R8+Group+4

Characters:

__**Main Characters:**__


 * Girl Twin:** Ayleth Walther (Age 16)


 * Boy Twin:** Deatrick Walther (fake last name: Aleathea) (Age 16)


 * Boy Twin's Kingdom:** Alethea


 * Girl Twin's Kingdom:** Nerida

__**Plot:**__

Two twins are born in an illegal affair between two warring kingdoms. The queen bore two children, a boy and a girl. The king took the daughter and the queen took the son.

Start: Deatrick was kneeling in front of the king, his father, watching the him accept a document from the general. The king picked up his quill and scribed his signature on the bottom of the page. He finished it by applying his royal seal. The second the stamp hit the wax on the document, the king nodded, and the general walked up to Deatrick. He set his sword on his shoulder and declared, "Congratulations my prince, you are now part of Alethea's royal army." Deatrick looked at his father in disbelief. "You will serve in the army," started the king, "until you can prove you are worthy of becoming king. If you manage to stop the war, you shall replace me after my death." "But father-..." "You WILL go to the front lines. I will have no excuses. Leave now." The general took him by the shoulders and Deatrick struggled. He opened a door and motioned for Deatrick exit. He walked into the darkness, and when he could see light again, he found himself lying tangled in his fleece covers, staring at the roof of a weather-stained tent. He stood up and exited the tent, joining the other soldiers around the cooking fire. He lined up and waited for his turn to receive the garbage that they served as food. After he finished his meal, he grabbed his sword, shield, dressed in his armor, and sat down with his friends in the middle of the camp. "So Deatrick," started Matthews, Deatrick's closet friend in the camp, "did you hear what happened last night?" "No, what?" replied Deatrick. "The general had no word of the scouts sent out last night. His best guess is that the enemy is approaching." The other soldiers in the group didn't seem too surprised by this comment. Deatrick then assumed he slept throughout the announcement. "So why aren't we taking up defensive positions?" questioned Deatrick. "The general set up some archers in the woods, in case there is an attack. So we should be fine." answered Matthews. Just as he finished his statement, an arrow poked out of the soldier next to Deatrick, who jumped to the side in astonishment. Followed this was a rain of arrows, scattering all among the camp. The soldiers raised their shields in protection. "WERE UNDER ATTACK!" shouted the general from the other side of the camp. Everyone ran and retrieved their weapons and ran to their defensive positions. A huge hoard of enemy knights began charging at the campsite. Deatrick stepped back in fear, while a knight charged straight at him. He stuck his sword in front of him and managed to kill the oncoming knight. At seeing the blood drip out of the lifeless enemy, Deatrick ran back to the center of the campsite. Although, the enemy had surrounded the area, and had broken through the other side. They began to burn the tents, slaughter Deatrick's allies, and stole their supplies. Deatrick tried to locate an opening in the enemy circle, noticed one at the southern part of the battleground, and ran for it. Around him his allies were being defeated, and the enemy was winning. He had no idea what was happening. He looked back and saw Matthews in intense combat with another soldier. Another enemy approached Matthews from the rear, but before Deatrick could yell "Look Out", the knight jammed his sword into Matthews back. Deatrick felt sick to his stomach. He continued to run for the opening, and made it out. He kept on running, not looking back, yet he could still hear the screams of those who had been killed around him. Deatrick had lost track on how long he was running. It felt to him at least half an hour. He still remained in the forest, though. Suddenly, he fell down a hill which he hadn't noticed up ahead, and tumbled down. His head smacked hard against a great big tree. He sat there stunned for a few seconds, then passed out. When he awoke, it was dark and it was hard to make out where he was. Although, he did see something. there were four horse legs standing in front of him. His gaze carried him up to the horse, where a rider sat. The rider held a bow and arrow and had it aimed right at Deatrick's face. "Who are you?" asked the rider. Deatrick gazed at the beautiful blond warrior. She was clad in light armor, with a finely made bow and arrow in her grasp. She held it tighter when he didn't answer. "Who are you?" she repeated, slightly impatiently. Deatrick finally realized the situation he was in. He replied slowly. "Pr-... Deatrick, Knight of