Hooray! The best chapter in the world is up! Yes I was exaggerating! Silly…

Anywho, on with the story!

Chapter Ten: The Ball

Before she even experienced her first ball, she knew she hated them. The way the fluttery court girls tried to win every man's heart made her sick. And just the thought of talking in dresses that weren't supposed to enable breathing made her shudder.

When she arrived at her room, she got dressed in her favorite gown. There were no sleeves or straps on the dress. The neckline of the outfit was a shallowly curved M. The bosom was a dark jade green that cut off under her cleavage in an also shallow W. The top was tight making her back and abdomen seem thin, but it was very comfortable and mobile. The muscles on her arms were easily visible and her tan colored her skin a dark cream, showing she was no court girl. The skirt was an emerald with a hint of blue and jade making all of the colors come together perfectly. She didn't bother with face paint, for she never cared for the itchy stuff and her hair was down with no decorations.

When she looked in the mirror, she looked like her normal self with a pretty dress on. Little did she know, that many people and even her parents would think otherwise.

There were however a few faults in her looks. Her three arrow scars, even though they were no longer puffy or red, could be seen clearly. The wounds were making her arms slightly stiff. Luckily, they would fade away soon, thanks to her Gift.

I wish I could stretch out and practice instead of going to this stupid ball, she thought with a frown as she opened the doors to the sitting room in their suite. She could think of hundreds of more important things to do then to stand around and talk. It was all a waste of time.

When she opened the door and entered, her parents were waiting for her. Their eyes widened at her elegance, but they only gave her simple compliments.

They started to head towards the announcing room to be announced to the court.

"Will Laloria be there?" asked Romeli as they headed down the hall.

"Unfortunately no. She gave me a message saying that she is out with the riders. They're looking for something that Scanra wants under the King's orders," Numair said. Sadness hit his eyes and voice like a waterfall.

"What does Scanra want?" she asked curious even if she was depressed to not see her foster sister.

"The king hasn't told anyone but his advisors," Numair said also curious. "I haven't the slightest clue as to what Maggur or Jonathan are up to."

Many heads were turned as the trio walked briskly by. A couple young boys sighed in longing at the look of the girl, though she didn't seem to notice. Numair however did. He glared at the boys before wrapping an arm around his daughter.

Oh Gods here it is, Romeli thought as they entered the room. It was a slightly small room that had a few sofas and chairs to wait in. Alanna was also there, for she was coming back from her leave. A couple court girls and a young man were also going to be introduced that night. Romeli could hear talking through the wide yet closed doors telling her that the ball had already begun.

A few more minutes went by as she watched the new people go through the doors. She wiped sweaty palms on her dress as Alanna went next. She heard claps as the Lioness descended down the stairs in a flaming red dress.

Great we're next, she thought grimly. Fear made her face flush as she thought about the people's reactions to her. She was so different, they wouldn't understand surely. She felt tears bite her eyes as she prayed that just for once people might understand. Or even better, if she could get rid of her blasted uniqueness. Even get rid of her Gift, which she had grown to hate by each passing day. She quickly forced down her fear and looked at the announcer. Well, tried to.

"Names," said the man who stood by the door. His eyebrows shot up as he saw Romeli. "Great Merciful Goddess," he whispered so none of them could hear. Romeli smiled kindly, though her mind was drifting on different things.

"Numair Salmalin, Veralidaine Sarrasri, and Romeli Salmalin," Daine said to the announcer who was still staring at the enchanting girl. Romeli took the offered hands of her parents as they waited to descend.

The man opened one side of the large door. "Announcing Master Numair Samalin, Veralidaine Sarrasri, and Romeli Salmalin."

Many people turned their heads at the new name, and the ones who didn't quickly did so as people began to whisper.

Romeli, Daine, and Numair gracefully walked down the stairs. Romeli put a slight smile on her lips as she descended, even though she was nearly shaking in fear, hearing the people whisper.

Many people noticed the captivating girl wasn't a court girl by the way she acted and her slight tan. Her walk, which was more like a man's then anything, also gave away the fact that she wanted nothing to do with the convent. None of the people cared however. It was like 'seeing the goddess before their eyes', most of them said.

