So... I feel the need to blab about this chapter. Because, I want to a) apologize and then b) spazz. I want to apologize for not writing for such a LONG time, because I have been running around like crazy and have recently finished up my school show, Beauty and the Beast. This has been on my mind for a while...
The thing I want to spazz about is the fact that this chapter gave me an excuse to look at pretty historical movies so I could find the right dance! ... And you'll know better what I mean when you finally read this thing, so enjoy! 8D
The creatures looked like twisted versions of the house elves in Harry Potter. Honestly, they would have been terrifying. However their backs bowed with the weight of the food they carried. I scowled at the sight. What a cruel thing to do. These people were like bullies, weren't they? Pushing around humans and the weakest of their kind, just like a bully would pick on the short kid with glasses. If there is one thing I can't stand, it's a bully. I glared a little at the King.
The parade of platters reached our table first. We did not the select the food; it floated itself from the trays and on to our plates. I detested the lack of choice. I glanced around, and noted that others were completely unfazed by this. 'Lazy bums,' I thought. My plate full, I prepared to dig in. When you've eaten little to nothing for the past few hours, you think little of decorum. However, I noted that no one else had even moved for their utensils.
I noticed that they were paying great attention to the King, and that Arion had risen his eyebrows when I had picked up my fork. I blinked at him, and he mouthed, 'We wait for the King to eat first.' Sighing dismally, I placed my fork back on the napkin. Damn.
I watched the man like a hawk, and he took his time to get to that food. Taking a few sips from his huge goblet, he settled into his chair, and took the time to skewer a piece of fruit. Taking his own sweet time, he put it in his mouth and chewed luxuriously. Glancing at Arion sharply, he made a sign for him having to swallow. 'Goddammit,' I thought, 'How long does it take to eat one slice of fruit?' Finally he swallowed, and grinned benevolently at the crowd. Faeries began to attack their plates.
Excitedly, I whipped the napkin into my lap and gripped my fork. I noted – to my great excitement – that walnuts and pomegranate seeds dotted the food. Two of my favorites. The meal alone would perhaps be the best thing to happen to me since I arrived. I noted, curiously, that no meat was on these plates. Only fruits, vegetables, and other such things. Wondering why briefly, I brushed the thought away as I scooped up a delectable looking pear slice.
And paused just as it was about to go in my mouth.
Arion was watching my eating very intently. Much too intently for comfort. I glared at him, and then noticed his brothers were watching me just as closely. "What?" I demanded, looking at them suspiciously.
Suddenly I remembered something about Faerie food that I had read over and over. Don't eat it, because a human will become trapped in faerieland forever. Or something bad will happen. Regardless of which, Faerie food was a big nono. I stared mournfully at the pear, and felt my mouth water. However, I plunked it down on the plate. If it diminished my chances of escape, I would have no part in it.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking." I said, jabbing at finger at all the three of them. "I know that humans shouldn't eat Faerie food." I crossed my arms, and tried to look aloof. Chuckling slightly, Arion grinned charmingly at me. I gave him a stern look that said 'Like that'll work, bucko.'
Warren sighed. "Lady, the food will not trap you here. To our knowledge, half-fae aren't effected by eating Faerie food." Tiernan scowled at him.
"Ruin our fun, eh? I would have loved to see how long it would have taken before she simply gave in and came to us begging for food." He grinned mischievously. I shuddered. There was something very unsettling about the other persona of Tiernan. It left me wanted to hide under the nearest table.
I glared at him, regained my momentarily lost composure. "Go die in a fire," I said sharply.
"Manners, woman, you speak to a prince," Tiernan responded. I could see the taunt in his eyes. Damn him, he was egging me on!
Before I could respond to him that for I all I could care he could be a busboy, Warren interrupted. "Brother, please don't start this. Lady Grace is our guest. Treat her as such." Tiernan shot him a glare, but stopped.
"Please, Lady, forgive my brothers. They forget themselves." Arion shot a warning glare at Tiernan. Like he had any right to tell them that they were being rude. What had he been to me my entire stay? His attention turned back on me, he gave me that same smile. I glared into it. The smile melting from his face, he said, "Eat. You offend our cook by neglecting the food." With that, he turned to his own plate.
I ate the food quietly. For the most part, the rest of the meal was quiet. It was better that way. I was too busy devouring my food to be much conversation. Feeling quite satisfied – the meal really had been spectacular, despite the rough start – I noticed that the tables were being moved away to form a large space in the middle of the room. Dancing time. Oh goody.
Hearing short clips of what I assumed was musicians warming up, I glanced around at the princes who surrounded me. Which one would I get to dance with first? Arion stood stiffly from his seat, and began to pull out my own chair. No way was I going to give him the satisfaction of making me go through such a helpless princess thing. I wormed my way out of my own chair – albeit a little clumsily.
