57CHAPTER ONE: A BIRTHDAY THAT WOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
AUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS IS MY FIRST TIME DOING A FANTASY STORY. I HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS LATELY SO I HOPE THIS FIC/STORY TURNS OUT OK. PLEASE R/R
ALLYOSN
"ARIANNA SELENE WILLIAMS!"
"Coming!" I yelled.
I ran to my father's chamber with my familiar, Sirius, close behind. In my world not many people have familiars. My world is the kind that you guys read in story books. There are kings, elves, dragons, and many more magical things that we do not speak of.
But anyways to have a familiar means you have a hardship or an important job to do. But most people who have them do not get theirs until that point in their life and their familiar can only take one shape. However, Sirius is special. He can transform into any animal he wants. Sirius also appeared when I was first born, which is very strange. Actually my birth was really strange, but I'll explain that later.
"Yes father?"
"The king and princess will be coming to spend the day with us and I expect you to act like a real lady."
"She is so mean to me though. She almost drowned Sirius last time she was here."
"I have a big deal coming through with the king and I don't want you to screw it up."
"Of course you don't."
I left the room with Sirius following behind as an ermine. He jumped on my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek.
"Don't worry, Arie, if she gets to close to me I'll turn into a tiger," laughed Sirius.
"Yeah, that'd be cool."
"Arianna go wash up. We don't want you disgracing us again," said one of the maids.
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I guess I better explain everything now. My full name is Lady Arianna Selene Williams, but I like to be called Arie. I'm thirteen years old, but I'll be fourteen tomorrow. My mother's name was Selene and from what I've heard she was a great woman, a princess in fact. But she gave up her royalty for my father, Lord Thomas Williams. I suppose he was a nice before my mother died, but I wouldn't know. Selene died, while giving birth to me. Just about everyone in the manor hates me because of that, even my own father. They all think I was the cause of my mother's death. Everyone loved her so much. The only ones who like me are my father's 16 year-old knight, Chance, the house wizard, Joshua, and Sirius.
I'm not exactly normal. The whole familiar thing I explained before is one of the strangest things about me. But the stupid people at the manor think I'm strange because I don't learn everything young ladies should. While other girls my age are learning needlepoint, table manners, and how to win a prince's heart, I learn horseback riding, fencing, and magic spells. I also have one more really weird thing about me, on my wrist there are these weird markings, but I have no clue what they mean.
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I ran up to my bedroom and went to fetch a washcloth. I've learned over my years at the manor that it is just easier to do what people tell me to do without fighting. I changed out of my pants and into a dress. And then walked back down to the kitchen to get a snack. Sirius still sat on my shoulder as we passed the door.
I heard a laugh come from behind me. Of course it was Chance.
"What do we have here?" he smiled.
"Shut up! My dad made me!"
"When has that ever stopped you?"
"I don't think it ever has."
"Well, anyways a new stallion has just arrived and I figured you would want to be the first one to ride him."
"Are you serious?" I asked with joy.
"Yeah, but you better go get changed."
"No time."
I started to run to the barn, but Chance moved in front of me, handed me a sword, and got his ready.
"You have to get past me first," he smirked.
"You're on!"
When ever we fought we never hurt each other, well actually I never hurt him. There's no way I could ever out fight Chance. As I took a dive at his left shoulder my father, the princess, and the king came around the corner and I have to admit I gave them quite a scare.
"ARIE!" my father yelled.
"Sorry," I mumbled as I handed the sword back to Chance.
"My lord, truly she didn't mean anything by it," defended Chance.
"Stay out of it, Boy!"
I glanced up at Chance and he reassuringly looked back at me. He ruffled my hair and then left. I looked over at the king as he was comforting his daughter with a handsome boy helping him.
"Arie!" ordered my father again because I was looking over at the boy.
"Yes?" I questioned innocently.
"You are to show Princess Stella and her fiancé around our wonderful home."
