Chapter Eight
That night, dinner had been loud and rather enjoyable. Instead of the dinning hall, they set up a buffet of food and held a small ball in the Four Throne Room. Caspian surprised Alex and Patience and threw them a welcome ball.
It was quite funny when he knocked on Patience's door and surprised her with the news.
"I don't have a ball gown." She said sadly. He smiled and told her not to worry.
About an hour later, a beautiful gown was laying on her bed along with shoes and two nymphs to help her prepare.
One was a wood nymph whose name was Scara and the other was a water nymph who went by the name of Nara. Both were exceedingly beautiful and seemed to shine when they smiled.
Scara had a unique hair style, two long strands of burnt red hair that came down about mid back and the rest solid black short hair that did not even come past her neck. It seemed to have a mind of its own for her hair went in every direction, yet it looked as smooth as silk.
Her dress seemed to act as a second skin for you could not see any detail in her anatomy though there was no indication of a collar or sleeves. The bottom half of her dress was increasingly baffling. It seemed to be made of branches, long branches though they didn't look like they hurt. The wood seemed to go in every direction but it was smooth and looked like it fit comfortably.
The part of Scara's outfit that seemed to completer her would be the vines that seemed to wrap themselves around her entire body. Up her legs, her arms, her abdominal, even her neck. The vines themselves seemed to be alive and the leaves that grew on the vines make her skin look more like wood than actual skin, in a graceful kind of way. It made Scara look even more beautiful when you studied her.
Nara matched Scara in beauty and grace, but their uniqueness was different. Nara's ears were at a point much like an elf. Her eyes were like emeralds that shined in the faintest of light. Her hair of white blonde came all the way down to the backs of her knees. It too looked like each strand of hair went in its own direction, but it looked smooth and graceful.
Her dress, as well, seemed to act as a second skin, though not much detail showed in her anatomy; all except her naval. Her fore arms seemed to be made of scales and her fingers were connected by webs. Her nails were long, but not frightening or dangerous.
The bottom half of her dress flowed like water itself. Even when there was no wind present, it seemed to flow. It looked like Nara had no bottom half except when Patience noticed Nara's bare feet when she walked towards her.
Nara introduced herself first and took Patience's hand. She led her to the bathing area so that she ould wash Patience's hair and skin.
Patience barely remembered what happened for she found herself deeply relaxed enough to not care about anything that happened.
She did remember, about two hours later, when she placed the gown on and looked at herself in the mirror.
That morning, she thought she had exceeded the expectations of her beauty, but as she looked in the mirror, she didn't even think it was her anymore.
The dress was of a deep red and pure gold. It was sleeveless and showed her figure magnificently. It held tightly down to her abdominal and loosened past it. The material was pure silk and very comfortable against her skin. The gold designs looked as if they formed flowers around the entire dress.
Her skin seemed to shine along with her dress and her blue eyes shown with the white glitter around her eyes. Her hair was down, but it was styled beautifully around her face. At the bottom of her hair, there were slight curls that went in every direction possible.
Her shoes matched her dress perfectly; same patterns and same colors, though they somehow made her feel look spectacular.
When Scara went to place jewelry on Patience, she was stopped and told that what they had done was plenty. Patience smiled gratefully at the two nymphs and was rewarded by a kiss on each cheek.
--
She was nervous looking at herself in the mirror in her room. Scara and Nara had left about an hour before and Patience sat on her bed, neatly so not to wrinkle the dress, alone and, of course, thinking to herself. She wasn't exactly sure what she was nervous about because she had been to millions of balls; of course, she had never been the center of attention in one.
Patience sighed as she came to the decision that she would go and have a good time. After all, she deserved it, so she thought.
The knock on the door brought her nerves back and she shakily answered, "C-come in."
Targus appeared at the door and smiled brightly at the sight of his little lady.
"My dear, you are positively gorgeous. I have never in my lifetime seen someone more beautiful. May I have the honor of being your escort?" Targus asked beaming at Patience.
At Targus's comments, she felt her strength rise and she excitedly accepted his offer.
Targus stopped as they approached the enormous double wooden doors that led to the Four Throne Room. Patience looked at him confused and he spoke, "Patience, my child, tonight is your night. Do not worry about pleasing anyone but yourself; do not have fun for anyone but you, and I want to believe in you. Have fun and relax. Eat your fill, dance, and have fun." Patience smiled at Targus. He was a great friend.
Patience took Targus's advice to heart and tried her best to not even think.
