The Princess's Feathers

My name is Princess Asha Eloise Lordanou, and I’m seven years old!

Tee-hee, you heard that right: Princess Asha Lordanou! Pretty neat, huh? When I become an adult, I’ll be crowned the Queen of our Kingdom: Ellyntide! And when I’m Queen, I’ll order all the nobles at my palace to do everything just for me! I’ll say, ‘Misses Almandoz! I order you to give me ALL your candy at once!’ And she’ll say, ‘Yes, Your Majesty. Here is all the candy in Ellyntide. Please eat it before supper!’

HA HA HA!

But right now, I’m just kit, so I’m not allowed to order anyone around. It’s not fair! I don’t get to do anything I want! I REALLY wanted to stay home today and play in my garden, because my Rabbit friend Annie was gonna come to my palace and show me her new doll. But last night my Mother said we had to leave, and when I told her I didn’t want to go, she wouldn’t listen!! And when I got mad and cried a little, she still wouldn’t listen!!

But then Mother told me something that made me… um… surprised!

I’m going to meet another Princess today! I’m so excited! I’m friends with a lot of kits who come to my palace, but I’ve never met anyone else who’s a Princess. Mother told me I was the only one, but I’m not! I wonder if the new Princess is like me? I want to be friends with every Princess!

Last night before bedtime, we left Varecia on Mother’s new airship, the Blue Demon. And this morning, we landed on an island in the middle of nowhere called ‘Truce.’ I’ve never been here before, but Mother says it’s a really important place. And the reason we’re here today is also really, really important!

Mother is trying to become friends with another Kingdom! I think they’re called ‘Sarlain,’ and we haven’t been friends with them before. Mother says they did a lot of bad things, but they want to be our friends now, too! That’s so exciting! I think if we become friends with Sarlain, then I’ll become friends with so many other kits!

And then when I become Queen, I’ll have even MORE candy!

HA HA HA!!!

Anyway, after we landed, Mother helped me change into my favorite promenade dress and led us off the Blue Demon. When I was walking down the landing stairs, a group of Avian knights came to greet us! I was so excited! I love the Avian Knights. They have such beautiful feathers! And their red and gold armor is ever so pretty! Mother says they’re very important knights, but they don’t come to visit our palace a lot. It’s so wonderful that we get to visit their home instead!

After the Avian knights greeted us, they took us across a grassy field into a big brown building called the ‘Woburn House.’ I know the Avian knights live here, but I’m not sure why this place is so important. Oh well! I just hope I get to see more Avian Knights! I wonder if their fledges live here, too?

Eventually, the Avian knights led us into a room that seemed a lot like the dining room at my palace. It’s a tall room with lots of carpet, statues of Avians… um… and lots of gold stuff hung on the walls. It looks very important and pretty! But I like my dining room more. That’s the place where Miss Almandoz gives me candy for my good manners when Mother isn’t around! Heh-heh!

(So, don’t tell anyone Miss Almandoz gives me candy! Do you double-tail swear not to tell my Mother? …Okay, good!)

Anyway, that dining room is where all of us are waiting for the King and Princess of Sarlain. Mother, Father, and I are all standing in the center of the room with a big group of Avian Knights around us and an even bigger group standing on the side of the room. There’s so many animals! Father is speaking to a Jay about boring knight stuff, but Mother and I are quiet. She’s staring around the room and looks worried about something.

And me? Well, I’m a little bored.

I wish I could read some of my books while we wait. This morning I was reading about the native plants that grow on the central continent of Ellyntide. I checked it out from the library the other day, and I’ve been reading it SO. MUCH. It has so many plant species I never knew about! It’s really neat, but something’s been bothering me.

“Um, mother?” I ask, tugging on her hand.

Mother stops being worried and looks down at me. She smiles and asks, “Yes, sweetie?”

“I read in my plant book that, umm… the Varecian Rosebush grows seven feet tall! Is that taller than me?”

“Oh, yes,” Mother nods. “That’s quite tall. In fact, it’s even taller than your Father!”

I twist around and look up at Father as he talks to the Jay. I try to imagine it in my brain: A really pretty rose bush, growing with lots of pointy stems and pretty pink flowers…

…But it’s taller than Father?!

“Whoa…”

That must be halfway to Maki!! That’s HUGE!! When I get home, I’m going to tell the groundskeeper to grow me a Varecian Rosebush! Unlike Mother, she always listens to me! I wish I could play with her every day!

Filled with excitement, I whip my tail around and tug on Mother’s hand again. “I also read that the Varecian Rosebush always has five flower petals!! That’s so pretty!!”

“Yes,” Mother says. “And it’s almost as pretty as you, dear.”

Mother bends down and smooches me on the top of my head!! Awwwh!

I can’t help but laugh! “Hee hee hee!!” When I get older, I’m going to become the prettiest Princess EVER! And when I go out in public, everyone will talk about how pretty I am, just like Mother!

