Several days had passed since Christmas, the decorations taken down and packed away for later use. Tobie and Tristan had both fully recovered from the flu, with Carissa not far behind. All that was necessary now was to wait for the results of the GED exam that Carissa had taken. No news may be good news, but it was maddening as well. Numerous calls were made to find out more information about the results of the GED exam. All they were told was that the results had been mailed out and should be received any day now. Exactly what does any day now mean? How long is any day now?
The family had received an invitation, which was a little late, as the holidays had delayed mail delivery, to a New Year's celebration by a United States Senator, Senator Ballard MacClanachan to be exact. The senator had had good relations with Prime Minister Ethelmona, and thought to spread those relations to Andromeda as well. Senator MacClanachan would be hosting the New Year's party, starting on New Year's Eve and finishing a little after the midnight hour. It was tradition, so the members of the Andromeda House had been told.
Sovereign Bellona did not wish to go the party, and had every intention of telling the senator they would not be able to attend. The sovereign left the manor for a little while, to discuss things with Prime Minister Ethelmona, leaving the invitation on top of the desk in her study in plain view, and that is where the queen found the invitation, absolutely elated to find it sitting atop the desk, and was not able to resist looking to see what the invitation was about. It is not known how, but the sovereign did change her mind, and accepted the invitation.
It was a shame, though, as the boys would not be able to attend. Carissa reasoned with our sovereign that while she and her queen attended the party, they, Carissa and the boys, would have their own party. Reluctantly, our sovereign agreed. Now, it was time to prepare for the party.
"Oh, Bellona, you must come shopping with me to find the perfect gown to wear for the party. It will be an event to remember." Queen Clarissant has been very excited since finding out the news about being invited to the party, the sovereign having received the invitation right after Christmas.
"My queen, we must have something in our wardrobe that would be appropriate for such an occasion." Bellona is usually very interested in taking part of something, any activity; however, shopping is not one of them.
"Oh, Bellona, stop being an ironwood and come with me to find a gown, the party is only a short time away. We must be appropriately dressed for the occasion." Clarissant is becoming rather agitated with her wife's behavior.
"What's an ironwood, and I think I may have something for both of you . . . ah . . . to wear to the party, that is, if you're interested."
"An ironwood is a tree that grows in the forests of Andromeda. We use ironwood to form staves, bows, and other weapons. It is a very difficult wood to work with, and it requires a faber or craftsman who is experienced with working with ironwood. What is it that you would like to show us?" Bellona is glad of the interruption, anything that would forestall the inevitable journey through Tartarus . . . shopping.
"Believe it or not, my mother was actually about your size. One of the few gowns she kept, but never wore, I kept, thinking . . . well . . . I don't really know what I was thinking, but they're here in this box." Carissa holds up a wooden box, large enough to hold two fur winter cloaks. The sovereign steps around her desk and opens the box, and inside, are gowns worthy of the royal family.
The first dress that is pulled out is a black, silk dress with white flower embroidery, a knotted clasp on the left side near the waist with just enough of the inner white lining showing provides a striking contrast between dark and light. The next dress is a golden gown with very intricate beading on the top of the dress. The sovereign chooses the black dress, as expected, which leaves the queen with the golden gown. After they finish changing into the dresses, they appear as the royal couple they truly are.
The sovereign's body filled the dress very nicely, hugging all the necessary places. Two white, very thin, shoulder straps hold up the dress, with the top of the dress lying just above her cleavage, a very regal appearance indeed.
The queen's golden gown is very magical in appearance. The intricate beading on the dress provides the illusion of liquid gold poured over her body, affording for a wonderful appearance of all of the queen's curves. Two straps lay off the shoulder, with a halter style neck strap to secure the dress in place.
Both are very beautiful gowns, worn by two very beautiful and regal women.
"Well, Carissa, you have not said anything since I stepped out, does it appear that bad?" If anyone did not know any better, they would think the sovereign might be just a little nervous.
"No . . . um . . . no . . . you look just . . . just . . . oh damn it . . . you look DDG."
"DDG . . ?"
"Drop dead gorgeous . . ." Carissa embellishes these words while waving her hand in the air as she snaps her fingers.
"Thank you, I was a little worried about what you may think. These dresses have never been worn?"
"Nope, never been used . . . Does it fit?"
"Yes, this gown fits me perfectly, thank you, meus amor. It is hard to imagine that your mother was the same height as I."
"I know. Here I am a bush, and my mother the height of a redwood tree, go figure. I thought you might have a use for it."
