Las Meninas (Short Story based on a painting by Diego Velazquez)

Dedicated to Taylor Sund just because. I wrote this in Mr. Claus's class back in high school!

So this is a very short story, but I had to do it for my World History class, and I thought that it was ok. If you want me to add more to it, just tell me!!! Comment and Vote! Commentare e votare!

LottandoScrittore :-*

Las Meninas, by Diego Velazquez

Margarita Teresa de España is waiting with her maids of honor and watching her parents, King Philip IV and Queen Mariana, get their painting done. It was July 12, 1655, Infanta Margarita's birthday, and her parents were giving the painting to Margarita as a present, but she didn't know yet. The King and Queen entrusted to me this information and told me not to tell my Infanta, as it was a surprise. My Infanta is going to love it!

My father was with me, as a guard for the King and Queen, but he was called upstairs in urgency. He told me to yell if anything went wrong. Señor Velazquez said we were perfectly safe, but I don't believe him. There are many of the King's enemies that we have not yet captured. I tightened my grip in the sword at my side.

The King and Queen look as though they are tiring from standing still for so long. It had been an hour...

"Señor Velazquez, may Their Highnesses take a break? They seem to be growing weary," I asked our court painter.

"Sí, Señorita, they may. If you would please, Your Highnesses, take a break and rest your feet," instructed Señor Velazquez. The King and Queen walked toward the couches that were off to the side. Hugo, their faithful dog, lazily got up from where he was laying and slowly made his way over to the King.

"Hugo! Stay! You will have to wait a little longer. I don't want you messing up their clothes," I scolded Hugo, making him whine and lie back down. I ask for a treat from Señora Diaz, our animal caretaker/Dwarf. As she opened the leather pouch full of tough meat, Hugo perked his ears and started sniffing the air. Freezing, he slowly stood up and then galloped back over to me, automatically sitting. "Good boy, Hugo. Here you go," I say as I hand him the meat. Hugo takes it happily and then goes to hide in a corner where his treat won't be taken away. Infanta Margarita giggles, trying to follow the dog, but I tell the maids to keep her away and to entertain her. I don't need a member of the royal family hurt because I wasn't paying attention.

"Señorita Dani, I think it is time for Margarita to start her lessons for the day," says Sister Elizabeth.

"That sounds like a good idea. Infanta, it's time to learn now. Follow Sister Elizabeth, please," I say. My Infanta looks sad, but immediately brightens when Sister Elizabeth asked her if she wanted to hear a story. Sister Elizabeth and the Infanta walk out of the room, her maids following closely behind.

"Your Highnesses, I need to finish the painting before the paint dries, will you please align yourselves in the mirror behind me?" asks Diego Velazquez.

"Of course," boomed King Philip, "Anything you need us to do."

"How about a pay raise?" joked Señor Velazquez.

"Diego, how would you like it if I docked your pay," asked the King in a joking manner.

"I would suck it up and live with it, My King."

"Good answer," laughed the King, finishing setting him and his wife up to the mirror. Señor Velazquez started painting again, calling out instructions so that they were exactly where they were fifteen minutes ago.

My father walked back down, taking his job back and out of my hands. "Anything happen while I was gone?" asked father.

"Nothing, but the painting is almost done."

"Finished," states Señor Velazquez.

The King and Queen thanked him, then went back to the castle, everyone following behind.