Chapter 6
773 Words
It's almost time! Oh my goodness, this is so exciting! Elora thought as she primped in her room. I hope everyone comes. I hope I don't mess up. Oh my goodness I don't even know what I hope.
She looked at herself critically in the mirror. She was wearing an icy iridescent white dress with slender off the shoulder sleeves and a modest but lovely sweetheart neckline. Delicate gold crystals lined the edges and radiated out in curving arcs on the bodice, continuing down in swirls and teardrop patterns on the skirt. Her hair was curled and gathered loosely at her neck. A thin serpentine gold necklace circled her neck.
I guess I'm ready.
She gently arose and swished toward the stairs. An announcer at the bottom of the staircase saw her coming.
Oh, drat, here it comes, Elora thought.
"Presenting Queen Elora Dannan of Nockmaar!" The announcer announced. Elora blushed furiously and tried to somehow slink regally as she slipped into the ballroom. It was certainly a stunning sight. Dresses of all colors filled the room, covered with embroidery and details more intricate than anything Elora could have imagined. A string quartet played soft music as the guests milled about, talking to dignitaries and showing off their wares.
Elora nervously flitted around, trying to be a good hostess. Should I talk to them? She wondered. I don't want to make them nervous. But that's the whole point- I want to get to know them. Hold it- is that cake?
It was indeed cake. Elora wandered up and down the refreshments table, looking at all the delicacies. There were tiny sandwiches and platters of all sorts of cheeses. There was plenty of wine, but as far as Elora was concerned wine was just rotten grapes. What caught her attention was the dessert table.
It's a party, right? Parties are for fun, Elora reasoned as she heaped a plate with tarts, pastries, and a slice of delicious-looking white cake.
After she had tried so many things that she never thought she'd eat sugar again, Elora drifted back to the dance floor. The ensemble began a waltz and one of the stuffy dignitaries swept Elora into a dance. She mingled among the guests for the next few numbers, swapping after each song and trying to meet as many of them as she could.
It grew dark outside, and only flickering candles and torches lit the ballroom. Elora was beginning to lose count of all the merchants she wanted to provide patronage for. The dresses started to blur together and she realized just how little variation was possible in a tailcoat.
"May I cut in?" a voice asked behind Elora. Her partner gallantly bowed, and Elora turned to see a very familiar face.
"You!" Elora gasped. She smiled widely. "What are you doing here?"
Jareth smiled back. "I heard you were inviting tailors to a ball. How very fortunate for me that I am a tailor." He wrapped his arm around her and they began to waltz. Elora tried to focus on his outfit- a slim royal blue jacket with gold embroidery and perfectly fitted black pants- but it was hard when the face above the jacket and the legs in the pants were so much more… interesting. She forced herself to look back at his face, which wasn't much less distracting.
"I am… glad to see you here," She said politely.
"Not as glad as I am to be here. I had hoped my designs would impress you, but I cannot compare to your finery," Jareth said.
"You're too modest," Elora said. "Perhaps we could find a place for you here at the palace… if you'd be interested," Elora said.
"How could I refuse a chance to see more of you? But enough business. Can't we just enjoy the dance?"
Elora could live with that. And what a dance it was. They swept across the dance floor and traversed every inch of it in twirls and swaying steps. Jareth guided her expertly through the moves, pressing ever so gently on her back.
As the song drew to a close, Jareth twirled her in and dipped her elegantly. He held her there a moment longer than necessary, but Elora didn't mind. He brought her back up and opened his mouth to ask for another dance.
But before he could, another voice came from behind him.
"Elora! May I have this dance?"
Elora looked over Jareth's shoulder to see Willow smiling impishly at her. Jareth, who had reacted to the sound before he recognized the voice, had already half-turned.
Willow's face immediately darkened.
"You."
- Writer
