Aurora by J. Falconer

Once upon a time there was a beautiful young princess with long, blonde hair and shy, emerald green eyes that lived in a vibrant kingdom by a mighty seaport. The youngest of three girls, she trailed behind her older sisters' accomplishments, and was neither well schooled nor well spoken as they both were. Her sisters were bold, intelligent and beautiful, and had married well to handsome Princes in rich Kingdoms. Their parents doted on them, often visited with them and sent them extravagant gifts. The King and Queen were so involved with their elder daughters' lives that they sometimes forgot they had had a third daughter, although they treated her kindly when they remembered she was there.

Aurora - that was the young princess's name - was completely unprepared for the wedding plans her parents announced for her shortly before her seventeenth birthday. They had received an emissary from a neighboring Kingdom on the frontier, who had been looking for an alliance with their kingdom. The frontier Kingdom held the land routes to their city, they held the seas, so a new agreement was forged, the price of which was young Aurora's hand in marriage. Aurora, a kind hearted girl, loved her mother and her father, and tried to obey them. She agreed to marry for the sake of her Kingdom.

She thought she would be free to find new life in her new home, as her spouse would forget her quickly. It did not bother her; she yearned for adventure and thought she could find it by herself.

She left her parents' kingdom for the last time on the cusp of autumn, without tears or any deep displays of emotion. The travel to her new home was calm and uneventful, and she sat in the back of the carriage watching the forest thicken into an untamed wilderness, full of the sounds of strange animals playing in tall, twisting trees that hid the sun from them. Her mother and father were in the carriage behind hers, assuming that she would be surrounded by her friends, wishing her well.

They were wrong.

She had no friends in her parents' kingdom. Nobles saw her as a quaint inconvenience, and could not take her seriously as she was so different to her sisters; commoners saw her as a noble and therefore beyond their reach. She had spent most of her time alone, content to go out into the city and watch the ships come and go from the seaport, dreaming of adventures she had never had with people she had never met.

Finally, after five days of hard traveling, the wild and almost magical late summer forest gave way to farmlands and then to city. Aurora stared out of the windows at the peasants who bowed as they passed; it was a small trickle at first, and finally they were ten deep in the streets, lining up and see who would marry Jaderain.

They stopped in the castle courtyard, and there, waiting for them, were the King, Queen and Jaderain, surrounded by a legion of guardsmen, fully bedecked in all their finery. The King and Queen were both tall and handsome, each with hair that had once been blacker than night, but was now speckled with gray; his eyes were a deep blue and hers a pale gray. Both looked kindly and sweet, but hardened from their unforgiving life on the frontier.

Aurora's parents were momentarily shocked at Princess Jaderain; they thought that they were marrying Aurora off to a prince. Then they shrugged; an alliance was an alliance; their younger daughter had already agreed to the arrangement, so the matter was closed.

Aurora laid eyes on Jaderain and blushed. She was the tallest woman Aurora had ever seen, with perfect features, long, thick, black hair and arresting blue eyes. Her red lips curved into a polite smile as they got out of the carriages amid cheering, applause and fanfare.

Aurora, feeling awkward and clumsy, made worse by her stiffness from being trapped in the carriage for so long, quietly walked up to them, behind her parents. She stood before Jaderain, eyes downcast, acutely aware of the older woman's broad shoulders and long, feminine body. She mumbled her greeting to her future spouse and in laws, and hurried out of the way as quickly as humanly possible.

Her parents unwittingly covered for her, almost forgetting she was there as they proclaimed greetings to Jaderain and her parents. She did not see the gaze that the Princess gave to her, gentle and slightly sad, and the raised eyebrows of Jaderain's parents.

Aurora had in fact been quietly pushed to one side, to trail behind the bridal party, when she felt a presence beside her. She glanced up, and saw what she thought was the oldest man to grace the face of the earth. He saw her looking at him.

"Hello," he said in a whispery, although quite friendly, voice.

"H-Hello," she said awkwardly.

"You're Princess Aurora, aren't you?" he asked.

She nodded.

"My name is Greenwood," he said. "I am the castle magician." He smiled wryly and pointed at his crooked hat resting on wild, bushy white hair. She looked at him more closely, into his watery brown eyes. They were kind and intelligent. She felt herself beginning to like him.

"I've never met a castle magician before," she said softly, giving him a shy smile.

He gave her a broad grin in return, and it lit up his face. His eyes creased with amusement, his lips almost hidden by his long, bushy, white beard. "I expect you want to rest after all the traveling you've done," he said.

She nodded.

"Well, I know where the guest quarters are. Do you want to come with me?"

She felt an instant of fear at being separated from her parents, but when she looked ahead, she saw them fully engaged with Jaderain. She knew they had forgotten about her and if the old magician were of a mind to do her harm, there would be no help from that quarter.

"All right," she said abruptly. "I would like that."

"Good!" He smiled at her in his grandfatherly way. "Come with me!"

They followed behind the bridal party through the main hall, and up the wide, stone stairs towards the guest wing of the castle. There was a comfortable silence between them, and Aurora found herself relaxing a little, now that she had a friendly face with her.

"You're nervous about marrying the Princess, aren't you?" Greenwood abruptly asked as he pulled her to a halt outside a wide, oak door.

She flinched as she met his eyes. After a moment or so, she nodded.

Greenwood smiled and leaned forward. "You have nothing to fear. Her mother and father are well loved by the people and she herself is a very gentle woman. She will be kind to you."

Aurora's eyes flickered and she nodded once. She did not know Greenwood or Jaderain well enough to disagree with his assessment, and it did not really matter to her much, anyway. She would go on and do what she had always done - walk in the forest and city, and watch the world go by, happy in the solace of her own company.

Greenwood smiled at her. "Be at ease, young princess. No harm will come to you here."

She smiled at him. "Would you consider talking to me sometimes?"

He nodded and smiled.

"How do I find you?"

"Ask any of the guardsmen. Or ask your Jaderain or the King or Queen. They know where I am. If you can't find them, follow the smell of sulphur!"

These last words were tossed over his shoulder as he made his way down the corridor towards the King and Queen.