Finally, after waiting for a really long time, everyone gets quiet. A Crow and a Hawk on the far side of the room step towards a set of very pretty doors and open them wide. And there, walking down the decorated hall from another part of the building, is the King and Princess of Sarlain!

That Princess….

Looks SO. COOL!

Oh, my Goddess!!! The dress she’s wearing is so simple but so elegant! Mother always says, ‘Laces and bows on your clothes make you pretty as a rose,’ but this Princess’s dress isn’t frilly at all… and she’s still pretty! Somehow, her dress doesn’t have any lace or embroidery. She’s not even wearing a petticoat! It’s just lilac-colored silk and some chiffon around her neck and arms, styled to be simple and elegant! I love it!

This Princess… she’s an older Kit, for sure. She’s taller than me and has beautiful makeup. She must know so much about the Ringtail fashion trends in Sarlain. I hope she’ll still play with me even though I’m a younger Princess from Ellyntide!

And that King… he looks soooo much older than Mother. I wonder… how long has he been a King? Compared to the Princess, his clothes look a lot older. It reminds me of Grandfather’s clothes when we go out in public. I wonder if he’s nice like Grandfather? If I asked to sit on his lap, would he tell me stories about Sarlain?

The King and Princess step through the doors and down a short set of stairs that span the length of the room. The King looks pleased to be there, while the Princess just looks cool. Then, The Crow and the Hawk step beside them on opposite sides and follow them until they all stand before us. The room falls silent — everyone looks really nervous, the way adults usually look when something important happens.

The Crow steps forward, wraps his black wing in front of him, and bows. “Your Majesty. As you know, the prime mission of the Knights Eternal is to foster a lasting peace between Ellyntide and Sarlain, one that ultimately blossoms into the act of unification. To this end, it is our distinction to present His Majesty King Finn the Second and his daughter, Princess Lucy Richelieu.

“Queen Kelani,” the King talks in an old-sounding voice. “At long last.”

Mother takes a quiet breath and speaks slowly. “King Finn. It has been far too long since our Kingdoms sat at the negotiating table in Truce. It is my fervent desire to see us resolve our differences and foster a lasting peace that will resound for generations to come. Our Kingdoms, and the Goddess, are counting on us.”

When Mother stops speaking, everyone looks to the King. “Yes, well! Thank you, Your Majesty. I do hope the Goddess is satisfied by what we accomplish in the coming days. The schism that divided our families centuries ago has persisted like a stubborn welt for far too long. We should endeavor to set aside the differences that caused us to walk the path of war, and satisfy the Goddess’s desire for a lasting peace.”

Wow, that was so many words I didn’t understand! But I think the King sounds really friendly. No wonder Mother wants to be his friend!

…Well, I think she still wants to be his friend. Even though she’s standing apart from me, it feels like her fur is standing on end. Aww, I think Mother is scared she can’t be friends with him! I don’t really understand why, though. Adult stuff is too confusing!

Mother begins to speak slowly again. “The wounds of the Fourth War, cut deeper than any war prior, will be felt for generations to come. Through the spirit of cooperation, and the Goddess’s—“

Ugh, BORING.

Whenever Mother starts doing Monarch stuff, I always get soooo bored. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about it until I’m older!

I wonder… does the other Princess have to do adult stuff? She’s definitely an older kit, though I’m not sure how old. Standing across from me, she’s watching Mother quite intently. Does she understand the adult stuff she’s talking about? She should be paying attention to me instead!

I wave my tail behind me like a pendulum, trying to draw her attention. But she just keeps watching Mother like she doesn’t even see me! Ugh, rude! Doesn’t she know I’m the Princess of Ellyntide? Mother says I’m really important, and everyone else in the palace pays really close attention to me. So why won’t she? I wanna be her friend!!

“Asha.”

Father’s voice whispers into my ear. He sounds really upset. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but need to stop fidgeting right now.”

What?! Why is father trying to stop me and the other Princess from becoming friends? Why is he always so mean to me?!

“NO!!” I shout, stamping my feet and baring fangs.

At that moment, the King stops talking, and everyone in the room stares at me. But before I can react to them, Father grabs me by the shoulder and whispers super angrily, “Asha Lordanou!!” he squeezes my arm again. “Now, you listen to me. DO NOT start this. You are upsetting the King of Sarlain, you are upsetting your Mother, and you are upsetting ME. DO NOT bare your fangs in public! Do you understand?”

Eep! He called me by my full name! That means Father is really angry. If he punishes me in front of the other Princess, she’ll think I’m just a dumb kit! Argh, I don’t want Father to push me around, but I can’t let the Princess see me get in trouble. I hold my frown for Father, then nod my head really fast. Father scowls but seems satisfied. He stands back up, sighs quietly, and smiles at the King.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Father runs his hands through his ruff and bows his head. “Princess Asha can be a feisty one.”

Unlike Father, the King is strangely amused. “We face unique challenges, raising kits to lead a Kingdom. Your Majesty, perhaps we should relocate to the coronation room. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, along with our more pressing matters.”

The King smiles kindly, the same way Grandfather does. He didn’t get mad at me for baring my fangs like Father did! I like this King!

