Fans

Fans Part 3

Fans - The Fans Themselves

Cast of Characters:

Queen Penta - Eldest queen of Kingdom. Administrator of business and taxes. Can teleport.

Penny - Leads Penta's fan club.

Queen Helga - Second oldest. Warrior queen. Has ability to cure curses.

Heggy - Leads Helga's fan club.

Queen Valencia - Third oldest. Preference for the poor. Has good fortune.

Matches - Leads Valencia's fan club.

Queen Cinderella - Fourth oldest. Organizes festivals and social events. Has ability to charm.

Ashes - Leads Cinderella's fan club.

Queen Snow White - Youngest. Negotiator and ambassador. Cannot be murdered.

Apple - Leads Snow White's fan club.

AN: Part One of this story occurs in Fans - The Queens. It's meant to be read first. This continues the narrative from the fan's perspective.

Five teenagers sat on a bench inside the royal castle, heads hung down, afraid to glance around at the portraits of the kings and queens of Kingdom. The bench warmers, ranging in age from fourteen to seventeen, didn't speak or look at each other preferring to stare at their hands, their shoes, or a spot on the floor. They fidgeted until a door next to them swung open and a man emerged. The man, a guard with mutton chops and a square-cropped beard, strode toward the five and, to their surprise, stopped before them. He glared. "Do you all know who I am?"

Five heads nodded.

He addressed the one who wore scuffed and ill-fitting leather armor. "Who am I?"

The teen peered at the guard through black braids. "Lyken."

"Correct, Heggy. Surprised I know your nickname? Does it give you a sense of how much trouble you are in?" He turned to another. "And what else do you know about me? Matches?"

A small girl with thin but long blond hair grimaced. "You decide who gets to see the queens."

"Yes. I have turned away lords and ladies." Lyken stroked his beard. "They have respected my orders though I am far beneath their caste. Why is that so?"

"Because you speak for the queens," said Apple.

Lyken clasped his hands behind his back. "I know what you are thinking. He will lecture us and let us go like before, but you are wrong. You are all acknowledged leaders of these groups that are called fans of the queens."

One girl with dirt under eyes went to speak, but Lyken cut her off.

"Yes, I know Cinderella's gaggle has claimed they don't have a leader, but my sources say most listen to you, Ashes. Your group obeys Cinderella and treat each other kindly but are abusive toward the other queen's followers. This is true of all of the fans."

Penny trembled. "Lyken, I am not like these others. I am younger and have never done anything bad. You must believe me."

The others scowled, and Lyken unclasped his hands, allowing his arms to drop to his side. "I know, Penny. Penta spoke to your predecessor and asked her to leave your group. She did not go far." He paused and his eyes shifted to Apple who hung her head. "And yes, your first run-in with the guards occurred this afternoon, and you wear the markings of your beating. However, you will be disciplined with the rest. Do not interrupt me again."

Penny shrunk under his admonition.

"As I was saying, you think I am going to scold you and let you go, but as you observed, I consult with the queens regularly. This situation is out of control. Apple assaulting Penny. Matches whispering evil gossip to the poor about Apple's parents. Ashes drawing pictures of Helga cutting off the head of bound prisoners with Heggy looking on happy. And Heggy writing a slur against Snow White on Apple's house." Apple's eyes widened.