Elizabeth

Chapter 1- New Arrival

Elizabeth's eyelids fluttered open and she sat up straight as the petite blonde tried to take in her unfamiliar surroundings. She was in a moderately sized room of which there seemed to be two beds, appearing to be quite expensive, covered with rosy red sheets and sprinkled with delicate gold embroidery. Opposite her towered a humongous wardrobe in a beautiful lilac color with dark purple patterns delicately painted over the doors and two gold handles shaped strangely, like a beast's head. Next to her bed was a large mirror drowned with gold swirls and a dressing table practically covered in small bottles of expensive perfume and beautiful makeup. At the bottom of the other bed was a large armchair, a pearl white color with gold lace covering it head to toe. In the center of the room loomed a giant chandelier spreading warm welcoming candlelight into the otherwise dark room. On each wall next to the beds was an extravagant window with silky red curtains to match the gold patterned walls, it seemed to be late evening. Elizabeth's cozy room at home was nothing compared to this extraordinary, excessive room. Surely this much gold would keep a family alive for an incredibly long time.

"What a waste," the redhead sat on the bed next to her interrupted her daydream as if she could read Elizabeth's thoughts, "The decoration in this room that is." Elizabeth hadn't even noticed that the girl was there, overwhelmed by her new surroundings. The girl picked up one of the gold sculptures from the shelf, it was a rearing horse with such precise detail it looked as if only fairies could have made it. "I mean look at this, must be worth at least a year's food" The girl was wearing a simple white gown, which looked like a nightie bringing attention to her frizzy crimson curls which snaked down to her shoulders and deep brown eyes. A grin was plastered across her face from ear to ear as she tried to make small chit chat with the bewildered blonde who was quite taken aback by the room. Elizabeth nodded in agreement and the girl stuck out her hand, "Charlotte Miller," she beamed. Elizabeth reluctantly stuck her hand out into the firm grip of Charlotte's, forcing a timid smile. "Elizabeth Nightingale," she replied as her hand was shaken by her gleeful roommate. "So how did we get here?" Elizabeth asked, slowly dragging her feet over to the mirror. "Not sure, I just woke up here, the last thing I remember is heading out to see my auntie on horse and carriage," Charlotte replied, though promptly hesitated and furrowed her brow. "Actually looking back on it I do remember the carriage stopping and hearing strange shouting outside, but from that point on it's all a blur." Charlotte shrugged, "Hopefully we'll figure it out soon though," she grinned, seemingly unfazed by the potential threat they could both be in, "What about you?" she asked. Elizabeth stopped in front of the mirror; it was the first time she had been able to see the mess she was in. Her blonde hair fell in a tangled mess down to her back and her emerald green eyes were glossy contrasting with her pasty pale skin, she looked like a ghost. "I can't remember..." she replied in answer to Charlotte's question, though that was a half lie. She remembered walking down an unfamiliar street after her mischievous black had cat taken her on a wild goose chase.

Elizabeth tried to think back however her thoughts were interrupted by a loud banging on the door. Before she even had the chance to think a short, plump maid walked in with glowing rosy red cheeks. "Hello love's!" she smiled, however, both girls were too startled and confused to reply. "You two ok?" She asked, with a mothering look of concern on her face. "Where are we?" asked Charlotte promptly, curiosity written all over her face. "Oh dearie, you must be so confused. You see, I and some other friends work for a kind Master who set this castle up for young people such as yourselves who seemed to have gotten themselves lost in the labyrinth of a forest nearby. I understand it can be quite a shock but it's really in your best interest until we can get you back, please make yourselves at home! Oh and one more thing, dinner is at 6, it's 5:45 right now so if you'd like to join soon your more than welcome, just go left, left again and downstairs, it'd be a great opportunity to meet new friends don't you think? There are some dresses in the wardrobe!" Questions rattled around in Elizabeth's brain, how long until we can go home? Who is the master? How did I get lost? How many people are here? However, the maid left as quickly as she had arrived.