Hey Everyone! This is the first story I've let ANYONE read! The reason is because I take criticism to heart so if you review please don't be harsh. I would appreciate some constructive criticism since I plan to major in creative writing. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!

Oh, by the way, this story is completely from my own head. If it resembles someone elses in anyway I'm sorry but I don't copy other people's work.

Chapter 1:

A bird call echoed in the distance as the sun began rising up over the hills which

surrounded three sides of the empty green plain.

Although it was just beginning, clouds were already rolling in, indicating an overcast, chilly spring day. A breeze was slightly blowing, giving the tall grasses the look of a rippling pool of water.

The bird call came again and was answered by one on the other side of the meadow. Other birds flew around, twittering to each other and chirping peacefully, happy that spring had come.

The grasses rustled as a fox slowly crept through, hoping to celebrate the first day of spring with a nice meal for dinner. Two rabbits scurried out of a hole in the ground and chased each other across the field and into another, oblivious that a fox could be out and about on such a wonderful day as it was.

The peaceful balance of Mother Nature was tipped when a thundering noise reverberated off of the mountains and the ground began to tremble. The animals all ran for shelter, scared of what had disturbed their blissful morning.

Soon a band of about twenty horses galloped into view as they started to cross the plain. The horses were completely covered in metal plates.

War horses.

Their riders, equally hidden behind armor, seemed eager to reach their destination. Much shouting was heard, mostly to convince the already tiring horses to go faster.

The leader of the mounted group, a strong largely-built man with a graying beard and mustache, galloped his horse ahead of the rest. When he reached a cliff which lined the fourth side of the plain, he stopped so the others could catch up. His bay stallion snorted and reared, pawing the air with its hooves.

When the rest of the group arrived beside him, they looked down the cliff. There, a large kingdom came into sight. A great stone and wooden wall surrounded the entire village and on top of a hill in the middle, a large castle stood. Flags on the wall rippled fiercely in the wind and sentries could be seen walking along the wall, swords and bows in hand.

After staring for a few moments, the leader shouted and spurred his horse to descend the cliff. The others followed and they continued to head to the closed gate in the middle of the large wooden walls.

The Sun slowly crept through the sheer curtains of the balcony and filtered into the dark room, causing it to slowly get increasingly brighter. The room itself looked cheerfully elegant. A large square woven rug covered more than half of the floor and the wooden floorboards underneath were made of oak.

There was a noise outside as someone came down the hall. The two large oak doors were quickly thrust open and a plump old woman hurried in.

She was dressed in a tan dress made of worn fabric. Overtop she had a white apron tied around her waist and her hair was up in a tight bun with a white bonnet over it. By looking at her clothes, it was obvious she was a servant.

"Irene! Princess Irene! It's time to get up dear!" She said as she hurried across the room. She passed a lovely wooden bed in the middle of the room which was covered with white sheets and had a sheer white canopy over it, the same material that covered the windows. A brown head was just barely visible underneath the covers and the sheets stirred. A feminine groan was heard.

The woman walked to the balcony and pulled back the curtains, an action which only made the bed's occupant groan louder. The morning sun shone through and the room was immediately full of light.

The woman then opened the doors out to the balcony. After inspecting the new day ahead, she turned around and went back into the room, only to sigh in exasperation.

"Dear you must get up! It's already seven! Your father will be wondering what's wrong if you don't show up in court soon." The sheet stirred even more and a rose into a mound, only to collapse as the occupant shook them off. "Finally!" The old woman said as she walked over to the dresser and started looking for a dress.

The girl sat up and smiled as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight that was filling the whole room with its glow. Unlike her maid, she didn’t seem to mind the fact that her dawdling attitude could upset her father.

"Oh Marme I had the most wonderful dream! I was riding Dera over the plains. We were galloping like the devil himself was after us! The wind was blowing and it felt so peaceful and wonderful!" The girl threw her arms out straight and then fell back on her bed with a romantic sigh.

The woman shook her head and continued readying the girl's outfit for the day.

After lying for a few more minutes, Irene got out of bed and walked behind the changing curtain in the corner of the room. Marme laid the dress over the top of the curtain and soon the nightgown was tossed over and into Marme's waiting arms. Then the dress was pulled down behind the curtain.

When Irene had finished putting everything on, she walked out so Marme could get a good look at her.

The dress she had on was of green velvet. It went all the way to the floor and bunched a little around her feet. There was gold cord around the high waistline and in three-inch intervals down the sleeves.

Marme smiled and then Irene turned around so she could be laced up. When that was finished, Irene walked over to her wooden vanity and started to brush her hair. She took a thick strand of her hair above her left ear and braided it. Then she draped it over her head and pinned it underneath, giving it the look of a braided headband.

"There, how do I look?" She asked as she stood up so her maid could get a good look at her.

"Beautiful! You look just like your mother." Irene blushed. No matter how many times that complement was used it had the same effect on her. She felt beautiful when compared to the status of her mother, an always elegant woman.

"Now hurry up! Your father will be expecting you." Irene started to slowly walk towards the door, almost as if she didn't want to leave. The woman swooped down behind her and swatted her backside. Irene jumped, gave a little squeak, and rushed out the bedroom door.

How did you like it?? Please R/R so I know what I'm doing right or wrong. (But no flames please!)

Scarlet