The Fallen Queen

Chapter Three: The Last Queen Of Greythorn

There was a general cheer as nobles rose and chairs scraped the floor after the announcement that dancing would begin. The servants moved into action immediately. Tables and chairs were pushed up against the walls of the Great Hall creating a sizable open space in the middle. Felicity looked to her right to offer Ional the first dance. To her surprise the Ambassador had moved off to the side, and was speaking with yet another messenger out of earshot of the Queen. As she watched him frustratedly gesture with the messenger he glanced up and met her gaze. Felicity felt her cheeks grow hot and she looked away. Why was she embarrassed about being seen? He was the one acting rude. Nevertheless, it had been the third time she had been caught staring that day.

Felicity felt a presence to her left and turned to find the man with the ring standing beside her, a rather charming smile on his lips. He held out one hand to her and indicated to the dance floor with the other. She did not realize just how tall he was until he stood over her, forcing her to crane her head back to meet his eyes. It took her a moment to process that he was asking her to dance. But then, why didn't he just say so?

The truth dawned on Felicity like the morning sun. He could not speak Calmoni, but nonetheless he had sought to right his comrade's wrongs. Felicity smiled and took his hand letting him lead her out onto the dance floor. There was a pause in the music before it came back with the beginnings of a waltz. Felicity faced the stranger expectantly as she raised a hand to place on his shoulder. He did not move. Felicity looked up at his face and saw uncertainty there. Did he not know this dance?

With a kind smile the young Queen reached out and took his hand in her's. Felicity's gypsum skin grew ever paler against his terra-cotta tones. She placed his hand upon her waist and guided his free hand up into the correct stance. With a subtle pull she guided him forward, then back, teaching him the simple steps of the dance.

"It's alright, I don't know any Sorian dances. Maybe one day you can return the favor." Felicity whispered as other couples joined the dance floor. In answer, the man simply smiled.

"You really don't understand me?" The Queen queried. Again, the man only gave her a polite smile. Now she was really wishing she had made more time for her Sorian studies. But then again why pass up on this opportunity?

"You know your ambassador's attention seems more than a little divided tonight. He has even neglected to introduce us. One might see it as quite rude," Felicity smirked at her dance partner, "Well Sophie would at least."

The man kept looking at her with the same smile as before. It was odd to have someone at court who did not know the language of Greythorn.

"I have been wondering all day what your ring means," Felicity's eyes went to the silver circle, "It would be rude to ask you, but you can't understand me, so I see no harm in telling you, my theories."

Again, only a well-mannered smile in response.

"Theory one states that you were once a very small man, but as happens with all good marriages, you got fat and can no longer wear your wedding band. So, you opted for this alternative instead. But you do not look fat and upon further investigation of your hands I do not feel they are particularly chubby. Theory two states that there is some Sorian custom I am unaware of where the bride and groom trade rings and wear them on necklaces. But no one else in your party wears rings like these. And theory three..." Here Felicity paused for a moment before looking up into his eyes. Her expression was full of sympathy, "... she must have been very special to you, I'm sorry."

Felicity could not quite understand it but theory three seemed to fit.

Whatever the real answer might be, the young Queen would not hear it tonight. The Waltz came to an end and Felicity found herself surrounded by other nobles asking for a dance. That was how the rest of the night unfolded. As soon as one dance came to an end there would be a line of men waiting for the second. If by chance, there was not she would look up to find the Sorian stranger with his silver ring waiting for her hand.