Discalimer: the bits of fairy tales that you recognize aren't mine, what you don't recognize as anything already written/published/copyrighted is. :o) on with the story!
We stepped out of Eleanora's room together. Cedric and a man I didn't recognize were waiting for us.
The unknown man smiled at Eleanora, "My Princess, you look absolutely ravishing in that gown." He was right, too. The deep shade of blue accentuated her eyes just so.
Eleanora smiled prettily and giggled, "Lord Cameron, you flatterer!"
He extended an arm to her, and said, "Shall we?" She took his arm and they walked off together.
I turned to Cedric- and laughed. He was standing there looking utterly surprised, with his mouth hanging slightly open.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"Sp-Sparrow! You look, just, beautiful!" Cedric averted his eyes after he this.
I smiled and blushed, "Thank you." I smiled again, "Close your mouth." He did with a nervous laugh.
"Let's go," he said shakily. I took his hand and we proceeded to the ballroom. I was constantly afraid that the diamond shoes would give out and I would go crashing to the floor. After a few minutes of silent anxiety, we made it to the ballroom.
"What shall I announce the lady as?" A stuffy herald asked us.
"Announce us as Prince Cedric and Lady Sparrow." Cedric told the man in a haughty voice. "And make it quick, please."
The man looked affronted, but announced us. "Announcing Prince Cedric of Lamar, Son of King Alejandro and Queen Lasiandra, younger brother to Crown Prince Alejandro and Princess Eleanora, General of the Lamaran Outriders, and his escort, Lady Sparrow."
Cedric gave the man a dirty look as we passed, and I giggled. The whole room had stopped dancing and bowed to us. Once Cedric and I had reached the bottom of the stairs, however, everyone resumed dancing.
"Would you like to dance?" Cedric asked me, avoiding my eyes.
"Sure, why not," I replied diffidently. I caught his worried look as he glanced at me. I smiled deviously, and he smiled back.
"Then let us dance."
I was terrified that the stupid shoes I was wearing would shatter at any step. I must have been bracing myself on Cedric's arms, because he gave me a strange look.
"Let up, will you?"
I cringed inwardly, and said, "Sorry." I waltzed along, watching the other dancers.
I saw Eleanora and her escort, Lord Cameron, the Queen and some minor noble flirting, and I saw Alejandro dancing with a Princess. I watched the Lords and Ladies swirl around in all their pretty clothes, the blues and greens, and purples and reds, and blacks and yellows and watched them spin around the room over Cedric's shoulder. It was all so beautiful
"Stop staring," Cedric whispered in my ear.
I grinned at him and closed my eyes. "Is that better?" I murmured back.
"No!" He sounded annoyed. I opened my eyes and looked up at him.
"How about this then," I said, "I just watch my feet so I don't trip."
"How about we stop dancing so you can watch the dancers without seeming rude?" I nodded and we made our way off the dance floor, eager to sit down.
Once I sat down, I felt much safer. I was quite sure that the shoes could not break if I wasn't standing on them. I had observed the guards dancing near us while we danced, and I was amused to see that they followed us to where we sat down.
"Liana, come with me." Cedric took my hand and led me out of the ballroom. I noticed that the guards did not follow us after that.
"Where are we going?" I asked as the wind caressed my cheek.
"Shhh." He smiled at me, and his teeth were white in the semi-darkness. I followed him where he led me. Soon I began to smell something very recognizable: the stables.
"Cedric, why are we at the stables?" His hand was warm around mine.
"We aren't going to the stables."
"We aren't?"
"No, there is a garden over here that only the royal children have access to." He gripped my hand a little tighter. "Hurry," he murmured.
I walked along faster, and then I stumbled. One of the diamond shoes had fallen off. "Cedric," I whispered, "Cedric, I lost a shoe!"
"It's fine, somebody will find it later. You wouldn't be able to see the damn thing anyway, it's basically invisible at night." Cedric stopped, and let me take off the other shoe. "Give that one to me." I did.