A wave of titters met my standing, and I stared calmly out at the crowd. They would not get to me. Not tonight, and not ever. Looking into Arion's levelly – even though he was damningly taller than I was. They all were, but it was particularly aggravating with him.
"I'm going to take a wild guess and assume I'm dancing with you first," I said.
He smirked. "Indeed." Inwardly I groaned. I had hoped that maybe he'd just been standing up to help me get out of my chair.
"And what if I refuse to dance with you first?" I was challenging him in front of the entire faerie court, which had suddenly become uncomfortably silent. It was like those moments when you're talking to a friend in class and you say something incredibly awkward and the entire room becomes quiet right at that moment.
Battling my self-consciousness, I glared into his eyes. His eyebrow arched. "What gives you the idea that you have a choice?"
I knew that there could be consequences for my rebellion. But he challenged my right to choice, and I would not back down. "We always have the option to think."
"I suggest you think silently from now on!" Oberon boomed furiously from his throne. I gasped in surprise. He'd caught me off my guard. As our eyes locked, you could have heard a pin drop in that room. "You will dance with Arion. Remember the contract, girl." He held the rose up to me, and I narrowed my eyes.
"Fine." I crossed my arms, and looked warily at Arion.
Grinning at me, he made a courtly bow and offered his hand to me. "May I have the honor of this dance?" Eyes locked on to me. I did not budge.
"You will now politely say to the prince that you would be delighted to dance with him," the King commanded in a hushed voice. Swallowing back my anger and humiliation, I curtsied like they had taught us to in dance for a period dance.
"I would be delighted to…" I made my voice sound as brainless as possible, "Dance with you, Prince Arion." I placed my hand into his with as much regality as I could muster. The room burst out into tiny sparks of chatter.
"Wonderful. Music!" As Oberon barked out instructions to the small band of musicians, Arion led me to the floor.
The prince said into my ear, "I trust you can handle whatever dance, m'lady?" I looked at him. His eyes glinted mischievously. What was he up to? "Or are you not equal to the task?" This was said quite loudly. He smirked at me.
Tilting my chin upwards, I declared, "Whatever dance, my lord. Hit me with your best shot."
Grinning, he said, "Good." He left me standing there as he turned to the musicians. Grandly he said, "A volta, my good musicians." There was much talk for this declaration. I scraped my mind. Volta… what was that one?
I froze. Shoot. I remembered a scene from the movie, Elizabeth, in which Queen Elizabeth and Robert dudley danced a dance that had looked like a challenge. In fact, most voltas involved that sort of sexual tension. Staring at him, I wished that I could take back my words. Damn me.
"Are you still sure?" The taunt was aimed at my pride, and I brushed aside my hesitance. 'Bring it on,' my eyes said. I wouldn't back down. Not now. Our eyes locked, he took a stance on the other side of the floor.
The music began with a single drum, beating out a sort of army march – much like the one in Elizabeth. He leapt slightly, and then bowed deeply, grinning up at me roguishly. I responded by tapping a little bit, and then curtsying.
With that, the music came to life, a proud song with the sort of beautiful Renaissance sensibility to the music. I matched Arion step for step as he strode towards me. Allowing the dance to pull me in, I circled around him. His arm slowly rose and I trailed my hand along it until I met his. Gripping his wrist, slowly we turned.
The tension was palpable, and I could feel the dance and the music sucking me in to its commanding tone. We stepped in to each other. It was as if I knew all the moves. Somehow, I knew that this was my magic. It was not going to allow me to lose to Arion. His arm moved around my waist, and I matched his move. We walked deliberately in a circle again.
Next thing I knew I was being lifted in the air. I allowed it, supporting myself on his shoulders. I would land but only briefly as he lifted me again. Oddly enough, I found myself delighting in the intensity of the few dance moves we made. As the song progressed, the music began more demanding, and our movements matched that. Faster we went, progressing more and more away from the steady beat of the volta. I pushed him, making him work for this one.
Finally, the music stopped. Our faces were mere inches from each other, each of us challenging the other to break away. Our breath was heavy, and we just stared. Arion grinned, and broke away from the moment. "Very good, m'lady. You win." He bowed to me, and walked off.
I had won that one. However, it wasn't satisfactory. In fact, I was stunned. He had just walked off. After that dance, he walked off like it was no big deal. Shaking myself, I brought my mind into focus. The moment of the dance was gone, and I would not think about how wild that had been.
The rest of the evening soared by. I would dance with Tiernan and Warren. Warren and I talked a little during the waltz that we did. Tiernan told me about all his dashing achievements. Again. I never saw Arion the rest of the night, thank goodness for that.
Once the ball was over, I insisted to walk back the room myself. I got there just fine. In a daze, I got out of the accursed gown and took a few deep breaths. I collapsed in to bed, and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I did not sleep well.