Many of the young boys stared with dropped jaws as Romeli passed by them. Though Romeli felt like she was going to faint from seeing so many people in one place, she tried to hold her head high. When she did so, many of the people noticed that her eyes changed color often.

When she looked up at the King's and Queen's faces she saw friendly smiles, but she knew that behind those elegant masks were those of horror. King Jonathan himself stared at her mysteriously.

After what seemed like forever, they finally made it to the steps of the King's throne. Numair bowed as Daine and Romeli attempted curtsies. Daine's experience helped her with maintaining balance. Romeli almost fell over.

"Welcome back Daine and Numair," the King said with a smile. "I appreciate you coming."

Daine and Numair smiled back. "We live to serve you, H ighness," Numair said with nimble practice.

The King looked into Romeli's eyes not knowing the danger of his actions. When he noticed that they changed color and that he couldn't look away, his mouth slightly opened in awe. "And who might you be?"

"This is Romeli," Numair introduced. "We adopted her. She wanted to help you with whatever you want us to do." Numair took a deep breath ready for the consequences of what he was going to say. "She is a Wild Mage. She also has the Gift and some—other abilities." The crowds began to whisper in shock.

Romeli tried to smile, but she was too darned scared to do so. The king spoke again this time to the whole room. "Well then. I would like to have a meeting with all the people I sent to come here tomorrow morning." With that, he dismissed them to their ways.

The three of them bowed and curtsied to the King, and left to the right to talk with some of Numair's and Daine's friends. The crowed once again began to chat.

After a while, Romeli began to loosen up with the fact that so many people were in the room, and even joined a couple conversations with many of Numair's friends. One such friend named Lindhall Reed, asked many questions about animals and magic.

Countless times she was asked to dance by hopeful boys and many players, but she declined them all.

Eventually she grew bored of the people talking around her and decided to stray off. She found a nice bench to sit at, far away from her parents. Apparently she had a fan club however; she was being tailed by a few boys.

"Hey—what did you say your name was? Romeli?" asked a friendly boy who looked to be a page. "Do you want to dance?"

Romeli smiled kindly trying to avoid his eyes. "I thank for your offer, but I have to decline. I'm not much of a dancer. Sorry." She tried to look as kind as possible.

"That's okay." He walked off to find someone else.

"Hey you can dance with me," pointed out one boy.

"No, you wont like him, dance with me."

"I'm a pretty good dancer, try me ou-."

"I think the young lady doesn't want to dance with anyone," drawled a voice from the back of the crowd of pages surrounding her.

When he submerged form the crowd, Romeli saw that he was a young man that looked to be about fifteen. He had dark brown hair that fought to stay in its place and beautiful emerald eyes. He looked to be a hint Yamani, and wore a green tunic with a black shirt and black breeches. (A/N: you have three guesses as to who his father is…)

"Who asked you Jameson?" retorted a boy next to him.

The boy called Jameson pretended to be hurt. "Only my least favorite Great Aunt calls me that. And my father, but that's a totally different story all to-."

"Shut it James,' said another bold voice. It came from another boy who looked similar to James, but had a different nose and brown green eyes instead of just green. His hair also had hints of red in it.

"Timothy, Timothy, Timothy," said Jameson in mock disgust. "I'm just here to rescue this poor damsel in distress. Can't you see a considerate man when you see one?"

"No I can't," snapped Tim.

"I'm not in distress," Romeli spoke ou,t making the two boys turn to face her. Both of them stared into her poisonous eyes. Having enough of the pointless, yet amusing bickering, she stood up. "I-I have to go." She headed for the garden door that she spotted moments before.

What was I thinking? She asked herself as she past through the boys. I should've never gone to this damned ball. Walking down the steps that led to the garden, her breath caught in her throat.

The gardens were gigantic. Large fountains were placed in the center of shrubs, bushes, and many beautiful plants she hadn't seen before. The cobblestone paths led to clearings with soft benches and many statues. The whole thing looked to be an endless maze with many entrances, but not one place to finish.

