Fallen

Chapter 1: To Be Free

I sat on my bed. My hands wrapped around a book, the pages seemed to come to life.It told the story of a young maiden who escaped the clutches of her mother.

Jasmine plunged into the woods, her heart beating faster and faster. Her long brown hair whipped her face and she could hear the angry cries of her mother behind her. A loud pounding noise started up behind her and her heart clenched tighter. The guards were coming. Jasmine darted around a tree when arms grabbed her. Spinning her around so that she couldn't see her assailants face. Suddenly Jasmine had the urge to scream but thought better of it. She struggled to get out of her captor's arms but he wouldn't let go.

"Hey are you alright?" Said a smooth baritone voice behind her. Jasmine whirled in surprise as his arms released her. He was handsome, but not a soldier, Jasmine almost cried out in relief. The sound of crashing tree branches grew louder. Jasmine darted under a bush, her hands shaking madly.

The sound stopped, peering through the tangled branches, Jasmine saw the soldiers stopping and staring suspiciously at the young man. Captain Garrot said in gruff voice to the stranger, "Seen a young girl around here? Brown hair, violet eyes? Yay high?" He asked raising his hand to about his shoulders. Her heart thudded so loudly she figured even the guards could hear,then they would discover her and- Jasmine banished the thought. "I haven't seen anyone around here. Pray, may I ask, why are you looking for such a woman?" Said the stranger in his lovely voice. Jasmine's heart skipped a beat. What?! Why was this stranger protecting her?
I sighed, seeing the love story unfolding already. A longing grew in my heart. I liked times like this. When I could lose myself in the world of books. Far away in a land with no responsibilities. Just adventure and charming young men. A world where- A loud knocking came from my door. Groaning inwardly, I put the book down and sat up," Come in." I said. The door opened revealing my mother, dressed in exquisite clothes, crafted by the castles' seamstresses. Her brown hair was piled up on top of her head today and, as always, a crown of gold was nestled into the brown locks.

I started, my mother never came into my room except in extreme emergencies. Suddenly I realized what a mess I looked like. My scraggly hair was bunched up in a messy braid. My face was barely adorned with the facial supplies my mother had brought from Durnfelk.

Gasping my mother noticed my complexion too, "Amber! What in the world have you been doing?! You look like a cat that got dragged through the rain!" I ducked my head, partly to hide my shame, partly to hide my face. "I... I was reading mother." Queen Diana stared at me aghast. " Well best hurry up now, and quit reading those foolish books of yours. Don't forget there's a ball tonight and you have to be outfitted for a new dress." Said my mother primly.

I sighed inwardly, sparing a glance to my wardrobe. It wasn't too much from the outside, just ornate doors, but inside it was large enough to fit two sleeping chambers, with room to spare! I had more than enough dresses. "Mother," I said, looking at her pleadingly, " I have enough dresses don't you think?" My mother stared at me again, she does that a lot. "My dear, everyone has seen you in your previous dresses. How are you to wear something they have already seen to the ball?!" Mother remarked.

Her words may have been light but I sensed an undertone of anger in her voice. Oh the scandal! I thought. "Alright mother, I'll get ready straight away." I said meekly. "That's a good girl! Nice to see I taught you well." My mother said airily, and strode back out my door. I slumped in dismay, I would never be able to stand up to my mother, she was just so powerful and strong. I waited patiently and soon the servants came.