Advisor Andrew's Endless Demands

It had been six cycles of the moon since Amaya had come to Dawnacia. The entire kingdom had welcomed the young princess and they all loved her. There had been a letter distributed that said no one was allowed to mention the former rulers in front of her majesty. The people complied, knowing that their young ruler did not need the heartache. Princess Amaya had been also trying to rule. After the last big storm, she, Miss Chelsea, and Knight Peter had rode into the kingdom to inspect the damage. She had learned that from Amarei and she had decided that she wanted to be just as good a ruler.

Amaya had been told she could not attend any balls at Fooville on orders from Queen Amarei. That did not please the princess, but she did not complain. The young princess had been fighting a bad cold and than everybody came to visit her. Amaya had enjoyed the attention, but at the same time she felt lonely. Amaya missed Queen Amarei a lot, and not many people seemed to notice. The young princess had started by writing the queen a letter every week, but than Morgana had gotten mad. Morgana locked the princess in a small closet and did not give her food. Afterwards, Amaya was too scared to write the queen and so resolved to just miss her.

Eve proved to be a faithful companion. The puppy followed her mistress everywhere. At night, the puppy would not rest until the princess was sleeping and would wake if anyone entered the room. Eve accompanied Amaya to court, to all the meals, and even to her weaponry training. Everyone in the palace adored the little puppy and were glad that the princess had some sort of companion.

Princess Amaya had begun her training in both politics and weaponry. Everyday for three hours, the young princess would sit in the throne room with Lydia and have her lessons. Afterwards, she would report to the garrison to retrieve her small blade. Than, both Knight Peter and Miss Chelsea would tutor her in the arts of fighting. Amaya was getting rather good and could not wait to show off her skill to Queen Amarei.

However with every cycle of the moon Amaya grew less hopeful that Amarei would visit. Every morning since the second cycle had been completed the young princess would watch the road leading to the palace. She would than check the Queen's chambers and the ballroom. No one, except Morgana, discouraged the princess. Lydia even wrote the queen a letter asking her to visit, but she had yet to arrive.

Today, Amaya had already got to see if the queen had come. The answer was no. She'd already been to lessons and training, doing well in both. The young princess was presently at the stables helping Master William. A passerby would not guess that the young girl covered in dust was really the ruler of the entire kingdom. Lydia soon came upon the princess.

"Princess Amaya, please come with me. We need to get you cleaned up before you see some of your subjects," she informed. Amaya nodded. She thanked Master William and followed Lydia with Eve on her heels. Lady Lydia drew a bath for the young princess when they returned to her chambers. Amaya bathed and dressed in a navy blue dress. It fell to her ankles and allowed her free movement. Princess Amaya than asked to be left alone, so Lydia left. Amaya sat down with Eve and began to play with her. Soon the princess grew bored and left her room, Eve tagging alone. Amaya wandered down to the large kitchen. The Master Cook, Lupe, always had treats for his young ruler.

Amaya appeared in the heated room with Eve. The other servers and washers bowed and curtsied before her. Master Lupe bowed deeply and offered the girl a cookie, which she gratefully accepted.

"Pray tell, Princess, what brings you to my inferno?"

"I am observing, Master Lupe," the princess replied.

"What a good princess you are," one of the ladies praised. Amaya beamed, than she noticed the smell. It was the smell of her favorite dish. She looked towards Lupe questioningly and he smiled knowing what she would ask.

"Yes, Princess, I am cooking Lus de Lupe," he answered.

"YEAH!"
"However, Princess, there is a surprise for tonight's dinner, so you cannot stay in here," he said. The princess nodded.

"Okay, I can wait till evening meal." Princess Amaya scampered off through the doors. Eve began to whine so Amaya took her out into the garden. Eve ran off to take care of herself and Amaya went exploring. She had never seen the entire garden and always wanted to.

"Amaya wandered around and soon realized she was well passed where she normally went. The princess did not worry, she could find her way back, plus Eve had caught up to her. She strolled lightly brushing up against all the flowers. Little yellow things buzzed around her but did not harm her. A large wall of vines slowly developed before her and soon her path was blocked. Amaya looked around for a path when Eve started barking.