Aurora pushed open the door to her room, acutely aware of the guardsmen who remained outside.

~~~

The wedding was two days later.

Aurora had spent her time sitting on her broad windowsill, looking out at the street below, thinking. She felt stifled, locked into a life with people she did not know, and who did not care enough to notice that she had not been seen for a few days. She thought about Jaderain, who looked ten years older than her seventeen, and wondered how the older Princess would deal with her much younger spouse. They barely knew each other and Aurora hoped Greenwood was right and Jaderain would at least be kind to her.

Now, she found herself clinging to her father's arm, walking down the aisle of the cathedral, knees shaking, being gawked at by all the assembled nobles. She was acutely aware of more than one whisper and all the stares. Her father walked her towards Jaderain with firm footsteps, and she was amazed that he could not feel her trembling and see the tears that threatened to overwhelm her.

Finally Aurora found herself standing next to Jaderain. She felt the gentle touch of Jaderain's hand as her father nudged her none too gently towards the tall princess. Jaderain caught her easily, gently slipping Aurora's cool and clammy hand through her arm, pulling her closer and holding her up.

Aurora shot a frightened glance at Jaderain. She caught a flash of smooth profile, sky blue eyes and a sculpted cheek.

Jaderain was very beautiful.

Aurora's tears threatened to spill and she could not stifle her small sniff. Jaderain glanced at her, saw her wet eyes through her veil, and gave her an encouraging smile. The dark haired woman gently pulled her to her knees before the bishop and the marriage ceremony began.

Jaderain made it through the vows, speaking them with a firm, sultry voice, but Aurora struggled. She did not know how hard she squeezed Jaderain's arm, or how soft her voice was, or the tears that made their slow way down her face.

At the end, Jaderain quietly pulled her around so they could see each other, and smoothly lifted her veil. Her sky blue eyes were kind and gentle, and Aurora's green eyes stuttered away from her, terrified that Jaderain would look at her and see the same thing everyone else saw. Aurora would see the familiar disregard she saw every day from the people in her parents' kingdom.

Jaderain's hand cupped her chin, forcing the girl to look at her again. Aurora found herself lost in Jaderain's gentle, kind regard. Long thumbs tenderly brushed away her tears, and then Jaderain was ducking her head, brushing Aurora's lips with her own.

Burning shock ran through Aurora's system, and she felt it all the way to her toes. It took every ounce of her self control not to collapse against Jaderain. She openly gazed into Jaderain's eyes, and saw a hint of a smile in them.

She felt a flicker of something in her heart. Her knees were considerably stronger as she felt Jaderain's tug and they got to their feet. Jaderain led her down the aisle, and she walked with her eyes downcast, afraid of the eyes that were trained on them.

They quietly sat side by side through the wedding feast, accepting the good wishes of the nobles of their kingdom, and then made their way upstairs. Jaderain led Aurora to her room - now next to hers - and opened the door for her, gesturing for her to go in ahead.

Aurora, now that it was quiet and there were no people, felt a bolt of terror at being alone with Jaderain. She was not ready for anything. She barely knew Jaderain.

Jaderain sensed it and smiled. "Don't be frightened of me, Aurora. I mean you no harm." She gently steered the young princess over to a familiar, broad windowsill, overlooking a moonlit forest, and sat down opposite her. "And my friends call me Jade, and I would like it if you did too."

Aurora gazed at her arresting features, and felt a smile form. Jade's eyes were beautiful and kind. "Thank you, Jade, I would like that."

"My mother will send for you tomorrow morning, and she will teach you what is expected of you as the Crown Princess," continued Jade. "I normally spend my day with my father and the soldiers, or out in the forest. If you ever want to come with me, you're more than welcome." She stood and gently brushed Aurora's cheek. "Good night, Aurora, and sleep well."

"Wait!" said Aurora, and Jade turned back to her, face half hidden by the darkness, making her more striking than ever. "What do you mean, 'Crown Princess'?"

"Didn't your parents tell you?" asked Jade in her soft, sultry voice. "You get to rule by my side when it's time for me to become Queen." She saw the shocked and somewhat terrified look on Aurora's face. She moved back over to her young bride and knelt by her, taking her cold hands. "Don't worry, young Princess. My mother and my father are in good health and have no intentions of handing the reins to me any time soon. My mother is a gentle, considerate woman who will help you until you feel more comfortable. You have nothing to fear!"

Jade leaned forward and brushed Aurora's forehead with her lips. "Go to sleep, Aurora. You need to rest."

Spellbound, Aurora watched Jade smile and bid her goodnight. When the door quietly shut behind the dark haired woman, Aurora blew out a gusty breath.

She sat on the windowsill for most of the night, watching the silvery light play over the wild landscape. She loved the view from her window. She thought about Jade, and realized that perhaps everyone had been telling her the truth that she had nothing to fear. She went to bed and quickly fell asleep, more relaxed than she had been since her parents had told her that she was to be married.

The next morning, Aurora awoke feeling considerably refreshed. She fidgeted while unfamiliar servants dressed her - she had always done that by herself and did not desire the attention - and then almost ran downstairs. Her parents were leaving, and when she approached them, they kissed her and smiled gaily, wishing her well in her new life.

She watched their carriage pull away, feeling alone and afraid.

"Now, then, my dear," said a smooth, female voice from behind her. "Have you had anything to eat?"

Aurora turned around and felt her knees quiver under the quiet gaze of Queen Antoinette, Jade's mother. She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak without trembling.

The Queen's beautiful face lit up with a smile. "Well, neither have I. Would you like to have breakfast with me?"

Aurora longed to say no. "Yes," she said simply. "I would like that."

Queen Antoinette's smile broadened. "Come with me."

She gently linked her arm through Aurora's - no mean feat as Antoinette had the same six feet of height as her daughter. The Queen considerately shortened her stride so the smaller Princess was able to keep up with her, and they retired upstairs to the Queen's apartment.

In it was a small table with two place settings. The table itself groaned with food. There were eggs, crisp bacon, cereals, pastries and breads. The Queen caught Aurora's wide eyed look.

"I didn't know what you wanted, so I asked for a bit of everything."

"It seems such a waste," said Aurora softly, instantly biting her lip as she realized that she had spoken aloud.

The Queen nodded. "Perhaps. What do you suggest?"

Aurora darted a look behind her, and saw the Queen's handmaidens. "Has everybody had something to eat?" She felt too intimidated to speak to the handmaidens directly, so she kept her eyes trained on the Queen.

The handmaidens all exchanged a glance, and one of them shook her head in the negative when the Queen glanced at them.

"No, Aurora, they have not eaten yet."

Aurora still could not look at them. "Then why don't they join us?" she whispered.

The Queen smiled at her. "All right. That sounds like a wonderful idea."

She called for more servants to set places at the table for the handmaidens. Once they had all seated themselves, Aurora almost found herself breathing a sigh of relief, thinking that she could easily get lost in the crowd and then slip away later once their day began.

However, the Queen surprised her by addressing her. "What did you normally do for breakfast in your father's house?"

"I went to the kitchens and got some bread and then went into the city. I liked to go down to the seaside and watch the ships come in."

The Queen smiled. "That must have been quite a sight to see."

"I loved it," said Aurora, not realizing her voice had gained in volume and her eyes sparkled. "Watching the ships in full sail was a wonderful sight!"

The handmaidens all exchanged smiles at the quiet girl's enthusiasm.

"We don't have the sea," said a red haired handmaiden, smiling kindly at her, "but perhaps you should go out with the Princess to the mountains and see the splendors of the forest."

Aurora blushed and cleared her throat. "What is there to see?"

The Queen smiled. "There are Pegasus, Unicorns, dwarves and the occasional dragon, but thankfully they do not trouble us much. You can also see the rivers and forests." Her smile faltered. "You must stay clear of the Northern Woodlands. They are the home of a bloodthirsty race of barbarians. We have not had unrest with them for a while, but they are unpredictable!"

"What makes them come out of the Northern Woodlands?" asked Aurora, curiosity peaked.

"They need no reason. They simply take what strikes their fancy. If you go into the forest, you must stay with Jade. Only then will you be safe!"

Aurora - who did not know what to think of Jade aside from feeling the flutter in her stomach whenever she looked at the tall princess - smiled helplessly. "I don't think she'll want me trailing around behind her asking endless questions. I'm sure she has more important things to do than to be my nurse. Besides, I'm not much use on a horse and I have not been into the forest besides walking through the parts nearest to the castle."

The Queen shook her head. "You would be surprised, Princess." She smiled kindly at Aurora.

"All right," said Aurora doubtfully. She quickly glanced around the table, feeling the eyes of the handmaidens on her. They were quiet, kind and encouraging. She felt the knot of fear surrounding her heart slip a little.

"You would have to ask her, Aurora. Do you mind if I call you Aurora?" continued the Queen, responding to the young girl's unspoken question.

Aurora gave the Queen her own shy smile. "I would like that very much."

After they had finished their breakfast, as became their custom, the Queen took her arm and they went out into the city to talk to their people. Aurora watched Antoinette carefully, the way she always seemed to have sweets for the children, how she returned the greetings called to her, the bows and the curtsies of the people. She had kind words for them; she mediated disagreements; she looked after their ills.

In the afternoon, Aurora was granted free time to do whatever it was that she wanted to do - and she spent almost every day with Greenwood, talking to him and furthering her education. He - and Queen Antoinette - both knew so much and answered her myriad questions with patience and kindness.

In the evenings, King Darrien and Jade ate dinner with them, and then they all separated again, the King and Queen together to their rooms, Jade and Aurora separately off to each of theirs.

