Disclaimer: Plot is mine, anything you recognize belongs to someone else, I don't claim it, blah, blah, blah.

A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. I thought I'd be able to update sooner but I've been very sick and very busy with schoolwork. Apparently I'm not responding to the medicine my doctor's giving me. So I've been lying on the couch watching television and pitying myself for quite a while, as well as puking at intervals...but I'll spare you any more details. Here's Chapter Five.

Summary: On the night of the third ball, everything went according to plan. She plans to forget Char and go on living with her curse as a maid in Dame Olga's house. But first loves always die hard.

Call it a Gift

By Blackberry Ink

Chapter Five: Coming Up Tails

Tell me your secrets

And ask me your questions

Oh let's go back to the start

Running in circles

Coming up tails

Heads on a silence apart

Nobody said it was easy

Oh it's such a shame for us to part

Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be this hard

- Coldplay – The Scientist

The hours until dinner passed in what seemed like a minute. I felt like I was acting like Hattie in the way I spend too much time in front of a mirror, making myself as perfect as possible. But, even though I was determinedly not going to look at him, on the off chance that he glimpsed me, I wanted to look my best. I'd hate for him to see me look anything but.

"Ella, darling!" Dame Olga said in a syrupy voice from the end of the hall. "Come here! The guests are arriving!"

I took a last glance at myself in the mirror and thought of looking to my magic book for a picture of Char again. Then I reminded myself that I would be in his presence all night. The curse pulled at me to join Dame Olga. Mustn't keep my guests waiting.

"Oh, Ella! There you are," Dame Olga said as I came into view. "Sir Giles, this is my step-daughter, Eleanor. Eleanor, this is Sir Giles, from Bast. He is a friend of your father."

In my best Manners Mistress style, I held out my hand as a very old and wrinkly mouth kissed it, leering slightly. I pulled my hand back as quickly as possible.

"Greetings, Eleanor," Sir Giles said.

I forced a smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

He leered again. I had the distinct impression that I wouldn't be able to rid myself of him easily. "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Eleanor. May I say that you look stunning in that gown?"

I wanted to be sick all over the green ruffles of his outfit. "You may."

Dame Olga nearly forced my arm into his as he offered it. I wished for Char to be here. On second thought, I wished for Gareth to be here. He would get me away so I could watch Char from afar.

"Would you like to dance?" Sir Giles asked.

I looked around for someone who could help me evade him. But there seemed to be no kind face. I would have to avoid him myself.

"I'm afraid I must greet the rest of the guests, good sir," I told him. I had no desire to have my hand kissed for the rest of the hour, but it had to be better than Sir Giles' leering.

"Of course, my lady," he said. His wrinkles crinkled at me and I had to force myself to keep from grimacing. "May I seek you out later?"

I thought quickly of an excuse. "I shall look for you," I lied. "If I am not too overwhelmed. I have missed my father and look forward to spending time with him." Was it possible that he could believe me?

He nodded and I breathed easier. He kissed my knuckles and left. No doubt to find another young woman without an escort.

I took a place next to Dame Olga and her spawn on the greeting line. There were what seemed like thousands of guests lined up to say their hellos to us. I had had no idea of the enormity of this event until that moment. I supposed it was because everyone knew of Mandy's good cooking. And of the fact that Char would be coming.

Char. And he would be coming to greet Father on this very line! And he would see me and –

I had to leave.

But the moment I thought it, fate decided to play a trick on me. In my panic, I looked outside to see a grand carriage pulling up to the circle outside the manor. I blanched and moved to leave.

"Ella!" Dame Olga whispered harshly. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I..." I couldn't think. Char was here. I craned my neck undetectably to see him despite myself.

"What will people think if you leave? What will the prince think of your rudeness? Stay."

An order. I grew roots.

My breathing was rough and quickened as I saw Char step out of the carriage. What was he doing here? My Father was just another no-account knight of the king. Char didn't belong here. He was too good to be in the presence of terrible people like my family. He was too precious to be near someone as horrible as me.

He stepped out of the carriage and I caught a glimpse of something – pain? – before he masked it behind false happiness. How could anyone think he would be happy here? I had almost caused his destruction. I would kill him. He hated me. He hated me. He hated me.

I willed myself not to cry. I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't. He mustn't see me like this. He mustn't see me at all. It would hurt him. It would kill me.

