"You're mad, you know that."

Amelia rolled her eyes, tugging on the straps she was binding around her chest, in an attempt to bind down her breasts, which was proving to be harder than she'd thought, and she huffed, puffing her cheeks out.

"You've told me a few times already, and yet that's still not going to stop me, Matt."

Her twin brother sat on the bed behind her, shaking his head as he watched her struggle, finally standing up and taking one end of the strip of fabric from her and helping her wrap it around her chest. They were the same age but Matthew was far slimmer than she was, and a bit sickly, as was a common occurrence for twins born at such a time, since it was a rare feat. They're mother had died at childbirth, but they both managed to survive, although Matthew wasn't quite as healthy and he couldn't do much, which frustrated him, since it was usually the brothers who would take care of their sisters. Amelia didn't mind, of course, she was a strong willed young woman now at sixteen and when the orders had gone out for all those of such an age to report to the castle to try out for the King's army Amelia had jumped at the chance. Matthew had argued against it, threatening to tell their father what she was planning, but she had convinced him not to, saying one of them had to and Matthew wasn't well enough to, having just recovered from a bad cold.

"Amy…if they catch you, it'll be seen as treason. They could lock you up, or worse, execution."

"That's why they won't catch me, silly billy." Amelia replied calmly, although to be honest that was her fear as well, knowing that she was riding a very thin line, especially with her rather effeminate features and build, but at least she could wear baggy clothes to cover that up. She looked at Matthew who's gaze was downward, and she reached up to cup his cheeks to force him to look at her, smiling softly. "I'll be alright, Mattie, I promise. I've had some training from the blacksmith's son, and I'm strong from working in the fields. I'll be perfectly able to hold my own, and besides it's not even a sure thing that I'll get in."

"That's the thing, Amy, I know you'll get in, because you are all those things." Matthew said quietly, violet eyes sad as he looked at his sister, giving one last tug to the strip in his hand and tying it down, Amelia taking a deep breath to test it out. "You're the best fighter in town, you helped fight off those bandits last summer, remember? But that's what I'm afraid of, because if they take you to fight in the war…I might never see you again."

Amelia felt her heart wrench at her brother's sad tone, and she wrapped her arms fully around his neck, nuzzling into his neck a bit fondly, feeling him wrapping his arms around her in turn, and they were both silent for a long moment. Finally Amelia lifted her head, looking at him and smiling as she whispered.

"I'll come back to you, Matthew, I promise."

"You better, Amy." Matthew whispered, wrapping his arms around her more snugly, holding her to his chest, and she sighed softly when she felt him shaking, and she wouldn't admit it aloud, ever, but she was just as terrified as he was.

"I promise, Mattie."

oOoOoOo

"Alfred Jones?"

Amelia didn't react for a moment but then she remembered the pseudonym she'd adopted when she'd given her papers to the General who was screening the recruits.

"Oh, h-here!" she managed to call out, flushing as she shrunk back into the gaggle of other teens, looking around. She was surprised to catch sight of a young man standing next to him, his blue jerkin showing his status as a royal member of the household, and she gasped softly when she realized who it had to be-Prince Arthur, the young heir to the throne, who had only recently been inducted into the army himself. He had a frown on his face as he studied the young people gathered there, and Amelia felt herself shrinking back as his gaze passed over her, heart hammering in fear that he would notice something off. It was silly, of course, no one had questioned her yet, but she knew someone might get suspicious, and she'd heard rumours of the prince's temper.

"Alright, everyone, form lines, we'll begin with the basics! We're going to run drills, tests your strength, and then we'll have each of you spar with his highness, Prince Arthur, to test your worthiness to serve in the army."

A wave of whispers ran through the crowd, and Amelia herself was surprised by the news, usually they were only trained by members of the army, the Prince didn't make an effort to do such things for the military. She moved to her place in line, doing all the lunges and forms that they asked, and then when they were all asked to stand in a circle around the center of the field to give room for the individual screening. Amelia fidgeted nervously as she watched Arthur stride out, in his full armour, looking regal and uptight, and she had a feeling by the way that he glared at his audience that he probably thought he had much better things to do. He ran his gaze over the group of them, and Amelia felt her heart leap to her throat when his deep green eyes locked on her own, and he pointed his dulled practice sword at her.

"You there, what is your name?"

