The Quest For Dobby's Destiny Part XIII

“Okay we're in. Go talk to the Queen. Let's finish this already.” Warrior With Intense Blue Eyes yells to Writer Lady over the music.

“It's not that simple. She is a Queen after all.” Writer Lady says gesturing to the stage.

“It's not that hard either. This is not exactly a formal setting.” Warrior counters. “See!” he says gesturing to the stage where a large man dressed like Hagrid approached the Queen, danced with her long enough to have a brief conversation and left the stage. She did not call for guards, he was not shot with a laser gun, did not dissolve into the atmosphere while onlookers laughed viciously.

“That was probably a guard or something checking in.” Writer Lady said just as Hagrid walks by looking very intimidating to Writer Lady.

Warrior with Intense Blue Eyes reaches out to the man. “Hey man. How's it going?”

“Good.” Hagrid answers with hesitation.

“My aunt and I were having a disagreement and I wondered if you could help.”

Hagrid nods.

“You were just up on stage with the Queen. Are you one of her guards or something?”

“No. This is my first time at court. Tonight is a celebration. Completely informal. Anyone here is welcome to approach, introduce themselves and ask something of the Queen. As long as she is dancing.”

“My aunt needs to ask something of the Queen but she's shy. Will you take her up there?”

“I'm not sure that's a good idea.” Writer Lady says.

“I can't. It's against the rules. If I go up on stage once I've asked for something I won't have my request granted. It's a really important one. The other rule is you have to approach the Queen on your own.” Hagrid looks at Writer Lady. “Best of luck to you ma'am.”

“Thanks anyway man.” Warrior With Intense Blue Eyes says, Hagrid takes his leave, finding a seat along the perimeter of the room.

“Maybe if we all three go up there together?” Writer Lady asks.

“Merlin assigned this journey to you my sister. We should respect the rules of the court. You must approach the Queen on your own.”

“I've never met a Queen before.” Writer Lady says.

“Why don't you dance for a couple songs first?”

Writer Lady gives her sister a sideways glance. “I haven't danced in years. It might be fun.”

“We're going to find some seats. You go dance.” The Lady With The Long Golden Hair suggests.

Making her way closer to the dance floor and the stage, Writer Lady stands on the fringes of the crowd and starts dancing. Feeling awkward she looks around her. No one seems to be looking at her very closely. Something is still strange, is it just because she hasn't been out in so long, or is something else going on?

“Writer Lady's shaking all kinds of stuff. Hee hee hee.” TP's giggles can be heard inside her head.

“Shh! Stop that! Someone is going to hear you.” Writer Lady warns TP with her thoughts.

“Your face is getting red. There are men watching you shake your butt.” TP giggles more.

“That's it! I'm done dancing.” Writer Lady looks at the stage and sees someone has just left the Queen's company. Writer Lady charges up to the stage, stomping all the way up the stairs. The music is loud enough the other dancers do not sense her anger. By the time she reaches the Queen much of her anger had been replaced with fear. Writer Lady stands uneasily in front of the Queen of the Amazing 'Fro.

“Hello.” The Queen greets Writer Lady while continuing to dance.

“Good evening your highness.” Writer Lady returns the greeting and curtsies. The Queen reaches for her and stops Writer Lady halfway.

“This is the ball. The first rule is no rules, which means no formalities. This must be your first time at the ball with my Colorful Court.”

“Yes um...”

“Tonight is a night of fun. You may call me Q.” The Queen keeps dancing. “You?”

“I am Writer Lady, um Dobby's mom.”

The Queen looks at her waiting for better information.

“I met with the Lord and the Lady of the Drawn Story earlier? I'm Tinkletoes' um...friend.”

“Oh him.” The Queen says.

Writer Lady detects some tension and suspects this will no longer turn out well. “TP the faerie told Tinkletoes Merlin was sending me here on a quest and he couldn't come,” explanations come tumbling out. Writer Lady tries to get it all out as fast as she can before she can be thrown out completely.

“Tinkletoes couldn't come or TP?”

“Tinkletoes.”

“I see.” The Queen smiles bigger and dances more furiously than ever.

Writer Lady suspects the Queen is doing her own happy dance. Just a bit more quietly.

“What brings you to my court Writer Lady?”

“Merlin. He sent me on a quest to help fulfill Dobby's destiny. I was hoping you could get me an audience with the Gem of the Con.”

“That's a tall order for your first visit to court.” The Queen comments.

“You know what they say, 'Go big or go home.'” The Queen looks at her suspecting there is another reason. “Merlin told me to and he's incredibly powerful. I don't want to piss him off? It's also for my cat Dobby. He will be impossible to live with if I don't do this for him.”

“Like I said, it's a tall order. The Gem has been stressed lately. She is not her shiny self. I think I know just the right words to get you in. Here.” The Queen says grasping her by the arms and pulling Writer Lady into her spot on stage. “Take my place while I'm gone.”

“What?”

“Dance!”