Alethea. Where am I, may I ask?" he decided not to reveal his royal status, as there were many enemies to the crown. She kept her threatening expression, and answered, also slowly, "You are one mile away from our enemy's camp. Are you a threat?" Deatrick didn't think that it was possible in his state to be a threat to anyone at that moment, so he shook his head and tried to get up. She tensed. "Do not worry, I have no bad intentions." he said while stumbling to his feet. He fell back again, and realized he had taken more damage in his fall than he had thought. "A broken leg, possibly." he thought to himself. The rider's serious face softened as she saw the condition he was in, and she considered taking him back to her camp to be questioned. "You are hurt, I see. Would you like assistance?" she asked, cautious not to allow any concern into her voice. "One must not show compassion for the enemy." She thought, remembering what her father had said to her about one thousand times. Deatrick thought about the risk. Although she didn't seem dangerous, he could be leading himself to his doom if he went with her. But it might be better than sitting injured by the tree, waiting here for someone less merciful to come by. His vision finally cleared, and he could now see the details carved in gold into her armor. She was the enemy. She was also very high ranking in station, seeing the gold embedded in her armor. He sword at her side was also engraved with gold swirls and various sizes of sapphires and emeralds. Under her armor she wore green and gold silk. He recognized her bow was made of the finest wood, as he was used to such finery. He was the king's son, after all. Her steed was a paint, with white and copper-colored spots covering her body in intricate patterns. Most of all, he became conscious of how alike they looked. They both had the same wavy blond locks, fair skin and piercing green eyes. His eyes met hers and her eyes widened as she thought exactly what he was thinking. Then she looked away. She apparently decided to pretend not to notice. "I feel I can trust you with my name. I am Ayleth of Nerida. Please allow me to escort you back to my camp." Deatrick nodded agreement, and she dismounted and walked over to where he sat. She glanced at his swollen leg, then put her fingers to her mouth and let out the loudest whistle he had ever heard. In the distance, toward his camp (he thought) was a returning whistle and the sound of hoof beats. In a few moments, a black mare shot through the trees and skidded to a halt. She laid her muzzle on Ayleth's armor-clad shoulder, and straightened back up quickly. She looked rather majestic at her full height, and was one of the most beautiful horses Deatrick had ever seen. "I suppose you can still ride slowly? My camp is about five miles away, and we will not be able to reach it before darkness if we travel at a slow pace. We will go as far as we can, and camp out for the night." she inquired while she saddled up the black mare. "What is her name?" Asked Deatrick, still marveling over the beautiful horse. "Donella. She's one of my best." she answered proudly. He nodded in agreement as she lent him a gloved hand. He put a lot of weight on her, but it didn't seem like she felt it at all. He limped slowly over to Donella and cautiously attempted to mount her. He didn't seem to be getting anywhere, so Ayleth gave him a little push, and he almost fell off the side. "Thanks," he mumbled, trying to regain his balance. "You're welcome," she replied, already mounted on her horse. His leg was already starting to feel better, and it wasn't nearly as bad as he had thought it was. They trotted through the shade of the tall trees, and he began to relax. All of his senses were back to normal; when he bumped his head, it had knocked everything out of whack. But now, everything was calm and clear. They road on, and in time the sun began to dip below the horizon. They passed a small creek, and Ayleth decided they should stop there for the night, where they had fresh water available to them. While she filled the containers with water, Deatrick sat down and started a fire. Ayleth gathered some stones and encircled the fire so it wouldn't spread. She then gathered up the furs from inside her traveling sack and laid them on opposite sides of the campfire. They sat, drinking the water from the creek and smelling the perfume of the forest until Ayleth broke the silence. "Are you the King's son?" she asked, already knowing the answer. "N-…" Deatrick began to refuse, but she looked at him so expectantly that he couldn't lie. "Yes. How did you know?" He questioned. "Just a wild guess." she replied. He looked at her curiously. Did she know his father? Not likely. She was quite a mysterious woman. What was a girl doing in a war, anyway?

