CHAPTER EIGHT
A/N: For your reading pleasure, I am submitting a longer chapter. Thanks to all who alerted me, or reviewed. In this slightly edited chapter, Trillion helps Cinderella get ready for the first ball. A little bit of fairy tale trivia: in some versions of the famous story, there are three balls, not just one. I thought that is more realistic for the historic meeting between Cinderella and the Prince.
Cinderella's brows drew in confusion as she stared at the magic man before her. He had just said that he wanted to get started, but with what, she didn't know.
"Get started with what?" Cinderella asked.
"You wish to go to the ball your family spoke of, don't you?" Trillion asked.
"I…" Cinderella faltered. "Well, I don't know…."
"Show me a girl of your age who doesn't want to go to a ball and have some fun, and I'll show you a maid who is old before her time," Trillion commented. He added, "'course, I never really cared for these royal functions myself. You have to get dressed up just to stand around and talk, and it is always about the same old things, and there is never enough food..."
Trillion realized he was rambling, and then he stopped, saying, "but, I wager, in your heart of hearts, you'd love to go and see what it would be like."
Cinderella blushed; this fey seemed to know her so well. "I would like to go," she started saying, "but I can't. There are so many reasons…."
"Liiikke…?" Trillion prompted slowly.
"Like, my family would recognize me," the girl said sadly.
Trillion shook his head, laughing a big, throaty laugh. "When I am finished with you, your own father would not recognize you!" he declared.
"I also lack the social graces required for royal affairs. My father would have taught me to dance, courtesy, and talk properly in court circles, but he sadly died before my eighth birthday," Cinderella pointed out.
"Well, I have been to many functions, and I can teach you," Trillion tried to assure her. He did not add that they were mostly fey functions; he didn't want to discourage the girl. Already, she was getting dejected before she even had a chance to attend the first ball.
"Third, I have neither the raiment nor the conveyance required to get there…" Cinderella was saying. Trillion snorted. He had just had enough of this!
"Stop worrying!" he ordered. "I can provide whatever you would need."
"But…" Cinderella protested again.
"Just give me a chance!" Trillion almost pleaded. "I'm the best at this, and you deserve to go, and meet the prince of your dreams!"
He closed the distance between them, saying his next words in awe. "You're kind, generous, and beautiful. Any prince would be lucky to have you!"
Cinderella smiled, and Trillion smiled back. He then harrumphed, all business now.
"So, anyway, where would you like to start? There are only scant days until the ball," he said. Cinderella thought a moment, remembering her Stepmother's snide remark about her curtseying, and said, "I would very much like to practice my curtsey."
Trilllion demonstrated the moves, crossing his legs and bowing slightly. "You try," he instructed.
Cinderella tried, and fell promptly over on her stomach. Trillion placed his slender fingers over his mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Yeah, well, a little less leaning forward, and I think you'll get it," he advised. Cinderella tried again. She didn't fall this time.
"Better," he observed, straightening her back. "Try once more."
She sighed, slightly frustrated, but tried a third time. Trillion watched, then applauded her.
"Beautiful!" He exclaimed. "Are you sure you are not of faerie blood? You catch onto things so quickly, I would think you would be…"
Cinderella shook her head, smiling as she straightened up. "No," she said.
Just then, her Stepmother's booming voice drifted downstairs. "Cinderella! CINDERELLA!" The step mother cried.
Cinderella looked over at Trillion, who thought that her step mother sounded like a foghorn, (which was an insult to foghorns). Cinderella looked around her, then realized she had not prepared any soup for dinner. Now, I will be in for it! She thought in blind terror.
Don't worry, Trillion's thoughts calmed her. I've got this covered.
The girl's eyes widened in amazement. Had Trillion just been thinking to her, and had she just heard it in her mind? Before she could make sense of what had just happened, he vanished.
Where are you? She thought.
Here, Trillion thought back. Look down, and to the right. Cinderella did as she was told, and saw a white mouse not two feet from her.
