"Do you think this is a good idea, sire?" Oropher's advisor asked, walking with Oropher to his study. "Why wouldn't it?" Oropher furrowed his brow, not understanding why an engagement ball would be such a horrible idea. "Prince Thranduil doesn't like balls, so he'd know something is being plotted when suddenly there's a ball going on in the Greenwood," His advisor explained with a nervous smile.
"Why wouldn't I throw a ball for my son, he's returning tonight from the Imladris... And if he so happens to meet a woman he'd like to marry, then it would be a great fit for the evening," Oropher glared, daring his Advisor to go against his plan. "Yes, your majesty."
Sweeping the floor you sighed, it seemed like every time you got it perfectly spotless, your sisters were there to dirty up the floor with their dusty heels.
Wiping the sweat off your brow, you let out a deep sigh as you stared out the window. The castle was gleaming under the sunlight, sparkling light starlight. A loud knock interrupted your daydreaming as you stood up straight, brushing off your skirt. "Coming," You called, wincing when you heard your sister try to hit another high note in her 'music' lesson.
Opening the door, you jumped when you saw a royal guard. "A letter to the family, an invitation from King Oropher," He bowed slightly, handing you the letter before nodding his head at you and leaving, his armor clinking as he walked down the steps. "A letter?" You spoke to yourself, placing the broom against the wall as you grabbed a letter opener from the desk. Ripping open the letter, you stared at the beautiful handwriting before processing the words.
'Dear Citizens of Greenwood,
My son is coming of age, and he needs to find a woman to marry and give him an heir. All women eligible are invited to the Royal Banquet Hall to have an opportunity to meet the prince. Royalty or not, all are invited to welcome my son home with his engagement
Yours,
King Oropher'
Hope filled your chest as you realized one thing. You could go to the ball and meet the prince. Smiling, you read the letter once more before wincing, another high note piercing your eardrum. Wiggling your finger in your ear, you tried to soothe your eardrum while climbing up the steps.
"Stepmother," you called, knocking lightly on the door. "You may enter," She responded, the music halting as you entered the room. "A letter, from King Oropher." You told, holding the letter out to her. Before she could grasp it, your stepsister grabbed it first. Her green dress flew wildly around her as she scanned the letter, her eyes widening with each word.
Smiling so wide her gums showed, she let out a high pitched squeal. "King Oropher is hosting an engagement ball! All females in the woodland realm are supposed to attend!" She squealed, shaking the letter rapidly in her excitement.
"That means I get to go as well," You stated, raising your eyes to your stepmother's gaze. "After all, all female women are supposed to attend, king's orders." You convinced, looking down at the king's signature.
"You are correct... Very well, you may go, if you get all your chores done on time and you find something better to wear," She bargained, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Of course!" You agreed, hope filling you again, "Thank you, stepmother," You bowed slightly, taking your broom out the door with you.
"MOTHER!" Your stepsisters screeched, rage filling them that she allowed you, a housemaid, to join them. "She'd embarrass us! She has no manners, doesn't know how to speak in front of people properly, she doesn't even know how to dance!" One of them raged while your stepmother held up her hand, "I said, if, my dears." She grinned wickedly at the door.
