A/N: This story is under a general copy-write. PLEASE DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!

PROLOGUE

Aeclor, the capital city of the Kingdom of Kyenalean. The kingdom's borders go as far as the Hythier Mountains in the north and the Great Spruce Woodlands in the south. The western border ended at sea. In the distance you could see the islands of the Kingdom of Smlion. The eastern border was flush with the kingdom of Ohalenor, a long time ally of Kyenalean. The castle of Aeclor sits on the edge of a tall cliff over the crystal blue sea. To the south of the castle the land dipped down to meet the sea. Waves crashed endlessly along the stony shores. The Widowed King Augustus of Kyenalean had only one child, a daughter named Princess Mirabella, who was almost 16 now. In a matter of months Princess Mirabella would have her Grand Coming Of Age Ball where the Royal Court would recognize her properly as heir to the throne. It was not common to have a girl as heir to the throne the right usually went to the first born boy but this was a different circumstance. Queen Arabell had died giving birth to the Princess; her body had been buried at the summer castle in Trurmont. Upon Princess Mirabella's first birthday a companion was chosen for her. The life of a royal was often quite lonely so an orphan from the nearby nunnary is chosen for each royal child to be a companion for them. For Mirabella was chosen a changeling named Sparks who was just a year older than the Princess. Changelings where creatures of magic who could take on any form but often remained human. The King gave her a proper name when chosen, Lady Scarlet.

THE PRINCESS AND HER COMPANION

It was a warm summer evening. The sun was hanging low in the sky, which was painted in brilliant oranges and reds. The seagulls cawed and flew above two girls dressed in rags. They made their way through narrow city streets to the castle ahead. Guards patrolled the front entrance and around the top of the wall surrounding the castle. Peasants and servants moved freely through the back. The two girls slipped unseen among the bustling of carts and people. The smaller of the two lead the way now to a small door in the wall. From the folds of her skirt she pulled a ring of iron keys. Fitting each one into the door until the latch clicked.

"Hurry up Bella!" The other girl hissed, she glanced nervously over her shoulder at the people around them hoping that no one would take any notice. Bella pressed her hand up to the door and gave a push. The heavy wooden door swung open into a small dimly lit hallway.

"There you go." She said, as she attached the ring back to the loop on her skirt. They entered the hall closing the door behind them. The sound of a pair of heavy pair of boot was approaching from girls spun around two armed guards approached from behind.

"Princess Mirabella, Lady Scarlet, The King has been looking for you since this afternoon!" The fatter of the two said after giving a short bow.

"How many times have I told you, I do not want to be called Mirabella." Bella sighed, rolling her eyes looking over her shoulder at Sparks.

"It is never going to work, they will always call you by your full name because that is what is proper." Sparks replied. She pulled off the grey woollen hood that she had been wearing. The red headed freckled face form she wore melted away to a raven haired girl with olive skin, Sparks was a changeling and this was her birth form.

"If your Highness would follow us." The fat guard said. He turned and walked back the way he had come. His partner waited for the two girls to pass before following. They wound along the servants halls until they came to a place where the wall on one side ended the back of a tapestry covered the opening. The guard held it open and allowed the girls to pass through. They were now standing in the front hall just outside of the throne room. Next to the throne room was the grand dining hall where servants were preparing for dinner. Bella had a nervous look across the face, her lips frowned and she started to bite her neatly trimmed nails. Sparks immediately took Bella's hand and put it at her side. Bella turned her head and her auburn hair fell out of the now messy bun. Sparks rolled her eyes and gave her a stern look, then looked at her own hand. Bella glanced around the large throne room, a portrait of her mother and father hung on the side, one of herself and her father hung next to that. Sparks stood two steps behind Bella, she wanted to fix her hair. The large oak doors opened and the sound of hard heels could be heard entering the room.

Servants that always stood beside every door opened the large ornate wooden doors as they approached. The throne room had a tall arched ceilings covered in elaborate paintings. Tall stone columns lined either side of the room. At the far end of the hall stood two thrones for the King and Princess and a smaller less orate chair for the princesses companion on top of a red carpeted dias. "Where have you girls been all day?" The King said sternly as the girls were marched in. He got up from his throne and crossed the floor to meet them. The two guards took their places on either side of the girls standing at attention and looking straight ahead.

"We found them sneaking in one of the back servants entrances sier." The fat guard said. The King hardly took notice of him. A golden crown sat atop a mess of brown curls. Grey hairs had begun to sprinkle themselves throughout his hair. He wore deep purple robes over a golden tunic and brown trousers.

"I am woken early in the morning by two of your ladies in waiting saying that you have vanished. The guards searched the whole castle and nothing not even a note." He was angry but did not show it which was the scariest. "Every time you leave these castle walls you must have your guards with you." He stressed.

