Abandoned City
Chapter 1
War
" Mom when do you think the war between Majesta and Cavadore will come to an end?" I asked hopefully
" When Prince Scorpion cleans us of our riches." Queen Maryl replied sighing
" When I am Queen I'm going to put a stop to Scorpion's ways." I said strongly
" I hope you do darling." Queen Maryl agreed
" There is no need to talk about war your majesties. I am sure King Warren has it all under control. Excuse me for being forward but don't you think that War is the only answer?" Leva the maid asked kindly
" Answer to what? Money? If it is I'd say it's a very dumb repliment. Having our people killed because Scorpion wants to play a little game. War is never the answer it is only the excuse." I replied angrily
" I am sorry if I upset you Princess Erin and I thank you for your input." Leva said rushing away
" I think I hurt her feelings." I said sadly
" She's just upset that's all dear. Her brothers are in the war and it's been hard on her lately." Queen Maryl explained sipping her tea
" If other servants feel that way maybe we shouldn't arrange my marriage to some King or Lord today." I suggested frowning
" I know dear but it's the only way to help your father. You're the oldest of our children and we need to take heavy percautions." Queen Maryl replied kissing me on the cheek
" I would do anything for the kingdom and for father but hearing about how some guy crossed scorching hot deserts just to get to me is nonsense. All the " gentlemen" we have spoken to seem pompous and arrogant and if one were to help father in the war they'd be shot down easily. I know it'll be helpful if I just choose a guy but I want to marry for love not for war. We'll get through this mom." I said softly
" Well I already made the arrangements dear so could you at least pretty yourself up for the arriving persons?" Queen Maryl asked smiling
" Okay." I said sighing
As I walked to my room I heard giggling coming from behind the door.
" Hey what are you two doing in my room?" I asked angrily
" Sorry Erin we just wanted to play with your make-up." Dolla replied laughing
" Don't listen to her Erin we really wanted to hear a story." Tara lied scolding her twin
" Not now I need to get ready for something." I said sadly
" Oh Erin please don't look so sad." Dolla said frowning
" I won't Dolla I'll try to be happy. Now you two move along and maybe before bedtime I'll read you a story." I replied smiling
Dolla and Tara relunctantly left my room with huge frowns on their faces. Happy to be by myself I quickly shut and locked my door.
" Hello dear!" a voice said
Turning around I was shocked to see Scorpion sitting in my vanity chair.
" How did you get in here?" I asked angrily
" Oh your sweet little sisters let me in after I bribed them." Scorpion replied with a smirk
" I don't know what you want but............" I started
" I want to take your hand in marriage." Scorpion cut in appearing at my side
" You've got to be crazy to even want that." I frowned
" Erin we used to be friends. You don't trust me now?" Scorpion asked softly
" We were friends until you became this self-centered fool." I shouted
" I became rational Erin! So if you want to see your father alive you better listen good." Scorpion scoffed
" What do you want?" I asked angrily
" You will turn down this joke that's about to come see you. You will tell everyone that you want to marry me. If you do not do this I'm afraid your father will be executed." Scorpion explained in a soft whisper
" You're sick." I replied
" I get that a lot." Scorpion agreed shrugging
" To think I actually felt sorry for you. All this time I really tried to believe that the war was your father's doing but it was all you." I snapped opening the door
" It was nice to see you again Erin. I hope your father can walk us down the isle." Scorpion said laughing
Scorpion snapped his fingers and disappeared into thin air. I stood there angry and afraid . When I tried to sit down, I immediately got back up.
" What should I do? I can't tell my mom about Scorpion or things will just get worse." I thought pacing back and forth
Suddenly a deep voice cut through my thoughts.
" Princess Erin." the voice said concerned
" Yes?" I asked turning toward the butler
" Prince Torrin has arrived. He is waiting in the throne room for you." the butler repeated
" Tell him I'll be a few please." I replied smiling
The butler left and I softly closed the door. I realized I didn't get a chance to put make-up on or do my hair. Even though this guy probably wouldn't be worth the time of day I still needed to look presentable. People have always complimented me on my beauty. They'd say
" Princess why cover your face with ugly paint." or " Do you realize how beautiful you are." I never paid attention to these questions but they always amazed me.
" Did people only pay attention to my beauty?" I thought putting bangles on my wrist
I walked over to my vanity and sat down. The earrings my mom gave me for my wedding day sat helplessly on my table waiting to be worn. It was tradition to not wear jewelry in the presence of your said future husband in Majesta. Well that was only when you were meeting for the first time of course. So realizing how I need not to offend my family I thrust the bangles off and got up from the vanity. I would not wear make-up today I am in no mood to paint my face. If this said Prince didn't think much of my appearance then so be it. After deciding on my plans I quickly brushed my hair and put my Grandmother's hair band on for luck.
As I walked down the hall I thought about what Prince Torrin would be like. He probably is arrogant and crude, mostly all Prince's are. He probably won't even accept my opinions or listen to me when I speak. All of these assumptions whirled around in my head as I approached the throne room doors.
