Chapter 9: The Ball
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Amanda heard Anys leave, and she looked away from her mirror. She wasn't ready. What if she forgot everything that Caia and Anys had told her? But her mind was interrupted from digging deeper into her worries. Someone knocked on her door, and Amanda went to answer it. Opening the door, Amanda saw Gawain there, a smile on his face.
"Yes Gawain?" she asked.
"I've come to escort you to the ball," he said.
"But what about Edem?" Amanda asked.
"You'll see," he said and extended his arm. Amanda took it with no further protest, and allowed Gawain to lead her away.
"You look beautiful Amanda," Gawain said. Amanda looked up at him and smiled. He looked good himself. His hair was pulled back, and he had on a nice tunic. His face was lit up, he was ready for this ball.
"You cleaned up well too," Amanda teased. Gawain shook his head, and chuckled.
"Always on your guard," he commented.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Amanda asked.
"You're just so sharp. You never just let someone compliment you. You always retaliate with sarcasm," answered Gawain.
"But I meant it. You look very good," Amanda persisted, trying to brush off what he said. Gawain fell silent and looked forward. Amanda sighed.
"I'm sorry Gawain. I'm just not used to being told such things," Amanda said. Gawain smiled.
"Well you can't be acting like that tonight. You accept and reply with something nice, and intended. No matter who says it," Gawain explained, "Even if it's Lady Evelina." Amanda looked at him, shocked.
"What did Nicolarious tell you?" she asked. Gawain smiled slyly.
"Nothing," he answered. Amanda elbowed him in the side, and he laughed. They turned the corner, and Amanda could see Arthur, Edem, and Evelina standing at the top of the stairs leading into the great hall.
"What are they doing there?" Amanda asked Gawain.
"Waiting for you," he answered.
"Oh. But what about you?" she asked.
"I'll go down before you do, and watch you like everyone else," he answered. Amanda didn't understand at first, but then it hit her.
"I'm going to walk down those stairs?" she asked.
"Yes. You, Arthur, Evelina, and," he paused to clear his throat, "Edem." Amanda would have laughed, but she was to afraid. She couldn't walk down those stairs in front of all those people. What would they think of her? As they neared the three, Gawain let go of her arm, and put his hand on her back.
"Here she is You're Majesty," he said. Arthur was staring at Amanda, in some shocked way. Edem took her hand and whispered in her ear.
"You are as beautiful as a goddess," he said. Amanda blushed crimson, and she took her place beside Edem.
"Oh no Amanda, you're to walk with Arthur," said Evelina. Amanda's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?" she asked, politely as she could manage.
"I'm to escort our guest of honor, and Edem will escort Evelina. Now, if you please," he extended his arm, "we need to go." Amanda hesitated. This was so new to her. Why on Earth did she have to walk with Arthur? Of all people! Amanda took a deep breath and calmed herself. She took Arthur's arm, and her place beside him. The trumpets sounded, and the buzz of the chatting people faded away. Amanda knew their anticipation. Thousands of thoughts ran through her head of the thing that was about to happen. Arthur took the first step, and Amanda unwillingly followed.
"You'll be fine," Arthur said, "just think of that time you were with the Saxons. You are a warrior Amanda. A fighter and nothing can stop you. Not stairs, not the crowd of whispering, judging people, nothing can stop you. You are great, and take pride in your greatness. Just remember that." He stopped talking and Amanda looked at him.
"And what makes you think that?" asked Amanda.
"I don't think so, I know so," he answered.
"Oh really? And what makes you know I'm a fighter?" she asked.
"Nothing, but it took your mind off the descent on the stairs," he answered. Amanda looked around. They were heading out into the middle of the floor, the stairs far behind them. Amanda looked back at Arthur and he smiled. He stopped walking, and faced Amanda.
"Yes?" she asked.
"We have to dance the first dance," he answered. Amanda looked at him bewildered. Had Caia forgotten to tell her? Or was she just hiding it from Amanda so she wouldn't worry? Amanda took another deep breath and looked at Arthur. He placed his hand on her waist and a tingling sensation went through Amanda's body. Arthur's other hand met Amanda's and the sensation continued. Amanda placed her hand on his shoulder and heard the musicians prepare themselves.
