Chapter 6: Conquering Fear

Maria walked through town, her mind in turmoil. She was unsure if she could do the task of the Peace Dancer and stop a war. This was more than just dancing with the family for a tradition. She realized it meant survival and trying to soothe the tension. "I don't know if I can do it," she said to herself.

She then glanced around and saw she was alone. "Well, at least I can dance without drawing attention here," she said to herself and set up her IPod nearby and selecting the song "Maria" by Ricky Martin. Hearing the music start, she began dancing.

The Hanging Tree was standing near the graveyard when he heard the upbeat music and followed it, finding the girl Jack had told him about dancing to the song playing. He smiled. "She looks just like her grandmother," he said to himself.

Maria didn't see him until she went to twirl and saw him watching her and the Hanging Men were watching her too. She quickly stopped and her face went bright red as she quickly turned off the music, not sure whether to stay put or run as she refused to face the Hanging Tree and his Hanging Men. "You're a beautiful dancer," she heard him say. "Just like your grandmother."

Maria turned to him in surprise, her face still red, but looking amazed. "You know my grandmother too?" She asked curiously.

"Yes," he said. "I met her some time ago. She was dancing to the same song when I surprised her that I was watching her dance."

Maria wasn't sure what to say and then heard the Hanging Tree come closer, placing a branch-like hand on her shoulder. "Maria, correct?" He asked and she nodded. "You shouldn't be embarrassed if someone stops to watch you dance."

His words made her look up at him. "But, it's embarrassing when they catch me dancing," she said.

"Do you not like dancing?" He asked, a bit concerned.

"No, I love dancing," Maria said quickly. "But…I'm not a good dancer."

"I beg to differ," said the Hanging Tree. "Because if someone stops to watch you dance, it means your dancing intrigues them."

She looked at him in surprise. "My dancing…intrigued you?" She asked. "But, surely you have seen my ancestors dance better than me?"

He chuckled in amusement. "The dances may be the same, but each of your ancestors brought their own energy into the dances, making them unique," he said. "You may do the steps the same, but you bring your own flare to it."

Maria looked at him, his encouragement boosting her self-esteem a bit. "Really?" She asked hopefully.

The Hanging Tree smiled again. "Yes," he said. "Especially when those dances are needed to make sure the peace between our world and yours becomes less fragile."

Maria took a deep breath and let it out. "I have a big responsibility to live up to," she said. "I just hope I can do it right."

She felt the tree's branch-like hand on her shoulder again. "You can do it," he said encouragingly. "You are the Peace Dancer and all of us in this town believe in you, Maria."

She gave him a smile. "I just hope I don't let you all down," she said.

"You won't," he said reassuringly.

Later on, Maria worked on the dances again, letting the music carry her with each step she performed. She then twirled and saw Jack had caught her dancing, but instead of stopping, she continued this time, seeing him watch in amazement as she danced to the dances he had no doubt seen many times over the years, but he was watching her like he had never seen it before.

Maria performed a graceful curtsey as the music softly ended and Jack began clapping, making her blush a bit. "You…You really liked it?" She asked.

"Yes," said Jack. "You're a wonderful dancer, Maria. And very graceful."

She smiled. "Even though you've no doubt seen the same dances hundreds of times before, you…you think I was good?" She asked the last part hesitantly, bashfully.

"Maria, you were superb!" He said, picking her up and spinning her around, making her gasp before she began laughing happily. Jack then gently set her down and pulled her into a warm hug. "Maria, I know you can do it," he said. "You're a fine dancer, just like your grandmother said you were."

She hugged him. "Thanks, Jack," she said. "I really hope I can do this."

"I believe in you, Maria," he said. "I always will."

His encouragement, along with the Hanging Tree's earlier encouragement filled Maria with hope that she could do the task ahead of her.

And she told herself she would do the task proudly and live up to the tradition of the Peace Dancer and make everyone proud.

She would do it for her family. For her world. For Jack's world.

For Jack.

So, Maria has made her decision. But that's only half the battle as the real test is coming soon. Can she make the peace solid between the two worlds forever? Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out! :)

And please leave a review, but no flames!

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