To Shimmer or to Shine
By The Pearl Walrus
Fairy tales
--Chapter Two--
'Lady Audrey, what a pleasant surprise. Finally decided to grace us with your presence, have you?'
'Yes.'
'Yes Mistress Hartley.'
'Yes Mistress Hartley.' Just a tint of malice in my voice to my teacher and much to my dismay, she smiled, even of it was only a half, lopsided grin.
'You must dress for dinner. Immediately.' Her high pitched voice annoying, but I guess I find almost everything annoying so I can't really judge.
'At quarter to five? Strange, I always thought dinner was at seven. I must've been mistaken all these years, maybe if I had been taught properly.' I said smiling agreeably and putting a finger to my chin.
'I have taught some of the finest and most distinguished ladies of our time! A true lady doesn't use that tone with their elders. And stand up straight.'
'Whatever.' Walking through my open door and closing it in her face. Locking it, I stood awed in my own presence for a few moments when a realised Mistress Hartley was pounding on the door screaming in her high pitched voice.
I'm in trouble now… I thought with a bit of resentment. Without calling for the servants I hurriedly took off my dress, ripping it in the process and finding a new more formal dress in many of my cupboards. It was my second favourite, light lavender with an optical allusion of being puffy and heavy when it was really quite light in reality, with lace trimmings and a train of about a foot.
Sitting at my vanity mirror I released my hair from its tight bun and the sunshine coloured waves cascaded down my shoulders. I braided downwards and tied a violet ribbon around the bottom. The pounding from outside my room had stopped, my mistress had finally realised she could go get her key and let herself in the room.
Having my room only two stories up had always been an advantage, ever since we had moved to the castle four years ago when I had been twelve, I was able to escape any obligations.
My request for a large window when we moved was hardly to take in the huge gardens but more to be able to jump down when necessary. The window itself was huge, the panes of glass were all clear and the curtains a heavy cream colour with peach coloured rosebuds upon it.
Already ready for dinner in three hours before hand I checked wether I needed anything else, not wanting to return and be struck by my mistress once more.
Dress, check.
Hair, check.
Shoes, where are my shoes! Running to the closet I picked up the first pair I found. They were yellow, they clashed with my dress but I guess beggers cant be chosers!
A scrapping sound from the key hole signalled the return of my mistress, and as the door was about to be flung open, signing my death warrant, I picked up my skirts running to the window and let them go as I stood on the sill quickly calculating distance and force. The door creaked and I leapt, to the nearest branch, like I had done many a time before.
Trying as quietly as I could to slide down the branch without, A. falling B. being discovered and C. getting dirty or ripping my dress. I slid down the wood far enough to be out of view of the, now occupied room. I jumped to the lower branch, but unluckily this is very hard in a dinner gown and I tripped, falling down at least seven feet onto my rear end. So much for out of danger.
Picking myself up from the ground I smiled and headed towards the rose gardens, still slightly sore from the fall.
I walked through the arch into the pavilion and sat while the birds sang around me. I inspected my dress, it was a little torn in the front but the tear was not obvious unless you were looking for it, the dress was very dirty around the hem but again, it wasn't overly noticeable.
Me, being me, got bored very quickly and my mind started to wander and soon I found myself wandering back to the castle into the entrance hall and down the stairs. For most this was the scariest place in the castle but to me it was exciting. The Dungeons.
Descending the stairwell a still calm comes over you, the icy air almost hurts your lungs as you inhale and exhale, inhale, exhale, it become laborious and then comes the screams. Hundreds of souls on their last stretch of life, the guards merely nod to acknowledge my presence as I get to the first passage. Over time I have memorised the tunnels, once I had had a map before it was confiscated by the prince when he had discovered I had come down here. By the time it was taken I had already taken the time to memorise them, now I can just remember which passages are blocked and which contain the most dangerous criminals.
I was content just wandering through the dark tunnels, lit only by small lanterns on the walls, the glowing was eerie and the sounds of dripping water along with the begging of the murderers, rapists and thieves for mercy as I walk by, the guards often making small talk with me as I walk by.
Walking down one of my most familiar passages something starts pulling at my dress, "my angel…" he croaked up at me, "help me…" pulling on my lavender dress, yanking it out of his grasp. "help me, grabbing my shin with unbelievable force he pulled me down, I heard I rat squeak and scurry.
Falling backwards against the mouldy, cold, damp stone I attempted to scurried back, gasping loudly, the bars echoed as the other convicts started to get rowdy and rattle their only positions, cups and plates, against the railings. Another one grabbing me from behind, pulling and stroking my hair and my arms.
Suddenly, as quickly as it had started they subsided and sunk back into the depths of the darkness that was their home. Brushing my dress off I glanced upwards at their stood half a dozen, heavily armed jailors.
The largest pulled me heavily up by the elbow, "don' come 'ere again." His rough voice hard.
"I, I wont, sir. I, I apologise." Fear coursing through my veins I fled, running to back through the passages. I didn't stop until I felt the warmth against my skin. I stop, putting a hand to chest, breathing heavily.
