The New Life and A Ball

When we met up again, I began to cook. He fiddled with Bunny, lounging on the couch.

We ate, and then I sat around, bored. "What now?"

"I don't know. What should we do?"

"Well, I'd like to go back..."

"Where?"

"Home." I sighed. "You've never been, have you?"

"Not really. I thought this was your home."

"It's my new home. I want to go back to the old one."

"I see..." He nodded. "Well, let's see this home of yours."

"Alright." I smiled and opened a portal. "Ready to go home Teardrop?"

:Of course.: She flew onto my shoulder. :But are you?:

I left the question unanswered and went through the portal. I had made the portal go to my room, not wanting people to see me appear. I went to step out, and paused. "Turn away a moment Phantom." I slipped on one of my old dresses, fixing it so it fit me well. "Good. Let's go."

We walked until we reached the throne room doors and I hesitated again. Phantom grumbled and pushed me aside, opening the doors. I entered, slowly, and told the announcer my name.

"Ashera Clearsword k'Treva. Daughter of Lizzy Clearsword k'Treva. Her Bondbird, Teardrop Clearsword k'Treva. Her adopted son, Phantom Clearsword k'Treva. And the Companion, Nissy Clearsword k'Treva." He shouted and all eyes turned to us. We walked to the throne, where I bowed without looking at the people there.

"Why do you bow to your own mother Ash?"

"Mom!" Abandoning all sense of dignity, I ran up the stairs and threw my arms around her.

"I missed you too Ash." She smiled and pulled away from the tight hug.

"Come give me a hug too." Dad spread his arms for me and I hugged him too.

"So Ash..."

"Hm?" I turned towards my mother.

"Not that I'm complaining, but why'd you come back?"

"I missed the place. I've also decided to settle down."

"With this cutie?" She pointed at Phantom.

"Hey!" Dad pouted and I laughed.

"No, actually, that's my son."

"Oh. Sorry."

"It's fine." I smiled. "I haven't found someone quite yet. At least, not one worth settling down with."

"I see... Hm..." She sat back down, lost in thought.

"I know!" Dad spoke up again, eyes shining. Though their faces were wrinkled, when the two were together they seemed decades younger.

"What?" Mom turned to him.

"Well, why don't we throw a ball? Celebrate her return, and look for a suitor."

"That's a great idea!" Mom smiled and I did as well.

"I need to get fitted for a new dress again though..."

"It'll be fine." Mom led me away. "The Audience is over now. Leave whenever." She took me to a new room, one I hadn't seen before. I asked her about it, and she said they prepared it for when I return.

'She's psychic or something.'

:Or something.:

"Ack!" I jolted back in surprise. "I forgot you could do that!"

"Put up your Shields love, or you're brain will be searched."

"Got it." I nodded, flinging them up.

"A little warning next time please."

"Sorry." I smiled.

After we finished in my room, a couple servants said the preparations for the ball have been finished. "Already?" She shook her head. "Never mind. Now that the Crown Princess has returned, everyone's excited. Should've known."

The next day, it was announced across our land that the Kingdom of the Rainbow Sands was throwing a ball to celebrate the return of their princess, and to find her a suitor. Young men from everywhere were preparing to come, and my parents worried that there may not be enough room in the palace.

My idea was to convert the whole palace grounds into the location for the ball. Included in that is the field that my parents used to run off to, to practice magic. I planned on taking someone there, and just hiding away. I just had to find someone I liked.

The day of the ball came, and I was ready. I had chosen several dresses, one for each of the three nights we were holding the ball.

The first night, I wore a dress that reflected a starry night sky. The skirt was shorter than most would call normal, reaching only to my knees. This was a specific request from me so I could move easier. Before the ball started that night, I was training outside the palace, in our outdoors training ground. I was already wearing the dress, as requested by my mother since the guests were already arriving.

My sword was a blur as I easily took down each of the Knights I was up against. The Kingdom's Color Knights were well-trained, but never fight in real battles, since our land is currently at peace.

It was like this that I met Eldrin. He was an Elf with fair skin, close to the pale shade of a Vampire's. His hair was a golden yellow, and his eyes glittered like sapphires.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing beating against the Knights?" That was the first thing he said to me.

I quickly finished off the small battle I was in with an Orange Knight, another Elf, and caught my breath. "Training. Might I ask your name?"

