20. Fairy tale Part III

It was the day of the ball.

Anise didn't know why in the world she had agreed to come. She wasn't even going with him. He had simply smiled back and said he would see her there. And then she hadn't seen him since.

She didn't even know what she would be doing about the ball. She had nothing to wear and no way to get there. She supposed she could simply turn up by the gates and say she had been there but missed him. She hadn't told anyone else she was going, and if she did that she would have kept her word.

She sighed and looked at her flowers mistrustfully. They would know. They would torment her for it. After her flowers had done that strange trick the other day, she found it difficult to slip into that old peace that she had in her garden before.

The sun was beginning to set and she heard a chime in the air.

It is time.

"Oh not again."

The world seemed to go quiet again and the strange flower people emerged. "Do not worry about your garb, Anise. You have cared for us for your whole life. It is our turn to care for you."

"Oh!" She gasped. Suddenly she was gowned in the most lovely dress. It had the texture of a flower petal and the deep colors of the most gorgeous flowers. There was a garland of blooms crowning her hair and a sweeping train behind her.

"Walk with us, Anise." The flower people beckoned her.

She took a step and there was a whirl of flower petals. The petals formed a bridge through the air. Anise looked at it uncertainly.

"It will bear your weight. Worry not, Anise."

She stepped. She didn't fall. A smile lit her face and she walked on air. The walk should have been long, but it seemed like only a few paces. And it was the most wonderful magical feeling in the world. Carriages stopped by the ending of the path and people gawked at the girl walking on air. A few tried the bridge themselves, but they had much less than graceful experiences.

She touched down in the palace garden amidst a crowd of people. They simply stared. Anise felt shy again.

And then she heard a voice in her ear.

"We're here with you, Anise."

She reached up and touched the garland and smiled.