Jade was unfailingly kind to her, and Aurora learnt more about her from Queen Antoinette and Greenwood. Aurora herself was too shy to talk directly to Jade, and contented herself with quietly being in the beautiful woman's presence, listening to her talk and laugh with her parents.

On the third evening she was there, she was in her room after a pleasant supper, and there was a knock on the door.

She frowned and opened the door, and there stood Jade, looking awkward and holding a chess board and a box of pieces.

"Do you know how to play chess?" asked Jade.

Aurora's eyes stuttered away from her face, disappointed that Jade would undoubtedly disappear after her answer. "No," she mumbled.

"Do you want to learn?" asked Jade in her soft, sultry voice, and Aurora looked up at her.

The dark haired woman's face held the faintest touch of a smile, and her blue eyes sparkled. The young girl's heart gave a slow flip. "I would like that very much," Aurora whispered.

Jade's smile emerged, lighting up her beautiful face. "Are you going to let me in?"

Aurora blushed and stumbled aside. "Always," she said, taking her courage into her hands and staring at the princess.

Jade's eyes were kind and gentle. "I'm glad to hear you say that," she said softly, and gracefully moved into the room, the young princess trailing behind.

Jade placed the board carefully on the windowsill, so they could see the moon beams play over the thick, silvery trees that were mostly bare in the cool autumn night.

"You really like sitting on your window sill, don't you, Aurora?" asked Jade, setting out the board and leaving Aurora to lean against her favorite side of the window.

"I love it," said Aurora softly.

"Why do you like it so much? Aside from the view, which is beautiful, of course."

"It makes me think about how my life could be," said Aurora, without thinking, lost in the moonlight.

"And how would it be if you could choose?"

"I would be in the most beautiful place in the world and hold someone's heart." She smiled at Jade, lost in her own imaginings. "You? What do you want?"

"Exactly the same as you." Jade returned her smile. "You should come out with me and see more of our home. I can guarantee that you would like to be in it more than watching it." Jade smiled at her. "You would find your heart's desire," she said. "Are you ready?"

Aurora nodded and watched as Jade set up the pieces.

The dark haired princess held up the smallest one. "This is a pawn," she said. "It is the lowliest piece on the board, but it is not to be neglected. It is a quiet piece and takes small steps, but it is worth its weight in gold. Guard them and cherish them, as you would your King and Queen."

Aurora smiled, transfixed by the woman's graceful movements and her soft, sultry voice.

"Those are the pieces and how they move," said Jade after she had finished her explanations. "I have white so I must move first." She pushed forward a pawn, and gestured towards Aurora. "Now you."

Aurora nodded and moved a piece and they soon became lost together in the game.

"I really enjoyed that," said Aurora, after they had been playing for about three hours and it was time to stop.

"I thought you would. I like playing chess," said Jade, packing up the pieces and packing them away.

"How did you get so good?" asked Aurora.

"I lost half of the games!" said Jade.

"And I'm a beginner. It takes a skilled player to allow me to win as many as I did and not show it."

Jade smiled. "What does it matter how you won them from me? You did and that's what matters. I like playing chess with you. You are fun to play with."

"So are you and I like playing chess with you," replied Aurora, blushing.

"Then we should play together as often as we please," said Jade. "And perhaps we will spend a day together, one day, and I will show you a little of our forest."

Aurora nodded feeling so tongue tied at the idea of spending time with Jade that she was unable to speak above a whisper. "I would like that."

The tall princess leant over and gave her forehead a gentle kiss and bade Aurora goodnight.

Jade came to her every night after that and they quietly played chess and talked.

Aurora loved listening to Jade talk. She was the captain of her father's guard and seemed to live a very exciting life. She was often out in the forest with him and the soldiers, doing drills and on patrol. She had seen elves and unicorns, and had spoken to dwarves.

Aurora told her about her parents' kingdom, about the mighty seaport and all the activity in the city. She told her about her older siblings and how she had always felt left behind. She told Jade about some of the places she wanted to see and the adventures she wanted to have.

A year of peace and prosperity passed quickly for them, but it was not to last.

Disaster struck on the anniversary of her wedding to Jade.

It began as a golden morning in late autumn, no different to any other. Aurora had her breakfast with Queen Antoinette. Jade and King Darrien, as per their normal custom, had eaten and left early with the soldiers.

About half way through the day, an enormous shadow fell over the city, and fire rained down onto a village nestled in the forest. All the fleeing inhabitants screamed in terror as they ran, many unable to escape their fate.

Queen Antoinette rushed to the castle ramparts, Aurora close behind her. A tall, coldly handsome and arrogant man astride a flame eyed, snowy white Pegasus waited for them. The Pegasus stamped the stones, sending up sparks, breathing thin flames through its quivering nostrils.

Aurora stayed by the Queen's side, although she was in mortal terror.

"Who are you and what do you want?" demanded the Queen, and their handmaidens, who had followed them out, shrank back in terror.

"I want her!" he snarled, and pointed to Aurora. This time, the openly shaking Aurora took a step back.

"You can't have her!" cried the Queen at once.

"I can do what I like!" His face, a mask of cold cruelty with blazing red eyes, twisted into an expression of rage. He pointed a forefinger at the Queen and began softly chanting.

The Queen stiffened, and then gave vent to a soft cry of pain. Aurora rushed to her side, grabbing her arm. She hissed in shock as she felt the velvet of the Queen's dress stiffen and become cold under her fingertips.

She took an unwilling step back and gazed at the stone statue that had once been Queen Antoinette.

"You!" He pointed to Aurora. "You will come with me!"

"No!" she said, dimly amazed that she had spoken at all.

"What?" he asked.

"I need time to prepare so I can go with you," she said softly, gazing at the dust on the roof. "Come back in three days' time and I will be ready."

"Do you really think I am that stupid?" he asked archly.

"No," she said, tremor clearly audible in her voice. "I need time to prepare!"

His cold eyes bored into her. He finally gave a crisp nod. "All right. I will return in three days and you will go with me then. Come!" he beckoned her closer.

She forced herself to stand beside him.

He made no move toward her, merely pointed out into the forest towards the burning village. She could see a swarm of foot soldiers and mounted cavalry.

"There is my army," he said coldly. "They will remain behind and await my return. They will not leave until you have held up your end of our bargain!"

With those words, he kicked his Pegasus and it leapt high into the air, disappearing into the smoke that blew towards the castle on the soft wind.

Aurora closed her eyes and tried to still the rapid beating of her heart.

She gazed at the statue of the Queen, frozen in eternal defiance. How could she repay the Queen's kindness and courage with anything other than her hope that her departure really meant the barbarians would leave the kingdom in peace?

Aurora turned towards one of the handmaidens. "Could I trouble you to find a guard and bring her into the audience chamber? I don't want to leave her out here."

The handmaiden, easily five years older than Aurora, slowly nodded. Her eyes were as wide as saucers in her pale face.

Aurora gathered up her skirts, and ran down the slippery stone stairs of the closest turret, yelling for Greenwood.

She found him in his chambers, and rushed up to him, out of breath.

"Greenwood!" she exclaimed. "The Queen has been turned into a statue! You must help her!"

Greenwood looked alarmed. "Slow down!" he said sharply. "Tell me what has happened!"

Aurora made an effort to calm her hammering heart. She took a deep breath and began talking. The story did not take long to tell, and when she was finished, his watery, faded brown eyes glittered.

"You asked for her to be put in the audience chamber, did you not?"

Aurora nodded.

"Then let us go there," he said, "and see what can be done."

He quickly led her to the audience chamber, where they found the handmaidens from the roof assembled and staring in dismay at the statue.

Greenwood gasped and went to the statue, peering at it closely, mumbling at it.

After a few moments, he nodded and stepped back. "She is alive," he began, and all the assembled onlookers breathed a sigh of relief at the news.

"Can you remove the enchantment?" Aurora did not know she spoke in an uncharacteristically firm voice, and Greenwood smiled at her.

"I could if I had the right ingredients," he said.

"What do you need?" she asked, prepared to brave the armies of the Pegasus riding knight to get what was needed to heal the Kingdom's beloved Queen.

"Two days from here there is an abandoned castle. In the turret of the castle is an old room. In that old room, in the middle of a table, is a golden scepter."

"Two days!" exclaimed Aurora. "We don't have two days! I told the knight I would go with him in three! How are we to find Jade and the King in that time?"

Greenleaf put soothing hands on her shoulders. "Leave that to me, young Princess. You have more important things to worry about, like getting the golden scepter."

"Do you have any magic that will allow me to get to the castle more quickly?" she asked.

"I have a teleportation spell that we can use," he said.

"Good!"

Aurora turned to the handmaidens in the room. "Excuse me," she said. "Are there any guardsmen about?"

The handmaiden she had spoken to on the roof stepped forward. "No, my lady," she said. "They were all with the Princess and the King. Those that remained behind in the garrison have been turned into oak trees."

"What!?" said Aurora, nonplussed. "Greenwood, can you heal them, too?"

"I think so," he said. "It is a standard spell and requires the blood of an undead lich."

"A what?"

He leaned forward, shooting uncomfortable glances at the assembled handmaidens. "An undead corpse," he said.

Aurora grimaced. "I suppose you know where to find one of those as well?" she asked.

He nodded. "Unfortunately so, Aurora."

Aurora sighed. "All right, that will be a job for after I've gotten what we need for the Queen. I think the last thing her husband and daughter are going to want to find is a statue sitting in their audience chamber."

"You can't go by yourself!" exclaimed the handmaiden, but her tone was without malice. It was the voice of an older sister.

"Who is there to go with me?" Aurora asked. "No one is left."

"My brother is left," she said, standing to one side.

Aurora gazed at the fourteen year old boy standing behind her, looking grimly determined to be courageous. His uniform was too large, his face baby smooth and his eyes fearful.

