Disclaimer: Twilight isn't mine

Chapter One

Prince Edward leaned on his elbow as he watched the rain slooshing against his window. No riding, swimming, or running could be done that day. He sighed.

Prince Edward Masen, of the Masens of Denmark, was 17. Unlike other young royalty he was unmarried. Not for lack of women, but lack of interesting women. No one believed that the prince would ever find a girl that met his standards.

The prince of Denmark was 6'2", towering over his peers. He had emerald eyes that shone when he laughed – which was rare. His copper hair was always tousled beneath his silver circlet of a crown. He was always told that he was handsome, but he didn't care. He hadn't done anything to be handsome. He wanted to be looked up to for something that he had achieved.

Edward Masen was serious about everything he did. He was also competitive. Those two characteristics mad him excel in everything that he did – from books to athletics. One of the only things that relaxed him was sitting in a tree within the courtyard. He could watch what was going on, but wouldn't have to deal with tedious conversation.

Days later on a warm summer evening, Edward was reading a book whilst sitting in a tree. His parents believed him sick and excused him from one of the royal feasts. So there he was, as it got dark. He closed his book when he could no longer see the words on the page. Instead, he just sat. As the courtyard was enveloped in darkness, he realized that it was deserted.

Suddenly a shape separated itself from the shadow of a hedge. It ran until it had reached the tree that he was sitting in.

He barely breathed as he realized who the man in black probably was…a thief. Apparently they had gotten past the guards on patrol.

Anger boiled up inside of Edward. How dare they think of stealing from the royal family? Why steal from the people who took care of the land honorably?

The prince decided to catch this dishonest man. He drew his sword and swung down from the tree.

"Thievery doesn't go unpunished," he growled, his voice deadly, "I despise thieves, so you do not stand well in my favor." He held his sword higher.

The thief wasted no time in speaking. Immediately he fell to the ground and kicked Edward's feet out from under him. Now the prince was looking up at the outline of the man who had knocked him down.

A girl's voice came out of the black shape. "Do I look like I care who you like?" she asked in a mocking tone. She bowed. "Hail, Prince Edward."

Edward didn't speak.

"I don't want anyone following me, you must understand," she continued in a sickly sweet voice, "Dreadfully sorry." She reached over to a staff that he hadn't noticed earlier that was leaning against the tree.

He saw her swing…then all went black.

The thief, Isabella Swan, sighed as she crept towards the palace. She hated hurting anyone. She felt bad about the massive headache that would greet the prince when he awoke.

Isabella laughed to herself when she thought of the prince's attitude. He had seemed so sure of himself. He definitely hadn't expected to be knocked down. He didn't even get to use his sword.

Why was he in a tree, anyway? She thought that the prince was an odd one.

Isabella had done her homework. She knew that the nobles would be occupied with the royal feast. The feast would draw most of the guards' attention. All that she had had to do was avoid the guards on patrol duty of the outer wall.

Like a shadow, Isabella made her way to the royal kitchens. It was late enough that the cooks wouldn't be busy with the feast. The nobles had already eaten and, she assumed, were milling about the ball room making polite conversation. When she got to the back door Isabella let herself in with a key attached to a chain around her neck.

A large woman was sitting at a high table in the middle of the large room.

"Good evening, child," she greeted in the scratchy voice of old age.

"Maud." Isabella nodded towards the old woman.

Maud bustled over to another table against the wall opposite of the door leading outside. From beneath it she retrieved a platter full of food. Isabella looked at it and laughed.

"You would think that they would stop throwing feasts if they knew that nobles were too polite to eat in public," Maud grinned with a hint of humor in her faded blue eyes.

Isabella took the tray and dumped the contents into a bag that she had brought with her. She looked up to see Maud eying her clothing.

"Isabella, young ladies should not be scampering around in mens' clothes."

Isabella only smiled. "Well I can hardly be expected to climb a wall that is easily three times as tall as I am in a dress, now can I? Besides, as much as I would love to wear the man outfit more often, I only wear it on our little meetings."

The cook sighed. "How is your mother's health?" she asked, changing the subject.

Isabella's expression darkened. "No better. I am watching her energy being drained by sickness, but can do nothing." She took a deep breath to calm herself. "I just hope my siblings don't become ill."

"Shouldn't you be worried about yourself, Isabella?" Maud asked in a gentle voice.

"I am strong. Even if I attract the illness I will not die from it," Isabella said with certainty, "but I do not know about Mother."

Maud placed her hands on Isabella's thin shoulders. "Your mother is strong, too," she said reassuringly, "I know that she will heal."

"I hope so."

"I can feel it in these old bones." Maud patted Isabella's arm affectionately.

Isabella smiled. She then glanced at the door. "I best be going. I bid you a fond farewell." She bowed like a man and stepped into the night.

Maud shook her head and laughed at Isabella's antics as she heard a twinkling laugh from the night.

Author's Note: Okay, so I came back and changed a bit. Nothing much, but I wrote this really fast and somehow managed to leave a few sentences out. I really should read over my stuff. Anyway, read, enjoy, and review!