Chon dison bilaik?*
It was a nice, warm evening, when Clarke walked through her village, followed by some of her guards. Directly next to her was the guards chief, Bellamy Blake. >>Do you really think this is such a good idea?<<
Clarke hasn't been outside the walls of the palace for eight weeks due to an illness.
>>I'm fine. Thanks, Bell.<< She rolled her eyes. She liked Bellamy and they were friends, but he tended to be rather overprotective and that annoyed her to the edge.
>>Alright, alright. Just wanna make sure you don't put too much on you too soon.<< He shrugged.
>>I'm well again for quite some time now. Therefore, I'm sure I'll be able to manage this little walk just fine – so please stop worrying!<< She glared at him.
>>Fine, Princess, I won't ask again!<< He held his hands up in surrender on that score he missed how Clarke cringed. She hated being called princess! It was just a stupid title. There was more to her than being the daughter of the king and queen of this land – if she wouldn't have been the only heir she would do something entirely different with her life than preparing to become the next queen! She would become an artist – or at least she would try to.
>>Thanks.<< Clarke said and meant it.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, before a crowd came in sight.
>>What's going on there?<< Clarke pryingly raised herself on her tiptoes, trying to see something.
>>I don't know<<, Bellamy answered honestly. He gestured for one of his fellow guard members, John Murphy, to go and check on the reason for this gathering.
In less than a minute Murphy was back.
>>There is a handful of street artists doing quite some show<<, he informed.
Clarke's eyes widened in surprise and her excitement got the better of her, so she went to look at them herself. She cut her way through the crowd where the people parted for her when they recognized her as the princess.
The second Clarke got a good look at the little group, she was in awe, too.
In front of her were five people performing breath taking tricks in such a chill way that one was not able to look away again.
The girl in the back was doing some acrobatic feats.
Two young boys on the left were performing a show fight.
The tall man on the right was spying fire.
But the person right in front of her caught her attention the most. They were juggling daggers – with such speed that it was impossible for Clarke to count how many. Their hazel hair was braided on the sides to prevent it from falling into their eyes. The armor-like dress and the black mask painted around their eyes, highlighting their cheekbones, made them look very much like a warrior to Clarke – even more than the other four – which made it very difficult for her to tell if it was a boy or a girl. But it didn't matter. She only cared about the amazing show the five performed.
Therefore, Clarke registered only vaguely that her guards found their way to her, but, they too, were fascinated.
After what felt only like a few minutes but were actually half an hour, the bells of the church rang, indicating, that it was 6 o'clock. The group were finishing their acts and Clarke cheered along with the crowd.
>>That was quite a show<<, Bellamy said amazed and Clarke could hear the approval in his voice. She nodded. >>Yes, it really was breathtaking! They really earned themselves some money! Monty<<, she turned to an Asian young man with short black hair, he was another one of her guards. >>As such, I need my money.<<
He handed her the leather pouch he had already untied from his belt. She nodded thankfully and made her way over to the warriorish looking juggler. She not only wanted to pay them, but also wanted to offer a deal. The warrior was laughing about something a villager had just said. Clarke's heart was beating faster when she heard this angel-like sound – a sound she had heard before – almost 5 years ago! Could it really be him? But it wouldn't be the first time that she imagined his laughter.
She had not seen him since he so suddenly vanished – there was no other word to describe his disappearance. He either vanished or she had only imagined him but how could she not have seen the ring on the balustrade before, then?
Lost in her thoughts once again, asking herself if Alex was nothing else than a reverie, she, at first, did not realize that someone was talking to her. >>...to me?<<
>>'cuse me?<<, Clarke replied, looking up, directly into the green eyes of the juggler. Her body froze, only her heart skipped a beat.
