Waking in a Dream

[Taske]

Dreams flash in front of her eyes, dreams of castles and horses, of royal dresses, or gloves, of a plush bed. Dreams of what a princess would feel, of how one would act, how things would be with the money and means to get anything you like. In those Dreams it was not Alexa but instead it was Allaire. She was graceful, well dressed, her raven hair pulled into fancy knots, she was everything a princess would be, but no matter what angle she looked at herself within this dream, she was not happy...

Her dream self would look out of her tower window and watch the urchin children run back and forth, toss crudely made wooden blades at one another, and they would look up at her and smile and wave happily, truly happy... She was envious of there freedom, of there grim and dirt, of being able to run with no cramped shoes on her feet, of not worrying about hair or cleanliness, she envied everything urchin children could do...

Her dream self dreamed of running with those boys, of breaking her chains, of just running free...


Her breath caught, her eyes popped open, she could not breath could not think, shock filled her body. Allaire saw plush hangings, soft fabrics surrounding her, she could smell expensive perfumes, she screamed, thinking that she was not dreaming, that instead of her life with Black Star and the Grellon. she wanted to jump out of bed and race outside, she wanted to be free, and not any doll!

Her small body started to hyperventilate, this could not be happening to her, she could not be a princess, she was Allaire the orphan, the child Black Star looked after, small tears seemed to race down her face, she was so confused, so lost, why was she in this strange place!? Why was she not at home in her bed in her cave, why was there no feet pounding outside her cave's entrance? she wanted to go, to run into the woods and find what she knew was her home, she wanted her sword, her mothers locket. She closed her eyes tight and brought each hand up to her face.

How could a dream be so real?

[Desperanza]

Alexa's feet whisked across the floor of the hallway, her hands lifting her skirts once more, having changed from a pale pink to a sky blue and cream accented set of skirts as she whisked down the hallway, having just confronted her mother about the child and for now, she had bought herself some lean time. She could keep the child just until she was better. But it was enough for now for the child indeed was not hers. For heaven's sake she didn't even know the girl's name. Sighing softly, her feet pattered forward as she stepped quickly, ascending the stairs towards her own room, pausing at the door as she pushed it open slowly, catching her breath at the sight of the tearful child.

She wondered briefly if she was having yet another episode but she did not ponder it long as she stepped forward quickly once more as she came to sink on the edge of the bed, coming to take the sight of the child in as she smoothed her raven hair away from her face and back against the pillow once more, brushing aside the tears that stained her cheeks, "Do not cry, little one. Please." she chimed softly to the young girl, her features creased with worry for a brief moment as she struggled to assess what was wrong with Allaire at the moment. She held her breath for a moment, sending a glance to the doorway as a servant rushed in with a bowl of cool water and a cloth to mop gently at the child's brow and to clean her face of the salty tears.

Sighing, Alexa leaned on one hand as she gently tucked the blanket about her form once more with a faint and thoughtful smile before her gaze lifted towards her face once again, "Is she having an episode?" she inquired as the healer joined them at the bed but the healer shook her head, "It does not seem so." she replied thoughtfully this time as she looked down at the child inquisitively as Alexa gathered Allaire into her arms and closer to herself once more as she gazed down upon her disheveled features, "Come now child, use your words. Tell me what is wrong." she willed her gently as she looked down at her sweet face thoughtfully once more, her slender fingers brushing at the pink cheeks of the nine year old once more as she awaited her to speak.

[Jotari]

Black Star nearly fell of the branch at the news. A man from the Grellon had ben visiting his sweetheart in the nearby village, only to see Princess Alexa and one of the Grellon orphans go into the healer hut. The child was identified as Allaire and a shadow of worry crossed the outlaw leader's face. She exited the tree and rushed into a nearby cave. Grabbing an ancient cloak and an old dress the outlaw queen soon changed into a limping old woman, leaning on a freshly cut staff that one of her men had the consideration to cut. Black Star would venture out on her own and find out where Allaire had been taken. The logical place would be Ellsinora castle.