"Father, we were in no harm or danger." Bella said hesitantly, she stuttered slightly. She lowered her head, and could not look at him in the eyes. she rubbed her fingers together behind her back. Sparks just stood like the guards her arms at her side and looking straight ahead with no expression on her face. The kings eyes fell on their ragged clothes made of roughly woolven wool he turned his nose up.

"Where have you been all day?" He demanded. Bella said nothing. "Lady Scarlet?" He used Sparkes proper name, the name she had been given on her first day of service to the Princess. "Where have you been all day? And what is that horrid smell?" Bella lifted the neck of her shawl and tucked her nose in to take a wiff. She wrinkled her nose. They had tried to wash the mud and manure off in the stream but the scent still lingered.

"We just went to the market." Bella squeaked. Several more strands of her auburn hair fell from her bun.

" That is what you said last time. This time I sent the guards to check and you were not there." The King informed them. "I want the truth." Bella kept her eyes locked on the oak floor. The King turned his glare on Sparks.

"We went on a walk in the wood up past the waterfall to the boulder fields. We were attacked by trolls so that is why we smell." Sparks stated. Trolls were ugly things with thick and gnarled grey skin. They had small beady black eyes and poor sight. They tracked their prey by its smell. The girls had covered themselves in mud and manure from a nearby farm to hide their smell. Trolls did not often eat humans they actually believed that the meat was too bitter but if they are hungry enough or if provoked they will kill humans. Unfortunately Sparks was not a human but a changeling and changeling's meat is quite sweet to a trolls taste.

"Lady Scarlet you are supposed to be setting a good example for the Princess not going getting yourselves in trouble." He snapped. "You are both grounded for the next week, that means no leaving the castle except for lessons." Neither girl argued. "Now clean yourselves up, we dine in a hour."

The two girls gave a quick bow and hurried out of the room and down the hall to the grand staircase of marble that wound up to the second floor where their bedrooms were. The princess's suite was a large and richly decorated suite. On the left hand wall there was a large canopy bed, with a pink and gold comforter with embroidered down pillows. The bed was made of elaborately carved mahogany. Next to that was a matching table set with gold feminine toiletries. A small door was next that led into Sparks's room. In one corner, was a pink and gold folding divider. Next to the door back to the hall stood a painted vanity table with a large mirror and cushioned stool. To the right side of the vanity was a hand embroidered tapestry of the King, Queen and the Princess who was about a year old, yet the tapestry was created after as a memory for her of her mother. The wall opposite of that were two large glass windows on the either side of glass doors that led onto a balcony, overseeing the flower garden. On the wall to the right was a large stone fireplace, there was no fire going how it was a summer day. Just in front of the fireplace was a long mahogany table dressed in a crisp white table cloth with a matching chairs at either end. A vase full of various flowers sat neatly in the center of the table.

Three ladies in waiting rushed up to them as the entered through the door. There were two younger ladies in blue, Miss Nereida and Miss Adrina. The third woman was older and incharge of the younger two, her name was Ms. Valindra.

"There you ladies are." Ms. Valindra exclaimed as soon as she got close she caught a scent of their clothes. "Nereida, baths immediately." Miss. Nereida bowed and hurried out of the room to find one of the men servants to bring up the wooden tubs, then she would inform the kitchen to bring up pots of hot water. "We must have those clothes burned." Ms. Valinda insisted. Miss Nereida returned with several male servant who carried the two tubs. They set the tubs up with the dividers around them. Bella had sat down at vanity and she undid her hair. She had long auburn hair that fell to her waist. Ms. Valindra escorted the back out of the room, Sparks turned her head and looked them down, Bella had a soft expression on her face. It was not long before several of the kitchen servants appeared with buckets of hot water which they dumped into the tub. Miss Adrina had been sent for towels and soap. She returned with the soft white towels in hand and several bars of goats milk soap. She also had a glass bottle with a clear liquid inside which she added several drops of to each bathtub. The room was soon filled with the smell of lavender and vanilla.

"Oh, it smells delightful!" Bella exclaimed, she wasted no time getting in. With the privacy of dividers both girls stripped tossing their clothes to the side, Nereida and Adrina hurried to pick the clothes up and rushed to burn them. Sparks was glad of the warm bath after such a long day. She sank back in the warm water until it was just below her chin. Sparks tilted her head back as her dark hair floated out freely in the water. On ledge around the top of the tub Miss Adrina had left the soap and a foam scrubby.

Bella took delight in the privacy of the divider, she scrubbed underneath her fingernails which was embedded with unpleasant filth. Resting her back on the wooden tub, her long hair draped out of it. She bit her lower lip and looked at each of her nails, always wondering how the ladies got all of the dirt out of them. Bella could just see Ms Valindra looking over her leather covered plan book in the small space where one divider met another. There was a rustle as the other girls prepared their gowns for dinner. Miss Adrina hung their under gowns of soft cotton over the dividers for when they were ready to change.