"I can't ask him to come with me," said Aurora to the handmaiden so the boy could not hear her. "I must do this myself. All this is because of me. Everything's my fault!" She turned to the young guardsman. "What is your name?" she asked him kindly.

"Hamlin, Your Highness," he stammered, voice cracking.

"Hamlin, I need you to do something for me," she said.

He nodded.

"Greenwood, can you give me another teleportation spell once you have sent me to the abandoned castle?"

Greenwood gazed at her and nodded slowly.

She turned back to Hamlin. "Good. Go with your sister to my father the King. We need a detachment of guardsmen from him. We need someone to guard the people and see that they can make it safely into the city."

Aurora had not forgotten the burning village. She could not stop worrying about them. How many of them were dead and dying? How many lives had been destroyed?

She also worried about the soldiers. The regular army was made up of the fathers, sons and brothers of the women in the city, the farmers outside the city the reserves of the kingdom. When they reversed the curse the magician had cast over the kingdom, the soldiers would want to know that their Princess had tried to keep their loved ones safe.

"He will throw us into the dungeon!" cried the handmaiden.

"No," said Aurora with a firmness she did not feel. "My father is not a brutal man." That was true, yet she had not spent enough time with him to know what he was really like. She hoped he was like Darrien, who seemed to be a good, kind man who paid attention to those around him.

"All right," said Aurora. She turned to the handmaidens. "Would you all go to the kitchens and see that we have enough food for the city while we are under siege?"

The handmaidens were staring at her with a new respect, and they all nodded, curtseyed and left the dining hall.

Aurora stared at the statue of the Queen. All she could see before her was the good Queen Antoinette who had refused the knight's demand that she be sent with him. She thought about Jade and Darrien. She loved and respected all of them, even though she was still a little fearful. She cursed the moment she had agreed to marry Jade. She never wanted anything like this to befall their Kingdom; they did not deserve it.

She would honor her promise to go with the knight, and there would be peace. He would leave them alone and they would be safe. Jade would be free to marry again and perhaps she would find someone worthy of her attention.

Aurora felt the sting of tears as she gazed at the stone face of Queen Antoinette. "Thank you," she said softly. "That was a wonderful thing you tried to do for me, and there is no way for me to repay it." She smiled. "I like you. You are a wonderful teacher and Queen."

She kissed the statue on the cheek.

She turned to Greenwood, who had already sent the handmaiden and Hamlin through a teleportation gateway to her parents' kingdom.

"I'm ready," she said softly, trying to control her hammering heart.

Greenwood began to mumble under his breath and a moment or so later there was a swirling sphere of vibrant blue mist in the center of the audience chamber.

Aurora, pretending a courage she did not feel, squared her shoulders and walked into the sphere, the same color as Jade's eyes.

"Wait!" said Greenwood. He handed her a stone ring. "Turn the jewel counter clockwise three times and the gateway will open again. Beware the wraiths, young Princess!"

He ushered her through the gateway before she had a chance to ask any other questions.

After a brief, stomach turning, wrenching sensation, she found herself standing in the courtyard of a ruined castle, bathed in the blue light from the gateway.

There was a quick whooshing sound as the gateway closed behind her.

She looked around, her breath frosting in front of her face.

The small courtyard was utterly deserted, drenched in late autumn sunshine, and covered with a layer of dust and ruined brick that was troubling. She felt a deep seated unease. The wind whispered through the trees, shaking dry leaves and making the branches sound like rattling bones. She shivered.

She looked at each of the ruined turrets, trying to decide which one she should go into first. The sun shone down on her unprotected head, and she sweated under her thick dress, despite the cool air. She caught a flash of light out of the corner of her eye.

Her scalp began crawling and her heart beat hard as she followed the movement she had spotted from the corner of her eye.

A golden light shone from the top of the ruined turret closest to her. At the base of the stairs there was another light. Waves of cold, cruel malevolence washed over her, and she guessed it was one of the wraiths that Greenwood had warned her about.

She was not exactly sure what a wraith was, but was certain that it had to be something awful. Her breath frosted in front of her face worse than it had before and she felt petrified. She tried to push her terror to one side; she fixed Queen Antoinette's face in the front of her mind and gritted her teeth. She bolted straight towards the terrible cloud of horror and into the shattered turret.

There was a low moaning behind her, and she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. She lifted her skirts and began to run up the crumbling stairs, breath coming in short gasps. Almost right on her heels was the wraith, now visible in its full, wavering, cruel magnificence. It was the specter of a knight, its helm and faceplate rotting and decrepit. Its dirty, neglected, rusty chain mail jerkin hung off its skeletal frame, and baleful red lights shone from behind the visor of its dented helmet.

Aurora ran as fast as she could, squeaking in terror. She slipped and slid, nimbly jumping over crumbling piles of masonry that littered the stairs, the wraith close behind her. Birds fell from the rafters at its touch; its spectral teeth ground together with a gruesome, scraping sound as it relentlessly pursued her.

Aurora finally reached the upper room of the turret, and burst through the door. Her sweating hand slid off the latch as she stumbled and fell to her knees. The rotting wooden floor creaked uneasily beneath her. She sprang to her feet, feeling the touch of death behind her, and ran towards the table.

The floor began to give way beneath her feet, and she felt her heart sink. She wondered what Jade would do, and then steeled her jaw. She knew. She dived towards the table, arm extended to its full length, and for a terrible second or two she was sure she would miss the scepter.

She felt the sting of wood as the edge of the table hit her arm, and her fingers extended, greedily seeking the scepter. As the table collapsed through the floor with a sharp crack, her fingers closed around cold, smooth metal.

The cold hand of the wraith touched the heel of her shoe and she yelped as she felt a sharp bolt of pain through the sole of her foot.

Her stomach lurched as she went into freefall. The ground rushed up towards her and she screamed, twisting frantically at the top of the smooth, stone ring.

Just as she thought she would fail her mission, the blue mist appeared directly beneath her and she flew through it ...

... to land in an ungainly, bone crunching heap in the center of the audience chamber.

She lay stunned for a moment or so, trying to catch her breath. Her foot hurt abominably and her ribs ached from her impact against the stone floor.

She felt the gentle touch of a hand, and her eyes fluttered open. She saw the worried, creased features of Greenwood, studying her carefully.

She sat up slowly with his help, seeing the filth on her dress, feeling the pain in her foot, the tear in her bodice. She blushed crimson. "Ruined," she mumbled.

"I'm sure the Queen's seamstress can find another for you," he said.

She gazed at him for a moment or so. He was right. Her dress did not matter, nor did her aching foot. All that mattered were the King, Queen and Jade.

"I have the scepter," she said softly. Her hand shook as she handed it to him.

"Thank you, Aurora." He gave her a genuine smile. "I never doubted it for a moment."

Her blush increased and her eyes stuttered away from his face. She opened her mouth to speak, but could think of nothing to say, aside from that she could not agree with him. She cared for him and so did not say it.

She cleared her throat. "How long I was gone for?"

"You were gone for almost a day. Long enough to recover the King and the Princess," said Greenwood, smiling.

"Where are they?" she asked, oblivious to the tremor in her voice. "How are the people in the city? What happened to Hamlin and his sister?"

"Hamlin and his sister have not returned. The Queen's handmaidens are in the kitchens, feeding the people, and the chamberlain is finding accommodations for the refugees from the outlying villages. The King and Princess are beside the Queen. Behind you." He pointed over Aurora's shoulder.

Aurora slowly and painfully climbed to her feet and limped over to the two new statues that stood in the center of the audience chamber.

Her heart twisted at the sight of Jade, who had been caught, wild eyed, mid stride and with her sword extended. She quietly approached the statue, openly gazing at it. "Oh, Jade," she said. "You're so beautiful and I love your eyes."

She glanced at Greenwood. He was fully engaged with the Queen, and was not paying attention to her.

"I don't want you to be a statue," she said. "I love it when you sit with me and talk to me. I was always frightened of marriage to you because I didn't know what to expect. I'm glad I agreed to do it. Everyone told me that you're a wonderful person, and now I know it to be true." A tear trickled down her face. "I know you're still only married to me out of a sense of duty, and I accept that. Thank you for being so kind to me."

She turned to the King. "I like you and I understand why your people and your Queen love you so much."

She heard the whisper of Greenwood's robes behind her and she turned with a sigh. "What's next?" she asked.

"Who do you want to rescue next?" he asked.

Aurora frowned for a moment. "The king must come next." She sighed. "Jade, please forgive me," she said softly, staring at the floor, wondering if she was making the right decision.

Greenwood's gentle hand caressed her shoulder. "A good choice," he said.

She nodded, eyes still trained to the smooth, polished marble of the palace floor.

"In the center of the forest, two days from here, there is a deep well. In the bottom of the well is a crown. You must go down the well and retrieve the crown." He leaned forward, eyes carefully meeting hers. "Beware, young princess. The water in the bottom of the well is the home of a particularly vicious family of sirens who do not like women. They will try to harm you."

Aurora nodded and smiled, despite herself. "Is it ever otherwise?"

Greenwood laughed softly. "No, I suppose not."

The portal was already open before them, and the wind flowing through it whipped Aurora's tattered clothing around her bruised and scratched legs.

"Will this ring work again?" she asked, peering at Greenwood anxiously.

"It will," he said.

"You will heal the Queen while I am away?" she asked.

"Yes," he said.

