Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Penny happily made her way through the forest, remembering the path her mother once took her on and making a slight detour. Her memory's of her parents were scarce, only a flash of long chocolate brown hair, a calm voice sweetly singing a lullaby and a rumble of a laugh remained so Penny did all she could to connect with her parents. She recited the flower names her mother had taught her over and over in her head, trying to imagine her mothers voice guiding her. All she managed to do was hear the soft sound of her mothers lullaby dancing in her ear.
"Sleep my little angel, you are safe in my arms
Sleep my little darling, we will wait for morning to come,
Sleep my beautiful girl, there is much to do,
But we can only begin the tasks if you sleep with the moon."
Penny began to hum the song to herself as she did many a night, it wrapped her in a blanket of comfort like her mothers arms did long ago. Her face broke out into a grin when she saw the bluebells and roses, her and her mothers favourites laying together. She decided to pick some, she did not usually like hurting the flowers but she was sure if she asked kindly and promised to only do it when necessary the forest would forgive her.
Harley had returned to the forest for his morning walk after the conversation with his parents, apparently invitations were already being sent out. He tried not to dwell on the ball as there was nothing he could do to stop it now, and it would be seen as bad taste for him not to show, that and his mother would never allow him.
Coming to an abrupt stop, Harley strained his ears. He could have sworn he heard someone singing- yes there it was again! The voice was sweet and beautiful, the birds even seemed to stop and admire it. He turned every direction, trying to locate the source of the voice when it became louder and more clear.
"Sleep my little darling, we will wait for morning to come,
hm hmm hm hmm hm hm hmm hm hm,
But we can only begin the tasks if you sleep with the moon."
Harley rushed towards the enchanting voice, finding himself in a clearing with a girl. Her back was turned and she was crouched by some flowers, whispering things to them. This was rather confusing and maybe even worrying but Harley was too preoccupied with meeting the girl with the beautiful voice.
"Was that you singing?" He inquired and watched as the girl squealed and jumped to her feat, twisting her head towards him. His breath caught in his throat, it was the girl from the market. She looked even more beautiful now, if that was possible. Her hair was all mussed up and her eyes were shining, in her hands she cradled a bunch of flowers; bluebells and roses if he guessed correctly.
"Oh!" She held a hand to her heart, smiling softly at him, "You scared me quite a bit sir, but yes if you must know it was me singing. Sorry to interrupt your stroll, I can stop if you like?"
"Stop? No no it was so beautiful i just had to find the source and congratulate them so, um, well done... for having a beautiful voice that is." Internally Harley slapped himself, he was a Prince for Gods sake! How did it take one pretty face for all his eloquence to run out of the room?
Thankfully the girl didn't mind his patchy speech, a rosy pink blush spread across her cheeks and she smiled shyly at him.
"Oh well, uh, that's very kind of you to say thank you. May I ask your name sir?" Ah so she didn't recognise him, that would explain it. He decided he liked not being known, it was rather freeing.
Just as he opened his mouth, to answer truthfully or not he did not quite know himself, a couple horses came galloping through into the clearing.
"Ah Harles glad we found ya!" Clint Barton, once of his dads royal advisors and most trusted friend, exclaimed as he jumped off his horse and raced up to him, grabbing him in a tight hug.
"Clint let the poor boy breathe." Came the exasperated voice of Natasha Romanoff, the best fighter in the kingdom and once again one of his dads most trusted friends. She turned her attention to the girl he had been having a pleasant conversation with. Apparently today was the day to interrupt Harleys morning walk! He still had not been granted her name and as he was going to ask, the girl smiled at them all.
"Well this seems rather urgent! I wont take up space, good day sir's, ma'am." And with that she was off, humming happily to herself and skipping away from his sight. Harley sighed and turned to face the group.
"Whats it this time?" Natasha smirked.
Penny reached the house just as a horse pulled up to the front steps.
"Morning sir, what can I help you with?" Penny smiled at the man who seemed surprised to see her.
"Morning!" He tilted his hat to her, "Here you are ma'am, three invitations to the Odinson's ball!" He reached into his pack and handed three invitations to her, all very elaborate and decorative.
"I'll make sure they receive them right away sir, is that all?" She asked kindly as the man seemed to be deeply troubled by something all of a sudden.
"You haven't received one miss, I was told to give invitations to everyone in the kingdom," He rummaged around some more until his face was lit with a grateful smile, "Ah they packed an extra! Here you are miss, good day!"
Penny could only mumble a quick good day and thank you as her mind was left reeling. She was being invited, to a ball! Oh this was just too good to be true!
"What are you doing standing there like a useless servant? Oh wait that's exactly what you are!" Anastasias cruel laugh filled her ears as she looked to the door and saw her step sister glaring at her.
"What do you have in your hand? Give it to me now!" Anastasia rushed down the stairs and snatched the invitations from her hands. Penny watched as Anastasias scowl was replaced with an unattractive smile, coupled with a squeaky laugh. She ran to the house waving the invitations and squealing like a hungry pig.
"Oh daddy wont you look! Oh look daddy come look! We've been invited to an Odinson ball, oh isn't it magnificent!?"
Penny watched from the door as Norman came down the stairs, eyeing his daughters hands with a deep curiosity.
"Hand them over my dear." Anastasia handed them over, jumping to have a peak over her fathers shoulder.
"Well we'll need to get you the best dresses of course- oh wait, whats this?" Penny's heart dropped to her toes as she watched Norman finger out the fourth invitation, her invitation. Her only chance for a night off, just one night of fun. He sneered and turned to face her, a deep scowl settling on his features.
"They got the peasant an invitation daddy! How horrid!" Anastasias cruel laugh taunted her.
"Yes how unfortunate, we must fix it at once my child." Eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction Norman ripped her invitation into a hundred tiny pieces. Penny felt her eyes fill with stinging tears, usually reserved for the deepest of nights where only the owls could hear her pain.
"Oh you horrible horrible man!" Penny gasped, running towards the east tower as fast as she could. She would not let them witness her pain, it would be allowing them to win. Their cruel laughter chased her up the stairs, ringing in her ears until she hid under her pillows.
Sobbing in earnest, Penny wished for the comfort of those who loved her. Her mother, her father, her Uncle Ben and her dear Aunt May. She imagined all of them in her room, whispering their kind words, as she drifted off to sleep she could have sworn she heard her mothers voice clear as day lulling her into a safe sleep,
"Sleep my little angel, you are safe in my arms
Sleep my little darling, we will wait for morning to come..."