"Arthur, I don't know how to dance," said Amanda, a bit panicked.
"Don't worry. Just follow me," he said, his voice soothing. Amanda nodded and looked over Arthur's shoulder to find Edem. They weren't on the floor.
"They don't dance this dance. Only the King and the guest of honor, should she be a lady," said Arthur, obviously knowing what Amanda had been searching for. Before Amanda could reply the music started and Arthur took the first step to his right, taking Amanda with him. To her surprise, Amanda found following Arthur was easier than she had expected. When she felt she had the hang of it, Amanda looked up at Arthur, and she smiled.
"You look very nice tonight Amanda," he said. Amanda wished she hadn't; but she knew she blushed.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"It's not like you to be quiet. Anything wrong?" he asked. Amanda looked up at him.
"I'm trying to live up to my reputation," she said sarcastically.
"Ah, the beautiful, kind, smart goddess who is stealing my heart day by day?" Arthur asked. Amanda looked at him surprised, "Yes, I've heard the rumors and the talk. You are in fact quite the talk of the city."
"So I've heard," Amanda replied. Amanda looked away, a smile on her face, as the music slowed to its ending. When it stopped, Arthur bowed, and Amanda gave him a very low curtsy. The floor then crowded with people to dance the next song. Amanda slipped away, only to be greeted by groups of people wanting to know all about her.
"Hello Lady Amanda, welcome back to Camelot," said one gentleman. Amanda smile.
"Can't you see Darius? She doesn't want to speak to you," said one of his friends. Amanda looked at him. He was tall, and his dark black curls hung just past his ears. One could see his strength by just a glance. His arms were large, but they looked in perfect proportion to the rest of his body. His eyes, however, were the best part. They seemed as deep and as blue as the ocean that separated Briton from Gaul. No matter what he looked like, Amanda felt her anger rise.
"Pray tell, sir, what makes you believe I don't want to speak to this fine gentleman?" asked Amanda, trying to sound polite.
"Your eyes," he answered. Amanda's left brow raised and her eyes widened in a questioning manner. Deciding to ignore the man, she turned back to the other.
"Thank you, I'm very happy to be back," she said with a smile.
"Darius Hestion," he said, taking Amanda's hand and kissing it. Amanda smiled, and curtsied.
"Amanda Marslyn," she replied. Darius smiled back, and straightened his back.
"Lord Ambrose Thaddeus of Laurelshire," said the man with the ocean eyes, stepping forward. Amanda tried to keep her composure, and she curtsied low.
"Amanda Marslyn," she said. She related the location of Laurelshire. It was close to where she and Edem lived, a very new town, but a town none the less. What befuddled her was how Lord Ambrose had acquired Laurelshire from Arthur. Lord Ambrose took Amanda's hand and kissed it, not taking his eyes off Amanda's.
"A pleasure to meet you Lady Marslyn," he said, "Now, tell me, is it true what they say about you?"
"It might just be Lord Thaddeus, but that's for my knowledge, not yours," replied Amanda answered.
"Seems you've met your match Ambrose," cried one of his lady friends.
"Maybe he has," said the musical, yet cool, voice of Lady Caia Donellia. Amanda peered around Lord Thaddues' side to see her standing there, in a hunter green dress, and looking beautiful.
"Lady Donellia!" Amanda cried, and Caia stepped forward.
"You look marvelous, my dear," said Caia.
"Me?" asked Amanda, "Let me show you where the mirror is! You look spectacular!" Lady Donellia grinned happily, and then turned to Lord Thaddeus.
"I see you've met the biggest jester in the city Amanda. Lord Ambrose, how do you do?" she asked, her voice returning to that cool tone they heard moments ago.
