~~* Katherine's pov *~~

I sat in a quiet contentment sewing the night shaft that my uncle's cat had taken great pride in destroying with his little claws. The little claws tore apart the thin fabric in several large gashes before I caught the little bugger. To my left my great warrior-like uncle; lord Nottingham, sat writing invitations to his friends, patrons and supporters no doubt for a meeting or a ball. My uncle is a very great man, he went from being a humble foot soldier to being elevated to a lord by King Duncan (god rest his soul) his loyalty and bravery earned him a small fortune and now a claim to the throne. He hunches over the desk so that his nose stops merely meters away from the wet ink, his nostrils flare as he breathes in the sour smell seemingly enjoying it. He takes care as he writes and spreads the ink elegantly across the letters. I shake my head at his care, while he seems to enjoy writing and reading, I can think of nothing duller. I pull the thin thread through the fabric with small movements of my arm while the house elf holds the spool obediently, while my uncle takes great care to write his letters, I in turn take great care to mend his night shaft.

Outside my uncle's office there is a small commotion followed by the entrance of my uncle's messenger. The scrawny boy marched uneasily towards my uncle's desk. His matchstick legs struggled to support his thin panting frame as they stumbled onwards. In turn every limp jerked violently as he moved forwards until he stood before the desk.

'My lord Nottingham' he said breathlessly addressing my uncle and giving him a bow, he surprisingly managed this with grace. My uncle looked up before nodding; the messenger turned to me and gave a quick nod which I then returned. The boy could only have been fifteen, panting and coughing from running here. While catching his breath he looked around the room with small amazement. The room was small with a domed stone roof, on the wall on the left hand side was three tall windows looking out onto the courtyard while the rest of the walls where lined with bookcases filled with tattered and old books. The messenger looked towards my uncle gravely, the moonlight from the windows lining the wrinkles on his face. I watched closely from position in the corner, affairs of state were certainly not a woman's business but they certainly entertained me. My uncle looked up at the boy expectantly, his sliver eyes piercing the skeletal figure.

'Grievous tiding my lord, our spies in Farquaad's home have been discovered and arrested. We have no new news about the lord's activities. 'The messenger said quietly and without eye contact. I felt my own mouth open in disbelieve uncertain if I heard that correctly. My uncle tenses and dismisses the boy with a sudden back handed wave that sliced through the air like a knife. The sudden movement makes me wince and accidently prick myself with the needle. My eye's remain on my lord uncle, inspecting him very closely to see what he will do. He broods and looks out on to the moon filled courtyard, chewing on his lip as his thoughts race. My uncle has fought in many battles, making him a well respected and admired man in Duloc, so admired that when the good king Duncan died he was one of three men elected to run for Dukedom of Duloc. I have to admit that is impressive that a family of soldiers and peasants could rise to rule Duloc. However that is even further away now, as my uncles spies have been removed from his competition's household. Watching his dream crumble before him breaks my heart not to mention worries me. He is old and suffers pains in his chest under too much strain; this blow cannot be good for him.

"My lord uncle, if there is anything I can do to be of assistance? I will do it. Even if it means destroying that wicked Farquaad with my own hands, I will do it' I say gently from the corner of the room. My lord uncle gives me a kind smile from his strained face; while the gesture was there his eyes were blank. I walked across the room and planted a tender kiss on his balding head. His skin like almost like leather toughened by his hard life unlike Farquaad's, not that I would know. In all honesty I know nothing about this Lord Farquaad, other than I hate him for opposing my uncle. Looking back on it, it seems a bit bizarre that I hated someone for no reason other than I was expected to. My uncle took my hand and patted it, gazing up at me with that same kind smile before his face fell. "What is it lord uncle?" I ask falling to my knees at his side. Was he having another attack? Was he giving up? Was he dying? I look expectantly at the elf. It stood perfectly still, dumb, deaf and blind to anyone around it. I felt a flare of annoyance that the bloody stupid elf, if my uncle should die then the elf was to hang for it.

