Chapter ten Rings and other things:
Sure enough the next day after found the betrothed couple making their way into Shimmerlies as they entered the luxury jewellery store a female sales assistant came over to them, she smiled at the two princess's. "Welcome ladies how can I help you both today?"
"We are here to look for betrothal rings." Darling told her.
"I see, well we have some lovely rings which might be just the thing." This said the assistant led the couple across to a display case.
Side by side Raven and Darling took their time to look over the rings on offer in the case. The witches eyes were drawn to a white gold ring, it had two scrolled ends between which sat two small diamonds and one larger pale blue sapphire. Raven looked up at the shop assistant, pointed to the ring and said. "Can I see that one please?"
With a nod the female shop assistant drew out that part of the display case, she removed the ring from its spot and then handed the ring to Raven. The purple eyed lady looked the ring over for a few moments then turned to Darling and asked her. "What do you think of this ring?"
The warrior maiden looked at said ring then smiled at her betrothed. "It looks beautiful. Can I try it?" The white haired princess directed this question to the assistant who gave the couple a nod.
Smiling softly Raven slipped the ring onto Darlings engagement finger. Blushing slightly the blue eyed princess looked down at the ring she had to admit it looked lovely on her like it had been made just for her. Darling looked up at her true love and said. "It's perfect Raven not only does it fit but I love it."
"Good I am glad to hear that." Raven gently took the ring back off of Darlings finger and then turned her attention to the shop assistant for a moment. "We'll take that one."
Smiling at the clearly in love couple the assistant drew a ring box out, Raven handed the ring across so it could be boxed. Just as the female shop assistant had finished putting it in a Shimmerlies bag Darling noticed in the top most corner a ring which caught her attention and spoke to the assistant. "Can I see that one in the top corner?"
"Of cause." Quickly the assistant got this ring out for Darling.
The warrior princess took the ring from her and took her time to look at it closely, this ring like the one Raven had chosen for her was white gold the band had flared ends which held between them a beautiful purple diamond. Darling turned to her witch and then addressed her. "I think this one is best for you my love."
"Oh Darling it looks beautiful." Raven held her left hand out for her princess and Darling carefully slid the ring onto her finger. The dark haired witch looked down at the ring, she admired the way the purple diamond caught the light and seemed to sparkle with inner warmth. "I love it Darling."
"Good then we shall take this one too." This said the white haired princess removed the ring from Ravens finger then handed it across to the shop assistant to be boxed and bagged. They paid for their purchases at the till and left the store holding their bags in one hand while they held hands with their free hand.
As they walked along heading to Hokas Latte Raven looked at her princess and said. "I'm glad you convinced me to go to Shimmerlies our rings are beautiful."
"I'm glad you're happy as I said you deserve the best Raven and I intend to make sure you get it my princess." As she said this Darling raised the hand of the witches she was holding and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
Together the couple ordered drinks, they found a table then took a moment to get out their rings and put them on each other. They sat together drank their drinks, then set off back to the school, Apple was waiting for them in the entrance hall, she came dashing over to the couple. "Can I see please?"
The two women giggled and extended their left hands, Apple looked at the rings then to the couple standing before her. "Those rings are the most fairest I have ever seen."
"Thank you Apple." Darling said with a smile for the blond princess.
Raven smiled at her roommate. "I'm glad our rings meet with your approval Apple. So what time tonight is the party for us going to be and where?"
"It's starting at about eight and in the school hall the head master said we could use it as the whole school wants to attend the festivities." The daughter of Snow White told them.
The white haired princess turned to her betrothed and addressed her. "Well then I shall come to your room at eight tonight."
"I'll be waiting." Raven told her then pressed a soft short kiss to the lips of her princess. Smiling happily to herself Darling set off to her classes for the day and the witch made her way to hers. Both princess's were eager for the day to be over so they could be together again and attend the party.
