We all bowed, or curtsied if you were a girl, as the royal family rode into town. The King and Queen looked pretty much like I remembered them. And to my annoyance, the Prince didn't seem to have changed much either. Stupid, arrogant, annoying little Prince I thought spitefully. Will sent me a sharp glance, as if warning me not to let my thoughts show. I winked back at him. Finally, they stopped in the Town Square. The King waited patiently as everyone filed in behind them. He held up his hand and silence fell as he spoke.
"People of Fairindale, as you have no doubt heard, my son Prince Harold," here he gestured to the Prince who just sat on his horse looking bored, "has recently turned sixteen years of age. As is the tradition, the time has come for him to choose a bride from one of the outlying villages in our kingdom. The lucky girl will then be sent to live in the castle and learn the ways of a lady for the next two years until Harold is named heir to the throne, when they will marry and she will be crowned Princess." There was cheering from the crowd and a lot of high pitched squealing from the other girls. I just rolled my eyes. Surely the Prince remembers how unladylike I am. I should be safe. I thought.
"Will all the eligible maidens from twelve to sixteen please step forward and form a line." the King instructed. Much to my dismay, I was shoved to the very front by my mother. We all stood in a line, shoulder to shoulder, as the Prince ran his eyes over all of us. They paused on me for a brief second, then continued down the line. Eventually, the King asked, "Have you made a decision?" The Prince surveyed us one last time, then nodded.
"Her." he said. "She will do." Everyone looked anxiously to where he was pointing. I looked up from the ground to see that, to my horror, he was pointing straight at me. He still had that bored expression on his face, while my own displayed a mix of shock, and anger. Me! Be a Princess! No! There is no way in Hell that I am going to become a prissy little princess!! Just no!!
"Well, don't be shy. Step forward." said the King. As I did, he asked, "What is your name, girl?"
"Nightshade, Your Majesty. Nightshade Hemlock." I replied sinking into a curtsy.
"Well, Nightshade, we will be back in two days time to escort you to the castle, your new home. Please have all your belongings packed by then." With that, they turned and rode out of town. I then made my escape, ignoring the calls of my mother and the other girls, all wanting to congratulate me. I only spoke when I heard Will run up beside me.
"Meet me there." is all I said. I ran into the inn and up the stairs to my bedroom. There, I ripped off the horrid dress, undid the corset, and slipped into a simple tunic and trousers that I had hidden behind the false back of my closet. Pulling the ribbons from my hair, I grabbed the sword that Will had made me with leftover iron from the blacksmith, and climbed out the window. I leaped from branch to branch high up in the trees to avoid being spotted as I made my way towards the hill that Will and I always met on to practice our swordsmanship. Stupid Prince. Stupid dress. Why don't I get a say in any of this!? I am NOT going to be a princess!!!! Once I got to the hill, I jumped down from the tree to find Will waiting for me. Landing lightly on my feet, I sneaked up behind him.
Holding the blade to the back of his throat, I pronounced, "Dead." He spun around, surprised.
"Well," he sighed, "I guess I call you Shade for a reason. You're as silent as a shadow!" He tried to sound upbeat and happy, like usual, but he just managed a tired sadness. "You know, your mum is going to kill you for running off like that."
"Oh, she wouldn't dare hurt the future 'Princess of the Realm'," I spat the words out bitterly, as if they were poisonous. Will ran a hand through his hair.
"I can't believe you're going to be a princess." he said.
"I know. Princesses don't get to have any fun. It's all going to be manners, and reading, and dresses." I sighed. "Why is the universe against me?"
"I don't know about the universe, but I do know that we need to have all the fun we can today, because tomorrow you will have to pack." Will grinned and unsheathed his sword. "You ready?"
In answer I got into a start position. "You bet," I said. Will lunged, and we quickly settled into a rhythm, all thoughts of princesses and castles driven from our minds. Strike, parry, dodge. Our weapons whirled through the air as the sun went down, neither one of us giving in. Finally, our swords clashed together, forming an X. Most of our battles ended this way, struggling for power against each other. Eventually we gave up, and lay down on the grass, side by side. We were silent for a moment, then Will spoke.
"I can't believe you're leaving, " he whispered.
"Neither can I." We watched as moon and stars came out. Then, Will suddenly sat up, as if remembering something.
"Oh, what was I thinking!" he exclaimed. "I can't let you leave without these!" He ran and picked up something that had been laying in the grass. "I was going to give these to you for your next birthday, but now that you're leaving, I figured I'd give them to you now." He placed the object in my hands.
I looked down and a saw a leather double knife scabbard, complete with a belt. In the scabbard lay two daggers, both finely shaped and gleaming delicately in the moon light. The hilts were wrapped with white leather grips, and on the bottom was an engraving. A nightshade berry.
"I've been working on them for months, just finished last night. Do you like them?" Will's expression was hopeful.
"They're beautiful. Thank you so much! And they're just the right size to hide under a sash." It was my turn to grin now. The thought of walking around the castle with two knives hidden in my skirt was a pleasing one.
"Don't let their looks fool you, I made them from the hardest steel I could find, so they won't break." He had barely finished speaking when I engulfed him in a hug.
"Thank you, Will. You're the best friend I could ask for."
"I know, right? I am pretty awesome." he said with a cocky grin. I punched him on the shoulder.
"Oh, shut up you."
"Hey! You're a lady now so you're not aloud to punch people!"
"Whatever. I should probably go, I'll see you tomorrow right?"
"You bet. See you later, Princess." I rolled my eyes.
"Do you want to get punched again?" I asked.
"No, Ma'am!" Will pretended to stand at attention.
"Bye, Will. See you tomorrow!" I called over my shoulder as I climbed back into the tree. Will waved and headed down the hill. I made my way home, and crawled into bed. There would probably be Hell to pay tomorrow, but right now, I was content.
