Author's Note: Okay, so it's more than two chapters that set up the Labyrinth section. Sorry. : ) Oh, and I had a lot of fun writing this part. BTW, keep in mind Adina has pale colored skin, and blondish whitish hair. Two very important things with this chapter.
Chapter 5: How to Wear a Ball Gown(or Not)
"Adina dear, you can't be serious about not going to the ball tonight!" the Queen exclaimed, standing in the middle of her daughter's rooms. "You are the heir to the Faerie kingdom, you must, no excuses!" She walked into the library, where Adina was attempting to read a book Professor Boyce had given her. "Every night, you go out to study. All that studying can't be good for you!" "What's wrong if I want to learn as much as I can?" Adina sighed, having given up on the book and saying the same thing she had the last time they'd had this argument. "You should also learn to socialize! All the reading in the Underground does no good when dealing with people!"
The Queen disappeared for a moment, then returned with Galinda carrying an armload of ball gowns. "Now, dear, put this one on, then let Galinda do something with your hair, please!" Adina started to say something, but a rush of trumpets from downstairs drowned her out. "The guests are here, Adina Xanthe! Be ready in ten minutes to make your entrance!" The Queen grabbed up her skirts and hustled out as fast as she could, finally flying like a bee.
A royal march played as the guests presented themselves to the King and Queen of the Faeries. From every kingdom they'd come, all dressed in their finest garments. There were lower ranking Faeries, mysterious Sirens, the very quiet Elves, cheerful Brownies, mischevious Pixies, and respectable Goblins. For each pair, the royal couple would nod a greeting.
As the parade of guests continued, the King whispered, "Where is Adina?" "She should be ready by now," the Queen politely shot back, also whispering. "Well, I-" he broke off suddenly as the next pair of guests arrived. "Your Majesties," the beautifully dressed female Goblin spoke first. "Lady Helene, Lord Merle, how good of you to come," the King replied jovially. "I bring greetings from His Majesty, King Jareth. He hopes you are both well and sends his regrets," Merle said, bowing deeply. "Yes, we understand. We'll have to send someone over there for an official visit soon," the Queen smiled warmly.
Suddenly a fanfare played. Two pages straightened and cried out in unison, "Her Royal Highness, the Princess Adina!" All eyes turned toward the empty staircase. Slowly, regally, Adina appeared, with what was clearly a forced smile. Upon seeing her, almost everyone in the room gasped, most of all her parents.
Knowing how much this moment meant to her mother, Adina gave a false smile and began to slowly descend the stairs, while at the same time hoping her enormous headpiece wouldn't fall off. I feel ridiculous, she grimaced inwardly.
The dress was in itself what was truly ridiculous- a pale yellow bodice and full skirt, with large puffy mustard colored sleeves. From the shoulder area(which there wasn't much of since the gown was off shouldered) hung two pale yellow scarves that Adina supposed were for drawing attention to her face. The chest area was covered in little mustard seed pearls, and the skirt opened to reveal a lacy yellow underslip(which was luckily, Adina mused, part of the dress and not her real one). Big gaudy bows splashed on the skirt as well. To complete her humiliation, Adina was wearing a headpiece consisting of two large yellow feathers attached to a swan cap with a tiara on it.
Finally Adina reached the bottom, and glided over to the throne, where her mother was trying hard not to be sick. "Your Majesties, dearest Mother and Father," Adina said sweetly.
The Queen breathed a sigh of relief, watching the dancers. Except for the disaster of Adina's dress(and boy were those dressmakers going to get it), all was going well. Glancing over at her daughter-whowas handling her clothing fiasco beautifully in public she frowned to see Adina's face freeze as if watching something, then snap out of it. "Please excuse me, Mother," she said halfheartedly, clearly in pain. The Queen watched, puzzled as Adina rose and walked quickly out of the ballroom.