This is a continuation of last chap, cuz it was so long…another reason it took so long…again—SORRY! I'd just like to say, I'm a bit of a tree-hugger, which is why I started typing my stories instead of writing them, and now I even get better publicity!!!...so LET'S ALL GO HUG TREES!!! Shut up, twilightforever…

He took off flying, and I jumped into the air after him. He was no match for me—I was also part fast-flying fairy. I had realized why I could fly so fast the night before.

We flew leisurely side by side, letting the breeze carry us. We were headed towards the lake in Spring Meadow.

"Now will you tell me where you're taking me?" I asked, smiling at him in a mock puppy-face.

"You'll see soon enough," he said, grinning, and I wondered if the words would have made me feel this way if anyone else said them. I doubted it.

Soon he alighted on the branch of a beautiful apple tree in full bloom. I touched a flower, and it bloomed wider, and nearly glowed. I took my hand back quickly, and then laughed. I had been caught off guard, not thinking anything would happen. Until, that is, I remembered I was also part garden-talent.

"Alright," said Terence, "Now the surprise element kicks in. Come here."

He waved me over to him, and I came as if he had pulled an invisible rope instead of waved.

He stepped behind me and put his hands over my eyes. I shivered lightly as I felt his touch.

"Are you cold?" he asked, sounding worried.

"No, I'm okay," I said, grinning in spite of myself.

"Alright…walk forward, carefully."

I took small steps forward. I felt Terence follow me.

"Alright," I heard his voice, and stopped. "Turn to your left."

I slowly and carefully turned left and walked a few more steps, until Terence said, "Stop there."

I stood obediently waiting. I could hear the chattering of running water nearby, and the singing of birds.

He removed his hands from my eyes. I blinked for a second in the sudden light, before really looking at my surroundings.

We were in a small glade surrounded by blossoming trees. The ground was covered in petals, and there was a little stream running through the right-hand side of the clearing. Near the stream, there was a blanket laid out with a basket on top. I could tell this was a picnic.

I turned around. Terence stood, smiling. I realized I hadn't reacted at all when my face broke out into a smile. I beamed and said, "Terence, it's wonderful!"

He reached out his hand, and said, "Shall we?"

I took his hand and we flew to the picnic site.

Anyway, in the basket, there were two glasses, two plates, a bottle of honeysuckle juice, some sandwiches, and some different kinds of berries. It looked really good.

Terence poured some of the juice into each glass, and we each took a sandwich and started eating.

Anyway, just to skip over the less interesting, eating bits…

"So," said Terence after I had helped him clean up. "Want to know what the plan is for tonight?"

"Yes!" I said enthusiastically.

"Sorry—it's another surprise." I pouted mockingly. He went on, "I'll come and get you around 8 o'clock, okay?"

I nodded, now smiling.

"Wait," I said. "Is it casual or formal or…?" I trailed off.

"Semi-formal," he said. "But it really is about time I took you home."

I nodded. The sunset was rapidly approaching. We had spent a surprising amount of time here. I guess it was a little bit of a cross between lunch and dinner. Who knew it took so long to hand out pixie dust?

We started flying in a homeward direction. We didn't speak on the way, but it wasn't an awkward silence. It was quite the opposite—I could have lived in that silence with him; it was a nice silence. We knew each other enough to know that words weren't necessary.

Upon arriving at the doorstep, the two guards looked at each other, and one said, "We have something to do, uh…over there." He pointed, and both of them walked away quickly and unnaturally, and the one who hadn't spoken flashed me a grin. I smiled back, knowing why they had left.

"See you around," said Terence, and grinned as he started to step away.

I grinned at his charade, and then said, "You think I'm just going to let you walk away like that?"

"I had hoped you were going to say that."

The next thing I knew, he was right in front of me and his arms were draped around me. He kissed me, but only quickly.

I reluctantly removed my arms from around his neck. He said, "I'll see you tonight," and was gone.

I walked back inside just as the guards returned. I didn't stop, but instead went straight into my room and started tearing through the contents of my closet. I didn't think I owned anything semi-formal aside from the white dress, but I had already worn it twice in the last week—plus it was getting cleaned.

"Having trouble finding something for tonight?" said a voice from the doorway—another voice I knew well.

"Queen Clarion," I said, turning. "How did you know?"

"You learn a lot when you're the queen. Now, about your attire."

She waved to someone out of sight, and Jeeves come in with a rack of clothing.

"I took the liberty of finding you some dresses and gowns for different occasions. You seem to have need of a lot of them," said Queen Clarion, eyes glittering.

Jeeves wheeled the rack into my room and left.

"I am sure you will find something to wear. You can put it all in your closet, when you've chosen."

"Thank you, Queen Clarion," I cried, hugging her.

"You are very welcome, she replied, hugging me back, then I took a step back and she said, "I suggest you find something to wear. You will have dinner with Terence, so you are not expected to be in the dining hall to eat."

I decided it was time to get dressed. I walked up to the rack helplessly, looking at the profusion of dresses. I ended up pulling a dark turquoise one off the rack. When I put it on, it was tightly fitted down to my waist, where it fanned out. There were embroidered roses all over the top part. It had this, spaghetti straps and a v-neck.

I looked in the mirror, and the dress fit me perfectly—I would have been surprised, but I was used to Queen Clarion's knowing everything.

I descended the staircase slowly, not wanting to trip. I didn't realize until I was at the third last step that Terence was standing at the bottom.

Wearing a tuxedo.

"You look…" he trailed off, apparently lost for words.

"Beautiful," said a voice coming from one of the halls leading off the main entry hall. A voice I knew to be…

"Queen Clarion!" said Terence, bowing in her direction. She was coming out of the hall the lead to the library.

"Terence," she said, nodding.

"Princess Varia," he said, turning to me with his eyes gleaming, "It would be my pleasure if I could escort you to the Fall Ball tonight."

I beamed and took his outstretched hand.

"It would be my pleasure to accompany you," I said, still smiling.

He led me to the door, saying to Queen Clarion, "I won't keep her out too late."

"Take your time," she said kindly. "Have fun!"

"We will," I promised, and we were out the door.