This is a small prompt for TCAwards :-) The prompt was using two of three words (chocolate, socks, pillow) and the theme was Royalty. I hope you will enjoy.

Life Sucks! Especially if you are a princess, and everybody is jumping around you, making sure you are looking perfect. I felt like some doll meant to decorate the throne room. I really hated it, so one day I ran from my home with chocolate (for snacking), pillow (for sleeping), and an extra pair of socks (to keep my feet warm).

As I entered the deep forest, I kept looking around. It was full of new things. I have heard about most of them from my teachers. However, seeing them with my own eyes was exciting. I was so immersed in my discoveries I forgot to pay attention to my surroundings and ventured deeper. When I noticed it, the forest got darker and scarier. I felt small, smaller then a normal nine-year-old girl should.

'Okay, Leona, you can do this,' I reminded myself, clenching my tiny fists. I checked my backpack and was relieved I hadn't lost my pillow and warm socks my nun knitted for me.

From above I heard thunder. "Uh oh, I better find some shelter," I mumbled and continued forward.

Thankfully, I reached an old house. It was half in ruins, but it seemed the roof was still providing some cover. I entered, closing the creaking door behind me. It made me shiver. Once I was inside the heavy rain started to beat the ground and one lighting after another lighted up the sky.

I never liked thunderstorms. They were scary and so loud, so I ventured deeper into the house. I was trying to find a place that would allow me to sleep in peace. With each flash, I shook scared of the moving shadows.

I never realized how lucky I was in the castle. There were servants, cooks, and maids to keep my stomach full, dressed in pretty clothes, and locked in the golden cage. At this moment I was scared, lonely, and hungry. My dress turned dirty and torn, not to mention my legs were tired. However, I was happy.

For the first time in my life, I felt something. It was like I was becoming me, the true me that was hidden all the time. Maybe this wasn't what was I feeling, but it was better than feeling dull and emotionless like before.

I think I could be glad about it too. My parents made sure I kept my emotions hidden. I never smiled or showed anger. They would always beat me if I did that. This "training" allowed me to leave my home without any problems, as I yet had to feel remorse.

I shook my head. The search for a nice place to sleep had top priority now. I walked toward the second floor, searching one room after another. All of them were dirty, full of broken furniture, or glass. Some had beds, but those were covered by spider webs.

I didn't exactly hate spiders, I actually liked to watch them. However, getting covered in their webs was another thing. It was sticky, so when I found a room filled with webs, I turned away with a stone face.

My legs were killing me when I reached the attic. The ladder was covered with a thick layer of dust. I carefully stepped on it, moving up. I was adamant about staying in the attic as all rooms were dirty unless there was leaking water. My chances for it were low, however, it wouldn't hurt to try. The thunderstorm outside calmed down a bit, but the sky was still crossed by thunders.

I pushed the trap-door open, glancing some paper was put over it. I ignored it, moving inside. The room was dark and white at the same time. It was a strange combination, yet I knew this white wasn't made by blankets but spider webs. Why? Because I plastered one right into my face.

That was sure an awesome way how to make an entrance. I sacrificed my tissue to wipe my face clean, but I was sure some stayed in my hair. On a strange impulse, I turned around seeing face to face to eight glowing orbs.

In front of me was the biggest spider world had ever known. Its mandibles were open in anticipation, and its eight red eyes were staring at me. I noticed a big body behind the head. I eyed this creature before saying, "Hello, mister Fluffy Spider, did I disturb you?"

The enormous insect remained silent. I wondered if spiders would be capable of making sounds at all.

"I'm really sorry, I was merely looking for a place to sleep tonight. You see..." I proceeded in telling it my whole life story. When I finished, the spider was fast asleep. I wasn't sure if I should be angry or happy for being such good night storyteller.

However, in any case, I had found the perfect bed. I tugged near it, feeling its body heat warming up my tired body. I put on my warm socks and laid down on my pillow. I was too sleepy to eat my chocolate.

I wriggled in my sleep as I was slowly leaving the land of dreams. When I finally open my eyes, it was only because my forehead was tapped a multiple times. I winked, seeing a white room all around me.

Wait, no, it was full of webs. I manage to yawn, almost dislocating my jaw in the process, and with more stretching, I got up on all fours. After rubbing my eyes, I saw a big spider head was turned my way.

"Good morning, Mister Fluffy Spider. Had you nice dreams?" I asked like this creature wasn't dangerous, big, ugly, or... anything else any normal human would call it. I guess I'm just not an average person.

The spider monster got up and left through the open trapdoor.

"Where are you going?" I asked, following it down.

It stopped in front of the main door.

"Can't you open it?" I'm sure many people would consider this question stupid. Of course, spiders had no hands, so they naturally couldn't open the door. I did it for it. "Here you go." I made sure to spread both wings to the fullest.

The spider monster walked out, and I watched how elegant it looked. I was always amazed how they could walk without tripping over their own legs. They had so many of them too. I tried to mimic its movements, but I soon fell on my face. My forehead hurt, but I ended up laughing.

I got up while the spider curiously watched me. I finished cleaning my knees when my stomach rumbled. "Right, I haven't eaten since yesterday." I took out chocolate from my bag, opened it, and took a row. "Would you like some too?" I offered half of it to the spider.

The creature curiously tilted its head before it returned to take a bite. Both pieces disappeared in its big mouth. It chewed it for a bit before the eight eyes shone with delight.

"You love it too!" I was happy and offered it another piece. The spider gladly accepted it, and it made a few jolly sounds. So spiders could produce sounds. That sure was interesting. "You know, Mister Fluffy Spider, I'll call you Charlotte," I said after a while.

Its face seemed awkward.

"You can call me Leona," I made a curtsy. "Let's go travel together, it will be more fun," I added. I hoped Charlotte would accept it. Walking alone was hard and lonely.

The spider only shrugged its body.

"Thank you so much!" I hugged it, feeling its, or in this case, her short hair. I wanted to pet it all day long. "Do you think I could ride on you?"

Charlotte the Spider had no problem with it, so I climbed on her back. As she walked, I had a funny feeling. She wasn't waving so much as I thought she would. I turned around and waved goodbye to the old house where I met my new friend.

"I'm so excited," I exclaimed when we reached a cliff. The open space was spreading far and wide, and the air was fresh, full of smells. "I wonder what adventures await us."

Charlotte looked at me with the top pair of eyes and winked.

"Yeah, I'm sure they will be awesome."

And so the strangest pair of travelers set on their new journey.