The Last Summer Of The Winter Queen

[Lady Sybbyl de Bors]

Sybbyl walked down the hall with her maids following just behind her, and paused when one of them hurried ahead to knock on her daughter's chamber door. However, as she was queen and everything in this kingdom was her's the maid had only knocked to alert her daughter that someone was entering. The maid then pushed the door opened and allowed Sybbyl to enter.

Her years in the kingdom had lead her to this sort of casual power, as before when she lived among her people, there were never doors to knock on. "Syrin," She called fondly in greeting as she entered the chambers. Today was the day! Everything had to be perfect in the ball room! Sybbyl would be down there seeing to it herself! So this would be her only stolen moment with her daughter until after the ball.

It was her daughter's first but would not be her last. Sybbyl was already planning another for a months time away, and that time she would let her daughter begin learning what all went on into planning such an event. This time however the only thing she wanted her only child to worry about would be herself.

[Syren de Winter]

"Just hold still, milady." Her maid instructed her, and Syren winced slightly as she pulled the strings of the corset tight, exhaling slowly as she tied it off. "There we are, just perfect." The woman breathed a sigh of relief, and the princess drew in an experimental breath; she was pleased to report that she could still draw breath, so she counted this as a victory. With the corset in place, the maid lifted the heavy dress over the princess' head and set about to fastening everything in place while Syren simply admired herself in the dress. It was, without a doubt, the most expensive and lovely thing she had ever worn, with detailed embroidery in tiny gold thread and delicate lace and layers upon layers of fabric making up the skirt, she couldn't stop smiling. Today was the day!

She turned her head towards the door when there was a knock, but before she could so much as call out a response, the door opened, and in swept her mother. The princess' smile twinkled, well aware that her special day was all thanks to her mother's hard work. "Mother!" She exclaimed excitedly, waiting impatiently for the maid to finish tying her into her fancy dress before she turned towards her more fully.

"Look! Isn't it perfect?" She laughed, twirling around in her ball gown --her first real ballgown-- so that the summer sun caught on the gold threads and made her sparkle. Her hair wasn't put up yet, but there was still time for that. Of course, the queen ought to know that it was perfect, as she'd spent hours with her daughter in fittings, examining lace patterns, selecting every last detail to ensure that it was everything Syren wanted. Giggling softly as she almost lost her balance from spinning around, she caught herself on a chair and looked up at her mother with an exuberant smile.

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The Dress

[Lady Sybbyl de Bors]

Watching ehr daughter come toward her and spin around in the gown of gold and white, made Sybbyl's heart swell in both love and pure awe at the sight of such a grown up daughter! Was it not just days ago she was learning to walk? When had these days turned to so very, very many years?! Laughing softly, she moved forward to help balance her and then waved off the maid who had come forward too. "Your father will not be pleased!" She told her daughter in a voice full of love and laughter. "He will have to fight every single man int he room away from you!"

She looked very grown up, and very much like a woman this night, rather then the child she had raised. "Oh! You look beautiful my dear! I fear more then a few hearts will be broken when you walk into the room! I even made sure to speak to the people hired for music! They will play your favorite song for your entrance, and your father will be waiting at the bottom of the steps to lead you into the room!" Every detail was planned! Everything HAD to right! This was her daughter's first ball, and one in her honor! This memory would be one to cherish for ever!

Sybbyl thought of her first ball, and knew that while it was different the nervous excitement must be the same. She had been a queen by then, and the ball was her wedding ball. She had feared falling down the steps and ruining the night! Nothing had happened to make it unpleasant but OH! how the night still sang in her head at times.

[Syren de Winter]

Syren caught her mother's hands when she stepped forward to help steady her. Her face fell slightly when her mother spoke of how her father would be displeased, as she wondered what she could possibly be doing wrong, but when she finished her thought, Syren's smile returned, just as bright as ever, and she laughed happily. "I want to dance with all of them!" She answered, excited that she would get to dance with so many young, handsome noblemen... maybe she would even meet the man she would one day wed tonight! It was all so exciting.

She beamed as her mother went over the details she had arranged, how she would be the center of attention when she arrived, and giggled with excitement. "Oh mother, everything will be perfect! I can't wait!" She exclaimed, practically bouncing with glee. She planned to leave all the details of the evening to her mother, and spend the evening dancing, flirting, and drinking as much as she pleased. Not too much of the last, of course, that would be unseemly for a princess, but she had every intention of enjoying her own party as much as anyone could.

Despite her excitement, she had to admit she was a little nervous. What if things weren't perfect? What if someone stepped on her dress, what if she tripped while dancing? But looking into the eyes of her beloved mother, she knew that even if everything went wrong, her mother would make it work out all right. She had every confidence that she would see to it that her coming out ball went off exactly as planned, and that tonight would be a night to remember. "Is everything ready?" She asked, raising her eyebrows curiously.

[Lady Sybbyl de Bors]

Sybbyl loved seeing the pure joy on her daughter's face at the thoughts of the ball! It was catching and uplifting in so very many ways! While she knew she was not so young any more, the sight of her daughter stepping into womanhood made her feel so young again and so very excitable! It also made her feel old! Where had the years gone?

"Everything will be perfect! I promise! I have made sure every detail is ready! The music, the dances in order, the food cook to perfection and the wine light and refreshing! Flowers everywhere! The weather is warm but not hot enough to bring in a storm, and the stars will be out tonight in a clear night sky!" Everything was going to be perfect! It was all coming together! "You need not fear anything! Only make sure that you are ready! You are the last detail we have to work on!"

"Now, show me this dress, and tell me what I can help you with!" She knew there was time to dally a bit, but she wanted to help her daughter get ready some before she had to go down and welcome the guest that arrived.