"What's wrong Eve?" the princess asked. She went to her puppy and saw that she was in front of a hidden gate. The vines were covering part of it, but the princess managed to open it. Eve rushed in and Amaya followed. Her arm was scrapped against something sharp and it began to bleed lightly. She looked around and found herself in a huge rose garden. There were so many different colors. Some were as gold as the sun; others were as dark as night, and more were red as blood. Amaya wandered the garden not noticing much besides the flowers. The princess came upon a stone-carved bench, engraved into the bench was a design. That's the symbol on all of my dresses I wonder what it means. Amaya sat on the bench and glanced around. A little further from the bench she saw a small pond with a small waterfall. I wonder why someone would let this place overgrow. The young princess got up and cautiously picked a white rose, taking great care not to stab herself with a thorn. She knelt at the edge of the pond, sitting on the skirt of dress so it would not get wet. Amaya placed the flower on the water and gave it a light push. She said a small prayer, for what she did not know, but still she prayed. The water rippled and Eve let out a low growl. Amaya's head shot up, she had not felt a strong wind nor had she heard what Eve was barking at. The ripple ended abruptly as it had happened. Amaya felt warmth of light from behind her, but passed it off as the sun peaking behind the clouds. She dipped her fingers in the cold water, and traced pictures on the surface; behind her there was a small laugh.

"Be careful, Princess, you do not want to fall in, now do you?" The princess went to full alert with in a matter of seconds. Am I dreaming? The little girl had, had many dreams of this nature, but she could swear she was wide-awake. She whirled around and nearly tumbled into the pond. Eve barked and Amaya saw her visitor.

"Queen Amarei!" She exclaimed running. She leaped into the queen's open arms and held on tight. The queen spun around and princess squealed. Amarei placed the princess on her feet and smiled at her. Amaya hugged her and just refused to let go. Amarei put her hand on top of the small princess' head. Eve barked and circled around the two crashing into Amarei's ankles.

"Hello Eve," the queen laughed.

"Queen Amarei, have you come to visit?"

"Yes, Amaya, but only for a little time." Amaya nodded her understanding. "Shall we go back?" Amarei asked. Amaya nodded again and than paused. She looked around but could not remember which way she had come and her eyes began to tear.

"Um…I'm not sure where the gate is," Amaya sobbed. Amarei lifted the small child to her hip and smiled down at her.

"Don't cry princess, I know the way back. Hold tight," she said. Amarei knelt still balancing the child and picked up Eve. The queen held the puppy in one arm and the girl in the other; she closed her eyes and concentrated. Disappearing from the rose garden just before the water drops fell, she reappeared in Amaya's room and placed both child and puppy down. Amarei than sat on the edge of the bed resting. It had taken a lot of energy to teleport them and she was exhausted. Amaya climbed onto the bed and curled up next to where Amarei was sitting. The young princess placed her head on Amarei's lap and rested her eyes. Queen Amarei toyed with the child's hair, all the while singing in a soft voice. Amaya yawned sleepily and Amarei laughed.

"Queen Amarei, how long will you stay for?"

"I do not know," the queen sighed. "Perhaps a turn of the moon, perhaps less."

"Oh, tomorrow will you come watch me train? Miss Chelsea and Knight Peter have taught me well," Amaya replied. Amarei was quiet as she thought. I should be happy to see a blade in her hand for perhaps one day she'll avenge her parents' death. However, fighting is dangerous and I know I could never forgive myself if something happened to her.

"We shall see," Amarei answered. A knock sounded lightly on the wooden door. "Come in." The door opened to reveal Ladies Jilliana, Lydia, and Morgana standing in the threshold. They all drooped a light curtsy and Amarei nodded.

"It is nice to see you again, Queen Amarei," Lydia greeted with a smile. Amarei returned the smile.

"I'm glad to see you as well." Amaya sat up to see who was in the room. Jilliana, Lydia and…oh no! It's Morgana; oh I hope she's not here to punish me! Amaya slid closer to Amarei, almost as if she were trying to hide behind the queen. Amarei noticed this and pulled the princess into her lap. She held her protectively and Amaya buried her head.

"Princess Amaya, the queen probably needs her rest, so why don't you come along with me," Morgana suggested icily. Amaya did not respond hoping to fool her into thinking she was asleep.

"Amaya is fine with me, I enjoy her company and I certainly did not come all the way here for political reasons only," Amarei informed. Morgana nodded and retreated.

"We shall leave you, majesty," Jilliana announced. She and Lydia than left as well. Amarei held Amaya close and rocked her gently.

"Amaya, you don't have to be afraid to tell me anything," Amarei said softly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that if you ever want to tell me something, you can."

"Oh," came the princess' response. Amaya rested her head on Amarei's shoulder.

"Amaya."

"Yes?"

"Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Um… I don't know," she said. Amarei rolled her eyes. How am I going to get anything out of this child?

"How do you like Dawnacia?"