We continued along to the garden, me barefoot. Finally we arrived. My feet hurt like hell.
"Can we sit?" I begged him.
"Of course, Sparrow." We sat side by side on a suspended swing, rocking slowly back and forth. "Sparrow, one of my commanders, Dominick, told me that you have a lovely singing voice. Could you sing something for me?"
I sighed. I didn't know any songs. Or, if I did, I couldn't remember them. "I don't know any songs, Cedric, I'm sorry." I watched his face fall in disappointment. "When I remember, I'll sing something for you."
"Alright." He sighed, "I am glad to escape that ball. I hate these social engagements."
"Me too; and I've only ever been to one. It's just too big." I settled back into the swing, and looked at the beautiful flowers all around.
"Those are moonflowers." He said, touching a large white flower. "They only ever open at night." He brought one down close to my face, "Smell."
I took a delicate sniff, then another longer one. "Ooh! They smell wonderful!"
"You like them?" Cedric looked pleased, his face glowing in the wane moonlight.
"Yes!" I smiled.
"Oh." He smiled and plucked a smaller version of the flower he had shown me. With gentle hands, he tucked it behind my ear. "Beautiful," he murmured.
I wasn't sure whether he was talking about the flower, me, or both. I could feel my heart speeding up at his proximity.
"My little Sparrow," he said, as his fingers ran down the right side of my face. "So beautiful in the moonlight," he smiled at me. I felt the blood rushing to my face, and I smiled. His right hand came to rest on my left cheek, cupping it in his palm.
"Cedric," I murmured, but that was all I got out. His left hand pulled me closer to him while his right tilted my face up to meet his. He kissed me with surprising tenderness, but as it continued on, it grew fiercer.
I melted into his arms with no objections.
Eventually, I put a hand between us and pushed him away. "Cedric," I breathed, just content to say his name. I met his sea-colored eyes and smiled warmly.
Reassured, he smiled back. "Sparrow, oh Sparrow." Our lips met again in a more ardent kiss than before.
"We should go back," I murmured to him.
"We should," he agreed. Neither of us moved to get up from the swing.
After delaying for a while longer, I got up and pulled him with me. "Come, they will suspect something." He laughed softly.
"Then their suspicions would undoubtedly be coming true, eh?" He smiled and kissed me lightly once more before we began our walk back to the ballroom.
We walked, yes, but it was punctuated by stolen kisses, and covert smiles. Along the way, I stumbled, literally, upon my other shoe. I picked it up and slipped it back on. Cedric helped me put the other one on my dirty foot.
"A perfect fit," he said, "As if it were made for you!"
I smiled and ruffled his hair. "We're near the stables again, aren't we?" I could smell it in the air.
"Yes," he chuckled, "I can smell it too." He slipped an arm around my wais and pulled me closer. "One last kiss before we step into the light." I just smiled and complied.
"Prince Cedric!" Cedric started at the unexpected interruption. Accidentally, he bit my lip. I cried out involuntarily at the sudden pain.
"Is that Lady Sparrow?" It was not a voice that I recognized, but Cedric obviously did.
"Commander Dominick, I assure you, I was doing nothing, uh, wrong." Cedric pushed me so that I was sheltered behind him.
"Are you alright, my Prince? I know she bewitched you before, and we couldn't have it happen again."
"But I'm not-"
"That's what they all say, my Prince." The commander sounded very assured of himself. "Guards! Come escort the Lady," he snorted in contempt, "Sparrow back to where she can be observed and restrained until it is time for the Princess to present her."
"No!" Cedric yelled. "No. I will not have it."
"Once she is gone, everything will be alright." The Commander and the guards stepped closer.
"Sparrow, run with me," he murmured.
"Where?"
"Just follow." He snatched my hand and ran toward the stables. I was pulled along behind him. Along the way, I lost another of the priceless shoes.
