Magic Ballerina 7-12

“Then let’s go back to the castle!”

Nutmeg’s magic took them to the edge of the forest…just as the sun was setting. The swan princess flapped her her wings and took off from the water.

Rosa watched the bird swoop into the tower. A few minutes later, a girl in a white dress appeared at the window. She had long golden hair and looked sad.

“That’s Cressida,” said Nutmeg. “I’d better make you look like her right away!”

Nutmeg began to dance around Rosa. A tingling started in Rosa’s toes. It spread up her body and down her arms and up through her head. Nutmeg stopped and pointed her wand at her. There was a silver flash. Rosa blinked and gasped. Suddenly she was wearing a white dress. She put her hands to her head. She had a tiara on and her hair was now a deeper gold colour. “Oh, wow,” she gasped. Nutmeg took a small mirror out of the pocket of her tutu and held it up. Rosa stared. Her own face wasn’t looking back at her, but the face of the princess. It was a very weird feeling!

“How long will the magic last?” she asked quickly.

“Not long,” said Nutmeg. “Some fairies in Enchantia can do transformation magic that lasts for hours but I’m still not very good at it. But it should last until Cressida and I escape.” She rose into the air. “Good luck!”

“You too,” called Rosa.

Nutmeg ran as fast as she could to the little door, and with one quick look back at Rosa, she disappeared inside.

Rosa took a deep breath. This was it! Nutmeg would hopefully be letting Princess Cressida out. Oh, hurry up, hurry up, she willed them. Please get out before the guards come!

“Hup two, hup two!”

It was too late. The guards were marching around the building. If Nutmeg and the princess opened the door now they’d be seen for sure!

Rosa didn’t hesitate. Nutmeg and the princess were in danger. She had to help! Lifting her arms, she danced out of the trees…

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The two guards at the front of the group stopped so that the guards behind bumped into them. There was a chorus of “oofs” and “ouches” as tails were trodden on and swords tripped over.

“It’s the princess!” the guards in the front shouted as Rosa danced.

Rosa’s heart somersaulted as the guards started charging towards her. She turned and ran into the dark trees.

“STOP!” the guards yelled.

No way, thought Rosa as she ran in and out of the trees, jumping over tree roots and stumps. The ballet shoes seemed to help her, making her feet move more lightly than ever as she twisted and turned on the forest paths. She glanced behind her. The guards were getting closer!

But Cressida and Nutmeg were also running across the grass towards the trees, aiming for a spot far to the right. Luckily the guards were so busy chasing Rosa that they didn’t look behind them. They raced after her.

Rosa headed in the direction that Nutmeg and Cressida were going but as she did so, she realised there was a wall of trees and bushes in front of her. There was no way through. She was trapped!

“We’ve got her!” screeched Mangy Tail.

Rosa turned around as the guards skidded to a halt behind her. They formed a semi-circle, swords pointing at her. She backed up until she was pressed against the trees.

“Come on, Princess,” snarled Whiskers through the dusk. “I don’t know how you escaped but you’re coming back to the castle with us right now before King Rat finds out…” He blinked. Rosa felt herself tingling all over and glanced down. The magic was wearing off!

“What…what’s happening?” The guards began to back off in alarm as Rosa felt herself change.

Suddenly someone grabbed her hand from behind the tree.

“We’re here!” Nutmeg’s voice whispered.

Rosa’s heart leaped.

“It’s that girl!” said Mangy Tail suddenly.

Whiskers recovered from his confusion. “It’s a trick again! GET HER!” He and the other guards leaped toward Rosa but at that very moment, Rosa felt Nutmeg’s fingers tighten on hers.

“Hold on!” the fairy cried as a tinkling of music rang out.

And just as the guards’ paws reached out to grab Rosa, a swirling curtain of silver and pink sparkles surrounded her and she felt herself being whisked away into the air, twirling round as if she was on a tea cup ride…

She landed a few seconds later. As the sparkles cleared, she realised that she was standing in a bedroom on a cream rug. Nutmeg was holding her right hand and Princess Cressida was holding her left.

“We…we escaped!” Rosa gasped.

“Only just,” said Nutmeg, looking pale. “Oh, Rosa, that was so close!”

“Thank you so much for rescuing me!” Princess Cressida said, giving Rosa a hug as the bedroom door opened and a beautiful lady in a blue dress with a golden crown on her head looked in. “Oh my goodness!” she cried, stopping in her tracks. “Cressida! It’s you!”

“Queen Isabella,” said Nutmeg sinking into a deep curtsey. Rosa quickly followed her example.

Cressida however ran towards the Queen and hugged her. “I’m safe, Auntie! Rosa and Nutmeg rescued me! Oh, wait until you hear what happened!”

The Queen fetched the King and ten minutes later, Cressida and Nutmeg had told them everything. Rosa stood shyly at one side, not wanting to intrude. “Nutmeg used her magic to whisk us all back here,” said Cressida, “and now we’re safe!”

The Queen turned to Nutmeg and Rosa, grateful tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Nutmeg. And thank you, Rosa. You have both acted so bravely.”

“I’m really glad I helped, but I did some stupid things,” admitted Rosa. “I should never have gone off into the castle on my own the first time. It could have turned out really, really badly.” She sighed. “My mum’s always saying I should think more before I do and say things.”

And she’s right, Rosa thought, reminding herself of Olivia.

The Queen smiled though. “Do not be too hard on yourself. It is good to act and not just think, good to be prepared to take risks, good to be brave for the sake of others. I think you are a worthy owner of the ballet shoes, Rosa.” She took her hands. “I am very, very glad you have been chosen to wear them.”

“I am too,” said Rosa happily. The adventure might have been scary but it had also been really good fun!

“You must not tell anyone about your time here,” warned the Queen. “Keep the red shoes’ magic secret.”

“We should have a feast and dancing to celebrate Rosa’s first visit to Enchantia,” King Tristan declared. “Let the party begin!”

The rest of the evening passed in a whirl of eating delicious food, dancing to lively tunes and having fun. As they stopped after an energetic polka at midnight, Rosa felt her feet tingling. At first she thought it was just because she had been dancing so much but then she realised that her shoes were glowing again. “I think I’m about to go home!” she gasped.

“Come back soon!” called Nutmeg. “Bye, Rosa!”

“Goodbye!” called Princess Cressida.

The last thing Rosa saw was Nutmeg and Cressida smiling and waving and then colours swirled around her and she was swept away…