~Xander~

Green. Gold. Blue. Laughter.

"Xander," the voice leers. "Xander, the useless prince."

"Who are you?" I call into the dark void.

"No one of importance," the voice answers. "Now listen very carefully."

Suddenly the floor drops out from under me. I scream and thrash, still surrounded by darkness.

"Insolent boy," the voice says. It's impossible to tell the origins of the voice and it's gender.

"Just tell me who you are," I beg.

"Darkness will fall.

Falling will free.

Freedom will kill.

Death will reign.

The Ruler will flee.

Flight will be the end."

I snap awake, screaming. My heart beats out of my chest. I pant heavily, trying to settle my whole body. One of the servants rushes into my room without knocking.

"Your highness," the female dwarf pants like she's been running,"are you all right?"

"Fine," I breathe throwing off the blankets, revealing my bare chest and skinny legs.

"You were screaming," the annoying dwarf informs me. I ignore her and reach for a blue button down shirt. I dress and manage to put on my black leather boots, brown pants, and green cape before being questioned further.

"Where are you going?" the disrespectful dwarf asks indignantly.

"I just need some air," I answer her with a glare. "You would do well to remember your place."

"Sorry, sir," she mumbles. I jog out the door and easily navigate the winding halls and carpet stairs till I reach the main front door.

"The king has issued a curfew for you," one of the wooden men informs me. I snort. Of course he did. Can't have me running off now can we? "You may not leave the confines of the castle until the war is over."

"I'm just going out," I say shouldering my way through the heavy wooden doors. "I won't even leave the gates." I'm out of the castle before they can protest further. I'm not worried about them following me.

The sun is just barely peaking through the trees when I step out into the court yard. I take a few calming breaths trying to clear my aching head. I jog off toward the garden on my left. Even though it's in the main square, commoners are not allowed in unless invited.

For some odd reason, I feel the urge to find water. My whole body aches for the freezing cold water in the pond at the center. I find the crystal clear pond where it should be, surrounded by rich purple roses.

I kick off my boots and wade my feet in the water. I should have woken up River.

After our not-date last night, I told her I'd show her around the castle. She seemed really keen on spending time and getting to know each other. (Her words, not mine.) If only it wasn't so forbidden to even be friends. After what she did for me yesterday, I think we have potential to be very good friends.

A part of me wonders what life could have been like if I lived in the village and not as a prince. If I could have been friends with her, how different I would be? Would I even have known her then?

I sigh in disappointment. Thinking about River helped to clear my head a little, but there's still an ominous sense of fear hanging over me.

I feel like that horrible voice is still taunting me in my subconscious. I think back on the words the voice muttered. My mind lingers on death and darkness. Those are the things I fear most. Not because I'm a coward, but because it know they are inevitable. War is coming and the villagers won't stand a chance.

"I thought I'd find you out here," a voice startles me. Breathing heavily, I whip around and face my older sister, Odetta. She has on her trade-mark dark green dress with riding boots.

"Jeez, Ode," I manage. I run a hand through my tangled hair.

"Someone's jumpy this morning," Odetta teases.

"I had a rough night," I sigh as Odetta sits down next to me. She tilts her head in confusion.

"Bad dreams," I explain, resting my head in my hands. I look out across the pond, thinking about life in general. I feel Odetta run a hand along my back in a surprisingly affectionate gesture.

"Lesly told me what happened last night," she says with a smirk. Oh, that was the reason for being nice. She wanted my side of the story from my mouth.

"I don't really wanna talk about it," I mumble. I feel completely drained. My whole body is kind of shaking.

A disappointed Odetta punches my shoulder and leaves me alone by the pond. I settle into the silence of the garden. Bored, I sigh and lay on my back, facing the sky.

In about an hour and a half, I'll have to leave the pond for my daily prince duties. Mainly, it includes attending etiquette lessons and dull dance classes. Later while Lesly does her etiquette classes, my brother and I will train separately with the head general. He teaches us sword fighting and our weapons of choice.