The streets were frantic with activity and the "old woman" was buffeted and pushed around quite a bit. The hood covered the face and the body contorted in such a way as to look ancient. She slowly hobbled toward the castle and was challenged at the gates. An old crone's voice cackled from beneath the hood, "Can you not see I come to pay tribute to my rulers? I have brought fresh fruit for the lovely princess Alexa! Now you brave strong boy better let me through, what could granny possibly do anyway? I want to see my future queen!" The tone was demanding but still ancient and in a strange way loving. The guards looked at each other and shrugged, letting her pass.

The staff's bang on the floor echoed through the halls with a steady rhythm. Black Star was anxious to find her lost lamb but was having poor luck. Ellsinora castle was huge. But, eventually the rogue's luck showed itself. Black Star grabbed the arm of one of the chamber girls and suddenly the ancient woman's form gave way to a young outlaw queen. "Where is Alexa, Karen?" Karen was frightened for a moment, "Black Star?! What are you doing in Ellsinora castle? You'll be killed!" Black Star shushed her, "Silence girl! Alexa has Allaire, one of my orphans. Alexa knows me, just take me too her!" Footsteps were heard and all the guard could see was a servant girl helping an old woman toward Alexa's quarters.

Karen opened the door and swiftly Black Star hobbled in. The old woman quietly hobbled to one side of the room but flashing eyes gleamed beneath to hood. Black Star glanced at the healer and remained in character, though looking at Allaire with a deep longing. Black Star cared deeply for all her refugees, especially the children, and especially little ones like Allaire. Allaire was such a brave little girl. Shuffling forward she placed her basket of fruit on the table, "A gift from myself and my village in the mountains Princess Alexa."

[Taske]

She covered her eyes with her hands, her small body rocking slightly, her voice in a small whimpers, she just could not believe that she had woken up in that vivid dream, or that the vivid dream of her life with the Grellon had not been her life. Everything seemed to be not at all right.

Tender arms rapped about the child bringing her close, a flora sent wafted over her, and calmed the child into small hiccups. The memory of the mother she once had..... or the mother within her dream? No, that is not right, her mother was not a dream, she could not be, she was everything to Allaire, there is no way she could have been someone the little girl made up, no what ever this was, it was because some how she had been brought from her cave to this place...

She pushed her face into the woman's chest, getting comfort in the warmth of her. Allaire hiccups softens, leaving her with little body vibrations if anything, she muttering to the woman. Her words where still not legible, but they seemed to comfort the child even more, she sat back, her cheeks still pink and her eyes still wet.

The child wiped her running nose with her arm and looked up at the woman, she was the most well dressed person she had ever seen, She was definitely beautiful. The little orphan girl's eyes grew wide, she at one point thought her her mother, she had smelled like her mother wold and even acted like her mother, but she was not, she was more elegant in her movements, more knowing in her stare, no her mother was a wild thing compared to this lady.

Allaire put some of her fingers within her mouth and looked up at her, her pink cheeks flushing a bit. "Ummm, I had a scary dream...." Her eyes grew even more round she looked at the woman a bit confused. "Who are you...?" She looked about herself then, her green eyes looking from a older man to a old woman in the corner, she did not know any room this well furnished, and knew no one who was able to pay for all of it, or well one piece of it. "Where am I..." She looked back at the woman and at the window, out side, for all she can see, where buildings, and roads, and people, well dressed people.

The Sickly girl gasped and jumped to the ground, she padded to the window and looked out, her bright emerald eyes growing bigger. "There are so many buildings!" She had never seen so many, maybe a house built here and there by the craftsmen in there band, but nothing like this!

She looked back at the old woman than, her eyes tracing her hunched form. She seemed to know that form, those eyes, that raven hair. Her face instantly went into a large smile, as she flung herself at the figure. "Black Star!"

[Desperanza]

Alexa's distracted eyes swiveled towards the door for a moment, an old woman hobbling into the room and she held her breath for a brief moment, her brow furrowing before she came to look down at the little soul in her arms. She held her breath for a moment as she stroked the raven colored hair and sighed softly, a gentle smile touching her features for a moment as she watched her thoughtfully, rather relieved when her wicked cries began to settle down once again as she turned her gaze to the woman once more at her words, offering a slight smile, a small nod at her words though she paused, somehow wondering if she recognized a slight tone there somewhere.