How can we be thinking and not speaking? Cinderella wanted to know.
I'll tell you later, Trillion thought back as the step mother reached the bottom step. Cinderella nodded toward the Trillion-mouse.
Stay out of sight! If my stepmother sees you, she'll kill you! She hates mice! Cinderella thought.
"You odious girl! Why don't you heed my call?" Cinderella's step mother shouted, sweeping into the room. Cinderella cast her eyes in her step mother's direction. She did not call any attention to Trillion.
The step mother stood in front of the girl, letting her bigger frame dwarf her. "I certainly hope dinner is ready. I have invited some guests, and I…." The older woman paused, looking at the table and fireplace. The table had an array of vegetables which had been washed and peeled to perfection, and the fireplace had soup boiling in a pot.
"I don't believe it," she whispered, astonished. Aloud, she said, "Next time, you will have more dishes other than soup and vegetables to prepare!" She clopped upstairs, her wooden shoes echoing on the unstable steps.
Trillion materialized beside her, sticking out his tongue in the direction the Stepmother had taken. Cinderella giggled.
"That's not nice," she scolded the faerie, laughing some more.
Trillion paused for a moment to listen to her laughter; it was light and musical. He said, "She'd make a great bullfrog. She's got the manner of one."
"You're insulting bullfrogs now," the girl said. "I know several in the pond near my home; none of them act like she does."
"You're right," Trillion agreed. Reluctantly, he looked at the door. "I must be going, but I will return tomorrow." He left with the cloak floating behind him.
Cinderella watched his retreating form, already wishing for his return.
The next day, they worked on her walking.
"You have to glide across the floor," Trillion instructed. Cinderella groaned.
"Wwwhhyyy?" She whined. "I've tried copying you in ten thousand different ways! Will the prince really be watching me walk like that?"
Trillion grinned evilly. "I've watched you walk. If I know anything about human males, I know he will watch you, too."
Cinderella threw her pillow at him, but the object passed through the faerie. He laughed, saying, "You'll have to try harder."
She laughed, and Trillion's ears twitched at the sound. After about four hours of practicing gliding and courtly conversation, Trillion noted Cinderella's tiredness. "Maybe we could take a small break," he suggested.
"Okay," Cinderella agreed. "What shall we talk about?"
"Talk is so…boring," Trillion said. His blue eyes took on a mischievous glint as he asked her, "have you ever flown?"
"Flown?" Cinderella whispered, a little frightened. "No."
"I will show you flying," Trillion assured her. A moment later, they were soaring in the clouds outside. Cinderella felt her heart beat with excitement, and yet, she also felt the calmest she had been. She held onto his neck, careful not to stick her hand in the path of his wings. She could see all of her town, Aramathea.
"It all looks so peaceful from up here!" She cried.
"Glad you like it," Trillion told her. "You know, years from now, they will have flying machines that humans will use to go all around the world."
"You mean, like the one the royal painter was working on?" She asked. "Not bloody likely!" She snorted. Trillion was not put off by her disbelief.
"Much better than that!" Trillion said, dipping a little.
She adjusted her position, crying, "Hey!"
"Sorry, but I thought you'd want to see the palace close up. After all, you'll be dancing there in less than a week," the fey said.
As Cinderella gazed at the palace, which for most would be a sight to behold, she felt the most unusual melancholy. She banished it to the far reaches of her mind, however, and took in the white washed towers and the red flags adorning them. She saw a young man with curly brown hair on the second level. He had a handsome face, with the brownest eyes she'd ever seen. He was playing with a puppy, lifting it up in his long, muscular arms. The puppy was covered in mud, proceeding to make its owner completely dirty, but the man didn't seem to mind. He laughed, putting the puppy down, and running back into the palace.
"Was that who I think it was?" Cinderella asked. Trillion was silent for a moment; he stared at the retreating form of the young man, feeling the most unprovoked anger. Cinderella gently punched him. "Trillion?" She asked again.
