The Middle Princess

By Shanna M. Tull

Fortuna, a determined young lady, wants nothing more than to prove to everyone that a middle princess is just as special as the firstborn and last daughter. She has the perfect quest too. Shortly before her eldest sister’s wedding all of the princes disappeared. If she finds the seven missing men she’ll not only be a hero, but she will have saved her sister’s love lives and exonerated her kingdom from blame.

Forced to run away to go on her quest, Fortuna has to accept the company of Aaron, a handsome young man who has sworn to protect her, a crazy old lady who thinks Fortuna is her daughter, and a traveling troupe who want nothing more than to hide her away and keep her safe.

As she and her companions confront camping out at night, music-loving ogres, and fairies who aren’t telling Fortuna everything she is faced with decisions that could alter her entire world as she realizes that Aaron might be someone more important to her than any prince could ever be.

Will Fortuna follow her heart and doom not only the missing princes and her sisters, but her kingdom as well? Or will she be a true princess and prove to everyone, for once and for all, that a middle princess is special too?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shanna M. Tull
• Release date: Apr 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311702746

Shanna M. Tull

SHANNA M. TULL lives in Tooele, UT with her husband and Border collie. She currently teaches Language Arts and Creative Writing at a local junior high and runs an after school club for students interested in writing.In Shanna’s free time she reads, reads, and reads some more while enjoying some chocolate. She also loves to let her husband cook and thoroughly enjoys his phenomenal food.Food, chocolate, and books! Her life is pretty complete!

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Shanna M. Tull

The Middle Princess

The Middle Princess

Copyright 2014 by Shanna M. Tull

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, places, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission of the author except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews, articles, or educational purposes.

Cover Design by Tayrn Knight

Editor:

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http://shannamtull.blogspot.com

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Contents

Chapter 1 Fortuna Seeks a Quest

Chapter 2 The Birthday Ball

Chapter 3 Fortuna’s Brilliant Idea

Chapter 4 Fortuna’s Unlucky Escape

Chapter 5 The Witch

Chapter 6 Aaron to the Rescue

Chapter 7 Fortuna has a True Adventure

Chapter 8 Fortuna has Some Explaining to Do

Chapter 9 A Fairy-ish Dinner

Chapter 10 Fortuna’s Quest Leads Her Elsewhere

Chapter 11 A Most Fortuitous Meeting

Chapter 12 Fortuna’s Daring Escape

Chapter 13 Fortuna’s Humiliation

Chapter 14 An Eventful Evening

Chapter 15 Fortuna is Forced to Learn a Dance

Chapter 16 A Dangerous Invitation

Chapter 17 Plans, Explanations, and More Plans

Chapter 18 Middle Princess Troubles

Chapter 19 Fortuna’s Most Important Discovery

Chapter 20 A Surprising Friend is Found

Chapter 21 Berik’s Move

Chapter 22 Subdued, but Not Defeated

Chapter 23 The Role of Fortuna’s Life

Chapter 24 The Big Moment

Chapter 25 Aaron Speaks Out

Chapter 26 Fortuna’s Questions are Answered

Chapter 27 Fortuna Acts in a Very Un-Princessy Manner

Chapter 28 Fortuna’s Quest

About the Author

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Chapter 1: Fortuna Seeks a Quest

Proper princesses stay at home! my father, King Aidan roared. Proper princesses wait for a prince to sweep them off their feet! My daughters will be Proper Princesses!

I folded my arms, not the least bit cowed by Father’s anger. I am, after all, an adorable princess. "Maybe I want the chance to sweep my prince off his feet. Did you ever think of that?"

I watched with concern as Father’s face changed to a curious shade of purple. I’d never seen him turn quite that color before. He managed to gargle out some words and waved his hands in the air.

His message must have gotten across because two of the chancellors swept forward and bowed before me, intent on shepherding me out of the room. Father gasped as his face changed from purple to red—the color I was more accustomed to. I slowly let out the breath I hadn’t known I held as I followed the chancellors into the corridor.

Fortuna Analise Felicia Aidan.

I winced, looking up as Mother approached me. Mother always turns up when I have these kinds of discussions with Father.

Go to your chambers, at once, and stay there until I come.

I could feel my jaw drop. I only asked a simple question! Why do I have to go to my room?

Mother, in all of her splendid glory, pointed.

I seethed as I stomped off, well...as much as a princess can stomp while wearing proper princess slippers and walking through a castle that has hard stone floors.

A princess who wanted to go on a quest, was that asking too much? I mean, really?

