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Post by Monday on Jul 4, 2006 23:48:10 GMT -5
"Now let's find you a nice dress to wear, dear." Mrs. Withers went strait to work finding a dress for Arania (Persian Princesses never picked out there own clothes). It took quite a while actually. She couldn't decide between two pink dresses that were so alike that Arania couldn't even tell the difference. After an hour of debating, however, she finally decided to forget the pink dresses, and chose a deep blue one which she said "matched her lovely eyes perfectly." After dawning her gown, a maid promptly showed up at the door. "Dinner will be served shortly, madem." she said giving a little curtsie. "Please follow me." They followed the maid out into a magnificent looking dinning room. There must have been a table long enough to seat twenty or thirty people, which was lucky because there were rouphly twenty to thirty people there. A great shandelier hung over them from a good fifteen foot sealing. Following suit of Arania's room, the furnicher was covered in carvings of mystical creatures, including a beautiful silver unicorn on the actual table. A little bell rang and people began to take there seats. Arania soon found her mother and stuck to her side like glue. After her little run in with those dreadful group of boys she didn't want to take any chances. Every body was almost seated so Arania turned to her mother to chat a bit, thinking that the seat beside her would go unused, when she heard someone quietly take the seat. She turned her head and there was Aeron, smiling at her.
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Post by Monday on Jul 24, 2006 23:05:29 GMT -5
Arania's immediate reaction was to smile back at him, but she thought other wise. Her past experience around these boys had not been good. Infact, she seemed to have the same trouble with boys everywhere. They all had the same thinking: If you were a girl you weren't considered wothery of there hospitality. However, because playing with dolls did not suit her at all, she had no were else to go. Experience had taught her that there was only one way to gain atleast a little acceptance, and that was to treat them the way that they treated her; rude. So it might not surprise you too much to here what she said next. "What do you want." She was very thankful for him saving her life, but she new that he had probably saved her more out of duty than kindness. She expected him to stick his toung out at her or maybe even say something nasty to her any second now. But, instead, he surprised her to the point that Arania nearly fell out of her chair. "I just wanted to apologize." he said to her, still smiling. "I..... but.... what?" This had been so out of the blue for Arania that she was struggling to take this all in. "I wanted to say sorry for the way the other boys acted. They never should have made you go through with that." After a short pause, Arania decided to not say something rude in response to this. Actually in that short way, Aeron had saved her life twice in one day. She had never been treated kindly by someone that did not fear her as being royalty, and somehow that brought out the softer side to her. "Thank you. That really means alot." said Arania, smiling.
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Post by Monday on Aug 6, 2006 0:51:44 GMT -5
Within a few short weeks, Arania and Aeron went from total strangers to best friends. As for Arania and the other children, there was an unspoken understanding. The boys respected Aeron, and therefore left Arania in peace. Like wise, Arania didn't want to insult those that were close to Aeron. It turns out that Aeron's father, once a highly respected warlord, had died in battle soon after his birth, leaving his wife with little money, a new born baby, and a broken heart. Fortunately, his mother and him were offered a place to live here with welcoming arms. Apparently, Aeron's father had saved Lord Thomas, the owner of this Manor, once in battle many years ago. They had lived here ever since. Aeron would turn eleven in a short few months, which made him almost three years older than Arania. In a way it gave them equal grounds to make decisions. She was a Persian Princess, but he was two and three quarters older than she was. If they were older it might not have mattered how much older he was then her, but when your this young it seemed to mean alot.
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Post by Monday on Aug 6, 2006 1:01:58 GMT -5
Most of their days consisted of exploring through the woods around the Manor. Singa would sometimes tag along, but much prefered playing with dolls to trapsing about the woods. One afternoon after Arania almost fell into a creek agian, Aeron suggested teaching her how to swim. Which Arania, of course, promptly stated that "Persian Princesses don't swim." "What do you mean Princesses don't swim ?" he said, looking at her with disbelief. "I mean exactly what I say." she responded cooly. She wasn't the same spoiled brat as she once was, but she still held an air of defiance about her. A fiery stubborness that could never be brocken of her. "Oh, I see... You know, if you were scared you could have just told me." Aeron said trying not to smile. Now we both know what he's doing, and yet you would think that Arania, even at the age of eight, would know not to fall for reverse phycology. However, Arania's pride would often take advantage of her before she could think of what she was saying. Ten minuetes later they were both back inside the house in search of clothes sutible to swim in.
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Post by Monday on Aug 6, 2006 17:56:05 GMT -5
They both decided that it would be near impossible to swim in a dress. The question was, what could she wear? It wasn't proper for a lady (or girl) to swim at all, so there weren't any clothes dezined for that. The boys would hardly ever swim either, because even though it was in the middle of summer, the waters were still quite friged. They finally decided that she would just borrow a pair of Aeron's breeches along with a shirt. The shirt was baggy on her, and she had to wear a belt to keep the pants up, but atleast she would be able to move her arms and legs properly in the water now. They searched around the woods for a part of a creek that was shallow and without much of a current. When they finally found it, Aeron plunged right in. Arania wasn't so happy to see it.