"Bushes are special as well, Carissa, not just the tall trees in the forest."
Carissa laughs lightly before turning toward our queen. "Well, your majesty . . . how do you feel? Does it fit? Is it comfortable?"
"This is a very lovely dress, and yes, it does fit me perfectly, though I am sorry to say that the color does not match my skin tone. I am truly sorry, Carissa. This is a very beautiful gift you have given to me, and I am sorry to say that this dress cannot be worn by me. I am truly very sorry."
"It's okay. If it doesn't work it doesn't work. It wasn't meant to be, right?"
"Perhaps you should save this dress for someone else. The deity is the only one that truly knows what lies ahead, but there might be a chance for you to meet someone special that might fit into this dress."
"If you say so . . . I'll just put this dress away again." Carissa places the dress inside the box and walks away towards the sleeping chambers.
==========
After changing back into the dresses that they had been wearing during the day, the queen leaves to shop for a gown while the sovereign leaves her study to put away her new gown. She finds Carissa and the boys talking among themselves, planning for their own New Year's celebration. The sovereign leaves the chambers, smiling and laughing just slightly.
It is getting very close to New Year's Day. I have been waiting for what seems an eternity to see if my consors has indeed passed the GED exam. Do they not realize that these people need to know their results? This waiting is absurd. On another note, my queen has left to shop for a new gown to wear to the party. The gown she was given is a very beautiful gown, but alas, it just does not have the right coloring. My gown fits me beautifully. I have inspected the gown quite thoroughly, and have found nothing wrong, not a stain, not a thread out of place. It truly is a magnificent dress. As I put away my new gown, I found my consors and her brothers planning a party of their very own. I wonder if they would mind the company. I am not certain about attending this New Year's Eve party at this senator's house, however, my queen was very, how shall I say, convincing. My queen has returned, and no doubt very excited about showing me her new gown.
"I have found my gown, darling, it is simply magnificent. I will place it in my wardrobe so it will not be ruined. I cannot wait for the party." The queen is indeed very excited about the upcoming party, as evidenced by the sight of the queen running up the stairwell.
=========
Finally, the day of the party arrived, as well as the day to begin preparations for the household members', who are to be leaving the day after New Year's Day, arriving at the palace of Andromeda, departure. Preparations ensuring that everyone would have a safe journey back home. The manor was busy with the packing and the sorting. It will be an easy transition to make, now that the boys were well and . . . Carissa had finally found out if she had passed her exam. She did! She passed. She now had her GED. The sovereign promised to proudly display the parchment in her study back at the palace. Everyone was elated with the news of her success. The consors was at a loss for words. She had succeeded at something, something that no one believed she could ever do, even herself. Well, no one except our dear sovereign. Tears glistened down Carissa's cheeks as she stared at the paper reading her success. Truly a proud day for all . . .
"No, I am not in need of assistance. Though thank you for offering." The sovereign steps out of her wardrobe dressed in the gown, with the winter cloak wrapped around her arms. It is a magnificent sight. The shoes, the dress, the make-up, everything is splendid, regal even, as it should be.
"No . . . um . . . I'd say you don't need my help. You do remember that there will be men there that believe that the reason they were put on this earth is to provide the women with a gift, don't you?"
"I am not as educated as Alarica in those matters, no, but I think I do realize what you are saying, yes. If they do try anything, well, they won't be providing anyone a gift any longer."
"That's my girl." Carissa laughs slightly before continuing, "Well, you just have fun without beheading anyone. It's not only rude, but a bitch to clean up."
"In that case, if the party does turn in that particular direction, would you mind a little company?"
"Most certainly, Madame, whatever her sire wishes. Her humble servant will fulfill her every wish." The more she speaks, the lower Carissa bows. If anyone didn't know any better, they would say she was appreciating her sovereign, but the royal couple really does know better.
"Carissa."
"Yes, Madame . . .?"
"We will return tomorrow if everything goes all right. If not, I expect you to fulfill my every wish."
"But of course, sire. My need is to serve you."
"Carissa."
"Yes, Madame . . .?"
"Straighten up fully, and please let the pod people know that you tend to talk in your sleep."
"Of course, Madame . . ." Looking the sovereign straight in the eye, Carissa starts to laugh, influencing Bellona to do the same. "Have fun, Bell. We'll be here if you need us."
"I know, and I will try to have fun, though I suspect it will be anything but fun. I love you, Carissa."
"I love you too, Bell."
