Once Upon a Time

The Beginning- Shailyn

The smell of the salty air and sound of the crashing waves echoed around the harbor. I leaned over the railing and waved at my brother as he boarded the boat. I was sad to see him go, and I would miss him, but it was all part of the plan.

"What if something happens to you?" I had asked the day before.

"I'll be fine, Shailyn," he assured me, "and I'll see you in about two weeks, right?"

I nodded, tears in my eyes, then wrapped my older brother in a hug, "I'll miss you, Nick."

He hugged me back, "I'll miss you too, Shailyn."

I waved frantically as the ship went away, carrying my brother away. He smiled from his place by the railing of the big wooden ship, sending a hand up to wave back. I stood at the harbor and watched as my brother sailed away. I would miss him, of course, but not for long. As his ship went off into the distance, I turned and walked off the pier.

One thing I would always love about Elisus was the life that it contained. Sometimes I would go into the city, dressed as just another citizen, and just wander around without the entourage, the guards, and just breath in the city life. I loved the people running about the marketplace, the children playing their games, and the workers rushing home to their families.

I was walking through the harbor when I felt a small, meek tug on my dress. I glanced down and saw a young girl, no older than seven, with long black hair, and a ratty, faded blue dress. Bright blue eyes sparkled underneath her raven hair, and she said something in a quiet voice.

"What was that?" I asked her, bending down to look her in the eyes.

"You're very pretty," she replied, louder.

A smile worked its way onto my face, "Thank you! You're very pretty, too."

She smiled meekly and looked at the ground, "Thank you, miss."

"What's your name?" I asked her.

"Adalene," she replied shortly.

"Hello Adalene," I smiled, "I'm Shailyn!"

She gasped, "Like the princess? You're the princess?"

I smirked and put a finger over her mouth, "Can that be our little secret? Pretty please?"

She nodded vigorously and I laughed, "How would you like to go have lunch with me, Adalene? You can even choose what we eat."

"Yes, please, Princess!" she exclaimed sweetly.

"Sh," I reminded her, "Nobody can know, remember? Just call me Shailyn."

"Alright!" She laughed, grabbing my hand, "Let's go this way! I know a yummy bakery!" She led me away through the crowded streets.

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I stopped dead when I entered the quaint bakery. The smell of freshly baked bread was everywhere, and I could even smell cookies and other pastries. My mouth started watering and I glanced at Adalene, who obviously felt the same way. She looked up at me, "I pass this place every day. It always smells so good, but mom never lets me buy anything. She always says we don't have enough money."

"Well let's fix that, yes?" I asked her. I led her to the display cases and lifted her up so she could see, "Pick anything you like."

She beamed at me, "Really?"

"Yes, really," I replied.

"Alright!" she exclaimed, "Can I have some bread? Oh, and a cookie! And that looks yummy, too!"

"Of course!" I ordered two slices of bread, one cookie, and a cannoli for Adalene. For myself, I ordered a piece of bread, a small sandwich, a cookie, and a cannoli. I paid the man at the counter and he gave us our food. Adalene and I went to sit down, and Adalene started eating her food quickly.

"Don't eat too fast!" I told her, "You'll get sick. It isn't going anywhere, I promise. Take your time."

She nodded and started eating at a normal pace.

"So how has your day been?" I asked as I picked up my sandwich and took a bite.

"Very good!" she replied, "I was so hungry! Momma couldn't bring any food home yesterday, so I didn't eat anything. Before I met you, I was playing on the harbor, I really like chasing the birds, and sometimes I like to pretend I'm a pirate captain!"

I laughed, "When I was your age, I liked to play pirate, too. My brother was always the captain, and I was his first mate! We battled sea monsters and enemy pirates, and we always won. Once, Victoria was captured by an evil sorceress and we had to go rescue her! It was always fun when Victoria played, but she almost never did. She was too busy doing princess things."

Adalene cocked her head, "Don't you ever have to do princess things?"

I shook my head, "Not very much. Victoria usually handles that. I get to read and take long walks in the courtyard, and sometimes I go to little towns like this one."

"That's very cool!" Adalene said. We continued talking until we finished our food, and we went back outside after I bought Adalene a loaf of bread to take home. We spent the whole day together, and at sunset, I walked Adalene home. She lived in a small wood structure closer to the edge of town. There were two windows in the front, one cracked across the old glass.

"Will you stay with me until Momma comes home?" Adalene asked, catching me off guard a bit.

"Why?" I asked.

"I don't want the other kids to come take my bread," she replied, "They always come in, beat me up, and take my food. I don't want that to happen today."

"Of course I'll stay with you," I replied, "And if they come to take your bread, I'll have to speak with them. That's very mean."

Adalene hugged me tight, "Thank you so much!"

We talked for a while longer, when there came a knock on the door. Adalene started to scurry away, when I stopped her, "Are those the kids who take your food?" she nodded, looking terrified, and I grabbed her hand. I started leading her to the door, something she fought against valiantly, but in vain. I flung open the door, and there stood a couple of teenagers, probably no older than 14. They seemed startled at my presence, something I used to my advantage.

"Are you the ones who steal this girl's food every day?" They didn't reply, and I raised my voice, "Answer me!"

One nodded, terrified, and I growled, "Do that again and I promise you will spend the next five years of your life in prison. And if you harm her in any way, things much worse than that will happen. Adalene is now under my protection, and trust me, you don't want to anger a princess."

"Princess?" One squeaked out, still petrified.

"Yes, I am Princess Shailyn of Elisus, and if need be, I will post guards outside this house. Do you hear me?" I asked. They all nodded quickly, and I yelled, "Now leave!" as they all scurried away.

I shut the door, and Adalene gave me a big hug. She looked up at me and asked, "Shailyn? Will you be my big sister?"

My heart fluttered a bit, "Of course, Addie."

She hugged me a bit tighter as I picked her up, "Thanks so much!"

Her mother arrived soon after, I introduced myself, conveniently forgetting to say anything about my royal status, and I made my way back to the castle after many thank-yous from Adalene and her mother. It had been a good day.