Once we were in the stable, Cedric unbolted a stall door and bridled the stallion that was in it. Nimbly, he hopped on, leaving me stranded on the ground.
"Take my hand!" I grabbed for Cedric's hand- and missed. The second time, I caught it. He hauled me in front of him with strength I hadn't known he possessed.
I ended up sitting sidesaddle cradled in between Cedric's arms.
"Get them! Get the girl away from the Prince!" The guards rushed in a few convenient moments after I was on the horse.
"Yah!" Cedric kicked the horse and it surged forward. A stable boy looked up sleepily and screamed as he saw the stallion come charging at him. "Open the door!" Cedric bellowed.
"Don't kill me!" the boy ran to the doors and flung them open. We were out into the night.
I heard curses and shouts as the guards and Outriders bridled their own horses, which had been incensed by our raucous exit. Soon I heard the first of them pounding after us as we charged through the castle grounds. Soon we came to the front of the palace- and the gates.
Cedric turned the horse at the gates and cantered through them and out into the streets of Kith. The clatter of hooves echoed loudly on the deserted streets. More hoof beats pursued ours.
The chase was on!
a/n: thank you to cherrychica for telling me not to delete the story. i should have putt it in the last chapter, but i was too tired. anyway...this chapter went fast! i mean...24 hours is good for me. Almost 50 MW pages now!!! yippee skippee!!!
if ANYBODY has suggestions for something that will happen later on, review or email me at shnickerdoodle89@aol.com !!!! :o) other than that...reviews please!!!
i want some reviews reviewsies reviews!!!
oh- if you haven't noticed the fairy tales...i've included rapunzel (tower w/ vanishing door) sleeping beauty (cedric wakes with a kiss) and cinderella (glass/diamond slippers) snow white (talking/rhyming mirror)
hahaha!
now, if you read this, review it please! even if it just says something silly like "hi" i don't really care...just want reviews! (and i am not ashamed to beg for them) ok then...
any suggestions for plot lines/ events...email me or review! i want your ideas!!!!!
~EvenSong~
We stepped out of Eleanora's room together. Cedric and a man I didn't recognize were waiting for us.
The unknown man smiled at Eleanora, "My Princess, you look absolutely ravishing in that gown." He was right, too. The deep shade of blue accentuated her eyes just so.
Eleanora smiled prettily and giggled, "Lord Cameron, you flatterer!"
He extended an arm to her, and said, "Shall we?" She took his arm and they walked off together.
I turned to Cedric- and laughed. He was standing there looking utterly surprised, with his mouth hanging slightly open.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"Sp-Sparrow! You look, just, beautiful!" Cedric averted his eyes after he this.
I smiled and blushed, "Thank you." I smiled again, "Close your mouth." He did with a nervous laugh.
"Let's go," he said shakily. I took his hand and we proceeded to the ballroom. I was constantly afraid that the diamond shoes would give out and I would go crashing to the floor. After a few minutes of silent anxiety, we made it to the ballroom.
"What shall I announce the lady as?" A stuffy herald asked us.
"Announce us as Prince Cedric and Lady Sparrow." Cedric told the man in a haughty voice. "And make it quick, please."
The man looked affronted, but announced us. "Announcing Prince Cedric of Lamar, Son of King Alejandro and Queen Lasiandra, younger brother to Crown Prince Alejandro and Princess Eleanora, General of the Lamaran Outriders, and his escort, Lady Sparrow."
Cedric gave the man a dirty look as we passed, and I giggled. The whole room had stopped dancing and bowed to us. Once Cedric and I had reached the bottom of the stairs, however, everyone resumed dancing.
"Would you like to dance?" Cedric asked me, avoiding my eyes.
"Sure, why not," I replied diffidently. I caught his worried look as he glanced at me. I smiled deviously, and he smiled back.
"Then let us dance."
I was terrified that the stupid shoes I was wearing would shatter at any step. I must have been bracing myself on Cedric's arms, because he gave me a strange look.
