A Time to Dance--Part 1

Paul wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling better when he saw the Prince of Jupiter do the same.

“You are doing quite well,” Rand said, sheathing his practice sword, “but I think that this is enough for today.”

With a bow, Paul put away his sword. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“You would make your father very proud, Paul, very proud,” Rand stated softly, placing one of his broad hands on the young man’s shoulder.

His blue eyes clouded for a moment. “I hope so, sir.”

With his hand still on Paul’s shoulder, Rand walked to one of the large windows of the room, which overlooked the majority of palace’s gardens. He smiled as he watched Leda and Elara chase each other in the garden. Although there was a considerable age difference in the sisters, the two were very close.

His smile faded as he thought about the message he and Lita had received that morning from Crystal Tokyo. Serenity wanted Leda to finish the last segment her training as the heir to the throne of Jupiter. ‘What will Elara do with her sister gone?’

Rand glanced at Paul, noticing that the young man was watching the girls intently. ‘Particularly Leda,’ he realized. ‘So there’s some interest.’

The Prince of Jupiter was well aware of the deep friendship between his stepdaughter and the young man beside him. Although he would never admit it out loud to anyone but to his wife, Rand was happy in Leda’s choice. While Paul was not a member of Jupiter’s nobility and had grown up as an orphan in the castle, he was a thoughtful, intelligent person.

‘And he is quickly becoming a great man,’ the prince mused. He already saw a lot of Paul’s father in the boy, a good sign in Rand’s eyes.

“So, Paul,” the prince said aloud, still watching his daughters play, “what do you intent to do when you finish your education?”

“Huh?” Paul said, pulling his eyes reluctantly from the garden scene. “Honestly, sir, I really haven’t thought about it that much.”

“Really?”

Paul glanced at the Prince of Jupiter. “I still have a two years left to decide, Your Highness.”

Rand nodded. “Indeed you do, but surely you have considered some possibilities.”

“I would like to remain on Jupiter and work here in the palace,” Paul stated. “I just don’t know in what capacity though, sir.”

“I’m sure we can find something,” Rand said. “Yet, there are a few skills you still need to develop.”

“Like what, Your Highness?”

Rand’s smiled broadened. “We are having a ball in honor of Leda in a few weeks.”

Paul paled. His inability to dance was almost as notorious as the lightness of his sleep.

“Your Highness, you know that . . .”

“I’ve been thinking about that lately,” Rand said, cutting off Paul. “The way you handle a sword shows that you have some rhythm. Come with me. I want you to meet someone.”

Taking one last look at the garden below, Paul sighed and followed the monarch out of the room.

* * * * *

Paul stifled a groan as he realized that the Prince of Jupiter was leading him to the music room. Lady Leda and her sisters all received their various music and dance lessons here. When they were not using the room, the castle musicians practiced here.

Lively piano music filled the hallway as the pair drew nearer to the slightly parted doors. Daring to glance at Rand, Paul had to halt another groan at the broad, open smile on the older man’s face. Catching Paul’s eyes, the smile grew even bigger.

“I was hoping that he hadn’t left already,” Rand commented, stopping in front of the doors.

Knocking briefly, the Prince of Jupiter entered the room. The music immediately stopped and an elderly man with wild white hair jumped from the piano stool to bow. With a calming smile, Rand ordered the man to raise and shook his hand.

“Nicoli,” Rand began, releasing the older man’s hand and drawing his attention to Paul, “I need a favor from you.”

Studying Paul, the musician raised one snowy eyebrow. “What is that, Your Highness?”

“As you are aware, we are holding a ball in Leda’s honors soon.”

The musician nodded.

“You are probably also aware of Paul’s difficulty in that arena.”

Backing back a third groan, Paul felt his face grew even redder, almost matching his hair. He silently begged heavenly to open the floor beneath his feet and swallow him whole. Anything that would end his torture.

“I understand, Your Highness,” Nicoli said. “I believe since I survived Lady Caitlyn’s wrath, I can survive anything.”

Rand laughed, lowering his head slightly. “Yes, well, my eldest daughter did inherit her fair share of spirit.”

Nicoli winked at Paul before adding, “Yes, from both her mother and her father.”

“Well, I will leave Paul in your capable hands.” Wishing the young man luck, he turned and left.

After studying Paul for another few moments, Nicoli finally nodded and moved to the piano. “Perhaps, young man, you will not be as difficult as Lady Caitlyn was with her lessons.”

Not sure how to react to that statement, Paul remained still as the music began to fill the room.

