Trapped on an alien world in an alien body Natasa has to decide to take a chance to escape before the false king can get his claws into her. The questions are: is this what dolls feel like while little girls dress them up and can heals and pretty dresses really help in an escape?

Chapter 3: A troubled mind

Natasa lay awake in her bed so many thoughts running through her mind, there was no way she could even contemplate sleeping no matter how tired she became. The fact of the matter was that she had two immediate choices of which neither choice was a guarantee of happiness or success.

In fact, thinking about the first choice made her feel it was already a lost cause, if indeed the queen of this kingdom was her blood ancestor then that would mean for every day passed on Nibiru several or tens of years would pass on earth maybe even hundreds.

If that was the case then Natasa’s grandmother and everyone she knew may already have passed away and Natasa would have no one when she got back. For all she knew the earth was nothing like how she left it and she would have no idea if it would be for the best or worst.

Natasa kept trying to tell herself that it couldn’t be the case they had to be alive surely nothing like a time difference could ever happen, but at the back of her mind memories echoed reminding her that as far as she knew there was no such thing as travelling to different worlds other than man landing on the moon.

No matter how hard she tried to deny it in the back of her mind she was already considering it as hopeless. Natasa did not even know if she found a way back to earth would the other changes that took place go back to how they were before this whole mess.

Would her body go back to being male or would she be fated to live the rest of her life as female. If that were the case and she was destined to stay forever in this weak female form could she cope with it she thought to herself.

On the other hand, there was Aella’s offer to get her out of the palace and away from the king. Maybe she could find someone out of the palace who could help her get home, but as she thought that another thought crossed her mind, now that Aella knew that Natasa could be a descendant of Queen Inanna would they even want to let her go if she found a way.

The king certainly would not allow her to leave she thought, in fact if he found out she suspected he would tighten his grip on her and would not let go. Natasa knew that from what she could see the king craved power and dominance, at present he was the illegitimate king but if he married the real heir to the throne then his hold on the kingdom would be stronger.

Natasa sighed, if she stays at the palace to try to find a way home there is a huge chance the king could eventually find out and then she would never be able to get home no matter how much she wanted to. If she goes with Aella then there might at least be a chance.

Before deciding Natasa thought maybe I should ask Aella if she will help me find someone who can help me get home, but at this point regardless of the answer Aella gives there is no way I can stay here to be the kings play thing Natasa thought.

If that is the case then there is absolutely no choice and I will have to go with Aella even if she does not help me get home at least I won’t have the constant worry that the king might come back and take me by force. Natasa lingered on that thought for quite some time.

Natasa once again sighed deeply, now that she had decided to go with Aella other thoughts began forming in her mind, if she managed to get home to her own time but stuck as female would her grandmother recognize her, would she accept the change and still love her or would she push her away.

What about school how could she face the same school friends she once had, would they ridicule her more because of the name her parents gave her, would they think of her as a freak, Natasa’s eyes welled up a little as tears began forming.

Natasa’s mind then raced to what if she was stuck as female at the palace and wasn’t able to ever get home what would become of her, she had already established in her mind what the king would do with her, especially if he found out her heritage.

But Natasa couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to the people of the kingdom, Natasa remembered what had been said about how people were treated by the king, how people are executed for being out later than the time the king decreed.

No thought Natasa there was no way she was going to stay at the palace, she would rather die herself than be taken by the king and forced to be his sexual toy. The thought of being with a guy in the first place repulsed her but the king of all people for some reason made her want to physically throw up.

The thoughts eventually overloaded her mind and Natasa fell into a deep sleep even though she fought to stay awake. The next morning Aella came to wake Natasa from her slumber but as Natasa had been unable to sleep most of the night worrying, Aella had a tough time getting any sense out of her.

“Princess please wake up,” said Aella “for the tenth time we have lots to do today I need you to wake up.” Natasa mumbled “all right all right I’m coming.” Slowly she pushed herself up so that she was sitting in the bed. Aella sent the other maids to begin preparing a meal for Natasa and also to start organizing what Natasa was going to wear.

