"I am, my lady, if it pleases you," Sir Robert answered holding out an
elbow, "but I believe that Lady Rosamund is to go down first." The herald
nodded and Rose and Sir Andrew descended into the hall together.
"Lady Rosamund Ariana Cynward and Sir Andrew Marnes."
Ella could not see what was going on, but from the round of applause she gathered their welcome had been warm. Soon there was silence and a man's voice spoke, though Ella could not hear his words.
Sir Robert led her to the top of the stairs and began their descent. Mouths hung open and quietly there was a round of clapping. The king, dressed in purple, stood up.
"Lady Ella Bridget McLeod and Sir Robert McGibb."
The king raised his hand for silence. "We welcome you home Sir Robert. Please sit here," he said motioning to a chair below him and beside the one in which Rose sat. "Lady Ella, may jewel like you forever adorn my court, Please sit here. The queen is ill and sent word that you should sit in her stead."
Ella slowly made her way up the stairs to the Queen's chair. It was bedecked in gold and shined like the stars. Thoughts fluttered through her head like the names and titles being presented to her. Finally, after the court had been presented to her, dinner was served.
"What were you planning on doing after lunch?" the king asked.
"Well, your majesty, I was going to see what Rose was doing before I made plans," Ella responded with eyes full of question.
"Well, Ella, if you'd like some nobles and I are going riding with a new lord. Would you and Rose like to join us?"
"I, personally would love to your majesty,"
That was the last moment they had for conversation. Dukes and earls came to talk to the king, about what Ella did not know. The food was delicious.
The king rose after the last dish had been cleared away. Ella followed his suit. To her side she noticed Anna fluttering, waiting for orders.
"Everyone, you are dismissed from my sight!" the king ordered.
Anna came to Ella. "My lady, if you are to go with the king and the king's circle we must find you and appropriate riding outfit. Hurry!"
Rose and Ella hurried after the swift maid, who rushed down the corridor to their rooms, grabbing another maid on the way. On the way, Ella could have sworn she had seen the armor move to watch the girls dash down the hall towards their suits. Finally, they reached their destination and Ella was pushed into her room by Anna and sent to sit on the bed.
"My lady, I must find a riding habit for you. If you'll step outside and tell the page to saddle your horse, this would go a lot faster."
Ella did as she was told and reentered the room. Anna stood there holding a beautiful emerald silk riding habit for Ella to wear. Ella shook her head.
"Anna, isn't there anything less expensive for me to ride in?"
"Nope. And if there were, you would still be wearing this one. You're going with the king! At his side no less. There's no time for you to be modest."
After a few minutes, Ella was ready to go and stood in the hall waiting for her friend. Above Rose's door she noticed the ancient Scottish sign for elf. Ella thought for a moment about what this could mean. Then looking at the door beside her own she noticed the sign for elf above it also, but this one had a crown above it. When she was about to step further down the hallway, Rose's door opened to an angry looking Rose wearing a crimson satin riding habit, and a hustled maid behind her.
"I wanted to wear pants and shirt, but she absolutely refused to let me. Said it wasn't ladylike. I'll ladylike her," Rose mumbled to Ella as they walked once again down the grand staircase. "By the way, does something fishy seem to be going on around here? Did you notice the signs above our doors?"
"Yes, I did. I'm glad you made me take ancient runes with you last semester. That was the Gaelic sign for elf above your door. The same above the door beside me, except it has a crown, and there is a door locked from the other side in my room. I heard people talking this morning."
"That is strange. I wonder what is going on here. I think we shou…." Rose's words were cut off by the sight of the stables and the gorgeous horses waiting for them.
"My ladies! You're early today. The horses are waiting. The red thoroughbred is yours until your beauty leaves these halls, Ella. The Arabian palomino is yours 'til it is time for you to go, Rosamund," the king said walking up behind them. Ella and Rose jumped and turned at his words, curtsying as low as they could. "No girls, you mustn't bow to me. Here and now you are just below me in station. I appoint Lady Rosamund the position of Grand Duchess and Lady Ella the station of princess. So, Ella, you will fill in for Queen Holly until she is well at my side."
"Thank you, your majesty for so noble a position," Rose spoke curtsying.
"I also give you thanks, my lord," Ella added blushing as Rose nudged her.