Trillion looked at her; his face completely unreadable. "What?" He said none too gently.
"Was that the prince?" Cinderella repeated. She looked after the retreating man with a dreamy expression on her face.
"Yes, that was him," Trillion answered her dryly, trying to figure out why he'd felt the way he had. The prince was, in his opinion, a wonderful example of humanity: a bit naïve, perhaps, but the prince had many fine qualities. So why did the thought of him being Cinderella's mate have Trillion wanting to tear him apart? He turned to his companion as he realized she'd asked him yet another question: something about the prince's parents?
"What's the matter with you?" Cinderella asked, mildly annoyed.
Trillion murmured, "Nothing. I suppose I'm just weary."
"Oh, well, maybe we should go back," Cinderella reluctantly said.
"Right," Trillion told her, not really listening. They presently landed at the manor, and Trillion taught Cinderella dining etiquette. After about two hours, he looked outside of the window. "From the position of the sun, I would say that your family is returning, and I wouldn't want you to be in any trouble."
"I forgot!" Cinderella cried, her hand flying to her mouth. They landed in front of her dungeon room door, just as Griselda emerged from the carriage. Cinderella let herself in, whispering to Trillion: "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," the faerie promised.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Trillion departed, and flew to the cottage on the edge of the woods. Maxistrattian, the older fairy he'd been with a few weeks ago was there, shaking his head in a sign of disapproval.
"Young ones!" He said under his breath. Aloud, he said, "So, the lessons you are teaching Cinderella are progressing nicely?"
"Yes," Trillion said, not giving anything away.
"Just what do you think you're doing with her?" The older magic man asked.
Trillion looked as innocent as he could. "What do you mean?" He asked as nonchalantly as he could muster.
"Since when do faeries join their minds with humans?" Max chided. Trillion didn't answer, and his mentor went on: "And where does the instruction book of the fae say anything about taking humans flying? What does that have to do with lessons in the social graces?"
Trillion's head bowed in shame. "It just…popped into my head, that's all." He shuffled his feet.
The older man gave Trillion a pointed stare. "What was the first lesson you ever learned in dealing with humans, Trillionanaoscapie?"
"Never become too personally involved with humans," Trillion replied sullenly.
"That's right," Trillion's mentor instructed.
"I wasn't becoming too involved," Trillion defended. "I was just…taking a break."
The older man rolled his eyes. "Come on, now! I've been doing this for fifteen hundred years, and you've only just started at your young age! Who is fooling whom here?"
Trillion sighed, knowing he'd been caught. He'd never win an argument with his teacher. He said, "So you've caught me. What happens now?"
"You will get one more chance, but consider yourself warned! I would hate to have to report your actions to the Faerie Queen, especially on your first mission," Max admonished him.
Trillion shuddered inwardly. Although he'd never met the Queen of the Faerie, he had heard that Sherlyndria could be quite the punisher when she was angered. This kind of thing could enrage her; he might even be left powerless! He turned red, thinking what he was too afraid to say. I promise! I'll be good.
The older man said, "I know you will. When Trillion's color changed back to normal, the man continued: "now, what more do you have to teach your young client?"
"Dancing," Trillion stated. The old fey's eyebrows shot up.
"That should be interesting," he commented.
Cinderella continued repairing Giselda's ripped dress in her room, wondering for the fifth time that day what had happened to Trillion. The ball would be later that night, and she didn't have much time to learn the refinements about dancing with a prince. When she heard the knock on the door, she sprang out of her rickety chair and eagerly opened it. Noting the serious look on Trillion's face, Cinderella ushered him in, making him sit by the fireplace. Trillion blew on it, bringing the dying fire to life.
"What is it?" She asked, concern for him flooding her eyes.
Trillion looked at her, suddenly overwhelmed with a desire to hug her for her concern. He smiled at her, though the smile did not quite reach his eyes.
"Nothing," he said. "Well, milady, good news: you've only got one more lesson left. That is where we get to dance."
