Halfling

Chapter Six

"Ready, aim, FIRE!!"

Leilani watched as rows of arrows whizzed and thunked into the straw targets at the far end of the courtyard: the end three targets had arrows dead centre in each one.  The archers who fired those arrows gathered up their bows and quivers and started walking in Leilani's direction: a young man with mahogany brown hair and grey eyes ambling along behind them.  She instantly recognized one of the archers as Kirky, it was hard not to with the young archer's hooded blue tunic and dark curly hair, but she had no idea who the blonde haired archer or the silver haired archer were.

"I knew it was you waiting out here Leilani" Kirky exclaimed as she and the other two archers walked up to Leilani, "Where's Sir Thomas skipped off to?"

"Not sure" Leilani shrugged, looking around the courtyard for signs of the jolly old knight, "He mumbled something about a sparring partner and went off without saying a word." She looked at the blonde and silver haired archers and tried to figure if she was supposed to know them or not.  The blonde wore her hair in a long braid that fell all the way down her back and was dressed in a dark red hooded tunic and black breeches.  In her hand was a long bow made of yew and a quiver of arrows made from the same wood, whilst strapped to her side was a curved sword not unlike the one Leilani carried herself.  "Who are your companions?" the young halfling asked Kirky as she eyed the blonde and silver haired archers warily, "Can I trust them?"

"You can trust them with your life" Kirky answered her with an amused smile, "Leilani Hanlin, may I introduce Lady Emma, lady in waiting and loyal bodyguard to Her Royal Highness Princess Alistella."

"Um, hi there." Leilani waved feebly to the blonde archer who'd been introduced, then dragged Kirky to the side and spoke in an almost stage whisper, "Er, Kirky? She's not doing a very good job, is she? Won't the princess be angry that she's off doing target practice with...? Hey! Why are you all laughing? What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry Lielani" Kirky apologised: giving Lady Emma and the silver haired archer a chastising look, "We must seem like we're acting so horrible right now"

"Not horrible," Leilani mused, "just... weird"

"Well, I've been called lots of interesting words and names in my royal life, but never weird" the silver haired archer frowned before grinning mischievously, "I like it."

"Oh dear" Kirky giggled along with the other three girls, "Leilani Hanlin, allow me to introduce to you Her Royal Highness Princess Alistella: Lady of the Greendell Clan and heir apparent to the Royal Chieftain of Eirelaian.  Princess Alistella? Leilani Hanlin: Lieutenant Commander Hanlin's daughter and our new apprentice knight."

"Pleased to meet you Princess"

"Oh no no," Princess Alistella said quickly as she pulled Leilani up from her curtsy, "The pleasure's all mine.  And, hey, enough with the formalities.  Call me Ali.  I don't like to put on a show."

On close inspection Leilani saw this was true.  The silver haired princess was dressed in a simple brown hooded tunic, a dark grey shirt and black breeches, whilst her hair was twisted into a simple knot at the back of her neck.  The only other feature that stood out apart from her hair was her dark purple eyes which changed shades in the sun.

"I see someone's chosen you" Lady Emma spoke up, changing the subject, yet puzzling Leilani at the same time, "Your hair" She indicated gracefully the lopsided state of Leilani's hair.

"Total pain if you ask me"

"Why? Who chose you?"

"Just the high councilor" Leilani mumbled, "S'not important"

"Who??" Lady Emma and Ali chorused, confusion clear on their face.  Just as they were asking this the mahogany haired boy traipsed up and began dragging Kirky gently away.

"Who's that?" Leilani asked bewildered, "What does he want her for?"

"Oh that's Arryn" Ali explained, her eyes creasing into a smile, "He chose Kirky five months ago: cut off one of her curls.  He probably wants to recite another love sonnet to her.  They're so sweet to..."

"Hey, Apprentice Hanlin? Is it true that High Councilor Cloudthorn picked you for his chosen?"