The garden itself seemed green and prosperous from the magic she placed on it, but she still sensed suffering plants. Most of them were roses who needed more care then most.

Once Romeli entered through a large arch covered in plants, she headed for the rose garden area taking in all the green beauty.

Arriving at the rose garden, she sat at the stone bench and closed her eyes. Pouring out her magic, she fed the roses their much-needed nutrients. Romeli sensed the roses lifting and begin to blossom the many joyous colors they once had.

When she finished, she opened her eyes and bit back a yelp. She didn't notice that James had followed her and was leaning on one of the hedges that lined the clearing. His brows were raised in amazement, but they quickly lowered. He walked over and sat next to her.

Seeing James up close, he was very handsome. He had level eyes with arched brows, high cheekbones, and a soft mouth. Yet his smile and everything about him was easygoing and careless.

"I guess we didn't have proper introductions. I'm Jameson of Queenscove, but please call me James for your sake if not mine," he said. He held out his hand.

"I'm Romeli," she said taking his hand and shaking it. He had callused hands just like her own.

"What were you doing with the roses? Was it your Gift? I have the Gift too, but I can't do that." He pretended to be envious.

His voice brought a smile to Romeli's lips. "No. It's something else," she said. She sensed a dying rose that she hadn't seen, and headed towards it with James tailing her.

She kneeled down by the dead crimson rose with James standing behind her. Her fingers itched with longing as she reached for the rose, and as she touched it, it slowly blossomed giving off a delightful aroma.

"What is this 'something else'?" James asked clearly curious. He himself touched the newly blossomed rose.

"I don't really want people to know. There are just some things about me that that could get into the wrong hands and I really don't want to risk that. You understand?"

She must have touched a weak spot, for James looked truly hurt. It showed through his emerald eyes. "Yeah, I guess so." After a moment he spoke again. "But don't you need someone to hang out with? You know, someone to show you the ropes of the place? Someone you can tell things to? A shoulder to lean on when you're down?" No emotion was shown through his cunning face.

"You mean like a friend?" Romeli asked. James nodded.

"I'd be happy to oblige," he said with still no emotion.

It was shocking to hear this. Never before had she had a friend her age. And here he was asking for friendship when she just got here. Romeli was truly happy. Something about him told her she could trust him. And even though she barely knew him, she knew that would soon change if she accepted. "I'd love to have you as a friend."

At first he was shocked. He never actually thought that she would accept, but he felt a weight being lifted off of her shoulders. The way Romeli acted, bold, humorous, clever, smart, they were so much alike.

"Well then, let's sit on the bench and get to know each other," he recommended. He helped her up and they headed back towards the bench.

"You go first," Romeli said to James once they arrived. She was uneasy about telling him about her, no matter how comforting he was.

"Well, I have a twin, Tim. He was the one I was fighting with when you left. He's an idiot, but I guess you already noticed that." Romeli laughed. "My father, Neal, is a knight and healer of sorts, and my mother Yuki is from the Yamani islands. I have a pretty good healing Gift, and obviously some Yamani features, but Tim has more Yamani. He doesn't have the Gift though. I'm going to be a squire after midwinter along with Tim of course. My younger sister Ryoku is also training to be a knight, but she's a year younger. As for anything unique about me, there isn't really anything," James said simply. Romeli was surprised to find that he was a twin with Tim, but knew they were related even though they weren't identical.

"Okay, my turn. Great." Romeli found herself nervous as her palms began to dampen with sweat.

"You can tell me anything, you know," James said with encouragement. He was also trying to shake the fact out of his head that Romeli's hair had very distracting shiny tresses in it.

Romeli smiled and began to loosen up to James. "Well Daine and Numair are my foster parents, and my older sister Laloria is part of the riders. I don't know who or what my real parents are. Daine and Numair said they found me in the street. In Corus, actually. I don't even have a clue as to my true identity," she confessed, a little ashamed. James stared at her, deciding not to comment."I have a lot of wild magic, and as for my Gift, I really don't want to talk about it, I-."

