The Halfling (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 16

I apologize for being gone... My message board has all the details as to why. Here's a chapter that was a long time coming, unfortunately. I'll try to update again this weekend.
-Jules

I looked out the window, and saw the parade going around the Spring pavilion. I saw a figure higher than the rest, and I assume that it's my brother, riding high on his horse. I watch him approach the cage, and turn to the side to speak to what's most likely Azalea. He then moves on, and I see him stop at the border between Spring and Summer. I know he's mounting the Giant Eland that represents Summer, because that's the proper way to go around alone. If, say, the Queen and some of her daughters went around, she would ride the animal of the season, and each daughter would ride their birth seasons animal. The fall animal is a Deer, while for Winter it's a Reindeer.

Of course, these are only the hooved animal representation. They also have birds, insects, cat-types such as the Winter Snow Leopard, dog-types such as autumn foxes. There are also the large animal types, including Bears. The colors are a big part of the season as well.

I realize I've stopped watching the procession, and I've lost sight of Ash. I sigh, and adjust my dress.

Since he's coming, they had finished my dress in record speed. My hair was down, curling gently past my shoulders. Each Princess gets her own customary tiara at birth, and it just gets adapted as she gets older. As I'm an Autumn child, my crown is made of copper. There are tiny amber teardrops, as well as a giant ruby. The addition of 2 yellow topazes on either side makes my crown my pride and joy.

I turn around, and motion for the servants to leave. I know they'll have to get me out of the dress, but for now I want to be alone.

My brother is coming home, and I don't know if he'll be the same. Will he be high and mighty, or will he be like mother, cold and calculated?

I set aside my worries for now, and slip into Ever's room.

"Ever?" I ask softly, knowing her winds are always trained to help her hear me. 

She appears a moment later, her own crown in her hands. Since she's a winter, hers is silver. It also has a pale blue topaz in the middle, and tiny sparkling crystals all over, making it glitter like ice.

"Ever... I'm worried. What if he's not the same?" I say, clutching a bit of my dress. 

"Rina, it'll be fine. We've dealt with all sorts of awful siblings before. But if he is the same, then everything will be fine! There's no reason to worry." She says, again showing her sisterly qualities.

"yes, but it's like if you went away! When we were kids we were so close..." I say sadly. 

"Zarina! It'll be fine!" She says, using my full name. I nod half heartedly, and she closes the distance between us. I can hear our dresses rustle, but I focus on the feeling of her hug. She pulls away after a bit, and hands me her crown. "I don't feel like wearing my hair down. Would you?"

She doesn't even have to say what she means. I'm already reaching into her thick silver hair, braiding it like we were taught. When I'm finished, I take the leftover strands and curl them gently. I place her crown on her head, wrapping a single curl over one spike. 

When we were younger, we played outside and our hair got messy. Strands escaped, and there was a single curl over each of our crowns. We were scheduled to be at a ball, so that's how we went. Ever since, we do our hair that way. I turn around and have her do my hair, and we smile at each other.

Now all that's left is for him to arrive.

Guys I need you to vote for the princes name!!!!! If you haven't already, go back!!!! (it's chapter 13....) I'm begging you!!!