It’s not like I’m an only child. Far from it: I have six sisters. Six! You would think out of all those princesses, the one who wanted a teeny adventure would be allowed to leave.

I thought my parents would leap at the chance to let me go. An adventure wouldn’t take any longer than a couple of weeks—they wouldn’t even have time to miss me. Instead, I was stuck in my rooms—again. I glanced out my enormous window and saw my sisters on the terrace, tossing a golden ball. I shuddered. Things could be worse, but not much. I sank onto the window-seat, putting my arms around my knees as I drew them up in a very un-princessy-like manner, and watched my sisters.

I wasn’t even an important number. We are all well aware that Number One and Number Seven are the special princesses. Two through six are never mentioned in storybooks, except in referring to one and seven. Invariably, two through six are either very stupid and beautiful or selfish and beautiful. Ugh. It was enough to make one sick. I happened to be number four, with no hope of having an adventure unless I did something drastic.

What was so important about letting a prince come to take me away to his kingdom so I could be stuck in another set of rooms? Not that a prince would come to take me away, because we happened to be a little short on princes around here. Did I say short? Maybe it would be more accurate to say there are none.

At least no princes existed as far as my sisters and I were concerned because, of course, we were all betrothed at our birth as befits proper princesses. However, shortly before Onelia’s wedding our betrothed princes disappeared—all seven of them. Poof! And no one could figure out where they went. I would have thought a missing prince would constitute an automatic broken betrothal, but no. Things could never be that simple.

A stone hit the window, almost cracking the glass. I jumped, brought back to the present. I flung the casement open. My sisters had finished playing with their golden ball, and only Sevena stood outside. She grinned up at me, and pocketed her slingshot. I laughed. Sevena was my one true success. I couldn’t change Onelia, but since Sevena was the last princess, I knew she would have important adventures. I had to prepare her some way.

What are you doing? she yelled.

I made a face and she giggled as I said, Oh brave princess! Save me from the fate of my harsh parents who have locked me in this room. Come to my rescue, princess!

Sevena laughed so hard she fell to the ground, only to jump right back up. I’ll save you Princess Fortuna. I’ll enter the castle with my magical sword and take you far away from here. Sevena brandished an imaginary sword and disappeared. The bushes beneath my window shivered and rustled. I wondered how long it would take her to get to me—she obviously had an elaborate plan to get inside the castle.

I hopped down from my window-seat and picked up my embroidery in case Mother showed up. I was picking apart my last few mistakes when the doors opened.

Sevena still held her imaginary sword, but I could see she’d stopped in the kitchens for cookies, since some crumbs were still on her dress. I have come to save you from the evil fairies, Princess.

I knelt in front of her and brushed off the crumbs from her dress, wondering how her seven year old mind worked. We’d gone from parents to fairies. And, why, oh brave princess, have the fairies kidnapped me?

Sevena wrinkled her nose at me as I picked leaves from her hair. They’re jealous of our beauty and don’t want us to be married. I have saved you now and defeated the fairies.

If Mother and Father hear you talking about the fairies like that, you are going to be in trouble.

Sevena stuck out her tongue. I scrunched up my nose and crossed my eyes in return.

I did wonder, however, if Sevena might be right. We were all beautiful. Could it be possible that the fairies felt jealous? Were we more beautiful than the fairies? I had no idea; I had never seen a fairy, since princesses aren’t allowed to have adventures. The fairies kept to their realm, for the most part. I did know one thing—even though other kingdoms blamed us for the missing princes, we were not responsible. That meant...fairies. It had to.

Sevena moved and I stopped plucking leaves out of her hair. If Mother sees you in this condition you are going to be in big trouble.

She folded her arms and stuck out her lower lip. I’m supposed to tell you that Onelia is having high tea today.

I groaned. Then we’d both better get ready. I shooed Sevena out and watched her go, her blonde hair glowing in the shadows of the hall. I sighed. Sevena was going to be far more stunning than any of us, a hard thing to achieve, believe me. Onelia, Twila and Trilana (the twins) were all gorgeous blondes, and Sevena would outshine them all with time.

I changed things with my auburn hair, and I want to make it clear that it is auburn, not red. I suppose one could go into rhapsodies about the emerald glow of my eyes, which I think are an indeterminate green and while some believed a sprinkling of freckles across my nose only added to my freshness, I disagreed, as I’ve spent years trying to get rid of them. My complexion was lovely porcelain with the faintest tinge of peaches in my cheeks, blah, blah, blah.

A solid knock on the door made me jump and hurry back to my embroidery. I knew the sound of that knock: Mother, in one of her I’ve had enough moods.