"There may be a way you can help..." he said quietly, avoiding all eye contact with me. Intrigued I shuffle forwards, forgetting to take care with my skirts. He moves towards his desk and hands me a piece of paper and a pot of ink. I sneered at the very thought of writing but made no effort to upset him and obediently awaited further instruction. He flashed that smile at me and begun again. "You will write to Farquaad. In your letter you must ask, beg if you must, to gain a wardship" My mouth fell open again as I felt tears well in my eyes again. I know my uncle was ill, but dying? My lip trembled at the very thought.

"It cannot be so! You can't die and leave me with this man!?' I sobbed miserably. My family's enemy couldn't be trusted with my life; it was madness to even think of such a thing. My uncle Nottingham gave me a disgusted, as if ashamed by my display of affection. I recoil slightly and stop the tears from leaving my eyes as he continued to look at me so loathsomely.

I'm not dying you stupid girl, I'm pretending too." He said wisely looking back towards the courtyard. I know that my face must have shown terrible confusion for when he turned back toward me he laughed. It was an ugly sound in the silent night. "If Farquaad thinks I'm dying then he will think he's won the dukedom and stop working as hard to win the votes of the people. Then I will return triumphantly and the dukedom will be mine. Understand?". I nodded mindlessly, slowly coming to terms with my uncle's deceit as the tears dried up. But then I suddenly remembered the most important part of his plan.

"And what of me?" I asked staring up at him. Had he forgotten that he was handing me to his enemy? What of my fate? What of my happiness? I looked up at him waiting for the answers. He gave another little chuckle at my expense and rose my chin up so that he could look at me properly. As uncomfortable as it was, the warmth of his hand under my chin was welcomed. He gave me a long silent expectation of my features before he let go of my chin and sat back in his chair. I in return gave him an icy look, suddenly sorry that I had ever offered my help and suddenly angry that he had used my concern for his health as a weapon to get me to do his bidding.

"You will go to the lord's household and be his ward. He will no doubt accept your plea that your "uncle maybe dying and you'll be penniless", also you're a pretty girl that will affect his judgement. Once you arrive you will kept a close eye on the lord and report back to me" My uncle said finally before turning back to his work, calmer than a few minutes ago and much more satisfied. I sat in shock before my temper got the better of me. The same fearless temper my mother shared.

"So I am to be your spy?" I spat venomously as I rose before him. He gave me a warning glance. That dangerously controlled but deadly look from those copper eyes. I rushed out of the room before I said something I would regret, I was absolutely livid but I was no fool. Should anything happen to my uncle I would inherit all his belongings and titles and I did well to remember that. Regardless of this fact, once I was in my room I exploded casting flowers from vases and books across the room. However mad I was I knew that my uncle controlled my fate. I was his spy and slave and there was nothing I could do about it.

~~*&*~~

The wind whipped my carriage as it tottered about the stony gravel road, tossing it back and forth like a bottle cast out at sea. My uncle dispatched the letter shortly after I had retired to my room and when I woke this mourning my belongings where already packed. My uncle made sure I looked my best and dressed me in a very pale blue silk dress that played against my chocolate hair and pale skin perfectly. Admittedly I am always ill; I attract illness like a flower attracts butterflies. Luckily for my uncle I was in good health for my trip (unlucky for me though). I had to travel from one side of Duloc to another. Against better judgement all of the opposing lords had taken up royal residences far away from the city centre, meaning I had to travel for at least five hours to arrive at lord Farquuad's household. This did nothing for my mood, if anything it worsened. As the foul weather outside worsened I was jostled about more making me more irritable. Before long the carriage stopped suddenly and I was allowed to disembark.

I got out the carriage wearily then looked out at the household. In contrast to my uncle small manor, Farquuad had claimed the seemingly biggest castle outside of Duloc city centre. The castle was huge and shockingly sparklingly clean, I resisted the urge to touch the stone work despite the sparkly temptation. With the help of the couchmen I was guided into the giant castle as my belongings gathered up outside. Inside the castle was as equally impressive with overly garish tapestries and paintings hanging over the walls. The only downside was the lack of light. Despite its expensive decorations it looked like a dungeon. I felt dishearten by this place, how would I make a dungeon homely? Before I had time to think I heard a merry but haughty voice ring down the hallways. I straightened myself up expecting to come face to face with this Farquaad, but then I heard the coachmen snicker.