While they were gone Aella took the time the others were away to discuss the previous day’s events and also to find out what Natasa had decided to do, if she had even managed to decide. “Aella,” said Natasa “I want to come with you away from this palace and the king.”

“I have no idea what lies ahead and if possible I would want to return home, but either way there is no way I can stay here wondering if the king will ever find out my heritage and what he plans to do to me if he did.” “Good!” replied Aella “I am glad you decided to come.”

“Preparations are nearly complete, the king is still at war and although there is an increased guard’s presence, I’m sure we can get you away from here safely. Speak of this to no one princess I will be back shortly to discuss the plan,” with that Aella left Natasa to be tended by the other maids.

A couple of hours later Aella returned, by this time Natasa had finished breakfast and was deep in the throes of an argument with Frato over the outfit the maids had chosen for her to wear.

The minute Aella appeared the room went deathly silent, “what’s going on?” demanded Aella in an angry tone. “Forgive us,” said Frato nervously, “we were trying to get the princess dressed but she refuses to wear anything we have chosen and keeps insisting on trousers.”

“Leave us,” boomed Aella and the maids quickly and silently left the room leaving Natasa and Aella alone, “Princess,” said Aella in a soft but strict tone, “you must wear something befitting your status.” “But!” replied Natasa, Aella cut her off and continued “no buts Princess, you are to wear appropriate clothes for your status.”

“The maids and I are here to help you do that but not to fight you into them, you are supposed to be an example to people yet you can’t even bite your tongue and bare your pain quietly. You cannot wear what you wore back home, nor can you ever look the way you used to no matter how much you argue it is just not possible.”

Natasa felt as though she had just been told off like how her mother or grandmother used to tell her off years ago when she was young. After spending a few minutes in silence Natasa replied “fine Aella, I’ll wear the stupid girly outfit if it makes you happy and stops you telling me off.”

Aella began chuckling to herself, “what’s funny?” asked Natasa, “oh nothing really,” replied Aella, “it’s just you seem more and more like a spoiled little princess every day that’s all.” “I am not!” retorted Natasa, “see what I mean,” replied Aella as she continued chuckling to herself.

Natasa stood with her arms folded and a defiant look on her face, she then glanced how she looked in the mirror and realized how much her current pose confirmed it, it felt like someone had just stabbed her in the chest and she could not help but worry that she was becoming as Aella had described.

Aella quickly summoned the other maids and they shyly entered the room expecting the worst. “The princess has decided to co-operate with your duties and accept your help with choosing her outfit so please hurry and assist her in getting ready.” The maids did not hesitate and soon Natasa felt besieged by the maids as they worked on her makeup and hair before finally assisting her into the beautiful outfit they had chosen for her to wear.

Natasa thought to herself maybe this was how dolls must feel as little girls everywhere play at dressing them up. “That’s odd!” exclaimed Frato, “what’s odd?” asked Natasa worried that she looked freakish, “your necklace,” replied Frato, “when did you change it?”

“Change it,” replied Natasa, “I haven’t changed it.” “Well if you haven’t changed it then who did,” the other maids looked confused, “None of us changed it” said the other maids in unison, “As far as we were aware the necklace the princess came to us wearing wouldn’t come off.”

“When we tried to remove it to change it the other day we couldn’t even find a clasp.” Natasa walked over to the dress mirror and sure enough the necklace had indeed changed, not only were the gems set in the necklace a completely different type and color but the style of the necklace was totally different as well.

Yet the necklace Natasa had on now was perfectly suited to the dress she was wearing almost as if it were made to accompany it. Frato suddenly gasped, “what’s the matter Frato?” asked Aella, “oh nothing really but isn’t it amazing, queen Inanna had a necklace just like that, obviously it looks different but the queens did that too.”

“Whatever outfits the queen wore the necklace she had adapted so that it perfectly matched and never looked out of place. She also never took the necklace off; I assumed it was because she loved it so much and because it always looked perfect. But now I wonder if she was able to remove it at all like this one.”