"Why are you, a woman, doing out on the battlefields?" "I apparently have a natural skill with a bow and arrow. My father- the king, said he wanted me to improve on my skills by shooting something other than a target. But really, he is low on soldiers, and he sent me out as a warrior. I am one of his best, he says. Here- I'll show you what I can do." Ayleth took her fine bow and arrow and aimed. An arrow made of redwood with a blue feather on the tail shot strait at a shining pebble about 20 feet downstream in the creek. A flash of blue ricocheted off the stone, hit another stone near a tree and shot towards them. She caught the arrow in her hand and smiled. "Nice trick, isn’t it?" She boasted. Deatrick just stared and nodded, dumbstruck. He gazed at the arrow in her hand, and decided he didn't want to meet her in combat. "So, why are you, part of the royal family fighting among common soldiers?" "Father sent me out to fight. If I end this war, I will succeed him on the throne. My three brothers have already tried and failed. I am the last one." "Oh…" she murmured. "I'm sorry. Your father is probably a rather cruel person." "No, he isn't. He just won't last much longer, so he has to find the strongest heir for his kingdom." "Oh, but is it worth losing all of your sons just for that purpose? Isn't that a bit selfish?" She trailed off, then looked embarrassed. "Sorry… I think I got a it carried away…" "No, it's fine." he replied. " I can see the reason in what you are saying. I am not offended." Ayleth nodded thankfully and started to prod the fire with a small twig. Sparks shot up in the air and slowly faded into ash before their eyes. Deatrick noticed a large piece of air born bracken floating above the water container. Flames licked at its sides, and it drifted into the water, and sizzled out. He turned and noticed Ayleth watching it as well. She was frowning. "What is bothering you?" "Oh… I was thinking of my friend. Her house in the village was burned during a battle." "I see. I'm sorry. I don't even know who started this war, to tell you the truth. No one seems to know anything about it- why it was started, or… " "Why we can't finish it." She finished for him. He nodded. Someone understood him. He had asked his father before, but he got no direct answer. "This war is taking everything from my kingdom. Rations are low, and the people are suffering. I need an answer." She said sadly. He nodded sympathetically. He knew how she felt- it was almost the same on his side. "Why do we have to continue this war anyway? Your father is a king, and my father is a king. Why can't we try to end it if it's hurting us both?" she suggested "It's worth a try." he replied thoughtfully. "Do you think they will actually listen? I believe we are both only 16, by the looks of it. They might not take us seriously. " "If they don't, we may be stuck in this war all our lives, and you'll die before you become king. So they better." She said confidently. "First of all, do you have any ideas?" he asked. "Yes actually, now that I've met you, I have an idea or two how we can make this work out. Give me some time to work it out, though. We should get some rest- it's a long way back to both of our camps, and you're injured." "Alright, sleep well." he replied as he settled down in the blankets, watching the fire burn and turn to ash.

