AN: I'M BACK! WOOO HOOO! Sorry I was getting really lazy about writing again and was getting all distracted… stupid ADD… Anyway I'm kind of jumping a good amount of time for the sake of getting to the actual good stuff with some plot content. Sorry if it's a little awkward… But don't worry! Fluff will continue and you will appreciate this jump later! Also there was a crap ton of responding to do so find yours if you reviewed and then you can skip the other notes :)

Since there was a lot of you over my break who favorite-d and followed this story I'm just going to give one big thank you to you all! SO YAH! Thanks!

XvideogamegirlX: You bet! I originally wrote this for Ella Enchanted but I didn't think I would be able to do justice to Gail Carson Levine's world. So, I decided to go over it again and convert it into becoming just a regular fairy tail :) And I'm glad you like the story!

purpleartist19: It makes me so happy to hear you say—or write, I guess—that you like it so much! It means a lot! ….and hmmmm….. interesting names…. I wonder if they will make an appearance… ;)

mirror-owl38: THANK YOU SO FREAKING MUCH! And I am so jealous that you know Italian!I love singing it but I never have any idea what I'm saying! But anyway I love you to pieces :) sorry for the wait HOMO SAPIEN!

: You know… Narnia wasn't the connection I was originally going for….BUT I LOVE THOSE BOOKS SO MUCH! ….man I need to get more creative with my names….. haha thanks for reviewing!

Mumunga: THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH! That means so much to me!

Caroline Lily-ann Youla: I'm glad you love Peter! He was the character meant for feels :) and you know I subconciously made Edmund and Lydia very similar, you're right! Haha I've always loved the protective and very close brother sister relationship between Darcy and Georgiana so I guess that managed to translate into my writing. Huh.. interesting :)

Arista Everett June: Thanks for the encouragement! It was a difficult time :(

Savethemadscientist: yah seriously though I have no idea what I would do without my computer if I lost it indefinitely…

Guest: haha unfortunately you are correct :( it just wouldn't be a good story without some sort of difficulties. Unless… imagine that… I story with absolutely no difficulties! Just romance and fluff! …That may be something I would do :D Anyway I'm glad you like the story whoever you are!

Arielle Saire: Yah! It seems like everyone knows the song from the reviews I'm getting! Haha! But anyway thanks so much for the awesome review! I love feedback :)

loiskim39: I'm glad you like it! Thanks for the review!

McKenzie Vallir: I'm really happy that my characters are coming off so relatable to the readers! So thanks for saying that! And even though it may make people sad, I was hoping that the sibling relationships would come off well, so I'm glad to hear you say you can relate to that! But I'm sorry I had to break your heart :( AND OH MY SWEET MOTHER OF JANE AUSTEN I LOVE MR DARCY WITH ALL MY SOUL! You see this is the great thing about fanfiction: we can bond over these things! And thank you so much for everything you said! I kind of started writing on a whim so when I get reviews like yours it means the world! SO THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!

SeaweedBrain'sWiseGurl393: Haha thank you for understanding! It was a tough time…

AN: Man that was a lot of responding…..

Chapter 9: Preparing and Discovering

(Sorry… crappy title)

(Annabelle)

When I saw that horse, all I thought about was how amazing it was to be cared about. Edmund went out of his way to do something that would make me happy. Sure, he covered it up by saying that he purchased the stunning creature for the purpose of me riding with Lydia, but I had known him long enough to be able to tell that that was only partially true. Even if he will never love me the way that I love him—which could possibly be the case—I could at least know that he loved me in friendship. It would be far from okay with me if he fell in love with another girl, but there would always be some small comfort in knowing that I had a place in his heart. I knew that I would remember that place that I possessed every time I looked at the mare.

I named her Bella for her beauty, and we rode every day alongside Lydia and Molly. When he could, Edmund would join us, and we would spend whole afternoons together, sometimes stopping in a meadow for a picnic lunch we had packed. I cherished every moment we shared desperately, relishing in the small family that had formed. After accidentally hearing me sing, Edmund would not relent in his constant requests for a second performance from me and-being shy in my talents-I declined every time, gaining at least some delight in the way he pleaded with me.