"Let up, will you?"
I cringed inwardly, and said, "Sorry." I waltzed along, watching the other dancers.
I saw Eleanora and her escort, Lord Cameron, the Queen and some minor noble flirting, and I saw Alejandro dancing with a Princess. I watched the Lords and Ladies swirl around in all their pretty clothes, the blues and greens, and purples and reds, and blacks and yellows and watched them spin around the room over Cedric's shoulder. It was all so beautiful
"Stop staring," Cedric whispered in my ear.
I grinned at him and closed my eyes. "Is that better?" I murmured back.
"No!" He sounded annoyed. I opened my eyes and looked up at him.
"How about this then," I said, "I just watch my feet so I don't trip."
"How about we stop dancing so you can watch the dancers without seeming rude?" I nodded and we made our way off the dance floor, eager to sit down.
Once I sat down, I felt much safer. I was quite sure that the shoes could not break if I wasn't standing on them. I had observed the guards dancing near us while we danced, and I was amused to see that they followed us to where we sat down.
"Liana, come with me." Cedric took my hand and led me out of the ballroom. I noticed that the guards did not follow us after that.
"Where are we going?" I asked as the wind caressed my cheek.
"Shhh." He smiled at me, and his teeth were white in the semi-darkness. I followed him where he led me. Soon I began to smell something very recognizable: the stables.
"Cedric, why are we at the stables?" His hand was warm around mine.
"We aren't going to the stables."
"We aren't?"
"No, there is a garden over here that only the royal children have access to." He gripped my hand a little tighter. "Hurry," he murmured.
I walked along faster, and then I stumbled. One of the diamond shoes had fallen off. "Cedric," I whispered, "Cedric, I lost a shoe!"
"It's fine, somebody will find it later. You wouldn't be able to see the damn thing anyway, it's basically invisible at night." Cedric stopped, and let me take off the other shoe. "Give that one to me." I did.
We continued along to the garden, me barefoot. Finally we arrived. My feet hurt like hell.
"Can we sit?" I begged him.
"Of course, Sparrow." We sat side by side on a suspended swing, rocking slowly back and forth. "Sparrow, one of my commanders, Dominick, told me that you have a lovely singing voice. Could you sing something for me?"
I sighed. I didn't know any songs. Or, if I did, I couldn't remember them. "I don't know any songs, Cedric, I'm sorry." I watched his face fall in disappointment. "When I remember, I'll sing something for you."
"Alright." He sighed, "I am glad to escape that ball. I hate these social engagements."
"Me too; and I've only ever been to one. It's just too big." I settled back into the swing, and looked at the beautiful flowers all around.
"Those are moonflowers." He said, touching a large white flower. "They only ever open at night." He brought one down close to my face, "Smell."
I took a delicate sniff, then another longer one. "Ooh! They smell wonderful!"
"You like them?" Cedric looked pleased, his face glowing in the wane moonlight.
"Yes!" I smiled.
"Oh." He smiled and plucked a smaller version of the flower he had shown me. With gentle hands, he tucked it behind my ear. "Beautiful," he murmured.
I wasn't sure whether he was talking about the flower, me, or both. I could feel my heart speeding up at his proximity.
"My little Sparrow," he said, as his fingers ran down the right side of my face. "So beautiful in the moonlight," he smiled at me. I felt the blood rushing to my face, and I smiled. His right hand came to rest on my left cheek, cupping it in his palm.
"Cedric," I murmured, but that was all I got out. His left hand pulled me closer to him while his right tilted my face up to meet his. He kissed me with surprising tenderness, but as it continued on, it grew fiercer.
I melted into his arms with no objections.
Eventually, I put a hand between us and pushed him away. "Cedric," I breathed, just content to say his name. I met his sea-colored eyes and smiled warmly.
Reassured, he smiled back. "Sparrow, oh Sparrow." Our lips met again in a more ardent kiss than before.
