"The Merits of Flying" by LadyCleo

AU – How the movie should have gone. Andrew interrupts the moment before Mia and Nicholas kiss. Mia/Andrew all the way and inspired by frankiebaby's "A Royal Duty." If you like – review as encouragement.

I'm an eternal editor so Ch. 1 & 2 have slightly altered- just the writing not the content.

Chapter Three

"Really I don't think this is the most appropriate way for me to be-"

"Nonsense, it's a Genovian custom." Charlotte interrupted Andrew. Glancing over her clipboard she smiled charmingly up at the nervous man. "May I also say that you look splendid, I think we got lucky on the fit."

Andrew glanced down at the ceremonial uniform. "Yes, it comes complete with gold braid, medals, and a helmet that harkens back to Roman times." Andrew picked the helmet up, "Complete with a horse hair plume- Really Charlotte, shouldn't ceremonial uniforms come after wedding? I don't quite feel comfortable imposing on a Genovian tradition-"

"You're not imposing, now if we'd made the mistake of having you ride out of uniform or before her majesty, than that would be imposing on Genovian traditions. Instead you will ride rear guard in complete ceremonial uniform." Turning Charlotte motioned towards a waiting stable hand. "I'd like you to meet Augustus."

"Augustus?"

Charlotte motioned back to where the stableman was now leading a large black horse towards them. "Now you'll be riding just behind the carriage leading the rear honor guard. All you have to do is try to stay on the horse and salute or wave occasionally."

"Are you sure?" Andrew questioned as he took the horse's reins and swung into the saddle. Shifting he rearranged the ceremonial sword and knocked the helmet into place on his head.

"Her highness and I were up half the night going over customs and traditions involving soon to be Prince Consorts, I think the least you can do is trust us." Charlotte patted the horse's neck gently. "Think of it as a chance for you future nation to become better acquainted with you."

Mia walked quietly up the cobbled road, fiddling with her pink suit; she smiled wanly at the people around her, still stinging from the other nights berating.

"How do you feel today, my dear?" Joe questioned, as he joined her.

"Honestly, Joe, not that great."

"Well, would you feel better if you called me Joey?

"No, Joe." Mia turned away from the security guard and glanced over the gathered crowds, "Have you seen Andrew?"

The corners of Joe's mouth twitched into a smile as he lifted a hand towards the waiting honor guard. "I believe that's him."

"Where?" Mia questioned. "I don't see him."

"There, in front." Joe reiterated.

Titling her head, Mia squinted over the small group of mounted man, a frown plastered itself across her face and she shook her head, "I don-." Mia froze as the lead rider turned slowly towards her. A short burst of laughter worked its way out of her lips. There in the front of the guard sat Andrew, looking mildly uncomfortable, but determined.

Still chuckling lightly, Mia quickly picked her way though the crowd and towards the Lord. "Excuse me," she called up to Andrew, "but I seem to have lost my fiancé. You wouldn't happen to have seen him, a tall sorta dashing figure usually wearing a suit- oh- wait. Is that you Andrew? I've never seen you looking so- so – antiquated before."

Andrew snorted, "You may stop laughing now. And just to let you know, I blame this incident entirely upon you."

"Me? I just told Charlotte that I wanted you in the parade. I didn't know she was going to pull out all the stops."

"You may make all the excuses you desire, my dear, but assuredly I'll have my revenge." Pulling out the ceremonial sword from its sheath he held it abroad and stood in the stirrups, "By George, I swear it so!" he declared with a solemn face.

The smile on Mia's face brightened as she laughed gently, "Why Andrew, I never knew you had a sense of humor, albeit a very British sense of humor."

Andrew sat back down and sheathed his sword, "I'm not sure if I should take offense at that or not."

Lilly nudged Charlotte gently, "This is good, laughing and flirting is good."

"Indeed it is very good." Clarisse interrupted as she passed the two women. Stepping up into the carriage, Clarisse turned towards the laughing pair, "May I say you look very dashing Andrew. Now come along Mia, we can't keep the people of Genovia waiting any longer."

Mia's smile wavered for a brief second, "Here goes nothing."

"You'll do fine, and if not, I resolve to willing cause such a distraction as I may- runaway horse or some such nonsense."

"That shouldn't be too hard in your present get up, just stand up in the stirrups and hold your sword again. That will turn more than a few hands," Mia snickered lightly before turning away and mounting the carriage.

Andrew shifted in the saddle, reaching down he gently patted the horse's neck, "Really, Augustus, I do think she intends to make us fall in love after all." The carriage before them moved slowly forward as the sound of the marching bands started up with a clang. Andrew kicked the horse into motioned and steeled his shoulder. "What do you think boy?" Andrew questioned the horse under his breath. "Shall we go for the charming, dashing but elusive solider, or the smiling, waving, feeling like a fool consort?" The horse snorted in reply.

Turning his gaze, Andrew focused on the carriage before him, watching silently as Mia gently waved to the crowds. "That's our future," he whispered. "It's not a bad one, in fact I would say it's ten times the quality I'd ever expected." His heart contracted tightly for a moment as he watched Mia smile, her head turning as she waved fondly towards the crowd. "Keep your mind of the game, Jacoby." Clearing his throat and straightening his shoulder Andrew pulled his eyes away and smiled warmly at the crowd.

"Stop the carriage."

Andrew pulled the horse to an abrupt halt as the carriage in front of them stopped. Mia climbed out and moved out of his peripheral vision. "That cannot be good," Andrew muttered to himself. As far as he was concerned he had two choices: one, he could sit and wait until they started moving again, or two, he could climb down and see if he needed to provide a distraction or not. Never really one for inaction, Andrew swung out of the saddle and led the horse around the carriage.

