I slipped through the dark castle, avoiding the areas where guards were positioned and keeping away from the light of the torches that lined the walls. Out of my dresses at last, I felt once again in control in my leather travel gear. Men should not be the only ones allowed to wear trousers.

I caught my breath as two guards dressed in armour moved past me, but they were conversing about a local girl and weren't paying much attention. I slipped down the corridor and out on to the balcony. If I climbed from here and round through the window of the room next door, I could get right down to the enterance without being found.

"Ella, what are you doing out here?" I spun round to see Percy standing against the wall, peering at my outfit with some amusement. "And wearing the clothes you wore when we first met."

"I may look like I've adapted to court life my Lord, but I still need my freedom sometimes."

"So what, you were going to climb down the wall? Or can you fly?" He grinned and approached me.

"You'll never know."

"Could you take me? It would be nice... to get away..."

"You're the King. They'd probably think I'd kidnapped you." I knew he had to leave, so that I could leave, but I wanted to spend these moments with him, talking, before I completely destroyed everything that had happened since I met him. "I mean, I am magical. You heard the King at dinner."

"And I hope you heard me defending you."

"I did." He smiled and stood next to me, looking out over the sea.

"I know it may sound strange, but I feel as though I can talk to you, as me, not as the King."

"You mean you feel like I don't follow you around and submit to your every order."

"Something like that."

"Then you should know that no matter what, that will never change."

"Thank you." He smiled, "You'll be the only one."

"Well I am an individual."

"You most certainly are." He took my hand tentatively, and kissed it. I held my breath. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Stop it!" He pulled back in shock at my outburst. "I mean, you shouldn't... you shouldn't get attached to me. I'm sure your fiance wouldn't like that."

"My fiance." His eyes clouded slightly, and I could tell that he was not happy with the arrangement. "I always thought I'd have control over my life."

"No one has full control over their life Percy. Just like you cannot control everyone and what they do, no matter who you are."

"What do you mean?" I smiled and leaned forward to kiss his forehead.

"Goodbye." With that I swung myself over the edge and on to the nearest ledge.

"Ella! Wait, where are you going?"

I refused to answer, because to tell him what I was doing would break his heart, and I knew that I couldn't watch that happen. Because as much as I tried to deny it, I was in love with Percy, and I was sure he loved me. This thought was pushed from my mind by years of training, and I made my way through the castle to the stables where I mounted my horse and set off from the palace.

The journey back to the castle of Dur'Abarshan took a mere two hours on my own. As I rode I saw a messenger heading with great speed in the direction I had come from, and realised that it was from the court of Percy. I spurred my horse on faster.

When I arrived the gates opened, and I galloped inside a seemingly empty courtyard. I could feel eyes upon me. I made my way inside until I found the great hall, where I was met by the sight of feasting and celebrating men and women, all drunken and jovial. Where the King had once sat was the leader of this group, an imposing man with a scar on his cheek, and ruthlessness in his heart. He looked up as I entered and spread his arms in welcome. As I made my way towards him, he spoke only three words.

"Welcome, my daughter."

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Author guidance for This exercise

http://www.protagonize.com/group/planning-brainstorming/topic/2963

Characters-

Name: Percival (Percy) Nathanial Richard Henry Dur'Abarshan
Appearance: Creamy brown short curly hair and a faint beard. Emerald green eyes. Quite tall but not very strong or king like. Wears the kings clothes at all times especially the purple robes and golden jewellery.
Personality: Is very brave in battle because he does none of the fighting. Is fun loving and rebellious but hates doing kingly work. Often abuses his power but is kind hearted at the end of the day
Official title: King Percival VI of Dur'Abarshan
Magnauctor/ SpookofNight

Name: Ella Vadrini
Appearance: Long blonde wavy/curled hair, blue eyes, prominent cheekbones, beautiful. Slim, moderate height. In court she wears traditional ladies wear, but is used to wearing leather fighting outfit.
Personality: Strong and brave, but kind, funny and flirtaceous.
Weapon of choice: Sword, but is proficient in archery too. Gifted sorceress.
Official title: Sorceress. No actual title.
Stargazer

Name: Mirkyn Vadrini
Appearance: Tall and gaunt, tough leathery skin and wiry, muscular limbs. Dark brown hair, streaked with grey at the temples, which he wears in a long ponytail down his back. Startlingly blue eyes, and a small scar on his left cheek from a fight in his youth.
Personality: Sneaky, manipulative and a very good liar. Confidence trickster, but he has no scruples about who he betrays to get what he wants. Takes great delight in exacting pain from his enemies, and he's got all the mercy of a particularly insensitive rock.
Weapon of choice: Magic - he is an excellent sorcerer.
Official title: Warlock/sorceror. However, when dealing with those he does not trust or know well, he calls himself The Vagabond.
SpookofNight

Name: Stephen Egbert Dur'Abarshan
Appearance: At 17, Stephen has a well balanced and thin physique, with piercing green eyes in a thin but strong face and full brown hair. He keeps himself well groomed and does not have any facial hair.
Personality: Stephen has a strong, astute personality. He is mostly found observing people and festivities, and is the one who always knows what is going on in the kingdom. His pride can get the best of him, but he is not overly ambitious and typically distances himself from family or potential friends.
Weapon of choice: Hand to hand combat.
Official title: Prince, Next in line to the throne
Whitewine

Name: Agatha Morwen Dur'Abarshan
Appearance: Dark brown hair, nearly black, with prominent emerald eyes similar to those of her brother. She is not the most beautiful princess, considered by many as disappointingly plain, but she radiates a naturally, elegant air that a Princess should.
Personality: With a quick-turn of mind, intelligence where her appearance is lacking, she is reserved as trained, with a kind, open heart.
Official Title: Princess Agatha Dur'Abarshan
Zillagirl

updated Jan 17 '11 by Stargazer