"Fiancé! She is only fourteen! That's crazy!"
"Excuse me, but for your information it is none of your business," interrupted the king.
Sirius bit my hand to warn me.
"I apologize."
"Good."
I headed down the corridor with Stella and her prince following. I decided to have a little fun since I'm probably already going to get punished.
"Follow me; I'm going to show you my favorite spot in the whole manor."
"Ugh," said Stella.
I ignored it and led them up a bunch of stairs until we reached the roof. I moved a loose tile away and climbed outside. The boy followed me while Stella stayed behind.
"Wow it's beautiful up here."
"Yup. To tell you the truth I didn't think you would follow me up here. I thought you were just like all the other pretty boys with no courage or heart."
"That's pretty shallow of you."
"Most royalty is shallow."
"I can agree with that. Even I can be rude at times."
"Who would think?" I asked sarcastically.
"Why do you think all noble people are bad?"
"Because they are. My father has never said one nice word to me. The king and his daughter have always been rude, and you keep pressing me with questions."
"Sorry."
"Tell me are you really?"
"No not actually. I was just saying it to be polite."
"Thought so."
"Everyone else at your house must be nice."
"Nope, everybody thinks it's my fault my mother died so basically I'm just someone they can order around."
"That sucks."
"Yeah, I don't suppose you have that problem."
"No, but I do have troubles of my own. My parents try to make me into a perfect role model and I must have a perfect wife. And a bunch of other crap."
"I can relate to that too. My father always talks about trying to find me a teacher or a nice, young man who can tame me."
"Tame you?"
"Well, you know how you saw me sword fighting before."
"By the way that was brilliant. I could never do that and I definitely didn't ever think a girl could do that."
"My point exactly. My father wants me to be someone I'm not. He wants me to be one of the fair maidens, but that's not what I want. I want to go on adventures and fight with the best of them."
"You want to go on adventure with me?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I've never wanted to leave more than I do now. We can leave and I'll start a new kingdom and you can leave your father."
"He'll hate me forever."
"Doesn't he already?"
"You do have a point. I'll think about it."
"Oh by the way my name is Alexander, but you can call me Alex."
He walked back down the stairs and as he did I felt a slight chill up my spine. But I stupidly ignored it. About an hour later Chance moved the tile away and sat next to me.
"Your father is looking for you."
"I'm sure he is. You didn't tell him where I was, did you?"
"Of course not."
"Thanks."
"That prince came and talked to me before he left."
"He did, did he?"
"He asked me if I wanted to leave with you guys."
"Hmm."
"Arie, I've known you all of your life and I know when you're not listening to someone. I have a bad feeling about this guy."
"I really want to leave. And I couldn't do it alone. Chance, you know I must have something I need to do, or else I wouldn't have Sirius. I've already made up my mind that I'm leaving, but I really would like it if you would come and Joshua too."
"Alright I'll come, but I need you're help with the new stallion first. If no one can ride him than they're going to kill him. And if anyone can ride a wild horse it is you."
"I'd love to take the challenge. And who knows I may be able to take him with us."
I walked down the stairs with Chance and Sirius following. We were really careful not to be seen by anyone because of course my father was looking for me. When I got to the stables, I found some of the knights roping the horse down and from what I could tell they were about to kill him.
"Stop!"
"My lady, we are busy right now."
"I don't care! You will not hurt this horse!"
"Arianna, he has already injured five men. I advise you to step away."
"And I advise you to do the same."
I held my hands out in front of me and a blue flame appeared in them. I threw it at the knight that had the sword in his hands. All the knights looked at me in surprise. No one really knew that I could do magic except for Joshua, Chance, and Sirius. All of the knights ran away in fear.
"I'm sure they're going to go tell my dad," I sighed.
"Yeah probably."
I walked up to the magnificent black stallion that was now standing in front of me. I cautiously put my hand on his head. His eyes were full of warmth and as I looked into them he looked back with trust.
