Author Note: Hey, ya all! I'm finally back from the dead! I've revamped the story and it should be better now. At least I hope so!

Introduction

A shrill cry pierced through the silence of the peaceful countryside. In a beautiful room, decorated in pinks and whites, lay Lady Elisabeth, on her deathbed, her eyes closed peacefully, a sad smile lingering on her still beautiful face. Her husband, Lord Hadrian, shook with grief and anguish, for he knew that his beloved was no more with the living. She had insisted that her baby was to be named Carlynne, and so it was. Her very last wish was to be buried next to her garden of roses, Lord Hadrian had agreed for he would do everything in his power to stop her from dying. She had died after giving birth to her one and only child, Carlynne.

The baby girl was placed gently into the dead woman's cold arms by her father, her cry loud and sorrowful, as if knowing that her mother had passed away.

"Beth, can you see her? Carlynne looks just like you. She's waiting and she's crying for you to come back. Please, Beth, come back to us. She needs you, Beth, I need you!!" He said to the lifeless body of the deceased Lady Elisabeth, as sparkling droplets of tears fell softly to the silk covering of the bed.

Soon, her funeral was held and her body was buried. Everyone who was there cried, for everyone knew of her generous heart, and her lively personality. She was a well-known woman, who enchanted and danced her way into the hearts of everyone she met. Even in death, she looked radiant. Her death was a shock to them all, as she was well loved. As her coffin was finally set into the depths of the earth, they said their last goodbye to the woman who had once gave them a glimmer of hope when all had seemed lost, the woman who was once so happy, so alive that it created an aura surrounding her, giving hope to those suffering, for they knew that she would do her best to help them.

"Papa, papa, look!" Carlynne said as she presented two small, chubby palms, revealing a little bird hopping to and fro, chirping loudly. Her father smiled, as he stroked the little bird softly. Since Beth died a few years ago, his life had been a living hell. If it was not for Lynne, his little guardian angel who had saved him during the time of his greatest despair, he would never have survived his misery. Her laughter, like the tinkling of bells, warmed his heart, and her simple happiness touched his soul.

He looked at her now. She was beginning to look like her mother as each day passed. He saw the happiness and joyfulness in her huge, liquid brown eyes, and he knew that one day, she would grow up to become the most beautiful young woman in the whole of the country. He was always so proud that she was his child, and he knew somehow that he always would.

"Go on, little bird, fly away and look for your mama now. Bye-bye!" She said as she urged the bird to fly. The bird soared to the sky, and Carlynne waved her hand, biding goodbye to the little bird as she smiled happily. He would teach her to ride when she was older, he decided. She would love riding, for she loved everything he could do. He was about to tell her and she how she would react when his secretary, Louis, a good-natured, homely man, said to him, "My Lord, the Duke of Karisto has come to negotiate about the terms of the agreement. Shall I tell the Duke that milord is presently occupied?"

"No, no. I'll see him. Look after Lynne while I am gone." Lord Hadrian said as he affectionately ruffled her hair.

"Very well." Louis said as he held on to the little girl's hand.

"No! No! I want to go with papa, I want to go with papa." She said as she struggled to get free from Louis's strong, vice-like grip.

Lord Hadrian sighed, for he knew he had lost the battle. He just didn't have it in his heart to refuse her anything she asked for. "Louis, she'll be coming with me." Louis put the girl down, and she ran to her father's side, clutching his arm with an expression of smugness on her little face.

"Lord Hadrian, I see you have your daughter with you. My son insists on accompanying me, and I thought it would be a good time for them to meet and get to know each other, so I agreed." The Duke said.

As the adults were talking, both children scrutinized each other closely, warily. Finally, Aven decided to take the first step, and came to her, saying, "Hello, my name is Aven. What is your name?"

"My name is Carlynne. Do you want to see my pony?" She asked shyly.

"Let’s go." After a moment’s hesitation, he took her hand in his and they ran outside, Carlynne leading him here and there, all over her father’s boundless estate, having lots of fun. The adults inside smiled and wordlessly, they knew that both their children would see one another often. Each day passed by eventfully, as they explored together, finding and conquering adventures.

Thus, their friendship grew steadily stronger and deeper with the flow of time.

"Lord Hadrian, don't you think that a bonding between the two of our families be good?" The Duke asked.

"Yes, it would be, since we are good friends. Do you mean that your son should marry my daughter?" Lord Hadrian said.

"Precisely. I think that your daughter and my son will be a perfect match. It will strengthen the friendship between us, and our power and wealth will exceed the King's. What do you think of it?" The Duke asked, pronouncing each word carefully.

"Hmm, it sounds like a good suggestion, but let there be a term."

"What do you suggest?"

"I suggest that if one or both of them wants to end this engagement, then so be it."

"Sounds reasonable. It is done then. Your daughter and my son shall be married in fifteen years time, if one or both of them do not object." So, the engagement was announced the very next day…