Meanwhile, Essa and her animal family had walked away from the castle, following a path to who knows where. The poor girl was still hurt by what she had been told. It wasn't something she could get over. What they thought about her was worse than anything she had experienced before. The look they gave her. She felt awful. She felt dirty.

She ran a hand through her hair with a gentle sighed. "I can't believe I was so foolish to even think they would agree to help me. I was too optimistic about other walking sticks. Why would anyone accept me?" She stopped and sat down on a rock, then she rested her cheek in her hand. She was feeling so down, so hurt by what had happened, it was saddening.

Shylar rubbed against Essa's legs, purring and acting like a typical kitten. "Oh Essa, I am truly sorry you have to go through this. I was so sure they would be happy that they would want to help you find your family after rescuing the prince. They are very ungrateful." She sadly spoke. She felt bad that she had to endure that.

Indigo nodded, for once he agreed with what the feline had said. "They do not act like true royals. I act more like a royal than they do. They should have been welcoming and happy you saved their son. I would never act as they had. That was uncalled for." He ruffled his feathers, just the thought of what they had done to Essa made him mad.

Essa sat down in the grass, out of view from the palace. She sighed heavily as she ran her fingers over the lush green grass. "Even if it was. They have every right to act that way. Who has ever met a girl raised on an island by animals? It is unheard of. For all people know, I'm a wild girl who has no manners nor dignity, who acts like a common animal - no offense." She knew what it looked like and how people could come to that conclusion.

Roki curled his tail around his front paws as he sat beside her. "I understand what you are meaning. You still have help from that walking stick, Jayme. He promised to help you fit in and I doubt he would ever break his promise to help you. He seems trustworthy." He could just tell that this boy would do all he could to help her.

Essa nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "I know, and if he does still help me, I am forever grateful. I can't face the others. What am I supposed to say to them? I feel humiliated by what they had said and done to me. They made me feel like I was going to wreck the wedding or something. I have no plans to have any of those feelings towards them. I don't even know what feeling feels like. I have never liked a walking stick before. I think I only feel - I am not sure, it's complicated." She huffed, pushing her hair from her face.

Misty wrapped her trunk around the girl's hand. She knew this would happen. Why would any walking sticks from civilization want to accept an island girl? "Don't listen to them, Essa, they are wrong. They don't know you as we do, and this is a sign for us to go home. Normally they would be willing, it is obvious they aren't. So, let's go back home while we can before we get attached to this strange world beyond our island." She was dead set on going back home.

Bananas looked up at Misty and crossed his arms. "Oh no, Misty, we have come too far to turn back now. Going back now with having nothing to show for would be like eating only the banana peel and not the banana inside. It would be silly. We have Jayme. He was a great walking stick. On the way here, he gave me a lot of bananas." He said, licking his lips at the fond memory.

Toki nodded, gently pecked Misty's head. He could tell she was homesick but there was something else going on with her. He couldn't quite put his wing on it. "Silly elephant. We can't go back home until we exhaust every means of finding Essa's family. She deserves to know where she came from like we all know. That is our whole reason we came here. Not to fit in and play as they do." He wanted Essa to be happy and know about her past.

Misty frowned a bit but nodded knowing she was not going to win. "You have a point. We came here to find her family. I am worried about Essa, that is all. You heard what happened. I may not have been there but I heard it from Bananas, I don't want it to happen again to her. She doesn't deserve that type of treatment." She truly cared about the island girl and only wanted the best.

Essa smiled resting her hand on the young elephant's head. "Don't be worried Misty. This is a part of life. If I have to endure it to find my family, then I will. It will make me a better and stronger person, and will only make me want to prove them wrong. Just because I grew up on an island and was raised by animals, doesn't mean I'm less than them." She had just a little bit of confidence.

Roki smiled, trotting beside the girl looking up at her. "That is a way to think about it, Essa. I am so proud of you, honestly, I couldn't be more proud. If our parents could see you now, they would be proud." He kind of felt like the father figure of the group since everyone told him he was much like his father. So he took it to heart and made sure he was that for them.

