"Alex, wait!"

I turned around, smiling smugly and crossed my arms as Erin came into view, sweating and gasping for breath. "You look quite refreshed", I said with a laugh as she stopped her I stood and knelt down, heaving.

"You run too fast", she complained frowning slightly.

"And you run too slow," I chuckled and pulled her back up. "Let's go before Alyssa gets worried".

I had been friends with Erin for four years now. She was like the twin sister I never had, kind and considerate, good humoured with a lovely voice and manner too. She had a slight temper, but that only made her who she was. Special, but not perfect.

At twelve, her raven-black hair had grown longer (she always tied it behind her and let it fall freely down her neck), and her eyes were much prettier. She was apprenticed to a seamstress in town, and we always walked home from the dress emporium together.

I had been sneaking out of the castle to see her so often I'd gotten used to it, and slipping out even with the guards wide awake wasn't a problem.

She still didn't know where I came from, but being who she was, she didn't push me too much about it. I'd have to tell her though. Someday.

"Girls!," Alyssa called from the door way where she stood with a rag in one hand and a ceramic plate in the other. "Why did it take you so long? I was worried sick. You didn't rove the woods before coming did you?", she raised an eyebrow.

Erin and I shared a glance before I replied with a cheeky grin, "To be honest, no. We just ran through them".

Alyssa smiled, shaking her head. "Come on in for tea", she said as she turned to the house. We scampered in after her, delighted.

Alyssa was Erin's Godmother, and she loved her dearly. I liked her quite well myself. She intrigued me. She was tall, looked much older than father, and had wrinkles at the corners of her eyes when she smiled, and lines of worry on her forehead even when she wasn't frowning.

Her salt-and-pepper hair was always tied in a nice neat bun, and her blue eyes shone with good humour and intelligence.

She loved her God daughter, loved having a good time and almost never scolded us. She and Erin were Protestant by faith, and she liked to sing with us when she was around. More than half their income was from growing flowers and selling them. It wasn't much, but she didn't mind.

I liked her because she was so full of love and warmth. I wished mother was like that. It seemed things only grew worse with her as I grew as well. I never felt comfortable in her company, but with Alyssa and Erin, I was always at home.

"Hurry up and finish your rye bread. I have something for you, Erin", I was pulled back to earth and turned to give Alyssa a curious glance as she grinned and left us in their tiny kitchen. Excited, we gobbled everything up as fast as possible and went up to her as she sat in what I'd call their drawing room.

"What is it, Godmother?", Erin asked, her eyes dancing merrily.

"A present", she smiled and pulled out a little smooth wooden box. "Here".

Erin took it and passed her fingers over its smooth surface in delight, hesitating as her fingers found the lid.

"Open it already!", I exclaimed, laughing.

She smiled and opened it, squealing with delight. I peered over her shoulder. Inside, there was a pretty locket with a sunflower penchant.

"Oh Godmother, it is beautiful", she breathed, pulling it out. Instantly, our faces fell. The necklace was pretty alright, but the cord which it hung on was old and at one part was hanging on by threads. It wouldn't last long at all.

Erin smiled brightly again, circling it around her neck.

"Wait!", I heard my own voice cry. I stretched out a hand. "May I?"

She nodded, puzzled, but handed it to me without a word. What was I doing? I held my breath and tried to calm my shaking hands.

Slowly, I undid the clasp of my butterfly necklace. I pulled the butterfly pendant off and slipped Erin's flower in it's place. My golden chain was embedded with vines and tiny flowers. It matched her pendant even more than it did mine.

"Oh Allie", Erin began, teary eyed.

"I want to do it", I cut in, tying the cord with my butterfly necklace around my own neck. "You deserve even better. Plus, it fits perfectly. You're like my sister Erin, and this is one of the things sisters do for each other. Sacrifice".

She sniffed, reluctantly taking back the necklace.

"I can always get a new one", I said, convincing her. She smiled, and I felt my heart warm at her happiness. Or did my necklace get warm? I wondered, touching it slightly.

When I looked up, Alyssa was looking at me, and she was smiling.

"Thank you".

I stood up with a grin, noticing that the sun had begun to set. "I have to go".

"I wish you could stay for supper", Alyssa said wistfully. I hesitated. "Maybe another time", I said, opening the door. "Good bye!", I yelled as I shut the door behind me.

When I turned round the corner and out of sight, I began to run to the castle like my life depended on it.

   Which my life outside the castle kind of did.

****Alyssa****
When I was sure Erin was asleep, I sighed with relief, followed by a giggle of excitement.

Finally.

Now I was sure. After so many years of searching. I had seen it. The butterfly pendant she was wearing glowed with energy the moment it met its cord. She had almost noticed too, but then again, she was in the dark.

I whistled, grinning as a tiny boy appeared and took my note, flying off in the distance.

After what seemed like forever (but was probably only a few minutes), a leaf slipped under my door.

I picked it, and what I read made my heart soar.

Welcome Home.

A/N.
Hello! It's been a while. I want to write as much as possible when I have time, so Royal Hybrid won't be left out of the fun either.
A little act of sacrifice can sometimes go a long way to touch another person. Show Jesus in how you relate to others! I know I'll try to! Later.
Comments are always welcome.