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Post by Monday on Aug 14, 2006 6:45:45 GMT -5
"Are you sure there arn't any snakes in there?" "Positive." said Aeron from the water's surface. Arania took one last neverus glance around the edges of the water, and before she could think twice, jumped right in. True, the water was still cold, but it felt good after the long hot walk through the woods. It was crystal clear and Arania could see all the way to the bottom. Not that she was paying any attention to what the water was like. Next moment she could she came gasping up for air. "See," said Aeron. "That wasn't so bad."
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Post by Monday on Aug 14, 2006 23:50:40 GMT -5
"Speak for yourself." said Arania feeling relieved as she touched the bottom. The river had hardly any current at this point, so it was perfect for her to just stand in. However, the water came almost her chin, were as it only went to Aearon's shoulders. "I can't believe you've never been swimming!"said Aeron. "Persian Princesses don't swim." "Are you really a Persian Princess?" asked Aearon earnestly. "Of course I am!" said Arania a bit taken aback. "Why do you ask?" Aeron shrugged. "Well, it's just... you don't look like you're from Persia." Arania looked at him confused. "What do you mean?" "Well, Pamala says that your mother is an english woman, and you look just like her. Only alot younger." he said smiling. Arania looked down at her reflection. Arania had never thought about it before, but she now noticed she had her mother's persing blue eyes and long blond hair, unlike Singa's dark hair and deep brown eyes. She would never admit it, but at the time she was ashamed of her apperance. She thought it made her less of a Princess, though whether she was the daughter of a king or not, it didn't matter. Arania was always a princess.
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Post by Monday on Aug 15, 2006 0:05:19 GMT -5
After a short lesson and alot of playing around, (Persian Princesses, it turned out, are really good at dunking) the two decided it was time to head back inside. They both got out of the water with smiles on thier face, but unfortunatly it didn't last long. They soon found out that it was long past lunch, and that both of their mothers had been worried sick about them. You can imagine that they weren't at all pleased to see two soaking wet children returned to them either. Aeron tried to explain that they had been perfectly safe the whole time, but he was cut off by his mother. After a long speack about how irrisponsible they had been and about how they could have gotten searously hurt and no one would be able to find them, they were sent to bed without supper that night. This was the first, but definatly not the last time Aeron and Arania would go to bed hungry.
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Post by Monday on Jan 4, 2007 23:15:52 GMT -5
Throughout summer, Aeron and Arania became as thick as theves, and you would never see the one without the other there as well. Arania became quite a proficant swimmer, and could even outswim a few of the boys. Her and Singa became closer friends as well, learning a new kind of relation ship. One were each was equal, nither holding more power over the other. Races, Arania noticed, wore far more enjoyable when the possibility of winning wasn't garentied before the race even began. However, summer soon turned into fall, and as the days grew colder, less and less time was spent outdoors. Instead, Aeron and Arania spent their days roming the manor. Secret passages were soon discovered, and before long, they could navigate through the house as if they had built it themselves. It became a neccissity to discover a way into the kitchen, considering the numerous times they were sent to bed without supper. In fact, they discovered a way to it on there second night with no food. Once they were almost caught by a servant, but instead of fearing their adventures, this only made them all the more exciting for them.
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Post by Monday on Jan 6, 2007 15:31:11 GMT -5
It was November, almost six months since there arival, that Arania's mother recieved news from her husband, and it said nothing good. According to the letter that was sent, the invaders relentless attacks and it was still quite unsafe for anyone to return. The Arabians, as they were called, seem to have stronger more organized forces then themselves, and there was no telling how long this force would be held agianst them. That day worry lines began to show in her mother's face. Arania, on the other hand, was far less affected by the recent news. Though she wished her father luck and prayed for his safety, the idea of returning home was far less apealing. She was having a grand time at her new home, and for once she actually had friends. Her ninth birthday was coming soon, and nothing could faze her excitement. Atleast she thought so at the time.