"I think the king might have a crush on you! That is wonderful," Rose whispered as they followed the king to a group of waiting nobles.
"Girls, let me introduce you to my closest friends and the newest lord at court. This is the new lord, Sir Leslie Elwood. He joined us just this morning before lunch, an hour after you two arrived I believe. Step forward Sir Leslie. These ladies must not be depended on to guess about whom I am talking!" the king demanded.
From the back of the group came a rather tall man, about six foot three, wearing a green satin tunic over fawn pants. His blonde hair was cut long, just below the shoulder, but was worn over the ears instead of in a half ponytail or full ponytail just like the rest of the men. He was fair of skin, and Ella believed that he was strong enough to easily break her arm. His was built like a sapling tree, thin and lithe, with the strength of the old oak. Sir Leslie stood gazing back at the girls with deep chocolate eyes which seemed to shine with an innocence and hope, reminding the girls of wisdom and banquets in the dusk of a forest. Supple and elegant, he looked like a cat who was pretending not to be alert to the prey next to him but was fully aware and prepared to pounce. He noticed Ella's flash of curiosity and attraction and smiled, slowly beginning to make his was towards her at a tantalizingly slow pace.
To Ella's utter disappointment, he changed directions, walking towards Rose, and whispered, "Such a rose should be allowed to know what it truly is, and how many would like to and do marvel in her wonder and beauty." He took her hand and kissed it with just a brush of his lips. Still gripping it he spoke, "And so those who believe themselves wondrous and are vain are overtaken by the beauty of a fair flower who doth not know her own charms."
Rose sighed, "It was nice to meet you too, Sir Leslie. Pray let us meet again before the week is done."
Sir Leslie smiled while answering, "I promise it to you that we will, but now I must pay my respects to your companion."
He took Ella's dainty hand in his own strong one and kissed it, "I know no words to tell you how I feel about gazing upon your stunning grace and beauty, but a quote my mentor told me now makes perfect sense, 'And so, long ago was man trapped by the light which shown from woman's eyes.' That verse capture's this moment so perfectly. If time could stop it would have to yield itself to this instant."
He stood up smiling at Ella's look of astonishment. The group of nobles behind Sir Leslie stood in bewilderment at the spell he had placed the girls.
The king smiled and held up his hand, "Remind me not to introduce you to Holly. Your charm has utterly stunned both of these intelligent beauties. Dare I ask any man to be introduced after you? Ah well Sir. Rutherford, I think you had better go next."
Titles and names flew in and out of Ella's ears. Each admired her, some less eloquently than others, but none captured her the way Sir Leslie Elwood had. She stood staring at him long after he had gone to the back of the group. When he happened to notice her, he would smile his dazzling pearly teeth then slip off into the shadows.
"Oh, fellows, I forgot to tell you who these ladies were. This is Grand Duchess Rosamund Ariana Cynward. And this is the newly proclaimed Princess Ella Bridget McLeod. They are here for a week, I believe."
"Yes, we are King Jareth," Rose responded.
"Well, then let us mount up and get going, your majesty, before the week is over and none of us have time to charm their ladyships," A minor duke by the name of Lawrence begged.
Jareth laughed, "Very well. Let us mount and go."
"Wait, we must gather our horses," Ella spoke turning to get her horse and bumping into her large red mare.
Rose giggled at Ella's expression. She felt the blush rise in her cheeks.
"Princess, never try to do a squire's duty," the king said trying not to laugh
Ella curtsied and mounted the horse still blushing.
Rose sidestepped over to Ella of her palomino. "You are as red as my riding habit!" she laughed.
"Hush up! I didn't realize they were behind us. To change the subject, what think you of Sir Leslie?"
"Nice, very nice, as our friend Jenny would put. Though… how did he know to compare me to a rose? Kind of odd that he used my name to describe me."
"Yes, very odd. He seems different from the others. More true. Does that make sense?"
"No, but I'm sure you'll explain it to me," Rose answered.
"He seems like a thing of nature. Not fake or calculating. He has the feeling I've always imagined faeries having," Ella responded nodding solemnly.
"That does seem to describe him. I think we should keep our eyes on the whole bunch, but especially him!"