"What is his name?" I called back to Chance.
"As far as I know he is called Tom."
"Typical, they named him after my dad. Well I think I'll call him Zorro."
"Well I suggest we do something because here comes his lordship now," pointed Chance.
I jumped on Zorro's back with Sirius on my shoulder. And I held out a hand to Chance.
"Get on!"
"We can't leave now!"
"I know, but I want to get Zorro to safety! I promise we'll come back. I wanted to change anyway."
"Alright."
He grabbed my hand and jumped on Zorro's back. And we rode off into the forest. Chance held onto my hips and for once I felt something between us that I never had felt. We came to a small waterfall in the woods that we used to play in when Chance and I were younger. We both jumped off Zorro and into the water.
"The last thing your father wants to see is you coming home soaking wet," complained Sirius.
"You're such a worrier. It's the middle of the summer and it's burning up. He'll understand."
"Fine, whatever you say."
Zorro walked over and started to drink from the water as Chance and I talked. Sirius walked over next to Zorro in the form of a pony and they talked. Chance backed up a little and looked at me through joyous eyes.
"You really are amazing."
"Huh?"
"You never really had a childhood and you still ended up being perfect."
"Hmm. Chance?"
"Yes?"
"What's your real name? I mean you can't really be named Chance."
"I'll tell you some other day."
"Alright then."
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(told from author's point of view for a little) (I do this with a lot of my fics)
Arie steadily fell asleep in Chance's arms. Chance was about to doze off as well, but suddenly the form of Joshua appeared in the middle of the lake/waterfall. And as abruptly as he appeared he disappeared by falling into the water.
"You know you really need to work on your entrances," teased Chance.
"Let's see you do it."
"I'm not a wizard. I can't do magic."
"From what I've heard that doesn't seem to stop Arie."
"I expect you heard about Arie's little miss hap."
"Indeed, I have."
"I don't know what happened. Do you think she could be a witch?"
"No, but she does have some great power that I don't know about. I'll ask my father when we get home."
"We?"
"Yes, I know about what you two are planning to do and I know you are not leaving yet, so it would be best if you would come home."
"Do you plan on coming with us?"
"Home, of course."
Chance gave Joshua a blank stare.
"Oh, you mean leaving? Then yes. I will not leave Arianna unprotected."
"Good, it will be nice to have your company."
Ok time to explain about Joshua. He is twenty years old and a wizard. All royalty has a wizard and since Arie's mom was royalty that means technically Arie is royalty as well, but that'll be explained more a little later. Joshua loves Arie like a little sister and he keeps her father from doing anything too stupid. Joshua's father is the wizard to the king and his daughter.
Anyways back to the story.
"Sirius, tell Zorro that we will be back for him tomorrow and to get lots of rest because that's when we're leaving," said Chance.
Zorro did as he was told and then transformed into am ermine and he lie upon Arie's chest. Chance picked the girl up and walked home with Joshua.
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(told from Arie's point of view again.)
I woke up in my room. It seemed very odd because just last night I was outside, but I guess it doesn't really matter. I felt Sirius asleep on the side of me and figured I should get some more sleep as well. Just as I closed my eyes someone walked in.
"Arie are you alright?"
"Josh? Chance? Who is it?"
"Neither, it's me your father."
Oh God. Here it comes.
"What do you want?"
"I came to wish you a happy birthday."
"That's a first."
"Yes, I suppose it is. I wanted to apologize about that."
"About what? The way you've mistreated and ignored me or the way you and the others order me around."
"Listen to me you are quite correct I have been a horrible father, but to tell you the truth I never wanted a child in the first place. Selene died and I knew I couldn't leave you in an orphanage because you wouldn't be safe, so I knew you had to live with me."
"Wouldn't be safe?"
"That's right. Selene was a very powerful princess and the real fact is she would have been queen if she had lived."
