Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Eight-

After supper, Aideen led Samantha upstairs. With great flourish, she threw open the double doors to reveal the grand guestroom, the best chamber in the West Wing. All the furniture was a dark oak, the furnishings navy blue and gold.

Samantha squealed in delight as she spun round and round, taking everything in. Finally she flopped onto the bed and stared up at the navy canopy.

"You have truly outdone yourself this time, cousin," she stated, still staring straight up. "You know of my love for the color blue, so that itself is wonderful, but all the perfect details!" Samantha sat up and motioned around the room as she spoke, her brown eyes wide and bright. "A fireplace, complete with a gorgeous blue loveseat, a gold cushioned window-seat overlooking the forest, my own two fully stocked bookshelves? Is there anyone else on Gods green earth who knows me as well as you do?"

"I should hope not! Otherwise I would no longer be your bestiful friend!"

"Bestiful? Now, that is a new one!"

"Is that what I said?" Aideen laughed, "I meant best, best friend."

"No," Samantha said as she slid off the bed and went to Aideen, "I like bestiful, it shall be our new word! To describe only our friendship, for only ours is deserving of such a word!" She reached out and hugged Aideen fiercely as she said this, "Oh, cousin, that is it! This is simply far too perfect! I cannot bear to ever leave! I believe I need to write my father immediately and inform him that I wish to live out my remaining days in the palace!" She turned and went back to the bed, sitting on it and dangling her feet off the side.

Aideen laughed from her place by the fire. "I would certainly not mind! And I shall take that to mean I have done well. But alas, the hour is late and I have begun to grow weary. Have a pleasant night, Samantha," She said as she rose and made her way to the door.

"And you as well, Aideen, thank you once again!"

"Oh, and Samantha?"

"Hmm?"

"You have yet to open your wardrobe."

Aideen closed the door behind her but stayed standing where she was. She heard the mattress squeak as her cousin slid off, and the sound of footsteps as Samantha rushed across the room. Aideen walked away with a huge smile gracing her face when she heard Samantha begin to scream with delight.

Aideen was extremely proud that her little surprise had worked out so well. She had 'borrowed' one of Samantha's gowns on her last visit and had given it to her favorite dressmaker. She then ordered several gowns made of that size but in various colors, patterns and styles. She knew Samantha would adore it and was incredibly glad she had put forth the effort.

'That wonderful woman deserves nothing less,' Aideen thought with a yawn. 'And I deserve my bed!'

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The next morning, Aideen was having trouble keeping calm.

'Just do not lose your temper,' she silently lectured herself as she dressed. 'If you begin acting like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum, why, there is no way on this earth that they will listen to you!'

"My, but there is much running through that head of yours, is there not?" Regan asked as she combed Aideens hair.

"Do you have a special intuition that is tuned solely to my needs, Regan?" Aideen laughed.

"Why, not at all! But I have served you for many years. With those years comes a certain knowledge of ones mistress."

"I suppose that makes sense."

"Now, what is distressing you?"

"I would not say that I am distressed, but I am a bit worried."

"Regarding?"

"I plan to confront my parents today. And discuss the letter."

"Ah, understanding has dawned."

Silence filled the next few minutes, Aideen busy with her thoughts and Regan content with the quiet.

"Regan?"

"Yes, miss?"

"Have you any advice? Any words of wisdom that may help me with this?"

"No one has ever accused me of being wise, princess. But I suppose the best thing I can say is to be honest with them. They love you and truly believe this to be best. It is up to you to make them see differently."

"That is very good, yes. Thank you, Regan," Aideen answered as she immediately began turning over possible scenarios in her head.

"You are welcome," Regan answered softly, though she knew Aideen could no longer hear her. The princess was already gone.

           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mother?" Aideen asked as she came up behind that woman in the kitchen.

"Aideen, darling, would you prefer lamb or duck for Sunday dinner?" Queen Cara asked from her place beside the cook, Mrs Bensworth, an older woman who resided in the village.

"Lamb. Mother, have you a moment?"

"Of course, I always have time for my favorite daughter!" Cars said with a dazzling smile. "Give me but one moment."

After a few more words with the cook, mother and daughter were off.

"All right, Aideen, what would you like to discuss with me?" Cara asked as she linked arms with her daughter, "And pray tell, where are you leading me?"

"To Fathers office," Aideen said, glancing at her mother as she said this. "I would like to speak with you both."

"Ah," Cara studied the profile of her daughter a moment. "It must be a grave matter in order to put in you in such a serious mood. Very well, let us check if your father is busy."

They made their way to the large double doors housing the office of the king. Queen Cara raised her arm to knock, then dropped it and looked once again at Aideen.

"Are you sure about this, dear?"

"Yes, Mother."

"So be it."

She knocked twice on the doors and waited.

"Come in."

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Woooooooooow it feels so good to upload (even if that chapter was totally different than what I planned!!!) I have had so much family stuff going on lately, its unbelievable but I'll do my best to do better:)
The first part of the chapter is all the things I would do for my BESTIFUL friend @SapphireSana if I could! Love you girl!! I wish I could give you all that you deserve, you're the best friend a girl could have!:):)
I'm going to continue writing now, wish me luck!!
Vote/comment!!
Love you guys!!
                                          -me:)