"Who is it for dinner now?" Sparks questioned hesitantly.

"The Duke of Ugleburg and his two sons." Ms Valindra replied very matter of factly. Bella gave an audible groan. "Princess, this dinner has been scheduled for several months you knew it was coming." Ms. Valindra politely pointed out. Sparks decided to change the subject.

"I am done." Sparks declared stepping out of the tub and leaving the bar of soap floating in the tub. Miss Adrina hurried to attend to her. Sparks stepped out from behind the screen in the undergown. Adrina was ready with her corset. Sparks held her arms out, she was quite used to this drill. The ladies in waiting slipped the stiff corset around her middle and laced it up snugly and then the petticoat that was so starched that it would stand on its own. Then the dress of a deep red silk and sleeves that reached her elbow. A slit down the front showed the underskirt of the dress which was of a pale pink with white pattern woolven in. There were laces on the front of the dress that were just for show connecting the two halves.

"Can you say I am sick?" The princess asked still not budging from her bath.

"Princess Mirabella…." Ms Valindra said calmly. "If you do not hurry you will be late." Bella made a rude noise with her mouth but obeyed and got out of the tub. Miss Nereida was waiting with Bella's corset and petticoat. The princess only allowed them to get that far then when she saw the dress she crossed her arms and stepped away. Miss Nereida stopped.

"Not purple, I always have to wear purple." Bella said.

"But your highness purple is the color of royals." Ms Valindra informed her.

"I want to wear my blue dress, pretty please."

"Your father picked the dress."

"She is right, and your father is already in a bad mood." Sparks chimed in. She had sat herself down at the vanity while Adrina braided winding in a gold ribbon as she went. The princess sighed and gave in her dress was of a similar style as Sparks's. Instead of deep red there was purple and instead of pink, gold.

Nereida double checked the tightness of the corset. Bella took a deep breath in the petticoat went around Bella's figure and was tied snugly over her corset. Her dress had two layers, a golden underskirt with a chandelier type pattern and a deep purple over coat. The cut was similar to Spark's dress. It was a new dress from the royal seamstress. The golden underdress fixed the bottom of the corset. Bella watched in the mirror as Nereida laced the front of the dress up and arranged the skirt so it fell perfectly. Just as Bella was finished dressing Adrina had finished Spark's makeup. Sparks took the gold comb from Nereida and arranged Bella's hair herself while Nereida began pulled back Bella's hair into a low ponytail with a pearl headband was placed on top of her head.

"What time is it, Ms. Valindra?" Bella asked as she stepped into her gold embroidered heels. She was never really fond of wearing heels.

"Almost 5, we should be on our way now." Ms. Valindra replied checking her pocket watch. Both girls picked up their dresses and followed Ms Valindra to the door. The chief lady in waiting held the door and waited for both of the girls to go first before the ladies in waiting followed. Their skirts swept along the halls and their shoes clicked on the wooden floors.

"Does this ever get old to you?" Bella asked quietly, the large halls echoed with the sounds of their voices. Sparks had to take a moment to think, she loved her life since she was adopted by the royal family at 2 years old. With one hand Sparks pulled her braid back to her left side.

"Well… " Sparks began, "I could care less for these dresses. I would rather be running around in jodhpurs." Jodhpurs were a men's fashion. Bella smiled for she knew her friend's answer before it came out of her mouth. They wound their way down the spiral staircase made out of fine marble. The front hall was bustling with servants preparing for the dinner. They stopped and bowed their heads as Princess Mirabella passed. As they approached the doors to the great hall the servants that stood watch on either side of the door pulled it open. One of the servants stepped through to announce their entrance.

"The Princess Mirabella, heir to the throne of Kyenalean! And the Lady Scarlet of Aclor." The man said. The hall was much like the throne room but slightly larger from the door, there were half a dozen steps down to the floor. To the right there was a large fireplace that was empty on this warm summer night. There were tall glass windows that ran from the floor just about all the way up to the ceiling. The windows were open, letting in a light breeze that ruffled the red velvet curtains. Outside the widow was a small balcony with steps down into a large flower garden, the same garden that could be seen from the Princess's room. There was a single long table set at the far end of the room on a raised dais, the rest of the tables that would have been set up for a large party were hidden away in a outcove in the wall behind a tapestry of the King's father hunting. Then King Augustus stood in the middle of the hall already with a goblet of red wine in his hand. Next to him stood Duke Antares of Ugleburg, he was a older man with greying hair and a very round belly. He had a hooked nose which gave him the look a parrot. Nearby was the Duke's wife, Duchess Iris. She was rather small and plain looking. Their two sons stood by the windows. The boys looked nothing like their parents. Indeed the boys were quite handsome with dark hair, broad shoulders, and both perfect gentlemen. Lord Cyril the older brother was slightly taller and had a dimple on the right corner of his mouth, and the younger was Lord Peder. They all turned when the girls came in. Sparks allowed the Princess to go first down the stairs following her closely.

