Guess who broke, shattered, stomped on and buried, brought back to life, and repeatedly stabbed just to once again murder their promise? That's right- it's me. I'm sorry! *wails* I swore that I would get it up the following week and it's been over I-don't-even-know-anymore months. Mostly, I just got this major writer's block and didn't feel like writing though I still feel terrible. I'm also trying to repel another story idea until I finish this one so wish me luck on that. Alright, thanks for sticking with me (sort of- I don't blame you if you've abandoned this story altogether, so, no hard feelings) and review replies at the bottom (which, by the way, looking at this, do I really have 32 reviews for one chapter?! HOLY CARP YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!).

There was only one person in the world whom had only known the Prince as Mr. Kit, but of course, he had never expected to see her again. Dumbfounded as he was, he was merely capable of staring at the girl- no, woman now, he supposed- and marvel in the fact that he had not recognized her before. She was still very beautiful, that much had not changed, but her thin and elegant frame appeared more sickly and that of one who lived a hard life as opposed to one of tough labor. Her sparkling blue eyes had seemingly lost their liveliness, the undimmed spark that had intrigued him and haunted his dreams to no end was no longer present. The smile that he remembered gracing her lips even when she was dressed with a serious expression no longer existed, replaced by a hard, thin line of her mouth. Her lower lip was slightly swollen, most likely from biting it in concentration- or pain, but he'd prefer to think the former- not that he was staring at her lips, or anything. No, time certainly had not fared her well, but all the same, he still thought her a very, very beautiful creature, indeed.

"I-it's you," was the first meager and vaguely coherent sounding sentence he could scramble to produce. The maiden looked dumbfounded, at the very least, perhaps just as much as he, himself did, before he realized that princes do not look dumbfounded and rearranged his expression into something a bit more accomadable. "Um… You're- I mean… hi."

So princes don't look dumbfounded, but he supposed he never heard his father telling him that they couldn't sound it.

Her lips drew back in a sort of smile, a kind that reflected a certain look in her eyes that the Prince could not name. It was recognizable, but all the same foreign. "So, you're a Guard?" she asked politely, rubbing her hands together nervously as she held the basket.

"Yes," he responded, maybe a bit too quickly. "I am. And- and how are you and your family faring in this time?"

The girl's mouth twisted into another kind of smile, more of a polite one with tones of uncertainty and hidden guilt. "Better than I should hope so, I presume. We have enough to support ourselves through the cold. Actually, I've taken up work now."

For a moment, he was confused. Didn't she already work for a family? The Prince asked her so himself, and the girl looked so terribly frightened that he thought he had done or said something wrong.

"Oh, no, I mean, other work, as well, of course," she stammered through wide eyes, but she had a voice packed with forced sanguine disposition. She took a few steps back but nearly stumbled. He instinctively reached out to steady her and she regained her balance and composure before looking back up to meet his eyes. "Thank… you," her voice faded off a bit and the strained lighthearted mood slipped away. The girl's eyes were weary and old looking, much older than when they had last met. The brown color no longer appeared innocent and wide-eyed, perhaps a bit more like glass, either way, they had become something else entirely. Equally as beautiful and captivating but more in an intriguing way. There were dark circles under her eyes and he swore he could see a fading purple coloration on the edge of her right cheek. Practically in his subconscious, he reached out to cradle her face (while his other hand was still resting on her forearm, mind you), as tender as possible. She froze in shock, unsure of what to do. With that, he realized he was being foolish and worried for someone who was not his responsibility to worry for. She could take care of herself. And yet…

His hand quickly retracted to his side and he glanced back up at her. She was lightly chewing on her bottom lip and appeared troubled. The Prince couldn't help but fret for her. She just seemed so innocent and- and… and she was no more. With an inward start, the Prince realized that this was not the maiden he had met in the woods. The maiden whom he had met in the preceding years was young, good, untouched by the cruel realities of the world, and this was a woman who knew all too well how everything worked out in the end. He was shielded from everything that went on; he had it easy. But this girl did not, that much was clear, and he felt an overwhelming compulsion to protect her, no matter the cost to himself.

