Song used Seasonal Feathers by Lucy
Adrien found himself at another lake. This one was much bigger and wider than the one in his family's garden. Then he saw the swan land on to the lake's surface and start floating toward the land. He watched as the moon rise up into the night sky and when it shined down on to the swan he watched as red stardust began to shimmer and surround the swan. When the stardust faded the swan was gone but in it's place was a young woman. Adrien had never believed in love at first sight but now he wasn't so sure because as soon as his eyes fell upon the maiden he felt his heart flutter and soar for she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
She was dressed in a white gown as pale as moonlight with red stardust decorating it. Her hair was as dark and shinning as the night sky with satin red ribbons hanging loose in it. Her cheeks and lips were more pink and rosy than any of the roses in the royal garden. Her eyes were as blue and sparkling as sapphires but they looked so sad, very beautiful but very sad. He wondered what had made her so sad. But his thoughts were interrupted when he saw the maiden walking from the lake and toward a circle of animals gathering.
She took the billows of her skirt into her hands and curtsied before the animals then began to dance with the most elegant of grace and sing in the most beautiful and enchanting voice he had ever heard.
"From wintery slopes
above the world below
Like feathers shimmering white;
fluttering falling snow.
Just the two together waiting
embracing tight.
Frozen breath,
hand in hand;
a tiny village at night.
This snow has come again,
just like that day back then"
You whisper with a smile
as we think to when we met
Flushing red I hid my
face away from the heat
Sheltered in the shadows
cast by your sleeve over me
Finally spring has come again
Together with the birds I sing a chorus
with this endless breath of happiness
"When you sing, everything's beautiful"
are the words you said to me
That alone, those words you spoke,
brought me joy that I could not express
"If there's a day my voice has gone
away; if I can't sing anymore,
Would you still be here with me; would
you still love me as you did before?"
"But of course," was your reply to me
as you smiled gently
And I knew if I'm with you,
I would wish for nothing more."
Adrien put his hand over his heart and fell back with a dazed and dreamy look on his face. She sang like an angel and she danced as delicately as a snowflake. Adrien thought surely he must be dreaming because he never believed such a maiden could be real. Then he thought perhaps she's not just a regular maiden, maybe she was a witch trying to lure him to his death but then he thought no witch could be so beautiful, she definitely had to be a fairy or a nymph or a princess. Yes a princess, the most beautiful princess in existence.
Just then he saw two birds fly over the trees. One was a very strange looking and ugly owl and the other was a black crow. When the maiden saw the two birds she sighed and began to walk toward the direction the birds were. Overcome with both curiosity and longing for the maiden, he found himself coming out from behind the trees and following after her.
"Excuse me." He called.
She gasped and turned around startled. He was about to speak to her when he saw fear cross her face and she began to run away.
"Wait! Come back!"
He chased after her determined to know who she is and why she was running from him.
"Go away!" She called. "Please leave! Forget you saw me and leave!"
"Wait! Who are you? Where are you going? Please stop! I won't hurt you!"
But she just kept on running until she tripped over a root and fell down.
"Are you alright?" He said running over to her. "Are you okay?"
Their eyes met again and he couldn't help but think that they were even more beautiful than before.
"Here let me help you." He offered her his hand, she was hesitant to do so. "It's alright."
She froze in hesitation but then shakingly placed her hand in his and let him gently help her up.
"There we go. No harm done." He said. But once she was on her feet she broke away from him and started running away again. "Wait! Stop!'
But all too soon she disappeared from his sight. He searched for her but he couldn't see her any where. Who was she? And why did she run away from him? Didn't she understand that he had no intention of harming her? She was enchanting, never in his life had he seen a more lovely maiden. She must be a princess but which princess? And of what kingdom? He had to see her again, he just had to.
"You're highness there you are." He heard Nino say behind him. "I swear you nearly gave me a heart attack, I was worried you had been lost forever in this God forsaken forest."
But Adrien didn't answer, his dazed and dreamy look had returned. He just stood there with that lovesick expression on his face as he thought about the woman's face, her dancing, and her singing.
"Your highness? Your highness? Your highness! Hello! Earth to Prince Adrien!"
"Huh? What?" He said coming out of his daze.
"My lord are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He sighed dreamily.
"Adrien it's dark out, this forest is giving me the creeps, and you're kind of scaring me here so can you do me a favor and snap out of it so we can leave?"
"Oh you should've seen her Nino."
"Who?"
"The swan."
"I had already seen her."
"No Nino, the swan changed into a girl."
"Huh?"
"She was so beautiful and her voice oh lord help me, angels couldn't have sung better."
"Your highness forgive me but by any chance did you hit your head or something because what you speak of makes no sense. How can a swan turn into a girl?"
"I know what I saw Nino. I followed the swan to the lake where she changed into most gorgeous woman I've seen in all my life. I watched her dance and sing better than anyone I know. Oh Nino..."
"Heaven help us your highness, I think you've finally gone mad."
They went back to the castle that evening but Adrien couldn't get the young lady he had seen out of his mind. He would give anything to know who she is.
"Pardon me sire." Said one of his servants. "The queen wishes to speak with you."
"Alright."
Adrien then entered Queen Emilie's chambers.
"Good day Mother." He said. "What is it you want to discuss."
"Well darling as you know you'll be twenty within a month and I think it would be best if we were to celebrate by having a royal ball."
"No Mother you know I don't dance."
"Now dear you don't have dance you just have to flirt."
"Oh no Mother not another courting ball."
"You need a bride my son, a queen to comfort you and rule beside you when you are king, and someone who can give me grandchildren."
"Grandchildren? Oh Mother."
"Now Adrien you don't have to get married right away you just have to meet them. Can you please do this, please. For me."
"Alright Mother."
"Thank you." She then planted a kiss on his forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast. Good night dear."
"Good night Mother."