He was coming closer. I tried to leave but the curse wouldn't let me. Dame Olga muttered something harshly in my ear but I couldn't hear her.

He was shaking hands with Father. He didn't appear to have noticed me. He was ignoring me. What would he do when it came time to greet me? Would he pass me as if I wasn't here? Would he pretend not to know me? And what would I do? I bit my lip in nervousness.

He bowed to Dame Olga. She gave him a fluttering laugh and a curtsy and said something about being happy to have him here. But he wasn't happy to be here. He hated it. He hated these dinners and balls. I didn't want him to be here. It caused him displeasure. And yet I didn't think I could bear it if he left.

He came to me and his eyes hardened slightly. I didn't think anyone else noticed. Perhaps I had only imagined it. I could only envisage how I looked.

"Greetings, Lady Eleanor," he said, bowing. He was pretending not to know me. I couldn't bear it.

I curtsied. My hand visibly trembled as I offered it to him. What did he think of me?

He raised his eyebrows slightly in question as he kissed my hand. My eyes fluttered shut for a moment against my will and I swallowed. Did his lips last longer on my hand than they should have? Had I imagined it? Yes. I had. He hated me. He hated me. He hated me.

He released my hand and I nearly cried out. I needed him near me. How could he leave? I needed to apologize. I was wrong. I loved him. I never meant to hurt him and I couldn't live without his forgiveness. I was a fool to think there was no way for me to marry him. Of course there was a way. Kyrria would be perfectly safe. I loved him. I loved him. I loved him.

"Char..." I whispered pathetically before I came to my senses. He looked slightly startled and his eyes darted to me for a moment as he spoke to Hattie.

"Did you say something, Lady Eleanor?" he asked. Hattie smirked at me.

I could feel tears pricking at my eyes. I turned to leave but the curse still couldn't let me.

"No," I got out. "No, nothing." I love you! I love you! I've always loved you and I'll never stop! my heart screamed.

Then he went into the next hall and was gone. Head spinning, I begged Dame Olga to let me excuse myself. She allowed it, and I near ran away.

Not knowing where else to go, I fled to the door out of the servant's quarters and out of the manor. The tears were flowing freely now. I let myself collapse into the grass, probably staining my dress. I didn't care. Nothing mattered. I was in love with a man who hated me. My life was over. I would waste away the rest of my days having my hand kissed be people like Sir Giles. I would cook with Mandy and talk with Gareth when I could, but probably end up moving far away and never see anyone I cared for ever again. I'd become what I most despised. I'd become Dame Olga.

I wondered who to go to. Mandy was indisposed with her cooking and serving. She could be fired if I went to her and wasted her time.

I stumbled as I got up and went to sit beneath a weeping willow near the gate of the manor. As I plunged through its leaves I felt as I had nearly two years ago, when Mother had died. Then, too, I had sought out a weeping willow to cry under. But then I had had Char to comfort me afterward. And now he was inside the manor, hating me. Or perhaps he wasn't thinking about me at all. I wondered which was worse.

I forced myself to calm down. The tears stopped and I smoothed my dress. I was surprised to find it not noticeably stained or wrinkled, so I decided that I would be fit to return to the dinner without changing outfits. I'd stand along the side of the wall while the guests socialized, and I'd sit far from Char during dinner. I wouldn't look at him. Much.

Standing, I made my way through the tree leaves. Hoping my face was devoid of any sign of distress, I walked back into the manor, through the servant's quarters, and back into the hall. My arrival attracted few stares. Without my brain ordering it, my eyes searched out Char and found him near the open doors leading to the stairs. I remembered when we slid down those stair rails months ago. It had been one of the happiest days I could remember.

Afraid my gaze would draw him to look at me, I averted my eyes as quickly as I realized I was staring.

Determinedly keeping my eyes from flickering towards him, I walked over to the side of the room so I could see where a few couples were dancing. This dinner of Dame Olga's was turning out to be much larger than I had expected. Apparently, she had hired a string quartet that was playing a lively gavotte and had invited much more guests than I had thought. It appeared that everyone who held any sort of status in Frell was here, and some from the bordering towns. It was probably because Char was here, and still without a wife. I wondered if he'd made his proclamation not to marry public. I wondered if he'd changed his mind, or if his parents had changed his mind for him, or if he still held true to that same sentiment.

Not that it mattered.

