Disclaimer: I do not own any of JK Rowlings work, or characters, so anything you see in my storythat is in her story is hers.

Summary: Lily is personal servant, body guard, and best friend to Amial, princess of Spain. When Lily hears of a possible attempt at Amial, she must use her wit to save the princess...and herself. She must race against time, Dark Powers, deciet, the King of Theives...a particularly goodlooking man..., and love to save her kingdom. L/J AU

Of Fire and Thieves

Whales:

A young lady in the serving outfit that ranked her as a personal maid kneeled on the floor, head bowed. Her golden red locks swung about her face, hiding her impatient expression. Green eyes flashed, annoyed, under long lashes.

Standing not an arms length in front of her, sounding quite remotely like a an angry goat, was the Head of Servings, the boss servant, the Big Momma…whatever you want to call her. Hair tied into a bun, gray strands escaping, she shouted, or rather, in the girl's point of view, bleated (the sound that farm animals make). Her beefy arms pointed accusingly at the young woman, and her wide sides shook and trembled.

"How dare you! Bring a weapon, int' milady's personal chamber…it's an attempt to murder, I tell you! A knife, in the princess's room! What were y' thinkin'? No, what have y' been drinkin'?"

The lady ranted on, and on…Oh, what would the girl had given to get out of that stuffy room. She sighed inwardly. Damn the princess! This never would have happened if Her Royal Highness hadn't insisted on journeying to Whales. Ugh! She had merely been on a simple task for the princess; fetch some papers she had left. But her boot knife had wriggled out of place, and, letting down her ever present guard, she had knelt down to adjust it. It was then that the Head of Servings at Palace Whales had walked in.

As the Head of Servings rambled on, her double chin trembling excessively, the woman let her mind wander. The room she was in was large, a dome shaped ceiling arched overhead. Colored glass filtered the morning light, scattering brilliant colors of purple and red and green onto the floor and opposite wall. It was the floor of the study to the princess's suite of which she was uncomfortably sitting on. The papers, she knew, were sitting on the mahogany desk, lying upright for all to see.

She sat with unnerving stillness, not moving out of impatience as most would, not squirming, and seemingly not breathing. Her glorious hair shielded her face, and her shoulders slumped. Hers was a picture of a weak, guilty semblance, just what the Head of Servings liked to see. But only an act. For within, beyond the fiery shield of hair, was a strong spirit. Patient by nature, her strict training had enforced that even more, teaching her tolerance, and an ever watchful regard on life. Her deep green eyes glinted, thinking of training. Oh, what long hours she trained!

Everything from archery to fencing. From herbal medicines to poisons. From court conduct to seducing men. From Dark magic to Charms. She had trained, and under the care of her watchful master, she had bloomed into the proper body guard, fit only for a princess. And thus she was. Nay, she was not only body guard to Princess Amial, but also body servant and best friend. And it was, for this reason, she had a boot knife.

That brought the woman back to reality. Glancing up through her hair, she observed the ranting servant. She tsked under her breath. There were so many things she could be doing now…she should be sitting with Amial, discussing the most handsome men of the court… she should be outside, helping Amial with a new sword stroke, or learning how to improve her own atrocious dancing skills…

Quick footsteps sounded around the corner. And then, through the door, walked the princess in all her glory. White golden hair, tall, hazel eyes, and a quick, tested temper. Lily smiled quietly, it took her long enough! The Head of Servings was temporarily silenced and stood gaping at the princess.

"Ah! There you are, Lily." Her friend sighed, observing Lily's predicament. "I graciously thank you, Madam, for finding my body servant, I was beginning to think she had gotten lost in this drafty palace!" Lily stifled a laugh as the beefy woman snapped out of her reverie and, still gaping at the princess, jumped to the ground, bowing low. It was quite a sight, and in the process, the woman's dress ripped.

"Oh, terr'bly s'rry miss, I mean, princess, I mean, your Most Royal Highness, Sir—Ma'am. Beggin' yer forgiveness an' all, but I had no idea she was yer body maid!" The woman babbled.

Amial raised a delicate eyebrow. The girl took her queue and arose from the floor. Taking short quick strides, she grabbed the papers, and followed the princess out of the room, leaving the babbling lady behind.

Once out of the room, they let their peals of laughter take over. "Did you see her face?" Lily laughed out. Amial nodded,

"Oh, and, 'Most Royal Highness, Sir…may I ask your forgiveness?'" They giggled together.

Walking into the morning light was relief from the dark interior of the palace. Lily dutifully flanked her mistress, falling in one step behind her. Lily sighed jealously as she regarded the princess's fluent, graceful movements. Amial was graceful in almost everything she did, whether it was dancing, or walking, or merely descending stairs. Her steps were miniscule and perfected. Her dancing skills rivaled a goddess's.

Lily seemed to be quite the opposite. She could never get the hang of walking as if on a cloud. And she probably would be clumsy in all aspects of her life, if it weren't for her particular training. Her movements were not small and balanced as Amial's were, but wild and long. She could not dance Court dances, but rather, a carefree dance, a wild one, one that would be mocked at by the Royal Court. And, obviously, Amial's personal maid could not be mocked by the Court, so she was refrained to dancing like a proper lady (however ungainly she was at that.)

Amial treaded across the stone courtyard and through the stables, finally sitting down under a shady tree. Amial's hair glinted in the rising sun, and her hazel green eye's twinkled playfully at Lily. Spreading her skirts elegantly about her, Amial turned to Lily.

"Let us see what Father Dearest is writing about," she said conspiratorially.

Lily shook her head. "Just for the record, it's all your fault if anyone finds out," she joked.

Amial tossed her head, impatient. "Of course, silly."

Lily smiled and turned her attention to the papers. The papers she held had been snagged off the king's desk before leaving for Whales. Amial, being the curious sort, thought they looked interesting. Now, glancing down at them, Lily saw they were letters. Actually, a single letter. Lily began to read.

"Lord Whittman of Cheshire,

I appreciate your shared knowledge of the rebellion. You are absolutely correct, we must get Amial into hiding. She is not safe here. I fear what the scoundrels would do to my precious daughter if they got a hold of her. However, I think it unwise to tell her of her danger just yet. I am allowing her to travel to Whales with her personal body servant. She will be well looked after, and I believe our summer home at Whales will be the safest spot for her…."

Lily trailed off. She frowned. A rebellion. She knew what this meant. Amial's father, the King of Spain, was a horrible king. Everyone knew it. There were many people who disliked him and would do much to see him off the thrown. He refused to aid his suffering country men, whom the Dark Lord had begun attacking. Rebellions had sprung up in the past year.

Now, it seemed, one such rebellion was out to get Amial; to use her as leverage against the king. But how could the king be so stupid? She was almost 100 sure that this letter was merely a saved copy of one he had already sent. Anybody could intercept it.

Lily glanced over to Amial. The beautiful blonde stared back at Lily, her gaze angry and determined.

Lily gave a half-smile. "You know what this means, yeah?" she asked.

Amial shrugged. "I don't know. You're the body guard. I'm pretty pissed that Daddy wouldn't tell me."

Lily smiled, ruefully. "If the letter was intercepted, you could be in trouble," Lily's smile became humorous. "Guess what!"

Amial looked wearily at Lily.

"We get to switch places."

Ha ha ha... evil chuckle Lily... a princess?

Review please. This is my first FF, so I would appreciate constructive critism... or just a couple words...

I promise to update... soon...if you review