Essa looked down at the red panda, his words truly made her feel just a little bit better. She gently rubbed his head. "Thank you Roki, you always know just what to say. You remind me so much of your father. I am sure he would be proud of you. I do miss and hope to see him soon." She truly hoped that one day she could go back to her island with her birth family.

Just then, Sajuah ran up to the group, panting heavily and collapsing on the ground at Essa's feet. "Wait - please hear me out - before you decide anything." She managed to get out between panting. She was not a runner, or at least in this hot weather, just awful. She has run all the way here after meowing up a storm at Raymond and Leshay, which she was chewing out because of how they had treated her.

Essa picked up the poor cat and rested her on her lap, rubbing her head. She could tell she wasn't used to physical activity. "Sujuah, what is wrong?" She hasn't a clue why the cat ran from the palace after her. What could be so important that she needed to tell her? She had left so quickly, she had forgotten she had also seen it all play out.

Sajuah purred gently looking up at the girl. She wasn't anything like Leshay and Raymond had said. "I know you feel hurt by how they treated you. Yes, it was very wrong, and no they shouldn't be jumping to conclusions. This wedding has been in the works since the engagement, so a lot of time has gone into it. They are just worried about their image. Please don't take it to heart." She pleaded with her.

Essa nodded as she listened to her. She had never heard of being engaged, but that wasn't what got her curious about it. "Why is he engaged to a girl? His cousin said he doesn't want to marry her? I always thought that you just ask some animals and mate with them? Then you were a couple and could spend the rest of your life with them." She was very confused about everything here.

Sajuah gave an amused smile as she listened to what Essa said. "Yes, humans are very different from animals. For humans, before you start a family you are to be wed, then you two share something that no one else does. It is a common practice during this time. Commoners find love in their own time. But royalty, the king, and queen arrange a marriage for their child before they are old enough to know what love is. Just like William. They only do it for an alliance, since marriages are the best way." She explained.

Essa tilted her head to the side. That was something new to her. She had never heard of that before. It was sad in a way that you couldn't choose your love. "Really? That is so sad. No wonder he hasn't been the nicest. He didn't have a choice! I do believe Jayme told me something like that, but it was on the floating island ride here. I had forgotten about that." She admitted shyly.

Sajuah stretched her back on Essa's lap. "Let me tell you something: Princess Rosalya and Prince William are not in love. They don't even have anything in common. Not a single thing. They are more like siblings than a romantic couple. They are not in agreement with this arranged marriage, which happens in most cases. Here, you are to obey your parents no matter what, which is what they are doing. According to the laws, there is nothing they can do without both parents' permission." She explained.

Essa ran her hand down the Persian's back, being ever so gentle as she petted her. "So this is not of William's free will. He is being made to do it out of duty. Then he can't marry for love? Oh, that is awful. I can't imagine what that feels like. I hope to never experience that." She felt awful for the both of them, how could they do such horrible things.

Sajuah was glad to be answering the questions and explaining things to the island girl. "It is awful. You will never experience that unless you're royalty, which I doubt you are. Now, not all royal families agree with this common practice. However, those are very few and the majority are for it." She sadly said it was truly a sad thing. "Because of arranged marriages, many problems arise."

Essa didn't know what she meant by her words. "What type of problems?" You could have problems in a marriage? That was just odd for her to hear. She couldn't think of any problems couples like that could happen. It seemed impossible for her brain to fathom that people who were in love could have problems. Even the animals back on her island were faithful to one another.

Sajuah found her innocence very cute and would do her best to keep it that way. "I think you aren't ready for that just yet. However, I can say William nor Rosalya would have none of those problems. They aren't that type of people." She explained licking her paw afterward.

Essa frowned at what the cat had said. That was saddening to hear that was happening. "Poor William. Poor Rosalya. That is gonna be awful! Not to mention the pressure that will be put on by their parents. You could just tell how much pressure was on them during my meeting. I don't know why it bothered me so much." Human life away from the island was complicated.

