//As the walls are closing in
And the colours fade to black…//
My silken dress flowing around my bare legs, I felt as if I were one of my lily pads, floating gently on the surface of the pond in our front lawn. I followed the butch lady in front, who led me through now darkened corridors and made sharp turns here and there. I briefly wondered how I would find my way back later that night.
The heavy clomping of the Warden's feet drowned out my soft pitter-patter on the tiled floors as we neared one of the many gigantic doors. Swinging it open with a loud grunt, she stepped back, shot me a smirk and thumped her way back down the dim corridors.
Stepping out, I felt the fresh breeze on my face and let out a soft sigh. Looking around, I nearly cried out in shock when I saw my escort right next to me.
He was one of the people who had been at my bed this morning. Le…Legi…something or rather. My brain had been so muddled up that memories of this morning were now hazy images.
I could distinctly feel his stare on me as I caught his eyes. He did not shy away as many had done, instead, he locked his hazel eyes with mine. It felt like hours before he started to speak.
"Good evening, Lady Summer."
Pale lips uttered soft words as my eyes quickly travelled over his features. His gaze on me was so intent that I could feel my cheeks heat up as colour rushed to paint my cheeks.
"Good evening," I replied, head slightly lowered.
Suddenly a warm hand was on my chin as I felt my head being pulled slightly up and eyes to once again lock with my escort. I was surprised at his movement and cast my eyes in every direction. Sensing my discomfort, his fingers quickly released their tender grip on my chin and he formally offered me his arm.
Tentatively linking my arm through his, he led me through the dirt roads of Gondor, twilight peeping through dark corners of the city. As he guided me towards the castle, I could sense stiffness in his body as we kept up an uncomfortable silence.
Thankfully, the bright lights of the castle quickly came into view and the tempting scents of a feast teased my stomach. When we reached the main door and passed the stern guards, my escort led me towards a large dining hall which was slowly filling up with guests.
Glancing around, I hardly recognised anyone and a sense of loneliness crept up my spine. My escort, upon seeing other guests, had dropped my arm like a hot rod and deserted me. I stood, alone in the crowd who chatted amiably to each other and sipped at golden goblets.
Slowly, I inched towards a corner in the great hall and caught glimpses of the eight who were present at my bed that morning. There were many fair people present, some with cascading blonde hair and others with regal brown. Fingering my streaked blonde hair, a sense of disgust flashed through me.
You don't deserve this you filthy disgusting child. Trying to be good, running to mummy to hide…but where's mummy now?
I tried to shut my eyes against the foul voice that pierced my mind. It was so familiar, so frightening, that I shuddered at the thought. Images long buried resurfaced as I sunk to the ground in the great hall, hoping to disguise my quivering figure in the shadows.
What seemed like hours passed before a gentle voice welcomed the guests to the feast. Clawing at the wall, I managed to rise and stumble over to a nearby seat at the dining table. Strange figures seated their selves beside me and laughed with their neighbour.
I picked at my food, maybe placing one spoonful of what was served in my mouth. I mostly sipped at the smooth wine, which trickled delicately down my throat and made me light-headed.
All of a sudden a tap came on my shoulder and I spun around clumsily to face Aragorn. Glimpsing around, I noticed that everyone had finished eating and couples gracefully glided over the dance floor. Loud girlish giggles suddenly erupted from me, and it occurred to me that maybe I had drunk too much wine. Shaking my head, I gasped a 'no' to Aragorn, declining his offer to dance.
"But Lady Summer, Gandalf has informed me of your wonderful ability to dance. Would you care to entertain my guests?"
Gawking at him, I nearly choked on the goblet of water he handed me. He then pulled me up onto the dance floor and the music suddenly stopped.
I wasn't prepared, I couldn't do this, I would ruin it, I can't, I can't, I can't…
"Guests from lands far and wide, I have for you a special presentation. Lady Summer had kindly volunteered to perform for us. I have been told that she is a great dancer and I am sure that she will be brilliant," he announced, winking at me at the end.
Claps sounded through the hall as I nervously wrung my hands and instructed the conductor of the music to be played. Nodding, he whispered to the orchestra as I timidly walked to the centre.
The guests had re-seated themselves at the dining table and now waited with anticipation. I positioned myself on the floor, my legs shaking unsteadily beneath me, and my cobalt dress trembling around my body.
My heart was pounding abnormally quickly and I was sure that the guests could see my chest heaving with nervous breath. Small beads of perspiration began to form on my forehead and the dim lights of the room now glared angrily into my watery pupils.
I glanced uncertainly at the conductor, and gave a slight nod of my head. Nodding back, he lifted his arms in preparation. The room had now swirled into puddles of gold and red, mixing and blending before my eyes. I could barely discern Gandalf in a corner of the room, his white robes conspicuous in the crowd.
This new sense of fear for dancing was new and terrifying. The walls of the great hall seemed to be inching closer and closer, trapping me in, unable to escape from this prison of movement. My eyes shifted, desperate for an exit.
Suddenly I could hear the sweet tunes of the orchestra begin and a wave of panic swept through me. My whole body was now shivering, but not from the cold. I opened my mouth to protest but my voice would not obey. Only my legs //something so small// supported me as I rose and escaped hell.