"There they are," Duke Antares voice boomed. "Princess you get lovely with every passing day!" He bowed low. His son's crossed the floor to them. Lord Cyril took the Princess's hand and bowed kissing it gently. Then stepped back allowing his brother to do the same.

"Princess Mirabella." They both said. "And Lady Scarlet." They nodded in Sparks's direction, Sparks returned the nod.

"Come let us eat." The King insisted. They all followed him to the table. As soon as the rest had turned their back on the two girls Bella turned to and made a face a Sparks sticking her tongue out as if she had eaten something gross. Sparks snickered and held up a finger to sush her friend. Bella took her seat to the right of her father. She never spoke much in the company of members of the royal court only out of habit. As a child she was only aloud to speak when spoken to during events like this. Both Bella and Sparks dreamed of being somewhere else, Bella was in the library or stable, Sparks, well that was outside running freely in the form of a horse or wild dog. The servants brought silver jugs of wine and filled all of their goblets. Her father stood up to give a toast, Bella leaned back to look up at her father.

"A toast," The King said raising from his seat, the Duke and his son's hurried to do the same rising their goblets. "To the health and safe travels to the Duke and Duchess and their sons. They came to us from the all the way at the northern border in only a days journey. And to my lovely daughter who will soon be married by the end of the year."

"To the Duke and Duchess and their sons. And to the Princess." The rest of them echoed. Then came a short silence as they all drank from their goblets. As soon as they had taken their seats again Bella shot a nervous look at wedding had been decided since the Princess was only 5 years old, she was betrothed to a Prince from another allied kingdom not far from their own. Normally they no longer enforced arranged marriages but this was a special case, the alliance had become rather fragile and the marriage would strengthen it.

"Married, Father?" Bella asked quietly. The servants had brought out plates of roast pheasant, smoked pork, steamed vegetable, fresh bread, mashed potatoes, and even stuffed mushrooms. The servants also came by to top off the wine glasses, Bella had barely touched hers. Each servant carried a different dish they worked their way around the table starting with the King holding the plate while he took his own portions. He just waved his hand when the mashed potatoes came, he never cared much for those. Bella had decided to take a small serving, mashed potatoes, bread, and pheasant. Bella then folded her hands and waited until everyone had a chance to serve themselves. Sparks took a fair helping of pheasant and steamed vegetables, she even took some smoked pork and of course fresh bread.

"Mirabella, you knew that this day would be coming." The King replied beginning with his stuffed mushrooms.

"But father, so soon? I know that I was to meet my betrothed at my coming out party but married by the end of the year as well?" Bella asked. All her father did was turn and look at her.

"The alliance between our two kingdoms is fraying more and more each day, Mirabella. We can talk about this later, in private." He said, then turned to begin a conversation with the Duke. Bella got slightly frustrated but held her tongue.

"So Lady Scarlet, I hear you will be having your coming of age celebration along with the Princess." Lord Peder said. He sat across from Sparks.

"I will." She replied. She was a year older than the Princess but since she was a companion she was to do everything at the same time as Bella. "Will you and your brother be able to attend?" Sparks smiled making polite conversation even though she could care less whether they came or not.

"Of course we will be there, how could we miss one of the most important day for our Princess." He replied with genuine enthusiasm. Sparks tried not to snicker at him. She just exchanged looks with Bella who knew exactly what she was thinking. Bella took a small bite off the pheasant, her eyes wandered over her hands, the table, the guests. Sparks kept the Cyril and Peder in conversation while the King and the Duke discussed matters of state. It was not long before they had all eaten their fill of the delicious food and the servants began to clear away their plates.

"Forgive me but I must excuse myself for a moment." Bella said politely, setting her napkin down on the table.

"Please be back for the dancing." Peder said with a laugh, "I have been looking forwards to it." Bella quickly got up and the servant behind her pulled the chair out so she could step out. All the men around the table stood up when she did. Bella quickly gathered her skirt and escorted herself out of the room. Ms Valindra and Miss Nerida followed her out. They stayed just in sight of her incase she needed them. Bella entered the hallway, at one end tall wooden doors opened to the front courtyard and on the other they lead to the garden. Purple velvet curtains with a golden floral design hung from the windows in the hall. The tall arched ceilings were covered in the same paintings of people in brightly colored party clothes that also decorated the great hall, throne room, bedrooms, and many other rooms in the castle. The Princess moved down the hall that went between the great hall and the throne room. The servants she passed stepped to the side and bowed, Bella hardly looked at them but just picked up her pace. The servants opened the doors to the library and Bella slowed down and she entered. Here is where she felt calm and at peace. The middle of the second floor was open to the lower floor. In the middle of the room where tables and couches. The walls were lined with shelves packed with many books. The library ceiling had many windows that opened to the sky. Bella turned and went up a narrow spiral staircase that wound up past the second floor of the library to one of the four towers above. She came to her own personal library in a small circular room at the top of the stairs. Under the single tall window was a daybed with gold embroidered cushions. Bella took an old leather bound book from the shelf and sat down on the chair and lost her self in the yellowed pages. Ms Valindra and Miss Nerida sat just outside of the door on a wooden bench on the landing.

