*****ohhh!!! today you get a long chapter!! lucky for you!! shpiffy. instead of making two chapters, i have decided to spare you the "pain" (as some of you more threatening reviews call it hehe) and give you 2-in-1!!! you should be glad im in a good mood. hehe welp, enjoy this special chapter. happy thanksgiving, everyone (since i probably wont write again until the end of next week, but if i do, hey youre lucky again!!)***************
I stood there, paralyzed from head to foot. Sense had been knocked into him enough that he realized he loved Lela. He would travel to Bast and search for her no matter what. I had to do something.
I ran in the gown, tearing it a few times but reaching home soon enough. I ran through the kitchen to find Mandy mixing ingredients for a cake.
"Mandy!" I said breathlessly. "Mandy, I met Char."
Mandy stopped stirring and faced me. "Ella met Char, Lela met Char, or Clarise met char?"
This statement stood for the many times I had decieved my love. No more would I do that. But what COULD I do?
"Ella met Char!" I exclaimed.
"Oh, no, sweet," Mandy said, "does he know you're not married?"
I shook my head vigorously. "No, I didn't tell him anything. He left Ataniea at the altar to tel lme he loved me, then said that since I'm married, he wants to marry Lela!"
"Is he going to Bast?" Mandy asked.
"Yes. What are we going to do?" I moaned.
"What would your mother have done?" Mandy said.
I cast my thoughts about for a moment, then bit my lip. "I don't know," I said. "What WOULD she have done?"
"Lady, you must tell Char who you are. Go and catch up with him!"
I realized that what she had said was a command and felt myself being pulled from my chair. "Mandy, say the counter command!" Mandy said it, and after I settled down, I said, "But what good will that do? He'll come back eventually, and then I can tell him."
"It'll stop him from his heart breaking again," said Mandy. "And if his heart DOES break, he might never marry." She sighed. "You should tell him you're Lela and give no other explanation. His heart may not break again, but it may break some more."
I approved of this idea for a moment, then sighed and sat at the table. "No, Mandy, it won't work. Char would ask me to marry him again and what would I say to his face?"
"Straight-out no," Mandy said simply.
"I can't do that to Char!" I exclaimed, leaping from my chair. I began to pace rapidly. "No, no, I have a better idea. I shall go to King Jerrold and get him to bring Char back!"
Mandy shrugged. "I don't know what you have in mind, sweet, but if you think it'll work, go ahead and do it."
I was jubilous. I ran to my small room and changed into a new gown, one that wasn't ripped, one of Hattie's. I then hid in the front hall until Hattie and Mum Olga returned. After a quarter of an hour, they did so, sounding joyous.
"Oh, Mother!" Hattie was saying as the door opened. "I can't wait till Charmont arrives here to ask me to marry him! I shall be desolate if he doesn't!"
"He will, Hattie!" cooed Mum Olga. "Let's get you into a hot bath so you can be ready when he comes!"
"Yes, we should, Mother. ELLA! Where is that girl? She disappeared at the wedding, didn't you notice? I wonder if she's here..."
Hattie trailed off as she and her mother left the room. They had neglected to shut the front door, and I crept through it to the carriage out front.
"The palace, please," I said to the driver. He gave me a questioning look, the nodded and spurred the horses onward.
I was anxious all the way to the palace. I was sure the king and queen would have retired there by now, but I wasn't sure they would be expecting visitors.
When the carriage pulled in front of the palace door, I practically jumped out without a footman opening the door. I ran up the steps and into the hall. A butler approached me. He bowed.
"Pardon me, madam," he said, "but may I ask your business here?"
I curtsied. "I have an urgent message for the king."
"I'm sorry, my lady, but there is no possible way for you to speak with him now."
"Why?" I demanded.
"Neither the king nor the queen are present at the moment."
"No, no! I'm here!" a voice called from behind us. The giant doors were open, and all the butlers and guards were bowing. The king and queen entered, locking arms and looking very agitated. They reached me, and I once again curtsied.
"May I ask who calls for an audience with us?" the queen asked.
"Me, your highness. Lady Eleanor," I replied.
Her eyebrows raised. "Oh? The child of the late Lady Eleanor, I presume."
I nodded.
"Very well," the king said impatiently, which was not his usual manner. "Get on with it. What is it?"
"Pardon my husband for being so rude," apologized the queen, "but we are quite angry at our son. As you may know, he left his fiance at the altar and proclaimed his love to another woman!"