"I-I-oh, my name?" Amelia stammered, flustered, too shocked to think clearly, and she could hear some of the others snickering at her. "It's Am-Alfred, your highness, Alfred Jones."

"Jones, eh?" Arthur said, smirking a bit, and Amelia felt her ears warming up in embarrassment as she nodded. "Your father served many years for our family, and he is still a valuable asset in our army. Let's see if you're just as worthy of the name you bear, Alfred."

Amelia's entire face flushed and she nodded, walking forward, trying to keep her legs from shaking at the thought of having to spar with the Prince, the greatest fighter in the entire Kingdom, who had won almost every single tourney he'd ever taken part in. She took the practice sword one of the soldiers handed her, wrapping her fingers around it, taking a deep breath as she walked the rest of the way toward Arthur, feeling him watching her the entire way, and she felt like she could barely breathe, the bindings on her chest not helping at all.

"Are you ready, Jones?" Arthur said, mouth quirking up in amusement, and Amelia bristled, puffing out her cheeks and nodding, fingers gripping the hold on the sword tightly.

"I am, your highness."

Arthur nodded, his expression hardening as he held out his own sword toward her, and then one of the soldiers called out "Begin!" and then all in a moment he was rushing toward her. Amelia barely had time to raise her sword before he was upon her, managing to just barely parry his thrust, and then he was pushing her back, and she had to try and push him back, but she knew he was far stronger than her. She moved to the side, jabbing towards him, knowing he'd block it easily, but it gave her time to back away a bit, regain her thoughts and try to figure out his fighting style. He was on her again like lightning, and Amelia jumped back, parrying and trying to thrust as well, but he gave her almost no holes in his guard to do so, and she grit her teeth, trying to remember the footwork and things she'd been taught, but then Arthur lunged faster and knocked her across the chest, her breath rushing from her chest as she landed on the ground heavily. She could hear the others laughing, and Arthur watching her, and she felt like a fool, how could she have thought she could do this?

But then she saw him relax his leg and loosen his grip on his blade, just a bit, and she darted forward as fast as she could, successfully knocking the sword from his hand and pushing him onto the ground, a few blonde curls escaping the ribbon she'd used to tie them back, slipping down to frame her face as she panted heavily, sword pointed to his chest.

"D-do you…submit, sire?" she said, and she saw his eyes light up in good humour for the first time since that day, and he nodded, raising his hands above his head.

"I do indeed, Jones. Good show, you have passed."

Amelia's cerulean eyes widened, and then a grin burst onto her face in relief and she nodded, flushing as she moved off him, offering her hand to him.

"I'm so sorry, your majesty, that was rude!"

"Oh, no, it's no trouble; you did win, after all." Arthur said, chuckling, and she was surprised when he accepted her proffered hand and she pulled him up to his feet, Arthur brushing off his armour a bit and smiling at her.

"Congratulations, Alfred." He said, patting her shoulder and squeezing it, leaning in and whispering. "Meet me after this is over, Miss Jones, I would like to speak with you."

Amelia froze, opening her mouth to speak, but Arthur was already moving on. She made her way back to the outer circle with the other's. The entire rest of the time, as they were either accepted or turned down, she was panicking, trying to figure out what to do, if Arthur had noticed than what did he want with her, was he going to lock her away? But no, he'd said she had passed, and as far as she knew he hadn't alerted anyone else to her situation, still she couldn't help but fret. Finally when everything was decided and they were sent on their way to either bring news home of defeat or victory, Amelia stuck to the back, thinking to just sneak out but knowing better than to defy an order from the Prince when she was already possibly in trouble. Arthur walked back over to her, nodding towards the castle.

"Come with me, I will find a more private place for us to speak. Do not worry, I will allow you to return home, I'm sure they are quite worried for you, your family."

"Ah, well, yes, your Majesty." Amelia said, nodding, following him inside, trying to ignore the rapid beat of her heart, the lump lodged in her throat as he led her down the gilded halls. She'd never been inside the Palace, and to be in there at the Prince's invitation was something she would never have even believed possible. But here she was, being ushered into the Prince's private chambers, and suddenly a new fear blossomed.

"Rest assured, Miss Jones, your secret is safe with me, and I did not bring you here for any disgraceful things." Arthur said, assuaging those fears before they even grew too big, and she sighed a bit in relief, looking at him as he started to remove his armour.

