The next day, Samantha followed a woman, who didn't share her name, to another building. Like the others, it was made of wood and was structured the same way, except the interior. Unlike the castle, the kitchen was located it's own building.

"Your job will be to cook and washing dishes for today," the woman said as she pointed to a stack of dishes off to the side of a large washing areas.

Samantha pressed her lips together in thought. Finally after some consideration, she asked, "And if I don't?"

"Then you don't eat." The woman turned to look at her.

She looked down at the ground debating what she should do. She could starve herself. That would save her from a life of slavery, but it would be a slow way to die.

As if reading her thoughts, the woman turned away from her. "We don't care if you starve yourself around here. The easier thing would be to just do what we ask."

"Why should I?" she shot back.

"Let her go without food for a few days," the voice of Tristan came.

She glared at him briefly before averting her gaze to the dishes. She didn't want to do what he said nor did she want to starve.

A cheerful child like voice filled her ears. "Hi again Miss. Princess."

Looking down, Samantha saw the little girl from last night standing there looking up into her face.

"I get to help you today," she climbed onto a bucket that was flipped over.

"Help me?" Samantha arched an eyebrow. She moved closer to the sink area.

She nodded her head yes. "My name is Gracie. What's yours?"

"Samantha."

"Ok Samantha. Let's get these dishes cleaned," she said in a cheerful voice.

Samantha went to pick up a dish. When she looked back over at where her captor was, she found that he was gone.

They washed and dried dishes until the dish pile was no longer there. Once she turned off the water, she looked at Gracie. The little girl reminded her of herself a little in the way she was always eager to help.

"Hey, want to go to the water hole. There's an area where we can bathe and play now that we are done with our chores for today."

"But I don't have anything to wear..." She looked down at the dirty dress.

"I can get you some clothes. Just follow me!" She took her hand, pulling her along.

"Hold on -- wait a minute!" she exclaimed as she was jerked forward.

They came to another house like structure. Small children played tag while an older woman watched them from a chair. Gracie pulled her pass the elderly woman and right into the house. They entered a room in the back. Upon stepping inside, Samantha saw piles and piles of clothes on the floor.

"This is where they keep a bunch of clothes for us to wear. Just pick something you like." Gracie released her hand.

Samantha frowned as she slowly turned her gaze to the little girl. "Wearing other people's clothes, I don't think so."

"There's clean if that's what the problem is." Gracie walked forward, picking up the first piece of clothing.

"No, it just--"

Tossing articles of clothes after clothes, she searched through the pile. "Hurry, hurry and pick out a dress!"

"Ok just let me look." The princess moved forward and begin going through a pile of clothes.

"I'll help." Gracie moved to another pile to look for something.

They look for something to wear for a good fifteen minutes. Before Gracie stood up with a pale blue dress in her hands.

"This one is really pretty. You should wear it."

"It looks better than what I found" Samantha held up a worn shirt with holes in it.

"Yay! Come on. Let's go."

They made they way out of the house with Samantha's now new dress in hand. Going out toward the back where a wall of water came crashing down into a pond, they moved toward a bushy area. It was separated from the rest of the forest. Huge boulders acted as a barrier to keep passbyers from looking.

The two girls moved behind the bushy. They began to take off their clothes. Samantha was a little embarrassed to take her clothes off outside, but she needed a bath.

Samantha was standing near the water edges she looked down into the water. Wondering how cold it could be, she slipped a toe into the water.

It's not as cold as I thought.

She started to stick her whole foot in when she heard the running of little feet. Before she could turn around, she was shoved forward into the body of water.

Coming up, she fixed Gracie with a glare. "Hey you little stinker!"

Gracie jump in a few seconds later, splashing her with water. The two started a water fight where they would splashed each other with water. The water fight ended as quick as it started. The two moved to the edge. Samantha leaned back against the edge whole Gracie folded her arms on top of the grass there.

"So why'd you give me that journal?" Samantha asked after a few minutes had passed.

"She said a kind act will bring good fortunate."

"What does that mean?"

"Well I had that journal for a long time because I was saving it for someone special because Mama gave it to me because I was special."

"Oh I understand." She began to squeeze the water from her long, brown hair. "Your mama was teaching you about kindness."

It was a similar lesson taught to her by Mrs. Plum. She had been given a loaf of bread by the maid and was asked to share it with someone. And so, she gave her bread to an orphan boy that was wandering the street at the time.

"I lose my mama awhile back. The bad men came and took her away from me," said Gracie after some more time had passed. There was a sadness in her voice.

"Oh Gracie, I'm so sorry."

She shook her head, a small smile on her face. "She told me to not cry. To be kind and true." She was quiet for a few minutes. "I miss her a lot sometimes."

They were silent for a few minutes. Neither one knowing what to say. Then Samantha decided to break the silence with one of her own truths. "I never knew my mother."

"Huh?" She looked up at the princess with wide eyes.

"It's true. My mother died giving life to me."

"She died?"

"Yes. Many times I wonder what she was like. I've even dreamed of her sometimes."

Gracie's head tilted to the side in wonder.

"Like you she gave me something of hers." She reached over to her clothes and took a wad of white cloth from under her clothes. "This was my mother's. I can't give it to you, but I want to show you."

Gracie's bottom lip dropped open a little. She moved closer to Samantha and peeked over at the item she was unwrapping.

"You're the only person I've shown this to." She unwrapped a beautiful pendant that was embedded with sapphires and emeralds.

"It's pretty."

"It's old you mean, but it's all I have of her." She rewrapped the pendant and returned it to under her clothes.

"You know we're alike." Gracie turned around in the water.

"I guess you're right. Should we get out now?"

"Mm-hm."

They climbed out and put on their clothes. She picked up her old dress and together they walked from behind the bushed and through the boulders.

As they walked, Samantha looked down at the little girl. She was everything good. So why did these bad people take her mother away? Who were these bad men? Gracie eyes lit up upon seeing someone. Samantha gaze followed the direction in which the little girl took off running in. Seeing Gracie run right into the arms of her captor, a frown appeared on her face as she slowly approach them. Stopping a few feet from the two she watched them interact.

"Where have you been Gracie?" Tristan lifted her up into his arm.

"Me and Samantha were taking a bath. She's a nice person."

Tristan looked over at the princess. "I see. Did you finish your chores?"

"Mm-hm."

"Then you should go play."

"Ok Tristan."

She leaped out of his arm. Tristan watched her run back over to the princess, who stood by watching. 

"Come on Sammie. Let's go!"

"Where are we going?" Samantha asked as she was pulled once more.

"You'll see when you get there silly."

They spend the rest of the day walking around the bandit community. By the time, Samantha returned to her room she was exhausted from the day's activities.

Climbing into bed, she rested shifted until she was all the way on the bed. Her eyes closed as soon as her head touched the pillow. For just one day, she forgot about being kidnapped. She forgot about all the anger and sadness she felt. She forgot about everything.