The Princess is a Spitfire

Ch. 1: Nightmares

Adaira woke up in a cold sweat her night gown hanging off one of her

shoulders, the fabric clinging to her skin. She pulled the covers off of her legs

and got out of bed desperately breathing in and out as her heart slows from its

thundering pace. She always had this dream ever since her mother's sudden

death eleven years ago. Reliving one of the few memories she had of her

mother until suddenly she and her mother are ripped apart, screaming and she

watches as the life drains out of her mother. It doesn't help that the dream

happens consistently on the anniversary of her mother's death. Adaira lights a

candle near her bed and walks to her floor-length vanity. The one consolation

her family was left with after the Queen's death was Ada's constant reminder of

what she looked like. Some daughters are akin purely because of their coloring

or general figure, but Adaira truly was her Mother's daughter. She ran her

hands over her face, staring back at her were the vibrant dark green eyes that

once brought life to every soul in the castle, she had been the only child to have

green eyes. She ran her hair through her long auburn hair, that had been the

one way she differed from her mother. Ada frowned slightly much as she liked

her coppery, dark auburn hair, what she wouldn't give to have her mother's

raven locks; just to keep that much more of her preserved. The Queen had been

wise to name her daughter Adaira, for she was just that a great beauty. Adaira

had long dark lashes, a small slightly, upturned nose, full pink lips; but the true

marvel remained her eyes which would have been beautiful in any color. Adaira

chuckled at being so silly. She always did this, tried to see every part of her

mother in her that she could, but it was never enough. Why she even attempted

to go to bed this night is unfathomable. Grumbling she moved her candelabra

back to her bedside table as she picked up her book and began to read. Dawn

soon came, and now that night had passed she was able to drift to sleep. Not

two seconds after she fell asleep the curtains were flung open and activity is all

around her.

Ada mumbled into her pillow "nmmmpppphh.......nnnooooo,

Myra, please leave me be........You know I wasn't able to sleep last night, please

let me sleep in, have you no mercy?" she continued half awake.

"Madam, it is noon, His Majesty said if you refuse to present yourself within

the hour, the maids shall fetch water from the frozen creek nearby and use it to

rouse our slumberin' princess." Myra brusquely stated.

"You wouldn't dare." Adaira, looking at her maid through narrowed eyes.

"I wouldn't bet on that if I were you sweetheart, If I can, knowing I wouldn't

be whipped fer it ...., well I'd be a halfwit to pass that up." Ada groaned as she

slowly dragged herself out of bed. Myra grabbed a beautiful silky, vibrantly

colored blue gown, and handed it to Adaira, after she was dressed Myra

brushed and styled her hair with a loose braid. Ada walked down the

magnificent marble staircase, following the enticing smell of fresh bread to the

dining chamber where the rest of her family sat chatting, having long since

finished their breakfast and now enjoying lunch.

"Morning, darling, sleep well?" Her father looked up at her wryly, over his

stack of papers. "Oh, yes father and I had the most wonderful dream in which

you actually woke up after the sun..." Ada replied instantaneously. Her brothers and father all

chuckled heartily, they knew sleep eluded her consistently on the anniversary

of their mother's death.

"Well, if we could get over this subject, Ada, would you like to come

riding with Cadell and I today; I promise we can visit your friends in the

village?" Adaira's face lit up, she adored riding horseback, and she made it a

habit to check on the welfare of a few families she had befriended, each with their own problems.

"I'll take your expression to mean yes?" Griffith sad with a mildly amused

expression as he watched his sister with a cocked eyebrow. "Griff, there are so

few questions you are capable of asking me that require no response on my

part, unless I am ill; I will always wish to ride or see my friends." She scarfed

down her sweet buttered bread and eggs then excused herself quickly to retrieve her

cloak before heading down to the stables. She hoped Griff was all right, being

the eldest he had more memories of their mother than all of her other siblings,

he was eleven when she died and still missed her terribly, just as she did.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Boom. First official chapter DONE!!!! No spoilers but I'm setting this as a sort of Adventure/Romance in a historical era. For those of you who just went "there were no spoilers there?", yea I know I said no spoilers, did I not? Alrighty, hope you enjoy it so far, Also I'm not sure what to name the "love interest" so feel free to offer up names for him.

-SecretlyAMermaid