The Princess and the Dragon

Chapter 1: Of a Princess

© Avalon Lee, 2014. All Rights Reserved.

Rowan

The day that would change my life forever started off in a boring enough manner.

I awoke to the feeling of warm sun on my face, shining through the castle window. I turned and pulled my blanket over my head, reluctant to get up. I felt vibrations through my feather-filled mattress, and knew my mother was approaching.

Surely enough, my blanket was yanked off, and I shivered in my nightgown. I blearily looked up at my mother, who did not seem pleased. Get out of bed, her eyes said. She made an upward motion with her hand.

I groaned and obediently tumbled out of bed, and began to get dressed. Well I knew the many, and in my opinion, unnecessary layers of clothing expected to be worn by a princess. First came the underdress, white and soft as silk. Next was the unbearable corset-tightened mercilessly by my mother. Finally I put on my favorite dress-sapphire blue with gold trim. After a rather painful brushing, a delicate silver diadem was placed on top of my raven-black waves.

I looked in the tall mirror at the girl staring back at me. She gazed with wide eyes: one sapphire blue, and one emerald green. She was the only one known to have such eyes. Her ebony hair tumbled down her shoulders, still not quite tamed. The girl was slender and pale, and just beginning to show the features associated with womanhood. I winked, and the girl winked back at me. I smiled, and so did she. It was still hard to believe that she was me and I was she. Why was my reflection a stranger to me?

I turned away from the mirror and looked at my mother. She was dressed as well--clad in an emerald green dress. She bore herself with the regality only a Queen could possess. She smiled at me, age causing the corners of her hazel eyes to crinkle. I smiled back, glad that she approved.

Still, one secret thought whirled about my mind. Or was it a desire? Either way, it was a thought that I had entertained for years. I, Princess Rowan, did not want to be a princess. I wanted to be a knight. Ever since I was little, I had always watched the knights in the courtyards and training fields, in their shiny armor and slashing swords. Then, they would return from battles in glory and honor. Not stuck inside the castle all the time, or having to pretend out in public. The one knight I admired more than any of the others was Sir Theodore. He was always willing to stop and spend time with me. He had kindly amber eyes and a helmet that he always let me wear. I vowed that one day, I too would become a knight like Sir Theodore. No matter what.

Placing one hand on my back, Mother led me out of my chambers. We walked down to the Great Hall. There awaited the long table adorned with an elaborate breakfast.

At the head of the table sat King Cedric himself. When I entered the room, he glanced up, and his outward expression immediately brightened. His green eyes were wise and weary of the world, yet filled with kindness.

My father stood up from the table, then said something to his servant who had ushered forward. The servant retreated, and Father came to give me his "good morning" hug. I smiled against his tunic as he embraced me. I had always enjoyed his bear-like hugs, something Mother would never understand. She watched with an amused, if slightly disapproving smile.

I rolled my eyes and extricated myself from Father's slightly suffocating affection. My stomach growled, threatening to eat my innards if I didn't feed it soon. After a hurried breakfast, I gazed at my parents imploringly, gesturing outside the castle window. Mother returned the look sternly, her expression saying, You know you can't go out on the castle grounds yet. You have to go to your lessons.

I groaned out loud, and turned instead toward Father. He always had been the softie. He noticed this and looked between the two women, caught in the middle. I had to keep from laughing at his uh-oh face. Seemingly deciding to side with me, he spoke to Mother. She kept shaking her head, then finally relented.