"Fine, milady, and you?" asked Ambrose in a very deep voice, soothing as a doves call. The voice reminded Amanda of Arthur's. Arthur's voice when he spoke to Evelina, and when he was comforting Amanda. The mindless chatter of Caia and Ambrose seemed to drown out of Amanda's head as she looked around for Arthur. He was dancing with Evelina. She looked beautiful. She had on a white dress that flattered her slender frame so well. Her auburn curls flowed freely as Arthur spun her about, her face lit up like a thousand torches. Suddenly, Amanda was called from her daze when Edem came up behind her. Spinning around, Amanda smiled as Edems' hands found her waist.
"Oh, Edem, this is Lady Caia Donellia, and this is Lord Ambrose Thaddeus of Laurelshire," Amanda introduced. Edem bowed to Caia and shook Ambrose's hand.
"Laurelshire isn't far from where I call home," said Edem.
"Ah," said Ambrose, "Boxborough?" Edem nodded. Amanda smiled and excused herself to get a drink. Caia followed her, and Amanda began asking who everyone was.
"Lord Ambrose? Who is he?" Amanda asked.
"You don't know? He's the King's cousin," answered Caia. Amanda chocked on her drink.
"I didn't know he had a cousin. They do look somewhat alike. If you look long enough," Amanda replied.
"Yes, the hair is what usually gives it away," said a deep voice from behind Amanda. Spinning around, Amanda saw Arthur taking a drink.
"I see you've met Ambrose," he said. Amanda nodded, wondering what to say. Arthur laughed.
"He's a good man, but he usually is consumed in Laurelshire. My doings have no affect upon him," said Arthur. Amanda nodded, and looked back at Caia who was smiling broadly at Arthur.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go dance with Edem," Amanda said. She curtsied to Arthur, and nodded to Caia. When she left, Arthur took her place.
"How is she doing?" asked Arthur.
"Extremely well. She learns very fast, and is mindful of everything. She still has much to learn though," answered Caia, who looked at Arthur. Arthur, however, wasn't looking back at Caia. He was, in fact, watching Amanda and Edem dancing. His eyes followed her around the room, and Caia smiled.
"I'm beginning to think this talk is true. Stop staring, or the people will talk even more," said Caia, as she took her drink and left. Arthur smiled, but didn't take his eyes off Amanda.
The ball was winding down and Amanda was sitting with Caia, Ambrose, Nicolarious, Gawain, Galahad, and a three other women Amanda came to know as the Isaac sisters. There was Lark, who was a plump girl, with pink cheeks and cheery disposition. Her brown hair was tied up, and her gown a light shade of pink. Amanda liked Lark very much, and was glad to know her. Her sister on the other hand, Raven, was as rude as they came. She was a very thin girl, and not pretty at all. Her arrogance and ignorance seeped from inside her soul to her skin. She had blonde, blonde hair and cold grey eyes. Why she was named Raven was rather odd for a girl of her looks. Maybe her parents knew she was going to be a cold hearted person. The final and youngest sister, Robin, was a beautiful girl who was very much like Lark. Her hair was brown and curly, and went to her mid back. Her light blue dress suited her very well. Of all three Robin was the smartest, funniest, and whole hearted one. One would be able to tell quickly by the conversation.
Nicolarious was re-telling his story about the fall, when Ambrose bent down to Amanda's ear and asked her to dance. Amanda looked over and saw that it was a waltz, and she looked at Ambrose. She nodded, and he excused them, leading her to the floor.
"I must tell you a secret," said Amanda while they took their position.
"That you can't dance?" asked Ambrose. Amanda was shocked. Ambrose smiled.
"Not to worry, your secret is safe with me. Just let me lead you," he said. The music started, and Ambrose took the first step. They didn't make it a quarter of the way around the floor when the great hall doors burst open and a man came screaming through the floor, running right into Amanda. Amanda fell over, and felt her ankle twist. She let out a gasp of pain as her head smacked the floor.
"The Celts! There are Celts out side the city!" the man screamed. Arthur came to the middle of the floor and confronted the man. Ambrose came to Amanda's side.
"Lady Amanda, are you alright?" he asked.