But, then again, he was to be the future King, and all his people were subjects under his care. And he wanted to care- about her especially. Why, well, the Prince wasn't entirely sure, but he felt a strong urge to wrap his arms around this frail girl and shelter her from all the terrible and menacing things the world could offer (metaphorically, of course, though not that he'd be objecting to literally). She just seemed so worn down, like her spirit had been dimmed to almost extinction and there was nothing left for her but to remain and wither away to nothing. In the eyes of the world, she was nobody, she was nothing, and he was- well, he was royalty. She had probably suffered far worse than he ever would in his lifetime, but her worth was so insignificant in comparison everyone else's. He barely knew her, but he didn't like the way that settled with him. He didn't like that he was supposed to just accept that, maybe offer a few kind words, and smile a charming set of perfectly set pearls, nothing more, nothing less.

Well, here's what he had to say about that- she wasn't nobody. To some people out there, she was someone. She belonged to a family who loved her and maybe work was hard in how she was treated but she had someone who loved her for who she was and would accept her no matter what decisions she made. And the Prince wanted that. In fact, he, a prince in line for his own kingdom, was envious of a poor country girl dressed in rags. (Of course, he didn't know that Cinderella hadn't known acceptance in a very long time, but how was he to know that?)

So, the Prince spoke up. "Is your cheek alright?"

The girl was startled at his question. "I beg your pardon?"

"You have the makings of a slowly healing bruise on your face. Are you alright?" he asked once more, genuinely concerned. The girl furrowed her eyebrows in something the Prince labeled as uneasiness.

"Oh, that, I-I tripped. Just the other day, actually. It's why I'm wearing this new dress, someone was kind enough to lend it to me, and you see, I'm just terribly uncoordinated so I hit my cheek against the corner of a table. It happens quite frequently, actually, so it's nothing to fret over," she finished with a convincing smile, pulling her lips back in a tight stretch. Her face was now molded into a permanent frown, no longer accustomed to the bright grins and crinkled eyes filled with hope.

"I see. And what brings you to the market today?" he asked, stepping aside and gesturing to the bustling area around them. She nodded her thanks as she ducked past him back into the streets, the both of them meandering through the stands side by side.

"Shopping for the castle. It's nice to be outside," she replied gently.

"I completely agree. With the weather we've been having, it's been difficult to get anything done," he said politely. He was sure that the girl must be wondering what a Prince- er, Guard, he meant Guard- like him was doing escorting a girl like her throughout the streets as she kept giving him funny glances every now and then, but he couldn't help it. So what if he was stalling in just the slightest bit? She was charming and he was still just a man.

"I'm glad," she smiled at him and though it wasn't the smile he remembered, the Prince found himself just as captivated by it.

"So, you've found work at the palace?" he brought up the reason she had said she was in the market, and decided to question her on that topic. It was rather delightful, there was a possibility that he could even see her at the palace! And then that delight faded away as quickly as it had aroused. He was the crowned Prince, and the maiden thought him to be a simple and newly named Guard. Perhaps this wasn't so terrific after all…

"Yes, it's been a couple days now, I really enjoy it. It's a lovely experience and the castle is such a nice place. I'm sure you must be used to it, of course," she replied modestly, seeming a bit embarrassed about her little glimmer of excitement. The Prince wasn't sorry; for a moment, her eyes had lit up and it had been the brightest thing he had ever seen. Be that as it may be, it might be a good thing the light only lasted for a moment or two, for if it had been there from the start it might have blinded the poor Prince.

"Of course," he repeated, noting that his voice sounded strained and distant yet doing nothing to correct himself. Yes, he was well acquainted with the palace, but for reasons unbeknownst to her. The girl continued to shuffle through the crowds alongside him. People of the market tended to avert their paths and attention respectively around the two, unsurprising since he was Guard. Or, at least, dressed like one. He'd despise to so much as imagine what would become of the two of them had he wandered here in his casual attire.

The Prince suddenly realized that there had been a prolonged silence between the two of them and he cleared his throat rather awkwardly, scrambling for something else to say. "If you don't mind me asking, that is, what is it that you perform in at the castle?"

"Simple things, really," she responded, "I'm more of a kitchen maid as of right now; I'm used to handling myself in those surroundings. And what of you? Do you enjoy being a Guard?"

"Very much so. I find it quite to my liking and I am pleased to be serving the royal family." To his credit, one of the two was not lie…

"Do you see much of them?" she inquired, turning her head to look at him as she halted by a stand filled with an abundance of fresh produce, reaching out and seizing a collection of carrots.

