Chapter Nine: The Bargain

"I can help you find the missing jewels!" On the way back to her bed chamber, Arwen tried her best to reason with Rika Mandalu. But the duke in black only shook his head, smiling sadly and wishing her good night with a polite kiss on the cheek.

"Tomorrow morning we will all meet in the throne room, and discuss what is to be done. I understand about your friendship with Princess Cara-Cara. I promise she will not be harmed."

Arwen was in no mood for sleep. For a long time she paced back and forth in her bedchamber, thinking of how the spoiled blonde princess had lied to the noble duke and stolen his treasure. Her own part in the affair made matters even worse. Arwen had helped Cara conceal her crimes! The mournful way Rika looked at her made her heart ache. She wanted to find her former friend and prove that she was not the same type of girl. Arwen felt so angry that when she fell asleep her dreams were quite turbulent.

The next morning, the Elvish maid awoke to find that the royal housekeeper was busy packing her clothes for a journey.

"When does Rika Mandalu wish to see me in the throne room?" she asked, sitting up in bed and yawning. Arwen still felt stiff and groggy after her restless sleep. She took a much needed stretch, raising her slim white arms high above her head, her long black hair tumbling down to her waist.

The housekeeper gave her a funny look. "The duke has already met with the council. Our two queens apologized for your part in helping the princess escape with his treasure."

"Wait . . . what?" Arwen asked. "The princess has escaped?"

"She fled in the dead of night, long after you were asleep. Our two wise rulers both convinced the duke it was not your fault. And they approved his request to escort you to Cloudtop Castle."

"But I'm happy where I am!" Arwen didn't remember making any promise to travel with the duke to his ancient stronghold. She quickly dressed and hurried to the royal chamber. The two silver haired queens were sitting side by side, eating breakfast together.

"Did you meet with Rika? What did you promise him?" Arwen felt like stamping her foot. She hated being caught up in other people's machinations. But she also felt responsible for the wrong done to Rika Mandalu. She shivered at the thought of being at his mercy. "Are you handing me over to the Duke?"

"We struck a bargain with him. It was the least we could do, dear child. After all, you were the last one to speak with wicked Cara-Cara. Clearly you helped the spoiled princess escape with the noble duke's treasure. Having you stay on at Cloudtop will serve as a guarantee that his wealth and honor will be restored once we find that other girl."

"But . . but I'm not a thief. I didn't do anything wrong!" Arwen stamped her foot as hard as she could, but the thick, soft carpet muffled the sound. And her foot hurt.

"Of course not, my dear. Cara-Cara is the real criminal. The duke is sure to track her down in the end. But in the meantime, we can't expect the poor man to go home to his big and gloomy castle empty-handed, can we? And he's given us his pledge to treat you as a guest, not a prisoner. Now sit down and have some tea."

"He was so polite to me last night." Arwen sat down beside the two silver-haired queens, secretly glad to be off her feet. She wanted to raise a fuss. But what good would it do to starve? Refusing food would only make her look like a spoiled child.

"The duke is noble and generous, Arwen dear." Queen Carola patted her hand reassuringly. Her sister was already pouring the elf-maid a cup of steaming tea. "He protects our borders from the orcs. Now is our chance to help him as well. Here, let's have some cakes along with our tea."

"All right." Arwen needed nourishment for the journey ahead. Something to get her through the day. All through the meal, she kept remembering how she'd fought with Cara-Cara the night before. It wasn't her fault that the kicking and scratching princess managed to escape. Arwen had reported her fickle friend to the duke at once. Yet she was expected to pay for the other girl's crime. Was Cloudtop Castle to be her prison? The duke was kind and noble. But something about him made Arwen feel jittery and apprehensive, her shaky hands fumbling with her food and even spilling the last of her tea.

What did Rika Mandalu really want from her?