The next morning the campfire was blown out and the water container was empty. The two warriors were almost ready to go. "Would you like to come back to my camp so your leg can heal, or do you think you can make it back by yourself?" she questioned. Deatrick was feeling much better than yesterday. He had eaten some herbs the night before that had taken away most of the pain. He thought he could manage. Anyway, the more time they wasted, the more the kingdoms suffered. "I think I'll be able to ride back by myself. We don't want to waste any time." he replied. "You can keep Donella." said Ayleth, who had just packed up the furs and loaded them onto her mount. "You'll need her to get back, with that injured leg." He nodded his thanks, then mounted Donella with some difficulty from his injury. While he ate they had discussed their plans for an attempt at a peace contract and immediate withdrawal. They would talk to their parents and see what they could do to save their kingdoms together. When they were both ready to go in their opposite directions, Ayleth handed Deatrick a that would allow him through the enemy around his old camp. He took in all of her identical features and their sharp green eyes met once more. "Good luck, and goodbye until next time." Deatrick said sadly. "Fare thee well." She replied with the same feelings. "Ayleth, this war will end soon because of us. I'll see you again soon." he replied as he started off. "It is good to have friends among your enemies." She said as she smiled. He smiled back and disappeared into the shadows. Ayleth trotted into the woods and immediately started to ponder about the stranger she had just met. Usually, she would have been much more hostile, but for some reason, she felt like she could trust him right away. But it would be different with her father. Would he get the same impression? Deatrick agreed to come to her side if requested to settle peace terms. She could only hope her dad would approve. Meanwhile, Deatrick cantered off towards the direction of his camp. He wondered what would remain of the soldiers he had chatted contently with just yesterday. It made him angry to think the war he was trying to stop had already killed so many. Why hadn't he thought about convincing his dad for peace before? He wished he had. They really hadn't traveled far last night because of his leg, but he easily retraced the path they took and made it close to the camp in half the time it had before. He stopped for lunch right next to the field the main battle had taken place on, and tried not to notice the rotting remains of his army's soldiers. After he finished, he trotted into his old camp to find it completely empty. He looked around, finding the quiet quite strange after living with his comrades there. He remembered the rations tent, and set off to find some more food for the next meal. But just then, he heard a twig crack behind him. He swung around, startled, and saw nothing. But he knew something was there. He was careful to be cautious as he entered the tent. Just as he was fully inside, a small, but powerful looking soldier jumped up behind him and thrust a sword at his neck. He was dragged out of the tent by the guard's strong arms. "Who are you?" he asked in a rough but slightly high-pitched voice. Deatrick pulled the note from Ayleth out of his pocket and handed it to the soldier. The soldier scanned the neat handwriting. "Well, I guess you may pass then." The soldier said, sheathing his sword reluctantly and passing back the note. "you look like the enemy. Where do you come from?" he asked. "It doesn't matter to you. Now let me go." Deatrick said shrewdly. The guard glared at him, then slowly stepped aside. Deatrick walked past and didn't look back. The guard narrowed his eyes, then went back to his position. However, he was still suspicious of the young rider. He would have to tell his captain about this. The soldier snuck off to find his tent. Deatrick started off again, traveling through the forest. He kept imagining everything that could come out of those trees, real and mythical alike. As the woods began to darken, he grew even more fearful, but he had to keep traveling, because he had no supplies for the night. As night drew even closer, he saw some lights at the through the forest. As he drew closer he could see the shapes of buildings. A village! "Maybe I can stay the night here," he thought. "I hope they're not loyal to the enemy." He rode into the village when it was completely dark, as not to attract any attention. He tied his horse to a post and walked into a snug-looking inn near the back of the town. He strode into the tavern hall and walked up to the innkeeper. "Are there any vacancies?" He asked politely. "Yes, there are 3 rooms. Shall I show you through them, so you can choose?" "Yes, please." The innkeeper lead him through 3 rooms. He took the smallest room so no one would suspect he was royalty. As he got ready for bed, he thought of their plans to bring piece to the kingdoms. Would they work? He fell into a fitful sleep, tossing and turning all night. The next morning he got up and immedietly left town. He was feeling good, because he was only a day's travel away from the main camp. He had become very attached to Donella, so the trip was going much faster then would have been otherwise. He arravid at the main camp at the end of the day, not knowing what to expect. He saw his friend and captain, Bernard, and walked over to him. "Hello Deatrick! We thought you had perished with the rest of your camp! How did you escape?" "The rest of my camp is... dead?" "Yes Deatrick, I am sorry. It was a great loss to us all. How did you escape?" "a soldier from the other kingdom saved me when my head was injured in the fight." "you allowed yourself to be saved by a soldier of the other kingdom? That is not an act of the king!" Deatrick snorted and replied, "Well, there wasn’t much I could do when her arrow was pointed right at my nose. Bernard, do you know where to see the king?" "He is currently taking up residence at the castle. You can go to see him there." "Thank you very much!" he replied gratefully, galloping off. Deatrick galloped through town and into the castle. He put his horse in the stables and walked through the gate to the courtyard. The palace children were running through the grounds as usual. He reached the door to the throne room, which was guarded be two knights in silver armor. He asked the guard for his father's company, and the he nodded. The doors opened slowly, and revealed his father signing a stack of papers as high as his hand was tall. He looked up and his face filled with surprise. "Why have you returned? The war has not ended yet!" The king fumed. "I have a proposal to end the war." said Deatrick semi-confidently. "I have met the daughter of the king of Nerida. She also tells of how the war is destroying her kingdom. She wishes to end the war as much as I and you." "What is her name?" asked the king. "Ayleth. She and I have planned to meet on the bridge between the our kingdoms with the peace treaty. Do you agree to this proposal? The king stared at him, stunned. "Do you know who she is?" He stuttered. Deatrick shook his head in confusion. "I believe I need to speak to you in my rooms for a minute. General, keep things in order while we are gone." Deatrick and his father walked down the hallways to the King's private rooms, where the most valuable family items were kept. The king looked worn out and tired, more so than he had every seen him "Do you know who that girl is?" the king asked quietly. "Yes, she is a fellow soldier from another kingdom." "Wrong. Do you know why you met?" "I just happened to be saved by her after a battle in the camp…" "Maybe, but there is more to this girl than what you see." said the king. "What do you mean?" retorted Deatrick. "You were destined to meet someday, I knew it. You must have some suspicions…" "WHAT exactly is so special about her?" "My son, she is your sister." "WHAT?!" exclaimed Deatrick. "Yes. She is your twin sister." "How can that be?" "She is the daughter of our enemy, but also the daughter of me." "Are you saying you once loved the queen of another kingdom? Illegally?" he said in disbelief. "Yes, my son, I did indeed. But, this was when we were not in war, and before she was married. When her father forced her to marry the King of Nerida, she still loved me. And she was bearing my children, which included you and Ayleth." "Why didn't her father prefer to marry you, the king of a much greater kingdom?" "That I will never know. But this whole war was caused because of the King of Nerida's fury at me for impregnating his wife. When you were born, he exiled you so that no child of mine could become king of his kingdom. He kept Ayleth, however, because his wife would not give up both of her children." "So that is why she was sent to war..." Deatrick said to himself.

