“Claudine, don't wonder in the garden too long. Your father has guests coming and we must greet them when they arrive.”
“Yes, mother.” A small five year old girl ran towards the small open area of green grass and flower bushes that were twice her size. She wander for five minutes admiring all the flowers, as she did everyday. Her one escape from her normal palace life. It wasn't a horrible life by any means, but a five year old should be able to play with friends, get dirty, and get into trouble. Never once in her life had Claudine ever been permitted to do such things. She had to always be clean, be a good girl, she didn't have any friends, she never left the palace. The only freedom she was allowed was being able to train occasionally with her father. She wanted to be a warrior, but her mother would never allow it.
“Claudine, we must go now. The guest are here.” She her mother call from just outside the aisle of the flowered bushed.
“Coming, mother,” she called back. She plucked a rose from the bush, pricking her finger on a thorn. She rushed to mother holding out the flower. “Look mother, I picked a flower for our guest. Will they like it?” Her mother smiled down at her.
“I'm sure they will darling. Now let us hurry, your father is expecting us in the throne room.
“Ah, Claudus! So nice to see you again!” Pumo meet Claudus in the center of the room.
“Pumo! Old friend the same to you! How have you been?” Claudus said meeting his old friend. The two men hugged and each patted the other on the back.
“Splendid! Splendid! Ah and these two fine young cats must be Prince Tygra and Prince Lion-O.” Pumo knelled down to reach eye level with both cubs. “It's an honor to finally meet the two princes of Thundera.”
“You too sir.” They both said in unison.
“Such well behaved cubs, Claudus.” Pumo stood straight again.
“Speaking of cubs Pumo, where is your daughter? I'm excited to meet her.” Claudus asked just as the doors opened. In entered the Queen Cora and little Claudine.
“There they are now.”
“Father!” Claudine rushed to her father. He scooped her up in his arms and she hugged his neck. “Did we make it in time?”
“Almost, you're just a minute late.” Pumo said smiling.
“I'm sorry father. I was in the garden again. Mother told me to come out earlier but I didn't hear her.” The small child gave him her best kitten look.
“Don't worry princess, you're fine. Claudine this is King Claudus of Thundera.” Pumo said putting Claudine on the ground so she faced the king.
“Nice to meet you sir.” Claudine bowed slightly.
“Nice to meet you as well, princess. These are my sons, Tygra and Lion-O.”
“Hello.” She smiled politely at the two boys.
“Hi.” Lion-O waved, and Tygra smiled.
“She looks just like you, Cora.” Claudus knelled down and smiled at the girl.
“Everyone always say I look like mother. Which I hope is good, cause she pretty.” The girl hugged her mother's legs.
“Indeed she is. You'll be just a stunning when you grow up.” Claudus laughed.
“Oh! I almost forgot. I picked you this flower. It's a gift.” She held the flower out to him, and smiled. She then turned to Lion-O and Tygra. “I'll pick you both some later okay.”
“Claudine, why don't you take the boys to the garden. If it's alright with you, Claudus?” Cora asked.
“Of course it's alright with me. Go ahead boys, but no rough-housing while we're here.”
“Okay.” The three children ran off to the gardens.
“She will make a fine princess. I'm sure you both will be proud.”
“We are to have her. She shows signs of being a warrior before she takes the crown.” Pumo said with pride.
“That is something he is proud of, I rather she just acted like a woman is all.” Cora crossed her arms over her chest. “It's not becoming of a princess to be in the army.”
“Well dear, it's what she wants.”
“She will be fine. She certainly is well mannered. I cannot express how honored I am, to have a girl such as she, take my name.” Claudus smiled. “Thank you old friend.”
“It was the least I could do Claudus. You saved my life. There is nothing in this world that could ever repay you for that.” Pumo wrapped his arm over Claudus' shoulder. “What do we say about having some dinner? I'm sure you and your boys are hungry.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.”
“Men...” Cora walked towards the garden to get the children.
“So this is your garden?” Tygra asked looking around at the bushes and trees.
“Yep, it's not much, but it's fun to play in.” Claudine ran towards the tall bushes and began pulling and the flowers.
“What are you doing?” Lion-O asked looking over her shoulder.
“Here.” Claudine held out two roses. “It's for both of you. A gift to welcome you to Jellica.”
The boys took the flowers, Tygra simply looked down at his with a confused look, while Lion-O smiled happily down at his.
“Thanks!” Lion-O beamed.
“What kind of gift is a flower?” Tygra asked still looking down at his.
“Well different flowers mean different things. Since I gave you both yellow flowers, life I did for your father, it means friendship.” She smiled.
“So, this means we'll always be friends?” Lion-O asked looking up at the girl.
“Yep. I mean if you want. If not that's okay. I don't have any friends anyway.” She laughed. Lion-O and Tygra just stared at her. “What? You guys think I'm weird, don't ya?”
“Yeah, but in a good way.” Tygra smiled.
“We'll always be friends. You, me and Tygra.” Lion-O smiled at her and his brother.
“Promise?” Claudine asked picking a yellow rose for herself. She walked over to the small pond and placed the flower in the water. It floated away towards the center of the pond.
“Promise.” The boys said, and they both set their roses in the water to float next to Claudine's.
Everything was in balance with peace and harmony, unaware of the destruction that would change the lives of people everywhere.
