Annabelle Of Aralynn

Greetings To The Princess

Princess Annabelle sat on Etheria's back, steadily keeping pace with Lucas. He had insisted that she ride on her steed for at least half of the trip.

"I can't believe it," Lucas said excitedly. "I can finally meet Princess Sofia!"

"You know her?" Annabelle asked.

"Of course! Don't you?"

"Of course I do. She's practically a sister to me."

"Wow, you're so lucky! I would give anything to get to see her beautiful face whenever I want," the boys face almost seemed...lovestruck.

Princess Annabelle giggled. "So you...like Sofia. You have a crush on the Princess!"

"Well, yeah! She's so beautiful and sweet and kind. She's just so perfect to me."

"Wow. I can introduce you!"

"Really?" Lucas looked at the little girl. "You'd do that?"

"Of course," Annabelle smiled. "Anything for a friend."

"Well, can you maybe introduce me as your long lost brother or something?"

"What?" The small princess gasped. "No way! I can't lie to Sofia! That's not nice at all."

"Then how will you introduce me? I'll be sent away as soon as you go into the Castle."

"I have my ways, but lying to my friend isn't one of them."

"Oh..." The boy looked disappointed.

   Soon, they reached the doors. Princess Annabelle slid off of Etheria's back and approached, knocking with her little fist.

A very tall man with receding silver hair and dressed nicely opened the door.

"Mr. Baileywick!" The little princess squeaked and hugged the man. "Hi!"

"Well hello there, Princess Annabelle," Baileywick greeted. "Its wonderful to see you again. We've been awaiting your arrival. Who is your friend? I haven't been notified about him."

"Oh! He is, um..." The little princess tried to think of something quick. "He's... my escort! His name is Lucas. Mr. Barnaby put him in charge of my safety."

"Oh, I see. Well, Princess Sofia is on her way to you as we speak."

"I'm here, Baileywick!" A familiar voice chimed.

"Sofia!" Annabelle ran to the older princess, hugging her tight.

Princess Sofia smiled sweetly as her younger counterpart embraced her.
  After their hug, Sofia looked up at the blonde boy that accompanied Princess Annabelle.

"Oh! It's you." The sweet princess gave him a smile. "I had a tea party set up. I did not know you were bringing a friend, but I'm sure we can squeeze him in somewhere."

As they started walking to the gazebo in the courtyard, Annabelle gave puzzled look.

"Wait, you know him already?" She asked Sofia.

"Well, yes. Prince Lucas and I are in Ice Dancing Class together."

"Prince?" The little girl became more confused. "But I thought..."

   Princess Annabelle's sentence was cut off by Lucas's desperate signals not to say anying. His eyes pleaded with her. She guiltily held back from saying anything else about the matter. Her stomach turned and flip-flopped like flapjacks at the thought of keeping her new friend's secret from her old friend.
   The trio arrived at the tea party and began to talk with each other.
Into the conversation, Sofia turned to Annabelle and asked her the big question.

"Annabelle, we were told you had to hide here in Enchancia until further notice. What is it that you're in danger of? What brings you to Enchancia?"