Deatrick looked at his father in a new light. He had always seen him in a rather cruel light. He could now see that was not his true personality. The king saw that Deatrick was taking everthing in, and began to move back through the door towards the direction of the throne room, when a squire rushed through it at the same time and nearly knocked him off his feet. The squire apologized immediately and began on the terrible news.

"The enemy proceeded on from one of the minor camps to our main camp overnight, and attacked. We won, but lost three forths of our men in the process. The suprise has greatly reduced our men count, but we managed to take many prisoners. A prisoner with greater importance has been brought to the castle and is being questioned in the throne room. Your company is requested immediately."

The King of Alethea and Deatrick raced down the hallways to the throneroom. The light from the stained-glass windows blindd Deatrick for a few seconds in contrast to the dark, stone hallways. When his eyes adjusted, he couldn't beleive what he saw. There, on the red carpet, slumped Ayleth, chained and acompanied by 4 knights in gold armor. She looked up in their direction, and glared at the people who would probably be the ones to put her to her end. When she saw Deatrick among them, she gasped in astonishment.

Deatrick couldn't move for the shock he received from seeing her. She looked away, remembering the exchange between him and her was secret. Deatrick remembered too late. The guards had already noticed, and were uneasy. They didn't know what they were supposed to do at that point, seeing the terrified, angry look on Deatricks face. He seemed to know her, and they didn't want to offend the Prince in any way. They became even more nervous when the Prince sprinted down the steps leading to the throne and shouted,

"RELEASE HER AT ONCE!!!"