Sparks was left alone with Lord Cyril and Lord Peder. Of course not completely alone for that would not have been appropriate for a young lady especially an unmarried young lady. Miss Adrina was close at hand and the King, Duke, and Duchess were across the garden. They walked around the garden pausing to sit by their fountain letting dinner settle before they began dancing.

"Lady Scarlet, forgive me for being so blunt but I must know." Lord Cyril said finally. "A Royal Companion has never remained for so long. Now that you are coming-of-age do you know if the King will allow you to keep your position and married." Sparks though for a moment it was quite a blunt question but a good one.

"As long as the Princess or I live I am sure that she will never let me leave her side." Sparks said finally. "I am sure if there was someone who I loved I am sure the Princess would make it work, eventually." The boys turned back and walked towards the Duke, leaving Sparks to ponder what they had said. It never really occurred to her that she could get married, her job for so long had been only to serve the Princess. Could Sparks still serve the Princess and get married? She wanted to find love, but would the King let her? Sparks had sat herself on the fountain ledge all these new thoughts spinning round her head. The sound of boots on the cobblestone path drew her attention away. Sparks looked up to find the King approaching her, she hurried to stand and curtsied.

"My lord." She said respectfully.

"Lady Scarlet, have you seen my daughter?" The King asked, he furrowed his eyebrows and Sparks shook her head.

"No, I have not my lord." Sparks said.

"Can you go find her, please. We are about to return for the dancing." He asked though in truth it was more of an order. Sparks nodded her head and curtsied, leaving the garden and headed back into the Castle, slipping into the narrow servants halls that lead to the back of the castle. Adrina followed her closely. Sparks's heels clicked along the stone floor. Sparks saw one of the young page boys, Lumiere enter the servants hall from a small door that lead to the outer hall.

"Lumiere!" She called, moving quickly to him. The boy was about nine years old. He had fiery red hair and bright blue eyes. His nose and cheeks were covered in freckles that danced as he smiled at her.

"Lady Sparks! What can I do for you?" He said, in his arms were several books that he must have just gotten from the library. He was one of the few who would use her birth name but it was only when they were not in the presence of members of the royal court.

"Do you know where the Princess is right now?" Sparks asked.

"A matter of fact I have, she went through to the library about an hour ago." He replied.

"Thank you Lumiere!" She said, hurrying out the door he had just entered through and into the Library. Sparks glanced around the first floor and what she could see of the second looking for the Princess's ladies in waiting. Suddenly Sparks had a thought she turned and hurried up the small spiral stairs that led to the Princess's private library where she found Ms Valindra and Miss Nerida sitting on the wooden bench. They rose for her and curtsied slightly.

"Lady Scarlet." Ms Valindra exclaimed. Sparks nodded to them then continued into the room. She walked past the marble chess set, and the Harp the Princess played in her spare time. The Princess lay comfortably on the day bed fast asleep. There was the image of a puppy snuggled up against the Princess's chest. Each human possessed limited magic but many humans also had other magical powers specific to them. The Princess had what was called the Magic of Jesters she could create images of animals in thin air. You could not touch them for the animals did not really exist but depending upon the strength of the caster they looked more or less real.

"Wake up dear. The dancing is about the start. I know it is your favorite." Sparks watched the Princess stir, lay open on her lap, the puppy-figure vanished like a soap bubble being popped. Sparks picked the book up, and placed it on the window sill. Bella lifted her head and groaned softly.

"But Sparks, Lord Peder has two left feet and my own are always bruised." She complained and looked up at Sparks smiling softly. Sparks quickly fixed Bella's hair and placed the headband back on Bella's head.

"I know. I know. It is just he may or may not grow out of it. You know one of these days I am going to have to get you a real puppy." Sparks teased. Bella giggled and shook her head, she stood up stretching slowly. Sparks walked around Bella and fixed her dress, there was wrinkles in the dress, but very little time to go and change the dress.

"Oh dear, you really can't sleep in these kind of dresses, but the both of us have to be down at the ballroom right now." Sparks said, walking with Bella down the spiral staircase, through the rest of the library and back down the hallway to the Great Hall. Ms Valindra insisted upon fussing over the Princess's appearance before allowing the girls to enter the hall.

