Ring of Mushrooms

10

The maids ran around like mice. Stuttering about as guests were set to arrive shortly if they haven't already. Some rushed between rooms to assist with last minute alterations, adjustments, or repairs that were required for their clothes.

The Queen's personal maid pulled you from your room and away from a really good book. You saw the army of servers going through their final task lists and a final call. The tables were being dressed and polished. You hardly caught a glimpse of the decor.

You were led through the maze of halls. Stairs that seemed to wind in circles and fragments of hallways. The maid never stopped walking. She never turned back to look at you, and she never spoke to you. She gripped her hands tightly together and focused ahead as she walked. Then she stopped. Her hands knocked on the door and she waited with her hands behind her back, her back straight. She never looked or spoke to you.

The door opened and you were gently pushed inside, the door closing nearly on your heels. You looked around at the shelves of books built into the walls. The desk was cleared off and the wood looked freshly polished. There was a table map by a large cushioned bench. On top of it was a box of markers that was unopened. Though some opened letters were underneath it.

Lilia stood in front of the desk. Silver was sleeping in his arms. He smiled at you when you entered.

"Did they pull you out of your book?" He giggled to himself.

"Yes," you answered, crossing the room and standing next to him. "Why am I here exactly?"

He gave you a mischievous sharp-toothed smile, "We're going to enter with Maleficent."

You blinked in response and thought that you'd enter with Lilia and Silver at most or by yourself at the least.

"Alright?" It was a delayed response, you had questions, though not one had the words to vocalize themselves.

"It's a sort of tradition. For a queen to enter with a royal guard or commander." A bookshelf slid out from the wall and Maleficent stepped into view from the room next door. "You may enter by my side or by Lilia's; it will not matter which you choose. You will simply be viewed as attending with one of us if not both." Lilia motioned for you to follow him through the bookcase.

The room was a bedchamber. A large spacious room, with an equally large bed. It was covered by a dark purple canopy of tulle, and bats seemed like they hung down from above. There was no maid inside, and Lilia took Silver to the bed to nap for a while longer.

You sort of stood there for a moment. Letting your eyes wander across the room. You could picture it as a tall dark tower, right out of an illustrated storybook. Vines crawling up stone walls. A large bed where a sleeping prince lay surrounded by the flowers that bloomed on the vines around his room. Him wearing pale clothes a light sky blue of the morning from back home. He would wake up soon when the dragon returns. It needed something but the concept was there, maybe you wanted the prince to fall in love with the dragon.

"Here," Maleficent pulled you out of your stories. "I'll help you dress." Her fingers found your shoulder as she guided you over to where her gown, Lilia's suit, and your chosen outfit hung.

"That's not needed!" You tried to assure her, your face felt hot.

"Nonsense, these ornate pieces can be quite the hassle." She laughed then turned to you with a playful heartbroken look that you'd never expect to be seen from her, "Or do you think just because I'm the queen I'm unable to assist you in such a manner?"

"No I-"

"Then let's get you ready!" She pushed you forwards until she had you in her grasp, sitting on a vanity stool.