Off To Wonderland

Royal Invitation

“Amber,” Emma lightly shook Amber’s arm. The red haired girl was dead to the world, drifting in her dreams. “Amber its morning. Wake up.” She said quietly. Amber let out a groan and cracked open her eyes. Emma’s face glowed with a wide grin. “Wake up, sleepy head, its morning,” she jumped off the bed and ran to grab Ambers back of clothes. Amber looked down, realizing that she was still wearing the clothes she had danced in the day before. Emma handed Amber, her bag.

“it’s fine Emma, I think I’ll just wear these again.”

“We could go clothes shopping,” Amber turned to see Chalet, braiding her hair. John was nowhere to be seen. Chalet answered the question, which lingered on the tip of Ambers tongue. “Went to by breakfast; No need to worry, he will be back shortly, I’m sure of it.” She gave Amber a warm, motherly smile, and she relaxed a bit, lying back down on the bed. She wondered why she hadn’t landed back at the circle room. Emma claimed on the bed and snuggled right up close to her. Amber draped her arm around the small girl’s shoulders and sighed happily.

There was a soft knock on the door.

“Royal guard,” came an authoritative voice, “Come to deliver a message to Amber, and the family she travels with, from the prince.” Amber looked to Chalet, who looked a bit pale.

“Oh my,” she breathed, worriedly, “Just one moment please.” She finished braiding her hair and stood to crack open the door. “Yes?” she asked hesitantly.

“Here,” the man handed her a small sealed letter, saluted, and left. Chalet closed the door, and carried the letter over to Amber, as if was a very precious stone.

“You can open it,” Amber said.

“Oh dear no.” the woman looked appalled, “this letter is for you. I cannot do such a thing. It is the prince’s letter! You must open it.” She said gently placing the letter in her hands. Amber slowly broke the seal that held the letter shut, and opened it.

“What’s it say?” asked Emma who looked over her shoulder.

“Its and invitation…” Amber said, “To a royal ball, that will be held tonight after sunset.” The invitation was formal, hand written; in such a lovely calligraphy that Amber just stared at it in awe. It read:

Dear Recipient of this letter

You are invited to a royal ball held by his majesty Prince Clovis

To honor the traveler Amber

The ball will start promptly after  sun has set

Wear appropriate attire, for this is a formal dance

We wish you to come and send a lovely evening with us.

On the bottom of the letter was scrawled little note that said:

I hope you will honor us with a dance.

Sincerely yours

Clovis

Amber admired his hand writing, and ran her fingers over it. Though it wasn’t as pretty as the invitation, it was still beautiful in its own way. Emma squealed in delight,

“I get to go to a ball! A real ball! In honor of Amber!” Chalet smiled,

“This is the first time I will ever get to be in a palace…” she paused when she saw Amber’s eyes cloud over.

“I have nothing to wear…” she sighed placing the letter neatly on the bed, “I can’t go.” Chalet huffed at her.

“Don’t be silly, all we need to do is go shopping. We will find you the perfect dress in not time.” She gave Amber an encouraging smile, making Amber smile back. There was another knock on the door.

“Is everyone decent?” came John’s voice. The girls giggled,

“Yes, dear, everyone is covered.” His wife laughed. He opened the door and poked his head in, a devilish grin on his face.

“I brought breakfast,” he held up a bag, and the smell of fresh bread filled the room. The girls mouths watered, realizing how famished they all were. While eating breakfast, Chalet caught John up to speed on what he had missed while out buying breakfast.

“Wow,” he said swallowing his last piece. “Well we better go out to find something to wear,” he laughed. Amber smiled. She was starting to really love this family. She wished she could stay with them forever.

“Amber dear, why are you crying?” Amber blinked and realized her cheeks were wet.

“Oh sorry something got in my eyes,” she said, (oldest lie in the book). Chalet, was about to pry farther, but then decided against it. She will say, what is on her mind when she is ready. She thought to herself.

John found a simple well fitted suit to ware to the dance, while the girls took hours looking for the perfect dresses. Emma found a large pink dress that had little white flower on the top and then what looked like white petals, falling down her dress and a white trim at the bottom as if the petals hand piled up gently. Chalet found a dark blue dress that elegantly hugged her curves, and showed her beautiful back; it was simple, but very flattering on her. Finding Ambers dress took the longest. They had been shopping for ever and still haven’t found the right one. Amber looked up sadly to the sky, to see the sun start to slowly sink behind the little green hills.

Her fairy tale ball was about to strike midnight, and she hadn’t even found her dress. Suddenly she heard Emma gasp, and then Chalet. Amber turned to the shop window they were looking into, and her eyes widened taking in the full beauty of the dress. It was as if the sea itself had made the dress. It draped beautify down like a water fall. Wisps of white decorated the bottom like sea foam on small waves on a beach. It was strapless, and had a long slit trailing up almost to mid-thigh.

“I think we found your dress, my dear,” breathed Chalet in absolute awe.

“Yeah…” whispered Amber, “I think so too,”