"Come on Romeli, you can tell me anything," James repeated. His determined eyes looked deep into Romeli's, and even though the spell was pouring into his flesh, he didn't seem surprised or frightened.

Romeli was taken aback by his boldness. "Okay. Well, my Gift, I...it's stronger then Numair's." She looked at him to see his emotion. James looked flabbergasted with brows raised, but he said nothing. "And it's obviously the color emerald. Like everything else," She muttered more quietly. Of course she liked the color, sometimes she felt trapped by it. Everything was green. "It's also pitless." She squeaked out the last word so James could barely hear it. This time she looked down rather than seeing his face.

"Are you serious?" he asked astounded. When Romeli nodded, his emotions doubled. "That's amazing, I didn't think pitless Gifts existed! Please go on."

Romeli looked at him and smiled. "And well...to explain about the plants, I have plant magic."

This time James looked uncertain. "Don't you have a weakness? You seem so perfect. It's like you're not even real."

Romeli was impressed with how forward he was. She even sort of liked it. "Far from perfect is more like it," Romeli said as she thought about her stupid Gift, the Chaos Thoughts, and the emptiness she hid in her mind. "And believe it or not, but I have an incredible fear of radishes."

James snorted. "Well call me amazed and catapult me to the Bazhir. You're serious?"

Romeli nodded. "I can't even snap," she added as she attempted to do so. No sound came from her fingers.

"Far from perfect is right," James said with a laugh. He looked at Romeli's scars on her shoulder and above her neckline. "How did you get those?"

Romeli flushed and looked down at the scars. "It was an accident while we were heading over here," she said. The raw memories burned in her mind and she found herself acquiring a short temper.

"What happened?" James asked curious.

Romeli swallowed down the anger quickly. "Well I was in wolf shape, and a hunter shot me a few times. I killed him and passed out. Daine found me and brought me back to our camp." There was a hint in her eye, one of wolf fury, that startled James as he looked at her. He knew that there was much more behind the story, but he decided to leave such a new memory alone.

"Well we best get back. I want to introduce you to some of my friends," he said.

When they came back into the ballroom, James introduced her to his twin Tim who bowed smoothly with a grin before attempting his hand at flirting.

He's skilled for a fourteen year-old, Romeli thought. She noticed once they started to talk, that he was one of those charming boys who like to mess around and try to win the hearts of many court girls. Then realizing that she was thinking like a court girl herself, she cut off her thoughts abruptly.

Ryoku was mostly Yamani with a few hints of her father's blood, like her nose and brows. Her eyes were a chocolate brown with a green rim. She wore a simple white dress with a moderate neckline and long sleeves. The rim of the dress was lined in red along with her sleeves.

James's other friends Ethan of Tirragen, Sereem of Masbolle, and Whave of King's Reach shied at first to the new person in their group, but soon softened when they grew used to Romeli's bold humor and bolder looks.

Well into the ball, Romeli had learned from the boys and Ryoku that their training master was Faleron of King's reach, Whave's father. Most of their parents were good friends with the knight when they were training, but Faleron treated them all fairly. Romeli learned about the dark sides of training like extra duties, no spare time, and sore muscles. She felt sympathy for them all, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. She learned about the enemies they made, mostly because Ryoku was training with them. All of them backed her up however, so most of the time no one insisted on harassing her. The fact that Ryoku was one of the best fighters in the palace also helped. Marcus of Dunlath, Leo of Malven, and Gerardo of Stonemountain were such bullies. She was also welcomed into their study group, which, Romeli volunteered, could now be hosted in her parent's suite. She was sure Daine and Numair wouldn't mind.

Romeli also told them ahead of time that she wouldn't be able to make it some days because of her training, but would love to help them with their work as often as possible anyway.

