Knock knock.

There were two rapid beats on the door. I ignored it. If they really needed one of us at this hour, everyone we knew would just walk in.

KNOCK KNOCK.

I locked the door as whoever was outside knocked again. It was late. I was tired. They better not-

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

These people were getting on my nerves. I banged the door, hard, hoping they’d get the message to come back tomorrow, and I put the dogs out the back door.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

I grinned. It is so much fun intimidating people.

“ Ari! Get the door, would you?” I sighed. My Grandmama was calling. And I was going to have to open the door now.

The door creaked as I opened it on its old hinges. There were people outside on horses. Oooooooooooh, fancy. Now why would rich people visit a lowly farmer? Why on a summer ni-

“ We request to see Ariella Anras and her parents.”

Great. Wonderful. Now I would have to explain that my parents are dead. It is not considered a typical bedtime story.

“ Who’re you?” I asked, buying time. Now why would they want to see me, of all peop-

“ I am the Crown Prince Orok, and these are my guards and servants. Let us in.”

If I had been one of those people who could go pale when scared, I would’ve resembled a ghost. But, as I am not one of those people, my eyes got big. I hate it when my eyes go big.

“ Oh, your majesty, I am so dreadfully sorry.” Even though I wasn’t. “ Come on in, make yourself at home.” Why is the Crown Prince here? Why does he want to come in? Usually when he executes people he just cuts off thei-

“ Where is Ariella?” now I can see him, he’s in the light. He’s wearing a black cape, and a red and gold tunic, and dark breeches. He’s not that tall, though. Short cropped blonde hair, light blue eyes. In my opinion, ugly. But hey, I’m just a twelve-year-old farm girl.

“ Why do you need to see her?” I asked. If he is going to do something horrible and bad to me –which I’m sure that he is- I should at least have rights to ask as many questions as I want and to intimidate him. Which I will.

“ I just do, now go get the girl!” he practically yelled, arousing my grandparents. Ooooo, he has a temper. Not good.

“ Ari? Who is it?” My Papaw asked. Great. I really do not need them getting into this. The Prince was known for not having ‘a golden heart’. I say he has no heart at all.

“ It is Crown Prince Orok. Come here.” He commanded. I glared at him. Excuse me, but I can speak for myself, thank you very much. Now he’s probab-

“ Why are you here, your majesty?” my Papaw asked again, doing a bow. STOP CUTTING OFF MY THOUGHTS, PEOPLE! It is getting quite annoying.

“ I am looking for the girl Ariella Anras. I was told that she lived in this…” he paused, “ place.”

He did NOT just insult my house! At least my grandparents worked hard and long to get this house. All you did to get yours was to be born. I inwardly stuck my tongue out at him.

Grandmama was scared, I could tell. Her eyes got big.

Papaw held me close. “ This is Ari, your highness. What do you need with her?” his voice wavered a little. I felt safe in Papaw’s arms, even though I knew that it was false security.

I glared at the Prince. I really wanted to kick him in the groin too, but somehow I think his guards won’t appreciate that of me.

“ She is the one who commanded the attack of the troublesome bandits.” It wasn’t really an attack. I was defending the place and got a little…carried away, you might say.

“ Yes, your majesty.” Papaw confirmed. Grandmama wasn’t talking. She was standing tall, looking scared.

The Prince looked at me. “ Then she must come with us to enroll in the Yerat University. She will become a commander for the realm of Yerat.” Is he joking? Me? I almost laughed, except, well, you kinda don’t laugh in situations where if you do your head will be cut off. I am fond of my head, and where it happens to be at the moment, so I didn’t laugh. But I still wanted to.

I looked at Papaw. He wanted to argue. He wanted to keep me, his Ari, here with him, safe and sound. But he knew the consequences if he did. He knew that the Prince wouldn’t give any thought to killing Papaw or Grandmama, or any of the little ones. So, he hugged me real tight. I don't blame him.

“ When does she have to leave?” asked Grandmama, surprising us all. She was still scared, but she took one of my hands in her own.

“ Now. Take this saddlebag, “ he threw it at me, which I successfully caught, “ and pack your things in it. I’ll give you twenty minutes. I’ll be waiting outside.” He then went outside, without further ado.

Grandmama ushered me to the room I shared with the other girls. They were all sound asleep. It took me all of three minutes to stuff the saddlebag with a few clothes, and a few reminders of home. I looked at the saddlebag. Only half of it was used.

Grandmama took a clean, thin quilt and carefully folded it so it took up less room, and put it in the saddlebag.

I picked it up and looked at my three girl cousins and my sister. In the morning they would wake up and I would not be there, for the first time in their lives. I said a silent good bye to all of them, not wanting to wake them up. They needed sleep. I didn't want to see them cry and beg and hold onto me. I don't think I could handle that right now.

I walked in the boys room. Three boy cousins. They were asleep too. My family was an odd one, but we loved each other to death. I said my silent good byes again, and went back into the main room.

