allowed to stay in the palace.

"My, you're diligent, aren't you! Very well," he nodded over to a corner, "you may begin by peeling that stack of potatoes and carrots for stew. Put the peelings into the bucket and when you finish, take it out to the garden. Off you go, then!"

I smiled my thanks and walked to the corner, where a mountain of potatoes and carrots waited. I found a small knife and began. It was mindless work, so I was free to ponder the clues I'd picked up from Queen Addeliene's book and decide how to get out of the kitchen to do some exploring. As I peeled, I also looked about the kitchen, watching the other workers. They were busy, but often bumped into one another as they crisscrossed the kitchen doing their duties. I noticed that all the knives were kept in a single drawer, although they were needed at several stations. The baking supplies were all the way across the room from where the work table and baking ovens were located. There was a long row of tables down the middle of the room, but it seemed that everything someone needed was on the opposite side of the divide, so there was always someone walking around the long string of tables to get what was needed, then walking all the way back. I decided to talk to Borlan about some easy ways to make the kitchen more efficient, just as suggestions.

Without realizing it, I had finished my chore, and had a very large bucket of peelings to deal with. I saw a door leading outside and lugged my bucket out. I saw acres of gardens, filled with small shoots of all manner of fruits and vegetables. I was struck hard with the memory of cleaning out the garden with Daphne as the winter came to our home. I sank to the ground as I saw in my mind her sturdy figure faltering in her work and then pitching forward in a faint. My eyes blurred and my heart ached as if I'd just heard news of her death. The pain was still fresh, even after all I'd been through since then. I stared at the rich dark earth and swallowed the lump in my throat. My jaw tightened and my forehead creased as I tried to contain my grief, but then I was overcome for a time.

After a few moments I stood up and wiped my eyes with the hem of my apron. Having a good cry was the best thing to do sometimes. I took a deep breath and sniffled, then took another look around. I saw a composting mound by the back wall and hauled the large bucket over. I dumped out the peelings and then headed back into the kitchen to begin my next task.

Hours later, I wandered through the hallways trying to remember the way to my room. I wound up in a part of the palace that looked much lovelier than the section Gertrude had walked me through earlier. I was exhausted, but at least I'd had a good hot meal in the kitchen while I was working. As I turned around, perplexed, trying to decide which of two hallways looked more promising, a young man in a white tunic and dark blue breeches approached from a third passageway. He had deep brown hair and a fine featured, clear face. He looked strong and kind. I made a deep curtsy as he approached.

"Excuse me sir, I'm new to the palace and I've lost my way to the servants quarters. Would you be so kind as to direct me?"

"Of course, it's down this corridor about 150 feet, then a right turn, and then take the first passage to your left."

"Thank you very much!" I bobbed my head and smiled, then turned where he had directed me and walked away. I could feel his eyes on my back, but I didn't turn around. When I got to my room, finally, I reached up to rub my tired eyes and felt something stuck to my cheek. I scratched at it and a dirty potato peel came off in my hand. My face burned in embarrassment as I remembered smiling at the young man. He must have seen the peel, he probably could barely contain a smirk until I turned away. I closed my eyes and let out my breath slowly. Oh well, it didn't really matter what he thought. He was probably just another servant, and with so many in the palace, I might not ever see him again. I just wish he hadn't been so handsome.