Mia stood along the sidelines near a bunch of children. "..these children are?"

"Most of them are orphans. We care for as many as possible."

Andrew frowned, confused and stepped forward. Stopping just a few steps away he listened to the conversation.

"Would you like to be a princess today?" Mia questioned the small girl.

"I can't, I'm too little. Too piccola."

"Oh, no." Mia assured gently. "Because I declare that anyone can be a princess today. Why don't we get you a tiara, and you can wave, and march in the parade with me? In fact, why don't you all take tiaras?"

The man selling them seemed a little panicky as he asked, "All? Give them all free tiaras?"

"I'll take care of it later."

Andrew grinned as the children all clamored around the man. Mia turned slightly, catching sight of him. A surprised smile flashed across her face. "I thought you might need a bit of a distraction, but I see someone else has filled in." Andrew explained motioning towards the children with a grin.

Mia chuckled lightly and turned back to the waiting girl. "You won't be able to wave with your thumb in your mouth."

"I can wave with this hand." The small child answered.

Andrew felt something tug at his leg, one of the girls had come up to him wearing her new tiara. "Are you prince charming?"

"For you, yes, I shall gladly be your prince charming."

The small girl's face lit up at his answer. "Can I ride your pony than, just like in Snow White?"

"Certainly," reaching down he hoisted the small girl into the saddle. "How's that?" The child nodded eagerly.

"Andrew," Mia's soft voice pulled him away from the small girl. She stood, with the group of small children, waiting for him to follow. "OK, so... To be a princess, you have to believe that you are a princess. You've got to walk the way you think a princess would walk. So think tall. You gotta smile, and wave, and just have fun. So are you ready?"

A chorus of "Yes" answered her.

"Drumroll please." The soft roll of drums started and the odd group started forward.

Andrew stared down at the newspaper in his heads. There in the center was a large picture of the parade. To be more precise, it was a picture of Mia, the children, and himself (complete with plume helmet and horse) marching in the parade. Charlotte and his mother had both been praising him, raving about the magnificent photo op., and all the great publicity since daybreak. Having gotten tired of their constant chatter, he'd wandered off to search for Mia, having not seen his future bride all morning.

"Speak of the devil." Andrew grinned as he turned a corner. Mia was crouched before a door, her ear pressed firmly to the key hole. Walking quietly over he glanced down at her, "What on earth are you doing?"

Mia reached out yanking Andrew down to her position as she hissed a "shhhh" and motioned towards the door.

"What right does the Lord Jacoby have to march in our Independence Day parade?" By the sound of it, that was Viscount Mabrey.

"May I remind you that Lord Jacoby is the future consort of Princess Mia. There has been a long standing tradition for future consorts to participate in Genovian traditions- a custom that dates back to the Middle Ages, as I'm sure you recall. Not only that, but as their future Queen's consort, Lord Jacoby has a duty to appear before his people. I trust you would not strip the people of their desire or rights, Viscount Mabrey."

"That's telling him, grandma." Mia whispered to the door.

The Viscount's cold reaction came back quickly, "These are two foreigners to our lands and our customs. She may have a blood right, but how can he participate without any-"

A third voice filtered in, one Andrew slowly recognized as the Prime Minister. "That is quite enough, Viscount. I must remind you that she is the rightful heir and he is her chosen intended. They are by no means foreigners to our lands. If you will please pay them the respect this court has given you."

"Whither Lord Jacoby and Princess Mia marry is a matter I have serious doubts about-"

Mia pulled back from the door and slowly stood. Straightening her outfit she turned away from the door and started slowly down the hall. Andrew frowned, tucking the newspaper on a nearby table, he followed after her.

"First the marriage, now he's on the attack against you. That man won't be happy unless Nicholas is sitting on the thrown. And he's doing his best to make it as depressing as possible for me and grandma." Sighing she slipped her arm through his. "And now you're going to get yanked into it."

"I suppose it comes with the job." Andrew answered back. "You can't make everyone happy Mia. There's always going to be a stuffy old goat spoiling for a fight."

Mia pulled Andrew to a stop and turned to face him, "I know that, but it just gets so exhausting sometimes. I want to yank out somebody's hair, give him a swift kick to the shin, or go running screaming down the halls."

"Yes, well, I wouldn't recommend that, although, your second option does sound tempting." A smile flashed across her face and Andrew grinned. Reaching out he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm not sure about the rules, but I do believe Prince Consorts are allowed to take a swing or two at annoying Lords, if provoked and given the right incentive."

Mia smiled and leaned forward, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Andrew."

"For what?" he questioned quietly letting his hands fall to wrap around her waist as he held tightly to the smaller figure. He liked holding her, he decided to himself. In fact if given the chance he would like to do it more often.

"For being so damn supportive." Mia answered back. "God, Andrew, if you get any nicer I'll have to label you as either a figment of my imagination or impossible and throw you to the dogs."

"In that case I think I'll have to go rob the poor, maybe torture some kittens."

Mia snorted, slapping his shoulder, "Quiet, you're going to ruin the moment."

Down the hall someone cleared their throat loudly. Mia and Andrew pulled away from each other. Viscount Mabrey, the Queen, and Prime Minister Mortaz stood at the end of the hall. One looking decidedly disgusted, one happily surprised, and one entirely embarrassed about the situation.

Mia nodded a greeting to them, before linking her arm back into Andrew's and dragging him away from the scene. "Care to sit in on a meeting with me Andrew." Somehow it was a statement and not a question. Without waiting for a reply she continued, "Good. Let's go. Now."