The Tiger Within

There was a moment of silence as people processed the emotions provided by the scene before them, and then cheering . Nathanial rose to his feet and bowed humbly . "I would like to thank my brother and dear cousin, Raina for their a.s.sistance today . My brother played the part of the Shadow, and Princess Raina accompanied me on the Zither . If it wasn"t for the three of us working together, I don"t think this would have been possible . " Nathaniel welcomed his brother to the stage and then turned to the musician"s circle . He reached for Raina"s hand .

She looked up at him a bit surprised, before taking his hand . He helped her onto the stage, but Raina was a bit too short so Kan gave his lady a leg up discreetly . He knelt so she could step on his knee and rise gracefully to the stage . She flashed Kan a smile in thanks and walked to center stage with Nathaniel, all three bowed together . The cheers were thunderous .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Now, it is the daughter of Kyera and Clovis, Princess Raina"s turn to dazzle you with her dance . " Daniel introduced her with a smile and steady bow before leading his brother off stage . Kyera faced the crowd and dipped a curtsey . "Welcome and Thank you for coming . I will be Dancing to a score called "Autumn"s Dance With Death . " It is a song depicting the yearly pa.s.sing of Autumn to Winter . The dance is meant to hold the same emotions as the fairy who only dances for the season, and pa.s.ses as the Frost King sends his Winds to claim her soul for the winter . " Raina explained the dance before looking at Kyera who was already in place to play the zither .

The song began and Raina felt the bundle of nerves in her stomach . She could do this, she reminded herself before pulling herself into position . The dance was slow and beautiful to start, her orange, red, and yellow dress looked like an autumn forest swirling around her . The embroidered leaves glittered as the light caught them adding to the affect, as though she was a small forest on fire .

Then winter began to come and winter fairies flew onto the stage, following her dance as if waiting for her… to escort her soul away . She looked left and right and danced faster away as if spinning and twirling would put enough distance between them to save her . As she moved her body and expression conveyed the excitement and beauty of the first day of autumn but then the desperation and sadness of Autumn"s end sped up as her fear came . The fairies followed her a constant reminder of what was to come .

Then the fairies flew to the opposite end of the stage, as if expecting someone to come, winter . It had to he King Winter… and she turned back, her posture tense and afraid as if the moment was frozen in time but… nothing happened . Raina held her pose but . . . where was he? The boy had been waiting patiently in the back when she saw him last .

The crowd was wondering if something was wrong when a man with red hair dressed in a white tunic and breeches, simple and embroidered climbed the steps . Raina"s eyes widened as if she couldn"t believe her eyes . The music changed slightly as Kyera foresaw what was next .

To the crowd, it was as though the fairy had seen her salvation, love in winter . The way she felt seemed to change to excitment and releif as tears began to fall down her cheek as she ran for him, and leaped up into his arms but he caught her waist and lifted her high over his head and slowly spun . The motion gave off this sense of adoration as the red headed winter lowered her to the ground and smiled at her .

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To Raina, however it was a ghost from the past appearing before her again . The emotions that spilled through her resulted in tears rushing down her cheeks . She had been unable to stop herself from running to him, regardless of the compet.i.tion . However, he had done what he always did, and protected her by transforming that embrace into part of the story .

"Dance with Me, this once, Princess of Autumn . " He spoke clearly and gently as if he was soothing a child . She nodded and took his hand the pair began a slow sweet dance of a guard and his Princess . He twirled her and guided her through the steps to the end of the song .

During the final lift, she was arched beautifully, his hands gripping her waist over his head before the song ended… and she fell limp, her arched back the only resemblance of form for her . He brought her down and laid her gently on the ground . The scene had ended, and Princess Raina waited several moments to take Talis"s hand and bow with him, facing the crowd .

There were very few dry eyes as the pair received the praise and clapping of the room . The emotions were so intense, everyone felt the death of Autumn . Raina"s little hand gripping her dance partner"s hand went completely unnoticed .