I wonder what River and Ash are going to do in that time. Part of me hopes that River will be forced to attend class with me. Even the servants are forced to take a few of the classes. River and Ash will definitely have to take a few at some point.

"Hey, Xander," River greets. I hear her heavy footfalls behind me. I am immediately hit with a huge wave of emotion rolling off of River. I flinch at the physical impact it has on my whole body. What the heck was that?

"Guess you found me," I reply once I catch my breath, turning to face her. I flinch again once I see her troubled face.

"Lesly told me where you were," she mutters sheepishly.

"Ahhh, I see," I tease weakly. River gives me a glare. She doesn't sit down next to me. Her emotions are stifling and I have no idea why.

"I was just wondering what Ash and I are going to do for breakfast," River says. I smirk and put my hands behind my head. "Your sisters and servants all say we were invited to dine with the king for every meal today."

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're going to do," I inform her.

"I don't want to offend your father and-" River starts to rant. More of the staggering emotions hit me like a ball and chain.

"River, it's going to be all right," I interrupt. My head aches even harder. "Just watch me, and Lesly and Odetta will help you get ready."

River nods. Her eyes are still worried. She bows a little and scampers off in search of my sister.

I sigh with relief. The silence is beautiful. I can't help but sigh again. Today is a weird day.

*River*

I hear Xander sigh as I leave. It hurts, but I guess he had a rough night. Lesly bounded into my room earlier this morning babbling about nightmares and table maners. She then left me with a huge armful of silky clothes, telling me to hurry up and get ready.

I feel uncomfortable in my new palace clothes, even though they are a lovely shade of green. (I'm starting to guess that's the main color for the Royalty. Green. A rich, thick green, like grass.) The fabric is bunched and folded nicely around my waist making me look curvy. There's strange padding under my breasts forcing them upward so they show a little above my dress. My brown hair thankfully hasn't been touched yet, but Lesly is going to do it soon.

As soon as I'm back in the main door, I find myself completely and utterly lost. I feel like I'm walking aimlessly to my death. I don't remeber passing so many plain wooden doors or stair cases. Soon enough, my brain kicks back in and I find my room up the left set of stairs and across the hall from Ash. Lesly is already standing outside.

"Okay," she begins, "here's your crash course in manners. Basically, don't speak unless spoken to and eat only using your left hand. Start with your silverware and work from the outside in. I'll elbow you if you're doing it wrong." With that she shoved me into my room and forced me to sit in one of the many plushy chairs arranged neatly around my room.

"So for you, I think we need to put your curly hair into a nice bun, because it would take a miracle, River, to get your hair into a nice plait. I intended no offence by that. I mean we all have fairly straight hair so it would be really difficult in the time I have to fix your hair. It may surprise you to know that we all do our own hair. Odetta even. . ." Lesly's voice drowns into the background of my thoughts. I really don't care what she does with my hair.

After about thirty minutes of yanking and stabbing my head with pins, Lesly manages to put my hair in a bun. She pats my head and gives me rushed directions to the dinning hall for breakfast. She then bounds off claiming she's going to fetch Xander.

I somehow manage to find my way before it's time. Before pushing open the huge doors, I take a few deep breaths and pray this all goes well. I am hoping for the chance to ask the king, what he plans for Ash and I, and what kind of options we have.

Just as I'm about to go in, Xander stops and stands next to me. I immediately notice the lack of a smirk crossing his face. Even in intense pain back at the village he still tried to smile. I am about to ask him what's wrong, but he just grabs my hand and leads me into the elaborate dinning hall.

There is a long wood table with fancy wooden chairs behind it. The smell of food drafts through two more huge wooden doors on my left leading to what I assume is the main kitchen.

"Xander!"

I turn a little to the right and face Xander's incredibly pregnant mother lounging in a fancy wooden chair. She has her feet propped up on the long clothed table and is munching on a bright red apple. I smile at how nonchalant the queen is, yet her long golden hair looks perfect and there is not a single wrinkle on her clothing.

"Mother, this is River," Xander says softly. He bows gracefully and gently kisses her knuckles.