"Fine, Lord Ambrose," she answered. He helped her up and Amanda felt a sharp pain in her ankle as she took the first step. The people had finally realized what the man had said and chaos began, people started to run for the doors when Arthur's voice rang through the hall.
"STOP NOW!" he bellowed, and the hall feel silent, "You will leave here with out chaos and go directly home. My knights, come here." When he finished the hiss of the whispering crowd leaving the palace erupted and Amanda went forward to Arthur.
"Yes Amanda?" he asked, his completion stern but calm.
"I can help," she said. Arthur turned his whole body to her.
"No," he said.
"Why not?" Amanda asked, trying to keep her voice down. Arthur's eyes looked directly at hers.
"Because Amanda, you can't," he said firmly.
"Why?" she asked, her patients slipping away.
"Because," he said, walking away. Amanda was the only one to follow.
"Because is not an answer Arthur," she said, not caring if someone heard her voice.
"It is in this case," he said. He walked out onto the wall, and looked out over the edge. There stood about a hundred Celts. Nothing Arthur's army couldn't handle. Nothing Amanda wouldn't live through.
"No it isn't!" Amanda cried.
"Because I don't want you to!" he said forcefully, but Amanda wasn't backing down.
"So what if you don't what me to? I want to know why you don't want me to!" she cried.
"Because you could get hurt!" he yelled back, "You could die!" He paused for a long time, Amanda fell silent, and he stared at her firmly. Finally, he said, "Amanda, we can't afford to lose you."
"Whose we?" she asked angrily.
"All of us," he said in the same tone she did, "Nicolarious, Gawain, Galahad, Edem, all of us."
"They did just fine without me for two years, they'll do just fine if I die," Amanda replied smartly.
"That's just it though!" Arthur exclaimed, "They were a mess! They entered a world where the sun didn't shine and the birds didn't sing. It was like they were when they served for Rome. Nicolarious was as gloomy as the graveyard your parents are buried in. Edem, I'm sure he'll go mad without you! Now, go back to your room. This conversation is finished." Amanda felt the urge to smack him and go into battle anyway, but she took a deep breath and went back to the great hall. Ambrose was waiting for her, and he extended his arm.
"I'm under strict orders to escort you back to your room," he said. Amanda was not in the mood for this.
"Then what?" she asked.
"Well then I'll go into battle of course. Did you see them?" he answered. Amanda nodded. Why did men always get to do what they wanted?
"How many were there?" he asked.
"Only about a hundred. It'll be an easy win," Amanda answered. The two didn't converse the rest of the way to her room. Amanda let go of Ambrose's arm and reached for the door handle. Ambrose cleared his throat.
"Yes Lord Ambrose?" Amanda asked, turning.
"It's customary that before I go into battle I receive some type of good luck charm from a lady. Since you are the only one in sight, I say you must give me one," he said. Amanda wasn't foolish. He knew he wanted a kiss. She smiled and decided to play a little joke. She took off the ring on her finger, and the put it on the chain around her neck. She gave it to Ambrose, who smiled, on to her game.
"It's always brought me luck," Amanda said. Ambrose took it and put it on.
"Thank you milady," he said, bowing.
"Good luck, Lord Thaddeus," Amanda replied, curtsying. He walked away and Amanda entered her room. She walked over to her vanity and sat down in front of the mirror. She started to undo the braids in her hair when she saw it. In the corner of the vanity was a single white flower. At first, Amanda thought it was a rose, but when she looked closer, she discovered it wasn't. It was smaller than a rose. Amanda took it out of the vase and smelt it. It smelt wonderful, better than jasmine. Amanda spun around when she heard Anys enter the room.
"That arrived about an hour after you left for the ball. It's from Mysterious," she said, seeing the flower.
"What kind of flower is it Anys?" Amanda asked.
"It's a Gardenia. That's all I know about it," she answered. Amanda knew that all flowers had a meaning. However, the only meaning of a flower she knew was of the red rose, which meant love, or that the person whom gave it to you, loved you. But a Gardenia befuddled Amanda. She hadn't even heard of a Gardenia before. Who ever this Mysterious was, he was probably well schooled in the subject of courting.
