Chapter 9: Prince Average's Birthday Party

"Alright fellas, it's time to crash this party!" Merlin fisted his hands as he and the other dwarfs reached Prince Average's castle, which was decorated with bright lights, streamers, jewels, and the like.

"He really does love beautiful things." Jack nodded, appreciating the precious jewels adorning the ivory towers.

"Makes you wonder if he's got a complex." Merlin smirked as they snuck through the bushes and behind a carriage as a lovely princess with a large ball gown got down. The seven dwarfs hid under her skirt as they managed to sneak into the castle.

"Right, now let's split up and look for Red Shoes. Obviously, she'll be the loveliest princess here." Merlin said as the other's nodded and split up.

"Ugh, I'm starving." Red Shoes held her stomach as the maids were finishing her hair and makeup.

"We're nearly done Princess Red Shoes." One of the maids said sweetly.

"Red Shoes is fine. Or you can call me Red." She shrugged as her stomach began to growl.

"And done."

"Great, oh wow. You guys did great." Red Shoes looked in the mirror. She had on a short sparkly purple dress that complimented her hourglass figure. The maids had put on some makeup which made her look more mature, as well as curling her hair.

"You look stunning!"

"Oh, thanks. Um, can you tell me where the kitchen is?" Red Shoes asked as the maids nodded.

Moments later Merlin had found himself somewhat distracted by all the beautiful princesses present, but was more so disturbed by the princes talking amongst themselves.

"Did you hear about the new princess that showed up? Her name is Red Shoes and she'd gorgeous." A prince with dark hair and dark eyes spoke as he sipped on his punch.

"Yea, how did Prince Average manage to get her to come to his birthday party?" A prince with light hair and light eyes shrugged.
"Don't know, but some say she's the most beautiful woman in the world. She's the only reason why I came." A prince with a fair complexion, dark hair, and light brown eyes sighed.

"Me too!" The other two princes agreed.

"It seems everyone's after Red Shoes." Merlin grumbled as he saw Red Shoes heading in the opposite direction as him. His heart beat out of his chest as he chased after her.

"Hmm, this looks good." Red Shoes picked up a slice of bread with meat and vegetables on top as she smiled.

"Not bad, but Hans is way better." She hummed to herself as Prince Average walked in.

"Where have you been!? I've been looking everywhere for you! I need to make my grand entrance!"

"Well, I was hungry, and you made me put this on, so I had to wait a while." Red Shoes ignored him as she finished eating and took a napkin to wipe the corners of her lips.

"Ugh, just don't get anything on that dress. It was very expensive!"

"You know, you were swooning and doing your best to be romantic, what's with this grumpy attitude? You were so nice earlier." Red Shoes frowned as Prince Average rolled his eyes.

"Please, I could have you marry me by the end of the night. Which isn't a bad idea, but I have no need to impress you. You're a woman after all. All you need are jewels and pretty things to make you happy."

"Ugh, you have a terrible personality." Red Shoes made a face as Prince Average grabbed her arm.

"Come on, we've got a grand entrance to make." Prince Average pulled Red Shoes away as Merlin cursed to himself, he was a second too late.

"And now presenting: Prince Average and Princess Red Shoes!" A voice echoed as a spotlight hit the top of the grand staircase, with Prince Average on one end and Red Shoes waiting on the other.

"Pst, Red Shoes!" Merlin whispered as Red Shoes looked back and saw Merlin hiding behind of of the pillars.

"Merlin?"

"I've come to rescue you." He held out his hand as Red Shoes smiled and took it, the two running off before the spotlight showed an empty space where Red Shoes was once standing.

"Where is she!?" Prince Average began shouting as everyone went looking for Red Shoes.

Regina then walked in wearing a mask as well as a smug look on her face as she looked around and noticed the chaos.

"You, what's going on?" She asked one of the princesses.

"Some new princess named Red Shoes was supposed to be Prince Average's escort but she disappeared. Now all the princes are searching for her in order to win her heart." The princess sighed as she walked towards the punch bowl.

"Oh no, you won't get away you little thief." Regina bit on her fingernail as she made her way towards Prince Average.

"Alright, time's up. You had your moment in the spotlight with Red Shoes. Where is she!?" Regina demanded as Prince Average groaned.

"How should I know!? She disappeared! I just hope those little trolls have nothing to do with this!"

"Trolls?"

"Yes, those seven green dwarves."
"Hmm, has Red Shoes been associating with them lately?"
"Yes, apparently she's searching for someone. They were putting up missing person's posters everywhere the other day. You don't get out of your lair much do you?" Prince Average waved his hand and walked away as he searched for Red Shoes.

"Hmm, seems like this may be a bit harder than I anticipated. Oh well, that's why I use magic. But I need those shoes!" Regina turned and went back to her lair to reevaluate the situation.

"Ok Merlin, now what? Everyone's looking for me?" Red Shoes whispered as the two were hiding inside a closet.

"Hmm, I think there's a back door in the kitchen. Let's head there."

"Ok." Red Shoes nodded as he slowly opened the door.

"All clear, let's go." Merlin signaled for her to follow him. They quietly tip-toed down to the kitchen as they suddenly heard footsteps. Merlin took Red Shoes' hand as they hid behind some curtains near a window.

"I thought I heard voices this way!" One prince yelled as a crowd of people ran by.

"Ok, they're gone." Merlin peered out as they continued on, managing to make it to the kitchen and outside.

"Great! Nice stealthy moves." Red Shoes gently patted him on the shoulder as Merlin blushed.

"Oh well, you know. I got all my moves from Prince Merlin."

"Really? I always thought he was more . . . I don't know kind of conceited." Red Shoes shrugged.

"What? Oh, I'm sure it's just confidence. You know, he is said to be the most attractive prince around." Merlin watched her reaction closely.

"I don't know; I just don't see it. He never seems to do any of those heroic acts selflessly. I can tell he really enjoys getting all the attention afterwards; especially from the princesses he's rescued. I heard he proposed to a few of them, then later rejected them. It's terrible the way he plays with women's feelings." Red Shoes shook her head as they began walking away from the castle.

"Oh, right." Merlin hit his hand against his head as he paused for a moment, recalling those times in his life: when the world was his oyster and he was able to make any woman fall in love with him.

"There you two are!" Hans waved as Jack ran up to Red Shoes.

"I managed to find your clothes."

"Oh, thanks Jack." Red Shoes smiled.

"Merlin, where have you two been!?" Arthur yelled in his face.

"We were escaping in case you haven't noticed. And where were you?"
"Searching for Red Shoes of course." Arthur turned toward Red Shoes as she smiled.

"I'm fine. Thank you all for looking for me. And thanks Merlin for rescuing me." Red Shoes hugged him as he was breathless for a moment, his heart beating like a drum. As she let him go, they stared into one another's eyes for a moment as she bashfully turned away to notice the other six dwarfs reached their arms out, gesturing for her to hug them too.

"Listen, we'd better get out of here before Prince Average finds us." Merlin took Red Shoes' hand as they walked off.

"Hey! Wait for us!" Arthur ran after them as the others followed suit.