The Magic of Love

Legal:  See Prologue

At Home Again

            Time stopped. The entire world held its breath as the two beings peered into each others eyes. Grey-blue of human eyes met with golden-red of the dragons and the depths of each bored into each ones soul.

            As the two creatures looked into each others eyes, a huge roar of an angry dragon echoed through the forest and off the rocks, startling both dragon and human.  The dragon, knowing who it was, turned and started to run to the other beast. Halting for a moment, he turned back to the girl and thought 'RUN, my soul, run!' and not pausing to see if she took off, continued to hurdle himself through the woods, trying to draw attention away from the human.   The magnificent dragon disappeared in to the woods and out of sight.

            Stunned, both from the scare of the other dragon and also from the voice she heard in her head, Alaria turned and ran back down through the woods back to Krysi.   Scrambling through the rocks and trees, she screamed with her mind with all her might "Darkrysi! Where are you?? I need you, please come now!"

            Like a gift from the gods, she heard a reply: "Ria?? What's wrong? I'm coming, don't worry, I'm close".  True to his word, a few moments latter Krysi appeared amongst the trees. 

Flinging herself on his back, Alaria trembled with excitement and fright. "Let's go Krysi, let's go home."

As Alaria and Darkrysi made their way home through the woods, dusk began to fall.  Through the entire ride, Krysi tried to get what happened out of Alaria, but she was tight mouthed and would not reply.  They reached the gate of the castle as the dark of night started to fall.  Knowing she was in for it, Alaria quietly lead Krysi in to the stable.  After a good grooming and food, she left him for the night, promising to visit tomorrow.   As she left the barn, Krysi bade her goodnight: "Get a goodnight sleep Ria, and please, stay out of trouble."   Laughing to herself, Alaria made her way up to her room and climbed in to bed.  For the first night in a long time she fell right to sleep and her dreams were filled with the sound of the voice and the sight of the compelling eyes.

The next morning dawned clear and bright.  Unlike most mornings, it did not dawn with Alaria riding out at first light in to the forest.  Alaria was in fact still sound asleep in her bed, dreaming of a flying above the clouds and mountain valleys.  Little did Alaria know that as she slept her older brother Morian and her mother were already up and planning. 

The previous day when Alaria had ridden out, Morian went to his mother and confided his concerns to her.  Surprisingly enough, the Queen agreed with her youngest son.  After talking for quite a while they agreed that what Alaria need was the companionship of a young man to keep her mind away from running around in the woods.   They decided that they would surprise Alaria and hold a ball for her, the very next day.  Today was the day.  The queen had already told the heralds to announce to the lords and ladies of the land to attend a masquerade ball that evening.  Throughout the land the nobles had already sent their servants running about to get ready for the ball.  Servants were in the palace decorating the grand ball room with flowers and fabric while the court musicians and entertainers were practicing of the events of the evening.  The Queen knew the greatest challenge of the day would be to keep Alaria at the ball and prevent her from running off.  It was Rainan who came up with the brilliant idea of keeping his sister in the palace.  Each lord would have to dance with Alaria at least once, and at the end of the night, Alaria would have to present an award to the lord and lady with the finest costume.  The Princes would have to dance with each and every able lord at the ball and maybe, just maybe she would find a young man to spend sometime with.

When Alaria woke up she dressed and went to find where everyone was.  She was intercepted on the way to the dinning hall by her mother.  "Oh great" she thought, "here comes trouble".  Knowing she was in for it, Alaria braced herself for an outburst.

"Oh there you are me sweet daughter!"  The queen exclaimed, "I hope that you had a wonderful rest last night! I'm glad you slept late for you will need all your rest for the night ahead".

Completely and utterly shocked Alaria just stared at her mother.  "My Lady mother, what do you mean?"

"Why dear, we have big plans for tonight.  In fact you are due with the seamstress in the fitting rooms in one half hour.  Make sure you get a good breakfast little princess, you need your energy for later!" With a laugh and a wave, the queen set off down the halls. 

Entirely stunned, Alaria made her way to the dinning hall to get some breakfast.  Trying to figure out what was going on. Not only was her mother acting strange, but the servants were running around like chickens with their heads cut off.   They would not answer her questions either, just evasively replying that they were running errands for the queen.  Still very puzzled Alaria made her way to one of the sewing rooms after she finished her breakfast.  Upon entering the rooms she saw all of the seamstresses were running around with bolts of fabrics and ribbons everywhere.  Overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the room she stood there for awhile till the queen's personal seamstress, Rosei, beckoned her over. 

"There you are your Highness, we've been expecting you!"  Rosei declared "Now, we've got to get started on your dress if it's going to be ready for tonight."

"What's tonight? Might I ask?" Alaria questioned.

"The balls tonight, didn't your Lady mother tell you about it?  It's a masquerade ball, so you have to tell us what exactly you want to go as.  Do you have any idea?"  The seamstress asked. 

            "Oh gods a ball. Not only just a ball but a masquerade ball as well.  Great, how in the world am I going to get out of this one??"  Alaria asked herself.   She hated balls. Having to dance with all those guys, those stupid pick headed guys.  All they wanted was to be a prince and have her.  They never actually stopped to ask her what she wanted, oh no, all they would do was go on and on about how great they are. 

"So, what would you like to go as Princess?" the seamstress persisted.

"Well, I suppose I would like to go as… as a dragon."

A shocked silence followed Alaria's declaration.  "Um, your highness, I don't think that is an acceptable costume for a princess. Perhaps a songbird or a dove would be better?" Rosei suggested.

"And why would I want to be a song bird or a dove?" Alaria asked herself, "I would be no better than one of those simpering court ladies" sighing to herself, Alaria said out loud: "I'll be swan, if I must be something at all."

"What a wonderful idea my Lady!  That would be a wonderful idea." Clapping her hands, Rosei started to direct the other sewers to various activities. 

"This is going to be a long day..."

Authors note:  I apologize for not updating soon.  School takes up quite a bit of time.  I hope that you enjoy this chapter though. The next one will be about that ball.  Thanks to all of the reviews! I appreciate them!  Till next time…