2: Lessons

Bella rolled over and stretched her arms over her head. A beam of bright light fell across her face as Miss Nerida opened the curtains. The bright sun was just peaking over the distant hills.

"No," Bella whined pulling the sheet over her head. Sparks came in still in her nightgown and robe and climbed into the big bed next to Bella. She reached over and pulled the sheet back down. "But it is too early." Bella complained rolling over to face Sparks.

"Oh alright you can go back to sleep and miss archery." Sparks said making like she was going to get up and leave. Two of the kitchen maids entered with their breakfast trays.

"Oh fine." Bella sat up reluctantly rubbing her eyes. Sparks pulled away one of the many pillows that Bella had been sleeping on and propped it up behind her. The kitchen maids placed the trays on their laps. There were bowls of fresh fruit on each tray as well as pancakes drowned in maple syrup, eggs, and sausage. Bella used the back of her hand to stifle a yawn, she leaned back on the headboard and closed her eyes once more.

"Bella, no sleeping." Sparks said, beginning to tickle her side. Bella groaned once more.

"But Sparks." She whined looking up, her long hair fell in front of her face and she pushed it back. Bella hated the mornings, but after a good cup of hot tea usually did the trick.

"No buts, drink your tea and eat your breakfast." Sparks insisted as she took a bite of sausage. Sparks finished her breakfast got up from the bed, and went to the door that connected the two rooms together. Bella picked at her breakfast once again, eating the fresh fruit, bread, and of course her tea. Miss Nerida took her tray as Ms Valindra held out her silk robe. Bella swung her legs over the edge of the bed and sipped her toes into silk slippers that matched the robe. She crossed the floor and swung open the doors to the balcony. Outside, the sun had already risen, the birds chirped from the trees in the garden below, and just over the wall Bella could see the glittering ocean and hear the waves breaking against the rocky shores. Bella smiled leaning up against the railing and below her was one of the castles many gardens and her favorite, with tall topiaries, cherry trees in full bloom, and of course lots and lots of flowers.

"My Lady," Ms Valindra said as she passed by preparing the Princess's clothes. "Don't forget after lessons and dinner, you are going to your summer castle for two weeks before your coming-out ball."

Bella sighed. "Yes Ms Valindra." Sometimes Ms Valindra reminded her more of a governess then a lady in waiting. Sparks re-entered the room fully dressed. Sparks had chosen to avoid the hassle of changing again later and dressed in her riding clothes. She wore soft brown jodphurs tucked into knee high dark leather boots. Over that she wore a fitted white shirt under a silk blue jacket that was more like a dress. Instead of a corset she wore a wide belt over the jacket that matched her boots. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail tied with a pale peach ribbon.

"Come on Bella lets go." Sparks called. She loved archery with Lady Esra. Bella returned reluctantly closing the balcony doors. "We can't be late for our last lesson. Your father is already upset with us about yesterday." Ms Nerida hurried to help dress the Princess while the other two ladies in waiting cleaned up breakfast, made their beds, and took away their nightgowns. Bella stepped behind the divider and dressed in beige colored ladies pants, the legs where so wide that when you stood with your legs together it look more like a skirt. Over that went a soft teal overcoat. Bella sat down at her vanity and Miss Nerida started to brush out her hair. Bella closed her eyes. She always enjoyed having her hair brushed.

"Alright lets go." Sparks said when Nerida had finished braiding Bella's hair. At the door Bella paused and turned back.

"Ms Valindra. Please, be sure to pack my favorite white summer gown, and the rose one along with the blue one. Leave the light pink one here so I can change into it before we leave."

"Of course your Majesty."

Lady Esra was one of the few women in the kingdom who not only did archery but sword fighting as well. It was not uncommon for women to be able to handle swords but that was it. Lady Esra had perfected her skills to the point where she was able to compete against the men in the tournaments every fall and would often do quite well even though she was much smaller than the men. Her hazel eyes were always smiling.

"Good morning Princess Mirabella, Lady Sparks." Lady Esra said bowing to them. She was one of few who would call Sparks by her birth name. Sparks returned the bow and Bella nodded. To the right of the castle were the tournament fields that were used by the lords and knights during practice which Bella loved to watch from the castle. The men would line up and move in unison through sword fighting techniques and other strengthening exercises. During the tournaments each of the knights and lords competing would set up colorful tents and wooden risers were built in a horseshoe shape for the spectators. But at the moment the field was empty except for several knights in training who were drilling at the far end of the field. Bella and Sparks met Lady Esra at the edge of the castle wall. Targets painted on bags of hay were lined up along the way and ribbons strung along posts in the ground marked out each archery lane. On a table had been placed three bows and three quivers of arrows. Bella went to the table to pick up her short bow and arrows, she had a exquisitely crafted wooden bow with quiver of dove feathered arrows. Upon the ends of the bow where small carvings of flowers and a vine that twisted towards the center. The bow was a gift from the her father when she was nine. Sparks had a recurve bow and arrow set because she was better at archery. Her bow and arrows were made of a darker wood, with pheasant feather arrows. The girls took their positions at the end of two adjacent rows.