Sajuah nodded, it was indeed awful to watch for anyone who truly cared about them. It wasn't a secret that they had no love for one another and neither of them wanted this. "That had been going on since they were engaged. If only Princess Janessa hadn't passed away, he would still be happy." She had only heard things from his mouth about how he wished Janessa wasn't dead.

Essa furrowed her eyebrows, why did that name sound so familiar? She couldn't put her finger on it but she had heard that name before. Has Jayme mentioned it? She couldn't recall if he had. It was plausible that he had and she had forgotten. "Who is Princess Janessa?" She asked now, more curious than ever. Whoever this princess was, she played a big part in William's life.

Sajuah jumped off her lap and onto the cobblestone ground. "She was the girl that William was first engaged to. She passed away at sea many years ago, such a sad thing. Poor boy hasn't had the time to mourn the loss, no one has." She sat down on the grass she had walked over to, batting at a flower that had a ladybug on it.

Essa felt so bad for William. He had lost his first love, and never got time to mourn her loss before having to be engaged again. Why were walking sticks so complicated? "Walking sticks here are just different. I never thought any of this could happen. It never crossed my mind! I see how secluded and naive I am. I just hope all things work out for him."

Sajuah thought she would be her one last piece of advice. "You might not be royalty and grew up on an island, but that doesn't mean you don't mean something. I overheard them talking about how you are worthless because you are a nobody, like a wild animal. That isn't true. The more time I spend, the more I see you are a diamond in the rough." She loathed it when people would talk behind others' backs.

She shook her head as she turned towards Essa. "Even though you may not be blood royalty, you still have the heart of a royal, never forget that." She truly hoped her words made the girl feel better and she would remember whenever someone commented on that. She was there for a reason and she may not have known what it is, she just knew that everything would work out in due time.

Indigo - as a prince himself - knew that Sajuah was right. "I wholeheartedly agree. As a prince myself, Essa has all it takes to be one. Of course, she lacks pride and confidence, but that is not everyone's forte." He ruffled his feathers and fanned out them, displaying them the sun to glimmer on them.

Off in the distance, a faint neighing could be heard. The group turned to each other wondering what on earth could be making that sound. The island animals hadn't heard such a sound before, they were puzzled. The neighbors sounded scared or in trouble, or it could have been both. Whatever was going on it captured their attention.

Sajuah gasped and instantly recognized who it was. She jumped up on her paws. "That is Peony, William's horse. Oh dear, she must've gotten out of her stall again and is now caught up inside the greenhouse. We must go help her!" The Persian cat exclaimed before darting to the greenhouse. One day that horse would cause its death by going places she was not supposed to go.

The others followed hastily and sure enough, there was the leopard Appaloosa mare, struggling to get her lead rope out of a thistle bush. Somehow the lead rope had gotten entangled and without help, the poor horse would never be able to break free. "Let - me - go!" She grunted and whined, hoping someone would come and help her. She hated this. Why did this have to happen again!

Essa walked over slowly to the horse, putting her hands out in front of her, motioning for her to calm down. She knew when an animal was hurt or entangled, they would do anything to get free. Even accidentally hurt the person trying to help. Especially if they were a stranger. "Don't worry. Calm down, girl. I will get you out. Just calm down." She spoke softly, picking up a sharp rock to cut the rope so she could be free.

Peony stopped struggling and looked at the girl with a careful eye. She hadn't seen her before and she certainly didn't trust anyone William didn't introduce first. "Who are you? I haven't seen you around here before. I don't trust you. Stay away!" She began to struggle again, feeling a little fearful only because the girl picked up a sharp rock.

Essa's gaze softened as she stopped in her place. She was scared, her eyes showed fear. She considered that. "I'm Essa and those are my animal family. I'm from an island far away. William brought me here to find my family. I am only going to cut the rope so you can get free." She explained that the equine could understand she brought no harm to anyone.

Peony tilted her head to the side. Did she just answer her? "Wait, you can understand what I am saying? You can understand me!?" She exclaimed with wide eyes, her mouth almost dropping to the floor. This was unbelievable. No one could ever understand what she was saying, not even her master.