"We should go back," I murmured to him.
"We should," he agreed. Neither of us moved to get up from the swing.
After delaying for a while longer, I got up and pulled him with me. "Come, they will suspect something." He laughed softly.
"Then their suspicions would undoubtedly be coming true, eh?" He smiled and kissed me lightly once more before we began our walk back to the ballroom.
We walked, yes, but it was punctuated by stolen kisses, and covert smiles. Along the way, I stumbled, literally, upon my other shoe. I picked it up and slipped it back on. Cedric helped me put the other one on my dirty foot.
"A perfect fit," he said, "As if it were made for you!"
I smiled and ruffled his hair. "We're near the stables again, aren't we?" I could smell it in the air.
"Yes," he chuckled, "I can smell it too." He slipped an arm around my wais and pulled me closer. "One last kiss before we step into the light." I just smiled and complied.
"Prince Cedric!" Cedric started at the unexpected interruption. Accidentally, he bit my lip. I cried out involuntarily at the sudden pain.
"Is that Lady Sparrow?" It was not a voice that I recognized, but Cedric obviously did.
"Commander Dominick, I assure you, I was doing nothing, uh, wrong." Cedric pushed me so that I was sheltered behind him.
"Are you alright, my Prince? I know she bewitched you before, and we couldn't have it happen again."
"But I'm not-"
"That's what they all say, my Prince." The commander sounded very assured of himself. "Guards! Come escort the Lady," he snorted in contempt, "Sparrow back to where she can be observed and restrained until it is time for the Princess to present her."
"No!" Cedric yelled. "No. I will not have it."
"Once she is gone, everything will be alright." The Commander and the guards stepped closer.
"Sparrow, run with me," he murmured.
"Where?"
"Just follow." He snatched my hand and ran toward the stables. I was pulled along behind him. Along the way, I lost another of the priceless shoes.
Once we were in the stable, Cedric unbolted a stall door and bridled the stallion that was in it. Nimbly, he hopped on, leaving me stranded on the ground.
"Take my hand!" I grabbed for Cedric's hand- and missed. The second time, I caught it. He hauled me in front of him with strength I hadn't known he possessed.
I ended up sitting sidesaddle cradled in between Cedric's arms.
"Get them! Get the girl away from the Prince!" The guards rushed in a few convenient moments after I was on the horse.
"Yah!" Cedric kicked the horse and it surged forward. A stable boy looked up sleepily and screamed as he saw the stallion come charging at him. "Open the door!" Cedric bellowed.
"Don't kill me!" the boy ran to the doors and flung them open. We were out into the night.
I heard curses and shouts as the guards and Outriders bridled their own horses, which had been incensed by our raucous exit. Soon I heard the first of them pounding after us as we charged through the castle grounds. Soon we came to the front of the palace- and the gates.
Cedric turned the horse at the gates and cantered through them and out into the streets of Kith. The clatter of hooves echoed loudly on the deserted streets. More hoof beats pursued ours.
The chase was on!
a/n: thank you to cherrychica for telling me not to delete the story. i should have putt it in the last chapter, but i was too tired. anyway...this chapter went fast! i mean...24 hours is good for me. Almost 50 MW pages now!!! yippee skippee!!!
if ANYBODY has suggestions for something that will happen later on, review or email me at shnickerdoodle89@aol.com !!!! :o) other than that...reviews please!!!
i want some reviews reviewsies reviews!!!
oh- if you haven't noticed the fairy tales...i've included rapunzel (tower w/ vanishing door) sleeping beauty (cedric wakes with a kiss) and cinderella (glass/diamond slippers) snow white (talking/rhyming mirror)
hahaha!
now, if you read this, review it please! even if it just says something silly like "hi" i don't really care...just want reviews! (and i am not ashamed to beg for them) ok then...
any suggestions for plot lines/ events...email me or review! i want your ideas!!!!!
~EvenSong~