*
Gertrude walked through the door of the hovel and was greeted by the sight of Derry in her ball gown. “Fair maiden, may I ask for this dance?” Without hesitation and before Derry could protest, he grabbed her. He took her hand and put his other hand on her waist and whirled her around through the kitchen.
“Gertrude! Gertrude! Winifred, help me! Your son has lost his mind.” Derry tried to stop but Gertrude kept twirling her around the kitchen. Soon Derry was out of breath and collapsed onto one of the kitchen chairs.
Winifred waltzed out into the room, all dressed up. Gertrude stood silently for a moment, gazing at her. He was silent for too long. “Is there something wrong? The dress is overdone with the embroidery. Oh, I knew I should have stopped earlier.” she moaned
“No, Mother there is nothing wrong. You look absolutely enchanting! I was standing there, painting pictures of you in my mind.” Gertrude walked over and placed a kiss on his mother’s cheek.
“Thank you Gertrude. Doesn’t Derry look beautiful, too?” She looked at her friend and brushed some hair away from Derry’s eye.
“She will definitely take a buck’s breath away. I could not restrain myself from dancing with her when I walked in the door.” He grabbed Derry, once more ignoring her protests and whisked her around the room one more time.
Winifred laughed. “You should get yourself ready as the sleigh the king is sending will be here shortly. We do not wish to have the driver sit out in the cold waiting for us.” Winifred heard something behind her. It was Grumps. “My, you did a good job at getting ready, Father.” She walked over and straightened his cravat. Winifred had spent some time on her father’s outfit as it had been his wedding suit. There was damage from insects and a mouse had chewed a hole in it in an attempt to make a nest. She had embroidered the eagle crest from the sword onto the cravat. “You look very handsome, Father.”
Grumps looked at her.” I may be handsome, but you, my dear, would make a rainbow blush for how beautiful you look.” Grumps gave his daughter a peck on the cheek.
“Thank you Father…” Winifred tearfully replied.
Gertrude had disappeared behind the draperies that made up the walls to his room. He washed and dressed and reappeared in what seemed like just a few minutes. The suit looked perfect on him. He had his dark hair tied in back of his head with a velvet-like band. Gertrude had trimmed his beard and had braided his mustache. Over his left shoulder he was carrying his father’s sword.
“Why are you bringing the sword tonight, Gertrude?” Derry asked.
“I thought it would be nice to have as much of my father with me tonight as possible. This will be a joyous occasion and I believe his spirit is with us tonight.” Gertrude looked over towards his mother as she nodded in agreement.
A knock sounded at the door. Gertrude went over and opened it. He was caught off guard by the sight that met his eyes. In front of him stood Toddy as Gertrude had never seen her before. She was wearing a shimmering pale green dress with a lacy bodice spun of spiders’ silk. Her hair was set in ringlets that cascaded down the sides of her face. “You are a true vision of loveliness tonight, Toddy...” Gertrude found it hard to form his words.
The sleigh drew up to the hovel just as Toddy arrived. The trolls donned their coats and hats, picked up Norman’s birthday presents and went out into the cold, pristine air. They hopped up into the transport so generously provided for them and huddled underneath the furs for warmth, soon on their way to pick up the other trolls. They had to pick up Phoebe and her husband. Then they would pick up Goodly who was Derry’s date for the evening. Last but not least, they would pick up Jasper, the mortician. He was Winifred’s date for the evening. Soon the sleigh was full of a group of merry trolls, dressed in style, being whisked away to the castle.
The sleigh was crossing over the bridge when they all noticed the spectacular sight ahead . The roadway had been lined with burning torches to light the way for the guests. There were ‘oohs!’ and ‘ahs!’ with each corner they turned. Each one brought even a grander sight. Everyone was excited about the upcoming festivities. All of the ladies were jabbering away about all the beautiful gowns that they would see. Winifred was hoping that there would be a lot of music.
Gertrude was looking up ahead. “Octavius informed me that they were to have fireworks tonight. He said that he had sent away for them over a year ago and were coming by ship up the river.”
“I have never been up to the castle. Is it as beautiful as it is magnificent?” Toddy moved closer to Gertrude for more warmth.
Gertrude placed his arm around Toddy’s shivering form. “The castle is quite a grand sight. When you enter within tonight, it may seem like you were entering into a fairytale realm.”
The sleigh made fast and soon they were in front of the grand steps leading to the main door. There were huge bonfires on the castle grounds. Every place they looked there were lanterns and torches lighting the night sky. If it were not for the darkness from above, one would believe it was daytime. Throngs of people were milling about outside as many more sleighs were arriving, the sound of laughter and excitement filling the chill night air. A rambunctious noise echoed from within the castle walls.
Gertrude jumped from the sleigh first and helped everyone down. Together, with each pair arm in arm, they scaled the steps. All of them were wide-eyed and gazed in amazement at all of the sights that beckoned their eyes. At the bottom of the steps they were greeted by a bawdy choir singing popular folk songs. With each step toward the main door they were met with a different surprise. Winifred and Jasper were in the lead when what seemed like from out of nowhere a man jumped out at them, spitting flames from his mouth. Winifred let out a scream as it frightened her so much. Everyone laughed and continued toward the door. Just as they came to the door, they were greeted by two ladies handing out fresh flowers. Winifred stuck her flower in her hair just below the gold comb she was wearing.
