The Power Within (On hold)

Chapter 1

         Elenora twirled in her new gown, laughing as she spun. “Milady! Please! You will fall!” Lydia, her lady-in-waiting exclaimed, throwing up her hands in exasperation. Elenora halted, grinning as the room tilted around her. “This dress is marvelous; not to tight but perfectly airy! And gorgeous to boot! How ever did you manage Lydia?” She asked, breathless and dizzy.

        Lydia gave the princess a stern humph, her hands on her hips, but the expression dissolved quickly, seeing as Elenora was now practicing her dancing in a circle around her. “Oh my princess, whatever shall I do with you…” She tsk tsked, pulling Elenora to her and adjusting a blue ribbon on her waist. Elenora giggled, “I’m going to a ball! You know how I get!” She clutched her arms to her chest. “All of the colorful courtiers, the twinkling chandeliers, and oh! The dancing! I cannot wait!” She cried dramatically, sinking down to sit upon the stool in front of her vanity.

        Her lady-in-waiting, used to these dramatic airs, began tending to her hair, artfully and expertly twisting it and pinning it. Elenora sighed as she thought about the ball and what it was being thrown for. Her father, the king, was throwing it as a celebration of their 50th year of peace, and the hope for another fifty years. In her mind, she pictured her mother and father, dancing across the shining floor, the perfect couple.

        Her mother was the most beautiful, most talented queen Elenora knew, and not just because she was her mother. She was skilled in almost everything, a talent Elenora envied. The princess absently twirled a jeweled brush with her finger, remembering all of the things she could improve on. How would she ever amount to the kind of queen her mother was? She was having a hard time just being a princess. Once, she had confessed her feelings to her mother, only to be lectured on the importance of self-esteem in royalty. Her mother was not very good at understanding her daughter.

        Lydia slid one last bejeweled pin into her hair, and then as a final touch, gently placed her tiara on her head. “There, done!” She said proudly.

        Elenora stood and walked over to her mirror. She stopped and stared. “Oh, Lydia,” She breathed.

        In the mirror, staring back at her was someone who looked poised and graceful, a creature of beauty.

        Her hair, which was a light blue, flowed down her back in long waves. The diamond studded tiara and tiny diamond pins glittered on her head. Her pointy elf ears peeked out from within her hair. Her soft purple eyes stared back at her and her lips were a soft pink. The dress was white and blue silk, with a blue diamond pattern on the edges.

        Lydia came to stand beside her and looked at her charge in the mirror. “Look at you, Elenora; you are a beautiful woman now. Your parents would be so proud.” Lydia said softly. Elenora turned to her and on an emotional impulse, she threw her arms around her lady-in-waiting. Lydia stiffened in surprise, and then hugged her back.

        Elenora stepped out of the embrace. “Well, I better go now. It’s almost time for the ball to start.” She said, smiling. Lydia nodded, her eyes wet. “Yes, go along now Elenora, enjoy yourself.” She said, shooing her out of her bedroom.

        Elenora headed for her mother’s chambers; she would enter the ball room with her. The white halls were lit with the last rays of sunlight that streamed in from the crystal windows that looked out upon the city. Elenora had spent many hours sitting in the window seat in her bedroom, gazing at what would eventually be her kingdom. She loved to watch the tiny elf figures walking the cobbled streets of the city, and the bustling activity that conspired within the castle courtyard.

        Maids and butlers walked with purpose to a destination Elenora couldn’t guess, since she was never involved in the affairs of servants. As they passed they smiled at her and, in the maid’s case, curtsied; the butlers bowed. She in turn would nod politely in greeting; her mother had always taught her to respect the servants of the elf castle, since they were the ones that made everything run smoothly.