"You won't want to do that love" one tittered behind a gloved hand. I dispelled the comment by flicking my glossy hair over my shoulder and into his face. I may have been low born but I was raised like a lady and would not be spoken to like that by a coachman. The voice came closer and closer until I seen a group of men walk towards me. They were talking about some notable people but I didn't catch most of what they were saying, I was already failing my uncle. The men stopped silent before me and I gave them collectively a deep bow. From inside the crowd I heard a noise of recognition; finally I was going to come face to face with my guardian. I moved my hair from my face so I could get a clear view of the lord, watching as the men moved and parted from the group and then I saw him. I finally saw lord Farquaad. I finally understood the jokes and the teases. I stared at his little legs, then his strangely very muscular torso and then his handsome face. By the time i had reached his face I realised it was silent in the room. Quickly I bowed deeper before the lord, feeling somehow obliged to become shorter than him. He gave another loud laugh.

"Can you believe she is related to lord Nottingham? Why he is a loud mouthed opinionated fool and this girl is a field mouse! Can you speak field mouse?" lord Farquaad asked in his upper class drawl, mocking her before his guests. I remained bowing before him, uncertain what to do and partially humiliated. I gazed up at him, fixing my emerald eyes on him as I thought of an answer. He seemed slightly unnerved by my gaze.

"Indeed I can my lord. " I answered with a smile before standing back up. Farquaad turned to his guests and made a gesture that caused them to laugh. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment as my temper rose slightly but I never let either affect my pretty face or outward appearance. I stood silently before this group of intimidating men with all the grace I could muster hoping my humiliation wouldn't take much longer.

"what can I say" Farquaad said over the laughter, smiling contently as he gathered the limelight " I could not turn this poor girl away, not when her uncle is sick" he chuckled before the group of men erupted again, laughing at my uncle's frailty. I smirked to myself, this cruel men where to get a nasty surprise soon enough. "You may go to your room now. Jane has it prepared for you. Jane!" he called amongst the laughter.

Jane was heavy set woman in her late thirties. Her wispy strawberry blonde hair was pulled back under a dirty cap with only traces of it poking out at the start of her neck. Jane waddled towards me and led me to my room while the men continued to make jokes about my family. I was humiliated by this repulsive little man. Little being the perfect word for him. He also had an air of arrogance about him that made me sneer. While I was led to my room, Jane chatted pleasantly and tried to reassure me. I had to thank her for her efforts despite not listening to most of what she was saying. After what seemed like a life time we reached my room. It was plain with only a wardrobe, mirror table and a bed but at least it had a window. I didn't care that the view was of the sudden rain and bleak valleys at least there was natural light in the room.

"You'll be alright pet. It'll become your home once your belongings are placed in here. I know it's hard at first but you'll see you'll call this place home in no time" Jane rambled on as I glided to my bed. She was a kindly woman with open features whom I immediately warmed to.

"Thank you" I said sombrely as I watched her leave the room leaving me alone in this strange place. In all my life I had never been truly alone until now. It's a daunting thought at first, to know that you are away from loved ones and even trusted people. That was worsened by the fact that my last living relative cares nothing about me. I walked toward my window looking out of the dull view, ignoring the movement of my belongs being paced in the room. I wanted to ignore everyone and ignore what was happening. I tried so hard to do that until someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around curious to see why someone was disturbing me. It was Jane.

"My lord Farquaad wishes for you to join him for dinner this evening" Jane said in her foghorn voice while trying to be quiet. I smiled faintly and nodded accepting the offer but then shuddered. I knew that it was going to take all my penitence and strength to get through this meal while out ringing his scrawny little neck.

AN: Yeah the first chap changes rest of the chaps won't i promise and also the other chaps are in more detail i had so much to get a across and i wanted to get the ocs over with cuz no one really cares about them do they? lol. R & R dudes it makes me write quicker and suggested are always welcome. Flame if you want, that's normally helpful too lol