I was immediately squished into a bear hug, given by my Papaw. Tears stung my eyes as I realized that I would not see my family again for a year. A whole year. That is a long time when you think about it. A long time without Grandmama’s comforting voice, or Papaw’s solid reasoning, or the little ones begging for just one more story, or Amye’s constant singing or Cavan’s wrestling in the mud. I am really gonna miss them.

“ You’re my girl, Ari. Stay strong and smart and you’ll be fine, I promise. I love you.” Papaw whispered in my ear. I cried into his shirt a bit before hugging Grandmama. She smelled of her garden, as she always does, and her worn hands held one of mine.

She whispered faintly, “ I love you and always will. Don’t forget that.”

I cried a little more while she hugged me. Then Prince Charming came in and took me off.

That is how I ended up on a horse in the middle of nowhere intimidating him. Because by now I know that he won’t dare hurt me, because he needs me. Or, I guess, he needs my brain. But he’s not getting one part of me without the whole.

“ Row, row, row yer boat! Gently down the stream! Merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is such a dream! Row row row yer bo-“

“ SHUT UP!” he screamed. A few birds nearby scattered in fear. I smirked.

“ But I’m bor-ed.” I whined like a little two year old.

“ Then…then just…pretend to be... a rock!” A rock? Seriously? How pathetic is that? I grinned. How pathetically perfect that is.

I sat straight in my saddle, not moving. Not breathing. I knew that I could hold my breath for about a minute. Hopefully by that time someone would notice.

“ Sir-sir!” one of my guards gasped upon seeing me. Yes, he assigned me guards. Stupid ones. After a little incident, he got the notion that I might try to run away. No way. This is too much fun. And he has bloodhounds. Which might’ve influenced my decision a little teeny bit.

“ What is it?” the Prince asked impatiently, not even bothering to turn in his saddle.

“ The-the girl, sir! She’s not breathing!”

“ What did you say?” he demanded, turning his horse to look at me. It took all my self-control not to laugh when I saw his shocked face.

“ Make her breath, you stupid idiots! Do something!” he yelled. Ah yes, did I mention that I am now valuable?

Someone poked me in my stomach, to no avail. What did he expect? That I’d be a weak little girl? Ha! I’ve worked on a farm all my life. Man, these guards are stupid.

There was chaos all around me until someone dumped a whole ton of freezing cold water on me. Where they got freezing cold water in the middle of summer, I do not know, but it surprised me enough to open my mouth, which caused my oxygen deprived body to breath.

The Prince dragged me off my horse, and pinned me to a tree nearby. Angry does not begin to define how he looked. His eyes sparked with rage, his face was twisted up in anger.

“ Never. Never do that again.” He snarled.

I smiled innocently. I hated this guy. I didn’t mind making him mad. “ Why shouldn’t I?”

He let go of me, and I dropped ungracefully to the ground.

“ You could die.”

Wow. Thank you ever so much, Master of the Obvious.

“ I was timing myself. I know how long I can go without air.”

He looked stunned. “ You-you were planning all that out? You didn’t do it on impulse trying to kill yourself?”

“ Course not. I’m not stupid, you know.”

He turned to the guards and servants. “ We’ll camp here tonight.” He yelled. Then to me, “ You are one of a kind, Ariella.”

I didn’t want his compliment. I wanted his apologies. “ Like I care getting a compliment from an idiot.” I called after him. I think he smiled. Why weren’t my insults working? Time to change tactics. The silent treatment. Yes, it would get boring, but it might annoy him and make him mad and uncomfortable.

“ We’re here, highness.” the captain of the guards informed the Prince. Does everybody here state the obvious? I’m in despair. I can see the Yerat University. It’s big. I mean, like really, really big, and made of stone, with dark iron gates. Wonderful. Fairy tale land.

The Prince turned to me. I focused my gaze to right above his head. He hates it when I do that, I’ve found out.

“ You need decent clothes to attend the University, as everybody there is a noble. We’ll get you some, among other things, and you will stay at the University until I give you leave.” He urged his horse forward, onto the dreaded Mistress Weaver’s shop, where evil clothes sucked you into their evil lair of doom! Or, rather, you had to try on clothes all day. But I like my version better.

I ended up, four hours later, and in a very cross mood, outside the freaky gates of the Yerat University.

“ This is where I leave you, Ariella.” How unoriginal could the Prince get?

“ If you do not apply yourself to your studies enough, or are troublesome, you will be kept in the University over the Midwinter or Summer break. This-“ he pulled out what looked like a tan bracelet, “- is your pass. The darker the bracelet is, the less freedom you get. Vaughan will tell you the specifics. I will come every semester to make sure that you are doing your best and not causing trouble. If anyone asks, you are Ariella of Stieg.” With that he rode off, leaving me at the freaky gates. Ariella of Stieg. My new name. Not to mention I knew nothing about the fief of Stieg. I’ll figure something out later. As for now, I must enter this torture chamber of doom. And hope that I -somehow- survive.

In case there is confusion, the time period is Middle Ages-ish. Reviews are welcomed and adored, as this is my first story. Constructive criticism is even more loved! I don't really like the title, so suggestions would be nice. Now go make my day by leaving me a nice review.