"Keep her safe for me. If needs be, send her to my parents. They will care for her until the King and Jade are both healed."

Greenwood nodded. "I will see to her care personally, Highness."

Aurora nodded and squared her shoulders. She limped towards the gateway, prepared this time for the sickening lurch as she went through it. It closed behind her, and she found herself in a darkened section of forest, in a cold clearing, an ancient and decrepit well before her. Dead, golden autumn leaves fell out of the trees to the ground around her, like the skeletal whispering of a death shroud.

She shivered and limped towards the well, grimacing at the pain in her foot.

She put her hands on the slimy stone of the well, staring down into the blackness, sighing. She saw the fraying rope that led down into the bleary eye of the well, heard the undertone of unseen and nameless things scurrying in the darkness below.

She felt an instant of fear, and then thought of Jade's sky blue eyes and gentle smile. She squared her shoulders and grasped the rope. Her fear increased as she slipped over the edge and the rope groaned under her weight.

Inch by agonizing inch, she made her way down into the blackness, scraping her hands, her feet and her unprotected arms against the cruelly sharp, algae covered stone.

The smell of wet rot and decay was nauseating and she retched as she continued downwards. Darrien depended on her, as did Antoinette and Jade. She could not fail them.

The dampness increased and she knew she was close to the surface of the oily and inhospitably cold water. She felt cool hands come out of the walls, gently stroking her overheated skin, caressing her.

A song started slowly, gaining in volume and seemingly coming from all around her.

She felt her eyes growing heavy, and her hands become uncoordinated and clumsy as the sound seeped deep into her.

It was a song of desire, and for the first time she felt her body heat. She blushed; she was grateful that no one was there to see her pant and her knees weaken.

A cool hand touched her in a place no one had ever laid a hand on before and she gasped in shock and her fingers loosened. She gave a sharp cry of pain as the rope slid between her fingers, burning her palms. She flinched and let go, crashing back first deep into the water, and sending up a large plume of brackish filth.

She thrashed and struggled to reach the surface. She desperately needed air, but hands came out of the hidden stone in the black water, holding her down.

She gazed all around, seeing the unblinking silver eyes that pinned her with merciless, cruel stares. She steeled her jaw, trying not to panic, and saw a glint of gold beneath her. Her lungs screamed for air and the siren song echoed and ricocheted in her skull.

She pulled herself through the thick water with slow and clumsy strokes. Beautiful women tried to hold her back as she went down.

Her hands closed around the now visible crown resting carelessly on the mud and silt of the underground river. The cold water cut her to the bone, sending spikes of pain through her overstrained muscles. Her hand closed around the crown, grasping it firmly, and she felt and heard the first shrieks of rage from the beautiful sirens swimming around her.

Long fingernails cut her skin, sending the oily water crimson with her innocent blood. Great bubbles of air burst from her lips, and she knew that she had over extended herself. She clutched the crown to her chest, leaden fingers fumbling at the ring. Mercifully, she felt the setting move just a little, and she fumbled at it again.

Consciousness deserted her as one of the sirens pulled her head back and hissed balefully in her ear ...

... wake up, Aurora.

Aurora's eyes fluttered open and she heaved in a great lungful of air, and immediately felt her stomach clench.

She rolled over and violently disgorged the unclean water from the bottom of the well. She felt a little better, but then her stomach cramped again, and she let more out.

"Greenwood," she gasped when she was able to speak again. "How long?"

"Another day, Highness," he said.

"That only leaves me with one day for Jade," she said quietly. She looked down at the stone of the floor, feeling the sting of tears. It was the last day that she would see this castle and these people. She had not seen the Queen - and her statue was gone - she would not see the King and she most certainly would not see the Princess.

Yet she had to continue. She could not give up. She had to heal them and leave before any further damage was done to their Kingdom.

"Where is Hamlin? The handmaiden? Her Highness?"

"Hamlin and his sister have not returned," said Greenwood. "The Queen is resting."

"She's alive?" asked Aurora, barely daring to hope that her mission had not been in vain.

Greenwood gave her a genuine smile. "She's alive and well."

"What do I have to get now?" she asked, looking down at her bloody arms and ruined clothing. Her dress had almost been shredded off her, but her sense of urgency overruled her state of undress.

"Deep in the mountains, near the base of a giant cliff, is a tomb. It is the tomb of Praxeteles. You must go to it and retrieve the sword."

Aurora nodded. She felt numb.

Greenwood, as the other two times, busied himself with creating a gateway, while Aurora quietly crawled to Jade and knelt before her, exhausted.

Unable to speak, she reached out a hand and stroked Jade's cold, stone boot. She gazed up at the statue, desperate to commit every line of Jade's beautiful face to memory. She did not think she would see the Princess again.

She slowly and painfully levered herself to her feet and made her way to Greenwood's side, and he put a steadying hand on her arm.

"Take care, Highness," he said quietly. "There are zombies in the graveyard around the mausoleum."

"Of course," she said.

Limping and shaking with exhaustion, she made her way through the gateway, the nausea a familiar friend. She collapsed to her knees, gagging. The cold pain of hunger gnawed in her belly, and her clothes flapped loosely from her body.

She knelt before a dark, mysterious and forbidding graveyard of trees. Autumn created a golden orange forest behind her, dry leaves falling to the ground behind her in a steady, almost sub audible rustling. A cold, gray fog lay before her, dank and clammy. She took a step into the graveyard, and felt the ground tremble close by. A toppled gravestone shook and moved to one side. A bleached bone with specs of mummified skin clinging to it shot through the loose soil in a shower of dirt.

Aurora, dimly amazed that she could feel anything at all, took it in with dismay, and felt her heartbeat pick up.

She began a shambling run as the earth retched and vomited up its burden of dead flesh.

Hands came from behind dead trees, greedily seeking her.

She yelped as one snagged the shoulder of her torn dress, tearing it even further. Despite her forward flight, she felt a shiver of cold as the touch of death surrounded her.

The forest became darker, the trees more skeletal than the lumbering corpses that stumbled after her.

She saw the marble outline of a mausoleum ahead of her through the trees. Its doors were thrown wide as if daring grave robbers to enter. None would come; they would not brave the zombies.

She dashed into the forbidding structure, unmindful of the sudden drop in temperature. The first of the zombies that had chased her was right behind her, but it stopped at the gates and gave a moribund roar. She gave a brief smile; at least they would not tear her apart.

She looked at the crypt before her, hearing the whisper of rotten cloth in the darkness. She heard a dim clang and the eye watering scrape of metal against the cold, stone floor of the mausoleum.

The figure of Praxeteles, which had been lying peacefully on top of the crypt, staggered and lurched towards her. It dripped fat and flesh from rotting bones.

It also clutched the sword in a putrid hand.

Aurora knew she could not get it off him, and that Greenwood needed the blood of an undead lich to complete his spell to heal King Darrien's soldiers. She steeled her jaw. Her face twisted into a mask of disgust, and launched herself at the stumbling corpse.

Her arms closed around it and she vomited at the smell of decay that came off it in terrible waves. She twisted the setting of the stone ring and felt the world slide away from them. Nausea had her firmly in its grips, and she coughed, ejecting the contents of her stomach again, and collapsed to the floor of the audience chamber.

She heard Greenwood's muttered oath, and quick chant.

The roiling figure of Praxeteles stilled on the floor.

Aurora rolled onto her back, chest heaving. Her dress was tattered and torn, displaying the filthy, pale skin of her chest and a glimpse of her full breasts. Her skirts had been half torn off, and her smooth legs were covered in cuts and scratches.

She sighed, bone weary. "I have been gone for another day, haven't I?" she asked.

Greenwood knelt beside her and nodded.

She slowly and painfully levered herself to her feet. "How long do I have before he comes back?"

"You have an hour," he said sadly.

"Enough time to bathe and dress," she said. She was more tired than she had ever been in her life. Black spots bloomed in her vision and she closed her eyes against them, sighing.

Greenwood put a gentle, steadying hand on her arm. "You don't have to do this," he said softly.

"If I don't then more people are going to die. I don't want that to happen. I'm not worth it," she said. She limped out of the audience chamber after one long, last, sad look at Jade.

One by one the Queen's handmaidens followed her up to her rooms, helping her into her bath, laying out clean clothes for her, calling for refreshments from the castle kitchens. They helped her to wash and then to eat, and by the time she was finished she felt almost human once more.

She squared her shoulders and led the way to the castle ramparts. She gestured for the handmaidens to stand back when they arrived at the heavy door.

"Don't follow me," she said. "I will be all right."

"What do you want us to tell Jade?" asked the Queen, who had joined them.

"Tell her I love her. I will never forget her." She smiled at the Queen. "Thank you for everything you did for me. I have learnt a lot from you and I won't forget any of it."

With those words, she was gone. The Queen and handmaidens watched her retreating back with tears in their eyes.

Aurora went and stood on the roof, and did not have to wait long for the Pegasus riding knight to appear. It began as a spot on the blue horizon that slowly become bigger until finally he landed on the roof. The Pegasus reared and snorted.

"So," he said without preamble. "Are you ready?"

"Have you withdrawn your army?"

"It is done! Come!"

She approached the Pegasus, thinking of blue eyes and a sweet smile. They both turned at the sound of the door flying open.

"No!" screamed the stumbling figure of Jade, simultaneously hurling the sword of Praxeteles.

The knight screamed as the sword pierced the heart of the Pegasus, slicing cleanly through it and then through him.

Aurora stumbled back, and she lost her footing in the concussion from the Pegasus's wings. Her last sensation before consciousness deserted her was of strong arms stopping her fall, pulling her close to a warm body.

