E

Chapter 1 Her:

One quiet morning, the young, vibrant girl strolled down the small dirt path alongside her older brother who observed her from behind. Putting pep in his step, he tried to keep up with the excitement.

"Leave her be" yelled their mother from the window of their comfy, two story home. He rolled his eyes and stopped in his mini journey.

"Ma she's only thirteen! She shouldn't go alone!" he shouted in a joking manner. The older woman, now laughing in the window, motioned her son to come inside once more. Obeying his mother, he strolled back into his family home.

Continuing down the path, she felt the tops of the bushes glide against her delicate tiny fingers. Poking her head into the air, she felt the smell of the hot summer dew on the tips of her lips. The sun, just waking up from its slumber, peered through the tall oak trees. Feeling the warmth on her skin, she felt content. Looking at the homes that made up her neighborhood, and suddenly paused as somebody strolled down the path towards her, and waved to her. She smiled at the familiar face and picked up her pace.

"I haven't seen you in a while," the boy laughed as he nudged her. She rolled her eyes and continued her morning stroll. He followed her and asked: "Where ya goin?" he wondered, hoping he would join her. She smiled at her friend, still not making eye contact with him.

"The market, I have a sudden urge for cookies." she says. "I don't have all the ingredients for my recipe, and I need to go before everything is gone in the market. Plus, I think I will deliver them to the people in the town. Yesterday was a hard day. Maybe it will give them hope again"

"Oooh, are you making the cookies you make around Christmas time? That really is the best time of the year; it always feels like Christmas when you give those out," he admitted.

"Christmas cookies are made for Christmas, not for spring," laughed Ella. She thought for a moment and said: "But, I could make other types of cookies for spring; cookies, in general, are always good," she insisted. "But I am also thinking about making my Lemon Cookies too."

The young man agreed and continued to follow Ella down the path. Both paused as they heard the sudden thudding of large feet coming down the path. Quickly, they stopped on their journey and looked at each other. The loud thud became a thunder. Closer and closer, they saw a dust cloud forming in the air ahead. The cloud charged for them. Suddenly, two young men strolled down the path on their black and white horses. They laughed as they raced down the road. Completely ignoring the two bystanders.

"Father is going to murder you!" yelled the young man on the black horse. "He's going to chop off your head and put it on a stake and feed you to the beast!"

"Not if I blame you and get home first." The boy on the white horse laughed.

She looked at them and noticed the royal emblem on their riding gear. She listened to their quick conversation as they rode by. As they were down the road, they walked out back onto the road and looked down the path as they raced towards the inner circle.

"Watch where you're going next time!" yelled the young man. She laughed as they then turned around and continued to walk down the tiny path. "You know, you should come to hang out more often. Fun stuff happens when you're around" He admitted nervously.

"Nothing ever happens in this old small town, let alone this kingdom." she groaned. "Nothing positive anyway"

"I do hate this Kingdom; I think I will hate it until our stupid king perishes."

She quickly turned her head and slapped the young man in the back of the head. "Don't be an idiot!" She yelled. They stopped walking and turned, now facing each other. She whipped her hand across her face in disgust. "Do you know what happens in this Kingdom when you don't vow to our king? We die," she insisted. She then continued along the small path. Walking down the path, she continued. "You coming or what?" She said as she looked back at him standing in the middle of the path like a stray puppy. The young man followed her, rubbing his head.