Friendship Dance (5 page)

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Chapter Five

The two weeks passed in a whirlwind of dance lessons and new experiences. Before Twink knew it, it was the day before the Queen's birthday.

‘And turn, arms up,' instructed Maximus as he took them through one of their last practices. ‘We're nearing the final quadrille . . . flower steps please,
slowly
. . . watch your feet, Master Greenbranch!'

Though Twink tried her best to concentrate, it wasn't easy. All around them, the courtyard was being turned into a glittering wonderland for the Queen's birthday. Everywhere Twink looked, there were strings of bright, shining crystals, and long garlands of white and yellow flowers.

If only she didn't have to worry about their dance! Though she knew the Friendship Dance backwards and forwards now, the thought of performing it in front of hundreds of fairies made Twink's wings turn cold.

It was such a funny, old-fashioned dance, too. There were lots of flutterings and little hops in it, but the fairies never took to the air. And, unlike a lot of magical dances, they didn't have to focus their mind on anything in particular.

Which was a good thing, thought Twink as she bobbed and spun with the others. If the Friendship Dance had required them to really feel friendship towards their partners, she'd have been in trouble!

For, despite Palo and Jena's threats on their first day, Chauncey-Oberon obviously hated Twink, and muttered snide remarks at her whenever he could. ‘
Commoner
' was his favourite, always said in a sneering tone.

Twink thought about telling Jena or Palo, but didn't really want to make a fuss. They were only at the palace for a short while – surely she could ignore him for that long!

Besides, the other fairies more than made up for Chauncey-Oberon's unpleasantness. The three girls especially – they'd had some glimmery times in Sapphire Room over the last two weeks. Twink smiled, remembering a flying pillow fight just the night before.

‘We're almost at the finish,' called Maximus. ‘Hold that pose . . . and gentlemen bow, ladies curtsy!'

Out of breath from the long dance, Twink dipped into a curtsy, holding her lavender wings gracefully behind her back. Chauncey-Oberon bowed stiffly from the waist, not looking at her.

‘Excellent!' exclaimed Maximus, his chubby face beaming. ‘You should all do very well at the party tomorrow. Now, your outfits need a final fitting, so –'

‘Can I ask a question?' broke in Snow, raising her hand.

Maximus blinked in surprise. ‘Certainly, Miss Wintersong.'

‘Well – I know the Friendship Dance is magical, but . . . what does it actually do?' Snow's pale cheeks reddened. ‘I mean – how will we know whether it's working or not?'

Twink nodded as the others murmured in agreement. It was something they had all wondered.

Maximus shook his head. ‘My dear Miss Wintersong, the Friendship Dance is very powerful, very old magic. It is not like some of your modern dances, all flash and sparkle! Its spell wraps subtly around an audience. It enhances their own friendships, and heals where there have been problems.'

Twink and Tilli exchanged a confused glance. What did
that
mean?

Snow's white eyebrows creased. ‘But . . . well, what I mean is, I don't
feel
it. With most dances, you feel the magic happening, even when you're practising. This one just feels like we're doing ordinary steps.'

‘No, one often doesn't feel the Friendship Dance when one's doing it – not until the time is right,' allowed Maximus. ‘As I said, it is very old magic, and it works in deep ways.'

A pair of workers flew past, carrying a daisy in a carved walnut-shell pot. ‘Why does it matter who dances it?' asked Palo with a frown. ‘I know we were all chosen for a reason, but
what
reason?'

Maximus drew himself up to his full, diminutive height. ‘The Dance does the choosing. It is not for us to question it.'

‘Funny sort of dance for a birthday, anyway,' muttered Chauncey-Oberon. ‘
I'd
rather have the Felicitations Dance, if it were me.'

Though his tone was as rude as ever, Twink thought he had a point. The Felicitations Dance was such a bright, cheerful dance, and was traditional at fairy birthday celebrations. Compared to it, the Friendship Dance was so slow it was almost boring.

Maximus's face turned berry-red. ‘For your information, Master Sparkworth, the
Queen
herself requested this dance, and that it be performed by schoolchildren! Now away with you – it's time for your final fittings.' He flitted off, his robes flapping behind him.

‘Oh, well done, moss brain,' said Gem to Chauncey-Oberon. ‘Maximus is really cross with us now!' The crimson-haired fairy scowled, and didn't answer.

‘It's interesting that the Queen requested the dance, though,' said Jena as the blue and red butterflies fluttered towards them. ‘I wonder why?'

The fairies flew after their butterfly guides, talking about what Maximus had said. On impulse, Twink lagged behind, gazing up at the Queen's residence. She had been curious about it ever since she first saw it – what was it like inside?