"I know, highness! But please, let me tell you this one thing. He ran into the candle tree grove outside the castle and I met him there. He said that he loved m-- that he loved a young lady named Lela."
The royal couple shared a look. "Ah, Lela, we met her at the ball," said the queen. "So he loves her? Where is he?"
"He has gone to Bast to find her. But I'm afraid he won't succeed in his quest. Lela doesn't exist."
"She doesn't exist, and yet she has caused us quite a bit of trouble with Ayorthia?" said King Jerrold. "Explain yourself!"
I obeyed his command. "I went to the ball and substituted the name Lela for my own. Don't ask me why, majesties," I said when the queen opened her mouth. "I just believe that you should call Char back."
The queen smiled a kind smile. "If you are as trustworthy as your mother was, we believe you."
The king also smiled, hollering out to his servants, "Get my best messengers on our fastest horses! Send them to Bast to bring Char back!"
This message was repeated several times throughout the hall until I could no longer hear the echo of the king's words. Not a minute later, I could hear horses galloping out the palace gate.
"There they go," someoen said.
"Thank you, Ella," said the queen. I wondered how she knew my name, but didn't press the subject. I curtsied and left the building, climbing into the carriage.
*****
Three days later, I was yet again awaken by Hattie's screams. But this time, they seemed like screams of celebration, not threatening screams. I pulled my dress over my head groggily, ran a brush through my hair, and headed up the stairs.
There was no messenger when I reached the top of the stairs, but Hattie was jumping around like a maniac, clutching a piece of paper.
"THIS IS WONDERFUL!" she was yelling. "Not exactly what I wanted, but we're getting there!"
"What?" I said.
She thrust the paper in front of my nose and I took it. While I read it, she calmed down, regaining what little composure she had, and went into the study.
"Great," I mumbled when I had finished reading the "happy" news.
I headed into the kitchen with the invitation clutched in my shaking hand. "Look," I said to Mandy, "again."
She sighed. "Not another wedding invitation?" She took the paper and read through it. "You're not going to go through with it again, are you?"
I shrugged. "I'm not sure I want to go to another ball. Look what resulted from the last one. But look," I said, pointing at the paper. "It says it's another masked ball. There's only one this time, and there won't be a recieving line, so I could go and not even talk to him!"
"Just like last time?" Mandy sighed again. "Only going until midnight? If you want to, sweet."
"No, Mandy!" I exclaimed. "This time I'll do it without Lucinda's help. I'll wear the jewelry from last time, wear a dress from last time, wear the mask from last time, and... oh, Mandy, he'll surely recognize me!"
Without thinking, I repeated those fateful words. "Lucinda, come to my aid."
A little pop and a shimmer occured and Lucinda appeared, looking prettier than before. "Ah, sweet child," she said, and I caught a whiff of lilacs. "What do you need help with? Perhaps more jewelry to go to another ball?"
"Yes, actually," I said. "I need to get to the ball on the 12th with new jewelry, a new dress, and a new mask."
"Five days!" Lucinda laughed merrily. "Why are you calling me now?" Without letting me answer her, she said, "But no matter. I will make sure those things are delivered to you on that day. And of course you'll need a coach. I will provide all, but they will surely disappear at midnight just as before. Remember that, won't you?"
"Yes!" I said. "Thank you so much, Lucinda!"
"Not a problem, my dear," she said, and disappeared.
I turned to Mandy with a smile on my face and was met by a frown. "Oh, Lady, the same as before will happen again if you're not careful."
"I will be as careful as before," I said. "I'm just going to see him pick his bride. He must this time, or the king and queen will choose for him."
"You'll break your heart, sweet, I promise." Mandy returned to making breakfast.
"I know," I said, all the eagerness leaving me, "but at least I'll be happy for a moment."
************************
oh pooh. that chapter(s) was not as good as i had hoped. i was kinda wandering around in that chapter, wasnt i? well thats what you get after a lot of candy and too much time with your friends. and being denied by the guy you like. well actually it was two different guys within the span of two weeks. not what you think. long story.
QUESTION!!! ok why do people put "i do not own any of the characters in this story" at the top of their fanfics? i mean, you only give the rights to gail levine if you are going to make money off of writing a fanfiction to her story (which she would never allow, i think)(well i would never allow money to be made off of a spoof of MY story) anyway no one needs to do that!! i dont do it for that reason. i was just wondering... a pet peeve... bad day....
ok im reallllly tired at the moment. tis true, i need to get to bed. busy busy busy day tomorrow. have a great day, everyone
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!!! im trying to make a personal record. i mean i already have, but uhm... i kinda want to see what you guys think. i need critism. so tell me the good and bad and yah. thanx!