Essa gave an amused short laugh, nodding her head with a small smile on her lips. So, even animals reacted the same as walking sticks did. "Yes, I can understand you. I was raised by animals and one day I woke up being able to talk to them. It has been a real blessing." She gently spoke then added. "May I cut the rope so you can go free?"

Peony lowered her head, giving a faint nod. She seemed trustworthy and if Sajuah wasn't doing anything to her then she must be alright
"How about instead you take this halter off? That would be much better." She smoothly suggested, hoping Essa would agree and just take it off. She never understood why she had to have this on all the time, none of the other horses did. Of course, they never ran off.

Sajuah rolled her eyes, licking her paws at the horse's remark. "Oh Peony, she will not take that off. You know you are always to have it on. Though I suppose William wouldn't mind if you didn't have it on while you are here. However, he isn't here so it must remain on at all times. If you didn't get into trouble you wouldn't need one." She remembered flicking her tail as she jumped on the rim of the water fountain.

Peony let out a sigh, blowing hair out her nose. "Alright, alright, I can do that. It would be better for you to get the rope out of the bushes without being on it. That way you can untie the lead rope from the halter and pull it off!" She was still trying to get the island girl to take it all off just in a different way.

Sajuah let out an exasperated sigh shaking her head. "You know all she has to do is unclip your lead rope from the halter and it does the same thing. She is not taking it off." She deadpanned, laying down on the rim. Peony would do anything to get it off, even if it was for her own good. That horse never learned.

Peony huffed, stopping her hoof. "You are no fun Sajuah. For once I want to be a free horse and not a tame, stable horse. I can't help that I like freedom more than stability. I wasn't always raised in a barn-like the others! I can't conform to what they want me to do because it just isn't who I am. If I did that then where would that special uniqueness that makes me, me?" She pointed out, first having been a free horse until she was captured.

Sajuah nodded with a heavy sigh. Yes, she understood that but things were different now she was a stable horse. "You of all people should know that it is no excuse. We know you and your mother was a wild horse until you both were captured. Your mother has stated to you many times that you need to settle down. It is what is expected of you. You, out of all people, should know that."

Peony rolled her eyes. Of course. It always went back to what was expected and not what was wanted. "As if that will change anything. There is nothing they can do about me. William always has the last say because I am his most faithful and beloved horse. He practically raised me, for the time I was in captivity." She pointed out.

Essa looked between the two and unclipped the lead rope from the halter, then bent down working on getting the rope free. "You were taken from your home?" She thought that was awful how she was just taken. Was that how they did things with wild animals? At least she and her animal family came of their own free will.

Peony nodded, lowering her head, stepping back a bit, and then stretching her neck. It was a common thing. "Yes. It is what they do with most wild animals. If it is something they have never seen before, they want them whether they are native or not. Don't worry though, your animal families may be exotic, but they can't take them without going through William, or Jayme, since they brought you over." She explained.

Essa felt relieved that no one could take them away from her. She didn't know what she would do being separated from her animal family. "Even if they tried, they would put up a fight and all work together. Toki would come and get me, so I could help you guys out and make sure no one takes my family." She smiled, finally getting the lead rope untied from the bush.

Peony neighed happily as Risa hooked back up his lead rope and tied it up around her neck so it wouldn't get caught again. "Thank you, Essa. It was a pleasure to meet you and your animal family. I must get going now, perhaps we will see each other again!" With that, she rode back to her barn.

Jayme then ran up to the group inside the greenhouse, coming on the opposite side that Peony had left through. "Oh good, you're here. I had a feeling you would be in this place. It is much like your island." He bent over, placing his hands on his knees as he tried to regain his breath. He had run all over the grounds to try and find her.

Essa turned to Jayme and tilted her head to the side as she furrowed her eyebrows. He was looking for her? "Why were you looking for me?" She asked, not understanding why he was so worried-looking. It was odd that he was rushing to find her. What did he think she was going to do? Did he think she was going to return home without telling him?