Come in, I said, as I grabbed my needle and resumed stitching.

Mother entered the room. She had that tight little smile on her face that says, I’m trying to be understanding, but how could I possibly?

Darling, Mother began. Do you know what an uproar you caused this morning? Your father is still pacing the floors grumbling. Today is your sixteenth birthday; the dance tonight will be splendid. Can’t you please put your best foot forward, if only for tonight?

I lowered my face to my embroidery and contemplated for a minute. This celebration meant a great deal to my parents. It was their way of saying to the world that, even though we hadn’t been married at sixteen, we were still special, and important enough to be given a grand celebration.

Before Mother could continue, a piercing scream echoed down the hallway. Onelia’s scream. She must have returned to her rooms. I’d left her a little gift before I went to talk to Father. The screams came closer and closer. Mother glared as she wrenched open the door. Onelia came hurtling through in a very un-princessy manner.

Onelia’s tear-stained face would have wreaked havoc on any mere mortal man. Fortunately, I knew my big sister, and her tears didn’t faze me. A servant came up behind Onelia, his lips twitching, as he carried a wicker basket. I heard a little croak. I asked Onelia, "You didn’t like my gift? I thought he might just be the one."

Mother swept over to the basket, opening it. She glared at me and grabbed the note, reading it out loud, I’m your missing prince—Kiss Me! The note crumpled in Mother’s fists.

But Mother, I was just trying to help us find our princes. Who knows? Maybe they are frogs. If I could go on my quest, I’d find out.

The servant deposited the basket on my lap and I scooped out the frog. Onelia shrieked. Mother, having been a queen for quite some time, was made of sterner stuff. She turned Onelia around and said over her shoulder, I’ll take care of your sister and I expect you to be at her tea time.

But Mother, Onelia wailed. "I can’t have tea time! I touched the frog!"

Now Onelia, how do you expect to be a ruler if you get this upset over a teeny prank and a silly one at that? Mother glared at me, again, as she guided Onelia out. I had a feeling I hadn’t heard the last of my little joke.

Ben, the servant who’d carried the basket, bowed to me, not bothering to hide his grin. Onelia is bossy to everyone—even the servants didn’t like her much. Shall I return the frog to the pond, your highness?

I took off the ribbon, returning the frog to the basket. Please, do. I would myself, but I’d better get ready for tea.

Finally alone, I let my laughter come. Onelia would be begging me to leave!

I jumped at the sound of another knock on my door, then let out a deep breath as Susan, my maidservant came in.

Susan, always prepared to dress me in one of my overly elaborate outfits, bustled around me, setting out a dress and arranging hairbrushes on my dresser. I wondered if Onelia could settle down enough to have tea. I smiled. She had touched the frog after all. I hoped that Onelia, after this small prank, would see the importance of getting rid of me. If I could get her and the rest of my sisters on my side then maybe they could convince Father without me causing any more disasters—especially at the party tonight.

Susan curtsied. She said, I hope that nothing will happen at tea today.

I grimaced. Susan knew me all too well. Scrambling into the dress, as much as a princess can scramble, I sat and held still so Susan could brush out my hair. This took some time since my hair had never been cut and it reached my feet in well-ordered auburn waves.

I wasted no time getting to the Blue Room, but paused outside the door to compose myself. My sisters were sure to comment if I arrived out of breath, and I needed to be as un-inflammatory as possible. I entered the room with quiet serenity.

An immediate hush fell. Sevena grinned, but Onelia sniffed in a ladylike way; I will not say princess, because princesses don’t sniff. She’d already recovered from her bout of tears however and invited me to sit down. I felt relieved. She’d decided to forgive my impertinence. Mother must have convinced her somehow.

I sat, taking the proffered cup as carefully as possible. After all, when one has had so many accidents (on purpose or not) over the years, one develops the habit of mishaps.

Onelia started in at once. "How could you be so foolish as to imagine that our father would allow you to leave us?"

Not forgiven then. Obviously, we weren’t going to even mention the little matter of the frog.

We’re afraid that Onelia is right on this matter. The twins, Twila and Trilana always spoke in unison, and they always agreed with Onelia, because she is the oldest. The things I had to put up with.

I remained silent and bowed my head meekly, which is something I have never been.

"Your red highlights indicate an uneven temperament, and as such, I forgive you for upsetting Father—again." Phivel, always inclined to self-righteousness, just had to refer to my hair as red.

Siksle, sweet, if often a bit too quiet, added, Now sisters, Fortuna was only trying to be helpful, as usual.