I stood there, paralyzed from head to foot. Sense had been knocked into him enough that he realized he loved Lela. He would travel to Bast and search for her no matter what. I had to do something.
I ran in the gown, tearing it a few times but reaching home soon enough. I ran through the kitchen to find Mandy mixing ingredients for a cake.
"Mandy!" I said breathlessly. "Mandy, I met Char."
Mandy stopped stirring and faced me. "Ella met Char, Lela met Char, or Clarise met char?"
This statement stood for the many times I had decieved my love. No more would I do that. But what COULD I do?
"Ella met Char!" I exclaimed.
"Oh, no, sweet," Mandy said, "does he know you're not married?"
I shook my head vigorously. "No, I didn't tell him anything. He left Ataniea at the altar to tel lme he loved me, then said that since I'm married, he wants to marry Lela!"
"Is he going to Bast?" Mandy asked.
"Yes. What are we going to do?" I moaned.
"What would your mother have done?" Mandy said.
I cast my thoughts about for a moment, then bit my lip. "I don't know," I said. "What WOULD she have done?"
"Lady, you must tell Char who you are. Go and catch up with him!"
I realized that what she had said was a command and felt myself being pulled from my chair. "Mandy, say the counter command!" Mandy said it, and after I settled down, I said, "But what good will that do? He'll come back eventually, and then I can tell him."
"It'll stop him from his heart breaking again," said Mandy. "And if his heart DOES break, he might never marry." She sighed. "You should tell him you're Lela and give no other explanation. His heart may not break again, but it may break some more."
I approved of this idea for a moment, then sighed and sat at the table. "No, Mandy, it won't work. Char would ask me to marry him again and what would I say to his face?"
"Straight-out no," Mandy said simply.
"I can't do that to Char!" I exclaimed, leaping from my chair. I began to pace rapidly. "No, no, I have a better idea. I shall go to King Jerrold and get him to bring Char back!"
Mandy shrugged. "I don't know what you have in mind, sweet, but if you think it'll work, go ahead and do it."
I was jubilous. I ran to my small room and changed into a new gown, one that wasn't ripped, one of Hattie's. I then hid in the front hall until Hattie and Mum Olga returned. After a quarter of an hour, they did so, sounding joyous.
"Oh, Mother!" Hattie was saying as the door opened. "I can't wait till Charmont arrives here to ask me to marry him! I shall be desolate if he doesn't!"
"He will, Hattie!" cooed Mum Olga. "Let's get you into a hot bath so you can be ready when he comes!"
"Yes, we should, Mother. ELLA! Where is that girl? She disappeared at the wedding, didn't you notice? I wonder if she's here..."
Hattie trailed off as she and her mother left the room. They had neglected to shut the front door, and I crept through it to the carriage out front.
"The palace, please," I said to the driver. He gave me a questioning look, the nodded and spurred the horses onward.
I was anxious all the way to the palace. I was sure the king and queen would have retired there by now, but I wasn't sure they would be expecting visitors.
When the carriage pulled in front of the palace door, I practically jumped out without a footman opening the door. I ran up the steps and into the hall. A butler approached me. He bowed.
"Pardon me, madam," he said, "but may I ask your business here?"
I curtsied. "I have an urgent message for the king."
"I'm sorry, my lady, but there is no possible way for you to speak with him now."
"Why?" I demanded.
"Neither the king nor the queen are present at the moment."
"No, no! I'm here!" a voice called from behind us. The giant doors were open, and all the butlers and guards were bowing. The king and queen entered, locking arms and looking very agitated. They reached me, and I once again curtsied.
"May I ask who calls for an audience with us?" the queen asked.
"Me, your highness. Lady Eleanor," I replied.
Her eyebrows raised. "Oh? The child of the late Lady Eleanor, I presume."
I nodded.
"Very well," the king said impatiently, which was not his usual manner. "Get on with it. What is it?"
"Pardon my husband for being so rude," apologized the queen, "but we are quite angry at our son. As you may know, he left his fiance at the altar and proclaimed his love to another woman!"
"I know, highness! But please, let me tell you this one thing. He ran into the candle tree grove outside the castle and I met him there. He said that he loved m-- that he loved a young lady named Lela."
The royal couple shared a look. "Ah, Lela, we met her at the ball," said the queen. "So he loves her? Where is he?"
