Evangelyne was resting on her bed in her room in the Sadida kingdom, allowing her mind to drift. This had been her room since she was a young girl, first appointed to guard Amelia, the young princess. Although she had grown into a young woman nothing seemed to have changed around the room. This was still the same bed, the same closet by its side to hold her few changes of clothes, and a comfortable brightly patterned rug on the wooden floor. This room, although scarcely furnished, had been her relaxing haven for over ten years now. It had been like an extra gift from the Cra god himself, as had her new role in life as a bodyguard – to the Sadida Princess, no less. Although very spoilt, the princess could be likable at times, and as both of them had been of a similar age, they had the whole forest to play in.

Life was not always this way, of course, for the young Evangelyne. She was born into a family of 10, all boys except herself and younger sister, Trinity, and felt somehow less loved than her brothers. They always had new bows, new clothes and spent a great deal of time with their father, training. She was not encouraged to learn to use a bow, her mother preferred her to help with the household chores and sister, to learn to cook and clean up after the men folk. She slept apart from her brothers as was expected, and from an early age preferred to sleep outside on the grass under the shady trees behind their small shack. She rose with the sun, collected food and fetched wood for the cooking fire before waking her father and brothers. Her mother would join her in the kitchen to make the fire and cook for them all, and they would eat after the men folk left. Of course, the men had huge appetites and ate most of the food she had gathered. She learned to keep a little back for her mother, Trinity and herself to eat, hiding her stash in a tree hollow. After chores were complete, Eva had time to herself. Her mother had little time to teach her feminine skills, so she learned to copy her brothers in their activities.

The work eventually took its toll on her mother, who fell ill. Exhausted by bearing yet another child and with caring for 10 children, she lay weak and frail on her bed. Eva tended to her the best she could, but it was not enough. Eva held her hand for a long time before her father shooed her away. Although a healer had been sent for, her mother died. Eva sobbed heartbroken in her tree. No one came for her, to bother her. Everyone else was busy with matters after a death, arranging homes for the boys and Trinity, jobs for the eldest, dividing the family – for the best, she was later told. Trinity was easily rehomed; as a charming two-year old, who could resist? No one wanted an older girl, and their father didn't want to care for her. His grief was immense and unbearable; he did not wish to inflict that on this children.

Eva's father knew someone in the King's Guards and was discussing his problem regarding his eldest daughter with him over a beer – that was when the guard offered a possible solution. The King had decided that as Princess Amelia had now discovered her powers, and liked to wander in the forest, she really required a guard to watch over her. Amelia didn't like any of the guards, they were too old and bossy – don't do that, don't do this, too dangerous, too dirty, too much work. She had pouted and sulked and shouted – a lot. She wanted a girl guard, and why not? The King was perplexed – how would he find such a person? All the guards were men, after all. Eva's father agreed to allow the guard to mention his situation to the King, and waited for the reply.

The King was surprised by the suggestion, and discussed the matter with the Queen. She persuaded him to give Evangelyne a trial. At least the child would have a home, even if she were unsuccessful, she thought. She was certain a young girl could charm her way into one of the guard's families, particularly if she was anything like their darling daughter. A few days later, a shy, quiet girl arrived at the castle gates with her father. Eva was scared at the prospect of meeting the King and Queen and hoped she would present herself properly. Her father had warned her to be on her best behaviour and to make a good impression, for he would be leaving her in the care of the Sadidas regardless. Eva had not needed to worry – the King and Queen were enchanted by her, and took her to meet their daughter, Amelia.

Amelia squealed with delight at her new bodyguard, hugging her father. Eva was not so sure. Although the King and Queen were kind enough, Amelia was a huge responsibility. Keeping the young princess out of trouble and in sight taxed Eva's abilities to the limit. Within a month, Eva had settled into her new routine and although she missed her family dearly, she soon learned to push her memories away. Amelia taught her to read and write in return for swimming instruction. Eva soon developed a thirst for knowledge that the King encouraged. He arranged archery lessons so she could increase her Cra skills, approved her access to his dragoturkey stables to learn to ride, and had Amelia's tutor include Eva in his children's lessons. She smiled as she remembered teaching Amelia to swim in the river, climb trees, swing on vines and play "dodge-the-brother" with Amand. Amand was so serious, the exact opposite of the impulsive Amelia, and who frowned constantly at their childish games, admonishing the young Cra for teaching the young princess tomboy antics. The King and Queen hardly seemed to mind, and treated Evangelyne as another daughter within their household, encouraging Amelia to teach her new bodyguard social graces, dignity and respect to allow her to fit in with her new family. Eva vowed to be a perfectionist in all she did.

Within a short time, the girls developed a bond deeper than friendship; they both relied on each other, although neither would admit it. At times both girls would argue and treat each other to scorn about their lifestyles, both were hot-headed and prone to flares of temper; Amelia because she failed to make her bodyguard more feminine, and Eva because she failed to make the princess less demanding and more responsible for herself.