"Then why did you bring me here, your highness? Begging your pardon, I'm just a bit confused, if you found me out why let me in?"

"To be perfectly honest, Miss-what's your first name, I feel silly calling you 'Alfred'." Arthur said, looking at her, an amused smile on his face. "You were the only one who showed any real courage, or spunk, out of those I saw today. You also came here, in the guise of a boy, which made me curious-why would you do such a thing, knowing you might be caught?"

"Oh, well, I…my name's Amelia." Amelia looked down, fidgeting with the edge of the tunic she was wearing, one of her brother's. "I did it because they knew there was a child of age in our family, but my brother is unwell, your highness, and if he were drafted to the army I feared for him. I only did this to protect him, so please, don't turn me in, I'm begging you."

"Calm down, Miss Amelia, I'm not turning you in-and you can call me Arthur, all the formality should be reserved for my father." Arthur said, reaching over and squeezing her shoulder. "I understand why you did such a thing, you are a good sister, to go to such lengths to protect him, even knowing the consequences."

Amelia just shrugged, keeping her gaze down, still trying to puzzle over what he wanted from her, he was praising her and smiling at her and she was quite flustered at this point, not sure what to say.

"All I wanted was to keep him safe. He's my brother, and I knew I had a better chance if I really was sent to fight." She said softly, looking up at him finally. "How did you know? No one else suspected a thing."

"The way you fought-it reminded me of my sister. Women always fight more cautiously, and almost a bit sneaky, if I do say so, and your features are far too fair to be a boy who isn't of more noble descent. No one else would think it, but when you looked at me I knew-that and your hair, it is a bit long for a boy's." Arthur chuckled, reaching up to tug gently on one of the blonde curls that had fallen from the ribbon's hold. Amelia found herself blushing, averting her gaze again.

"Oh…well, I just didn't think anyone would figure it out, I mean I was worried but I thought I would be alright, that I would just make it in and it would be okay."

Arthur raised an eyebrow curiously, letting his hand rest on her cheek, one corner of his mouth quirking up in amusement.

"And how did you plan on hiding yourself from all the other recruits? You do know that you sleep in rooms altogether, don't you?"

"Yeah, I…I didn't know what I was going to about that." Amelia admitted, flushing more, and Arthur just chuckled, shaking his head.

"Well, that simply wouldn't do-which is part of why I asked you here. I have a way, that you wouldn't have to worry about such a thing."

"And what's that?" Amelia asked, watching him curiously, and Arthur just smiled, stepping back a bit, letting his hand fall back down to his side.

"Well, I am in current need of a personal guard-it's an army position, and you would be paid well."

"Huh? I mean…wait, you want me to be your guard? Wouldn't I get caught more easily?" Amelia said doubtfully, and Arthur shook his head.

"No, because you wouldn't need to really hide at all-I'm allowed to appoint whoever I wish as my guard. My father might be opposed to my appointing a woman as my guard, but frankly there's no one else I would trust to do a job, but you are quite obviously loyal enough to go to such means to protect your family. You don't have to accept." He added, smiling at her and squeezing her shoulder again. "But I would be honoured to have you here, Amelia."

Amelia looked at him, opening and closing her mouth several times before she shut it altogether, trying to think of what to say, it was more than she could ever have hoped for and yet she was hesitant. Her, the Prince's personal guard? Her father would be proud of such a position if she were Matthew, if she were a boy in which the position would not cause uproar and possible shame to their family. She looked at Arthur, and then back down at herself, trying to decide what to do-the chance to earn money would be nice, she could treat her father and brother and such, and possibly occasionally spoil herself too, but it was risky, being a female knight was rare and all the stories she heard they weren't well respected.

"I…I would like to accept, sir-Arthur, I really would, but I…I…" She took a deep breath, and then her mouth spoke the words her brain wouldn't entirely let out. "I would be delighted to serve you, Arthur."

Arthur smiled, taking her hand and kissing it, looking up at her as he let it fall again.

"I'm pleased to hear that. Now come alone, we must get you outfitted-and perhaps fix up your hair-before we send you home. We'll present you to my father tomorrow, bring your sword and such, of course-and relax." He added, chuckling at Amelia's panicked expression, kissing both her cheeks in a polite way. "You'll do just fine."