Natasa stayed silent not wanting to confirm what Frato had just said, she did not need to say anything though because Frato came to her own conclusion. “Princess maybe you are related to queen Inanna?” “No do not be silly,” retorted Natasa, “there is no way I am related to the queen.”

“I am not even from this planet” said Natasa hoping it was convincing enough an argument, Frato was not having any of it and immediately brought up about the queen disappearing several years earlier. “If that is the case how can you explain the queen disappearing several years ago but I am seventeen nearly eighteen?” asked Natasa. Frato pondered for a moment unsure of a reasonably realistic answer to Natasa.

“Well I’m not sure,” said Frato “but I knew the queen well as I served her for many years and when I first saw you cleaned up I felt there was a strong resemblance but I tried not to think about it.” Aella cut in, “that’s enough of that talk were here to help the princess get ready not to ponder nonsense.”

Frato looked suspicious but she did as ordered and carried on with her work. Moments later the maids had finished and Natasa really did look every bit the princess. She was supposed to be, after admiring their princess for a few moments the maids bowed and began to leave the room.

Natasa stopped Aella before she left, “Aella there’s one thing that’s puzzling me,” “what is it you highness?” “How am I supposed to escape whilst dressed like this?” “Actually your highness it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing, in fact your beauty will help us get you away from the palace.”

“Eh!” Said Natasa confused. “Look princess,” replied Aella “regardless of if you accept it or not your beauty is exceptional, you take after queen Inanna for that. She was so beautiful she also could stop men in their tracks and they were powerless to resist.”

“I noticed the first day you were here how the guards behaved around you and it is something we can definitely use to our advantage.” Natasa still looked confused but decided to trust Aella after all she knew this world much better than Natasa did.

“Either way princess, I will come back a little later to discuss the plan with you, everything is prepared and ready we just need to wait a little longer and then we can make our move.” ”Tell me one thing Aella, what are our chances of escaping?”

“I would be naíve if I said one hundred percent princess, but I do not intend to fail, failure would mean certain death for me, and for you it would mean you would never escape the fate of becoming Seleukos concubine or even wife. I have a feeling you would prefer death.”

Natasa nodded, “your right Aella there is no way I could ever allow myself to end up as Seleukos’s plaything even if I have to kill myself I would rather die than suffer that fate.” “Good then we are agreed,” said Aella “it is imperative that we do not fail.”

“I will return shortly,” Aella stated. “Aella before you go tell me one more thing, do you think I will ever get home?” “I don’t know princess at present it looks like your fate is to be part of this world but as I have no idea how you came to be here then there is no way of knowing if you will ever get back.”

“I’m sorry I can’t give you the answer you want princess, but I’m sure in time if you’re here long enough that you will come to want to stay,” with that Aella left the room. Natasa was once again alone with only her thoughts for company, what did Aella mean thought Natasa.

I may want to come to stay here in time, there was nothing Natasa wanted more than to return home to her male existence and she couldn’t think of a single thing that would make her want to stay, she especially didn’t want to be stuck as female.

After all she thought I’m a guy I want to go back to being a guy, I hate this female body, its weak and emotional and then there is the constant preening that has to be done to make it look good and then there’s all this feminine clothing. What a pain Natasa thought.

Although she was slightly more comfortable than the other day with wearing such feminine clothing, she still felt uneasy and whenever she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror, she was still shocked almost expecting to see a guy in a dress. Natasa still struggled with the idea she was now a girl.

Why would Aella even contemplate that Natasa would want to stay as she is now, before Natasa knew it Aella had returned, “ok princess, everything is set all that we need to do now is wait.” “Wait, for what?’ Aella sat next to Natasa so she could speak as quietly as possible.

“Within the next hour there will be an attack at the north side of the palace. The guards will rush off to defend the palace and we are going to use that time to make our escape. When were out of this room and away from the guards we need to make our way to the west of the palace.”

“There is an old hidden passageway that leads to the town close by, once were out of the passage the prince’s soldiers should be waiting to protect and escort us to the mountains. We must do this now without fail as I received word that Seleukos is returning to the palace and will be back by tomorrow.”