"Alright girls take your aim." Lady Esra instructed. She picked up a stick from the ground and slipped it under her arm like she was an army general. Lady Esra had dressed similarly to Sparks. Her beige pants tucked into tall leather boots and a pink floral patterns. Sparks and Bella lifted their bows and placed an arrow to the string. Bella let her arrow fly first but she missed the target and her arrow bounced off the the stone wall of the castle. Bella huffed, Sparks took her turn pulling the string back to her ear. She breathed out and let the string slip through her fingers and feathers brushed against her cheek as it passed. The arrow dug itself into the edge of the center circle of the arrow.

"Focus on the target." Lady Esra instructed. "Lower your elbow a bit and lean into the arrow you cannot possibly hope to control it from way out there." Bella picked another arrow and set it in on the string between her fingers. The string twanged back and the arrow flew and ricashayed off the wall just passing Sparks. Lady Esra quickly saw the happenings and rushed to Bella's side.

"Oh lovely." Bella muttered under her breath, she let her bow fall to her side shaking her head at her handy work.

"Your majesty, is there anything on your mind? Begging your pardon miss but you are not usually better." Lady Esra asked, Bella had lacked her concentration today. With a blank glance and a turn of her head, Bella looked at the teacher.

"No. Not much anyway." Bella just stared after her arrow.

"Well it is understandable those new recruits for the royal guard are pretty cute." Sparks said jerking her thumb at the men drilling across the field. Bella smiled at Sparks's teasings. Sparks lifted the bow and let another arrow fly into the target getting closer to the center each time. Lady Esra walked Bella through the steps of shooting an arrow again and this time it hit the target halfway between the center ring and the outer ring. When the girls were all out of arrows they went back and repeated the exercise.

After the archery lesson the two girls had tea in the garden and Bella changed into her riding clothes. Then they went to the castle stables. The stables were just out side of the castle walls on the opposite side of the training fields. There were small paddocks next to it but most of their riding lessons were done either in the training field our outside the city walls among the rolling hills. The girls were accompanied by their personal guard, consisting of four mounted knights. As the girls reached the stables door their riding instructor was there to meet them. Lady Shaylin was a tall slender woman with deep blue eyes and dirty blond hair. She was heavy with her first child, today was her last day before the girls went away to their summer castle and she left to have the child.

"Sparks, I do not want to ride today." Bella said, looking at Sparks. Sparks scoffed and shook her head.

"Are you feeling ok? You always want to ride." Sparks reminded her. Bella was not really in the mood to ride, surprisingly. But one look at the horses in the barn and her mind was changed. she went down the row petting each of the horses that came to greet her.

"Go ahead and pick your horses girls and we can get started." Lady Shaylin said. She was standing next to her gentle cherry bay mare who was already tacked and ready to go. Bella did not hesitate in picking her prized jumper, Navar. The chestnut warmblood nickered to her. Bella let herself into the stall and ran her hand along the horses coat which had already been brushed today in expectation of her riding lesson. The stable hands appeared with the horses tack. Bella walked Navar out of his stall and hooked him to the cross ties as the stable hands tacked him up. She glanced over at Sparks who had taken out her blue roan mare, Riniya. The horse was one of the wild horses of the northern plains, and still had a wild spirit within her. The mare pawed the ground ready to go. Outside the barn they mounted up. Bella asked for the horses mouth to soften, and she twiddled her fingers around the reins. Her and Sparks ride together side by side. Lady Shaylin lead the girls out of the city walls to the grassy plains where they would have plenty of space to work. The guards stayed close while they were in the city but as soon as they were beyond the crowds they backed off.

"Both of you start trotting." Lady Shaylin said, Bella squeezed her legs keeping on as the horse as they started to trot. Bella easily fell into a steady post as the girls went in a wide circle around Shaylin as she walked her horse in a smaller circle watching the girls closely. Riniya lifted her feet higher and arched her neck, she was a dancer as Sparks called it. The horse was obedient but still begged to go faster. After breaking down into a walk. Shaylin had Sparks move into a canter. Sparks had to hold Riniya back from going too fast. Navar started getting frisky he wanted to fly alongside Sparks and Riniya, Bella did her best to keep him calm.

"Easy." Bella muttered, asking him to soften his mouth again. Once Sparks was done, and then it was Bella's turn to canter. Shaylin allowed them to jump over a low stone wall that ran across the field. RIniya was not a big jumper but she would when she was asked. After a few more jumps Navar started to act up. Bella brought him around for another jump Navar refused stopping short just as he came to the wall. It caught Bella off guard and she few out of the saddle, over his neck landing hard on the ground beyond the wall.