Inclining her head slightly, she gazed upon the hooded and hunched form for a few moments before her attention was returned as the child leaped from her arms to pad to the window and she stiffened slightly with worry for a moment as she leaned towards her knees and her hand flew to her neck, fingering the glittering diamonds that were settled there, her eyes watching after the small form with a slight smile. The child seemed all right now. Breathing a sigh of relief, she stood from the bed and turned to wave the healer away, "Leave me with my guests, please." she implied with a curt nod as the healer and her assistant backed before leaving the room and the Princesse's elegant footfalls carried her forward to push the door closed behind them before she turned to press her back to the cooler wood behind herself, her fingers resting against the stone as a breath escaped her lungs once again, relaxing from her rushed emotions that previously adorned her mind. Her icy eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment before the child's words revealed the old woman's identity and her lids flashed open once more, straightening from the door once more as she tossed her long tresses down her back once more and she stepped from the door once more, pushing aside the basket of fruit as she drifted past to the bed once more, pulling the blankets straight in thoughtful silence for a moment before she swiveled to face the 'old woman' once more with a slight breath, "The outlaw Queen? she murmured with a tilt of her head, "I certainly hope that you do not think that I have stolen this child from your village..." she murmured, fear gripping her heart for a moment, briefly forgetting about how rewarding and wonderful it had felt to fester and worry over a child once more, her gaze piercing as they gazed towards the outlaw with an inquisitve stare.

[Jotari]

Black Star grinned but remained as an old woman until the healer left. Then she hugged the child and knelt down to look into the girl's eyes. Concern filled Black Star's own eyes as she picked up the girl and placed her gently into the bed. Standing straight for the first time she cracked her back and then removed her hood. For a few moments the outlaw said nothing, merely gently forcing he child to lay back down and looking over Allaire with deep concern and care. She shook her head and then looked at Alexa, " One of my men was in the village, probably visiting that sweetheart of his. He saw what you did for Allaire and came running to tell me. If I thought you had stolen Allaire, I would have come with Asterion and several others."

The outlaw sighed and her head lowered as she fingered her dagger. The gem glowed a bit more the usual with the thoughts running through Black Star's mind but the risk was to great. Magrej would know if the gem was activated in such a way and there would be much blood spilt. She was helpless as one of her orphans suffered from something that was incurable. Raising her head she looked at Alexa, "I am glad you were close to her, it would have taken us awhile to find her. But I do believe this is the worse attack you have had in a long while my pet." Black Star gently stroked the child's dark hair and tried to think of what she could do. "I just don't have the resources for her. Did your healer have anything to say?" Maybe the healer had something for Allaire.

It was clear that the outlaw queen had concern and care for the child. For once she was not giving sarcastic remarks and even being extremely gentle around Allaire. Black Star didn't care for to many souls on this earth but children had a special place and Allaire was a favorite. The outlaw wanted the best for Allaire but she simply did not have the ability to help. It frustrated her to no end.

[Desperanza]

As Alexa breathed a sigh of relief, she turned to sink down to sit on the bed, her hands lowering to fold together within her lap as her gaze wandered about her own room. She released the slight sting of the child’s reaction and the pondering thoughts as to whether she had been wrong to bring her here. Perhaps there was something that they could do back at the Grellon. None the less, she would be home soon. She sent a glance to Allaire before her gaze lifted towards Black Star instead with a slight smile, realizing how close the two were. She longed for that sort of connection but she reminded herself that there were more important things to take care of. There were things that she had to attend to for her country.

Swallowing, the princess turned her gaze to her hands instead, currently studded with an amethyst ring. She held her breath for a moment as she thought over what the healer had spoke about Allaire before her ice colored gaze finally lifted towards Black Star once again with a soft expression, “The healer simply said that it was chronic, a condition with her heart but she has medicine that she delivered her and can make to control the pain as best as possible.” She returned with a soft sigh as she sent a glance towards Allaire once more before she stood, stepping around the edge of the bed as she made her way to the window balcony, pushing open the swinging doors once more as she stepped out into the sinking sun light to press her hands to the banister, breathing a soft sigh as she gazed out towards the town below.

