Mist

THE BEGINNING

The night time stars adorned the chandeliers and illuminated the entire ballroom.

Her gown whirled around her like a rippling river of gold.

Cindy silently rejoiced in the tapping of the feet to the rhythm of minuet, the happy noise of the chattering, the clinking of glasses ...

Her eyes met his. He smiled.

Excusing himself from his present company, he walked up to her.

" Pardon me, but haven't we met before ?" he asked.

She smiled ever so innocently. "Sure, in your dreams."

He smirked. "No, she wasn't half as beautiful."

Taken by surprise, her cheeks grew hot and she hoped he couldn't identify the colour in them. Just then , as if in synchronisation with her heartbeat, the music started.

" May I ?" he asked.

He offered his hand.

She took it.

Minutes turned into hours, but her feet couldn't stop. She laughed with pure delight and elation.  She had lost track of time.

She never wanted it to end.

His eyes were the colour of wine and she was drunk on them.

****

Hazel was dumbfounded.

" Cindy, what are you implying ?" Snow said.

" You snuck into the royal palace ? " Hazel asked.

" Please, both of you ..."

" Whatever for ?"

" LISTEN TO ME." Cindy shouted finally.
There was silence.

" I did go to the palace that night, but not  to steal the mirror ..."

" Then what business did you have at the palace? " Snowflake enquired.

Cindy hesitated. " I ...I went to err...meet someone ."

" And who might that be ?"

" Nate."

" Nathan? Why did you need to visit him in the middle of the night?" Snow asked.

Great, another person Hazel knew nothing about.

"Err...Snow, it's hard to explain."

" I have time to spare." Snowflake said, giving Cindy a deadly stare.

" Fine." Cindy sighed, looking more nervous than she had before appearing for her music test.

" I am in love with him."

Snowflake looked completely taken aback. For the sake of theatrical effect, the glass that Hazel had been holding, slipped out of her grasp and crashed onto the floor.

" You went to see your boyfriend?" Hazel asked, almost accusingly.

" Yes, in a manner of speaking ..."

" It had to happen on the same night. Two witnesses, Cindy. That might just be enough to prove you guilty."

"But she can tell them the truth, of course." Hazel said.

"Perhaps, but they will take her into custody before she has to appear in court." said Snowflake,

"The Council has never been faced with such a situation before. They are uncertain, scared and impatient. They seek to assign blame."

" What do we do ?" Hazel asked.

" The only way to prove your innocence, is to retrieve the mirror from the one who actually stole it. The Council will be here before night falls. You must leave as soon as you can."

" Yes." Cindy said, determinedly .

"You know where to go, right ?" Snowflake asked. Cindy nodded.

" I am coming along." Hazel said.

" What? No! You don't even know where we might have to go or what lies ahead." Cindy said, "You cannot risk your life for me. It is far too precious."

"You will need help." Hazel said.

" But..."

" You will not succeed without her, Cindy." Snowflake asserted. Cindy looked at Snow almost grudgingly.

" I am taking Ced along with me, as well." Cindy said.

Snowflake sighed, her face betraying disapproval.

"As you wish."

*****

Hazel was surprised to see that Cindy had changed out of her royal attire, and now wore a red coloured tunic paired with tight leggings. She had a dagger tucked in her aiguillette, a bow and a quiver of arrows hanging from her shoulder. She looked like she was ready for whatever lay ahead. Ced stood beside her, carrying a spear and a small bag.

When he saw Hazel, he walked upto her and thrust the spear into her hands.

"You need something to defend yourself."

"From what?" Hazel refrained from asking.

She looked down at the weapon in her hands, her fingers slowly enveloped the smooth silver staff.

"But I don't know a thing about wielding a weapon." she said.

"You will learn in time." Ced said.

"This spear is not your true weapon, Hazel." Snowflake said, appearing from the shadows, taking her by surprise, "Follow me."

They stealthily walked to the corner-most part of the trophy room. They stopped on reaching a wall sized potrait of Queen Snow White.

"I deeply adore and revere Her Majesty, but this might not be a great time to appreciate art, Princess Snowflake." Ced said. Cindy replied with a smack on his head.

They watched in confusion, as Snowflake started pushing the side of the potrait.

"Oh, she was never really fond of her mother." Ced whispered to Hazel. Cindy glared at him.

There was a loud rustle. In place of the painting, Hazel saw a dimly lit corridor that seemed to end nowhere.

"A hidden passage that leads to the woods." said Snowflake. The three stood still in awe.

"Do not tarry. The Council will be here, any moment now."

Ced walked in, followed by Hazel, but Cindy turned to Snowflake. 

"Cindy, you must leave, this instant." she urged. Cindy ignored her, wrapping her arms around her.

Snowflake smiled, pulling away. "Go! Bring back the Mirror. Prove yourself, show them your worth. Save the land. May you succeed."

Cindy walked in and the entrance of the passage closed behind them.

There was a sudden darkness.

There was no turning back. Ahead, was a lonely road.

*****

And the moment that you all had been desperately waiting for ....

THE AUTHOR'S NOTE !!

*drumroll*

AH ! I enjoyed writing this chapter so much !!

But I bring along sad news. The next update wont be soon. Cause ...EXAMS ARE ARRIVING !! 

So this update was faster than intended to compensate for the above and also for all you darlings, who take the time to vote , comment and criticise my work.

P.S. - How did you like the short glimpse of Nate ?

Do comment, criticise and vote.

CARTONS OF LOVE AND CHOCOLATES

Bookworm