Thinking of Home

[Abigail Kylie Snape]

Prince Owain was off training and had told her she could go with him if she wished. Abby had stayed behind and wondered around a little she stopped at a window in a corridor. She looked outside wondering if her family missed her, she missed her family. Her brother could always make her laugh when he wasn't busy. She wished he was there with her so he could make her smile and laugh. She stared outside as she thought of her home.

She had been nine when she had got lost in those woods behind her house. She was now eleven and still missing her family, though some of her memories were fuzzy. She barely remembered what her parents looked like. Though she did remember what her brother looked like. She remembered that her brother was named after their father. She wished she could see her house out of the window.

[Aneira of Avaria]

Aneira turned down the hall, her mind racing with fury at her father. How dare he treat me like that, she thought. She clenched her fists as she bounded down the hall. She stopped in her steps when she noticed a troubling sight; a child had the look of sadness. It always troubled her why any child would have cause to be sad...being a natural mother-type figure, she was determined to discover the cause of the sadness. "What is wrong?" She asked, walking towards the child. She wasn't sure the girl had heard her question when no answer came. Once she got close enough, Aneira put a hand on her shoulder and asked again, "What is wrong, child?"

Recognizing her as Owain's servant, the Princess of Avaria bent down to face the girl eye-to-eye, to make herself level with the young servant. She briefly became distracted as her sleeve brushed against her skin, causing her arm to itch. She hated the dress she wore, but she was forced to wear it. It was a gift from her father, once belonging to her mother. The fabric used was meant to keep the wearer shielded from the cold weather during the winter. It was scratchy and quite uncomfortable, being something she wasn't used to wearing.

[Abigail Kylie Snape]

Abby hadn't heard the first question as she had been thinking about her brother. Though when she felt a hand on her shoulder and the question she looked and saw the princess down at her level. "I'm sorry, Princess, but..." She looked back at the window, "I was thinking of my home and family, trying to remember what my mother and father looks like." She hadn't seen them in a while and couldn't remember how to even get to her home. Abby looked down, "I'm really sorry I troubled you, Princess."

She felt bad she had troubled or bothered her, she felt like she shouldn't do anything to bother her or the prince. She rarely seen the princess and she had a feeling that they really didn't like one another. At least that's what she thinks about Prince Owain. Abby looked at the princess before she bit her lower lip as she looked down, her bangs falling in front of her eyes. She looked at the princesses dress, she thought it looked pretty. "I like your dress, Princess."

[Aneira of Avaria]

"It’s quite alright." She said as she scratched at her arm. Aneira’s heart lurched for the young maidservant. Despite how much she disliked her brother - and father at times - she couldn’t imagine being away from them for long…especially to the point where she wouldn’t remember what they looked like. She wanted to help her in some way. Perhaps she could request to her father that they try to find her family? No. That wouldn’t work. Her father would never do anything for a servant, believing that it would be a show of weakness in the eyes of their enemies.

"I like your dress, Princess," the girl said. Aneira looked up at the compliment and thanked the girl. "Thank you." Suddenly an idea came to her and a smile grew across her face. "Would you like to see your family again?" She knew her father wouldn’t send men out to find them, but perhaps she could find them using magic and take her to visit them. She was sure that her brother wouldn’t take her once Aneira found them. Owain would probably be too busy practicing his swordsmanship or something like that. A realization coming over her, she asked, "What is your name?"

[Abigail Kylie Snape]

Abby smiled at the princess, "I would love to see them again, but what if they want me to stay with them? I couldn't leave Prince Owain." She lost her smile, she liked the prince and would hate to leave him. She took a deep breath not knowing what to do. "I'm Abigail." She thought for a moment then said, "I also go by Abby."

She looked out the window as she thought about her family and her home then decided. She looked at the princess then nodded, "I want to see them, the only one I really remember is my brother because I think he was with me more then my parents." She smiled as she thought about seeing them again. She lost her smile once more though as she said, "I just can't remember where my home is."

[Aneira of Avaria]

"They would be able to visit and you can visit them, as often as you like." Aneira tried to offer a reassuring smile. "I can find them for you. Would you like me to find them for you?" She stood up, her back starting to hurt. She leaned against the wall as she looked out the window. Her eyes fell to the image of her Court Wizard who was busy showing off his magical skills to the children of courtiers. Balan de Vitré was a funny but skillful man. She couldn't help but think he could be of use in this matter. He was the grandfather type and was the favorite of everyone. He would be useful once they would find Abby's family. The journey would be much more comfortable with his presence.

She felt her stomach grumble with hunger and she asked, "Are you hungry?" She was certain that Abby wasn't properly fed. She was a servant and according to most, she shouldn't be bothered with. Aneira didn't like that mindset...they were people too, no matter what other might think. She didn't like that the servants ate poorly while the nobles ate until they couldn't no more. It was wrong and she wanted to break that tradition, just like she wanted to break many other ones.

[Abigail Kylie Snape]

“Really? They could?" Abby asked with hope in her voice. She bounced on the balls of her feet as she nodded. “Yes! I would love if you found them!" She calmed down. “Sorry, Princess Aneira, I'm just excited to see them again." She trusted that the princess would find her family. The prince had never asked her if she wanted to see her family or if she wanted him to find them. Though he was still nice to her.

She nodded, “all I’ve had is some bread and water with small bit of cheese.” And that didn’t fill her up, she remembered that her family was poor but they still had enough food to feed everyone and fill them each up. Though sometimes the prince would give her either a carrot or something sweet. Abby looked outside and saw the Court Wizard, it was the only way she was able to watch his magic.

[Aneira of Avaria]

Nodding, Aneira said, "Come with me." She led Abby down the long halls, heading in the direction of the dining chambers. Nearing the corner of a hall, she signaled for a passing servant to stop in her path. She looked down to Abby and asked, "What would you like to eat?" After hearing the girl's reply, Aneira ordered the servant to bring the items to the dining chamber. They started in the direction of the chamber again and walked along in silence...until Balan stepped in front of them.

"What are you up to now?" The Wizard asked her, stroking his chin. He was always eager to learn what she was doing and nearly always asked to help her with whatever it was. "Right now, little Abby and I are going to get something to eat. Later I'm going to help her find her family." The Court Wizard was all too eager to jump into their plans. "I'll join you. You don't want a Wizard to become hungry...Now do you?" She didn't. A hungry Wizard meant grumpy Wizard - she didn't like it when he was in that mood. "I'll also join you for finding the lassy's family. I am in need of a challenge."