The activity that buzzed, the stir of the festival beginning lifted her heavy spirits a bit and she bit her lip, closing her eyes slowly for a brief moment as her fingers curled to the stone and her chin lifted to gather the rush of the slight wind against her face. Her golden honey tresses lifted and for a few moments, she felt a hell of a lot lighter then she had in a little while now. She savored the free moments for quite a while before finally, she sobered and turned to face her guests once again, “Black Star, I will have the medicine made and delivered to your village every two weeks, free of charge. This child not suffer anymore then she has to. The only thing that I ask is that you both show up at the festival, enjoy yourselves and when it finishes, whatever food is left over to take it to your people.” She replied with a curt nod as she glanced towards Allaire once Black Star tucked her back into bed, her hands kind and gentle, her gaze caring towards the small form. She straightened herself a bit as she turned to pull the doors closed once again with a small sigh before turning to face the outlaw once more, “Is this a deal?” she inquired with an arched eyebrow as she folded her hands behind herself and awaited the outlaw’s reply this time.

[Jotari]

Black Star sighed and turned around to look at the window. Her arms were folded and her head lowered in deep thought. Sighing she turned and picked up her cloak, pulling it back on her shoulders. The outlaw queen walked back to the child and sat on the bed, " Listen little one, when you are strong again, go to the Blue Boar Inn and tell the Innkeeper that you are looking for the princess. It is a pass code and he will make sure you get back to me. You know what we do during the festival. The Grellon swarmed the festival and pulled a pretty profit, all to keep the outlaw village alive and well.

The outlaw looked at Alexa and quietly stood walking toward her and pulling the princess out of earshot. Her colorful eyes were hinted with a yellowish tinge of worry. She settled her cloak and glanced at the girl every so often. " Every attack has made her weaker and weaker. I have tried to find her a home, but so far nothing. Eventually, she will not be able to survive the Grellon life. Most of my people get see to it, but she never has. The medicine I would prefer that either you yourself bring it, or that you leave it at the Blue Boar. Same pass code I told Allaire. My village is getting a lot of attention lately and as we will be very busy working during the festival..... Her voice trailed off as she pulled the hood over her face again. Black Star quickly went to the child's bed and placed a gentle caress on her forehead, "I will see you soon my dear, don't worry. Princess Alexa will take care of you and if she doesn't, will take care of her." Those last few words being Black Star's gentle warning that if something went the wrong way, Alexa would pay for it. The outlaw liked Alexa, but was often prone to impulsive and often deadly action.

[Taske]

Allaire Let Black Star cradle her and tuck her back into the plush bed. She wanted to refuse going back in the bed, she was tired of just lying in bed, she wanted to be up and about, playing like a normal child. But her cursed body never seemed to give her the chance, and besides she was tiered again...

She got comfortable listening to the two older women talk, her eyes slowly closing. She was about asleep when Black Star turned her voice to her again. She opened her sleepy green eyes and looked at her, trying to fight off sleep so she heard what her leader and role model had to say. But it seemed to be a losing battle, she could not seem to keep her eyes open at all ,she blinked trying to to trace Black Stars instructions. She seemed to miss most of it but did get the part where she would go to the Blue boar to get home, and that was a given to her, the Blue Boar was ran by a friend of the Grellons. She knew the man and he knew her so everything would be fine when she would go to be taken home.

She turned her body to lay on her side and finally get back to resting, hoping that her dreams would be pleasant and not lonely... when Black Stars voice came back into her ears, she was trying to find a home for her? She was trying to take her away from the Grellons? Allaire popped up, her eyes sad as she looked at Black Star. "Black Star, are you getting rid of me?" She seemed to be hurt, she did not want to leave Black Star or the Grellons, that was her home, her one and only home, the place her mother had died, the people his father was born in, how could Black Star believe that Allaire would want to leave what was her home?

[Jotari]

The outlaw was a bit startled by the child's abrupt question, thinking Allaire was off in dream land. Moving back to the girl the Black Star moved the blankets closer to the small helpless body. "No never sweetie. You know I have manged to find other Grellon members places to live and work. I have never lost contact with any of them. But you're a special little girl Allaire, most girls would throw fits and be nasty if they had your sickness. You are a sweet patient thing, something that makes me want to get up in the morning and continue fighting. I am just very worried that you will get worse. You know we have no real doctor in the mountains, I want you were you can be helped. But I am not getting rid of you, you will always be mine, little Allaire" Black Star's tone was very soothing and calm. But she would never simply give the child away or just leave her somewhere. But still, Allaire deserved a childhood without the hardships of the Grellon as well as her own physical issues. But Black Star would always be watching and ready to stick her pretty dagger into anything that hurt Allaire.