When the double doors opened, she gasped at the sight. Everyone was dancing and singing and eating. Fauns, centaurs, elves, dwarves, beavers, badgers, squirrels, spirits, men, women, children, and so many more were laughing and enjoying themselves. She had never seen so many beautiful smiles fill a room before. Their clothes shined with the light and made the room look more elegant and beautiful. Even the trees appeared to be dancing and enjoying themselves.
Patience's worries melted in her smile as she entered and everyone cheered. She approached everyone in the room and introduced herself and danced with many of them. The fauns especially seemed to take on an interest in her dancing grace that they formed circles around her and cheered when she danced.
Never in her life had she had so much fun and was happy. As she danced in the circles, she was quickly found dancing with someone. Her brother had apparently snuck into the circles and danced with his sister. They danced with smiles on their faces and laughter on their voices until they were silenced by a bell graced horn.
"My friends and fellow Narnians, I welcome you to the Welcome Ball of a son of Adam and a daughter of Eve. This ball is in their honor and I ask you to welcome them with open hearts and smiling faces. Please, I wish all to enjoy the food and festivities. Carry on!" Caspian shouted after the announcement.
He looked as handsome as he did the first time Patience saw him. He was dressed in the same colors as Patience though he surpassed her beauty as well as grace.
Her crystal blue eyes followed his adoring deep brown ones as he looked to his left. Approaching him was a beautiful woman no older than Patience. She walked with a grace and poise that Patience would guess of royalty. Her hair was dark red and wavy and surpassing her shoulders. Her skin was like Helen's, like a porcelain doll. She was very stunning and looked almost sweet.
Patience realized she was staring when her brother pinched her arm for attention.
"Ow! Oh, sorry." She smiled at her brother whom smiled back.
He was dashing that night as well. Basically he wore the same thing he wore to breakfast but the colors were more exquisite and rich. His hair was styled, but was kind of a waste for at the start of the night, his hair had already begun to fall into its regular stance.
His skin almost shown in the moon light and his eyes seemed to reflect it. His left hand had never moved from its comfortable hold on the magnificent blade at his left side. He felt proud and honored to carry such a worthy weapon.
Patience smiled, "You look great tonight. I wish Helen was able to see you looking so royal and dashing," Patience teased.
"You look great yourself, big sis. Maybe you should find yourself a worthy bachelor tonight." He retaliated. At that moment Caspian approached the two siblings.
"Patience, Alex." He nodded at the two and they acknowledged with a bow, "Let me introduce my dear friend, Kataline. She has been a friend of mine since childhood." The woman addressed as Kataline bowed and smiled.
Patience saw the kindness in her eyes, yet there was something familiar about them. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Patience and this stud here is my little brother, Alex." Patience smiled as she punched Alex's arm.
Caspian laughed, "Well that's sibling rivalry for you." Kataline smiled at his laugh and put her arm through his. She eyed Patience.
Patience noticed the challenging stare and smiled, "Well, I should let you two get back to your festivities. I think I shall dance with the fauns again."
"You danced with the fauns? They must like you." Kataline challenged.
"It just so happens they love my dancing. I do not know why though. I must be special." Patience giggled as she excused herself and walked into the direction of the fauns.
Kataline stared at Patience in disbelief of her rudeness, "How could you let her talk to me that way Caspian?"
"What? How did she talk to you?" Caspian asked baffled at her statement.
"Maybe you should get off your high horse and worry about yourself. You seem to be good at it." Alex glared at Kataline and a little at Caspian as he followed Patience to the fauns. He had seen the dislike in Kataline's eyes as she looked upon his sister; the disgust and bitterness. She may have looked sweet and innocent, but there was a spoiled and angry part of her that couldn't be ignored.
Caspian looked at Kataline with questions in his eyes, "What did you do this time?"
"Whatever do you mean?" She acted innocent.
"What did you do Kataline?" Caspian asked firmly with seriousness in his eyes.
"Cas, you only call me Kataline when you're mad at me." She pouted.
"I will be very angry if anything happens to her."
Yo, I know to take Don-Jam's advise seriously and I did. I went back and revised a lot of what I wrote when I had no internet so I do hope that you like! I know its a little early for Patience to have a rival, but I thought it would be kind of funny to show a spirited Patience instead of the hopeless without a friend Patience. Anyway, I hope you like none-the-less!
Thank you Don-Jam and heartbreaker1992 for your wonderful comments! I REALLY appritiate.
Constructive criticism is nice, flaming is laughed at, and comments are love!
