Christopher was shocked to find himself in a warm change of clothing and sitting in front of a hot meal with members of the kingdom's royal family. The new clothes were so nice and soft and as he sipped the soup in front of him, he just hoped it was enough to keep from catching cold. He hated being sick.
The atmosphere was probably the only thing that was very cold around here. Chris tried to stare only at his soup bowl and not the three other people sitting around the table. It was no wonder the girl was a brat, she was an only child, a princess at that, and had probably never once heard the word "no." Even now she just sat there, not eating her dinner and glaring at him in defiance. Like he was some insect that she couldn't wait to squish underfoot.
The king coughed loudly to divert her attention. "So, I've heard from our guest, Mr. Hodge that you had quite an exciting day today Ashlee..."
The princess scowled, not trying to hide her displeasure at all. "What is he doing here anyway?"
The king began to butter a roll, "He told me you promised he could stay for a night. Said he fetched your ball out of a pond..."
Ashlee glared in his direction, "I don't see what the big deal is. He didn't seem to mind."
Christopher had trouble keeping a calm face. He couldn't stand this girl! What was her problem?!
The queen cleared her throat, "a promise is a promise dear..."
Ashlee crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. "Fine. But first thing in the morning he's gone!"
The king sighed and decided a change in conversation was necessary. "I heard a band of performers are coming sometime tomorrow. Don't you like to go to that sort of thing Ashlee?"
Ashlee pouted and didn't respond.
The queen nodded, "I heard that as well. But I heard another rumor today at tea. Our neighboring kingdom, the one coevered in thorns, has finally woken from its sleep. Not only that, I heard that a very famous musician has returned..."
The king poked at his food, not really interested in the conversation and idle gossip of the ladies of court. "Oh, and who might that be dear?"
"That legendary singer, the Frog Prince... I heard from Dona's cousin's aunt that he played an exclusive for the Lamson family just a few days ago. There've been some other sightings too, but..."
This finally piqued princess Ashlee's interest, "The Frog Prince?! You're kidding! I wanna see him play! I'm like, his biggest fan! I know all his songs!"
Christopher nearly choked on his soup. It took all his will power to remain expressionless when Ashlee turned to glare at him.
She sniffed, then went back to her conversation, "Anyway, if he's played for the Lamson's, that tiny little family, then he better play for us! You have to find him daddy!!"
The king frowned at his mashed potatoes, "Yes dear, I'll see what I can do..."
Christopher laughed to himself. Fat chance, I'd have to be crazy to want to stay here and play for princess bratty and her spineless family's kingdom. He smiled and took another bite of his meal. Like she said, I'll be gone first thing in the morning!