I saw Sir Giles attempt to make eye contact with me from across the room and edged along the wall to make it harder for him to reach me. He seemed to think that I wanted him to follow me, and made his way along the wall of the room and closer to where I was. I groaned inwardly. What would this look like to Char?

I stepped out of the hall and leaned against the opposite wall. I could see Char, looking bored to tears. I wondered if anyone but me noticed the way his arms and back were tense, as they always were when he was uninterested. I wondered if anyone but me noticed the way his eyes subtly darted towards the doors, as if waiting for the moment when he could make a quick escape.

"We meet again, Eleanor."

It was Sir Giles. I quickly looked at Char again to see if he'd noticed the old man following me. He was staring right at me, and for a moment I noticed a bit of regret that was quickly hidden as he nodded curtly at me. I stifled tears and turned back to Sir Giles.

"Your father is over there, if you were looking for him," he said, gesturing towards an appetizer table.

I smiled falsely. "Thank you, Sir Giles. I must have missed him."

He leered in response.

Talking to Father had to be better than talking to Sir Giles. I offered another smile to the man and made my way across the room – avoiding Char or any potential dance partners at all costs – and towards Father.

"Daughter. It is good to see you," he said. Always formal. Mother wouldn't have acted like that.

"It is good to see you as well. I missed you while you were away."

He smiled fleetingly.

"Forgive me, Duchess, for not introducing my daughter earlier," Father said. "This is Eleanor. Eleanor, this is Duchess Jacy of Litton, in Ayorthia.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," she said, dropping a curtsy.

I curtsied as well. "You as well, Duchess."

"Please, call me Jacy, dear. I see no use for titles."

"Of course."

"I was just passing through Frell when I overtook your father on the road," she explained to me. "He asked that I rest in his manor and attend dinner. Though I must say, I wasn't anticipating a dinner quite this large. I would have worn better clothes."

She adjusted a ruffle on her already quite elegant clothing. I tried to look interested.

"You speak Kyrrian quite well," I complemented. The longer I kept up conversation here, the more I could put off any discussion with Sir Giles. "I hear no accent at all."

"Thank you," she said warmly. "It took me several years of schooling to get it correct."

"I've always had a fondness for languages," I continued.

"My Eleanor spends far too much time in books," he said, putting a fatherly hand on my shoulder. Spent too much time around books? Hardly. I read my magic book and studied from my languages dictionary when I could, but I barely had time for excessive reading.

Jacy chuckled. "I was the same way at her age. I had a fondness for the foreign tongues."

"Me as well," I said, become slightly more interested.

"The Elvish language was always my favorite. Speak Elfian?"

"Yun gar," I said. "But I mainly speak Ogrese and Ayorthian."

Jacy smiled. "Dess bello. That's wonderful. We'll have to speak together sometime."

This time my smile was genuine. "What better time than now?"

She smiled again. "Ubensu utyu," she said in Ayorthian. "You're right."

Perhaps this dinner wouldn't be so horrible after all.

I felt an elbow knock into my back and I turned to see Char, standing right behind me. Looking right at me. Noticing me. The fact that he remembered everything about me was all too apparent.

"I'm sorry, Lady Eleanor," he said courteously. He gave me a deep bow and his hair fell a bit out of place. I longed to right it.

"No apology is necessary," I breathed. It took a moment to realize that I had moved a bit closer to him than was necessary. I stepped back quickly, dazed by his proximity.

He nodded and turned again to continue talking to one of the knights that had accompanied him. I couldn't help but sigh at the fact that we'd touched again.

Jacy cleared her throat. I looked back at her, hoping I didn't look too love struck.

"Utyu ubensu evtame Prince Charmont?" she asked. "Do you like Prince Charmont?"

"He is my prince," I said. "I both like and admire him." I also love him. But I wasn't about to proclaim that. At least not aloud.

"Abensa ese," she said. "I see."

I hoped she'd drop the subject, or this would turn out to be as horrible as I'd originally thought.

At the actual dinner, I was seated next to Sir Giles. I wondered who's doing that was. No matter who was responsible, I was still displeased.

Father was at the head of the table with Dame Olga at his right and Char at his left. Char sat next to his knight. My stepmother sat next to Hattie (I was quite sure Hattie's seating close to Char had been arranged) and Olive sat between Hattie and me. Jacy was at the other end of the table, leaving me without anyone near me to give any sort of comfort.

