Far, far away, in a distant land, there were two kingdoms.

One, called Sirine, ruled the other, which was called Tierney.

In Talio, the capital of Sirine, there was the royal palace.

In a beautifully furnished room in the palace sat a young lady of nineteen. She was Queen Jenelle, ruler of Tierney and Sirine. At the moment she was reading the history of the two countries, she brushed back her dark brown curls and bent over the book, her sparkling green eyes moving quickly over the pages. This is what she read; Long, long ago the two countries were ruled separately. King Kavon ruled Sirine and King Devon ruled Tierney. At first they dwelt peacefully with each other, and then a great war raged in the neighboring countries.

Eventually both Sirine and Tierney became entangled in the war.

Several years later, after much bloodshed, the war ended. But things did not go back the way they were, King Kavon had captured Tierney. He allowed King Devon to continue to rule under him. But he made a rule that all people ruling Tierney under Sirine could not become king, they could only be prince, that way the ruler of Sirine would always be of higher rank.

And as things go, King Kavon and King Devon died; their sons became King and Prince.

Prince Ronald was a man worthy of his rank; he was loved by his people. King Tilden also was beloved by his people.

Soon both married, King Tilden married Lady Amara Vincent, daughter of the Duke Vincent.

Prince Ronald married Lady Emmalee Marvin, daughter of the knight Sir Alvin Marvin.

King Tilden and Queen Amara had a daughter and named her Jenelle, she was a darling child, the King and Queen loved to watch her play and hear her sweet laughter in distant parts of the palace. She was the sweetest thing to be desired.

Prince Ronald and Princess Emmalee had a son, but Princess Emmalee died giving birth to him, Prince Ronald’s heart was broken. He named the baby Arthur. Arthur had dark hair, grey eyes and, to his father’s great joy, a commanding look.

Though the two children were only two years apart, Arthur being older, they never met, their parents never letting them cross paths.

King Tilden died when Princess Jenelle was only seven and Queen Amara took command of the kingdoms.

When Princess Jenelle was eighteen and Prince Arthur was

twenty-one, a plague raged through the land, Prince Ronald and Queen Amara both caught it and died.

So Jenelle ruled Sirine and Tierney and Arthur ruled Tierney under her.

Prince Arthur was a thoughtful and loving ruler and his people loved him dearly. He did much for the good of the people.

Queen Jenelle was kind and lowered the taxes so that the people could pay them. So she also was loved by her people.

End of Chapter One

(Please keep in mind that I wrote this when I was 11. Someday it will become a full length novel, but for now it remains a short, very fast paced story. Let me know if you would like to be tagged in future chapters!)

One year after her parents died, Queen Jenelle decided to go on a long

trip. She left the Duke of Corthings in charge.

Several weeks after she left, a troop of the Royal Guard went, at the order of the Duke, to the royal palace of Tierney. The captain went up to the gate and pulled the bell. The gatekeeper hurried to the gate and opened it. “Show me to the Prince’s rooms.” The captain said.

The gatekeeper called a page. “This gentleman wishes to see the Prince.” The gatekeeper said.

“Follow me.” The page said.

The captain and two of his men followed him into the palace. They went through corridors and halls. Several people turned to look at them as they went past. Finally they stopped at a door. The page knocked.

“Yes?” said a voice.

The page opened the door. “Sir, the captain of the Royal Guard of her majesty, Queen Jenelle, wishes to speak to you.” The page said respectfully.

“Show him in.” The voice said.

The captain stepped in, the two men standing just outside of the doorway. In the corner of the darkly lit room sat a young man. He was dressed in a dark brown satin cloak and his clothes were of a dark forest green embroidered in gold. He had a very thoughtful face that also told that he was not someone to trifle with.

He stood and walked over towards the captain. “What is it?” Prince Arthur asked, for it was he.

“I bring bad news.” The captain said.

“What is wrong?” The Prince asked, worried.

Instead of answering him, the captain turned to his men and said, “Arrest him, men!”

The men stepped forward and took hold of the Prince’s hands. “What are you doing!” cried the Prince.

“I am sorry to do this, your majesty, but it is the Duke’s orders.” the captain replied. He nodded his head towards the door; the two men started towards it.

“Wait!” exclaimed the Prince, “I wish to bring a few things, it may be that this business will last a while.”

The captain and his men waited while the Prince gathered up a few things. The Prince, after shoving them in a bag, stepped toward the door.

“There, take me where ever you care.” he said. His handsome face was flushed, and he had a defiant look in his eyes.