>>I asked, if you want something – from me<<, the juggler repeated with a smile. Hearing the voice, Clarke still wasn't sure if the person in front of her was a boy or a girl. The voice of her Alex had been a bit deeper, then again, she had not heard his voice in almost five years. Therefore, she couldn't be sure if this was her prince. Therefore, she was still eager to go through with her idea. >>Yes, indeed. I really enjoyed your show so I was wondering if I can get you to perform in the palace – let's say tomorrow?<<
Clarke was well aware that it was rushed and that the juggler would probably not agree. But ever since Alex, she could not risk to make the same mistake twice and let people get out of her life so easily again. So she waited nervously.
>>I'm glad you liked it and I'll like to perform in the palace. I just have to check in with my team if they can do the day without me. I'll be back in a sec!<<, the street artist smiled at her, before leaving in the direction of the group.
Clarke sighed disappointed. Sure, it wasn't a no but she had hoped for a more enthusiastic answer. Or at least a more humorous ton... This juggler was almost lame.
But Clarke's hopes were not completely dashed. These eyes... This couldn't be a coincident! And again, it's been almost five years. People change!
>>So yeah, listen<<, the performer was back with bad news obviously. >>Tomorrow's really bad, but...<<
>But maybe the right payment can be more convincing!<, Clarke thought.
>>Oh right, I forgot to mention the payment. Let's say 400 coins for the day?<<, the princess offered, anxiously.
The brown haired juggler looked at her wide-eyed. For 400 coins one could buy 250 loaves of bread.
>>We could really need the money, but I really can't tomorrow. How about Saturday, though?<<, the performer suggested. >>That's what I wanted to ask you before, anyway. So there was really no need to worry.<< They smiled warm-heartedly at Clarke.
>>Oh<<, Clarke let out embarrassed. >>I'm sorry. I thought you'd bail on me because you thought you'd have to do it for free...<<
The brunette looked at her amazed. >>No need to worry. To be honest, I hadn't thought about a payment before. I'd even perform without it, given that performing in the palace would be a really good reputation.<<
Clarke raised her eyebrows. >>I haven't thought about that... But I'll pay you, anyways! You are worth it... I mean you deserve it...<< Clarke felt the blood rushing to her head. While the juggler tried to hide a giggle, for which Clarke was grateful.
>>You don't do this often, do you? Asking strangers to perform at the palace<<, the brunette joked, unable to hide a big smirk. At which Clarke blushed even more. >>I was pretty predictable, wasn't I?<< The juggler shrugged. >>Don't worry. I can teach you some tricks to hide your emotions if you like. Although it would help already if you'd stop playing with that ring.<<
Clarke's hand came to an abrupt halt. Looking at her hand in confusion, wondering how she could not have been aware of playing with it. Whereas, she had been well aware of her beating heart. Yes, she was nervous. She had finally found someone with emerald green eyes who she just had to make sure to see again. But her mother hated to have strangers at the palace and this stranger would even have many daggers with them... At least she had more than 24 hours to convince her...
>>I'd like that<<, Clarke consented honestly. >>It's a nasty habit I could stop by taking the necklace off. But the ring is the only reminiscence of... someone special who I met almost 5 years ago. I haven't seen him again ever since.<<
For a small second the juggler looked at her unbelievingly, before their expression became empathetic. >>Maybe you will – eventually...<<
>>Yeah, eventually<<, Clarke echoed.
For a few moments they were just starring into each others eyes, until Bellamy interrupted them. >>I'm sorry, but Princess, it's time to go back to the palace.<< Clarke sighed. Unfortunately, he was right.
>>Alright. I'll be there in a second.<<
Bellamy hesitated but eventually he went a few feet away, so that Clarke and the juggler were in a rather private atmosphere again.
>>It's dinner time<<, Clarke explained awkwardly. >>But we are settled for Saturday, right? Drop by whenever it suits you. I'll make sure that the guards will let you pass.<<
Her opponent smiled. >>Alright. Farewell, Clarke. I will see you on Saturday.<<
Clarke nodded. >>See you<<, she said with a smile.
And with that their path parted for now.
In this moment, Clarke was really glad, that she didn't stay at the royal property but visited the village instead. Otherwise she wouldn't have met this incredible artist!