Chapter 3- The Triplets of Laquaria

Wow! Chapter 3 already. I guess I must have a lot of time on my hands what with summer vacation and all. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my muse, Mystique, the pink tiger TY beanie baby. So without further ado, chapter 3!

Glaze- Thanks for another energetic review! You like those e-cookies don't you. You're absolutely right about the sleeping thing, however, it isn't just her future on the line here. Her sisters would be awfully upset if they couldn't get married just because she ran away. Plus, she lives on an island… so life pretty much sucks for her right now. O well! Enjoy the chapter! I dedicate its fast arrival to you! …hands over e-cookie at the end of a long rant…

A loud, knocking on my door woke me up with a start.

"Uhhhhhhh." I moaned, covering my head with a large, goose feather pillow.

"Arya! Get up! I know you're awake in there! ARYA!"

Oh how I love the sound of Narie's screaming in the morning.

"What do you want Narie? I'm tired…" I groaned through the door.

"Your 'fiancé' is going to arrive today, and Della and I..."

"I have no part in this Narie…" Della's voice interrupted.

"Hem…I… thought you'd like to help with the preparations for your engagement ball." She continued.

My mind raced back to the week's events. Father coming home and announcing my betrothal to an overgrown lizard, my nursing him back to health, and my mindless moping about the castle. What a productive 6 days. Narie was right. I needed to help get ready for my groom's welcoming ball.

I rose from my bed and put on my navy robe, pulled a whale–bone comb through my hair and opened the door to let my sisters in.

"Arya, it's like a morgue in here, you're not mourning your ruined life already are you?" Narie said as she opened the curtains, letting the bright Laquarian sun shine in.

"There's no need to be so harsh Nar…She's going through a tough stage right now." Della, ever the voice of reason pointed out.

"Yes, and you'd better get used to it Narie, this 'tough stage' is going to last for the next…hmmm… I'd say the next…rest of my life." I retorted dropping down on my bed like a rag doll.

"It could always be worse Arya."

"Oh yes? Like how?"

"You could have to meet your future in laws…" Narie slipped out, and to my intense humiliation, they both began to laugh.

"Sorry…giggle…Arya…giggle giggle… it's just that…snort…oh come on, you have to admit…burst of infectious laughter…that it was funny." Della said, now beginning to roar with laughter.

"Hilarious." I responded. "I'm going to find some new decorations for the ballroom, unless either of you have anymore snide remarks?" I asked waiting for a response to my obviously rhetorical question. I began to leave the room when Della spoke.

"As entertaining as that sounds, dear sister, you may want to get dressed before gracing the court in your nightgown."

Darn. Foiled again. My sisters left the room snickering, and I hastily put on a simple green dress that Father always said flattered me. No sympathy.

For this evening's ball, I chose to create a chimerical garden, complete with fountains and tiny, sheered trees. Even if my husband-to-be wasn't all that pleasing to the eye, the ballroom would be.

"Your highness," a servant bowed, "your royal sisters request your presence in their chambers upstairs." I wanted to reply that my sisters could take their summons and stick them up their royal you-know-what's, but my princesses breeding forbade it.

"You may tell them I will be up in a moment." I said. The servant bowed again and went on to deliver the message. After finishing what I was doing, I headed up to my sisters' rooms. What I found there completely caught me off guard.

A large china tub sat in the middle of the room, large foamy bubbles overflowing from the sides. A beautiful green gown with gold embroidery, clearly done by Della's skilled hand lay on the cushions. I saw her busily collecting more of the gold thread from her basket.

"Get in Arya. You're getting cleaned up for this occasion." Narie spoke appearing from another room with a half a dozen handmaids.

"In here? Are you serious?" What was left of my dignity had officially vanished.

"Yes. You are going to look ravishing for the ball tonight if it kills us." Della said smiling up at me as she finished the last golden rose on the dress.

The handmaids practically forced my dress off of me and shoved me into the tub. It seems that I still had pride left because I felt it ebb away like a rock in a stream.

After being thoroughly cleaned, the maids began to rub a pomegranate salve through my hair that untangled my messy brown curls. I got up from the basin and dried myself off.

"I hope you like your dress Arya. I thought you might like something new for this momentous occasion." Della beamed showing me the dress she had been working on.

"It's gorgeous Della. I love it. Thanks a lot." I replied trying my best to look happy. Even if I had to marry someone I didn't even know, I shouldn't deny them the pleasure of marrying the ones they love…err…dressing me up.

I stepped into the rich fabric, and my sisters, with the help of the maids, helped do up the many buttons and clasps that ran up my back. Meanwhile, a hairdresser worked on my long, knee-length tresses.

After she finished pulling my hair into an intricate bun, Della placed a golden tiara on my head complete with matching emeralds. I stood and looked at myself in a floor length mirror.

"Mission accomplished." Narie spoke softly as she buttoned up the sheer green train to my dress.

This was going to be a long night.

That's all folks! Next up, we meet the mysterious fiancé! I may even write the next chapter in his POV. What think you? R and R!