"I am Eldrin, Prince of the Elves." He gave me a low bow.

"And I am Princess Ashera Clearsword of-"

"This Kingdom? So you're the one this ball's for?" Eldrin interrupted, talking quickly. Then he muttered something I barely caught. "No wonder you're so pretty." After he said that, he froze, realizing he had interrupted me, and apologised immediately.

"It's nice to meet you Eldrin." I smiled. "Do you ever use a sword in battle? Generally Elves are known for daggers and bows, but I need more training in swordcraft."

"I do actually. A Human man taught me when I was younger."

"That sounds interesting. Are you ready to battle?" One of the Knights gave Eldrin her sword, and he nodded. "Then, let's begin!"

Eldrin was a perfect match for me, not tiring out early like the others had. In fact, I found myself tiring out first since I had been training all day. With one particularly strong block, my opponent sent me onto the ground and stood over me, blade pointed at my neck. "I win." He dropped the sword, holding out a hand to me. "Although," Eldrin said as I took his hand, "you must be the only female capable of going toe-to-toe with me for so long."

"Really?" He nodded. "Then female Elves must be weak. I haven't practiced the sword for a while, so I wasn't at my best."

"Truly?" I nodded with a grin. "Then, once you are no longer tired, let us battle with weapons you have been practicing."

"Daggers."

"Truly the best weapon."

"Especially if you are trying to sneak around." I laughed. "Let's go, the Ball's about to start. I need to make an appearance."

"Might want to dust off the back part of that dress of yours."

"Thanks." I brushed off the dirt, and parted ways with Eldrin. "See you later tonight."

"And you, Fair Lady." He gave me a deep, sweeping bow and I laughed again.

After the Ball began, many boys attempted to dance with me, but I declined each one. At least, until Eldrin asked. We danced for hours, and then walked together through the fields of flowers.

Around three o'clock, we were laying in my favorite part of the flower fields; the Hedge Maze made entirely of gold-rose bushes. They weren't real gold, of course, the name simply meant the flowers

shimmered, and looked, like real gold.

"Tonight's been fun." Eldrin said as we watched the sunrise that morning.

"It has. Will you be staying for all three nights?"

"If I get the chance to be with you, then yes."

"Then I'll see you later today. I'll be training again, if you would like to join me. I need to put on tonight's outfit."

"Mind if I join you in your room?" When he noticed my reddened face, he flushed as well. "I-I meant to see it of course! Not w-watch you change..." I smiled and lightly kissed his cheek.

"Feel free." I stood, stretching, and walked with him back to the palace.

"Hey Ash!" My mother called, walking over to us. "The guests are annoyed- Ohhhh." After seeing Eldrin, she simply nodded with a grin. "Drop the shields for a sec Ash." I did and I heard her voice in my mind. :So you found a suitor already.: I flushed, nodding. :Good.: I felt her presence pull away and brought my shields back up.

"Alright. Now that that is over, Eldrin, let's get going."

"Bye Ash." My mother waved.

"What was that?" I guessed he was referring to her telling me to drop the shields.

"My mother and I share telepathic abilities. I shield my mind for a couple reasons. One, I don't need her listening to my thoughts all the time, and two, I don't know who else may have this power."

"I see." He nodded. "What other magics do you use?" We walked into my room while I was explaining, and I continued as I changed outfits, standing behind a screen.

The new one was similar to a riding outfit, but, instead of pants, I wore another skirt.

That night went similar to the last, ending with me and Eldrin sneaking off together. Instead of declining everyone like I had the previous night, today I had danced with most of the guys, being passed between them. Many had smelly breath, or smelled in general, and none of them were all that cute.

One time, Phantom asked me to dance. "Mind if I cut in sir?" He had asked first. Then, once the klutz of a boy left, he turned to me. "Figured you needed help. Him stepping on your feet looked painful."

"It was. Thanks Phantom."

"Mind if I take this next dance, mother dearest?"

"Not in the slightest."

After dancing with Phantom, I took my leave and walked with Eldrin again.

The final night, I wore a floor length pale pink dress. "It may be a tad hard to walk outside in that." Eldrin pointed out.

"I know. Wasn't planning on going outside in the first place." I didn't bother dancing with anyone that night, instead, I dragged Eldrin upstairs, into the abandoned floors of the castle. The servants cleaned it, of course, but no one else ever went up there. Except for me.