Black Star sighed and flicked her hood over her head again. She had already stayed dangerously long. " Listen sweetie, I'll be waiting for you when you are strong again. But listen to me, do not come back until you are fully ready to go, understand?" The tone was kind but yet commanding. There would be no chances taken with the girl's health. The outlaw queen looked to Alexa as Black Star prepared to leave. Her tone darkened slightly, " I like you princess, but if anything happens to Allaire I wil personally see to it that you and any other offenders pay dearly. " Black Star didn't give a damn if Alexa was heir to the throne, no one hurt Allaire or anyone else under Black Star's care.

[Taske]

Allaire watched as Black Star came back to her, pushing the cover firmer around her, pushing her black hair out of her face. She watched as Black Star looked her in the eyes, and saw the softness that was inlaid there. Allaire knew that her leader meant the best by giving her away, she knew that it was her sickness that seemed to put a wall around he, keeping everything the little girl wanted from her, real friends, a loving mother and father, and now Black Star herself. It just was not fair, she wanted to be a valued member of the Grellon, she wanted to be of use to her and the OutLaws, but it seemed that no matter how hard she tried her weak body always had a fit and always pushed her further from her goal; one step up, two steps down.

Allaire turned her head from Black Star, holding her frustrations in, she knew that her leader was doing what she thought best for her, she knew that the hard life of living in stone was not good for her, that it seemed to only make her sicker, but despite all that, Allaire still wanted to stay, still wanted to try harder to make herself of use to her role model.

"Ok Black Star," She said softly to her leader. She knew not to fight with her, she knew that it was a losing battle, that Black Star thought what she thought, and Allaire could do nothing to sway her. She turned so that her back was facing the door that Black Star would soon leave out of, to leave her.

But as Black Star had one thing right, she may have Allaire placed in a home far from the Grellon, but she would never be rid of her, no She would make her way to the Grellon came as much as she could to see everyone that she loved, to see her mothers grave. She would always be apart of the Grellon, no matter what.

[Desperanza]

Alexa smiled patiently, falling silent for now as she turned from the pair with a brush of her hand at Black Star in return as she made her way to the balcony and pushed the doors open, glancing out towards the mountains in the distance with a soft sigh. No doubt that was where the child wanted to be. She certainly did not seem to have a desire to be here, even where she could be more comfortable but for now, Black Star had sense. Alexa could offer Allaire the medicine she needed to control her pain. She could care for the child until she was better and until then, she would know over her shoulder that the child awaited the day when she could return home.

As she stepped out onto the balcony she pondered other children of which she had encountered in her time, other children in the Grellon as well as Ellsinora of whom she had come into contact with and yet none had such an impact on her as this one and as her hands touched the stone, she sighed. She knew she felt some sort of connection with Allaire, even if the child herself did not feel it but none the less it was there, It existed and she knew that eventually, she would have to bid farewell to the child before returning her back to the Grellon saddled with her first rounds of medicine. Her trips would begin after the child was returned to the mountains and the outlaws would rejoice that a child had been returned, no doubt. Black Star at the least would be pleased.

When she looked between them she could see it. The matching raven hair and at times when Black Star’s eyes shifted colors, Alexa could easily have passed the pair off as mother and daughter and yet, they were not but it seemed to have forged the bond ever stronger between them to the point that the pair did not flounder or bicker, they simply were a complete pair, a shared bond, and a special form of love that one has for a child and the Princess adored it. Sighing softly, she gathered her skirts and made her way from the balcony once again, pulling the doors closed behind herself as she stepped back into the room and felt the brief rush of the crisp evening air dart in at her back. In the meantime, she busied herself by clearing away a few jewels from her sitting table and lifting her brush to brush out any minor knots among her honey tresses before she finally turned to face them once again, sinking down into the carved chair before she paused, waiting in silence.