The rustling sound of curtains opening, sounded as soon sunlight filled a circular room made of stone. The walls all around were covered with dark red curtains that hung from bannisters that were located on the ceiling high above the room. The stone floors were covered with various rugs made of fur, in the centre of the room was a four poster bed covered with the darkest of blue and black coverings.

A figure, lay just under the thick covers. A figure with pale skin and long wavy red hair that lay sprawled over the many pillows that lay on the large bed. A pair of deep coloured eyes of green fluttered open as the light from the morning sun peered upon the figures face. The covers fell off the figure as they sat up, showing off the figures womanly features, turning her head, she gazed upon another, but older woman that stood just a little ways away with her head bowed in respect. Smiling ever so softly, the woman slipped out of her bed, her bare feet caressing the carpet floor beneath as she stood.

The older woman hurried over to her, and took the young woman and helped her dress. Dressing her in a gown of silver and white, soon followed by braiding her hair so that it hung down her back with four strands remaining to hang in front of her face. The young woman turned and smiled at her chamber maid, “Lady Collea. Where would I ever be without you to help me in the fair mornings such as this. I dread my father, dropping dead on his throne to fine his youngest child slaving over her clothing” she gave with a ever so small laugh as her maiden nodded in response.

“I do not think Princess Avari, that your father would like it for any of this children to have to slave so much but you are the only princess in the family your highness and I’m you’re his Majesty just wants what’s best for the rarest rose in the kingdom” Collea said as she tapped on the doors and waited as the two guards outside opened the chamber doors before following exactly three steps behind her princess as she followed her down the many halls of the castle to the giant dinning hall.

Avari walked down the centre of the large room in which a large was at the front with two tables on the either side of the rooms to hold many of the knights and court of her fathers. She was greeted fondly by her elder brothers, three in all, her being the fourth and only daughter to the King and the late Queen. Taking her seat on the right hand side of her father she slowly began to eat what was served to her. Ever since she was a child she would sit in her mothers old seat at the table to keep her dear father company. The elderly man beside her, was dressed in royal robes with long hair as white as the snow that fell in the winter with a semi long bread of white to match. A crown lay around his temple.

“I fair you’re doing well this morning my dear” King Marius greeted his only daughter as he took a sip of wine from his goblet.

“Yes your Majesty I fair well this good morning” Avari answered, accustomed to calling her father ‘Majesty’ for many years only to sooner or later be scolded for it and ordered to call him father by the man himself when he gave her the playful yet stern look. The King nodded for his daughters fairness, ever since his wife had died he had seen too it that her last wishes to have Avari treated the best be carried out. Avari had never known her mother, told she had died while had given birth to the young princess.

Avari was known as the gem of her family. Treated well by both father and brothers. Many people in the Kingdom thought that she would make a wonderful Queen, but that would never be the case of their kingdom for her eldest brother Julian was the Crown Prince to take the throne after the death of the King. Which hoped to be for another many years.

“Why would our family Gem be nothing but fair?” her brother Taran, the middle of the prince’s born, joked as he planted a kiss on his sisters cheek before he continued eating. The King and other two prince’s chuckled before Julian slapped Taran on the back, “Well at least she is fairer then you and that big mouth you keep stuffing with food” he said before having to dodge the fist coming his way.

Avari watched them with a hearty smile on her face. Once finished eating she excused herself, placing a kiss on her fathers brow and a kiss on each of her brothers cheeks before she left the hall. She walked throughout the castle, but the look of sweetness never left her face until she came upon the garden in which she was alone. Walking alone the many rows of flowers and bushes and trees that were in there, her sweet expression turned to a one of gloom. Fair as they may say she was, since she had become the age of sixteen she has been told that she was of rightful age to marry any suitable young man or old, either which her father would most likely choose for her. Stopping by the pond she stood there, lifting her hand and placing it gently against the bark of the tree near the small pond that ran around many parts of the garden. She closed her eyes as she thought, if she was to marry she would be sent away from the castle, for there was no Kingdom that was close to her fathers. A lone tear slipped down her pale skinned cheek at the very thought of leaving her family.

“Why the sadness my lady?” came a voice from behind her. Avari startled that someone had snuck up behind her without her hearing turned and spotted a tall yet young man with somewhat long black hair that fell into his brown coloured eyes. He was dressed in dark clothing with only a little armour and a helmet carried under his right arm. His eyes stared at her once again asking the question but ever so silently with just a look.

“I do not know what sadness you speak of Knight” Avari watched as he took a step closer to her and then took her hand. “That sadness you try to hide behind those lovely eyes of green. That is the sadness that I speak of Princess” The Knight responded to her statement as he placed a soft kiss on the smooth top of her hand. Avari felt as if her face was burning as she tried to hide the little faint red colour that came to her face.

“What is your name Knight. For I may know the one who has intruded upon my garden?”

“Forgive me for such an intrusion your highness. But I am new here. My name is Sir Aaron, Knight to King Xia across the way of the ocean.” The Knight introduced himself. As he gave one swift bow to Avari who raised her hand in need to say that it was quite alright for the intrusion.

“You are from across the Ocean. How fascinating” Avari said as she walked around him. “Forgive me but I am wanted inside” she apologized as she saw her brother and hurried over to him before he escorted her away from the garden. But her mind still lingered to the Knight she had just met, and why he was here instead of with his own King in his own home. She figured she would find out sooner or later from her father or one of her brothers. Yet she believed she would not enjoy what she was going to be told.