Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: So sorry that it's taken me so incredibly long to update. First it took me forever to figure out how to write any of my next chapters, then I started re-reading the Harry Potter series so that I could read through Half Blood Prince before I went to the Midnight showing, which the movie was absolutely amazing! Anyways, here's the next chapter and I hope that it won't take as long to get the next chapter up.
Chapter 4-Memory
Three Weeks Later
"So even though I had spent all night working on it the Duke said it was definitely wrong. My Father was not too happy with me."
Syd smiled, "Were you in too much trouble for that?"
He shrugged, "Only a little. It wasn't that big of a deal."
"The Duke of Juneston isn't very nice." Syd remembered a time when she had left one of her dolls out in the hallway. He had told her continually to pick it up and instead he had it thrown away. Sure she hadn't seen him do it, but she knew it was him.
"To be honest, I've never met him."
"Oh, well it's no loss, trust me."
"I do. And I have something for you, well something that I want to get. I mean it's here, you know…well it's not here—"
"Bridge!" He looked at her and she smiled at him, "go and get it."
He smiled at her, jumped up and took off. She was glad that she had met Bridge. He had really been there for her. She was never bored…well except when she had to wait for him. Since he worked at the blacksmith shop he wasn't able to leave all the time, and she had classes to be at as well.
It had taken him until the second week after they met for him to realize that she was one of the Princesses. He had taken it quite well…after the initial shock.
Syd looked down in the water at the new dress she had just gotten, it was so beautiful. Sue had told Syd to just try it on and bring it right back, but this dress was more than just a dress. It was a dress that was for one of the balls, plus it had the royal symbol on it. It was beautiful and it was hers. She didn't get to wear it that much, so she was going to wear it now.
She walked quietly down by the stream looking in every now and then. Then she heard some horses. It sounded odd…she knew that sound, it was the Duke of Juneston, he had that weird horn in the background.
Quickly Syd grabbed her cloak and swung it on her shoulders. She had used it to sneak out of the castle without anyone saying anything. As she was tying it she began walking back away from the stream. She knew he was coming from the south and if he saw her…she shuddered, he would offer to bring her back to her Father. He wouldn't take no for an answer and then he'd put his horrible, gross hands all over her.
At that thought she moved faster to get away from him. As she was moving backwards she tripped and fell down on her back and as she did she realized that one of her feet had fallen into a hole. Before she could cry out she realized that he was just about to pass so she closed her mouth and waited for him to come by.
After what seemed like a very long time he passed. Syd slowly tried to move her foot out of the hole, but it wasn't coming out! As she moved it again she felt pain shoot up her leg and a cry escaped her lips.
"Syd?"
She turned to the familiar voice, "Bridge?"
The blonde princess watched as the young man rushed toward her, "Are you alright?"
"I fell down and now my foot is caught."
Bridge placed his hands on her ankle and slowly moved it until it was finally free of the hole, "There, now its out."
"Thank you Bridge." Her arms found their way around him before she thought about it. When her mind finally caught up to what her arms were doing she realized that she rather liked it. He had put his arms around her too. Then slowly the two pulled away, "Will you help me up?"
"Yeah."
He held out a hand and she willingly took it. It was a few minutes after he had pulled her up that they let go of the others' hands. Syd tried to pull the cloak tighter so as to conceal her dress but before she could she heard a low gasp from Bridge. Looking up she saw his brown eyes widen as he took in the dress that very obviously showed that Syd was a princess.
He became very still for a few minutes before he spoke, "That's the Princess's dress. The mark…it's the King's…if that mark is the King and you're wearing it either you stole it or it is you." He paused and looked intently at her, "It is you, isn't it?"
Syd looked around, there went a princess-free relationship. She had never thought that it would be cool to have someone talk to you because they liked you and not for what you were. In truth Syd didn't really mind that she had all those people talk and be nice to her because she was a Princess. It was kind of nice. But Bridge had been the first one who was her friend. And not just her friend like Z; she and Z would always be friends, but they were sisters. Outside of family, there were no real friends. Bridge was that, would he still be? Syd took a deep breathe, "Yes. I am Princess Sydney."
"Huh…that's funny."
Her mouth fell open, "Excuse me!"
He held up his hands, "No wait…I didn't mean that. I meant it was funny because of it happening. Not because you were…well are…the Princess. Actually a Princess because there are two of you and not just one. But then again you would know that since she is your sister and all. But you being one…that's what is funny. Not that you are funny…well you are, I mean…"
"Bridge!"
"Alright, it's funny because I never would have guessed."
She shrugged, "So, what now?"
"I don't know. I have a short break, did you want to go to our usual spot?"
A smile appeared on Syd's face, "Yes, yes I would like that a lot."
Bridge gestured forward and began to walk but as soon as Syd tried to step she fell, "Ow!"
He quickly turned and grabbed her and then helped her sit down. "Do you mind if I examine it?"
"No."
He moved his fingers over her ankle, "I don't think it's broken, but there's not really too much that I can do. Sorry."
"I should get back to the castle."
"That's a good idea."
Syd didn't particularly want to show up at the front door of the castle. If she were to show up like this with Bridge…she might not be able to get out and see him again. "Can you bring me to the stables?"
"Okay?"
"Don't worry."
Bridge shrugged, "If that's what you want."
"Bridge, it's just…it's easier this way. Please."
"Yeah."
Syd smiled at him and he grinned back before he picked her up.
After he picked her up he had brought her to the stable where she called out for help. It wasn't until later that she had learned that Bridge had waited a bit off until he knew she had been taken care of. She smiled at the memory. Bridge was an amazing guy. She truly liked being with him.
Bridge quickly came back, "Here, I want you to try this."
He held out some small berries. Berries? Inwardly shrugging Syd picked up a few berries and placed them in her mouth. As soon as she felt the juice running down her throat she realized that it was the best tasting berry she had ever had. "Wow, what is this? It's amazing!"
"My parents grow them. I don't know what they call them, they're just berries."
"I love it. It's really good."
Grinning Bridge nodded, "I know, I thought you would like them, and…"
"I did…I do." Syd smiled knowing that she slightly sounded like Bridge when she did that.
"So when is your sister coming back?"
"Very soon. Tomorrow or the next day."
The two continued talking until Syd looked up and realized that the sky was getting dark. "I have to go."
Bridge noticed the light as well, "Come on."
He stood up and reached out his hand for hers. She quickly took it and once up the two hurried off. When they were at the closest part of the woods to the castle they stopped, "Go on inside, alright?"
"You need to leave first, after all it is night and the guards…"
"Please?"
She smiled and him and hurried off. She got up to the doors where the guards eyed her, "Bit late isn't it Princess Sydney?"
She frowned, "Only if I say so."
The guard tightened his jaw and looked forward as the other one opened the doors for her. She looked back towards the woods and hoped that Bridge would make it back to his home safely and that she would be able to see him again soon.