The Storyteller

Chapter 4

Ariadne arrived at the main doors of the castle and was greeted by the Royal Steward.

"Name?" He asked politely.

"Ariadne." She replied with as much confidence as she could muster. In her hurry to get away from Derryn she completely forgot to check with her grandmother if she was on the list.

"Ah yes your one of my singer's, if you follow Helen she will take you to the stage. Do you require an orchestra or are you capable of producing your own music?" He beckoned her over to a small female goblin while still questioning her.

"Umm I.. I" she stuttered.

"Oh yes, this is for you." He handed her a small piece of paper with her name scrawled across the front.

She recognized her grandmother's handwriting and quickly opened it.

Aria,

As it was decided so very last minute, that you were going to the ball, I had to improvise. You did say you wanted to sing. You will be great, just go along with it. I love you my Aria.

Avia x

"Is everything all right?" The Royal Steward asked gently.

"My apologies, yes, everything is fine. I can produce my own music, though I shall only be performing one song." Ariadne replied taking a deep steadying breath.

"Very well, as I said if you follow Helen she will take you to the right place. I believe you will be performing next." He said dismissing them.

"This way my lady." Helen pointed in the direction they needed to go.

She led her through a few twisting corridors before stopping in front of a set of elaborate doors. The doors appeared to be made of white gold with hints of blue running through it.

"You go on through the main doors and make your way to the stage when the one performing now gets off you go on," Helen instructed her. Ariadne took her black velvet cloak off and held it over her arm.

"Here give me that I shall put it with the others." Helen took her cloak and walked away leaving a very nervous Ariadne staring at the doors in front of her.

She took a deep breath and stood up straight, with her head held high she opened the doors and quickly slipped in. She made her way through the crowded ballroom looking in awe at the splendour that surrounded her. The ballroom reminded her of a giant crystal, there were mirrors covering every wall distorting the reflection of the fae that was gathered close to them. Along the walls were small round tables where a few groups of fae sat, enjoying a few drinks. The majority of them were currently dancing to the haunting music that was playing. The woman performing was one of the strangest looking fae she had ever seen. Her skin was a deep blue-green, her hair appeared wet as it hung down her back. Ariadne looked closer at her to see rivulets of water run down her arm's. It was then she noticed her webbed hands and feet 'she must be a siren.' Ariadne thought to herself.

"Well, I never, a siren at a royal ball. I wouldn't have thought Jareth could sink much lower." A ghastly pinched face fae scoffed.

Ariadne turned towards the woman who dared to insult the King, she glared at her seeing red.

"That is King Jareth to you, I would take care of who you insult in the future. Lest you lose the use of that vicious tongue." Ariadne snarled at the woman before walking towards the stage.

Ariadne let her anger leave her as the music washed over her and drew her in like the pull of the ocean tide. She listened closely as her beautiful voice swelled with emotion.