Char was seated all too close.

A curse and a blessing.

Dinner progressed without any abnormalities. It was a four course meal, and I ate as grotesquely as I could to try to put off Sir Giles.

Sir Giles didn't appear to notice my eating, but Char the majority the family did. Father glared at me from time to time, trying to subtly get me to stop. Dame Olga looked pleased, perhaps because she thought it made her daughters look better.

It didn't.

Olive and Hattie were far too interested in their meals to notice any conversation until after they had finished. They each had three helpings of every course. Except Olive, who had four helpings of the second. I imagined that my own eating paled in comparison.

Char ignored me the entire meal, going back to pretending I didn't exist. I tried to do the same, but found myself looking at him whenever I didn't think he'd detect it.

Sir Giles quietly tried to make conversation with me, and I again managed to avoid any real tête-à-tête by filling my mouth with food.

Overall, the meal was uneventful. The guests all adjourned to the sitting room and the hall, where there were post-meal drinks and small talk. I sat on the edge of the room and watched as the guests slowly left. Jacy came to bid me goodbye, assuring me that she'd stop by the manor if ever she passed through Frell again. Sir Giles left with the same sentiment, although I was far less pleased when hearing it from his mouth.

"Not quite as charming as I would have liked," Father muttered to me after Sir Giles had gone.

"He's far too old," I said, not meeting his eyes.

"He's very rich. You'd do well to give him the time of day."

I caught a glimpse of Char saying a polite goodbye to Dame Olga. Luckily, he seemed to have told her to relay his goodbye too Father, because he and his knight left moments afterward. My breath caught in my throat to see him go. When would I see him next? Would I even see him again?

"...interested in you," Father's voice drifted back into my ears after a momentary lapse. "And if you continue to insist upon acting like a child- "

"He's older than you are, Father. I refuse-"

"It isn't your choice, Eleanor," Father said, his voice subtle yet sharp.

I sensed that if I continued this conversation, I would find that any choice I still had to make would be taken from me. I stood, but Father grasped my wrist.

"Eleanor..." he warned. My eyes locked with his. "I'm afraid you do not understand the severity of this situation. Do you wish to remain a scullery maid in your own home forever?"

His grip didn't loosen. "No, Father, I do not."

"I may have evaded an immediately negative consequence to my actions, but you have yet to find a way out of the hole you are in. I suggest you pay a call to Sir Giles tomorrow," his hold lessened and his eyes narrowed as if to add: 'or else'.

I left quickly and without response. A rejoinder may had resulted in a command, and that was the last thing I wanted.

"All in all, it didn't seem that horrible," Gareth said.

I had related the details of the ball to him, omitting, of course, anything having to do with my discomfort around Char. The worst part.

"I suppose not," I lied.

"Well, you can be happy now that it's over," Gareth said. "No more dreading it."

"Yes," I said blandly. "Now I can quite dreading that dinner and start dreading the next."

He rolled his eyes. "How do you even know a simple scullery maid such as yourself will be invited to a big important dinner party?"

I raised my eyebrows and brought myself to full height and girth. "A simple scullery maid? I think not. While you may be a lowly shoemaker's apprentice, I happen to be Lady Ella of Frell, daughter of Sir Peter of Frell and-"

Gareth laughed good-naturedly. "You're such an ass, Ella."

I put my hands on my hips. "How dare you call a Lady such a thing!" I exclaimed in mock-anger.

He bowed and took my hand to give it a quick kiss. "I apologize, my Lady. I did not mean to offend."

"Yes you did," I said, reverting back to myself.

He grinned. "Well, perhaps I did, a bit. What are you going to do about it?"

I grinned back and pulled my hand back, thinking to give him a shove. He grabbed my arm and held it.

"I didn't think a Lady would resort to using physical means to get revenge."

I tilted my chin up. "Me? A Lady?" I pulled my arm from his grasp. He let me. Our eyes locked, I moved a few inches closer to him, unable to stop the grin, put both palms on his chest, and pushed him into the stream. "Hardly."

The stream went up to his waist and he gasped from surprise, then burst into more laughter.

"Wretch," he muttered, still laughing. "Couldn't you have at least warned me so I could have removed my shirt before soaking me?"

"And I'm sure you'd have let me push you, then," I retorted.

"Now I'm going to have to change my clothes."