Once inside, they were met by more confusion and the thunderous noise of hundreds of people talking and laughing. Music reverberated off of the festooned granite walls. A group of pages came over to help them take off their coats and put them away. Gertrude had to reassure Toddy that they were not stealing their coats and that they would have them back after the party. Everyone was laughing and watching all of the people.
A page asked them to follow him over to the doorway leading to the ballroom. A large line of people appeared to be talking to one or two people on the other side of the group. After a short wait, they found out that they were in the receiving line for the ball. Norman was first in line, then her mother and, finally, King Octavius.
Norman noticed Winifred first and waved to her. “Winifred! Winifred! Oh thank you for coming. Oh, you look so beautiful tonight. I thought that I would be wearing the most beautiful gown at the ball. Mine pales next to yours.”
“Thank you, Norman. You are such a sweet girl to say that. As I look at your gown, though, I am afraid that your gown puts mine to shame. My sister out-did herself. Oh, I am sorry. I would like you to meet Jasper of the Earth, my escort for tonight.”
“So pleased to meet you, Sir Jasper.” Norman flashed one of her winning smiles.
Emmaline’s mouth dropped open as Winifred approached her. “Winifred, your dress is absolutely beautiful! The embroidery looks so real, anyone would swear that those were fresh flowers on your gown.”
“Thank you Emmaline. You are most kind. My sister seems to have outdone herself with deftness of hand. Your dress and crown are breath-taking!” Winifred smoothed her gown absentmindedly and smiled as Octavius greeted her.
“Lady Winifred, I do hope that you will save a dance for me later this evening. You look very lovely tonight.” Octavius picked up Winifred’s hand and kissed it lightly.
“Your Highness, you should be careful complimenting all of the ladies tonight with your wife standing so near…” Winifred blushed and took a glass of wine off of a passing tray, and was whisked off
to the ballroom on Jasper’s arm, totally unprepared for what happened next.
Queen Clivia, wishing to see who was entering the ballroom, had managed to have a large overstuffed chair positioned just inside the door. She was sitting there with her handmaids hovering over her to cater to her passing whims. “Oh my goodness! How did you filthy green creatures get in here?!” She bellowed.
A sinister silence wound its way through the entire room like a serpent slithering its way through the grass. The hush that fell over the celebrating throng was deafening, and all eyes were cast in the direction of Queen Clivia and her prey. Winifred and Jasper both stood speechless, and felt very out of place. Clivia had gotten to her feet and had walked over to the bewildered pair. She leered at Winifred and Jasper. “This party is not intended for the likes of you!” She hissed.
“Queen Clivia!” Octavius soundly rebuked the arrogant woman, seeing that his daughter’s birthday celebration had suddenly stopped due to her verbal assault. He quickly approached the woman and gave her a glance that let her see the rage smoldering within. Turning away to Winifred and Jasper, he offered his apologies as host so that all could hear. “Please forgive me for allowing such an ill-mannered, contemptible person who claims to be a ‘queen’ inside my castle’s walls.” He bowed and turned again to address his no longer welcomed guest.
Clivia was starting to sputter, her face red with rage and embarrassment. “How dare you insult me! I am a royal guest!”
“You are a guest no longer. You do not come into MY castle and insult my friends. You will also apologize to my friends and my guests for being so rude.” Octavius was remaining quite calm under the circumstances.
“I will not!”Clivia practically screamed. She puffed out her chest while her cheeks bulged with hot air. Locking her arms in front of her, she looked as if she would explode at any moment. “I will not apologize to a bunch of slimy amphibians…!”
Octavius smiled a wicked smile. “Very well, Queen Clivia, you have given me no other choice. Guards!” Six guards ran over immediately. “Take this poor example of a human being and lock her in our best quarters down in the basement of the castle. When she is ready to apologize from the heart to my friends, she may rejoin the festivities.” Octavius swept his hand towards the door.
Winifred leaned over to Jasper and whispered in his ear. “Her heart is so filled with hate that an apology will get lost in its darkness. We will not see the likes of her again.”
The guards grabbed hold of Queen Clivia and started to carry her away toward the dungeon.
Clivia was shrieking with rage, and the six guards were having difficulty controlling her. “I am Queen Clivia of Highland! You cannot treat me like this! I have immunity! Get your hands off of me you wretched men! ” Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of her husband, King Sterling. “Husband! Do something!!!”
King Sterling waved goodbye. He hoisted his glass of wine towards her and said something, but his voice was drowned out by his wife’s screaming.
“You measly little cockroach! Doooo Soooomethiiing!!” And the screaming continued well after she was out of sight.
King Sterling walked over to join the others. “Please accept my most humble apologies for my wife’s crude behavior. She is an overbearing, unkind person. Her parents spoiled her rotten as a child and I am afraid that she will never grow up.”
Winifred nodded as she looked at Octavius. He was just as perplexed by Sterling’s reaction. “If you will please excuse us, we are going to go feast on some of the hors d’oeuvres.” She took Jasper’s arm and headed for the other side of the room toward the many tables laden with all manner of delicacies. Music once more echoed from the rafters, and the dancing, feasting and merry-making resumed.