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Finally, it was the night of my coming of age party. That ruddy thing I've been dreading since I was 5. You see, I've never actually attended a party or ball and stayed through the entire thing. After a while, people forget I am there and I can quietly slip away into an empty corridor and keep myself occupied.
I suppose I am a bit afraid of having all the attention on me when I am actually supposed to be a crown princess. There is far to much to mess up. Arlyan is confident with everyhting, but Aeliara is definitely not.
So a little before dusk Raina, Kelln, and Lorn (my ladies in waiting) came in with the gown and I got ready. Lorn helped to do my hair in these beautiful complicated twists and knots and falls that I could never even dream of doing while Raina figured out the riddle of the seemingly "simple" dress. All the while, Kelln who has a naturaly ability of speaking to people helped me to calm down (because at this point, my heart was racing.)
I've never known that part of a party to go so quickly, but this time it seemed like only a few moments before Elina came in to bring me to the top of the stair that I would wait to decend into later. Standing there, now that seemed like eternity. Traditionally, the poor creature in question would entre with her Father, but if he is not present, a brother or cousin is supposed to accompany her. However, seeing as my father is rather ill disposed of this, being dead, and my brother being King, needs to be there to greet the people, Conall was coming with me.
I watched from a window in the tower as the horses adn carriages arrived bringing all of the nobles and people I didn't know. I felt a tug in my chest when I saw some of the villiage folk I know come walking down the lane, dressed up in all their best clothes. I cound't help my restless mind from wondering about Iduna. Where was she? Would she show up? She had to come. Without her, there ceremony would be pointless. Ever since I met Iduna, she has been a mentor and a friend. Before, knowing that she would be there was the only thing getting me through it. But now...
Conall's arrival broke me out of my reverie. He looked...stunning. He was had on a fine belted silk tunic that was a dark blue to match his eyes over breeches. His hair was down and pushed back. He wore one small sapphire drop in his left ear as is customary for men of high stature in Taenian. Draped over his right shoulder was a black dress cloak and on his belt was a sword with a sapphire in the hilt.
I don't think he would have recognised me if I haden't been the only one in the tower. He did something very odd upon realising I was me. He strode over to where I stood and took my hand. He kissed it gently, as I stood there breathless and then bowed his head. "M'lady" he said. "M'lord. Conall..Sir Conall.." I replied. I know, how witty. How perfectly fitting the moment. But he is used to it. He smiled at me and led me to the door where we continued to watch the people arrive.
From the window I swa Joad stand up. My heart just about stopped dead. This was it, once Joad was finished greeting everyone, they would all turn to where I would entre from and watch us come down and I knew I would probably trip and fall down the steps headfirst and land in a bush or something. Conall must have felt my tension because he squeezed my hand and whispered, "You are going to be wonderful. Just be yourself. That is all that anyone can ask of you and all anyone could want." I nearly started crying adn would have too had it not been for the fact that Lorn had warned me the make-up paint on my face was tempramental, but I did squeeze his hand back and attempt to say "Thank ye", but it came out as a little squeek instead.
Suddenly, the garden was very quiet and I noticed everyone was looking at the stair. Conall and I looked at each other and then two guards entred and opened the doors. We took a few steps out to the edge of the stair and stood so everyone could see us before going down. I could feel all the eyes on me, but it was very odd. I don;t know whether the panic overrode itself or if I just stopped thinking, but I suddenly wasn;t scared anymore. It seemed like my steps were places out before me, like illuminated patches. Well, I couldn't actually see anything, but I felt it. I took the first step down the stair and ;et my hand travel from Conall's hand to the rail where I rested the tips of my fingers. I looked out into the evening and gracefully glided down the stairs. I knew Conall was right behind me, but I could not longer feel him. It was just me in this body that seemed to know what it was doing.
I reached the bottom and my body told me to smile, so I did. The crowd began to cheer and Conall took my hand again. We walked to the platform where Joad was already standing. Conall helped me up and Joad took my hands. He smiles warmly and for the first time in the past few months, I saw the brother I knew.
To tell you the honest truth, I have no idea what he said. I was deaf to everything they were saying. I scanned the crowd and searched for my sister. My heart began to quicken, however as I could not find her. I don't think it showed on the outside, but on the inside, the panic was returning. Wher was she? Would she return? She was supposed to speak right after Joad was done. At that point wild thoughts started racing through my head. What if something had happened to her? Whatif at this very moment, she was lost or injued or worse...I couldn't stop. Joad was wrapping up his speaking, this was the only time she could come, I waited, 5..4..3..2..1.......no Iudna. I felt my insides tigthen and tried to remeber the make-up paint. Then, I heard a crash, I look up and saw standing there, my sister. IDUNA! She made her way slowly up to the platform looking more collected than I could have ever. She looked at Joad and then at me. I quickly closed my gapeing mouth and smiled. She smiled back and spoke. I can;t hoinestly say what she said either. I was in shock. She had come. Joy coursed through me and I wante to dance. Once she had finished she walke to where I was and wrapped me in a warm embrace which I returned whole-heartedly. "I'm so sorry Aeli...I almost missed-" "Iduna, you are here. That all I could ever hope for. It is I who should be sorry. Let us not speak of this now." We both smiled at each other in mutual agreement. I was willing never to speak of it again. It is past and things past need not be brough back from the dead.
At the sound of a bell I lead my family to the table where the feast was. Iwas elated, I don't even remeber if I ate anything! Then music began, I recall getting up to dance, and the motion, but not who I danced with or the music. Everyhting became a blur. With lights. I recall fairies, and magic, shining all around me. And I seem to remember seeing a centaur, but I honestly don't know exactly what happened. If I were to tell you exactly what it is that I think happened, you would think me mad, so I will not share, but...oh, it was...beautiful! The stars and the colours and the music...
Before I knew it, the music came to an end and Joad and Conall adn Iduna and I went to the end of the garden to bid fare well to the guests. For the first time, I realised my Mother was there. I smiled. It was a ncie sentiment. The smell of the lilies and roses and thyme lightly played on us and the people all drifted by gracefully. It was perfect. Once all had left, we spoke and I seem to recall all taking a gentle leave, the night sparkling.
Aeliara · Sat Dec 10, 2005 @ 08:02pm · 0 Comments |
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