The guards stepped swiftly away from the chained warrior and formed a line by the door, hoping to be dismissed. Deatrick reached Ayleth and showered her with questions about her health. He asked if they had harmed her at all, and if they had in any way offended Her Highness. She answered that she had only been wounded in battle, and he was much relieved. He dug around for the right key on his royal golden belt, a symbol of his status, and found it by the key to the dungeons. He unlocked all of her chains and untied the ropes around her arms. She stood up slowly, and limped forward a little. He surveyed her body where she stood; she had two deep scratches on her cheek and underneath her right eye, and a huge gash on her left arm. She held the wound to a stained cloth that had been previously tied in prace by the ropes. There were a few bruises and an array of scratches on her legs and waist, where the green cloth had been torn away.

Deatrick saw how much pain she was in, and he immediately ordered a few servants to come to her aid.

"You three! Treat her wounds and get her some fresh clothing. I want to see her cleaned up in one hour, no less." "No, Deatrick, I want to talk with your father first. Please send everyone out of the room." she requested.

Deatrick worried about her, but she insisted. He ordered all the knights, soldiers, and servants out of the room, who were still thoroughly confused, and sat her down on a comfortable chair beside the throne. He stood beside her.

"What, Princess, would you like to speak with me about?" inquired the king, though he had a very accurate idea of what she was about to ask him. "I would like to ask you why this war started, and why we can't end it, as I wish to accomplish by the end of my time here."

He looked her up and down, and decided she was quite a suitable daughter, though she was raised in Nerida. He liked her stubborn edge, and her strong, yet beautiful appearance. He was not, however, happy to answer the question she asked so directly.

"This war was started by your father because of something I did to greatly displease him and his family. Before he or I was married, I was very deeply in love with your mother. She also loved me, and we had planned to be wed soon enough. You know that she grew up here in Alethea, but her father forced her to marry the King of Nerida, because we had gotten into a disagreement early on that displeased him greatly with me from the start. He was too late, though; she already beared my children by that time. These children include you and Deatrick."

Ayleth stared at the King for quite a while before she could process what he had said. She shook her head in disbeleif.

"I was wrong then. I knew we looked alike, but I didn't know that we could be twins..."

Deatrick nodded in agreement, then thought how strange it was to know you had a sister after 16 years. Especially you exact opposite!

"Yes, it is quite a shock, and I should have told you earlier, my son and daughter. But now, I see you both wish to end this war?"

The two nodded and Ayleth brought out the peace treaty the two had prepared. The terms of the agreement were simple; they required both kingdoms to withdraw all of their armies within the outside walls of the kingdoms, and for the king and queen of each side to meet without agression and settle a few conflicts and terms. The King of Alethea was to take costody of the two twins every half a year so that the twins could see both sets of parents. The King of Nerida now had nothing to worry about, since Deatrick was to succed the King of Alethea instead. It aslo begged for forgiveness of the King of Nerida for the incident of producing a child without being married.

The King of Alethea willingly signed the parchement, and the men sent Ayleth off to a private room with 3 servants to be nursed back to health. She went with no objections; she was exausted. She was bandaged and redressed, then offered a bed to rest in until she was summoned. She rested peacefully until a servant came to bring her to the throne room.

Deatrick and the King waited impatiently for her return, and she entered the large doors to the throne room in a beautiful green gown. All of her wounds had been washed and bandaged, and she looked more than worthy of her title as princess. The Price greated her warmly, then showed her to the stables and saddled her up on Donella, who looked very happy to see her previous owner again.

Princess Ayleth rode across the castle moat accompanied by 4 rows of knights in shining armor, waving good bye to her father and brother. She kept the treaty in her saddlebag, and looked forward to the moment her step-father would officially end the war. All the people in the streets watched the beautiful woman leave the kingdom, and commented on how alike the prince and her appeared.

Ayleth waved goodbye to the people that would soon be her subjects as well, and rode out onto the road to Nerida.