As the witch was eating lunch she looked round the lunch hall and smiled, it was wonderful to see the couples she had brought together eating their lunch together. Then her purple eyed princess noticed Hopper he was looking deeply depressed, Raven could understand why he had an unrequited love for Briar and now the brunette was Apple's prince. As the black haired princess couldn't help but feel that perhaps there might be something she could do for Hopper to help him find his own princess.
As the witch contemplated the morose looking prince Darling sat down beside her and said softly. "If you wish to help heal Hoppers heart might I suggest you look in Meeshell's direction my love and let me help you."
Raven turned, she smiled at Darling and then placed a kiss to her cheek before speaking. "Really, well they both have water attributes to them so that makes sense. As for your help I would be glad to accept it."
A slow smile spread across the white haired princess's face. "Good you see I have a plan."
The witch leant in and explained her plan to Raven, who smiled slowly and gave her a nod. When the pair had finished their lunch the purple eyed princess went in Hoppers direction and Darling headed over to Meeshell. It didn't take much of a conversation with Raven to have Hopper turning into a frog, the witch scooped the frog prince up and left the lunch hall.
Darling meanwhile sat down beside the daughter of the Little Mermaid. "So you like Hopper."
"Yes...but I can't tell him..." Meeshell said softly her voice in its normal shy tone.
"Do you think you would find it easier to tell Hopper how you feel about him if you where in water?" The warrior maiden asked the other princess.
Meeshell gave Darling a single nod, the white haired lady stood up she offered the shy princess a hand. Blinking with confusion the daughter of the Little Mermaid took the hand, she let Darling help her up onto her feet and guide her out of the room. The warrior princess took the blue eyed lady to the pool room, she turned to Meeshell and addressed her. "Why don't you get into the water and tell me all about your love for Hopper?"
With a nod the strawberry blond princess did as Darling directed her to, as soon as she was beneath the water and in mermaid form Meeshell closed her eyes and began to speak. "I think Hopper is very cute. I find him so wonderful to talk to. I love the way he doesn't judge me for being shy or for being a mermaid."
Because her eyes were closed Meeshell didn't notice the golden glow in the corner where Raven stood holding the now glowing Hopper who was looking at himself with surprise. With a smile for the amphibian prince the witch walked over to the water and gently she slid him into it. The frog swam its way through the water towards Meeshell once the prince was alongside her he lay a webbed hand onto the arm of the mermaid. The blue eyes of the princess shot open, they focused on the frog swimming before her Meeshell smiled gently at Hopper and fought back the blush wanting to rise on her cheeks. The princes took his bravery in both hands, quickly he leant in and golden light filled the water.
Darling and Raven who now stood side by side at the water's edge smiled at each other, they watched and waited. Slowly the golden light left the water to reveal Hopper in human form but with a bright green merman's tail. The prince looked down at his tail, then to the mermaid swimming before him and addressed her in a soft voice. "You're going to have to teach me how to turn back into a human."
"You don't mind that being my true love means that you'll be a merman?" Meeshell asked him with shock.
Hopper smiled at her. "No I rather like it and it's a lot better than turning into a frog."
This comment drew a giggle from the one he loved together they started to swim round the pool just giving Hopper time to get used to his new tail. Knowing that this new couple would be alright now that they were together Darling and Raven left them alone so that they could explore the true love which they now shared.
Raven and Darling stood in the hallway outside of the pool room the couple shared brief kiss before parting ways to go to their afternoon classes. They were both looking forward to it being time for the party as they wanted not only to be together but celebrate their love with all their friends.
When that evening finally came Raven could hardly contain her excitement, Apple was more than happy to help her friend into the dress she was going to were to the party. The dress was strapless, it had a sweet heart neckline it was a deep purple silk to match Raven's eyes it was over laid with a layer of silver semi see through fabric and gave the dark haired princess an almost unearthly appearance. Raven wore her hair in her normal style but instead of her usually spiked head band the witch wore a band of simple shimmering stones. "What do you think?" The purple eyed princess asked her friend nervously.
"Oh Raven you look beautiful." Apple told her with sincerity. At that moment a knock sounded at their door and the blue eyed princess smiled at the witch. "That will be our escorts for the night."