Overall, though, the days before the ball passed extremely pleasantly. The dressmaker came twice to fit the dresses, and every time she came, I became more and more entranced by the beauty of her work. Edmund—being Edmund—of course wanted to see how they were coming along. However, Florienna was absolutely rigid in saying that he had to wait until my official entrance at the ball. I giggled as she scolded him as a grandmother would scold her grandchild. She was certainly someone special.

As far as my brother was going, he remained stable in his condition. The godmothers were working tirelessly to treat Peter, but the funds for the orphanage weren't ideal and the plague seemed to be a strong one. In his letters, Peter tried to sound brave and optimistic, but I could read the pain and misery between the lines. A constant worry remained in the back of my mind for him and a constant ache remained in my heart from our impossibly long separation.

Edmund was of course always caring on the matter and often held me when the sobs would break through. In little ways such as that, I continually saw new sides to his gentleness and care. My love and awareness of that love continued to grow at a steady rate, and I knew that no man would ever begin to compare to my prince. He had taken my heart without realizing it and I would never be able to get it back.

The day of the ball would have appeared to be perfectly average to anyone not attending. The weather was fine and the time of year was less than extraordinary. However, today was the day when all causes of anxiety would reveal themselves, most likely accompanied with a great deal of stress. Every feeling that I possessed towards Edmund would have to be addressed in one way or another tonight.

The optimistic side of me thought that maybe he would confess his love to me. Maybe, he would propose, saying that our differences in status meant nothing to him. Edmund would stand before the crowd of swooning girls and announce that he loved me, Annabelle of Pria, above anything or anyone else. I would relish in the stares of jealousy as he would sweep me off my feet!

But, the other side of me proposed the idea that he could find someone else. I knew that Edmund was not the sort to find a girl and fall in love with her in three nights, but maybe he wouldn't choose for love. After all, he does have a duty to improve the kingdom. Perhaps, he would find a girl whom he would think is respectable and noble, and choose to marry her for the connections and peace the union would bring. I knew that he loved his country with a passion, so it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to believe that he would sacrifice his own happiness in love for its betterment.

So, after much thought, many sleepless nights, and many tears, I decided to mentally prepare for the worst. If I was wrong, then I could rejoice in it and be happier than I expected. However, with all of my emotions carefully stored in the back of my head, I decided that above all else I would enjoy my first ball.

As the nanny—and one who technically shouldn't be going to the ball at all—my duty was to Lydia first, and then to my appearance. With excitement, I prepared the little princess for an early bedtime.

"You're singing the song too fast!" complained Lydia. In an effort to speed up the process, I had begun to sing her bedtime song at an unconsciously fast rate.

"I'm sorry, Lydie! I guess I'm just a little excited to prepare for the ball."

"That's okay," she pardoned, "You should start getting ready. I can go to sleep without a song."

"Are you sure?" I asked, hesitantly. "A few more minutes won't make a difference."

"I'm sure! You don't want to be late to knock Edmund off his feet!" she giggled.

"Lydia!"

She sat up a quickly kissed me on the cheek sweetly. "Go get ready. You are going to be the prettiest girl in the whole world!"

"Thanks, Lydia," I whispered pulling her into a hug with a peck to the top of her head. I stood up softly and tucked in her blankets again, making sure she was snug. "Sweet dreams," I added. With one last glance at her curled-up form, I quietly slipped out the door.

As swiftly as I could, I made my way to my own rooms to begin the arduous process of primping. As was planned, Florienna was already waiting for me so she could act as my lady's maid.

"Alright, Love, let's get started! I promise that I will go as quickly as I can, but perfection takes time. So, you must grin and bear it and I promise, the finished picture will be well worth it," she smiled at me.

I gave a quick nod of thanks, and she was off to work.

First she led me to a steaming bath, brimming with bubbles and smells that sent my senses on a ride. She helped me bathe, and massaged sweet smelling oils into my hair to clean and scent it. When I rose from the tub and into a silky robe, I felt as if an entire skin of grime had been removed.