Suddenly she gasped in surprise. There was Queen Mab herself, looking down at the courtyard from a palace window!
Why, she looks sad,
thought Twink in amazement.

The thought startled her. She had never thought of the Queen as a fairy who might have ordinary feelings. But why should she feel unhappy, seeing all of her sparkling birthday decorations?

Twink had no idea, but there was no mistaking the Queen's expression. Sympathy rushed over her. Whatever the problem was, she wished with all her heart that she could do something to help.

Queen Mab saw her then. Twink gulped as their eyes met. She had found out very quickly that there were a lot of rules in the palace – had she somehow broken one by watching the Queen?

But Queen Mab only gave her a small, sad smile, and turned away.

The four girls stood in Sapphire Room as the palace dressmaker, Miss Organdy, bustled about with her assistants.

‘Very nice,' said Miss Organdy, making an adjustment to Twink's bow. ‘Now, don't you dare eat too much dinner tonight, young lady – that dress is going to fit perfectly, if I have anything to do with it!'

Twink gazed at herself in the mirror in wonder. Her dress was made from pure white orchid cloth, and glittered with seed pearls and tiny emeralds. She had never dreamed she could look so pretty!

Miss Organdy turned to the other girls then. Changing her clothes, Twink drifted to the window. The sun was just setting, and the leaves and branches seemed to glow with a golden light. The palace tree houses nestled on their perches, each one fantastical and different.

Propping her elbows on the sill, Twink gazed at her favourite: a small, cosy-looking house with a round turret and jewelled carvings of butterflies. She loved imagining that it belonged to Bimi and her, and that she and her best friend could wake up every morning in this magical place!

‘It's really glimmery here, isn't it?' said a voice beside her. Twink glanced up as Tilli sat on the sill beside her.

Twink nodded. ‘It's even more beautiful than Glitterwings. But I'll still be glad to get back to school again.' She smiled at the thought of seeing Bimi and the others. What a lot she'd have to tell them!

‘Really?' said Tilli in surprise. ‘Wasps, I'm dreading it! But then, you
like
your school,' she added glumly. ‘I suppose it makes a difference.'

Twink nudged Tilli's wing with her own. ‘Tilli, why
don't
you change schools? Come to Glitterwings! You'd love it there.'

Tilli heaved a sigh. ‘Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll talk to my mum. Anyway, Twink, let's stay in touch, all right? Your family's house isn't far from mine – it would be great to get together over the hols.'

‘Yes, I'd love to!' exclaimed Twink. The sunny-haired fairy was her favourite of the three girls, and they'd had a lot of fun together over the last two weeks.

‘Great,
that's
settled, then,' grinned Tilli. ‘At least it gives me something to look forward to at awful old Emerald Leaf! Oh, look,' she added, peering out of the window. ‘There's our good friend, C-O, as cheerful as ever.'

Following Tilli's gaze, Twink saw Chauncey-Oberon sitting on a branch by himself. He had his knees pulled up to his chest, and as usual there was a scowl on his face.

The sight of him made Twink feel cross herself. ‘What's
wrong
with him?' she burst out. ‘He acts like he hates everything!'

Tilli glanced over her shoulder at Miss Organdy and her helpers, still busy with Snow and Jena.

‘You know how he's always going on about how important his family is?' she whispered. ‘Well, Jay said it's really true; his parents are both ambassadors for the Queen. But he never sees them, because they spend all their time travelling. He was brought up by nurses, in a big empty house.'

Twink's anger faded. ‘Really? But – that's terrible.' She couldn't imagine never seeing her
parents; how awful! Even worse would be the knowledge that they thought their job was more important than she was. ‘Do you think that's
why he hates everything?' she asked.

Tilli shrugged. ‘It wouldn't make
me
very happy. But I still don't think he should go around acting like he's got a nettle under his wing – he just makes everything worse for himself.'

Twink watched as the crimson-haired boy flew sullenly away towards the boys' tree house. ‘How does Jay know?' she asked. She couldn't imagine Chauncey-Oberon actually
telling
anyone all that!

‘He has a friend at White Cloud,' said Tilli. ‘He and the other boys wanted to tease C-O, so Jay wrote and asked his friend what he knew about Chauncey-Oberon. But when he found out, they decided not to say anything after all. It would have been pretty mean, I suppose.'

Twink nodded. Despite Chauncey-Oberon's nasty comments to her, she was very glad that the others hadn't used their knowledge about his family to taunt him. Nobody deserved that, not even him.