The captain glanced down; he couldn’t stand to look into the Prince’s fiery gray eyes.

The men stepped up to take hold of the Prince again, but the captain waved them away. Turning to the Prince he said, “Prince, I am sorry, I am just carrying out orders. Now if you promise not to escape, my men won’t touch you.”

“I promise.” the Prince said quietly.

The captain led the way towards the door. As they went out, a page came down the corridor; he looked surprised at seeing the Prince with the captain of the Royal Guard. “Arnold, I am going with the captain for a while.” The Prince said to the page.

“Yes sir, how long will you be gone?” the page inquired.

“I don’t know.” the Prince replied.

Then the group continued along until they reached the courtyard, here there was a carriage waiting. The Prince and the captain got in, then the driver cracked his whip and they started off.

As they rode along the Prince and the captain looked at each other in silence. Finally the captain spoke, “Sir, I....I am very, very sorry. I didn’t want to do this, but the Duke would have executed me if I had disobeyed his orders. Will you forgive me your majesty?”

The Prince sat there looking at him in silence. At first his face was very stern, and then it slowly softened. Then he spoke, “Of course I forgive you. You are a just a tool in the Duke’s hands. If you had not done it, another would.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you! Now I see why your people love you, your majesty!” cried the captain.

Back at the palace the news spread that the Prince had gone away with the captain of the Royal Guard.

(Ah, this chapter has my favorite line; the one about the captain of the guard, of her majesty Queen Jenelle. I think I like it because it's so long. :) Let me know if you're not being tagged, and would like to be when new chapters come out!)

After a few days, the Prince reached Talio, capital of Sirine.

They traveled to the royal palace. When they arrived, the captain sent in his name. After waiting several minutes, a page escorted them to the room in which the Duke was. When they stepped in, the Duke looked up. He was a cruel looking man, with a very haughty bearing. He only wanted to get rid of the Prince so that he could have the throne of Tierney. He looked at the Prince. “So, this is the great Prince.” he said tauntingly.

The Prince didn’t say anything; he just stood there looking at the Duke with a look of contempt.

The Duke lowered his eyes for a moment, he couldn’t bear to look in the Prince’s eyes, those eyes were very forceful and commanding. The Duke also knew that the Prince was of higher position then he, but the Duke gained back his confidence, because he was in charge of Sirine.

He looked back up. “So, this is the Prince.” he repeated.

“Yes, I am the Prince.” Answered the Prince calmly, “May I ask why this indignity has been forced upon me?” he continued, his eyes flashing.

“I am doing this on the behalf of Queen Jenelle.” The Duke replied loftily.

“I doubt that Queen Jenelle would do such a thing!” retorted the Prince indignantly.

The Duke flinched, and then flushed angrily. “Are you insulting her majesty!” he shouted.

“No, of course not.” The Prince said coolly, “On the contrary, I am protecting her reputation from being ruined by you.”

“Are you insulting your superiors?” shouted the Duke angrily.

“No, of course not, I am superior to you.” Replied the Prince calmly. “No, you are not!” cried the Duke, “I have just now deprived you of your rank, now you are just a vagabond!”

“How dare you!” exclaimed the Prince. He leapt forward towards the Duke, but the guards held him back.

“For that you are going to be executed in three weeks!” cried the Duke in fury. He would not have gone this far but he was so angry that he wasn’t thinking about what he was doing.

“Bring him to the dungeons!” the Duke raged.

As the guards stepped up to the Prince, the Prince said quietly, “I wouldn’t want to be in your place when Queen Jenelle gets back.”

And with that, he turned quickly and proudly left.

The Duke gazed after him in astonishment and rage. He knew what the Prince meant, Queen Jenelle held up Prince Arthur as an example of kindness and as a man worthy of respect and esteem.

So no wonder the Duke trembled at the thought of Queen Jenelle’s anger. For the Duke, in spite of outwards appearances, was a coward.

End of Chapter Two

(Let me know if you are not being tagged and would like to be when new chapters come out!)

By now the Prince had reached the dungeons. The guards marched him into a cell. This cell was better than the majority because it had been prepared for him. Here the Prince was locked up.

The Prince glanced quickly about the room. “Well, this is an experience I wouldn’t mind not having.” He said ruefully, “Well, I suppose I might as well make myself comfortable, it looks like I’ll be here for a while.

The Prince didn’t believe that the Duke would go through with the execution; for he knew that the Duke was a coward.

