Barrie sat on her small throne listening to the concerns of the people. She enjoyed doing this, but she realized at a young age that her parents played favorites. It annoyed her that they'd give one poor peasant money, but tell another one to work harder.
Barrie shifted on her throne and wished it was cushioned like her mothers was or more like Cinderella's was. How she hated thinking that, but it was the truth. Since Cinderella had married her cousin, she had gotten lazy and never did anything for herself. She let the servants do all of the work. Barrie had no idea how her cousin Beau put up with her.
Hours passed while Barrie's mind drifted to Arthur and what he was doing. It had been 2 years since Barrie had met Arthur. Today Arthur was 14 seasons old. She quietly fingered the rough and plain bracelet that Arthur had made for her on her birthday last year. She had worn it since and refused to take it off much to the annoyance of her parents.
Finally, Barrie was released and she hurried to her rooms. She burst into her rooms and with help from Grekken, quickly changed into her riding clothes and sneaked away. She made it to the stables before she was spotted. The stable master saw her. Barrie opened her mouth to speak, but the old man brought a finger to his lips and winked at her before he walked away. Barrie smiled after him she saddled one of the stable horses. Her parents refused to give her a horse so she made due with one of the castle horses.
Barrie rode several miles north till she turned west and arched back around to the south. The trip took her twice as long, but she didn't want anyone following her. She stopped her horse and dismounted before she led her horse inside the sheltered cave that Arthur had recently discovered. The cave was big enough to ride a horse into and it grew larger the deeper in you traveled. It ended in an area that was open to the sky. The floor of the cave was covered with growing things and a water softly sang as it fell into a pool that flowed into a river before it disappeared underground. Barrie led her horse over to a patch of grass and removed it's bridle, bit, and saddle before she went over by the pool to wait.
Barrie dipped her fingers in the pool and played with the fish that swam in the pool. They were golden in color and were very playful. They nibbled at her fingers and splashed her with water. Barrie giggled at their playful antics. The fish enjoyed being petted and it was funny to see a fish acting like a cat when it was petted.
"Barrie? Are you here?"
Barrie turned her head and shouted at Arthur. "I'm over here Arthur!"
Arthur appeared by her side. Barrie smiled up at him as he sat down beside her. Arthur had bothered to wash today. He smelled of soap and his hair was smoothed back. Barrie reached up and plucked at his hair. "Did you cut your hair?"
Arthur gave her a sideways look as he brushed a lock of hair out of his face. "I tried to."
Barrie hid a smile as she climbed to her knees and held a hand out to Arthur. "Give me your knife."
Arthur gave her a wary look before he reluctantly handed it over. He sat there stiffly as Barrie tried to even out his hair. It ended up being very short, but it'd grow out. Barrie ran her hand through his hair. "That'll have to do. Let it grow out and next time you want it cut ask me. I'll gladly cut it or my lady in waiting is really good at cutting hair."
"Grekken?"
"Yes." Barrie settled back down beside Arthur. They sat in comfortable silence before she pulled a small bag from her pocket. She handed it to Arthur. "It's not much," she apologized.
"You didn't need to get me anything Princess."
"I know, but I wanted to."
Barrie watched as Arthur untied the bag and then upended it's contents into his lap. He reached down and picked up the ring that had fallen out. He examined it carefully. His handsome features were marred by a frown. Arthur turned to Barrie. "What is it exactly?"
Barrie reached forward and took the ring before she slipped it onto her pinkie finger. It was a dainty golden ring with a black inscribed B with vines down the outside of the ring. Both the vines and the B were done in black. Barrie showed him the ring before she pulled it off and handed it back to him. "It my signet ring. I outgrew it this year so Mother and Father are getting me a new one. My new one with be silver instead of gold."
Arthur looked at her before he tried to and the ring back to her. "I can't take this. Do you know what could happen to me if someone knew that I had it." He held the ring gingerly and wore a look of horror.
Barrie giggled and pushed his hands away. "No silly it's yours to keep. I have a plan for that." Barrie picked up the small bag and took the ring from Arthur. She slipped into the bag and tied it shut. She leaned forward and tied it around his neck. She tucked the back under Arthur's shirt and placed her hand over the barely discernible lump. "If someone asks you say that it is your warrior bundle."
Arthur placed his hand over Barrie's and pulled it away from his chest. His actions seemed rude, but he kept a hold of her hand. "I'm not a warrior Barrie."
"Neither am I Arthur, but I'm trying to be one in order to be a better Queen. Just because you aren't physically a warrior doesn't mean that you aren't one in your heart."
"You're going to be a great Queen Barrie."
Barrie snorted and pulled her hand free of Arthur's and laid back on the ground with her arms behind her head. "Not if my parents have their way. They think my cousin Beau would be a better ruler." Barrie gaze was moodily fixed on the sky above her that she failed to notice how Arthur looked at her. His gaze traveled from the top of her head past the curls that were escaping from the thong that tied them back to the small breasts that were staring to develop and down to the legs that were going to be long and shapely.
Arthur looked away before he betrayed himself. He was a fool. There was no way that a low born person such as him should even have feelings for someone like Barrie. He would put out of his mind any feelings he had for Barrie.
"What are you thinking Arthur?"
Arthur turned to find Barrie staring at him with her gorgeous eyes. Eyes that had captivated him the first time they'd met. "Just wondering why you put up with me."
Barrie smiled impishly at him. "You are nothing compared to how moody my parents can be. You're actually the most normal person that I'm ever around. We need more people like you at the palace."
"Once I'm done with my training I could come and work at the palace."
Barrie quit smiling. Arthur thought he'd made her mad till she nodded her head. "That's a good idea. We are always in need of blacksmiths. When will you be done with your apprenticeship?"
"When I'm eighteen."
Barrie nodded as she sat up and crossed her legs. "That gives you four years to work hard and perfect your craft. I'll start spreading little whispers about the palace. If you do come to the palace, we'll have to be even more careful with our friendship. I don't want to endanger you or put our friendship at risk."
"We'll find a way Princess."
Barrie stuck her tongue out at him. "I wish you'd call me Barrie. We've talked about this before."
"I know, but give me time. You are my Princess after all."
Barrie giggled at what Arthur said as she climbed to her feet. "I wish I could stay later, but there's a state dinner tonight and I have to be dressed in my finest." Barrie made a face.
Arthur laughed as he got up. He followed Barrie over to where he horse was and helped her saddle it. He also let Barrie bully him into riding her horse back part of the way.
Barrie stopped at the river that ran along the west side of the village. Arthur slid off and started to disappear into the surrounding landscape. He stopped when Barrie called to him. He looked back at her.
"Happy Birthday Arthur," Barrie said in a rush before she turned her horse around and galloped away.
Arthur watched her go. He turned with a smile and shook his head. Barrie was proving to a little spit fire and it was going to be hard to secret away his feelings for her, but her must. Her friendship was the most important thing he had. His hand touched the bag that held her signet ring. Arthur would die to protect Barrie and he intended to keep his headstrong Princess safe.