"I can dance," Cinderella told him, crossing her arms.
"Well, dancing has changed a lot in the past eleven years since your father's death." Trillion said dryly. He held out his arms, and she climbed into them. He slowly pulled her away from him.
He gestured to his outstretched arms. "This is my dance arena, if you will. I don't encroach upon yours, and you don't go into mine."
"Oh…" she said, a little disappointed at not being in his arms. "Aren't dancers supposed to be close to each other?"
"Not that close," Trillion replied, smirking. Before he turned red with embarrassment in front of her, he stepped away slightly, showing her some simple steps to what resembled a waltz. Cinderella practiced some of the moves of the dance, but Trillion could tell that it was a little difficult.
He gestured, and dance feet appeared on the floor. "Try waltzing to these steps," he commanded, pointing to the dance feet. She did as he told her, going slowly, then picking up speed. It took three hours, but she finally looked up at him in triumph as she finished the last step.
He nodded in approval. "Not bad, not bad at all," he praised her. He made to leave, but heard her voice.
"Is that all I receive?" Cinderella said softly.
"There is nothing more I can teach you," Trillion remarked, looking back at her.
"But…" she started, faltering. "I need…I…"
Trillion turned back and said, "Yes?"
"I need to know how to…I mean, I've never…been with a man," she finally told the faerie. He looked confused, so she explained: "My father never told me how to kiss a prince."
"You'll get the hang of it," Trillion said softly. "Most humans do."
Cinderella shook her head. "What if I do the wrong thing?" The girl started to cry; Trillion took pity on her.
"All right," he agreed. He motioned her closer, bidding her softly, "come here."
She came close to him. He lost himself in her moist, green eyes. They reminded him of the jade colored lake near his province: deep, green, mysterious.
"He'll probably walk with you somewhere near the palace, for a measure of privacy," Trillion told her. She nodded, hanging on his every word. He pulled her closer, saying, "then, he'll lean in, like this."
He leaned in, inhaling the fragrance of sweat mixed with apple spice. She came ever closer, then, his lips touched hers. Cinderella caught the fragrance of honey as her arms slid up his sides. She deepened the kiss, her tongue finding his mouth. He let her have access, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stop for this incredible lesson in kissing. Trillion grew a little bolder, deepening his kiss, stroking her hair.
"Cinderella!" Magdalena's shrill voice called from upstairs. Cinderella didn't respond; so enraptured was she by the kiss. Trillion was the first to break contact. "Cinderella!" Magdalena's voice grew louder.
"You see?" Trillion breathed. "You are a natural. Humans always are." He looked at her with complete awe, and with an emotion he'd never felt before. For her part, Cinderella's face mirrored the same emotions. They both straightened up, and he said, "I will be back with your costume and transportation."
Cinderella blinked her eyes, willing herself to return to reality as he left not a moment before Magdalena finished running down the stairs to her.
"Is my dress ready, you leech?" Magdalena growled.
"Yes," Cinderella answered, staring after the direction Trillion had taken.
Magdalena stared after her, confused. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing," Cinderella murmured in a dream like voice.
"Snap out of it! Mother and Grissy are coming, and you'd better have everything ready!" Dalena ordered her. Cinderella jumped to attention suddenly, remembering what needed doing. She noticed that there were, in fact, three dresses of the most impeccable styles on her bed. Rushing behind Magdalena, Cinderella bounded up the stairs with the garments.
"You certainly took your sweet time getting here," Griselda said coolly.
"Sorry, had to make finishing touches," Cinderella said.
After arranging the dresses on her stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella watched as they took their leave. When she was certain they were out of range, she ran downstairs, calling to Trillion.
At first, she heard nothing, then: "You rang, oh bella mia?" The faerie asked, his disembodied voice all around her. At her confused frown, he commented wryly, "you really need to get out more." Her eyes grew wide as Trillion grew from a small speck to a full sized man.
"You said that you'd have transportation and clothes for me," Cinderella pointed out.