Jayme straightened up, taking a few more deep breaths. "Since I am now handling helping you find your family. I thought you guys would need somewhere to stay. So, I know the perfect place you can stay, since I had been spending a bit of time getting it ready." He exclaimed happily, pretty proud of himself. "I also want to apologize on behalf of Leshay and Raymond for how they treated you. It wasn't right."

Essa sighed softly. He was a good walking stick huh? "It is alright. I have come to accept that is how people would treat me considering I am an island girl after all." She then furrowed her eyebrows at what he had said. "Where is that? Can't I just stay here?" She didn't understand why she couldn't stay inside the greenhouse. This place was huge, she could sleep in the trees and her animal friends could find a place as well.

Jayme frowned, shaking his head gently, hating to break the news. Though it needed to happen he was going to go gently. "Unfortunately no, you won't get much privacy here. You can stay in my greenhouse, well, it is more like a botanical garden, but I call it a greenhouse. It is a bit away from the castle, it has my place there with all my work." He had only ever had two people, his best female friend, Taileiah and Donavan, a royal page.

Essa was confused. She wouldn't get much privacy in a place like this? Didn't he say that hardly anyone comes in here? "I thought you said no one hardly ever came into the greenhouse. Why wouldn't I get privacy?" She pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest.

Jayme rubbed the back of his neck, he did say that, didn't he? "Of course, on any normal given day, yes. The royals are expecting guests so this will probably be filled up soon. This is the royal greenhouse and during the special season, it becomes rather busy. So, instead, I have somewhere that is more private and much better to make you feel at home. Only those with my permission can come in, otherwise, people are to stay out." He explained, knowing his greenhouse would be the perfect place they could stay.

Essa could agree to that. If she could get privacy and learn how to fit in there, it was worth it in her eyes. She could be in solitude and stay out of the way of the wedding preparations. "Lead the way, Jayme. I do hope it is as grand as you say it is." She told him, as her animal family gathered around her to begin to follow the male.

Jayme smiled and nodded, beginning to lead them to his home. "Oh Essa, you will find it grand." He said, walking down the familiar path that took at least ten minutes to get to by walking. It was his hideaway, especially from the king who still frightened him at times. "I am adding some of the seeds I took with me from your island. I can't wait to see some of those flowers bloom."

A huge building soon came into view, glass and wood were what it was made out of. It was the size of three modern-day football fields in length and width, with at least two stories in height. It was a marvelous sight to see. Big wooden doors were right smack in the middle and on both sides near the end were wood capped, which Essa found odd.

Jayme pushed open the massive doors to reveal an oasis as to say of plants, all over the place. Not to mention small ponds and larger ones holding water plants inside of them. She saw some palm trees, sand was around them, and what seemed to me like a pond around it that was mirroring an ocean. It was no doubt a site to see. It was ahead of its time. How was he able to accomplish this? Heaven knows.

Essa gasped as she walked in and along the cobblestone pathway a few feet running her hands over the large plants. "Jayme, you were right. This is so much better than the greenhouse." She marveled, bending down and taking a sniff of the flowers. They looked so vibrant in color, they have a strong aroma, they felt soft to the touch

Jayme smiled, closing the doors behind him. This was his pride and joy and thankfully, it had withstood many hurricanes. Of course, they had only about two since he had built this. "I told you. I have almost every plant here, many are sectioned off by doors to keep all climates separated. It has taken me years to put this place together, it was just a year ago I got this place finished." He explained walking in the middle of the pathway.

Essa turned to Jayme looking so happy and at home. This was as close as she would get to her home. "Oh thank you!" She exclaimed running up to him and hugged him tightly. She couldn't express in words how grateful she was, so perhaps a hug could explain it better than she could.

Jayme hugged her back then pulled away and sighed contentedly. "You can stay anywhere in here. To the left at the very end up in the very middle is my house, it is a small one sectioned off that I turned into a house, but it is where I sleep and eat. Now going about the same down the other way is my workshop. I keep them separate for various reasons." He explained happily.