"As a young child, I often disappeared and hid up here." I spoke, smiling softly. "I used magic to make toys, and other things to amuse myself. Whether it be book, or movie, or game, I had it all up here."

I watched Eldrin looking around in wonder, inspecting everything he could see. He brushed the figures of story characters that lined the walls lightly, with only his fingertips. "So cool..."

I smiled again, leading him farther into my sanctuary. I had a Griffon cub here, and taught her to fly, and to eat outside. Hopefully, she has gotten a family in the time I was gone. "Aestrea!" I called out her name.

There was a faint thudding, and she charged out of the keep, nuzzling me. |You smell different, but you are Ash.|

"I am." From the surprised look on Eldrin's face, he heard her. "This is Eldrin, a very, very close friend of mine."

|He looks like a good mate for you. You have chosen well.| I flushed again, watching Aestrea look him up and down with one sky blue eye. |Treat the Griffon Watcher well Elf. If you make her sad, the entirety of the Griffon Race will be after you.|

"Y-Yes ma'am." He stuttered. Now that I think about it, she was the last of the Royal Family of Griffons last I saw her.

|Now, Ash, follow. You want to meet my family, yes?| She turned, not waiting for my answer, and crouched. |The youth are in a safer place. Climb on and I will take you there.|

"You go in the front Eldrin." He did, sitting right behind her head. I climbed on behind him after transforming my clothes into pants and a tunic. "We're settled Aestrea." I told my old friend, wrapping my arms around Eldrin's waist. As she jumped out the window, flying through the night, I felt him tightly gripping my wrists so he didn't fall. "You'll be fine. Don't worry, even if you do fall, I can catch you." After a bit, he relaxed, loosening his grip, yet not letting go entirely.

When we got to the nest, I smiled, seeing hundreds of Griffon nests in the trees of this forest. |We are here.| She flew us up to the nest, and we got off. Eldrin still looked a bit scared, but happy to be on solid ground again, and I just stretched. |Meet my mate, Palaemon.| A silvery Griffon with yellow eyes.

"Nice to meet you Palaemon." I bowed to the Griffon King, keeping my eyes locked onto his.

|And you, Friend of my Love.| I smiled slightly. |Don't you have somewhere you must be?| The Griffon's head pointed to the sky, showing the light beginning to grow.

"I do. We can get back from here." I held out my hand to Eldrin. "Take my hand." He did, and I closed my eyes. "Watashi o ie ni tsureteitte!" In a flash, we were standing in my room once more.

"Wow. I don't remember there being any mage that uses that language to cast other than your mother."

"She taught me." I smiled.

"Well, I believe it's time for you to say goodbye to all the guests who came to your ball."

"Right." I nodded, turning towards the door.

"Wait a moment." I turned back, and froze, seeing him kneeling on the ground with a somewhat small box. "I couldn't find a suitable ring, so I made these instead." Eldrin opened the box, revealing a necklace and a bracer. They were both gold, with jewels of every hue decorating the bracer, and fire crystals in the necklace.

"They- They're so pretty!" I exclaimed, carefully lifting the bracer.

"Will you, Lady Ashera of the Kingdom of the Rainbow Sands, marry me?"

"Yes!" I smiled, beyond happy. "I was planning to ask you the same actually!" I carefully put on the bracer, setting it on my right arm. He stood, and put the necklace on me, and then tugged his sleeve up.

"This is why I wore long sleeves today." What he showed was a mirror image of the bracer I wore, except his was on the left side. "I figured you'd put it on your right, so I put mine like this so when we hold hands, the two will be together once more."

"It's awesome!" I smiled wider. "We should announce it, so they all know."

"That's why I asked before you left." I entwined my fingers with his and we stepped out of my room, walking side-by-side to the courtyard, where everyone had gathered for my closing announcement.

"Hello people of the Land That Shines!" I called, silencing everyone almost immediately. "I would like to announce the end of my return party! And, tell every one of you lovely people, that I am now engaged. I present to you, the Prince of the Elves, Eldrin!"

After the announcement, there was a lot of commotion, but they calmed quickly. "I wish you two good health and a happy marriage!" Someone called, and I pinpointed them as Phantom.

"Thank you, good sir!" I called back, stepping back inside.