The butler's each opened a door and I walked in.
" Introducing her highness, Princess Erin of Majesta." the Announcer bellowed
My mother was sitting down on her throne with a young man about my age standing before her. Suddenly the man and his servant walked towards me. Mother following soon after.
" Nice to meet you your highness." the man said kindly bowing his head
" Likewise." I said curtseying
" Where I come from when you meet someone for the first time you present thee with a white rose. So in honor of our first gathering I give you this flower. Let it bloom in your presence and wither when you are sad." Prince Torrin said softly enclosing the flower in my hand
" Thank you. Might I ask where you are from?" I asked primly
" Gardenia." Lord Torrin replied softly
" Gardenia has a strong army and we're.........." PrinceTorrin's servant started
" We usually don't solve things with war unless we have no choice." Prince Torrin continued
It looked as if Lord Torrin thought I would be impressed but I showed no interest in his statement.
" Well I think we should leave these two alone to talk. The fields are quite isolated if you two decide to go outside." Queen Maryl explained gesturing for the butlers and the servants to follow her
When everyone was gone it remained quiet in the room. We both looked down at the floor sighing ever second or two.
" Look at us we can't find words to say to eachother." I snapped
" I'm sorry, it's just that it would be better for you to speak your mind about all of this. I don't want to make you feel ignored." Prince Torrin stammered
" Oh really? You expect me to believe that? I bet you're really like all those other pompous and arrogant princes who only care about war and gold. I've seen too many of them to know your game." I said angrily
" Well you're right. I mean, we get so caught up in power that we don't realize that we're pompous and arrogant." Prince Torrin agreed sighing
" Good answer." I replied
" I believe that maybe we all are somewhat arrogant. I mean you don't have to show arrogance by speaking highly of yourself but maybe you speak of someone else in a way that becomes arrogant." Lord Torrin explained openly
" Then wouldn't that make you pompous? You speak so highly of someone else only to impress them but it only becomes......." I started
" Pointless." Torrin and I said in unison
We laughed at the fact that we agreed on something then looked away reluctantly.
" My father believes in love and one of his wishes before he died was for me to marry with love. I believe that in order to love you have to understand one another." Lord Torrin explained
As Torrin said that Scorpion's cruel voice ran through my head.
" You will turn down this joke that's about to come see you. You will tell everyone that you want to marry me. If you do not do this I'm afraid your father will be executed."
" Excuse me I can't do this anymore!" I cried running into the garden
" Erin!" Torrin shouted running after me
Ignoring Torrin's voice I ran into the maze without thinking. I hadn't been in the maze since I was seven and I forgot how to get out of it.
" Erin please don't run!" Torrin shouted sadly
I didn't want Torrin to see my tears falling down my face. His voice was getting closer so I kept running until I entered the forest. I never been in here because people said dangerous creatures roamed the forest looking for trouble. Right now any monster could eat me up and I wouldn't care at all. After realizing I lost Torrin I sat down in front of a tree and cried over and over again.
" Why did Scorpion have to come?" I asked myself through my hot, salty, tears
" Because he likes to make people suffer." a voice replied
" Who said that?" I asked quickly standing up
" It was I." replied the voice
In awe I looked at the source of the voice and realized that it was a fairy. I had only read about fairies in books but I never believed in them.
" Hello I'm Erin." I said not knowing what to say
" Have you not seen a fairy?" the fairy asked shocked
" In books but I never thought they were real." I replied
" Well we are!" the fairy snapped
" Sorry." I said looking down
" Forgive me I have a bad temper. Oh and my name is Adale I'm a water fairy." the fairy explained blushing
" I must be losing my mind." I said putting my hands on my head
" Do you want to hide or not? I hear your boyfriend getting closer and closer." Adale asked impatiently
" Please hide me!" I exclaimed just remembering why I was hiding
" Follow me." Adale commanded
" I hope you know your way around the forest." I said shivering from the morning frost
" Just keep up." Adale said grumpily
Chapter 2
Prince of Narata
Adale and I trudged endlessly into the forest for what seemed like hours.
" I don't think Torrin is still looking. He might have left and went back to Gardenia. You can take me back if I stay out any longer my mom will be worried about me." I explained sadly
" You have only been gone for ten seconds." Adale snapped sighing
" I don't understand." I replied confused
" In Narata time can go on forever when in reality time has really slowed down." Adale explained
" Well I'd like to go home." I cried
" Not until you meet someone." Adale said grumpily
" This someone better have an explanation for wanting to meet me because I want to hear it!" I shouted angrily
" Temper." A voice said chuckling
" What was that?" I asked looking around
" That was Milo." Adale replied rolling her eyes
" Oh don't be so sad Adale." Milo said coming towards us
" Are you the Prince of Narata?" I asked kindly
" Well I guess you could say that." Milo said blushing
" And you needed to see me........" I started backing away
" Because you're my new wife." Milo continued
" You must be mistaken.
