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Green
The lawn was decked with glowing lanterns, lighting up the night sky. A huge white tent stood in the middle, ropes nailed in the ground. They could hear strings of music coming from the tent and the cheerful chatter of the people.
Froggy tugged at his brand new suit nervously. "I can't do this," he told Red.
"Of course you can!" Red replied, smoothing out her white gown, a pale green ribbon tied around her waist. It was one of those rare times when Red wore something other than red dresses. "You don't have to worry. Besides, if we don't go it will be a total waste! We even got matching dresses for the Spring Ball!"
Froggy looked at his clothes, a crisp white suit with the occasional green. "Well, you're right. Maybe I'm just making a big deal out of nothing." He muttered the last sentence to himself.
Together, they walked into the tent. People stopped dancing and immediately turned to the couple, sending glances and started to whisper among themselves.
"Is that what used to be a frog?"
"Wow, we can't have a former frog as a king."
"Why is it with the queen?"
Losing confidence quickly, Froggy's eyes lowered. He felt highly unworthy of Red's admiration. Because he was now Red's boyfriend, which meant he could be a potential king, gossip was spreading like wildfire. At first, no one could understand why Red chose Froggy. They called him a monster.
Froggy, being mild and good-natured, didn't say much. However, Red was very angry. She defended him from insults and accusations, argued with the villagers, and became very protective of him. Froggy was a bit embarrassed, but also very touched. It had been a long time since someone stood up for him. And to think someone like Red, who used to care about appearances a lot, would like him.
His thoughts were broken when Red tapped on his shoulder, a small grin on her face.
"Charlie, you don't have to care what others think of you. What's most important is who you really are." Then Red muttered angrily to herself, "Next time I see someone insult you, I'll give an order to behead them!"
But still, Froggy was uneasy throughout the ball. Red could see it. His movements were too stiff and he kept looking everywhere anxiously.
Froggy knew Red was worried for him, and he hated how not only himself was uncomfortable, he also made Red feel bad.
The jeers and hisses were almost becoming unbearable. It felt like they were crushing him, breaking him until they had squeezed all his hope and joy away.
"Red," he said to the queen. "Can we go outside for a bit?"
"Sure," Red agreed easily. They exited the tent and walked around until they could no longer see the white tent. Froggy took a lantern and the couple went for a walk in the woods. Fortunately, they weren't in the Dwarf Forests.
Froggy let out a breath he was unknowingly holding. He was back where he had spent years in, the woods. He shone his lantern around, revealing the dark green leaves and dirt paths.
Behind him, Red was grumbling softly about how her dress would get dirty, but she mostly kept quiet for Froggy's sake.
Froggy looked at the budding plants and took a deep whiff of the scent of spring rain. Spring was the symbol of rebirth, and so was the colour green. The colour that Froggy came to dislike because of his skin. But now he was back in human form, so he can put his frog days behind him. The days when he hid in the woods, scared of his own reflection.
Gone was the frog, a human in its place.
Froggy stood still at a small clearing for a few minutes, surrounded by the trees and fresh grass. All was silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves.
Red, a few paces away, kept patiently standing, despite that she was starting to get a bit bored.
Froggy suddenly turned around. "Red," he asked, stretching out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
Red blushed, which wasn't really noticeable in the dim light. "Not that I'm refusing, but may I ask why?"
"I guess I owe you a dance," Froggy said. "I was too nervous to dance back in the tent."
I'm not a frog, I'm a human. I don't have to care what others think of me. I can't let them affect me.
Red delicately placed her hand into his and they started a slow waltz, right in the middle of the woods.
I'm going to prove to Red, prove to everyone I'm worthy of her. I'm not the vain kid I used to be anymore.
Froggy twirled Red around and her dress fanned out. She smiled at him and he smiled back, both of them lost in their little world.
At the night of the spring equinox, under the stars, on the green grass, Froggy let go of all his insecurities and fears, and instead let peace and serenity fill him.
A/N: Two updates in two days?! You bet! Tis the power of motivation (and weekends)! Please read and review!