Natasa went pale at the mere mention of the kings name in fact Natasa felt a cold shiver when Aella mentioned his name, and it felt like every inch of her skin was crawling as the thought of what he wanted to do to her entered her mind. How can any guy want to have sex with me she thought?

Aella continued “when we get in the tunnel I have hidden travelling cloaks and also weapons should we need to defend ourselves.” “I will not need any weapons,” stated Natasa “as I have this,” as she held up the sword of Ishtar “although I have no idea how to use it.”

“Actually, if you are indeed queen Inanna’s descendant you won’t need to worry about how to use it, when and if the time came you will know instinctively. The queen was one of the greatest swords women ever and she was a well respected as an excellent military tactician.”

“I cannot do any of that,” Natasa added “I am only seventeen, I have never seen a war let alone fought in one, sure I have fought hand to hand with other guys at school but nothing as serious as life and death battles with trained soldiers.” Natasa’s expression told Aella how frightened Natasa was without Natasa having to tell her that.

“Do not worry princess,” said Aella softly “I will protect you at all costs even the cost of my own life.” “I do not want you to have to do that Aella, I am a man I should be the protector not the protected.”

“No princess, you are not a man, at least not anymore and because of that, you have to learn to stop thinking like one, now at this present moment in time you are the princess of this kingdom and one day I hope you will become its queen. Until that day, I will protect you as much as I can.”

“So please accept my protection princess, please accept you are not a man and although you may know how to fight you should avoid it as much as you can.” “Thank you Aella, I understand what you are saying although I am not so sure about the idea of me becoming queen.”

“However I already know I can’t fight like I did before my body isn’t as strong as it was before I arrived here, I feel weak and defenseless and dressed as I am I feel even more vulnerable. So for now I humbly accept your help but I ask that once were away from here and safe you please teach me to defend myself with weapons so I don’t have to rely on others so much.”

“As you wish princess, I will teach you what I can, but I feel you will not need much help to learn.” Suddenly an alarm went off in the palace and both Aella and Natasa could hear heavy footsteps as soldiers ran past the room. Aella turned to Natasa, “princess prepare yourself the attack has begun and we will need to move swiftly.”

“I will be back in a minute I am going to check the guards have gone to defend the north side.” Seconds later the three other maids came rushing in shouting “princess, princess,” all had worried looks on their faces. “We will protect you princess,” Aella came in after them.

“Calm down girls,” Aella ordered them softly “everything will be all right, go back to your duties I will take the princess to a safe place in the palace.” The three maids refused to move, “we want to help protect her highness,” they all said together. “Nevertheless, it might get dangerous,” argued Aella.

The maids had other plans though and refused to let go of Natasa’s arms. It was then that Frato began to speak, “Aella we know you plan to take the princess from the palace,” Aella didn’t even flinch at the comment.

“We also know the princess is the rightful heir to the throne of Assyria the princess has the necklace of Inanna.” “what are you talking about?” said Aella abruptly. “We know Aella do not lie to us we also heard you talking to the princess and we know you do not plan to make her stay here for the king.”

“We all agree we do not want the princess violated by that evil man, we want to protect her so let us come with you. If you leave us here, the king is most likely going to kill us for allowing you to escape. At first, we did not think anything unusual until we saw what that necklace did and then we knew the princess is the queen’s descendant. Especially when we saw the queen’s seal appear.”

“We hate the king Aella you know we hate him, but we love the princess and we want to continue to look after her outside of the palace, so please let us come please,” begged the maids. “It is not as simple as that,” replied Aella. “No,” said Natasa “it’s ok let them come with us, I could not live with myself if I left them to the king.”

Aella looked displeased, “ok Princess they can come too, but I am warning you all if I even see or hear of any of you betraying the princess I will kill the betrayer myself slowly.” The maids looked slightly taken aback but agreed to the terms and conditions Aella had laid out.

“Right keep quiet as we move if anyone asks we are talking the princess to somewhere to hide until the fighting is over to protect her for the king, if they argue we will fight them as a last resort. Now come on lets go,” shouted Aella.