"A bit," he answered modestly as she slipped a pair of bright copper coins from a pouch in her basket to the stand's owner and nodded her thanks. The seller kindly ignored the pair's conversation, pocketing the change as the two walked off again. "The King can be a tad bit overbearing at times, but I certainly have hope that the Prince will continue his rule with an equal and just hand. I suppose you have not seen much of him around the kitchens."

"No, it would be awfully inappropriate for the crowned Prince to occupy the palace kitchens," she agreed. He twisted his mouth in speculation. He desired to perceive a peasant's opinion on himself and his image, however, the girl's reaction had not been much to go on.

"Do you ever wish to meet the Prince?" he questioned, hoping he would not appear too apprehensive from her stance.

"He has his place on the throne," she answered thoughtfully, "and I suppose I have mine. It would be a great honor to speak with his Highness, yet someone of my status is ignoble in comparison. Furthermore, I cease to have reason to meet with him. I have friends, of a sort, at the palace, and I am content with my lifestyle. I am not in a state to desire more."

"And what of the way the kingdom is now? Do you hold ill regards towards the King and Prince for allowing this to happen?" The Prince had always fretted over this concept- that his subjects might acquire a hatred for him for allowing this poverty to occur, thinking that perhaps he was not doing all that he could, but, along with his father, he really was and it was assuredly frustrating on his behalf.

She nodded in concurrence, pausing to add to her basket several packs of salt. "Our kingdom has indeed fallen into a rather desolate winter, but our monarchs are performing their best to pull us out. I expect it cannot be untroublesome to manage this, but I am confident they will succeed. After all, we've fared well enough for the previous centuries, have we not?"

The Prince curved the corners of his mouth skyward in repercussion to her substantial surety concerning the royal family- concerning him. It was a delightful innervation to know that though he still carried a heavy and burdensome weight atop his shoulders, at least his people still believed in him. At least one, that is. "Yes, I suppose we have. You're very wise, I thank you for your incite."

"Oh, I didn't mean to assert myself in dogmatism, I merely-"

The Prince held up his hand, effectively cutting her off. He sent her a modest, apologetic smile. "I beg your pardon, I did not intend to convey my contemplations in that manner. What I meant to say was that your certainty in me-" he coughed, "the King and Prince is greatly inspiring and I am gratified for hearing those words from you. They are often concerned about the welfare and opinions of the people so it is exceptionally nice to know that you think them capable of bringing the kingdom back into prosperity."

The girl blinked, seemingly taken back by hearing such words coming from one so superior to her. In actuality, the Prince did not think himself so highly in correlation to her; he believed her to be many times greater a person than he could ever achieve. She was still so good, and even though she appeared broken down in the shattered remains of the glory she once held, she was still so magnificently remarkable because, here she was, enduring all the hardships the universe could bombard her with, reappearing not unscathed, but still going. She no longer held her head up high, but she still held her head up, and that alone was worth all the respect in the world.

"T-thank you, Mr. Kit," she held his stare for a moment before dipping her head and curtseying politely. He frowned. The formality of it all didn't appeal to him the way it should have.

"You're welcome," he replied sincerely.

She then inhaled dramatically and quickly probed through the items in her basket. "This- this is everything," she announced in an almost regretful tone.

"Oh." His response was reciprocal in its intonations.

"Thank you for accompanying me," she smiled tersely. The Prince was struck with a feeling of gratitude for having witnessed what insinuated to be a rare smile so many instances in one day. How was it that one person could have such an effect over a man trained to discipline his emotions? It wasn't fair. She must be some sort of enchantress, he concluded. And his mental claims of sorcery weren't entirely off, for she certainly was enchanting.

"And might I learn of your name, this time?" he chuckled.

"I suppose," her expression turned into one of amusement, "that would not be of too much trouble to ask. My name is-"

"Ella!"

A high-pitched voice cut through the population within the market, and the Prince's company whipped her head around to scan the crowd for the speaker. From the midst of people, a woman with an identical basket to the one the girl carried came scurrying towards the two. She was older than them, also looking a bit worse for wear, but she had a kind face concealed beneath layers of dust and rags.

"Hello Elizabeth, I've just finished," she hastily greeted as the woman approached.

