Pacey hefted the fire-hardened sword over his head, wielding it with ease as he brought it down on the straw filled dummy the knights used to practice against. He was forced to practice early in the mornings, while most the castle still slept--it was a routine he'd been doing since he was thirteen and he couldn't even lift the tip of the sword from the ground. That morning, he swung the weapon fiercely, anger and frustration pouring from him like the sweat that trickled down his toned muscles.

Jen released a dreamy sigh from her spot in the shade where she pretended to knit. It was really just one in a long line of excuses she used so she could watch Pacey.

He knew she was there and took a final lunge at the poor dummy before resting the tip of the sword to the ground and bracing his weight on it. Wiping his brow, he gave her a weak smile, "You shouldn't be here, milady."

She smiled pleasantly. "I am not. I am inside sleeping. Do you say otherwise and risk my grandmother's ire?"

"The King himself would not risk your grandmother's ire," he replied wryly.

She grinned. "He has far too much respect for her. She was his nurse just as she was to Bessie and Joey. She had a hand in rearing all of them."

"She has raised you as well, milady." He forced a smile, "And she has done her job well."

"That she has." She was quiet for a moment as she watched him, her hazel eyes narrowed slightly. "Something troubles you."

"You should not be talking with me, Lady Jen. You are a noble woman, and I--" he lifted the sword above his head, swinging it around before stabbing it through the heart of the dummy, "--am merely a commoner."

"Nonsense," she scoffed. "Wherever did you get such a silly idea?"

"From her highness, who else?" he said bitterly.

Jen raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Joey? She'd never say such a thing."

"'Tis worse," he continued. "I am not to be her friend."

Her eyes grew wide. "What happened?"

"She does not want me in her life." He sighed. "I don't know the reason....but she was near tears. That much she could not hide from me, no matter how she tried."

Jen sat back in bewilderment. "I shall talk to her."

"I doubt it will do much good."

"It does not sound like her."

"She was not acting herself last night." He sighed again, "She wants to give up her--" he gave Jen a startled look, trying to cover himself, "her, her..."

"Magic?" Jen said softly just in case anyone might be nearby.

His eyes widened and then he nodded, of course Jen would know. "Yes, she loves it and she is willing to give it up for marriage."

Jen shrugged. "It is her choice."

"It is the wrong choice."

She smiled faintly. "It is for Joey to decide."

"'Tis the only decision she makes for herself. She defers to her father on marriage. What has happened to her, Jen?"

She gave a troubled sigh. "It is something that must be done, just as with Bessie."

"With Bessie in line to be Queen, why must Joey marry too?" He frowned, "She loves magic, she could never love someone like Dawson Leery."

"Then perhaps Joey won't marry Dawson, perhaps she'll marry someone else."

He moved away to pick his tunic up from the ground, sliding it over his bare shoulders. "The sun rises, we should be going."

"You do not wish her to marry, do you?" Jen said knowingly as she climbed to her feet.

"It would not make her happy," he said simply. "She cherishes her freedom."

"Joey wishes to be married, even if she says otherwise."

"Why do you think so?" He turned speculative eyes to the blonde.

She laughed. "Oh Pacey, you cannot be that dense. You've known her almost as long as I have, you cannot believe that she doesn't. She's a romantic heart even though she denies it to no end."

He looked thoughtful as he held out his arm to Jen, "The marriage her father arranges for her shall not contain romance. It is all politics."

Jen slipped her arms through his gracefully. "She can grow to love her husband and if not, he'll at least give her children for her to love."

"She deserves better than that."

"I am sure when she marries it will be to someone she agrees to."

"And you, Lady Jen?" Pacey decided it was time they changed the topic of conversation. "Who shall you wed?"

She smiled. "Now that, I do not know."

"You will make a man very happy," he tugged on a curl of her hair.

She sighed. "I can only hope."

"You shall." He assured her. "I am sure of it."

She grinned.

"Now there's the smile I love," he teased.

She blushed lightly and then smirked. "You say the sweetest things."

"'Tis only the truth, milady." He lifted her hand and bestowed a light kiss on her fingers.

Her lips settled into a small grin. "You really are a danger to any sensible woman."

"'Tis a good thing you're not sensible." He nudged her with his hip.

She giggled. "You're incorrigible."

"'Tis what makes me so lovable," He smirked.

