"OH MY GOD... I look ridiculous!"

"What are you talking about?! You look wonderful."

"I don't know, Kahlan. I feel... like not me."

Kahlan looked at her warmly and smiled.

"Rose, you look beautiful, trust me. And you look like you, only in more elegant version."

"Really?"

"Really."

"If you say so... But it doesn't mean, that I'm convinced."

"Of course, of course..."

"For example, just look at you! You look completely astonishing but at the same time so... natural. How do you do this?"

"Rose... I was forced to go to balls and official occasions since my 10th birthday, that's the whole secret."

"Hmmm it can be that..."

"I bet, it can. And now, please try to stand still for a while. I must look at you from a distance..."

"Dear Lord..."

Kahlan giggled. She ended up preparing Rose for the ball alone, because Gwen as the queen had to be at the ball in time. They had just finished, however Rose didn't feel entirely comfortable. Or maybe she just wasn't used to this type of clothing...

"YES! Like, I've said wonderful."

Kahlan decided, glancing at Rose with approval. Then she unexpectedly changed the subject.

"So, you were saying that meeting John's sister went much better than you have suspected?"

"Oh yes! Donna is incredible. Kahlan, you will surely like her!"

Honestly, Rose still couldn't believe, that this meeting went so well... She was a little afraid before it, because she really wanted to have a good contact with John's beloved sister. Not that Rose had some bigger plans with John, as it was much too soon for anything... But who knows what could happen in the future... Kahlan's voice broke her from these thoughts.

"John always speaks only good things about her, doesn't he?"

"Yes they are very close..."

"Then, it's good that you already have such a great connection with her..."

Kahlan smirked.

"Hey! Don't start your insinuations again..."

"Am I saying anything? However, it is always useful to have good relations with potential sister - in - law..."

"KAHLAN!"

"What?! You told us yourself, that you started to think about John in a different way."

"I... I don't know what I feel, yet... it's too soon for that. Besides, I don't even know what he feels..."

Kahlan looked at her, incredulously.

"I don't believe in what I'm hearing... ROSE, do you have a split personality or what?! Yesterday you told me and Gwen what happened, remember? And yet, you constantly have some doubts about his feelings? AFTER SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!"

When Rose couldn't find the answer, she added in a lower voice.

"Sweet heart, I know that you have gone through horrible things but maybe you should give yourself another chance for happiness, when you have a chance for it?"

"I don't know, Kahlan... In addition, I have an impression that he's hiding something... I really won't survive another heartbreak again..."

Kahlan looked at her seriously.

"I understand you... But why don't you talk to him? Tell him what bothers you..."

"Yes, perhaps you're right... We should talk... maybe tonight?"

"Tonight? I'm not so sure... when John sees you in this dress, he won't be able to manage focus on the conversation itself..."

"Very funny..."

"I'm not joking! I bet, that he will not be able to take his eyes from you even for a while... But apparently, you won't believe it unless see it yourself. "

Rose snorted and decided to change the subject.

"Will Richard come for you?"

"Nope. I must supervise you and lead you to the ballroom myself to make sure that you will arrrive there and not escape to the forest."

"Very funny! And seriously?"

"Seriously, I told him that I must finish with you here. He will take care of John, meanwhile. So we are going together my dear. Of course, If you don't you have any other plans..."

"Yeah, interesting. What plans could I have?! In fact, I will feel much better in your company. I wouldn't like to go there alone."

"Hey, don't be so nervous. It's not the Middle Ages and balls aren't so very refined, anymore..."

"That doesn't mean there will not be dozens of conceited, shallow high born ladies, trying to hunt the richest guy as possible, there..."

"Yeah sadly, they may appear even here... In Camelot itself, women like these are rather difficult to find, however at the balls there are guests from other lands..."

"And that is what discourages me a bit."

"Oh don't worry, we'll be staying away from all those floozies!"

Rose smiled hoping, all those floozies will also stay away from them... She looked in awe at Kahlan, who had just finished the binding part of her shining, dark hair.

"You have beautiful hair, Kahlan. And it is SOOO LOOOONG..."

"Honey, you have almost the same length of hair, as I do..."

"Nah... mine is just... too blonde."

"And how is it connected with length?"

She laughed.

"And blonde hair looks lovely! Mine is too dark..."

"Oh come on! I wish, I had dark hair. So elegant and feminine..."

Without a word, they looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Oh My God, Kahlan we are the worst!"

"Yes we are... anyway, I think we are also finally ready."

"Are we?"

Kahlan looked around the room. Her gaze stopped for a while at the bedside cabinet.

"Or maybe we aren't. Rose, you don't want to wear your flower?"

"My flower?! W... what for?"

