Author's Note: Hey-a! Your reviews just pushed me down on the chair in front of the computer and type the next chapter! So, here it is!
Thanks for review, brezzybrez and Ze Ultimate Fanfic Writer!
nascar-freak
Chapter 7: Schemes
The ball of Cair Paravel was once again filled with guests, Narnian guests. Fauns, Centaurs, Dryads, Minotaur, and many other creatures filled the elegant ballroom. Bergomask music floated cheerily in the atmosphere, and the great diamond chandeliers glittered brighter than it ever did. The great glass windows lined with gold, had silver vines running down the panes and clinging to the scarlet curtains. The beautiful decoration was the doing of the Nymphs. In between every window was a large Christmas tree; the Dryads picked each as the best. They had decorated it and showered it with silver leaves to represent Narnia's joyful celebration of their custom: a ball four days before Christmas. These four days represented the four monarchs in Narnia, the Valiant, the Just, the Gentle and the Magnificent. In these four days, they will make merriment, the Fauns will sing and play their panpipes through the long nights, the Dryads will dance by their bonfires, and the Mermaids in the ocean will make great shows in the water. Again, as before, in the middle of the ballroom shone the great grand piano. The Black Shield that Giovane played twice in her stay in Narnia a few months ago. The marble floor reflected the Black Shield from as well as the chandeliers above it and the guests below. Peter watched his people with a smile on his face. He had been complimented numerous times in a few minutes on his clothes for the evening. He wore a metallic gray tunic with white embroidery on the chest area. His loose and carefully puffed sleeves split from the elbow to reveal a white under sleeve. And his breeches, white as well, were covered from the knee to his feet with black swade boots. A silver cloak ran from his shoulders and down his back, his golden crown atop his head, and a silvery gray mask over his eyes. Peter grinned, Four days to go, and it's Christmas once again! he thought happily, Four days to go and I can show my present to Giovane! Peter walked through the crowd and bumped into a Nymph, "Oh, I'm sorry!" he quickly apologized. The Nymph looked up at him with her emerald green eyes. She mesmerized the king for a moment and smiled, "High King!" she said musically. Her voice was of the breeze in the forest, "There is of no need to apologize, but I must thank you once again for freeing me and my brothers and sisters from the curse upon ivory!" she said and curtsied. Peter laughed, "And you are most welcome. I hope you and your sisters are in good health?"
"Yes, sire! We shall mingle with the Dryads on the third day of the wait to Christmas Eve. We will nourish the winter trees and shower them with silver dew!"
"If I may take the Highness Giovane to join you in your merriment, may we?"
"Yes, sire! As you wish, milord! Join us in our merriment and we shall be well met!"
Peter bowed and bid a small blessing before he walked off.
Aravinia stared at herself in the mirror. She wore the deep red velvet gown. The color contrasted elegantly against her pale skin. Her wavy brown hair, she had pulled back in an elegant bun and weaved into it faint golden vines. She smoothened her skirt and ran her fingers on the shapely bodice and over the golden embroidery. Her sleeves giving a fluid motion with every move she made. Her fingers moved up to her chest, where ruby necklace rested coldly on her skin. The jewel glinted fiercely in the light in her chamber. She smiled and wore her mask, the gold feathers making her eyes the most stunning feature in her face, People will hardly recognize me, she thought, Let alone the High King. Peter had not seen Aravinia and more so her gown for the masquerade. All she needed to do now was follow her plan: Step-by-Step. Aravinia buttoned her golden cloak and grinned again, Step…By…Step.
Author's Note: hehe…confused? GOOD! That's just the way it's supposed to be! Why is it that this ruby seems to appear a lot in Aravinia's chapters? Well now, we'll just have to wait… Bwahahaha!!! (Yeah, I'm weird, people say).
So just press that review button, while do my best to press on the 'Submit Document' button. Okidoki?