Disclaimer- sadly, I do not own Ella Enchanted, Daria, Jerrold, or El.I don't own the MOCHERENA! But I do own Carol, Daria's best friend (who has yet to be named. Any ideas?) and the plot. (A/N: and next chapter I hope to do reviewer thanks! And please ignore any spelling mistakes, but feel free to tell me what they are!)
Oh el,
Save me from my misery. I have done something so stupid I'm not sure I can even explain. I think I'll start from the beginning.
She was beautiful. She wore a jade dress that made her skin look like porcelain. No one else seemed to appreciate it though. She came down the stairs and I couldn't help but smile. For a brief moment I saw warmth flicker in her eyes. She smiles quickly before she realized what she was doing. Why does she despise me so? What have I ever done to her? Well, moving on.
For a minute she seemed to be in a contemplative mind set. Then I saw a smile. A smile that says she has the juiciest secret and she can't keep the joy from radiating out.
"What are you thinking about?" I narrowed my eyes. She was up to something. I knew it.
"You'll see Highness." How I hate it when she calls me 'highness' my name is JERROLD! Can she not remember that? Well, I suppose she can, but she just does it to irk me. And it works like a charm every time.
"For the last time, call me Jerrold." I noticed she kept wring her hands and hopping from one foot to another. "Now quit fidgeting. It's our turn to go down." I saw her face droop a little bit, but the look of anticipation was still on her face.
Then, the royal footman called our names out and we descended. Everyone face was clouded with emotions so un-readable it was unnerving. You know I have this thing about reading faces that unnerves everyone. No unnerves this time. They were all so preoccupied with their own petty little lives that they couldn't even try to look alive! I shook my head to clear the thought and continued on down to my first dance with Daria.
When we reached the bottom I turned around and looked into the most beautiful green eyes. Green eyes that bore hatred for the person they were looking at. And that person was unfortunately, me. I lowered my eyes in shame of something I had no idea I did. (A/N: Did that make sense?) Something about that look made me humble. Daria can do that to anyone I think. Once she even made that Sir Peter fellow that's always hanging around you (He's trouble El, and you know it.) lower his eyes in shame when she told him everything he's done to belittle everyone else. (I wanted to hug her...but then...I always want to hug her!) Well moving on.
"Would you like to dance Da" She glared. "Princess Daria?" she reluctantly took my arm as I lead her into an old waltz. I hate to say it, but she dances terribly! She kept stepping on my toes and almost caused me to drop her when I went into a dip! It took all my strength, and hers for the both of us not to bust out laughing. Well, as soon as the dance was over, she walked straight over to the orchestra and whispered something in the conductor's ear. And then she walked away with a smug smile. It was the look of a girl who had something planned.
She walked to the middle of the dance floor and drug her best friend--a serving maid she brings with her everywhere--out with her. Then the music started to play. I could not believe what I was hearing! THE MOCHERENA! How she got them to do it is unseen to me. But then, one look, one little wisp of a smile can do strange things to a man. Hey, it made me fall in love. Well, anyways... There she was dressed to the nines shaking her royal, ah hem, tushie. Her best friend eventually joined in and soon everyone else was too. Everyone except the musicians, Prince Jenkinhime and me. What Jenkinhime was doing, I will never know. For I, slipped off to change and don my mask. Yes, el, my mask. This is the stupid thing I spoke of earlier.
So, while all but the above mentioned were dancing, I ran up to my room and hurriedly put on my black trousers and blue shirt that many claimed (ok, just you and Carol.) matched my eyes. As the finishing touch I finally donned my black mask that covered my sandy curls so I would not be recognized. I then pulled on my boots and snuck into the ballroom unobtrusively.
I stepped in right as the tushie shaking song was over and the waltzes began again. But a Jade dress caught my eye. You won't believe whom she was talking to! Jenkinhime! The stupidest good-looking man since Sir Peter! Oh, el, I hate him. I despise every bone in his good-looking body! How can our Daria see anything in him?! But forgetting him and moving on is just what I did.
I first went and danced with a few of the young ladies who were not being asked by the young men. It drew enough attention towards me by the other girls. And, to my great surprise, Daria. She walked clear across the ballroom to talk to me! ME! Me memememe!! You have no idea how happy I was. It was extremely hard not to faint with pleasure.
"Hello. I'm Daria. W-who are you sir?" I raised my eyebrow in surprise. Daria never stutters. I rubbed my hands together behind my back. It was time for a taste of her own medicine. I kept my face still.
"Princess, my name is..." I searched for a mysterious name. "Caspian. Caspian Rivedlchi."
"Daria. If Carol can call me Daria, I think you can."
"Oh, Princess, I think not. Prince Jerrold himself refers to you and Princess Daria. If He can call you Princess, I think I can." I smiled wickedly. Was that wrong of me?