"Princess!" Shaylin cried, dismounting her mare and hurrying as fast as she could over to her. The guards who had been watching hurried to the Princess's side as well. One of them went off to catch the runaway horse.

"Mirabella!" Sparks yelled, dismounting Riniya and got onto the ground next to her. Bella had a soft groan escape from her mouth. Shaylin hovered over her.

"Does anything hurt, Princess?" Shaylin asked, Bella sat up slowly rubbing the back of her head.

"No no. I'm quite fine." She said softly, she held her wrist and moved it around.

"Mirabella, your wrist." Shaylin said, taking her hand. Bella quickly pulled it away and stood up.

"Thank you Lady Shaylin. I am fine. My pride is just a little bruised." Bella smiled weakly. "You keep going Sparks I think I am going to go back and soak in a hot bath."

"If you are sure." Sparks said. The knight that went to catch Navar walked up and handed the reins to the Princess.

"Yes, go." Bella waved her hand. Shaylin helped Bella back on the horse and two of the guards escorted her back to the castle, it was made clear that Navar would be schooled over fences later that evening and to not be harmed. At the edge of the city wall she turned back and watched as Sparks and Riniya flew across the field. For once Bella was glad to have the stable hands untack her horse for her. Ms Valindra was waiting on the castle steps. One of the guard had already told her what happened. Bella hardly noticed as Ms Valindra worried over her. Asking her over and over if she was ok.

"I am fine Ms. Valindra. I just want a bath." Bella said, entering the large castle entrance. Her boots clicked on the flooring. Bella kept her head down head was down, but her wrist was up against her chest it was rather sore after the fall. Ms Valindra nodded and gave a wave to Nerida who had been waiting by her side. Nerida hurried off to make the necessary arrangements. "I want a spearmint bath." Bella stated, as she passed the throne room she could hear her father talking.

"Is the King Of Ohalenor departing from his Castle today?" Augustus asked to his chief adviser, Chandlar. Chandlar had been with Bella's father for years. He was tall, thin and olive colored skin, he also had dark brown hair with gray roots. He always stayed neatly shaven.

"King Greysin? He should be in our kingdom walls in the matter of days." Chandlar informed him. Bella took no notice of the conversation and continued walking, going up the grand staircase in the front. It was not long before the servants had prepared her bath. Miss Nerida began to help the Princess undress from her dirt covered riding outfit. But Bella shooed her away she wanted to make sure she was not fully bruised and hurt. In fact she was, she could not rotate her wrist and it hurt to put pressure on it. The doors opened as Bella kept hold of her hand. Miss Adrina walked in and noticed the Princess's pained expression.

"Princess, how is your wrist? I heard you took a bit of a fall off your horse." Miss Adrina said as she walked towards the Princess. Bella laid back into the tub keeping her hair out of the water.

"My wrist is fine." Bella lied, she did not want to bother with telling anyone she was hurt or have to push dinner back even further.

"Princess, you mustn't tell anyone this." Bella began to get worried, she sat up in the tub and covered herself with her other hand.

"Tell anyone what?" She questioned, Miss Adrina leaned forward.

"I am a healer, I can heal injuries. If your wrist is bothering, I can heal it for you." Adrina confessed, it was her natural power from birth. Bella nodded her head.

"Your secret is safe with me." Bella said, giving Miss Adrina her hand.

In a little over an hour, Sparks returned from riding grinning ear to ear. "Riniya was wonderful." Sparks exclaimed as she hurried to change into a proper gown for their Lady Lessons.

"What did you guys do after I had left?" Bella asked. Miss Adrina stepped from behind the dividers and went to attend Sparks.

"We got to practice some dressage and we went on a little trail ride to the river." Sparks glowed stepping out from behind the divider dressed in deep red gown. The neck, sleeves, and skirt were lined with gold ribbon.

"That is just wonderful! How was Riniya on the trail?" Bella asked, she had changed earlier into her light coral colored dress. It had a white underdress, with a bit of a floral pattern.

"She was perfect." Sparks said. The girls took lunch out in the garden before heading down to the school room off of the library. Lady Rosalie was already waiting for the two girls in the back dining room. She had a strawberry blonde wavy hair, her eyes were blue, a beautiful sea blue. She wore a large skirted dress that was a cream color with a blue over coat. Bella and Sparks entered the room, both of them were giggling. The curtsied to Lady Rosalie who returned the gesture and then waved the girls to their seats.

"Today we will be reviewing some proper manners and etiquette." She informed them. Rosalie was one of the kindest women that the Princess knew but at the same time she was also quite strict. Heaven forbid the person who gets on her bad side.