"Poor you."

"Will you hand me that rag sticking out of your apron pocket?" he asked.

"Why?" I asked slowly.

"Because I'd like to dry my hair, if it's all the same to you."

Cautiously, I stepped towards him, rag outstretched. In one motion, he grabbed my hand and the rag and pulled me into the stream with him. Mouth open in shock, I gulped a mouthful of water before surfacing.

"Gullible of you," he said as I resurfaced. "My hair's not even wet."

"Not yet it isn't," I said, cupping my hands to splash water at him. It wetted his hair thoroughly and I smiled with satisfaction. He was smiling broadly at me as he took a somehow dry rag to dry his hair.

"Because I was supposed to be back at the shop in little more than a quarter of an hour ago, I'm going to be the gentleman and back out now," he said.

"Are you saying I win?"

"Since when was this a contest, my Lady?" he returned, stepping smoothly out of the stream and coming to sit on the bank. He was sopping wet. I went to sit beside him, even more wet than he.

"I ought to go back," he said, regaining some seriousness. "I'm in trouble as it is."

"Of course," I said.

He stood and offered me a hand up. "Promise not to push me into the stream again?" I asked.

"Promise."

I took his hand. He feigned an attempt to shove me in, but then helped me stand.

"Tomorrow?" he asked.

"Provided you're not in trouble for being late," I said.

"I won't be."

"Then perhaps we should go somewhere different. Get a change of scenery."

"Whatever you wish," Gareth said.

"Then I'll meet you at the shoemaker's tomorrow," I told him. "At half past noon."

Gareth slipped on his shoes. "I'll be waiting." With a swift smile, he ran off.

The smile stayed in my mind for a moment, but it soon faded to reveal Char's glowing grin. I recalled the lilt of his voice as I made my way slowly back to the manor and to my room, remembered the smooth lines of his face as I changed into my bedclothes. I was disappointed to find no picture of him in my fairy book, but the picture in my mind was solid as I let sleep take me.

Reference: All of the phrases in a language other than English(/Kyrrian) were taken from the expage site "ellaenchantedstory5" and from my own educated guesses.

A/N: I know that chapter wasn't my best, but I really wanted to get it posted before making everyone wait any longer. I hope everyone enjoyed Char's appearance - rest assured that it won't be the last.

I got a ton of reviews for the last chapter. Thanks so much to babyjayy, Tempest Dragon, super sycoh, awaiting impatient person, independen-and- happy81017, Pennithil, Turwen, angelwings6117, Indil Elondili, Rizz, megan, Tokyobabe2040, Swishy Willow Wand, fantasyfan, cerillion, The Queen of the Pugs, SirGimpalot, Samwise809, Armadrieclya, Bess3, Emma, FrodoFan, RoseGodess9, jemapel, princess, milenium03, princessofhearts, Nightswift, not telling, The Boot Of Many Moods, Mahoro-san, kyadelphi, and all the other anonymous reviewers for reviewing! You guys are the people that keep me wanting to write fanfiction.

RoseGodess9: You said something about me not putting the fairy book in the story. I guess I didn't make it pronounced enough, but I've written in that Ella checks the book nightly, looking for updates and picture of Char.

Fantasyfan: Thanks for pointing about that error! I guess I really don't re-read these chapters as well as I should.

Tokyobabe2040: I'm glad to be keeping you guessing! As for the love triangle and skirmish between Gareth and Char...anything's possible. ;)

Rizz: Lol! I'm guessing you saw the movie. I did too, and I was extremely disappointed. It could have been awesome if they had stayed more faithful to the book. I've always been interested in filmmaking...perhaps I'll have to try a remake in a decade or so. :)

angelwings6117: I'm so glad you like Gareth! I was really worried about writing him in; I though everyone would hate him. You've got some good ideas, by the way.

super sycoh: Definitely not a bad thing that you like Gareth better than Char. I like him better myself.

Next Chapter: To tell the truth, I'm not 100% sure of which way to go with the next chapter. I have two clearly defined ways to go with the plot and have yet to decide between them. So, the next chapter will be pivotal in the direction of the plot (though it may not seem like it). That's about all I can say for now. And I'm afraid that it may take just as long to post as this chapter did. The AP Exams are over (thankfully), but now there are Regents to study for. What fun. Still, the more motivation you guys give me, the more I may be persuaded to write in my free time.