"What do you mean? You told me she gave up her royalty to be with you because you guys were in love."
"Selene was loved by everyone so the castle hid the fact that I was different until after her death."
"Different?"
"Arianna, I am royalty. I was the prince of elves and sorcerers alike."
"What the hell?!"
"You were forbidden to be born, Arie. Did you ever wonder why you're mother died that day? She wasn't powerful enough to keep you and herself alive. I told her many times to give up and for to live her life, but she knew that you were the one who needed to live. Arie, you're part elf, part witch, and you are the heir to two thrones."
"So, no one has cared. I don't know why you even brought it up today of all days."
"Don't you get it?! Today you turn fourteen you're now allowed to claim a throne. Everyone wants to kill you including Stella and her father."
"Oh, I knew they were always out to get me," I laughed.
"Arianna, this is not a comical situation. It's not like a game you play with your friends. Everyone knows about you're little planned escapade to leave. Everyone is planning to kill you! And those symbols on your arm they mean something. Something no one knows. See try writing them down."
I took out a piece of paper and tried to write down the symbols as best as I could, but as soon as I was done the paper disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Arie you're in big trouble. You have been safe for so long."
"Well, what do you want me to do? Stay here?"
"You would be much safer here, but I knew if your mother was here she would tell me to let you do whatever you want. So if you wish to leave you may."
I ran up to my father and gave him a hug. I sensed he felt a little uncomfortable so I backed away.
"I have a question for you though. If you are an elf why don't your ears look like elves ears?"
He took something off the top of his ear and it came into the shape of an elf's ear.
"I'm satisfied."
"I do have some advice for you though. Don't trust everyone you meet. I could tell you more useful things, but I'm silenced."
"That's alright. I don't mind. You've never told me anything that was important before. Why start now?"
"How about this, Good luck, and that is important."
"Not what I was hoping for, but good enough."
"I know what you wish for me to say, but I can not say it yet with true meaning."
"You never could."
I got out of my bed and walked past my father not even hoping for a glance. I was suddenly struck by an idea. An idea that might save my life and my friends'. I walked into the library and started searing for a book I had read many years ago. Finally I came across it. I turned to the end and found some symbols in it that were like mine, but not exactly. I tried copying them down, but they too disappeared. This book was the key to my symbol.
I grabbed the book and packed my bag. I tossed it over my back and then went to find Josh and Chance. When I came to them I held out the book.
"Grab your stuff we're leaving to find the author of this book."
"What's his name?" asked Chance.
"Magicus Arcanus."
"I've heard of him! He's an old sorcerer," said Joshua. "But he lives really far away."
"Then we'll go really far away. He knows what I need to know. Are you two willing to come with me? Because if you don't want to come tell me now."
"I'll be there for you Arie," they both said at the same time.
"But what about Alexander?" asked Chance.
"I don't want him to come. Partly because he doesn't know me as well as you guys do and partly because I don't trust him."
"We'll go get our stuff," said the two boys.
"And I'll go get some horses."
I walked outside to the barn and got a horse for Joshua. And then got Chance's horse. Sirius (who was with me the whole time) changed into a pony and ran and got Zorro. They both came back right as Chance and Joshua walked up. I tacked up Zorro and then got on him. The other two did the same with their horses.
"Aren't you going to say bye to your dad?" asked Chance.
"No, he wouldn't say goodbye to me. He doesn't love me so he won't miss me."
"Whatever you say, princess," said Joshua.
"Don't call me princess! I don't plan on being one."
"Alright princess," laughed Josh again as he galloped off.
"I'll get you."
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(Author's point of view)
The three friends rode off to find the mysterious man. While sitting by a window was Lord Thomas Williams watching his daughter ride off into danger. And if you looked close enough you could see a flash of sorrow in his eyes and a tear roll down his face.
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A/N: HOPE YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER IT TOOK ME FOEVER TO WRITE. PLEASE R/R
ALLYSON