Under The Land Of Wonder

Chapter 3 - The Bitter Truth

Trish sits on the fluffy maroon bed pondering what had just happened. Thinking back to the encounter in the throne room she realizes that the councilors' appearances were deformed, yet it was a fake deformation, she surmised. At first glance it had appeared that their deformities where real. In fact the man that spoke earlier had six fingers on each hand and a bulging forehead, yet when she looked at him again he appeared normal.

'Why,' she thought, 'would he fake his appearance? And, for that matter, why was everyone else?'

"I should speak to someone about this," she mutters quietly to herself, "but the question is who?" Her first thought was to ask Nave, but decides against it.

'It may be best to watch how they interact first,' she thinks bringing her hand to her chin, 'I wonder if anyone else notices this? Regardless, there is more to this than meets the eye.' A sudden knock at the door and the sound of sliding wood disrupts Trish's thoughts. She turns her head to the intruder, finding her crystal eyes meeting leaf-green ones.

"Aw, Aribeth," Trish exclaims with a smile, "What's up?"

The young nymph looks slightly confused at the comment. "Um... the ceiling?" she utters uncertainly, earning a giggle from Trish.

"Oh, you're quite right, but that's not what I meant. You see where I'm from, it's a saying meaning what is going on or what is the matter, depending on the circumstance."

"Oh, I get it," Aribeth giggles, gliding over.

"So... What's up? Oh and how did it go with the Queen?" Trish inquires.

Aribeth looks up at Trish with big eyes. "That is the reason I'm here. Her Highness has assigned me to be your maid. I am here to serve, Master." She utters, bowing.

"Well first off, what I want you to do is to stop the bowing and you may call me Trish," she says with a smile.

"But, but, but," the nymph stammers, "It's not proper for me to address you by your name. I will get in trouble if I do. "

She lets out a sigh. "Well, then you may call me as 'Milady' in public, however, I will be having none of that while we are alone."

"Okay," Aribeth curtseys, earning another sigh.

"You have no need to bow in any manner around me."

Aribeth's leaf eyes widen in shock. "All the others relish when we bow to them," she utters softly, looking at her feet.

"I am not like them. You should only have to bow to your God and your King, or in this case, Queen," Trish exclaims, "I am neither, so I do not require or expect you to do so. In fact I would prefer that you didn't." Aribeth looks completely dumbfounded as she gazes up at the woman.

"You're not from around here," she says; more to herself than at Trish.

"What gave that away?" Trish says, raising an eyebrow; earning a giggle from the nymph.

"Oh!" Aribeth cries, looking slightly worried, "I'm supposed to tell you that Her Highness wants you to join her for dinner and we need to leave right now."

Without another word Aribeth grabs Trish's hand, flying out the door. As they reach the hallway Aribeth realizes what she did and drops Trish's hand. "I'm so sorry," she exclaims.

"Its fine," says Trish, rolling her eyes. With a smirk she states, "lead the way my pink-haired friend."

Within a few minutes the pair comes upon open dual swing doors. The sound of boisterous voices carries through the hall. With a deep breath the maiden elegantly slips into the large dining hall. The only one who notices the silently approaching female was the one-eyed man. With a soft smirk he rises as the maiden slides into the last remaining seat. At this notion every head turns to the late guest.