Eva sighed…. It was true she suffered fools badly. Cra knows Amelia was bad enough at times, and when that Iop was around, she had twice the irritation. Despite this, she had to admit she loved them both, despite their stupidity. She smiled tenderly as the thought of Tristepin entered her head and pulled her mind back into focus. She crossed to the window parting the vines to gaze across the forest. The air was warm, the forest canopy unruffled. A few birds flew among the leaves seeking insects to eat. Everything seemed mellow today giving her a rare chance to relax and reflect on her life. She crossed to her closet and removed her journal. Sitting on the bed, she flicked through the pages slowly. This journal was almost the story of her life since she arrived at the castle. As she learned to write, she made a record of important happenings each week. Learning to read, write, ride and handle a bow – it was all in there. Amelia and "that dress" … haha, yes she remembered. She said Amelia looked like a gobball in it, and everyone called her Princess Gobball for a week. How that annoyed Amelia! No, Eva wasn't sorry. Although she had yet to learn social graces (lying), it had at least bought Amelia down to earth a little for a short time.

She continued leafing through the book, stopping every so often to remember the past. Like the Queen's illness and her death, Amelia's sorrow and helping her deal with her distress. Eva was upset too, but managed to keep her feelings under control while she helped the princess's heart heal. Every night Eva would return to her room and sob quietly, as she remembered the Queen's kindness.

"Amelia, you're not the only one to lose a mother," she had written in her book, "but I feel as if I've lost two". It seemed harsh now, but her journal kept her sanity at times, and she kept her secrets safe from prying eyes. This was not easy, as Amelia liked to try to control her bodyguard. Eva made it hard for her anyway, but Amelia liked to pry, and show some control sometimes, for Eva's private thoughts always seemed a mystery to the Princess. Eva had become confident, content with her life now, and seldom wrote much in the journal for a few years.

Sneaking out of the castle with Amelia following some whimsical dream of the princess was in there, although she kept the main reason she had agreed to accompany Amelia to herself. For a few months now, Amand had tried courting Eva, but if she was honest with herself, Eva really didn't like Amand too much. She was serious enough without adding more gloom in her life. Accompanying Amelia would give her time to think. Meeting Yugo, Ruel and Tristepan had been an entry for sure. Yugo was sweet, Ruel was…. Well, just Ruel, a grumpy old man, but had a heart of gold when he allowed it to show. A reluctant adventurer, just like herself, although she felt she had to look and care for them all at times. As for Tristepin … he was just a typical stupid Iop at first. She tolerated his presence as the rest seemed taken with him, but he was just another irritation in her life.

After a while, she began to see him differently. A buffoon at times, he kept the atmosphere light with his antics, but was always alert for danger like her, and quick to react also. He considered himself as a protector of the little band, putting himself between the danger and the rest. He wanted to be a hero - she hoped he'd live that long. Of course, there was the battle with Nox, which certified him for entry into Hero legends. After saving them all, Pinpin died in her arms… or rather disappeared, along with his sword with that annoying Shushu. She was more than heart-broken after that. That hurt much more than losing her mother or the Queen, or even when he broke her bow when possessed by Rubilax… Could it be that she loved him?

For months, she kept sensing him around, hearing him talk to her, seeing shadows that looked like him, hearing him plead with her to find him, save him, free him…. and she did. She found him by herself, although rescuing him needed some extra help. She caught him when Rubilax released possession of him, and held him close to her to confirm to her heart that he was indeed solid and alive, and in her arms. Yes, she agreed with her account of that, and the sentiment was confirmed… Yes, she was positive she loved him. There was no doubt that he had come to love her, he had been flirting for months, and she had been brushing him aside, rather brutally. But then, she was still unsure of her feelings for Amand. And now? She had had to tell Amand, of course. He questioned her sanity, but her heart was quite set on Tristepin and Amand knew he'd lost her. True, the fight between them had really been over her, although neither acknowledged that fact, but she knew it in her heart. Not that the outcome made any difference to her decision. Her heart had already decided for her long before that fight even began.

Her biggest difficulty now was being together with him without interruptions or prying from Amelia. It was doubtful if she was jealous, but doubtless just used to having Eva by her side whenever she needed her. Time to grow up a little, princess, Eva thought. Adventures are fine, but sometimes I'd like some quiet, special times for myself where no one needs me to protect them.

She put away her journal, and thought of Tristepin. She could hear his voice outside, near her window. He was boasting to the Sadida children who were idolising him once again. She rolled her eyes and tutted. That ego would take some beating down, but beneath it, he was soft and gentle and shy. She wondered about his past – she knew very little about him, really. He talked about his recent heroics, but nothing regarding his past, just like herself. Perhaps it could be time to confide in each other to develop the trust between them. She knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him… it would never be dull. She stood up and smoothed her hair and clothes… time to find her lover and a very quiet, secluded place.