~~~

Images came to her through almost unending blackness. There were strong arms that held her; smooth, fragrant linen; sunshine and warm meals.

After four days, her eyes opened once more, and she took in the familiar surroundings of her room. She slowly sat up and looked around. She was alone. She swung her aching legs over the side of her bed with difficulty. She felt weak and tired, but when she stood, her knees felt calm and sure. She slowly limped to the windowsill - her feet still hurt - and levered herself onto it with a sigh.

She leaned back against the wall and watched the sunlight play on the bare branches of the trees. The warmth from the sun and cool breeze from the open window caressed her and lulled her back into a deep sleep.

"Aurora?" asked a soft, sultry voice close to her.

"Yes?" she murmured sleepily, adjusting her position against the soft surface she was lying on.

"Are you still asleep?"

"Trying to be," she said, digging further into the clean, feminine scent of linen that surrounded her.

There was soft, rich laughter, and Aurora felt the surface move. It was warm and supple.

She felt a bolt of adrenalin, and her eyes shot open. She flushed a deep, brick red as she realized she was snuggled into Jade's chest, surrounded by her long arms, warmth and pervasive femininity. She tried to disentangle herself, but Jade's arms tightened.

"You looked so comfortable," said Jade softly, brushing Aurora's forehead with her soft lips.

"I was." Aurora nodded and relaxed. She allowed herself a few moments of snuggling with Jade.

"Thank you," said Jade softly. "You saved us all."