Morning came, and with it a sunny day, perfect for travelling. Christopher stretched and pulled himself out of the large bed he'd been given to sleep in. All he had to do was get dressed, get his horse and get out of here. It couldn't happen too soon. In moments he had pulled on his now clean clothes and his boots and was ready to go. He ran out of the room and toward the stables in record time.
The stableboy led him to his horse, which, to his dismay, had thrown a shoe since he'd last seen it. Chris frowned. That princess should have had the decency to repair the damage she'd done to his horse, but of course, he couldn't expect that from someone as rich and popular and lovable as her.
The stableboy apologized, though it wasn't his fault, and directed him to a shop that would shoe the horse well and for a good price. Which would be great... Chris thought, if I had any money to pay for it with! He sighed and took up the horse's reins. At this rate he was never going to catch up with Ethan. He kicked the dirt and pulled the horse along as he walked into town.
He looked up every now and again. The center of town was buzzing with activity. There were people setting up booths and stands and posters everywhere. Other people were carting costumes here and there and everyone seemed to be in a hurry to be somewhere else. Christopher was perfectly happy to stay out of their way. Now where did that boy say the blacksmith shop was?
He turned a corner off the main road and found himself seconds later sitting on his rather bruised rear end. Someone had been running in the opposite direction and had been watching the corner about as well as he had been. Papers flew everywhere. Christopher tried to get his bearings and pulled himself up. He offered a hand to the one that had knocked him down as well.
He looked up to see who it was and it hit him like a punch in the face. That feeling he'd written so many songs about. That moment that was supposed to be magic... His heart was beating fast and he could feel his face getting warm. He offered his hand to the girl. She gazed back at him with her dark green eyes and suddenly was at a loss for words. He could hardly understand her flustered sentences, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, i mean I wasn't watching and then I well, It was dumb of me and i didn't mean to knock you down and..." she trailed off and bent to pick up the salvagable papers. A few of them were just too dirty and wrinkled, so she left them on the ground.
The sun glinted off her faded auburn hair and he noticed with a smile that patchy little freckles dotted her cheeks and even her shoulders. He hurriedly helped her pick up the papers and handed them to her with an akward smile. "It's alright. Are you ok?"
She blushed and couldn't meet his gaze, "yeah, I'm fine, I... yeah, don't worry about it."
Christopher could feel his mind nagging him to keep going and head after Ethan, but his heart was telling him otherwise. "um..." he started. "So... where is everyone headed in such a hurry? Is there something going on?"
The girl's face brightened, "mm hmm! We travel around all the kingdoms. We come here every year. There's musicians, jugglers, magicians... it's like a festival everywhere we go..."
Christopher swallowed the butterflies in his stomach, "I..."
She looked nervously around, "But I really should hurry and get back. They're expecting me with more of these flyers... Sorry again..." she curtsied slightly before running back toward the center of town.
Christopher bit his lip as his thoughts ran through his fevered brain. Against all better instincts, he headed back toward town.

* * * * *

"Ugh, aren't we there yet?" Kelly whined as they passed another grassy knoll. The scenery was gorgeous, but when it was all you'd seen for miles and miles, even that could get rather tedious.
Ethan glared in his direction and Briar Rose just sighed. Ethan's knuckles tightened their grip on the reins of his horse. "We're nearly there. Do you see the large castle up ahead? The one that looks like it's made by the delicate hands of fairies? That just might be your first clue if you'd pull your arrogant head out of your---" Ethan muttered and trailed off the last sentence or so. He was getting so sick of that pompous prince travelling with them. He doubted he'd had a decent night sleep the entire time. He was certain Kelly was planning something treacherous, like stabbing him lots of times in his sleep.
The prince audibly let out an overly dramatic sigh. "This journey is terrible for my skin... If I had known it was this far, I'd have packed a litte more. This is easily the worst---"
He was cut off as they entered the fairy kingdom. Magical creatures flitted through the air, as common as houseflies and unicorns trotted through the fields beyond. Within moments they'd caught the attention of several of the local inhabitants and one of the fairies flitted over to them.
The fairies were an interesting sort. They were only about two thirds the size of an elf, but they had all the same proportions and delicate features. Their eyes and wings danced with silver or gold and their costumes were always something light and airy. The one that flew toward them wore a small violet dress and her hair was done up with ribbons and flowers. She smiled at them, but it was a formality only. Fairies looked the part of delicate, sweet, and peaceful creatures, but that didn't mean they were stupid or naive. They could be just as cunning as any elf or human.
"What brings you strangers to our land?" she asked. Her voice was soft and ethereal, just as Ethan had dreamed fairies might sound. He tried to open his mouth and speak to her, but Prince Valcourt was the first to speak.
"We ask for an audience with one of your kind."
The fairy nodded and waited for him to continue.
"We have travelled from afar to seek out the thirteenth fairy."
At this the fairy frowned slightly. "Then you look in the wrong place."
"Pardon?"
The fairy pointed further down the road, "She was banished from among us over a hundred years ago. She lives on the other side of the kingdom, just outside the boundaries. I suppose she thinks that one day we'll change our minds."
"Ah," said Ethan, "we thank you for your time."
The fairy shook her head, sending the ribbons cascading through her hair, "a word of caution before you continue..." the fairy paused, "I wouldn't mention your destination to many of the others here. I don't think they would take kindly to those going to visit her..."

Next