"You look awful, dear," her highness replies completely ignoring her son. I get the sense she really didn't want me to hear her speaking to her son, but I listen anyway. The queen gently runs a hand through Xander's hair and feels his forehead.

"I'm fine," Xander mumbles with a wince. "It's just a small head ache."

I shoot him a concerned look, remembering how he collapsed twice back at the village. Xander smirks a little in responce and shrugs. His smirk falls into a wince.

"Well, River, I must say that it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I've heard lots about your spunk, young lady," Xander's mother says. She gives me a lovely smile and gently rubs her distended belly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, your highness." I try my best to be as polite as I possibly can be. I give her the curtsey Lesly taught me and smile.

Silence descends over the dinning hall. I glance at Xander, but he doesn't notice me. I feel so inferior compared to the royalty. The queen's eyes scan over my body from my head all the way to my toes. She snorts softly and polietly bites her apple.

"Will River and Ash have to attend classes this morning?" Xander asks as he sits down heavily at the table. I notice he is third from the middle, the farthest spot from the king. Something in my chest pangs with hurt. I hear Xander draw in a sharp breath.

"Yes, dear, I belive that is the plan," her Highness answers. Before the queen is even finished talking, Lesly bursts into the dining room Ash in tow. Ash gives me a goofy smile and a kind of half wave. I roll my eyes and smile at him.

"Mother!" Lesly announces happily, yanking on my brother's arm. "This is Ash! Isn't he just lovely? He has the nicest eyes. Did you know that he likes to write stories? He has written at least ten and all of them are simply amazing."

The queen nods along to Lesly's ranting, which continues for at least two more minutes. I give Xander an annoyed look. He smiles a little and pretends to gag in disgust. I feel better seeing him smile, even if it looks a little forced.

"Lesly, dear, please take care to remember your manners," the queen quips. Suddenly the once warm air is stifiling. Lesly's mouth hangs open a little and I can see her eyes starting to water. She quickly blinks her eyes and sits down at the table also in the third seat, only on the right. Ash gives me a desperately awkward look. I signal back with my eyes across the table saying I can't help him, because I feel just as awkward myself.

Odetta comes into the hall and takes a seat next to her mother without glancing at me for more than a second. She shoots me a sympathetic look before glaring at me. I get the hint. She's just fulfilling her duty.

"Please, have a seat," the queen says kindly, making me feel a little put out.

Since Xander has been pretty unhelpful today, I glance at Lesly who subtly pats the seat next to her. I nod a little and sit down in the amazingly fluffy chair.

As soon as I'm settled, Thresh bursts into the dinning hall, his cape swishing behind him. I want very badly to glare at him, but manage to hold it in. Thresh doesn't even glance at either me or Ash, who is still standing awkwardly infront of the table.

"Ash, will you sit down?" Lesly asks politely gesturing toward the empty seat next to Xander. Ash blushes furiously and sits down.

Trumpets blare the moment Ash's butt hits the chair. He promptly stands back up looking like he got caught doing something wrong. It turns out all right because everyone stands as the Forest King himself enters the dining hall. I quickly stand and bow respectfully. We all remain standing until the king is seated.

Xander sits down heavily in the chair after the king sits. Ash and I get swept up in the chaos of the servants serving food. Loads of half goat people serve piping hot food and pastries. Each one of the servants has to smile as they dance and serve the food.

I try really hard not to stuff my face, but to be polite. I make a conscious effort not to switch hands with my fork and knife, which is very difficult. I also make a serious attempt not to spill any food on myself. Ash on the other hand, looks a little lost and seems to be making every mistake possible. No one openly corrects him, but the queen's shoulders deflate in a sigh every time he messes up.

You just have to get through this.

"Prince Alexander, please inform me as to why you though it fit to disobey my direct orders this morning," the king commanded over the clamor of the servants. His voice had an edge to it I didn't like at all. Xander visibly flushed and fought off a glare.

"I was attempting to clear my head, Your Majesty," Xander mutters through clenched teeth. His hand is turning white as it grips his fork.