Rose already felt the heat on cheeks.

"Hmmm because it's pretty? Or because it suits to your dress perfectly? Or... I don't know... because John will be in Seventh Heaven, when you do that?"

"Why would he?"

"Trust me, he would..."

"Pfff I can wear it, but I wouldn't like to destroy the dress with some needle... it's not mine..."

"First of all, IT IS YOURS cause Gwen gave it to you. And second thing... well indeed it would be a shame to use a needle on it... Perhaps, we'll figure out something else..."

As if, in a response for their thoughts, somebody knocked at the doors.

"Rose are you expecting any quests?"

"Nope... "

"Who is it?"

She asked louder.

"Rose? Am I not interrupting...?"

They heard the familiar voice. MERLIN! This one always knew when to knock... she thought a bit amused...

"Not at all, come in."

So he did.

"Hello. Oh and Kahlan is here too, how nice! Wooow.. you both look gorgeous..."

He looked at them in awe.

"Kahlan indeed, but I look weird..."

Rose corrected him.

"Oh trust me Rose, you don't look weird at all..."

"You see Rose, I've told you! Merlin is a man, and you should rely on his opinion, not yours. By the way, thank you Merlin. Charming as always."

"I try my best..."

He joked.

"So you are preparing for the ball girls, huh?"

"We have just finished."

Explained Rose.

"ALMOST finished."

Precised Kahlan. She then continued.

"Actually, Merlin...What are you still doing here, if I may ask? Shouldn't you already be in the ballroom with our favorite royal couple?"

"Well... Honestly, I'm a bit late..."

"We see that..."

Giggling Rose.

"I heard from Gwen, you will probably be late, too. So I thought, that maybe we could you know... go together?"

"Good idea, right Kahlan?"

"Yeah, why not? It could be funny. We'll have the greatest entrance."

"Hahahah you have no idea... When I enter the ballroom with two fabulous ladies by my side people in Camelot won't stop talking about it for years... "

Grinned Merlin. Both women laughed hearing those words. Oh this Merlin!

"SO ladies, are you ready for this enchanting evening?"

Merlin looked around the room, and spotted what Rose still held in her hand.

"You are wearing the flower from John? How nice..."

He smiled widely.

"She definitely should wear it, don't you agree Merlin?"

"Oh John would feel honored..."

Rose tried to hide how much pleasure these words brought her...

"But I don't want to spoil the dress with a needle..."

"Oh then why didn't you girls come to me, at once!? All you need here is a pinch of magic!"

"Could you do this Merlin?"

Asked Rose a bit surprised.

"Rose, Rose... Merlin is already one of the most powerful sorcerers in history, despite his young age. You have doubts, whether he can attach the flower to the dress?"

Joked Kahlan.

"I wonder, why I didn't think about it, myself..."

"Well, now I feel honored Kahlan..."

The young sorcerer smiled proudly.

"Then Rose, will you let me try?"

"Sure."

He delicately took the flower from her.

"Where you want to have it?"

"Hmmm maybe... here?"

"Aright then. Could you hold the rose in this place for a while? I wouldn't like to accidentaly touch your... hmmm you know..."

Women exchanged amused glances, giggling.

"Is breast the word you were looking for, Merlin?"

Kahlan teased him.

"You can laugh... You would be surprised, if you knew..."

"Tell us, then..."

"Ladies... there are some things not allowed for your pretty ears..."

Merlin smirked.

"Anyway, will you let me continue? Time is passing by..."

"He's right Kahlan... Please do it Merlin."

"Alright, but don't think Merlin that we'll not come back to that subject one day..."

Kahlan blinked.

"Yeah, good luck with that..."

Laughed Merlin. Then he got to work. Rose kept the flower on the dress, while he whispered some spells. To woman's surprise, suddenly some strange light appeared in sorcerer's eyes. Why it seemed so similar...

"It's ready."

He declared after a while. That was fast! Rose released the rose and noticed it kept itself attached.

"Wow, Merlin great job. Thank you..."

"Indeed very impressive."

Added Kahlan.

"Always at the service of young, beautiful ladies."

He smiled.

"SO are you finally ready now?"

Merlin asked hopefully.

"I think we are, Rose?"

"Oh we definitely are! "

Merlin smiled.

"What a relief, I started to worry whether we'd arrive there at all... Ladies first."

He opened them doors with gallantry.

"What a gentleman!"

Commented Kahlan.

"First class!"

Rose agreed, amused.

"Ladies, shall we?"

Merlin offered them both his own arms. Both women held him and the three moved towards the ballroom. They will surely have the greatest entrance. Rose smiled to herself. She had a feeling that it will be unforgettable evening...