“I think that would be best,” Mother says quietly. She gazes down at me, looking a little upset, then turns back to the King.

The Crow from earlier steps between Mother and the King. “Very well, then. Would the delegations from each Kingdom assemble, please? Once we are prepared to do so, I will lead the assemblage into the coronation room.”

As the crow stops speaking, everyone in the room starts to move like Mother issued a really important order. The Avian Knights are running around, trying to prepare for Mother and the King to change rooms. Another Ringtail, a man in really pretty clothes, steps out from behind the King and whispers something into his ear. And the other Princess… she’s watching me with the same expression she’s had the entire time. Calm and cool-looking. I wonder what she’s thinking about? Does she think I’m funny like the King does?

“Murdoch,” Mother says. She places her tail on Father’s shoulder and continues, “You should join us. We need—“

“And what about Asha?” he interrupts, then quickly looks at me. I think he’s still upset that I bore fangs.

Mother looks at me momentarily. “The plan was to let her play with Princess Lucy. They need… well, let’s talk about it later, alright?”

Play?! They’re going to let me play with the other Princess?!

Father opens his muzzle to say something but then shuts it. He nods, smiles, and then crouches down to my level. He places his hand firmly on my shoulder and says, “Your Mother and I have to talk to King Finn. I want you to be on your very best behavior with Princess Lucy while we’re gone. Do you understand?”

I smile really big and nod my head up and down. Yes, this is what I’ve wanted all along! Of course, I’ll be on my best behavior!

“Good,” he says really quickly. He stands up and goes to talk to a Parrot knight.

Oh, I’m so excited! I finally get to meet the other Princess! I’m so excited, that I can’t stand to wait any longer! I look to where the Princess used to be standing, but she’s no longer there. Where did she go? I look around the really busy room and spot her standing with the King and a bunch of other Ringtails. I step away from Mother and Father and cross the room to where the group of Ringtails in pretty clothes are. As I get closer, a few of them notice me and tell the others. Then, finally, the Princess turns around and sees me. She looks surprised!

With everyone watching, I step up to her and talk in the nicest voice I can. “Hi!!! My name is Princess Asha Eloise Lordanou!”

“Umm, yeah. Hi. I’m Princess Lucy.”

“My Mother said I was the only Princess, but you’re a Princess too! That’s so neat!”

Before Lucy can respond, Father’s voice calls from behind me.

“Ah! Asha!!”

I turn around to see Father and the Parrot knight jogging towards me, nearly tripping as they step over the tail of a Ruffy. They seem really worried for some reason. “Oh, hi Father! Look, it’s the other Princess!” I smile and point to Lucy.

Father stops in front of me. “Asha, I told you to be on your very best behavior!”

“I am! I was really nice to Princess Lucy!”

“No, Asha, that’s not what I meant. You shouldn’t—“

“Hello, Princess Asha. My name is King Finn.”

Unexpectedly, I hear the King’s voice behind me. I spin around to see him standing beside Lucy, his old face happy and friendly. Whoa! The King is talking to me! “H-Hello King Finn!” I sputter.

Um, there’s something else I’m supposed to do when I meet really important Animals, right?

…Oh, right! Miss Almandoz’s manners training! One foot in front of the other, bend my knees, pull out my dress, and bow my head before the Goddess. There! I perform a perfect curtsy for the King!

He relaxes his tail and smiles. “I see you’ve introduced yourself to my daughter, Princess Lucy. Lucy is a kind young lady like yourself, and I’d like you two to get to know each other.”

“What?!” Lucy squawks like an Avian. “But, Father—“

“Yes, Your Mother and I will be quite busy negotiating the peace accords over the coming days. It’s the perfect opportunity for the future Monarchs to mingle, don’t you think?”

Finn rubs Lucy’s shoulder and smiles. For a second, the Princess looks unhappy, but then she forces herself to straighten up. “Yeah, I guess so,” she mumbles.

Why does Lucy look so upset? Doesn’t she want to play with me? I know she’s an older Kit, but we’re both Princesses! Doesn’t she want to learn more about her new friends in Ellyntide? Well, whatever the case, I’ll have to impress her if I want to become her friend!

King Finn looks past me and asks, “I trust that’s agreeable, Prince Murdoch?”

A second later, Father responds, “Of course it is, Your Majesty.”

Even Father sounded a little upset speaking to the King. Why is everyone acting so weird? We’re supposed to be friends!

“Well, then,” Finn nods and motions with his tail to me and Lucy. “Knight Galloway, if you would, please.”

“Yes, sir!” the Parrot knight wraps his wing in front of him and bows to the King. “Princesses, if you would follow me, please.”

I smile to Father as I walk past him. He seems a little worried, and I’m not sure why. He shouldn’t be! I’m going to try my hardest to make sure Lucy and I become friends! As we’re led away from the crowd of Animals, the King’s voice begins to fade over the sound of everyone talking.

“Prince Murdoch, I’d like to introduce you to Senator LaSalle…”