At that moment King Jareth came riding up on Ella's other side.
"Ready to go, Ella? We need to get moving."
"Yes, ready!"
"Lady Rosamund Ariana Cynward and Sir Andrew Marnes."
Ella could not see what was going on, but from the round of applause she gathered their welcome had been warm. Soon there was silence and a man's voice spoke, though Ella could not hear his words.
Sir Robert led her to the top of the stairs and began their descent. Mouths hung open and quietly there was a round of clapping. The king, dressed in purple, stood up.
"Lady Ella Bridget McLeod and Sir Robert McGibb."
The king raised his hand for silence. "We welcome you home Sir Robert. Please sit here," he said motioning to a chair below him and beside the one in which Rose sat. "Lady Ella, may jewel like you forever adorn my court, Please sit here. The queen is ill and sent word that you should sit in her stead."
Ella slowly made her way up the stairs to the Queen's chair. It was bedecked in gold and shined like the stars. Thoughts fluttered through her head like the names and titles being presented to her. Finally, after the court had been presented to her, dinner was served.
"What were you planning on doing after lunch?" the king asked.
"Well, your majesty, I was going to see what Rose was doing before I made plans," Ella responded with eyes full of question.
"Well, Ella, if you'd like some nobles and I are going riding with a new lord. Would you and Rose like to join us?"
"I, personally would love to your majesty,"
That was the last moment they had for conversation. Dukes and earls came to talk to the king, about what Ella did not know. The food was delicious.
The king rose after the last dish had been cleared away. Ella followed his suit. To her side she noticed Anna fluttering, waiting for orders.
"Everyone, you are dismissed from my sight!" the king ordered.
Anna came to Ella. "My lady, if you are to go with the king and the king's circle we must find you and appropriate riding outfit. Hurry!"
Rose and Ella hurried after the swift maid, who rushed down the corridor to their rooms, grabbing another maid on the way. On the way, Ella could have sworn she had seen the armor move to watch the girls dash down the hall towards their suits. Finally, they reached their destination and Ella was pushed into her room by Anna and sent to sit on the bed.
"My lady, I must find a riding habit for you. If you'll step outside and tell the page to saddle your horse, this would go a lot faster."
Ella did as she was told and reentered the room. Anna stood there holding a beautiful emerald silk riding habit for Ella to wear. Ella shook her head.
"Anna, isn't there anything less expensive for me to ride in?"
"Nope. And if there were, you would still be wearing this one. You're going with the king! At his side no less. There's no time for you to be modest."
After a few minutes, Ella was ready to go and stood in the hall waiting for her friend. Above Rose's door she noticed the ancient Scottish sign for elf. Ella thought for a moment about what this could mean. Then looking at the door beside her own she noticed the sign for elf above it also, but this one had a crown above it. When she was about to step further down the hallway, Rose's door opened to an angry looking Rose wearing a crimson satin riding habit, and a hustled maid behind her.
"I wanted to wear pants and shirt, but she absolutely refused to let me. Said it wasn't ladylike. I'll ladylike her," Rose mumbled to Ella as they walked once again down the grand staircase. "By the way, does something fishy seem to be going on around here? Did you notice the signs above our doors?"
"Yes, I did. I'm glad you made me take ancient runes with you last semester. That was the Gaelic sign for elf above your door. The same above the door beside me, except it has a crown, and there is a door locked from the other side in my room. I heard people talking this morning."
"That is strange. I wonder what is going on here. I think we shou…." Rose's words were cut off by the sight of the stables and the gorgeous horses waiting for them.
"My ladies! You're early today. The horses are waiting. The red thoroughbred is yours until your beauty leaves these halls, Ella. The Arabian palomino is yours 'til it is time for you to go, Rosamund," the king said walking up behind them. Ella and Rose jumped and turned at his words, curtsying as low as they could. "No girls, you mustn't bow to me. Here and now you are just below me in station. I appoint Lady Rosamund the position of Grand Duchess and Lady Ella the station of princess. So, Ella, you will fill in for Queen Holly until she is well at my side."
"Thank you, your majesty for so noble a position," Rose spoke curtsying.
"I also give you thanks, my lord," Ella added blushing as Rose nudged her.
"I think the king might have a crush on you! That is wonderful," Rose whispered as they followed the king to a group of waiting nobles.