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Post by Monday on Jan 9, 2007 21:51:24 GMT -5
Happy weeks went by, and Arania's birthday came and went. When spring came around, and Aeron turned 12, he began to receive trainings in the art of the warrior. He learned sword play, how to use a bow, and how to ride a horse properly. Aeron was to become a skilled and trained fighter, just like his father, and Arania soon wished to learn what he was. Unfortunately, being a girl, she was not allowed, and this really miffed her. Instead she was stuck to the life of a young girl, which mostly consisted of her daily lessons in schooling. However, this only took a small percentage of her day, and, afterward, she would usually steal away to the garden where she could usually get a good view of Aeron's sword training. She watched intently, taking in all that she could here, despite her not being able to to practice herself. Finally she could stand it no longer and soon formulated her plan of action. On stealthy tip toes, Arania walked to Aeron's room in the dead of night. When she reached his door, she knocked three times in a row, there single that one of them was there. Afraid that Aeron was still fast asleep and had not heard her knock, she was about to knock once more when she heard movement in the other room. Blurry eyed and sleepy, Aeron answered the door and ushered her in side. "What are you doing here?" Aeron asked in a whisper as soon as the door was shut. "I want you to teach me how to fight with a sword." she said, voice unwavering. Aeron looked a bit surprised, "Why would you want to learn? It won't do you any good really, you can't be a fighter." "I'm a Persian Princess," Arania said with pride, "I can be anything I want. And besides. You never know when it might come in handy." Aeron, not really seeing any reason why not too, decided to go ahead and teach her. It was difficult at times, and they often ended up arguing in steadily growing voices until they came to there senses. But all in all, things went pretty well, and soon Arania learned the basics to sword play. Well in a manner of speaking. Because neither of them had a sword just laying around, they practiced with toy wooden ones. Still, something was better at nothing.
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Post by Monday on Jan 15, 2007 15:48:29 GMT -5
It was near the end of April, when the birds were finally beginning to sing again and wild flowers were blooming, that they received yet another letter from her father. It seemed that their worst fears had happened. There was happy kingdom was in disarray. The invaders had completely taken over, and were killing leaders and nobles left and right. Arania's father was quite lucky to have escaped with his life, and was on his way to get Arania and her mother. He wanted to take them someplace far away where they would never be discovered. Arania was happy that her father was in good health, but she was saddened that everything she had known from were she once lived was gone. She was even more upset by the prospect of leaving. Her mother was not what you would call happy, but she was very much relieved to find that her husband was alright. Her father would be here in about 2 to 3 months, right in the middle of summer. While her mother counted the days, Arania was not so excited. She had really grown attached to this place in the past year, and she was going to miss it. While Aeron was disappointed to, they decided to make the most out of the time they had, and concluded that they would have the best summer they could. And they did.
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Post by Monday on Jan 23, 2007 22:19:39 GMT -5
Even thought the days grew longer, it didn't seem like enough time for Aeron and Arania. As soon as his lessons where done for the day, they were off to their adventures. After Aeron had completed a full four months of training, he received a real sword for his skill and hard work. Now, Arania could finally feel what it was like to hold a real sword, and she was delighted at the thought of it. She wasn't as good as Aeron yet, but after all, he was older and stronger then her, so he did have an advantage. But Arania's determination led her skills to improve. One day, as Aeron and Arania practiced under some tall shady trees in the forest, Arania actually beat Aeron. Of course, he was tired from his practice earlier in the day, but Arania was still thrilled. She had never beaten him before and she was a very competitive person in nature. "Well," said a sly voice from behind them, "I can't believe my eyes." Both of them whirled around to see, Edgar, one of the more older boys from the manor. He wasn't particularly nice to the younger kids, but was a suck-up to the masters who taught them. "I'm going to have to take you two to Master Godfrid about this." "Oh please don't rat us out!" Arania pleaded to Edgar. "We're not causing any harm to anyone." "I think that's up to Master Godfrid to decide." he said, and turned to march back to the castle. With there utter demise in sight, Aeron and Arania saw no point in hiding from the Master till later, and followed behind Edgar with their heads down.
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Post by Monday on Feb 25, 2007 23:51:19 GMT -5
they approached the castle with their feet draging. all three of them new what was going to happen. Aeron would be punished, most likely through manual labor, or perhaps a leather belt to his bottom. either way he would be sore for several days. Arania would be confined to the contents of the house for any number of days, doing chores, and probably helping in the kitchen. she would definatly not be able to go outside, or talk to Aeron for a long time. She'd rather take her chances with the leather then that. it took several minuetes for Edgar to find Master Godfrid, and then several more for him to explain what had happened. It felt like hours to Aeron and Arania, though. Arania looked over at Aeron saying sorry without speaking a word. Aeron smiled in the end, and Arania new that, for him as well as her, it had all been worth it in the end. by the time Edgar was done talking they both had their heads held high.
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Post by Monday on Apr 29, 2007 21:15:57 GMT -5
"Well," said Master Godfrid, "what do you have to say for yourself?" he said, looking towards Aeron. Because he was older and a boy, he was naturally held responsible. "It's my fault. i shouldn't have disobeyed y-" before he could finish, though, Arania interupted him. "It's not his fault," she said with complete confidence, "and I'd like to prove that it wasn't a mistake for him to be teaching me how to fight." Master Godfrid looked down at her, slightly suprised, but seemed more amussed the irritated. "Oh and i you think that you can fight?" he said almost chuckling. "How do you plan on proving it?" "By winning a fight." she turned to Edgar without hesitation, as if she had planned it all along. "I challenge you."
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