"I love it just as much as Eveana, and so many other queens and kings too have sent me things. There is even a king bringing his son tomorrow!" Amaya exclaimed.

"Oh? Who is this king?"

"Um… I think…oh no!" the princess cried.

"What's wrong?"

"Lady Morgana told me not to tell you! She said she would…" Amaya drifted off as her tears came raining down. She wriggled out of Amarei's grasp and ran out of the room.

"AMAYA!" Amarei yelled. Amarei got to the door just in time to see Amaya disappear around a corner. She must be going to either the ballroom or the throne room. The queen walked quickly down the hall stopping only when she approached the throne room door. No one was outside and so she stepped in the lightened room. No one was there and so she retreated. Amarei continued down the hall to the last set of doors. Knight Peter was standing outside obviously guarding the door. Hearing the approaching person he drew his sword.

"You'll put that away sir!" Amarei ordered.

"Queen Amarei! Forgive me, your majesty, I did not know it was you," the knight apologized sheathing his blade.

"Is the princess in there?"
"Yes ma'am."

"May I see her?"

"I do not know, you see usually when she runs in there I am to let no one see her until she emerges."

"She goes in there often?" Queen Amarei gasped.

"Yes, I think she is being yelled at by Lady Morgana often," he responded stepping aside. The queen pushed the door opened and entered the ballroom. She looked around the room and did not see the princess. Sobbing came from behind one if the columns at the bottom of the steps.

"Amaya," she softly called. The sobbing stopped and Amarei heard a swish as the princess moved. "Amaya it's me. I am not going to hurt you, nor will I let anyone else." Amarei had slowly been moving to the bottom of the stairs and saw the princess, knees tucked to her chest, arms covering her head and Eve guarding her.

Queen Amarei dropped to her knees next to the princess. Amaya did not look at her. Amarei placed her hand lightly on the child's shoulder and Amaya froze.

"Amaya, tell me, who is coming tomorrow? Please, Princess," Amarei begged. Amaya peaked two eyes above her arms.

"But if Morgana finds out…" she mumbled.

"Morgana will not hurt you now that I am here. You're safe with me."

"Morgana says the king is coming from Fooville with his son Prince Nikolai. She told me I wasn't to tell anyone and that I must be very nice to the prince," Amaya explained. Amarei's blood boiled, but she did not lose her temper.

"You will not meet him alone, I'll be right there with you," the queen promised. Amaya popped her whole head up to see if Amarei was serious.

"Really?"

"Of course, and another thing, if Morgana ever hurts you again, I want you to tell me, okay?" The princess nodded her head. "Now dry your tears."

"Queen Amarei, why would Morgana tell me not to tell anyone? When we were in Eveana everyone knew when there was a visitor."

"I do not know, but I shall find out tomorrow." The young princess smiled and pushed herself to her feet. The queen stood up with the grace and beauty that only a queen could have and took Amaya's hand. The two rulers left the ballroom and Amaya thanked Knight Peter. Lady Jilliana came towards them as they approached the throne room.

"Majesties!" She called dropping a small curtsy.

"Lady Jilliana," Amarei greeted.

"Queen Amarei, I was hoping I could speak with you for a moment."

"Let's speak in the throne room," the queen suggested. The queen led Amaya into the room and Jilliana followed. Amaya went to sit on her throne and spoke to some of the people who were cleaning the room. Amarei, content that the princess was safe for the moment turned her attention to Jilliana.

"Queen Amarei, I have reason to believe that Morgana is hurting the princess. Lydia said the princess has had mysterious bruises and marks on her."

"I've had the same feeling, but I don't know what to do," the queen informed. She sighed and looked towards where Amaya was helping a servant. "I promised to keep her safe and by Gods that's what I'll do!"

The doors to the throne room were thrown open. Morgana sallied in and curtsied. Miss Chelsea came rushing in behind her along with Knight Peter. Chelsea grabbed Morgana before she made it to the princess and Knight Peter hurried to the little girl's side. Amarei watched the scene, highly confused.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Everyone in the room froze as Amarei looked around. Knight Peter stepped forward.

"Majesty, there's an army marching towards Dawnacia," he announced. Amaya's eyes grew wide and Amarei's blood turned hot.

"Whose army?" the queen demanded.

"Fooville, ma'am," Chelsea said as she struggled with Morgana.

"His majesty, King Marcus, is coming to meet the princess!" Morgana explained.

"He can meet my swords as well as the princess. Jilliana summon my traveling army and Knight Peter, prepare a force, blood shall not be shed in the this palace!"