The daughter of Snow White crossed to the door of their room with Raven not far behind her, sure enough when she opened the door Briar and Darling stood waiting in the hall way. Both women were dressed in smart suites which made them look like princes, the daughter of Sleeping Beauty's outfit was all in pink, red and cream and Darlings was white, blue and gold. Briar took Apples hand into hers, she pressed a kiss to the cheek of her true love and smiled at the blond princess. "You look beautiful Apple."
Apple blushed prettily, she returned Briars loving gesture by kissing her cheek in return. "Thank you my love and you look very princely tonight."
Briar grinned at the blue eyed princess. "Yes well Raven changing my cloths the way she did gave me a taste for the princely look besides I am your prince even if I am a little unconventional."
"I wouldn't have you any other way." Apple told her princess sincerely this said Briar and Apple then set off down the hall way hand in hand.
Raven watched them go smiling she stepped out of the room, closed the door securely behind her and then turned to face her own princess. Darling's blue eyes took in every detail of her true love, the warrior maiden had to admit she loved it when Raven dressed like this it showed to everyone just how much of a true princess the dark haired lady really was. "Raven your magnificent tonight."
The dark haired witch blushed but returned the compliment. "Thank you Darling and you look every inch the prince tonight."
"Well I didn't want to risk any one questioning my role as your prince and I do prefer to dress in this fashion whenever I get the chance to." Darling said as she gallantly offered her arm to her true love who took it and together they set off to the party.
As they walked along the corridors towards where their party was being held Raven addressed her princess. "Darling trust me no one is going to question the fact that you and only you are my prince."
The white haired princess smiled at the purple eyed lady at her side. "Thank you Raven. It is good to know that you feel so strongly about my place in your life."
"Oh Darling how could I not. You are the one who has haunted my dreams for the longest time and now I have you, I'm not about to let anyone take you away from me."
Together the two women entered the party, Melody was playing her tunes but as she noticed the entrance of the newly betrothed couple she brought the song to an end and addressed the party goers. "Princes and Princesses, hero's and heroin's please put your hands together for the newly betrothed couple."
Sure enough all those present began to cheer whole heartedly for the two princesses, smiling around at them all Raven and Darling made their way into the party. They accepted the many congratulations of friends and other students as they made their way through the crowds of people towards the dance floor. When the couple at last made it to the dance floor Melody started a slow song just for them and together Darling and Raven made their way out onto the floor and began to waltz together. Eventually the happy couple were joined on the dance floor by all of the couples that the witch had brought together. When this slow song ended Melody started to play more upbeat party tunes and soon the party was in full swing.
All throughout the party Raven and Darling spent most of the night together only going out onto the floor to dance together or with their friends. To all those present it was understandable that the new couple did not like to be parted from each other for very long periods of time. Raven took great delight in watching Daring and Rosabella, Hopper and Meeshell, Ashlynn and Hunter, Briar and Apple all dancing together out on the dance floor. Darling looked at her princess standing beside her she said softly to the witch. "They all look so happy together my love. You did a wonderful job bringing all those people together. You know I don't think I have ever heard of anybody who has brought together so many true love couples together then you Raven."
Raven smiled at the warrior maiden. "It makes me so happy to see all of them together and to know that they are all truly in love makes me feel even more joyful."
"Let's join them." Darling said softly taking hold of her princess and sweeping out onto the floor with her.
It was not until close to midnight that things started to wind down, it was at this point that the white haired princess escorted her betrothed back to her room for the night. They walked along the corridors of the school together in a companionable silence and at the door to Raven's dorm room the couple shared a sweet good night kiss before they parted ways to for the night.
The two women were very happy with the way the party celebrating their betrothal had gone tonight. They were also extremely pleased with the overall acceptance of their relationship and the end of their unusual fairy tale had amongst the student population. This positive acknowledgment of their relationship gave both princesses hope for a harmonious future with the other fairy tales as well as their kingdoms even if it might be a little difficult for them to do so at this time with some of the current rulers of those kingdoms.