Act 12.

The prince steadied himself as his feet touched the ground. His complexion was a little pale like those who have been car sick, or in this case carriage sick.

His clothing was all ruffles and frills. The coat’s tail went down to just above the back of his knees and the entire coat was made of a thick cotton with an intricate pattern of several geometric shapes sewn into it.

His shirt had the ruffles on the front of it and even had the ruffled cuffs Linda had seen in pictures of old english style clothing of the rich class.

His boots were purple. Linda couldn’t believe it. He was like something out of a cheesy period piece.

He dabbed his face with his handkerchief and walked, with a slight waddle, toward the others.

When he came near the group his sister spoke up.

"Allow me to introduce my brother, and heir to the throne, his highness Prince William the second."

He bowed to the group.

"Thank you for allowing me to visit." he said.

"You honour us with your presence." said Patrick. "We hope you enjoy your stay with us."

He introduce Linda and Margaret to the prince.

A big smile crossed his face when he was introduced to Margaret.

"We have heard much about you back home." he told Margaret. "I am honoured to meet you. When I heard that we were coming here, I was worried you would not be around when we arrived. I had heard that you are always off on some adventure of one sort or the other."

"One must not believe everything one hears." said Margaret.

And as the prince turned to shake the hand of the King, she said in a voice pitched low enough that only Linda, who was closest to her, could hear.

"The only reason I am not here most of the time is because I can’t stand my brother’s court."

"That and it is rather dull in these lands." teased Linda.

Margaret’s eyes narrowed.

"I’ll have you know that just last month there was a troll invasion." she said.

"It was one troll." said Linda.

"It was a pretty big one. Besides an invasion is an invasion, if you listen to the storytellers." countered Margaret.

The others had not noticed the exchange between the two warriors and were beginning to walk back to the castle.

William turned to them.

"Are you coming Lady Margaret?" he asked. "I have much I would like to ask you of. I hear you stopped an invasion of trolls last month. I should like to hear the story directly from you."

Linda nearly burst out laughing, but managed to suppress it down to a loud sort.

The other three turned at the sound to stare at her.

Linda coughed.

"Sorry." she said. "Dry throat."

They continued walking.

"We will continue this discussion later." said Margaret.

"Indeed." said Linda. "right now you have to come up with what to tell your admirer."

Margaret glared at her friend who returned it with a huge smile.

"Shut up." was all she could say in retort.

The two warriors followed the three dignitaries back to the castle.

Patrick gave his guests a tour of the palatial dwelling ending with the audience room where many of the nobles who had helped him overthrow the previous occupant of the premises, were waiting to meet the young Princess.

Linda suspected many of them were behind the meeting that took place between Princess Amy and Patrick, a short time after his ascension to the throne and before the return of Margaret from her self imposed exile.

That group was prominently in front of the other audience members, with their leader standing proudly in front of them.

His name was:

Thomas greeted the king’s guests with a bow.

"Welcome Princess." he said kissing her hand. "It is good to see you again. It has been almost a year since you last visited. And this time you are lucky, since the kings sister graces us with her presence today."

He smiled over at Margaret.

Linda knew that Thomas felt that Margaret should be a more dutiful sister and stay by her brother’s side during such times as visits from dignitaries and other high office happenings.

But Margaret had never wanted the position she was in and clashed repeatedly with Thomas over her ability to find something to take her out of the kingdom at the time Thomas felt she needed to be there.

As a warrior Thomas thought her the best among the king’s army. But as sister to the king, she was lacking in the necessary attitude. And constantly pointed out to Margaret his own sister’s proper etiquette at these events.

Linda was impressed at how Margaret did not give Thomas the satisfaction of a reaction to his jab.

"And the Prince as well has come." he shook the Prince’s hand. "Allow me to show you around the lands during your stay, won’t you?"

"I would be delighted." said the Prince. "Especially if the Lady Margaret would accompany us."

Thomas’ eye twitched but his smile never wavered.

"I am sure the Lady would love to accompany us, wouldn’t you?"

Margaret smiled at William and said.

"I would be delighted."

"Then that is settled." said Patrick. "Tomorrow you can show our guest around our lands. And the Princess shall be entertained here as she has already seen the lands around our castle."

Both King Patrick and Thomas looked relieved as if a plan had just worked out.

"Now let us go to the dining room for dinner, conversation, and a little entertainment." said the King.

"Great." said Margaret to Linda as everyone started moving to the dining hall. "A day with that man and a Prince who will no doubt talk my ear off the minute he gets a chance. You have to accompany us, or I swear I may kill one or both of them."

Linda laughed.

"Of course I w...."

She didn’t finnish her sentence as a glint in the rafters caused her to look up in time to see an archer dressed in black with an arrow notched and ready to fire.