Bog's side of the story ;D
Bog gripped his staff tighter in nervousness. What were the fairies rituals for the Rose Moon? He knew goblins celebrated it and he knew fairies celebrated it but what if the goblins and fairies celebrated differently.
"What are you worrying so much about?" Griselda asked in her growling voice. "You know she wants you there. You two are gonna be fine," she said.
Bog arched an eyebrow in question. "That is what you were worrying about, right?"
"Well it wasn't," Bog muttered.
"Ahh, trust me, you'll be fine," she said again.
"Still not helping, Mother," he groused.
"Feh," she muttered waving his grumblings away. The rest of the procession chatted as amicably as goblins could their growling, grumbling voices so out of place among the fairies tittering voices.
Not for the first time, Bog wanted to call the whole thing off and just go home. But he promised his Marianne and he knew his mother wasn't letting him get out of this to save his exoskeleton. He thought sometimes she loved Marianne more than him; she doted on the Fairy Princess so.
Finally they were at the Fairy Palace's gates. From the rancorous sounds coming from inside, a jaunty fairy party was already underway.
Bog gulped. This was his first fairy party. He hoped against hope that he didn't botch it up. Not for the other fairies of whom he could care less, but for his Tough Girl. He would do anything for his Tough Girl, still amazed she loved him.
Bog took a deep breath as their elven escort led them through the palace halls to the courtyard where the moon shone its rosy pink light as it climbed higher in the night sky. When it reached the center of the sky the ceremony would officially begin but until then there was the rousing party to look forward to.
Bog groaned as his people dove around them to attack the food platters. He shook his head into his hand knowing there was no stopping them at this point.
"Wow," came a familiar voice beside him that sent his wings fluttering at the sound of it. "You can take the goblin out of the forest, huh?"
He almost responded but when he got a good look at her, all of the words Bog was going to say, as well as his ability to speak seemed to vanish.
She was dressed in a rose purple dress that matched her wings. Her hair was its usual disheveled self but it had loose little flowers dotting it. Her face was clear of her make-up and Bog couldn't say he complained. Marianne was stunning and the hue of the Rose Moon looked like it was made for her.
"Bog?" she said and he realized he hadn't responded to her statement.
"Sorry! I- uh- yes! It w-would seem that way," he stammered.
Marianne smiled at him and he thought his heart would just slam out of his chest. If this Rose Moon Ceremony didn't smile on them he feared he just might die.
"I can't believe you actually came to the fairy palace for a party," she laughed a little.
"Wait, you invited me," he said flabbergasted. She knew he'd fly to the ends of the Earth for her.
"No, Dawn invited you, via your mother, without telling me. Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic that you are here but we have both been had."
"Urgh I could kill my mother for this," he muttered.
"Ha, yeah, I'll put Dawn right beside her," she sniggered. Bog loved that about her, that she rarely twittered and giggled like other fairy maids. She was different.
He smiled and ran a gentle hand over the outside of hers. Marianne glanced up at him with big brown eyes and he realized she was as frightened as he was.
"So," Marianne drew out glancing painfully around the room and Bog realized she hated these fairy parties, too.
Bog glanced out to the dance floor and saw Dawn and Sunny. Marianne's eyes followed his.
"No," she put simply. "Dancing may be fine for Sunny and Dawn, but this princess doesn't dance anymore."
"Anymore?" Bog asked, a glint in his eye. Then he noticed the sadness in hers and his face dropped, too.
"The last time I danced was with Roland," she spat his name like venom. Bog looked away the name stinging his pride as well.
He couldn't blame her, and truth be told, he didn't care for dancing either. They had their own dance with the ringing of blades as their orchestra.
A group of court fairies, dressed in fancy garb walked past, chatting amicably when one turned momentarily in their direction.
"Happy birthday, Princess," he called cheerily. Bog gaped turning to Marianne who was turning a brilliant shade of red.
"Today's your birthday?" he asked surprised.
"Yes," she sighed exasperated, "I was born under the Rose Moon, so what?" Marianne crossed her arms and put on a pout that Bog could see straight through.
He gently took her tiny hand in his but before he could say anything the trumpets sounded and the Ancient Order of the Ethereal Fairies made their presence the focus of all.
"In this year we've welcomed back our sister, Sugar Plum," said Ethereal rose a bit higher and bowed slightly, "Allied ourselves with the goblins, and seen much change in our kingdoms. Now the time has come for Love to show itself as it will only once a year. The moon is high and it is time for the Rose Moon Ceremony to begin."
Well here is chapter two of the Rose Moon. Enjoy my lofelies.