She then moved me to the small vanity I used regularly. There I sat, while she moisturized my face and painted on a light makeup. Artfully, she blended shades of pink onto my eyelids and brushed on a shimmering paste to my lips. When I looked into the mirror I smiled in delight. My skin was glowing and dewy and my eyes popped, but I still looked like me. She then moved to my hair, placing curlers that had been warming in the hearth into my still damp locks. In what seemed like seconds, my hair was dried and tumbling from their stays. I thought the speed of the drying odd, but I let it go. She then twisted and pinned it into a complicated up-do that cascaded down my back. To finish the look, she placed pink rosettes throughout my hair and placed a simple silver tiara onto my head.

With a final smile, she turned me in my chair towards the mirror. My breath hitched at what I saw.

"It looks beautiful," I breathed.

"You look beautiful," she said, squeezing my shoulders gently.

I suddenly turned around and threw myself into her arms. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" I gasped, attempting to hold back the tears that would surely ruin my makeup.

She pulled away with budding tears evident in her eyes. "Oh, I don't want to mess up your hair, Love!" She then placed a hand on my cheek and looked fondly into my eyes, saying "I always knew you would be special."

What on Earth is she talking about? I wondered.

"We need to get that dress on you quickly, or else there won't be enough time in the ball for it to be properly admired!" she exclaimed before I had the chance to voice my confusion.

She glided out of the room and returned quickly with the first dress. Chills went down my spine as I saw the finished gown and realized that I would be going to the ball in less than a half hour. Edmund will see me in a half hour.

I removed my robe and stepped into the massive work of art, and let Florienna fasten the buttons in the back. But what was odd, was the weight of the dress. The odd part was that there was hardly any weight at all!

"Okay what is going on?" I blurted with exasperation. "Something is off! My hair took absolutely no time to dry, the dress is practically weightless… oh! and the sketches of the dresses had color when you only had a charcoal pencil! You aren't telling me something!"

Instead of being defensive as I would imagine anyone would be after being attacked like that, she smiled radiantly with tears once again in her eyes. She stepped forward and took my hands.

"I was going to tell you after all three nights, but I suppose now would be most appropriate. Sweety, I am a fairy godmother."

"Oh my goodness, how did I not think of that?!" I exclaimed with some embarrassment, after all, I have lived with several since I was born.

"No, no, I don't think you understand, Love! I'm your fairy godmother."

That stopped me dead in my tracks. Every fairy godmother in the world had a godchild, but it was rare that they would ever find them. They wouldn't even know their child's name or where they lived, but they would immediately know when they found them. For Florienna to have found me was a miracle to say the least.

I looked over at her to see tears dripping down her weathered face. No longer caring, I ran into her arms and held her tightly.

"You are more beautiful and kind than I would have ever imagined," she whispered, "and it is time for you to find your happy ending."

I pulled away reluctantly and allowed her to retrieve the finishing touches to my ensemble. She placed large, pink, rose earrings on me, leaving my throat bare and simple. She then slipped on the traditional white gloves and helped me into my shoes. Looking at me one last time, she kissed me on the cheek and smiled with warmth.

"You are ready."

AN: Thoughts anyone? I originally was going to say that Florienna wasn't her official fairy godmother, but on the spur of the moment I decided that I would create a deeper bond there. Oh! and if you forgot the pic link for the dress is on my wall :)

You know the drill! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

**This is next part is me just blabbing about unimportant things so go ahead and skip if you want**

1- For all you people who like Pride and Prejudice: look up the Jane Austen Handbook! I recently got it and it is AMAZING! It teaches you proper life skills for living in the Regency time period and it is so flippin interesting!

2- I just had a really good steak! Oh my goodness it was like $45 but it was so good! UGH! And it had a roasted garlic butter on top too! Mmm…. It was so good…. Thank you, Mom, for picking that place for your birthday! -that was really random but I felt like sharing

3- OK so I'm really excited because I performing in Grease! Anyone like that musical? The lyrics are kinda stupid but it is so incredibly fun to be in! –- again random sharing