AN: This chapter will introduce a new important character to the story. Sorry if things are kind of boring. They'll get better I promise.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Portal. It's a shame really...

...

Sitting in his room, Wheatley lightly rubbed his now bandaged legs. They still hurt quite a bit, but they were starting to feel a little better.

Looking across the room, Wheatley noticed the puppet lying on the table. He had promised Chell he'd bring it back to her. Getting up slowly with a slight groan, he walked over to the table and picked it up. He then headed next door to Chell's room. He knocked twice and Chell answered.

"Hey, here's the puppet. I promised I'd bring it back didn't I?"

Chell took the puppet in hand. She rubbed it's now bald "head". There had been string here before. Noticing the slightly confused and sad look on her face, Wheatley knew he had to come up with an explaination.

"He got a hair cut. It's dreadfully hot these days, so I thought he might feel better if he were cooler."

Chell looked up, she wasn't convinced, but didn't indicate so. Wheatley, thinking she bought his story, smiled. Chell grabbed his hand and pulled him into the room. She then handed him the puppet.

"You want me to put on a puppet show for you?"

Chell nodded and smiled.

Wheatley smiled. "Ok." He slipped the puppet on his hand.

...

After about an hour of jokes and stories, Chell was happy. The puppet took a final bow, and Wheatley took it off and handed it back to her. She took it, got up, and walked over to put it on her bed. She came back to Wheatley and climbed up into his lap. He tried to muffle a groan of pain. Chell heard it anyway. She looked at him, concerned filled her little eyes.

Seeing the look on her face made him feel horrible.

I wish she didn't look at me like that.

"I'm ok, Chell." He tried to reassure her. "Just a little sore."

Chell didn't know how to indicate she wanted to know why. Wheatley picked her up and sat her down in the chair.

"Well, I have to go. It's the Queen's birthday and I have to make her happy too. You have fun with the puppet, ok?"

Chell nodded and came up to Wheatley to give him a hug. He smiled.

"I'll see you later." And with that, he left the room.

...

It was less than an hour before the Queen's birthday party was to begin. It would be Wheatley's job to entertain not only the Queen, but all of her guests as well. Most of them would be other royals or high ranking nobles. He wondered to himself if the Princess would be there.

He was walking through the throne room when the front doors swung open. Guards, servants, and a loud cheerful voice indicated that the King had come home from his trip. The Queen mainly ran the kingdom while the King often left to visit other kingdoms to make alliances and trade agreements. Wheatley didn't know how someone as kind and cheerful as him could marry someone like the Queen. She was nothing like him at all.

Upon hearing the King's voice, the Queen entered the room.

He looked over at her. "Happy Birthday, my dear. You looked enchanting."

This won a rare smile from the Queen. "How was your trip?"

"Oh, boring really. Just a bunch of old royals trying to hog all of thier money. Business as usual." He handed his travel robe to his personal servant. "Put this in my room."

The servant nodded and left the room without a word.

"So, how has your birthday been so far?" he asked, placing a small kiss on her cheek.

"Quite satisfactory."

"Excellent." The King smiled. He noticed Wheatley watching the exchange.

"Jester, come here for a moment."

Wheatley complied.

"I want you to know that I'm very pleased with how well you do your job. My wife seemes much happier with you then she has ever been with any of her previous jesters."

Wheatley bowed. "Thank you, my King."

The King looked back at the Queen. "Well I better get changed out of my travel clothes. I need something better suited for you party." He gave her another quick kiss, then looked back to Wheatley. "You keep up the good work."

Wheatley bowed again. "I will, your Majesty."

The King nodded. "Alright, we're done here." He left the room.

The Queen looked over to Wheatley. "Follow me. I have something I want you to do."

Slightly frightened, Wheatley slowly followed her. He was terrified at what she would do now.

...

Fifteen minutes later, Wheatley was in the back courtyard again. This time he was strapped, standing up, to a board that was painted red and white, like a target. Needless to say, he was in the middle of it. The Queen was standing several feet in front of him, holding a bow with a quiver full of arrows next to her. Wheatley shuddered. He was almost sure this was going to be extremely painful. The Queen pulled out an arrow from the quiver, placed it into the bow, took aim, and fired. Whealey flinched, waiting for impact, only to discover the arrow was on his left, in the board.

The Queen repeated this four more times, each time Wheatley was afraid she would hit him.

"This is too boring." The Queen said.

Oh, good. Now maybe she'll let me off of here.

"I know a way to make this more fun."

Wheatley tensed. The Queen left the courtyard. Wheatley was left to his thoughts.

What could she possibly do to make this 'more fun'?

Before he could think of anything, the Queen returned with a servant who was holding a torch, and a new quiver, from which the Queen pulled out another arrow. Wheatley noticed the arrow looked much different than the first ones. The Queen then put the end of the arrow into the flame of the torch...

Oh, god...

...placed it into the bow...

Wheatley closed his eyes.

...aimed...

He waited for the arrow to hit him. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes to find the servant aproaching him to remove him from the board. The Queen was nowhere in sight.

...

So how am I doing so far?

Again, sorry if things are a little boring at the moment. Trying to give everyone a feel for some of the characters first. Mostly GLaDOS and Wheatley for now.

Now just to clarify (because I want to make sure I haven't confused anyone) GLaDOS is the Queen, and Cave is the King. I know I haven't actually mentioned them by name yet.

Just wondering if anyone has any idea who the Princess is? (She has only been mentioned so far. We'll get to see her in later Chapters. It might be obvious, but just in case I wanted to ask. LOL)

Third chapter may take a little bit. But good news is, my AC will be replaced tommorrow, so that's one less thing to worry about. :)

If you read, please review.