She smiled. "Yes, I do believe it is."

"I shall see you later," he frowned as they entered the hall and caught sight of Joey on the main dais. "I am not hungry this morn."

Jen frowned too. "I will talk to her. I doubt she meant what she said."

"Perhaps," he said doubtfully, stepping away from her.

"You cannot hope to avoid her forever."

"The castle is a large place, and I fear I am the last person she wishes to see." He gave Jen's hand a squeeze and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "I shall see you this afternoon."

"This is so silly," Jen complained. "I don't understand what happened."

"Neither do I," he turned away running a hand through his sweaty hair. "Do not worry so over it. Charlotte needs exercise anyway," he referred to his horse, "and I need a dip in the stream as well. I shall see you this afternoon."

"And a bath." She crinkled her nose playfully. She smiled and then sighed. "Very well then."

He touched a hand to her cheek in farewell. "Until later, milady."

"Father, you wanted to see me?" Joey asked as she stepped into her father's chambers. Gone were the simple skirts she used to wear, replaced with the beautiful dresses she used to loathe. She hadn't given up her old style of dress completely, but she had to admit she liked to wear the pretty clothes at times, especially when she was to meet her father.

"My daughter," the King smiled proudly as his daughter entered, ignoring Merlin's presence for the moment. "You grow more beautiful by the day. So much like your mother."

She smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, father."

"The dress becomes you, milady," Merlin added, stepping away from the wall where he had been almost invisible before.

Joey lowered her head slightly. "Thank you."

"There is much to discuss, my daughter." The king sighed heavily.

Joey raised her head quickly. "What is there to discuss? Is there something wrong?"

"Your future." Merlin said.

"My future?"

The king nodded, "Yes. As king I must always put my subjects first. Your grandfather taught me that. As a husband, I gave of my love freely and generously. Your mother taught me that. And as a father..." He shrugged helplessly, "As a father, Bessie has made my life easy. She has always behaved perfectly, as a Princess should."

"And I?" she said quietly almost afraid to ask.

"But you, my Josephine, my sweet Joey." He smiled, his aged eyes crinkling in the corners, "Have been a trial and a joy."

She grinned shyly, proud to hear his words.

"Bessie has married well, Joey. I am expected to marry you away next. I chose Lord Leery for you."

Joey's face fell. "Oh father, I do not like him."

"Honestly, I hadn't noticed. In that, I have failed as a father. Nor have I noticed the time you have spent in the company of Merlin." His face dissolved into a blank, "Tell me about it."

"About what father?" she asked cautiously.

"You have never lied to me, do not begin now. Tell me of the time you have spent with Merlin and Pacey."

She lowered her eyes. "He has been teaching me magic."

Merlin remained stoically silent, allowing the king to control the conversation. "I have always trusted Merlin, he has never failed me or my father. He tells me he has good reason for this training. I need to know how you feel about it. Has he force you to learn the dark arts?"

"Oh no, father." She shook her head quickly. "I wished to learn."

"Do you enjoy it?"

"I do, very much so." She nodded enthusiastically. "It is wonderful and I do love learning it. It can do much good."

He nodded as he listened. "And where do you stand on marriage?"

"I do not wish to marry Dawson," she said simply.

"Is there another who has captured your heart?" he wondered.

She lowered her eyes. "No."

He inhaled deeply. "What is it you wish to do with your life, daughter?"

"I just wish to be happy father. I've always hoped to have what you and my mother shared," she said honestly.

"I will not make you settle for any less." He assured her with a soft smile, a echo from a happier time in his life. "Until then, Merlin has informed me that the future brings trouble for our kingdom."

"What kind of trouble?" Her eyes widened.

"I am not sure," Merlin stated. "I have only been able to divine that you are an intrinsic part of it. There is much you and Pacey still have yet to learn."

Joey frowned. "Oh."

"We have acquired your father's permission to learn. I need only to know you wish to learn the magic and play your part in whatever shall come."

She nodded. "I will do what I must."

"I must be King first, and father second, Joey." The king spoke up, "Your freedom is yours until you find the love you search for or until the kingdom needs you." He sighed, "For your sake, daughter, I hope your heart finds it's home soon."

Bessie knocked heavily on the wooden door at the entrance to her sister's chambers. Since her marriage, she felt she had neglected her sister. Joey penned off a letter to Dawson trying to let him down gently and to let him know that they could still be friends if he liked. She glanced up as she sealed off the letter. "You may enter."