No one mentioned at that point, what happened when I was helpful because everyone knew. It usually caused some kind of major upheaval in someone’s life. The last time I helped someone—we won’t go into who—the whole castle smelled like rotten eggs for a week. My resolve slipping, my head came up. I clenched the cup, prepared to throw it at something. Maybe none of my sisters even deserved a prince.

Then Sevena, in her precocious seven-year old way, chimed in, I want to marry a prince when I grow up. If Fortuna went on her quest, maybe she would find me one.

Silently, I called blessings down on the head of Sevena, but her words had no effect on our older sisters. They frowned in their individual, gorgeous ways and commented on my unfortunate influence on Sevena. At least she didn’t scream when a spider walked in front of her. Unfortunate influence, my foot!

I took a deep breath and set down my teacup, in case the temptation to break it became too great. I said as calmly as possible, "I am sixteen today. Mother was married at fifteen. Onelia, you are eighteen. Where is your prince to sweep you off your feet? They’re gone, disappeared. If one of us doesn’t do something about this, then none of us will ever get married. Can you imagine living with Father for the rest of your lives? Everyone will start to believe that there is something wrong with us as princesses...do you want that to happen? I added, because I couldn’t help myself, Or will we have to kiss every frog in this kingdom, just in case?"

Onelia frowned before her expression turned thoughtful and a little line wrinkled between her eyebrows. She managed to look adorably troubled. The twins were quick to take on the same look. I sat back and relaxed.

Siksle hesitated and said, I’d hate to see Fortuna leave.

Scary that Siksle meant it.

But she is right. If the princes haven’t shown up by now, when are they going to? What are we to do if they never come for us? Shrivel into old maids?

All of my sisters, except Sevena and I, shuddered. At her age, Sevena couldn’t imagine there not being a prince in her future, and I didn’t think being without one was such a terrible fate.

I think it is dreadful for those princes to have disappeared, Phivel chimed in. Did they think of what would happen to us? They should have been more considerate.

The twins still waited for Onelia’s decision. I gripped my teacup, worried. If Onelia chose to support me, Father would never know what hit him. Gulping the last of my tepid tea I banged the cup onto the saucer. Onelia winced at the sound. I could almost see the thoughts running through her head. I was the bane of her existence—the frog episode just one of the many upsetting incidents in her life. Onelia hated my lack of princess-like behavior. What bliss, what happiness would be hers with me gone?

Very well. She placed her cup and saucer without a sound, next to mine. We’ll see what we can do to convince Father to let you go. You’ll have to handle Mother on your own.

The twins nodded their firm conviction. Worried that I still might mess things up at this late date, I left, jerking my head at Sevena. Sevena jumped up and followed me out of the room.

Sevena, I told her, You are the youngest and I need your help more than anyone inside that room.

Me? Sevena glowed—she loved to help and feel important.

I need you to rescue me for real. I want to go on this quest. If you were to go in to Father first, and perhaps cry a little because you may never get married, it’d make him much more likely to listen to everyone else. Do you think you could do that for me?

Yes! Yes, I could! She beamed raising her imaginary sword. For you princess, anything. Her face fell. I don’t know if I could cry though.

I know you’ll do your best. Whatever you do, don’t let Father know I put you up to this. Okay?

Sevena chopped her sword through the air, I’ll do it!

I hugged her and watched her scamper off.

If Father did agree, then Mother would be my last obstacle. I didn’t know if she’d be easier to convince if she were upset or happy.

I made my way to my rooms and after a few moments, I was surprised to see Sevena catch up to me. Did you talk to him already? I asked in some alarm.

Yes, Sevena hesitated, but not like you asked me to.

That’s all right sweetie, just tell me what you told Father.

I couldn’t cry, but I went in and said that you wanted to find us a prince and that you should go. I said I wanted you to go and that all of my sisters thought you should.

I smiled. My little sister had gotten the bossy part of a princess down. What did Father say?

He laughed. Sevena frowned. That was when I started to cry because I thought he was laughing at me. But he called me his pumpkin and said sorry and that he would think about letting you go. Was that okay?

I grinned; I could just see Father’s dismay at upsetting his precious girl.

Sevena saw the grin and smiled back. Can we practice with swords today?

We entered my rooms where Susan had finished her preparations for preparing me—this time a hot steaming bath stood ready. I grimaced and sighed. Not today, Sevena. If I don’t make Mother happy at this ball then I don’t think Father will be able to convince her to let me go. You should have heard the lecture today.