"Perfect," Elizabeth smiled, ignorant to the Prince's presence among them. "Best we'd be off, then. They'll be waiting for us back at the palace and it's better to be swift than delayed."

She was then grabbed at the elbow by her companion, and though not in an aggressive or insensitive demeanor, her body still gave a miniscule flinch, nearly undetectable, but the Prince had not been familiarized in combat his entire life for naught. The girl cast one last look at him as she shuffled through the horde. She creased her eyebrows, ostensibly contemplating something. Suddenly, she seemed to have made up her mind as she called out, "I wish to see you again, Mr. Kit!"

He very nearly laughed aloud, but he contained himself with a grin that stretched across his facial features and caused his cheeks to sting. For old time's sake, he supposed.

"And I, you, Miss Ella!"

Her smile was the last thing he could note before she disappeared, swallowed by so many others. Once again, he was grateful to have beared witness to the radiance of it, even if it was not quite as bright as it had formerly been. Perhaps, he wondered, that made it all the more memorable. It was an expression she did not wear continuously, and yet she had worn it because of him. In his account, it was enough to bring joy to anyone.

Ella, he spoke to his thoughts. What a pretty name. A pretty name for a pretty girl; he deemed it fitting. But all the beautiful things were of the most delicate nature, and though she was not one to strike him as delicate, she could still break. In fact, he feared she had already been broken. Once she had resided among the clouds and the stars, once her eyes had held a sparkle that gleamed a wondrous beacon of hope... once she had been a dreamer. The Prince knew better than anyone that all dreams must come to an end, and if one was capable of dreaming, then their reality was no better. When she closed her eyes, he wondered if she would find magic seen only with the soul, or if she would only see the posterior side of her eyelids. He genuinely cherished the lack of knowledge, for if Ella, the girl who inspired him to accomplish what should be done as opposed to what was, could no longer find happiness, even within the fantasy of her dreams, then what hope did the rest of the world dare to have?

I know it's a little short but it's a start. I crossed my heart on a word I failed to keep, however, because I like to think that a lot of you would enjoy me continuing the story, I'm not allowing myself to die just yet. Sorry to all those who my demise would bring great appeasement to their anger.

I don't want to fool anyone with the word length so I am PMing review responses and answering guests here because you all deserve a reply for me having been gone for so long. If you haven't gotten a response then you should be getting one sometime soon.

Guest (May 29(wow has it really been that long…?), 1): Yeah, there were several ways that would have been fun to toy with including a scenario involving Galahad but I felt like this one was the best option for the plot. Um… Sort of… And thank you for that, that's really nice but I definitely don't deserve it!

2LaZ2SignIn: Thanks and I will try!

Guest (May 29, 2): Thank you!

Guest (May 29, 3): I'm sorry! But thank you!

Guest (May 30): May I say you have amazing waiting skills… And yeah, obviously, that didn't happen and I really am sorry.

K: Thank you, and I know, I absolutely adore that scene. That is probably among the best compliments I can ever receive because, if you see my profile, I don't really favorite stories either and I have read quite a number of really good ones, so I know what you mean by that. I'm really sorry that you waited an eternity but all of your reviews actually did motivate me to suck it up and write once again so it did help in some ways.

Gothamazon: Thanks, I loved your review! I'm glad you like(d) this story so much!

Guest (June 7): thanks and, uh… *awkwardly averts gaze*

Guest (June 30): I know, and I'm so angry at myself for not doing so! But here I am so, yay…?

Alex: how's this for not rushing a story? Haha, thanks a million and sorry for this long of a wait.

mecaka: Thank you, and I completely agree with you, however, I have a tendency to do those kinds of things in my writing and I'm trying to make them make more sense, but it's just something I do with this story so I'm sorry if it's confusing, I'm working on understanding the definitions a bit more before using them. And no, I love this story and will never abandon it, however, life + writer's block = no update…

Guest (August 11): Thank you and I will try!

Guest (August 13): I'm sooooo sorry and no, that is merely a really nice compliment, I'm so glad you enjoy(ed) this!

As you can probably tell, there is no guarantee another update will come anytime soon. I'm in 10th grade now and I have a lot of homework and I still have some writer's block, nonetheless, rest assured that this story will continue, it just might not be as soon as any of us would like, including myself. Until next time, thanks again for everything, guys.

~Pearlness4700