Essa was hearing what he had said and she was fascinated. "That sounds wonderful. You have a very nice place here. It is far away from the palace, so I won't be an embarrassment to them. It almost seems like an entirely different island - er, if you know what I mean." She hoped he could understand what she meant.

Jayme understood and pursed his lips as he listened to her speak. "It does seem very different from the palace and its grounds. That is how I wanted it to be, not to mention this is a safe haven to hide in if the king wants to find you. I have helped many hide here. Don't tell anyone I said that. It is a secret." His eyes sparkled as he watched her relax.

Essa nodded, crossing an X over her chest where her heart would be at. "Cross my heart, I will never tell a single walking stick. You are a good guy, and I am honored you are helping me." She shyly told him, pushing her hair behind her ear. Having him care about her this much meant the world.

Jayme smiled as he watched her, rubbing the back of his neck. "It is nothing, Essa. I'm happy to help you find what you have been yearning for. Now, I must go find someone who I know can help us! You can go ahead and make yourself at home. I will be back soon." He said, making his way towards the vast doors.

Essa raised an eyebrow and tilted her head as she turned to watch him. "What do you mean? Who are you getting Jayme?" She didn't know who he would get. For what reason that was what she was curious about. Why did he need to get a friend to help her find her family?

Jayme paused and looked back at her. "A very good friend of mine who I trust with my life. Well, she has had my life in her hands quite a few times - story for another day. Make yourself at home and I will be right back." He told them to leave the greenhouse. He knew they would be able to help clean Essa up and help her look presentable.

Essa was left feeling confused but shrugged it off as she turned to her animal family. "So, how about we explore and find a place to sleep, huh? I am sure many of you want to sleep on solid ground tonight." She truly wanted to sleep on the ground that did not move. The floating island just wasn't her forte.

Indigo ruffled his feathers and gave a nod of his head. A nice sturdy tree would suit him. "I can agree with that. That floating island was awful to sleep on, rocking back and forth, dear, I thought I was going to be sick." He dramatically said, placing his wing on his forehead. "It is not the best way to travel for a royal peacock!"

Bananas laughed, holding his stomach and rolling on his back, kicking his feet. "Oh Indigo, it wasn't that bad. You didn't seem to let on that you felt that way on the floating island! I loved all the places you could climb and how high you were - it was just like being in a tree." He corrected himself, feeling mighty proud.

Indigo looked over at the spider monkey and rolled his eyes. "When have you ever known me to share my feelings that weren't positive with you? That is right, never." He pointed out flapping his wings and lifting off the ground. "I must be going to find a nice tree to rest my royal bum."

Essa looked between the two and laughed softly. "That is our cue, come on you guys." She exclaimed walking off down a path to find a good place to make her new home for the time being. She wondered what this new land would bring her and if they could truly find her family. She needed to keep looking at this optimistically.

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A\N:
Sorry for the long wait, I had a lot going on and didn't feel very motivated to finish. I will work on more chapters soon, just don't worry.

I just realized that Essa since she arrived in Bowlivkeya, is pretty much me. I never thought things would be said about me that were, and like Essa, it hurts deeply. It is very ironic about how that ties into my life, which I never even thought about it at all before now. I. Sure you guys can understand that too.

Chapter Talk:
This chapter I had to change almost everything from the original draft. I had other animals added in, that I didn't really want so I took them out. I added Peony in because she will be playing a huge part in this story. Plus it was an excuse to use a horse that I am very fond of.

Jayme is a really nice guy. I hope you guys can picture his greenhouse in how I described it. I have this mental picture and it was a bit hard trying to get it into words. It is far away from the castle because that was indeed the king's orders for the royal botanist. He doesn't mind though.

In the next chapter you will be meeting a girl who plays a big part in helping teach Essa about the culture she is in. She also gives Essa a makeover which she doesn't change much, she just cleans her up and makes her more presentable.

And lastly, anything else I forgot to ask away my pals. I am happy to answer anything!

In closing, all rude, impolite and mean comments will be replied to in a diplomatic way, reported or deleted if I feel like it is attacking me personally.

Thanks for reading!