"I should hope so, I am your sister." Bessie smiled as she closed the door behind her.

Joey grinned. "What a pleasant surprise."

"I've missed my little sister these last few days." Bessie said by way of explanation.

"And I my elder sister," Joey said with a small smile. "There is so much I wish to tell you."

The elder smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed, her skirts spreading around her. "I, too. You go first."

"Dawson Leery wishes to marry me," Joey said in aghast. "Have you met Dawson? He is horrid!"

Bessie giggled. "He is not so bad. Your friend Jen seems to find him pleasant enough."

"Jen seems to find many males pleasant," Joey said with a roll of her eyes.

"You know that is not true," Bessie chastised. "The only other male she even pays attention to is Pacey...Ohhh." She smiled knowingly.

She gave her sister a suspicious look. "What was that about?"

"I can't believe I haven't noticed," she shook her head from side to side. "I am so sorry, Joey. I've been a horrible sister."

"You have not," Joey chastised her.

"How long has this been going on?"

"I do not know what you're speaking of."

Bessie arched an eyebrow at her sister. "You obviously cannot speak to Jen of this, and Pacey is out of the question. I am your only option. You may as well share with me."

Joey's eyes began to water as everything she'd been holding inside poured out. "Oh Bessie, it is horrible! I am nothing more than a friend to him and I said the most awful things that I didn't mean."

She stood up and wrapped her sister in her arms. It was worse than she thought. "Tell me what happened," she rubbed her back gently.

She sniffed. "I told him that I am a princess and he is merely a commoner, and that we must remember who we are, that we could no longer be friends. But Bessie, I did not mean it, I was only hurt because Jen told me of their kiss. It is not his fault he loves Jen and not me."

"Oh Joey," she squeezed her sister lightly. "He does not love her."

"He does," Joey protested and wiped at her eyes. "Ever since we were children, it was always Jen he gave gifts to."

"But you are the one he's always cared for. I have never seen him look to her the way he looks at you."

She sighed. "I am merely a friend."

"Now, you are merely a Princess." Bessie corrected, "Why would you say such a thing to him?"

"I could not bear to be near him after Jen told me," she sniffled. "It hurt too much."

"Perhaps you should speak to him. Mayhap he'll surprise you."

"I would not know what to say."

"First, you should apologize. Then explain that you were jealous."

Joey looked at her in something akin to horror. "Admit that I was jealous?"

"Would you rather he continue to fall under Jen's spell?"

"I..." she paused and shook her head. "No, I suppose not but Jen has always loved Pacey. It would not be right."

"Jen is young. What she thinks is love, may not be so. I think perhaps you should watch her with your Lord Leery, she may be experiencing a change of heart."

She released a soft breath. "I shall think about it." She wiped away her remaining tears. "Now what did you wish to tell me?"

Bessie frowned sadly, "I shall be going a way for a while."

"What for?"

"Lord Wendal is taking me to his castle for the winter. When we return, it will be permanently."

"Oh, must you?"

"It is important that I visit his home and make acquaintance with his family." She sighed, "As well as his country's leaders. The political duties will be endless."

Joey threw her arms around her sister. "I will miss you."

"And I you," she returned the hug, holding her sister tightly. "Do not let this thing with Pacey get any worse, Joey. If you love him, tell him so."

Joey bit the inside of her cheek and frowned, she only wished it were that easy.

Bessie gave Joey a kiss on the cheek, "Love, even for a fleeting time, is worth the risk. It most likely will be the only chance you have for it. Marriages like mother and father's are rare for nobility, almost impossible for royalty."

Joey eyed her sister wearily, taking her words to heart. Was that how Bessie really felt for Dominic? She wished to ask her about what she'd heard but thought better of it. She gave her sister a heartfelt kiss on the cheek. "I wish you the best."

Bessie smiled warmly giving her sister's hand a soft squeeze before rising. "We leave in two days time. Father's planned a farewell feast." She sighed, "I fear we will not see each other alone between now and then."

She smiled. "I am glad you came to see me then."

"I love you, Joey." She smiled once more before turned for the door. Once there, she turned back, "Sleep well."

Joey tilted her head slightly. "I love you too." Bessie smiled faintly and closed the door behind her, leaving Joey to wonder at her behavior.