The midnight-haired girl smiled and fit her small violin snugly under her chin. She looked as though the violin fit her chin just right, as though as the violin made her body complete, finished, natural. Soft, pale fingers placed the bow flat onto the strings and the instructor listened. The girl's teacher was gray-haired and usually rigid. But she thoroughly enjoyed teaching this girl whose smile was as charming as her music. This child had enough energy in her to make the leap over lakes!
Miss Cabot listened for the discreet errors that Aleida also noticed. Aleida played naturally with confidence and did not have trouble making the best of her abilities in playing. She is born to play the violin! She is wonderful...the teacher mused. Aleida shifted and moved as her arms urged her, deeply concentrating on harmonizing the movements. She was playing of her new favorite tunes, and was very serious on playing it perfect. Too serious for her age.
Aleida skipped a note and paused in fright - how could she! The violin's melody shattered in the air. Miss Cabot frowned - Aleida had been playing this piece for weeks on end. She knew she could not push this child too hard, as she has only eight, so she simply patted her arm for reassurance. A tear formed in the back of Aleida's eye.
"Don't push yourself too hard. You're improving -" Miss Cabot paused, "Ohh! Come with me, I know what will help...." Miss Cabot's face lit up with inspiration. Aleida, downcast and ashamed, put away her violin and carried the case out of the room.
Aleida and Miss Cabot half-ran down the stairs from the music room, tumbling into the palace's grand concert hall. "We...we're going to listen to this song, but in a different way...I mean -" She cut herself short yet again. Aleida's hair fell loose as Miss Cabot grabbed her and they made their way through a small audience in the bright room. Aleida hugged her violin case and looked around.
Aleida sensed excitement. She as well brightened as she saw the vast, stylishly furnished room with a stage decorated with wreaths. Miss Cabot pushed her forward until Aleida could see a girl around her age in the center of the stage. Aleida hardly noticed the chattering around her from the hushed audience.
The girl on the stage was dressed far more exquisitely than Aleida ever had. Aleida imagined her to be a fairy princess, like the ones she had made up in stories, but come to life. Aleida stood in awe - how delightful was this surprise! This princess's hair were golden waves, her skin glowed, her lips painted red, her dress starch white. But the real magic seemed to come when life flowed from her lips.
The angelic little princess silenced the room with a clear, vibrant voice. A voice so sweet, pure, young. It was smooth like honey and slid into Aleida's heart. Aleida felt it vibrant within her chest. For a second, Aleida could not breathe. Here was her song that she attempted on her violin, but no - it was really the princess's! What she could not do with the perfect, floating melody the princess could. The song soared and Aleida was lifted where her violin hadn't ever taken her. Oh, how beautiful! Aleida wished to shout. Miss Cabot held onto her arm before Aleida could start dancing, rising, spinning.
But Aleida's heart ached. For she couldn't ever utter a sound with her voice. How could she ever make music beautiful as this fairy-princess? Instead of becoming sad, Aleida was elated! But of course, she swore powerfully to herself, she would match the beauty of the princess's song with her violin. Aleida's face burst into a smile as the song faded on the princess's trembling lips. Aleida was not one to fall down.
She rushed onto the stage as the audience roared with applause. Aleida let her violin case fall to the ground as her hands signed words to the princess. "Your music is beautiful," she told in the language of the hands. The princess frowned.
"Why are you on the stage?" Her voice was again a mere child's. The princess did not understand Aleida's hands' language, although most she knew did. No, no, but this fairy is perfect. Why is it that she is so wonderful, she does not know my silly language? Are those without a voice unworthy of being understood?
Miss Cabot ran up to the stage, flushed with embarrassment. "Oh, your highness, she cannot speak with her mouth, but she has a language with her hands. Ah, she said - she said that your voice is very beautiful!" Shaken, Aleida backed into the comfort of Miss Cabot's arms. Surely, if she is a fairy, she would be called something so much more lovely! Thought Aleida.
The princess stared. "I don't understand! Mother, what does she -" the golden haired girl turned to face the queen. Aleida hardly noticed that the queen looked quite familiar. "Aurora, I'll tell you later. Come! Your audience awaits you!" She pushed Aurora away. Aleida stared at Aurora as Aurora peered confused at her.
The moment was broken as Miss Cabot led her away carefully. "Aleida, that was the princess of Bamarre! She does not understand sign language. Perhaps someone will teach her!" Miss Cabot chuckled, handling Aleida her violin case.
Aleida glanced again at Aurora. What a pretty name! I wish I had that name. But oh, I will play as well as she sings! I hope.... Aleida smiled to herself, ever full of hope. She bounced away until she found her grandmother in the crowd.
"I hope you don't mind, I wanted Aleida to see the concert after her violin lesson," gushed Miss Cabot to Aleida's grandmother. Her grandmother just said thank you and dropped the lesson's fee into her Miss Cabot's hand. Aleida went to hug her grandmother, full of spunk.
Just a couple feet away, the queen Eleanor glanced demurely at the dark-haired child as she led Aurora through the crowd. Her chest squeezed together as worry overtook her. So they meet...but should I let them? Why not...perhaps...they are meant to know who they really are.... Ella forced the frightening pain away and set her eyes on Aurora. Sometimes I wish you were Aleida. Selene, are you satisfied yet?
The next week, Miss Cabot led Princess Aurora to Aleida in the music room.
"Thank you," signed Aurora in the few "words" she had learned.
Aleida let out a sort of laugh and embraced Aurora, who was not accustomed to this affection.
This was a beginning.
A/N: Did you like it?! And yes, this story is the category action/adventure for later reasons you can't have a fairy tale without a journey! Nor romance! Please criticize!!! :) I write to make you happppyyy!!!