* * * * *

Actually, at that very moment, the Duke was considering that very thing. He didn’t want to do it and face the anger of Queen Jenelle, but he didn’t want to be called a coward by his friends. After pondering it for a long time, he finally decided to go through with it. He would accuse the Prince of insulting the Queen and attacking the person placed in charge by her.

* * * * *

From his prison window, the Prince watched the preparations for his execution. They erected, with no small amount of labor, a large platform with spiral steps leading up to it. Then they made an execution block and placed it on the top of the platform. The Prince had to be executed properly, for he was a prince. The Duke could not actually deprive the Prince of his rank.

As he watched this, the Prince knew that the Duke had decided to go through with it. He also knew his fate was sealed, for unless Queen Jenelle came back in time, he would be executed.

And he also knew that the Queen wouldn’t be back for another three months, too late to save him from death.

* * * * *

Two weeks went by and the Prince grew more and more anxious.

He counted down the days until his execution.

Four days before his execution, the Prince heard shouting.

Looking out of his window he saw the people of the city lining the streets.

The Prince called the guard. “What is going on?” The Prince asked.

“Her majesty, Queen Jenelle, has returned.” The guard replied.

“Returned!” exclaimed the Prince in surprise, “But I thought that she wasn’t going to return for at least two weeks!”

“She wasn’t, but the troubles in the neighboring countries made her worried. so she returned.” The guard said.

“Then do you think that she will free me?” asked the Prince.

“Well, I expect that the Duke won’t tell her that you’re here until after your execution.” The guard said.

“But surely she must find out!” cried the Prince.

“No, the Duke will probably think of a way to keep her from finding out.” Replied the guard.

“Keep her from finding out!” cried the Prince, “But that’s infamous!”

“Sir! If I were you I wouldn’t say such things, the Duke would be very angry if he knew!” exclaimed the guard.

“What would he do? Execute me twice?” asked the Prince with a bitter laugh.

Just then they were interrupted by the shouting in the streets becoming louder. Turning to the window the Prince saw the royal carriage coming down the street. He watched it go past the window.

After it was all over, the Prince sank down on his bed and buried his face in his hands.

End of Chapter Three

(Let me know if you are not being tagged, and would like to be when new chapters come out!)

All the rest of that week, the Prince waited anxiously. He had not much hope that Queen Jenelle would find out, but what hope he had, he clung to.

He wasn’t afraid of death, but he was worried about his people. If the Duke succeeded in his evil purpose and got the throne of Tierney, the people would be left without a ruler who truly loved them. For Queen Jenelle had enough already, with the trouble in the neighboring countries, to bother with the doings of the Duke. Though the Duke would probably get some punishment for executing the Prince.

* * * * *

The day before his execution, the Prince stood at his window.

He knew that it was almost too late to save him; he was going to be executed the next day. He watched the final preparations for his execution.

The Prince couldn’t sleep that night, he tossed and turned on his bed, and then he got up and paced the room. The knowledge that one was to be executed was something to provoke many thoughts.

The Prince had found out that her majesty, the Queen, was ill and was confined to her room. The Prince suspected that the Duke had slipped something in the Queen’s food to make her ill. But no matter how she had become ill, the Prince’s last hope of being saved was destroyed.

Finally, at about five in the morning, he sank onto his bed and fell asleep exhausted.

The Prince slept late into the morning, he was awakened by the guard, and the guard gave the prince his breakfast, but the Prince had lost his appetite. For he was to be executed at dusk that evening.

All morning he paced the cell.

A bit before noon, a page came down with a note for the Prince.

The Prince read it quickly; it said that unless the Prince renounced his throne to the Duke, he would be executed.

After he finished reading it, the Prince turned to the page.

“What is your answer, sir?” asked the page.

“Tell him that I will never willingly place a tyrant in charge of my people. I would rather die than do so.” The Prince answered, scornfully.

The page left. After several minutes he came down again. “Sir, the Duke wishes to see you.” The page said.

“Tell him that if he wishes to see me, he will have to come to me.” Said the Prince fearlessly, then he added “And he won’t change my mind one bit.”

He heard no more from the Duke.

A few minutes before dusk, the Prince heard the door of his prison open, upon looking up he saw two guards. “We have come to escort you to your execution.” One of them said.

The Prince grew pale.

“The Duke says that you may change if you wish.” The guard said.

The Prince glanced down at what he was wearing, a dark brown cloak, brown leather boots, clothes of forest green embroidered with gold and he had a green hat with a feather, he had been wearing these when he was arrested.