"So I did," Trillion said, commenting, "you know, in the stories you humans write about this situation, a pumpkin is turned into a coach. Really, a pumpkin, of all things! Never mind having to clean out all of the seeds, what about the smell? Would you really want to stand in front of a prince smelling like a pumpkin?"
"What would you suggest?" Cinderella questioned. Trillion thought a moment, then brightened. He grabbed her hand.
"Come outside with me," he instructed. He whistled three sharp whistles, like a bird call. Suddenly, a swan walked across the lawn, its beautiful white plumage glowing in the moonlight. Cinderella marveled at the majesty of the swan. Trillion waved his arms, as if he were conducting an orchestra. The bird grew, getting bigger, and bigger, until she was the size of a small boat.
"Get onto that," he ordered. Cinderella smirked.
"What?" Trillion asked.
"Well, I suppose it's none of my business, but couldn't you have simply gotten a horse to take me?" Cinderella asked.
"Swans are much more theatrical," Trillion protested. "You do want to make a grand impression, don't you?"
"I suppose," Cinderella agreed. Trillion helped her onto the swan's back.
"I guess that's everything," Trillion said.
"But…" Cinderella started to say. "How do I tell the bird where to go?"
"Oh, that's easy," Trillion told her. "The bird is magically enhanced. All you have to do is order it to take you to the prince's castle—his name is Marlin, by the way. When you want to return home, just tell the bird to take you back home."
"But…" Cinderella said again.
"Now, now, don't dawdle," Trillion said, growing impatient. "On your way, there's a good girl."
"But…I…" Cinderella started to say a third time.
Trillion sighed, thinking, humans! Aloud, he assured the girl again, "They won't recognize you; you have my sincerest promise." His eyes grew serious. "But it does remind me that there is something I almost forgot. Take heed, for this is most important. At the stroke of midnight, the magic I have used will be spent, and everything will return to its original state. You must return home before that time."
Cinderella nodded, looking at her dress. She said, "I understand all that, but there is something else…"
Trillion considered a moment, asking, "Have I forgotten something else? I don't think so. There was your lessons, transportation, the cloaking spell so that you wouldn't be recognized, and…" he trailed off as he saw the old, faded gown Cinderella wore.
"Good heavens! They'll kick you out if you come in wearing that!" He exclaimed, aghast.
Cinderella shook her head, grinning. Trillion huffed, saying imperiously, "Well, I am new at this, you know." He waved his arms again, and Cinderella was enveloped in a glowing light. Before her eyes, her tattered gown was transformed into a beautiful, emerald green dress, with flowers gathered at the shoulders, and a full skirt. She lifted up her dress slightly, and saw two green silk slippers which matched perfectly. She felt her head; her hair, which had been hanging down before, was caught up in a chignon, and there were tendrils hanging on either side of her head.
"Fantastic!" Trillion breathed, materializing a full length mirror for her to view herself in.
"Yes," Cinderella agreed, amazed at her appearance. The mirror vanished. "You did an excellent job!" She praised him. Her eyes grew warm as she whispered, "How can I ever thank you?"
"Have a good time!" Trillion advised, fixing Cinderella with a killer grin. As the magically enchanted swan swam across the lake out of sight, the fey stared at them, feeling a moment of pride at a job well done, but also delight at having seen one of the most beautiful sights in his young life. He felt his color change from a human tone to a warm, white glow. His heart seemed to beat faster for some reason the more he thought about his client.
The fey looked at the moonlit sky, making a wish himself. He regained his natural pallor, then he withdrew a list of things to attend to from his pocket, checking it to see if there were any other errands. Seeing none, Trillion decided that he could afford to have some fun. After all, he'd done any number of fairy things, but he had never seen a ball with humans. He realized that Max would probably protest, but his client was going to be there, and trouble could occur. Would it really hurt, he reasoned, to be prepared, just this once?
His mind decided, the fey altered his appearance and disappeared.