"Girls, let me introduce you to my closest friends and the newest lord at court. This is the new lord, Sir Leslie Elwood. He joined us just this morning before lunch, an hour after you two arrived I believe. Step forward Sir Leslie. These ladies must not be depended on to guess about whom I am talking!" the king demanded.
From the back of the group came a rather tall man, about six foot three, wearing a green satin tunic over fawn pants. His blonde hair was cut long, just below the shoulder, but was worn over the ears instead of in a half ponytail or full ponytail just like the rest of the men. He was fair of skin, and Ella believed that he was strong enough to easily break her arm. His was built like a sapling tree, thin and lithe, with the strength of the old oak. Sir Leslie stood gazing back at the girls with deep chocolate eyes which seemed to shine with an innocence and hope, reminding the girls of wisdom and banquets in the dusk of a forest. Supple and elegant, he looked like a cat who was pretending not to be alert to the prey next to him but was fully aware and prepared to pounce. He noticed Ella's flash of curiosity and attraction and smiled, slowly beginning to make his was towards her at a tantalizingly slow pace.
To Ella's utter disappointment, he changed directions, walking towards Rose, and whispered, "Such a rose should be allowed to know what it truly is, and how many would like to and do marvel in her wonder and beauty." He took her hand and kissed it with just a brush of his lips. Still gripping it he spoke, "And so those who believe themselves wondrous and are vain are overtaken by the beauty of a fair flower who doth not know her own charms."
Rose sighed, "It was nice to meet you too, Sir Leslie. Pray let us meet again before the week is done."
Sir Leslie smiled while answering, "I promise it to you that we will, but now I must pay my respects to your companion."
He took Ella's dainty hand in his own strong one and kissed it, "I know no words to tell you how I feel about gazing upon your stunning grace and beauty, but a quote my mentor told me now makes perfect sense, 'And so, long ago was man trapped by the light which shown from woman's eyes.' That verse capture's this moment so perfectly. If time could stop it would have to yield itself to this instant."
He stood up smiling at Ella's look of astonishment. The group of nobles behind Sir Leslie stood in bewilderment at the spell he had placed the girls.
The king smiled and held up his hand, "Remind me not to introduce you to Holly. Your charm has utterly stunned both of these intelligent beauties. Dare I ask any man to be introduced after you? Ah well Sir. Rutherford, I think you had better go next."
Titles and names flew in and out of Ella's ears. Each admired her, some less eloquently than others, but none captured her the way Sir Leslie Elwood had. She stood staring at him long after he had gone to the back of the group. When he happened to notice her, he would smile his dazzling pearly teeth then slip off into the shadows.
"Oh, fellows, I forgot to tell you who these ladies were. This is Grand Duchess Rosamund Ariana Cynward. And this is the newly proclaimed Princess Ella Bridget McLeod. They are here for a week, I believe."
"Yes, we are King Jareth," Rose responded.
"Well, then let us mount up and get going, your majesty, before the week is over and none of us have time to charm their ladyships," A minor duke by the name of Lawrence begged.
Jareth laughed, "Very well. Let us mount and go."
"Wait, we must gather our horses," Ella spoke turning to get her horse and bumping into her large red mare.
Rose giggled at Ella's expression. She felt the blush rise in her cheeks.
"Princess, never try to do a squire's duty," the king said trying not to laugh
Ella curtsied and mounted the horse still blushing.
Rose sidestepped over to Ella of her palomino. "You are as red as my riding habit!" she laughed.
"Hush up! I didn't realize they were behind us. To change the subject, what think you of Sir Leslie?"
"Nice, very nice, as our friend Jenny would put. Though… how did he know to compare me to a rose? Kind of odd that he used my name to describe me."
"Yes, very odd. He seems different from the others. More true. Does that make sense?"
"No, but I'm sure you'll explain it to me," Rose answered.
"He seems like a thing of nature. Not fake or calculating. He has the feeling I've always imagined faeries having," Ella responded nodding solemnly.
"That does seem to describe him. I think we should keep our eyes on the whole bunch, but especially him!"
At that moment King Jareth came riding up on Ella's other side.
"Ready to go, Ella? We need to get moving."
"Yes, ready!"