Aurora blushed, tongue tied. "You're welcome," she finally managed to whisper. "What of Hamlin? And the handmaiden? Where are they?"

"They have not yet returned. Before you ask, it has been a week."

Aurora sat up, horrified. "A week? They've been gone for a week?"

Jade nodded. "A week."

"I'm going to visit my parents," said Aurora. "I'm going to get them."

"I thought you would say that," said Jade. "I'm going with you."

"I'm going now," said Aurora warningly.

Jade smiled at her, and it lit up her bright, sky blue eyes. "I thought you would say that as well, so I have had a horse prepared for us for the past two days."

She levered herself off the windowsill, and gestured towards Aurora's dressing screen. "It's just going to be the two of us, so I took the liberty of asking for breeches and a shirt for you. It's much easier to ride in than a dress."

"But I don't know how to ride," said Aurora, unashamedly keeping her eyes on Jade.

"That's all right," said Jade. "You can ride with me."

Aurora nodded, allowing herself to give in to her craving to touch the tall princess. She tangled herself into Jade's warm embrace. "Thank you, Jade."

"You're welcome," said Jade softly, kissing the crown of Aurora's golden head, as Aurora pressed a kiss onto the soft skin of Jade's collar bone.

Jade quietly pulled back. "I'll be waiting outside for you."

Aurora nodded, feeling her entire body tingling from Jade's gentle touch. She felt as though she were floating on a cloud of air as she almost danced over to her dressing screen, the pain in her feet forgotten.

She was dressed in shirt, breeches and tall riding boots five minutes later. She made her way out of her room, bumping into an appreciative Jade.

"You look lovely," said Jade, taking her hands and pulling back, inspecting her. "More comfortable than a dress, isn't it?"

Aurora giggled and nodded. "Yes," she said. "My feet don't hurt as badly as they did either."

Jade joined in her gentle laughter and they made their way, hand in hand, to the courtyard and Jade's saddled horse.

Jade gracefully climbed into the saddle, and pulled Aurora up behind her. They went slowly from the castle, carefully making their way through crowded city streets towards the gates of the city.

"I never got to say goodbye to your parents," she said.

"Don't worry about it. I took the liberty of doing it for both of us," said Jade. "And you can say hello to them when we return!"

Aurora nodded and tightened her grip on Jade.

They made their way down the forest road, quietly at first, and then they slowly began speaking. Jade pointed out the landmarks in the forest, and told her of all the things that she had seen and done. Aurora listened quietly, asking questions and laughing with Jade.

When they stopped for the evening, Jade showed her how to make a fire, and dealt out the dried beef, bread and cheese that she had packed.

They ate and were quiet for a while, watching the moonlight shining through the trees. Jade quietly took Aurora by the hand and tugged her to her feet.

"I want to show you something," said the blue eyed woman, smiling as she caressed Aurora's hand. She led them a short distance through the thick undergrowth to a clearing.

"This is beautiful," breathed Aurora, when she finally found her voice again. They were sitting with their back against a smooth boulder, on soft grass on the edge of a cliff. There was a plain beneath them, silvery and shadowed in the bright moonlight. It led off forever into the distance.

Aurora shivered in the cool fall air, and Jade slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. "I thought you'd like it," said Jade.

The sat in silence for a little while, watching the darkened world go by.

"I'm not, you know," said Jade softly.

Aurora turned to her. Jade's sculpted features were sharply shadowed, her eyes almost silver in the bright moonlight.

"Not what?" asked Aurora.

"I'm not still married to you out of a sense of duty. I was as wary of marrying you as you were of me. You could have been anything but you were something good. You were you." She smiled. "I think you're beautiful and you have beautiful eyes. I love it when you spend time with me, too. You're one of the most fascinating people I've ever met."

She leaned forward and brushed Aurora's lips with her own, and then pulled back, uncertain of the golden haired girl's response.

"You heard me when you were a statue?" asked Aurora softly, when she was able to speak. Burning shock warred with a pleasant tingling.

"Every word," said Jade.

"You don't hate me for any of it?"

"How could I ever hate you?" asked Jade, cupping her face. "You're kind, compassionate, gentle and sweet. You have a maturity beyond your years. I want to stay married to you for purely selfish reasons. You see me as a woman and not a Princess. You care about me because it's part of you to be that way. I can't imagine wanting anyone else this close to me, who makes me feel this safe. I love you, Aurora."

Jade kissed her again, and this time Aurora responded, not shy at all. No one made her feel special like Jade did. Darrien and Antoinette both came close, but not the same way Jade did.

When they parted, Aurora gazed deep into Jade's dark blue eyes. Taking all of her courage into her hands, she spoke softly but firmly. "I love you too, Jade. You're beautiful, sweet, kind and gentle. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. You - and your family - could have ignored me and pushed me to one side, but you never did. You showed me care and compassion, and you wanted to talk to me, not because of what me or my family represent to you, but because you seemed to like me for me. You make me feel special. You make me feel like I can do anything."

Jade gently kissed away the tears that flowed down Aurora's face, pulling her in close and claiming her lips.

They lay tangled together in the moonlight watching the world go by. Jade held her close, breathing in her soft, feminine scent and smiling.

The next morning found them slowly riding down the main highway to the seaport kingdom of Aurora's parents. Aurora leant into Jade, completely relaxed and comfortable. She pointed out as much as she could about the Kingdom and the broad sea that lay before them.

They camped in a thicket on the outskirts of the city, snuggled together by their warm campfire, content to simply be together. When they finally fell asleep, Aurora was cradled in Jade's arms, head on her chest, holding her close and breathing in her clean, fragrant scent.

The next morning they rode into the castle courtyard, and Aurora felt herself knotting up inside.

She had never realized how much she disliked her life here.

There were guardsmen in formal dress rushing around the courtyard, and Jade and Aurora went to the stables almost unnoticed by the bustling castle staff.

Aurora cornered a stable boy, and he bowed low, recognizing her, but unused to the newly emerged confidence in her eyes. She gently pulled him to his feet. She had always hated it when the staff bowed and scraped around her. She was simply Aurora, the third daughter of the King and Queen.

"Where are Father and Mother?" she asked him.

"They are in the throne room," he said. "Your older sister and her husband are visiting."

"Do you perchance remember a young woman and a boy visiting here about ten days ago?" asked Jade.

He glanced at her and blushed crimson. He seemed suddenly tongue tied. Aurora flinched inside, remembering how that felt.

"Princess Jaderain doesn't bite," she told him kindly. "Do you know the answer to the question or anyone who does?"

"You must ask the King," he said, eyes firmly trained on Aurora. "Although gossip has it the dungeon has two new additions."

Jade and Aurora exchanged a horrified glance.

"Could you please take care of our horse?" asked Aurora. "We won't be long. Less than an hour, I would think."

He nodded, eyes stuttering away from them both.

Aurora sighed and turned to Jade. "I would like to go to the dungeons first, and then visit Mother and Father, if you don't mind?"

Jade smiled. "Lead the way."

Aurora accepted her hand and led her towards the castle. The guards stopped her at the gate. She recognized one of them as a guard who had teased her and made her life a misery for as long as she could remember. He saw her coming and grinned unpleasantly, lowering his pike to bar her entrance.

She impatiently pushed it out of the way, and he stepped into her path.

"Could you please move?" asked Aurora politely, although her eyes smoldered.

"You can't come in here without an invitation," he said with a saturnine smile. His gaze crawled over the front of her body, taking in Jade's lean beauty in turn.

Suddenly he found the tip of Jade's sword dimpling his throat. "Is that enough of an invitation for you?" she asked in silken tones. "And since when is a Princess barred from visiting her own parents?"

