A princess that lived wasn't lacking in nice things such as dresses, jewelry, or any other fine objects she so desired. The princess was not spoiled and was brought up with a proud upbringing by her parents the king and queen that were very much in control, but not on any higher level than the rest that lived among them. Content with life not because of what she possessed, but by what she possessed within was enough to walk around with a smile. The cold dull bricks of the castle walls seemed much livelier when she walked the corridors. She wasn't held captive by the walls of the castle she was often encouraged to wander about wherever she felt. Most times she would walk the roads of the city and as she would walk she would be stopped sometimes by the merchants to be told something nice not having anything to offer in return when really her smile brightened their days without even knowing it.

On a warm day she decided to once again go and walk amongst the others on the street. She stopped to visit with an elderly woman that sold stones that she would find out in the fields and polish them up. The elderly woman saw her approaching and with her broken smile she went over her old damaged hair. The princess smiled back as she saw that the old woman had noticed that she was coming her way and was straitening up. Once she got to her the old lady was fidgeting in a delight and she extended her arm to shake the quivering lady's arm and they talked. The princess asked how she was doing out in the fields and inquired whether anyone was helping her out if needed.
"Oh yes, they help me when they see me start to struggle. But there aren't as many people going out in the fields as there used to."
"I suppose that's because they found other things to do now as jobs and needs begin to spread out."
"I guess that's true dear."

They continued to talk, and while talking the princess was run into by a young sire. The two of them were knocked to the ground and the boy hurried to pick up all that he had dropped. He set the things aside and got up to aid the woman that he had bumped looking to find that it was the princess. He gently helped her up, apologized, and swiftly went on his way clearly being embarrassed. The princess also felt a little awkward, but stood and corrected herself standing in front of the lady. The woman made word of taking notice that he was one of the nice boys around that helped her very much in the fields and otherwise. She turned back seeing him scuffle off into the crowd being bumped around by many of the big men and groups of ladies. The princess quickly and politely excused herself and went to catch up with the young man. She caught up with him and called out for his attention. The boy turned and saw her and then put his head down shyly. He apologized again for the mishap and put it off on himself as just being clumsy. The princess said, "Well you don't seem clumsy to me as I saw you move off into and through the crowd with ease."
"Yes, but when people need more room I'm the one who has to give."
"I think with a little more confidence you could stand your own just fine."

The princess standing beside him swung her arms around the back of him to grab onto his arms and slow him down. Then she helped show him a better way to navigate the crowd. She then took some of the things from the pile in his arms. They walked together and he explained that he was taking some of the stuff around to people that he had gotten for and was trading or keeping the rest. He made his deals all the while the princess tagged along with him. After a good deal of walking and taking the things around he only had a handful now and was taking it off to his hut. They stepped in and she expected someone to come out to be making a deal, but he softly said, "This is where I'm dropping the rest off, if you'd like I could get us some water."
"Oh thank you but it's not necessary."

He pulled out a chair for her and sat her down and fetched some water. He served her and then began to put the things away into containers or into another pile where he knew he would find it later to take out. Looking around she said to him, "You keep your things very neat and you conduct yourself in a very nice manner. Perhaps you can come help me sometime and show me some better ways of organizing my things."
"I'm sure things would be just as good without me."
"I beg to differ and I am summoning you to join me. In fact we'll make a day of it."
"If you insist then I shall do my best to accommodate your wishes."
"Good, I'm glad to hear of it."

The next day they were set to get together. The boy made his way to the castle in a weary manner not sure of how he would be greeted. The last thing he wanted was trouble from guards and to be made a fool of. But he arrived and was greeted outside by two men who asked what his business was and he informed them that the princess had requested he come. They told him where he would find her and he was on his way unharmed and feeling relieved that he got this far. As he walked the halls he looked around trying to take in as much as possible. He walked by many paintings of whom he assumed were relatives and other people of nobility. Moving on he finally came to an open room where the princess was sitting still on the edge of a fountain looking forward. He walked right up to her without her even turning to look at him. After standing there for a moment he finally cleared his throat and asked what she was doing. She looked to him and smiled. She replied, "I was merely thinking. I trust you're well rested for our day. We can start by you joining me here in thought and conversation. Please sit with me by the fountain."

He sat down and looked into the clear water. The princess dipped her finger in it and created a ripple. He looked up at her with a puzzled look and smiled. The princess told him, "If you wish you may touch it. You look like you might want to find out what it's like."
"I was thinking a little bit of how it might feel."

He dipped his finger in and the princess also dipped her finger in again this time taking her finger out of the water and touching the tip of his nose. She took out a handkerchief and wiped his nose and handed it to him and said he may wipe his face with it if he pleased and that he could keep it. He took it but declined to wipe his face with it and instead wiped his face on his sleep. He lifted the handkerchief to his face and breathed it in and held his breath. She looked at him, and then he let his breath out opened his eyes and put the handkerchief safely into his pocket. They both smiled and sat for a moment looking at the other one's reflection in the water. Then suddenly the princess grabbed his hand and pulled him down through the hallways again. This time they entered another big room but that wasn't as bear. This room had white curtains covering the windows and a big full bed covered with fine linens. Then there were some chests and she asked what he thought they should do with the room.

"I have some of my dresses hung over there and was wondering if I shouldn't do that."
"I think its fine. What are in those trunks?"
"Personal items and other garments."
"Maybe I shouldn't be going through those then."
"Nonsense. Just help that's all."

The two took things out and put them into other places, some were left. They went on with things, and then went over what they had done. After being pleased they left the castle went out through the town and went into the fields where there wasn't anyone. They spent the waning hours of the afternoon running around through the grass and sitting and climbing trees. When the sky became orange and red and the sun went from yellow to orange they sat on a low branch of a tree and watched as the clouds slowly went across the sky. Both of them sat happily as the evening came and they went back to the castle for dinner. At first he didn't want to go in fear of her parents, but she calmed his fears and assured him all would go well. They returned and were in time for the evening feast where her parents were delighted to meet the boy as he charmed them while they ate and afterwards while they had conversation. Then the king and queen left them. They sat and talked a while longer and then she took him back to her room. She offered to have a room set for him if he wanted to stay but he decided on going back home. She wished him a good night and he stayed with her as she lay until he found the time to slip away. He walked out of her room, down the halls, then back one more time to the fountain. He stood there with the moonlight coming in as he dipped his finger into the fountain one more time. He stood there for just a bit looking at the moonlight reflecting in the fountain until he was startled by two arms around him. They weren't guard's arms to carry him off, they were her arms comforting him. He turned around to her and walked her back to her room then he went on his way back through town underneath the dark purple night sky with scattered clouds and an endless amount of stars until he reached home and lay down.