==========
It had been a while since the sovereign and her queen left for the party, during which time Carissa and the boys celebrated a party of their own, with pizza, root beer, and various party implements. It was not much, but it was their party, and that was why they were having so much fun. Carissa was just about to have the boys take a nap, a necessary evil if the boys wanted to be able to watch the New Year's ball drop on television, when the door to the manor suddenly opened. Carissa put the boys to sleep and crept downstairs to see who had invaded the manor. The trick would be to catch the intruder off guard to put the situation in her favor. The interloper had entered the bathing chamber, which was both good and bad, depending on the point of view. Just as Carissa launched herself to topple the intruder . . .
Carissa came up for air, and a moment later, the sovereign did as well. "Bell?"
"Yes, Carissa, it is I, Bellona. It is a good thing I had taken off the dress before we entered the pool."
"Oh, Bell, I'm so sorry. I thought someone was trying to rob the place. It's not even midnight and you're back here without your wife. What's up?" Carissa sloshed her way out of the pool to take off her wet clothes. Retrieving a towel from the shelf as well as a robe from the rack by the bathing pool, she sits on the bench, waiting to hear about the sovereign's adventures.
"What had happened is very simple. I got bored at the party. There was nobody there that I wanted to talk to, not only that, I was getting tired of fighting off the men."
The tale earned a laugh from Carissa. "So, you didn't enjoy the party, huh? Well, it ain't for everyone. I'm guessing, though, that your wife is enjoying herself?"
"Yes, she is, she enjoys a party, any social gathering, really. You know I would much rather enjoy staying home reading a good story or playing with the boys."
"You're a homebody, in other words."
"Yes," the sovereign replies, a bit softly. Could she be embarrassed?
"Well, I'm going upstairs to put on new pjs. I'll meet you upstairs. The boys are napping so we all can watch the ball drop at midnight. Then it's carbonated cherry juice to celebrate the occasion."
"Carbonated cherry nectar? I am guessing that Tobias has chosen the beverage of choice."
"You got it. Who am I to say no? Besides, the bottle said it's real juice, it's for fun, right?"
"Yes it is. I will see you soon."
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The boys still sleeping, Carissa enters her wardrobe to find another nightdress, and finds an old gown to sleep in.
"Carissa, perhaps that garment would best be placed in the rubbish."
"But it's my comfy."
"All good things must come to an end, you know that, Carissa. After this, its destination will be in a place that would be better suited for items such as this."
"Why do you make everything so long winded? Why don't you just say throw it in the garbage?"
"I thought I did. How long will the boys be sleeping?"
"Just until 11:30. Then it's up and at 'em."
"All right . . . and watching the ball drop will be how?"
"You turn on the TV and find the channel."
The boys wake up on schedule, and turning the television on, the four partiers watch the countdown, and the "champagne" is poured. Watching the television closely, they count down along with the television, listening to the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne. With the champagne done, and the ball dropped, it is now time for everyone to sleep.
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The queen returned early the next morning. Everything and everyone is ready to move. All that is needed is to wait for the queen to finish her goodbyes.
"Oh, my friend, I will miss you. I will leave these nuts and berries here for your winter store, to keep you well until the spring. I have to leave now, you see. We are all leaving for Andromeda; we are all leaving to go home. Thank you so much for listening to my woes. Goodbye, my friend, goodbye."
Sometime in the future
"Aww, but, Dad, that can't be the end of the story. You have to tell the rest."
"Later, Michael, now go to sleep."
"I'll tell grandma on you."
"You always do, Michael. But if you must know, my sister continued to be your grandmother's companion, still to this day, as a matter of fact. As you know, everyone arrived safely back on Andromeda."
"Okay, Dad, I'll take that . . . for now."
"Goodnight, Michael."
"Goodnight, Dad."
Thank you for reading Andromeda. Stay tuned, as the Triumvirate saga continues.
FOOTNOTES:
2Alexander Pope, Essay on Criticism. Part ii Line 325 (Quote found at Bartleby's.com).
3Horace (65-8BC) [Quintus Horacius Flaccus] Latin Poet, Satirist
4www.beliefnet.com
5Source: "A Book of Pagan Prayer" © 2002 Ceisiwr Serith. (www.beliefnet.com)
6www.answers.com
7www.answers.com
8Aesop (620-560BC) Legendary Greek Fabulist
9Rev. Lynn James-Christian, appropriate for many faiths
10Reprinted with permission from SpiralGoddess.com © Abby Willowroot 2000 (www.beliefnet.com)
11http://www.scborromeo.org/prayers/sick.htm