A Secret Hideaway

Talia ran to the edge of the shore, between the pillars, sat down and watched the stars. She had managed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the moon market, just as the traveling gypsies began to perform and distract Sierra, the head maid of the palace from seeing her slip away. 

She sighed deeply, letting the fresh air suround her and the waves crash toward her feet. The Ruins were a forbidden place, but something had always drawn her here, to this very spot, where the palace was smaller than her fist, and the atmosphere was warm, peaceful and magical. The great structure of the ancient city towered above her, reminding her that she wasn't the only person who set foot here. When she could, Talia would make up stories of the people and how the Moonstone capital came to be, long before it was destroyed. The real reason for these ruins was a mystery, long before she was born, the stories of  hauntings, starnge happenings and the spectors people saw from the pillars kept people from exploring the area. But she wasn't afraid, in fact she belonged here. She just knew it. From the beautiful view to the stories of magic and mystery, the Ruins had become Talia's secret hideaway. She let the ring of flowers drop into the water, and watched it float away. Every time Talia came to this spot, she dreamed of living a life among the ruined garden, soft beach sand and the towering pillars of the capital. 

The Lion

Stella watched the night sky from the rocky cliff, only a few miles from the kingdom. The moon was full, and its light reflected on the water behind hazy clouds surrounded by stars.

"Why are you here, your highness?"

Stella turned and saw a great big lion, wearing a collar with the kingdom's colors on it walking toward her. 

"Leo!" she smiled. The lion had always been her best friend and guardian, since she could remember.

He walked up to her, and she stroked his mane. 

"You know the king and queen don't want you out here at night." Leo said, staring right at her.

Stella laughed and stared back at his crystal blue eyes. 

"They know I won't go far." She said, scratching under the lion's chin. "Besides, Luna knows where I am."

"It was Luna who told me where you were." the lion said sternly. "You know that you must be careful." Stella could see the entire kingdom. The starlit stream, and the Yue forest. 

She sighed. "It's only for a little while." She stared at the sky and turned away from him. 

"Look at the stars Leo." Stella said. Leo stood behind her and she reached up to scratch his chin again. 

"Each star is far away, but we can admire them from here, just outside the palace."

As she said this, the night sparks came out, one by one, and danced through the sky, mimicking the stars.

"The stars guide us" Leo said, and Stella could hear the smile in his voice. "As long as we protect the Lunar Kingdom, The Stellar Alliance will remain a peaceful cluster of stars and moons."

"But our visitors today. . . " Stella said. She remembered the cold eyes and strange customs of the Dark Lunar guests. Although they announced that they wanted to join the Alliance, Stella didn't like the look in their eyes. The gaunt looking king and queen and their servants didn't comfort Stella as her sister Luna, prepared to run the kingdom on her own. 

"Leo," Stella said, "Do you believe my sister will make a great queen?"

"Of course." Leo answered without hesitation.

"We'll have to protect her if something happens." Stella said, her thoughts drifting to the dinner party earlier that evening, and the warning bells ringing in her head.

"I will always be there for your sister," Leo said, "and I'll always protect you Stella."

Stella smiled and watched the night sparks follow the river through the Yue forest. 

"Thanks Leo." she whispered, "I'll protect you too."

Inspirational Prompt

http://www.kagayastudio.com/english/celes_e/crystal_e.html
This was inspired by Crystal Evening by Kagaya.

She stares at the star streaking through the night sky. The moon shines on the water while the tide barley brushes the shore. She sees the temple out of the corner of her eye and pretends that no one is there waiting for her to make a decision. Her ceremonial tiara of moon flowers floats in the distance as she allows the responsibility to float further from her mind. This was her favorite spot, between the crowded city and the vacant ruins. It was a sanctuary. Here she could watch the moon rise and set as the city glowed in the background. The milky way would look on as she took shelter behind the mossy rocks and pillars of the old moon temple. The pearly white sand helped clear her mind as she reclined among the beach and took it all in. By daylight she would be back at her duties, carrying flowers for visitors, working on the decorations and performing the daily tasks of the temple. For now, she would savor the moment and find the time to just be. Sometimes all she needed was a simple, peaceful place to meditate.