They also asked about her travel here and where she lived. Of course she answered as truthfully as possible, but some of the past events were meant to be left out. She also tried to talk as little as possible about Pirate's Swoop and the Chaos Thoughts…

Suddenly something struck Romeli as fear washed over her and her face froze. There are so many people here. What if the Chaos Thoughts start again? Oh gods this palace is big enough to fit a city. What am I going to do? I don't want to feel that pain ever again. She shuddered at the horrible memories that still left scars. What happened at Pirate's Swoop changed her for life, though she didn't know if anyone could tell. The thought that she was linked topeople in this very room, and everything in the land brought shivers up her spine and made her sight blur.

"Uh...Romeli? Are you okay?" Sereem asked, bringing her out of her memories.

"Yeah I'll be fine." She said it, but she was far from meaning it. Her breath came heavy as the thoughts consumed her. She looked at everyone with a smile, but it did not reach her eyes.

"Please Romeli, you can trust us, there isn't any reason to be like this," James said as if he could read minds.

Damn it! We've only known each other for a couple hours, and I feel like he's already known me for years. And there is a perfectly good reason to act like this! "I'm sorry James, but I truly can't tell you anything about this. No now," Romeli's pleading voice made him drop the conversation.

Romeli was sorry for the ball to end, yet she was happy to get away from the suffocating crowds. The thought of having Chaos Thoughts was making her delirious with fright. She said good-bye to her page friends and headed towards her own rooms

Was it fun? Did you make any new two-legger friends? Sharpfang asked when she was back in her rooms. Romeli took him out of his case and held him lovingly.

Yes I did actually. They're really nice for boys, She answered to his pondering question. I learned a lot of things about the palace, and it was quite enjoyable. Some people stared at me though. You know, as a monster. You can never expect the best though. I was thinking the whole palace would shun me.

Just watch out for some of the boys sister. You may not believe me, but you're prettier then you think, Sharpfang warned.

Yes Father Sharpfang. Romeli said like a child did when expected to follow the rules. And I am not pretty.

That's where you're wrong.

Romeli cut the conversation off, titling it as too uncomfortable. It was very late at night and being among so many people at the ball had made her tired.

She went into the dressing room and took off her delicate gown. She then shrugged on a cotton nightshirt and light breeches.

Once in bed, she wished Sharpfang a good night, and blew out the candles with a small gust of wind from her Gift.

Replies…

Nothing else worked: is that better? Trust me, she'll be going through lots of crap soon. Grins evilly thanks for the beans idea! Duct tape…huggles duct tape and the weight of the world on her shoulders isn't supposed to be a good thing. It may seem like it now but…gets choked by moose cause I almost gave something away hehe. Awww yes and Daine and Numair were drinking wine in the morning cause they like wine. You may not have noticed, but Daine loves her wine…lol.

Anonymous: why thank you kind thing. (Since I don't know if you're human or not) lol. Yea. And as you can see I updated late, but I have a good excuse! I just can't think of it right now…

QueenThayet12990: yay! throws party with fuzzy confetti and a petting zoo lol. Now you can write stories about moose! I love moose. Yea. Of course I'll keep writing silly! What do you think I am a moose? er…scratches head…yea…about that…

HyperLittleCat: Alex…hmmm. I guess he's pretty cute, but Fal is mine! Lol. So are you a cat, dog, alien, or a ghost? shakes head confused or maybe you're all of them together, or maybe you don't know what you are so you're just making excuses, or maybe you're a long lost moose family member! Yea…

Heather-marie: Well I am a very interesting person! And I unfortunately didn't update soon. I have disapointed you! Sobs

Ephona: 2 in the morning? What are you nocturnal? Oh no! Crap it's my bedtime! (aka 6:00 pm) gotta hurry before I get too tired! Heeheelol. J/K! It's actually like 11:00 right now…

Wild-wizard-women: plants are not cheese! Hehe. I like plants too…I have this one plant in my yard and it's all green and plantish…yea. I think fanfiction didn't load my chaps right cause when I checked over them, they were all right as far as I could tell, but then again I might just be grammar challenged. Hehe. I shall keep on searching however! Never fear! And thank you for the CC! I love it when people do that cause I like to improve! And as you can see she does have a weakness…beans. Heeheehee! Yay! And she doesn't like her gift. Badum badum badum badum…

Too tired to write toodles…

heartdamoose