I was in the entrance hall once more and looking out the windows I saw from the almost failing light it must be almost supper, at that moment the grand clock from the north chimed proving that it was exactly seven.
Running up to the dining hall, I stopped just outside the door closed my eyes and took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the snake pit which was the royal court.
Throwing open the door I walked, arms clasped behind me back and floated towards the princes table.
"Lady Audrey, glad you could join us." The prince stated as I walked towards the tables and swept into a curtsy. An arm caught my forearm tightly and I looked around.
"Where have you been?" Cam whispered into my ear.
"Let go of my arm." I shot a piercing look at him and he released me.
"Fine, just answer my question."
"My prince I am sorry for my lateness it was fault of my own." I ignored Cam as I took my place in between him and the prince.
"For a while Lord Campbell and I were wondering if you were doing to arrive at all."
"I mistook the time while I was in the rose gardens."
"Such a lovely place at this time of year."
"I agree, Your Highness."
He was about to say more but was interrupted when the second course was served providing Campbell the perfect opportunity to question me.
"Where in the lords name have you been?" he hissed into my ear.
"I really don't see why this is such a big dear I was only quarter of an hour late."
"I went looking for you. You weren't anywhere, not your room, nor your tree, nor the castle and you certainly not in the rose gardens." He seemed far too angry than usual.
"People are staring cam."
"Let them stare. Where were you?"
"it would only upset you to know."
"You were in the dungeons again weren't you?"
I didn't respond and kept eating the salad that was on my dish.
"You were! I knew it! You are forbidden to go their but yet somehow you still end up there, next time you go I am telling the prince! Even he forbade you to go there!"
"Come on don't tell." I flashed him my most winning smile.
He sighed very audibly the prince glanced at us. "And what are you two talking about?"
"Oh nothi.." I started but Cam cut me off.
"Actually our topic of discussion was where Lady Audrey was this afternoon."
"I thought she said she was in the rose gardens." The prince replied digging his fork into his own plate.
I looked pleadingly at cam, we both new the prince would be livid if he knew I had deliberately broken a command.
"Yes she was I was just inquiring further."
"You too are such good friends."
"Agreed, my Prince," Susana piped in with her almost manly voice. "and obviously never anything more!" she alleged sarcastically.
The Prince looked doubtful, "Yes..." Susana and the Prince kept talking while Cam gave me meaningful looks.
Talk kept mainly to eligibility, latest fashion and upcoming balls just as it did every night until finally it ended and I stood to leave.
"Lady Audrey, please let me escort you," it was the prince and as he said this whispers broke out all over the hall. That was what I hated most about the court, everybody heard everything you say and then change it dramatically, sometimes it even turned into treason and you were beheaded, I never spoke out of line.
"Of course. If you must." I was quite doubtful of what he wanted to talk to me about but Cam looked almost nervous, I winked and he gave me a weak smile as the Prince led me towards my chambers.
"Lady Audrey, I have a slight favour to ask of you."
"Anything, my liege." Almost anything… I wanted to say.
"It's more, ah, about some advice I wish to ask you."
"Continue,"
"What do you think about democracy?"
"Do you mean in contradiction to the monarchy?"
"No just asking others opinions about the issues in the kingdom."
"Tis a silly idea."
"You really believe so?"
"Then people think their opinions really matter."
"So adamant on the subject Lady Audrey? Don't you believe the common lowly farmers opinion matters?"
"It may sound severe and haughty but no, their opinion is of no concern. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I hold your opinion in a high regard."
"Thankyou. Well this is my room, twas a kind gesture to walk me this whole way up here."
"Tis my pleasure." He said smiling and taking my hand to kiss it.
"Adieu."
"Fare well, gentile maiden." He replied as I closed my door. I heard him sigh and waited for his receding footsteps when I heard more scurrying towards my room.
"Go away Cam!" I yelled and bolted my door. I'll deal with him tomorrow. I thought as I lay down, fully clothed on my four poster bed.
"Night then!" he yelled through the bolted door.
"Night!" I smiled as I closed my eyes.
Yes I realise that jumping to a tree branch is a bit farfetched but you know she's done it a million times before. and also its hard to write first person because if you think about it you look at stuff and you know what it is without thinking it. Example: you see a man who is balding and wearing a white shirt. Well you don't think to yourself, "Oh my, that is a man! He is balding and wearing a white shirt!" do you? Well maybe you do but I don't…
Also i know the dungen bit it a bit wack, but i kinda threw it in on the last minute just to make it slightly longer!
Thanks:
li'l bling bling- really? that sucks. thanks for reviewing!
Masked Dragonfly0926- thanks for reviewing! did you talk to hottyjessy on msn?
Moon in Pisces- thanks for the support, i cant right quirky. dont know why because i am a quirk but it gets all messed up on the page(screen. lol) thanks for review.
that-girl-who-likes-dolphins - so a new chapter can begin :)
beavergirl-UPDATE!
hottyjessy- you update too. thanks for your review, didnt need the entiety of the speach but you know its all good. fridays gonna be awesome
Moonlight Enchantments- hey this is random but i really like your penname thingo! im glad you know where its going coz i certainly dont...