He coughed and spluttered and then moved aside without further resistance. Jade sheathed her sword, blue eyes hot with uncharacteristic anger. "Disgusting," she growled.

"You wouldn't be jealous, would you?" asked Aurora with some of her old timidity.

"I hated the way he looked at you," said Jade, blushing. "And I don't like the way they don't seem to treat you with any respect." She glanced at Aurora and her blush increased.

Aurora smiled, feeling her heart warm. She took Jade's hand and they went down to the dungeons.

"Would it help," Aurora asked suddenly, "if I told you I didn't like the way he looked at you either?"

Jade laughed softly. "Well, at least we both know where we stand."

Aurora nodded and strode into the guard's room. Two men sat and played cards. They jumped to their feet and bowed when they saw Aurora.

She reached for the keys that hung at the closest one's belt, tearing them off with a glare. She strode down the dimly lit corridor, leaving Jade to watch them, and went straight to the furthest cell.

The handmaiden and Hamlin, looking a little the worse for wear, saw her and leapt to their feet, exclaiming.

"Princess!" said the handmaiden. "We thought you had forgotten us!"

Aurora shook her head. "Never," she said with quiet emphasis. "Let's go home."

The handmaiden heard the vehemence and grim intent in her voice, and looked at the young woman with new respect in her eyes. Aurora still seemed a little shy, but was much more confident than she had been when she had arrived at the kingdom.

Aurora led them back to the guard's room. When Hamlin saw Jade, he gave cry of joy and threw himself at the laughing Crown Princess. Aurora smiled, a little taken aback by his reaction, but touched at the simple honesty of it.

Jade's arms snuck around him, returning his fond hug.

He released her after a little while, and came to full attention and saluted her. "Captain, it's good to see you again."

Jade returned his salute with a grin. "Guardsman Hamlin, welcome back."

The two guards who had been playing cards watched them with round eyes. Aurora tossed the keys onto the table and turned to the handmaiden.

"Have they taken good care of you?" asked Aurora of the handmaiden.

The handmaiden smiled. "We have been well fed and we have been given the opportunity to bathe," she replied.

Aurora turned to the guards. "It's good to see someone hasn't forgotten their manners," she said. "I will see to it that my father is made aware of your compassion."

Both guards saluted her, and they all began to walk up the stairs again.

"Princess!" called one of the guards, and both Aurora and Jade paused. "You're looking well."

His eyes spoke volumes that his words could not. She knew that he meant that someone had taken the time to get to know her and to pay attention to her.

"Come with us," she said. "Live in a sunlit world and not below ground like a pair of moles."

The guard who had spoken exchanged a glance with his comrade, a merry eyed young man who had a relaxed and calm air. They grinned at one another and bounded up the stairs behind her.

Aurora, Jade by her side, led the way to the audience chamber, breezing by the guards with a firmness that she had never before displayed.

Her mother and her father, in all their regal finery, sat on their thrones, straightening as she stormed into the room. Her older sister sat on a throne beside them, looking at Aurora as though trying to place her.

"Don't bother getting up," said Aurora coldly, eyeing them mercilessly. Her unforgiving stare took in her eldest sister, a woman she barely knew by anything other than reputation. "I don't expect this to have an impact on you, but you've had two of my people trapped in your dungeons for almost two weeks. Why didn't you take the time to ask them what they wanted?"

Neither her mother nor her father answered, and Aurora read the guilt in their eyes.

"Ah. I see. You ignored them, as you ignored me for most of my life." She leaned forward, arms crossed, and made sure that they were both paying attention to her. "You disgust me! I don't know much about either one of you, despite the fact that you're my parents. Since you did ignore me for most of my life, I think it's safe to say you don't know much about me either." She snorted. "Henceforth, I will never return to this kingdom, nor will you will never see me or hear from me again. I expect you to honor the treaty that you forged with my kingdom."

"Your kingdom, is it?" asked her eldest sister contemptuously.

Before Aurora could answer, Jade stepped forward. "Yes. Her kingdom. We're married. She is the Crown Princess with me," said Jade, her sultry voice cold and with more than a hint of steel. She turned to Aurora. "Let's go. These people really aren't worth it."

Aurora nodded. "I noticed." She turned back to her silent and abashed parents. "I'm taking five horses from your stables."

Hamlin tugged her shirt. "Four," he whispered. "My sister can ride with me."

"Four horses from your stables. You will not complain and you will not ask for them back."

She turned on her heel and left with Jade by her side and their guardsmen behind them.

Aurora led them back out to the stables, and quietly took their horse and four others, picked by the two guardsmen and Jade. They mounted and left the city.

Aurora and Jade stayed close together on the ride back home. They shared the same bedroll, snuggled close together yet chaste. Neither one was willing to share her feelings for the other in front of the audience they had acquired.

When they arrived back at the castle of Darrien and Antoinette, it was to much fanfare and festivity and welcoming bear hugs from the grinning Greenwood. Hamlin and the handmaiden's aged parents waited for them, and there was a joyous reunion between all four.

Jade immediately called for her lieutenant, bidding him to assign their new guardsmen duties that put them out into fresh air. The two guardsmen thanked her profusely and settled in with their new comrades.

Aurora and Jade quietly approached King Darrien and Queen Antoinette, who saw their closeness and smiled, but did not comment on it.

Aurora could see by their eyes that they had also heard what she had told them while they were frozen, and it was with no sense of discomfort on any side that she sank into a deep embrace with them both.

"What's the big occasion?" asked Jade, a twinkle in her blue eyes.

"Well," said King Darrien, "it's actually twofold. First, it's your anniversary. We know it's a little late, but I think we can all be forgiven for that. Second, it's your birthday, isn't it, Aurora?"

Aurora blushed but determinedly kept her chin firm and met Darrien's eyes. "It is."

She immediately felt herself swept up into Jade's arms, the soft press of Jade's lips against hers.

"Happy birthday, my love, and welcome home," she whispered when they broke. "I love you."

"I love you too, Jade," she murmured, claiming Jade's lips and giving free rein to her passion and love for the older woman.

Jade, breathless, led her into the castle, Darrien and Antoinette, hands firmly clasped, following close behind them.

That evening, there was a tremendous celebration. Aurora sat by Jade's side, alternately amazed by the sea of acceptance, respect and love for them from the assembled crowd, and the tender regard of Jade, who sat close by her side, sharing a plate with her and holding her close.

After the well wishing crowd slowly dispersed, Jade said their good nights for them, and took Aurora's hand, leading them upstairs to their rooms.

They stopped outside Aurora's door and Jade stole a kiss from her. "Good night, my love," Jade whispered, as she gently caressed Aurora's face.

"Do you want to come in with me?" asked Aurora shyly, feeling the familiar tingling in her body at the soft sensation of Jade's lips and the strong body she held in her arms.

"Are you sure?" Jade breathed.

"I'm sure," said Aurora, opening the door, and tugging Jade through it.

She soon found herself firmly in Jade's tender embrace.

Jade was gentle with her, and the early morning sunlight found them bare and tangled together in Aurora's soft and inviting bed.

Jade's parents saw their closeness the next day, the love in their eyes and smiled fondly. They had hoped they had not hurt their daughter by asking her to marry a girl none of them had ever seen before, and they thanked fate that Aurora was as gentle and kind as Jade was. The season cooled into the depths of winter and they received an emissary from Aurora's parents, begging their daughter for forgiveness and showering the frontier kingdom with gifts and a new trading treaty. Aurora thought about it for a while, and then sent her forgiveness, and peace and free trade flourished between the kingdoms. When summer came again, Aurora's parents cautiously visited her, and finally came to understand why Jade's family loved her so much.

And they all lived happily ever after.