"Pardon me, but I do not understand how that qualifies as an excuse to disobey me," the king bellows. The dining hall goes silent and all the servants freeze.

"Dear, do calm down," the queen scolds. "You have more important things to worry about."

The rest of breakfast drags on at an agonizing pace. I soon realize I will not get to speak with the king. Instead we all must listen to the king speaking.

His Majesty talks nonstop about battles won, enemies captured, and how proud he is of the warrior Thresh is. I soon find that another favorite pass time is to scold Xander and point out every one of his flaws.

"Prince Alexander was born such a sickly babe," the king taunted. "I thought for sure he wouldn't make it. If it hadn't been for the fairy's gift, he would not have survived."

It's awful. With each word Xander, recedes a little more into a shell I had no idea he had. The prince sits a little straighter and eats less. His eyes loose their joy and start to grow cold. He's shutting down and I don't know how to stop it without offending anyone.

Finally, after about an hour of that torture, the king dismisses us with more trumpet blasting. Xander is out of there in a flash. I want desperately to follow him, but Lesly and Ash stop me.

"I need to show you two where you're going to be taking etiquette classes," Lesly announces.

"But, Xander-" I start to protest.

"He understands. He'll hopefully be at classes," Lesly interrupts. With that she death grips my hand and drags Ash and I away from the dinning hall.

The etiquette classroom is on the third floor of the castle on the far east side of the fortress. The room is painted completely white and looks like everything dull and depressing. I look to my brother and find him visibly gagging.

"Lesly, this room is awful!" Ash exclaims.

"Patience, peasant," Lesly replies. She gently pats Ash on the head with her gloved hand. Are they flirting? Ewwww. Suddenly Lesly gives Ash a weird look then glances at me and saunters out of the room.

Ash and I stay in the boring room until it's time. Ash sits in the desk directly in front of me. He is jittering slightly and keeps opening his mouth like a fish.

"Spit it out!" I demand. Ash jumps in his seat.

"Spit what out?" he asks with a slight twitch. Suddenly he flips his hair out of his eyes and stares me down with his "crazy eyes" he would use when we were kids. His blue eyes are wide and he slowly moves closer to my face.

"You're being weird!" I tease and push his head away from me.

Ash laughs and turns back around to face the front. I roll my eyes and smile at him.

I decide to rest my head on my hands and just stare off into space until Xander comes. I don't have to wait for very long.

"Hey," Xander greets with his usual lopsided smirk.

"Hay is for horses," Ash replies standing up from the desk. To both Xander's and my surprise, Ash wraps him in a gentle but firm hug around the waist, since Xander is so much taller than Ash.

Xander shoots me a panicked look, but I just laugh at him. Xander looks back down at Ash and gently pats his shoulders.

"I missed you to," Xander mutters more like it's a question.

"Sorry," Ash apologizes. "I was just. . . worried about you. . . After what happened last night. I. . .It won't happen again."

Xander rolls his eyes and puts Ash in a headlock. The two begin to wrestle and fight on the floor like two puppies. Xander is laughing and I can't help but laugh to.

"Be careful!" I scold because it's my job as an older sister to be bossy. Ash laughs louder than I have ever heard and the two boys continue their wrestling.

"Fine, I surrender!" Ash laughs as he climbs to his feet. Xander stays on the floor just sort of breathing heavily.

"You okay?" I asked quietly. I stared to feel guilty again. I shouldn't have let him get hurt.

"I'm sorry again," I apologize.

"I'm fine, River," Xander reassures. "You really don't have to worry. I'm tougher than you think." I smile and ruffle his curly blonde hair. Xander sighs a little and scoots so his back is resting against my desk. I continue to just kinda stroke his head.

"Oh get a room!" Ash laughs slightly.

A.N: okay! Weeeeeelllllp. Here we are. Chapter fifteen! *and the crowd goes wild* So I had a really hard time with this chapter. It took me foreeeeeeveer to actually end it and get the right words on paper.

I feel like this story is really lagging. Is it really boring? Please comment. I'm getting worried.

Anyway, don't forget to vote and comment. I'm here to learn. ;)

-O.T.W.