"He has gone to Bast to find her. But I'm afraid he won't succeed in his quest. Lela doesn't exist."
"She doesn't exist, and yet she has caused us quite a bit of trouble with Ayorthia?" said King Jerrold. "Explain yourself!"
I obeyed his command. "I went to the ball and substituted the name Lela for my own. Don't ask me why, majesties," I said when the queen opened her mouth. "I just believe that you should call Char back."
The queen smiled a kind smile. "If you are as trustworthy as your mother was, we believe you."
The king also smiled, hollering out to his servants, "Get my best messengers on our fastest horses! Send them to Bast to bring Char back!"
This message was repeated several times throughout the hall until I could no longer hear the echo of the king's words. Not a minute later, I could hear horses galloping out the palace gate.
"There they go," someoen said.
"Thank you, Ella," said the queen. I wondered how she knew my name, but didn't press the subject. I curtsied and left the building, climbing into the carriage.
*****
Three days later, I was yet again awaken by Hattie's screams. But this time, they seemed like screams of celebration, not threatening screams. I pulled my dress over my head groggily, ran a brush through my hair, and headed up the stairs.
There was no messenger when I reached the top of the stairs, but Hattie was jumping around like a maniac, clutching a piece of paper.
"THIS IS WONDERFUL!" she was yelling. "Not exactly what I wanted, but we're getting there!"
"What?" I said.
She thrust the paper in front of my nose and I took it. While I read it, she calmed down, regaining what little composure she had, and went into the study.
"Great," I mumbled when I had finished reading the "happy" news.
I headed into the kitchen with the invitation clutched in my shaking hand. "Look," I said to Mandy, "again."
She sighed. "Not another wedding invitation?" She took the paper and read through it. "You're not going to go through with it again, are you?"
I shrugged. "I'm not sure I want to go to another ball. Look what resulted from the last one. But look," I said, pointing at the paper. "It says it's another masked ball. There's only one this time, and there won't be a recieving line, so I could go and not even talk to him!"
"Just like last time?" Mandy sighed again. "Only going until midnight? If you want to, sweet."
"No, Mandy!" I exclaimed. "This time I'll do it without Lucinda's help. I'll wear the jewelry from last time, wear a dress from last time, wear the mask from last time, and... oh, Mandy, he'll surely recognize me!"
Without thinking, I repeated those fateful words. "Lucinda, come to my aid."
A little pop and a shimmer occured and Lucinda appeared, looking prettier than before. "Ah, sweet child," she said, and I caught a whiff of lilacs. "What do you need help with? Perhaps more jewelry to go to another ball?"
"Yes, actually," I said. "I need to get to the ball on the 12th with new jewelry, a new dress, and a new mask."
"Five days!" Lucinda laughed merrily. "Why are you calling me now?" Without letting me answer her, she said, "But no matter. I will make sure those things are delivered to you on that day. And of course you'll need a coach. I will provide all, but they will surely disappear at midnight just as before. Remember that, won't you?"
"Yes!" I said. "Thank you so much, Lucinda!"
"Not a problem, my dear," she said, and disappeared.
I turned to Mandy with a smile on my face and was met by a frown. "Oh, Lady, the same as before will happen again if you're not careful."
"I will be as careful as before," I said. "I'm just going to see him pick his bride. He must this time, or the king and queen will choose for him."
"You'll break your heart, sweet, I promise." Mandy returned to making breakfast.
"I know," I said, all the eagerness leaving me, "but at least I'll be happy for a moment."
************************
oh pooh. that chapter(s) was not as good as i had hoped. i was kinda wandering around in that chapter, wasnt i? well thats what you get after a lot of candy and too much time with your friends. and being denied by the guy you like. well actually it was two different guys within the span of two weeks. not what you think. long story.
QUESTION!!! ok why do people put "i do not own any of the characters in this story" at the top of their fanfics? i mean, you only give the rights to gail levine if you are going to make money off of writing a fanfiction to her story (which she would never allow, i think)(well i would never allow money to be made off of a spoof of MY story) anyway no one needs to do that!! i dont do it for that reason. i was just wondering... a pet peeve... bad day....
ok im reallllly tired at the moment. tis true, i need to get to bed. busy busy busy day tomorrow. have a great day, everyone
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!!! im trying to make a personal record. i mean i already have, but uhm... i kinda want to see what you guys think. i need critism. so tell me the good and bad and yah. thanx!