"Well the Prince needs help. He stands by everyday knowing how horribly his people live and he does nothing about it! I can't stand people who know what happens and can do something, but is to afraid to do anything! That's why I despise him so."
"Princess, did you not know that the Prince is not allowed out side the palace grounds. At all. Not even for his daily ride. He gallops through the gardens occasionally doing an odd job for the old gardener whose back is so terrible he can work only 2 days a week. And the Prince keeps that quiet by hiring kids who need the money. As you see. On closer examination, The Prince is not so bad at all."
She raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know these things that I do not? How are you to be trusted? How can that despicable man be anything but his first impression?"
"And how do I know you do not beat the serving maids if they mess up? Can I truly trust a Princess whose wishes are fulfilled by a single toll of a bell? How do I know you are not an ill literate louse who has the beautifully written word read to her by her bedside?" I smirked.
"I suppose you do not. So how am I to judge your character?" She ran her finger through her chestnut hair. Oh, el. You have no idea how much I wanted to touch her hair. Smell it and hold it's sent in my memory. I leaned in enough to catch a whiff of her long mane. Jasmine and Lilies. It was so intoxicating it made my voice husky.
"How about a dance?" She frowned slightly and seemed deep in thought, when I asked, "What is the matter, Princess?"
"I was just wondering...how could with a dance one judge another's true character."
"Simple. They dance with all their hear and soul without holding back. Like Prince Jerrold did when you first danced with him." Her eyes filled with surprise. They were lovely, those eyes. So contemplate, so alive and energizing, fully of laughter and wonder and care. I turned my eyes to the dancing couples. Somewhere whirl winds dancing with passion and fire, and others, were slow and reverent. Almost romantic, but some were holding back on the jade floor that changed with the style of song.
"How do you know he was holding back? Is there some stance you take when you hold back?" She walked to the window and looked out at the garden. "He has no passion. Only boyish charm." She suddenly wrapped her self in the drape she was unconsciously stroking.
I peaked into the curtain and asked with a chuckle, "Are you hiding from me princess?" she looked at where she was and laughed.
"Sorry. I wasn't thinking at all. I always did this when I was a little girl and I was deepy in thought. It was always so snug and conforting to have the green velvet drapes hugging me back ans I clutched them as I pondered. Now are you ever going to tell me how you could tell he was holding back or not?!" she laughed cheerfully, unaware of what that one laugh could do to me. I pondered and discted it. How can I explain how it sounds? Let me try, dear friend.
It's like when the first flower blooms on a spring morning. Like, a whisp of clean fresh air blows slowly into the room. It's like a kiss. Sweet and passionate, gentle yet strong, all at the same time. I shook my head.
"Of course I shall tell you. He was stiff. His hands went where they were supposed to. His feet learned the waltz and he followed it completely. He never once smiles, thought you could see the fire and longing of a gentle touch in his eyes." I laughed at the description of myself. I don't know if anyone else's pensive glaze caught the longing in my eyes I knew was there. But I hoped some one had.
"now. May I have that dance?" She laughed that same laugh and answered, "Yes." And so we did.
I put all my heart in soul into it. I heart he heels clicking on the floor and I felt her worn hand on my side. I closed my eyes and let the music take it's course through my veins. I felt it all. Loss, love, passion, hate, sadness, joy, and surprisingly, peace. I let the emotions in the air pass through me. Everything was radiationg from us as I twirled her. Untill it came to an end and I opened my eyes. Everyone was looking at us. I stole a look at my dance partner. Her eyes were on fire. Not mad. But something else. Something much deeper than I think I understand.
"I see. You are the most amazing man I have ever met." She looked up in awe at me.
"And you, Princess, and the most beautiful, creative, passionate woman I have ever danced with. Would you honor me with a waltz?"
She woulden't meet my eyes. Just answered with a meek, "Yes." And so we did.
I snuggled in close to her and to in all the smells. I swear I smelt the flowers bloom in her hair. And I whispered one thing into her ear.
"Can I keep you?" She looked up at me in surprise.
"I think we can manage something." And the flowers bloomed all over again when she laughed.
"I have to go now. But I will see you again soon. Maybe someday without my mask." I chuckled and slipped out before she could say something. When I reached my room, the manservant was waiting.
"Brandy sir?"
"Yes, I think I need some tonight."
Well? Wacha think!? I'm so so so so SO sorry I haven't updated in 2 weeks. I've been gone. First there was Hurricane Ivan, then I got sick and wound up in the hospital 2wice while I was in Atlanta, and has surgery and a, at home recovering. I just thank all of you for being to darn patient!1 I love you all, so drop me a review and met me know what you think!
Crazy.