“I’ll wear these.” He said quietly.

“Yes, Sir, if you wish.” The guard said.

Then the guards produced a cord to be bound around the Prince’s wrists. The Prince looked at it in disgust. “I give you my word that I won’t try to escape. Just don’t put that on me, I’m not a criminal!” he said, frowning.

“Yes, of course, sir.” The guard said.

With one guard behind, and one in front, the Prince left the dungeons.

After walking for a bit, they reached the courtyard.

To the surprise of the Prince, he saw not only people from Sirine, but people from Tierney also. The people cleared a path to the stairs. And the Prince mounted the steps. At the top the Duke and the Executioner stood waiting for him.

When the Prince reached the top, the Duke stepped forward. “Prince, this is your last chance, will you do what I asked, or will you rather be executed?” the Duke said.

“Duke, my answer is the same as before.” Replied the Prince calmly, “Now, I have a few things to say.”

And raising his voice, the Prince addressed the crowd, “My people, I go to my death wishing the best for you. I have worked hard to bring happiness to the land, to help you prosper, and I hope that after my death you will continue to do so.

I hope that Queen Jenelle will place someone who loves you in charge of Tierney.

Now I have a favor to ask of you, do not bear any malice towards the Duke, I have forgiven him entirely. And now my people, I say good-bye.” And with that the Prince turned to the Executioner.

End of Chapter Four

(Goodbye, Prince, it was nice knowing you for four short chapters! :P)

Just as the Prince was preparing to be executed, a page, in a long grey cloak, came hurrying up the steps. When the page reached the top, he dropped on one knee and handed the Prince a message.

The Prince took it and quickly read it. His face changed from one of someone facing death, to one of great incredulity and joy.

Putting forth his hand he said, as he was helping the page up, “It is I, not you, who should be kneeling, your majesty.” And then he dropped on one knee.

The cloak fell back from the page and there stood Queen Jenelle in all her exquisite loveliness. She had on a gown of pale blue, delicately wrought gold shoes and her hair was studded with jewels. She looked compassionately down at the Prince kneeling at her feet.

Finally, she made a motion for the Prince to stand. The Prince stood and waited in front of Queen Jenelle waiting for her to speak.

“Prince,” said Queen Jenelle said gently, “I am sorry about what you had to go through. I was unaware of the fact that you were going too executed until a few minutes ago when I found it out from my maid.”

Then turning to the Duke, she said coldly, “My lord duke, I am shocked at what you have tried to do. Since you have so kindly gone to all this trouble, we must execute someone. It can’t be just anyone, it must be someone of position, and there are only three people of high rank up here. We can’t execute me, or the Prince, and you’re the only other person up here.”

The Duke went pale, for he understood what she meant.

He leapt for the stairs, but he was met by two of the Royal Guard.

“Duke, don’t try to escape.” Said Queen Jenelle quietly, and then turning to the Executioner, she said, “Sir, instead of executing the Prince, execute the Duke of Corthings.”

“Yes, your majesty.” The Executioner said respectfully.

Then Queen Jenelle turned to the Prince and said, “Prince, a royal carriage is waiting, shall we go? You go first, Prince.”

“No, you should go first, your majesty.” said The Prince.

“No, you shall go first.” Queen Jenelle said firmly, with a slight smile.

“Yes, your majesty.” The Prince said respectfully.

They descended the steps together. The people cleared a path for them, shouting, “Long live the Queen! Long live the Prince!”

When the Prince and Queen reached the carriage, they drove off.

* * * * *

And to give this the traditional happy ending: The Prince and the Queen decided, to prevent any more attempts to steal the throne of Tierney from the Prince, they would marry, and they did.

They had a grand wedding, the people shouting, “Long live the King and Queen!”

So the kingdoms became one and Queen Jenelle and King Arthur ruled Sirine together.

They had a daughter and named her Kayleen. They loved her dearly and she was a sweet girl. Queen Jenelle often spoke to Kayleen of the time that her father had been told, “Death in Three Weeks!”

The End

(Dear me! I feel like perhaps this ending is a bit abrupt. :P If I remember correctly, my 11 year-old self was impatient to finish, and this is the result. :) I REALLY need to rewrite this story. It has a good story line, but needs to be written into a full length novel. I hope you enjoyed it! Tomorrow I will begin to post the next book in the series: "The Mountain Quest". That one is 17 chapters long I believe, so it should last a while. Have a great day!)