She made a face. I’ll go and find Jones to practice with. He says I’m even better than you were at this age! And she ran out of the room.

Her comment depressed me. Of course Sevena was better than me. She was the seventh princess. Though I loved her, it left me with a bitter aftertaste. Our parents looked upon her enthusiasms with a more tolerant eye and while I had to sneak to get in my sword practice, Sevena could get Jones to help her anytime. Which made it more possible for her to be better than me. I scowled as I started getting ready for the ball. One way or another I would go on my quest.

Chapter 2: The Birthday Ball

After my hair dried, Susan helped me into my new clothes. The pale green underskirt swept the floor, and the dark green outer robe made my eyes shine. The sleeves hugged my arms and flared and fell in graceful folds at the wrists. I refused to add frills or jewel-encrusted material making the dress elegant and easy to move in.

Susan swept most of my hair up in a tiara and let it fall back over. I frowned at my reflection. I’d never looked more beautiful. I made a hideous face at the mirror, wrinkling my nose, crossing my eyes, and sticking out my tongue. Susan snorted. Satisfied, I turned away from the mirror, and made my way downstairs.

Even before I arrived in the ballroom I could smell delicious fragrances coming from the kitchens—desserts, baked breads, mousses, and roast duck, pork and other meats all mingled together. From the delicious aromas I could tell the head cook had outdone himself tonight.

Both the ballroom and dining hall were decorated in varying shades of green and white ribbon. Hundreds of white roses in full bloom filled giant urns along the walls and vases on the large tables. With the green and white my auburn hair would stand out like a flaming torch, an effect Mother wanted. All eyes would be on me.

I loved the decorations, but as I stood there, I realized my moment had arrived. My stomach felt the same as it did the day I’d first met my prince.

Seven years ago, right before Sevena’s birth, my parents invited all the princes for a celebration. I hadn’t yet realized what it meant to marry a complete stranger, so at the time excitement and nervousness were uppermost in my mind. After all, I did want to marry a prince. What girl wouldn’t?

I’d even spent the entire previous week soaking my face in various concoctions trying to get rid of my freckles. For a little girl of nine to spend that much time making herself pretty? For a prince? For a boy? Ugh. I had no idea.

The day the princes arrived, nothing went right. The first words out of my prince were, You’re a stupid girl and you have freckles. What kind of princess has freckles?

All of my daydreams came crashing down. He’d dared mention my freckles? I’d spent hours applying noxious lotions for him. So I punched my prince...hard. That was the beginning for me, the realization that I needed to be someone special, someone different. Not doomed to marry some awful prince who didn’t like my freckles.

My betrothed walked around the rest of the week with a lovely bruised eye. He wouldn’t come near me, which suited me just fine. I did, however, spend a great deal of time banished to my rooms, so it may not have been entirely his fault that he stayed away from me. The few times we did see each other, he ended up tripping and hurt in some way or the other. He seemed to be awfully clumsy for a prince.

I smiled in satisfaction. Every moment had been worth it—even though I spent most of the time in trouble.

I blinked and looked around me. The slight feeling of nervous anticipation did not bode well for the evening, if past events were anything to go by. I took a deep breath. At sixteen I could handle this party. I could.

Thumps and bumps came from the dining hall. My favorite traveling troupe, The Fantastics, had come for the occasion. They were setting up for their performance during dinner. They sang, danced, and did all kinds of plays with fun acrobatics, and several years ago they added fighting into the program, which I loved. They mostly used swords, but once in a while they’d vary the program with other types of combat. They were the only troupe that I knew of that did this and did it well.

I watched them from the shadows of the room, appreciating their current performance—setting up all of their props and stage. They worked as a well-coordinated team. Their troupe leader, Nathaniel, scurried to and fro making sure everything was just right. I smiled as he paused, and I moved into the room. He looked toward me and his eyes lit up as he let out a great big bellow of laughter.

Princess Fortuna. I should have known you’d be early. He bowed, and I grinned and curtsied. He never treated me like a princess, but more like a younger sister. The rest of the troupe was respectful. Except for Aaron—he was never friendly. Aaron ignored me most of the time, and I’d often thought he held me in contempt. A commoner holding me in contempt? The first time I’d seen him with The Fantastics, he’d looked at me with complete scorn—he hadn’t even bothered to hide his feelings.

I couldn’t figure out how he could hate me without ever meeting me. No princess would put up with that kind of behavior—no princess like me, anyway. I made sure to pay him back by having a few clumsy moments that may have ruined an entire outfit of his. It was not anything to get all sniffy about. He made sure to keep his distance after that, which was fine by me.