“Feel the rhythm of the music,” Nicoli instructed, “and move with it.”

With a sigh, Paul lifted his arms to the proper positions. Feeling stupid, he began to dance with his imaginary partner. He also began to pray.

* * * * *

“One, two, three! One, two, three! One, two, three!” Nicoli called over the music.

Paul was counting under his breath as well. He felt ridiculous holding his arms up in an embrace with an unknown, imagery person. Well, for him, the imagery person was not unknown. She was, in fact, too well known to him.

Shaking his head, he tried to concentrate harder on the music. However, he didn’t miss Nicoli’s exasperated sigh. The older man stopped playing and stood up.

“You must feel the music, young man,” the musician repeated. “Dancing is meant to be graceful, not robotic movements and counting.”

Paul nodded glumly. “I’m trying.”

The old musician released another exasperated sigh. “Young man, I’m beginning to fear that this exercise is hopeless.”

Paul lowered his head, running a weary hand through his hair. “I’m sorry that I have wasted your time, Nicoli.”

“You give up too easily, Paul,” a voice chided, startling the two men.

“Lady Leda,” Nicoli cried, bowing, “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Paul made a hasty bow but remained speechless. He felt his cheeks burning, embarrassed that Leda of all people had to witness this humiliation.

“Apparently, neither of you did,” she replied with a broad smile. “I don’t believe Paul’s case is exactly hopeless, Nicoli.”

Paul’s face grew even warmer. “You are too kind, my lady,” he mumbled.

“Oh, I’m not finished, yet, good sir,” she stated, her smile growing even larger. “Actually, we haven’t even started.”

Ignoring his pleading look, she turned to musician. “Will you play for us, Nicoli?”

Nodding, he bowed. “As you wish, my lady.”

With a flourish, he sat back down at the piano, the familiar waltz filling the air. Still smiling, Leda stood before Paul. After a few moments, when it became apparent he was going to do anything, she moved into his arms.

“My lady,” he said softly, “you don’t have to do this.”

“Just dance with me, Paul,” she ordered.

With a sigh, he began to move them awkwardly to the music.


Part I Paul wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling better when he saw the Prince of Jupiter do the same. “You are doing quite well,” Rand said, sheathing his practice sword, “but I think that this is enough for today.” With a bow, Paul put away his sword. “Thank you, Your Highness.” “You would make your father very proud, Paul, very proud,” Rand stated softly, placing one of his broad hands on the young man’s shoulder. His blue eyes clouded for a moment. “I hope so, sir.” With his hand still on Paul’s shoulder, Rand walked to one of the large windows of the room, which overlooked the majority of palace’s gardens. He smiled as he watched Leda and Elara chase each other in the garden. Although there was a considerable age difference in the sisters, the two were very close. His smile faded as he thought about the message he and Lita had received that morning from Crystal Tokyo. Serenity wanted Leda to finish the last segment her training as the heir to the throne of Jupiter. ‘What will Elara do with her sister gone?’ Rand glanced at Paul, noticing that the young man was watching the girls intently. ‘Particularly Leda,’ he realized. ‘So there’s some interest.’ The Prince of Jupiter was well aware of the deep friendship between his stepdaughter and the young man beside him. Although he would never admit it out loud to anyone but to his wife, Rand was happy in Leda’s choice. While Paul was not a member of Jupiter’s nobility and had grown up as an orphan in the castle, he was a thoughtful, intelligent person. ‘And he is quickly becoming a great man,’ the prince mused. He already saw a lot of Paul’s father in the boy, a good sign in Rand’s eyes. “So, Paul,” the prince said aloud, still watching his daughters play, “what do you intent to do when you finish your education?” “Huh?” Paul said, pulling his eyes reluctantly from the garden scene. “Honestly, sir, I really haven’t thought about it that much.” “Really?” Paul glanced at the Prince of Jupiter. “I still have a two years left to decide, Your Highness.” Rand nodded. “Indeed you do, but surely you have considered some possibilities.” “I would like to remain on Jupiter and work here in the palace,” Paul stated. “I just don’t know in what capacity though, sir.” “I’m sure we can find something,” Rand said. “Yet, there are a few skills you still need to develop.” “Like what, Your Highness?” Rand’s smiled broadened. “We are having a ball in honor of Leda in a few weeks.” Paul paled. His inability to dance was almost as notorious as the lightness of his sleep. “Your Highness, you know that . . .” “I’ve been thinking about that lately,” Rand said, cutting off Paul. “The way you handle a sword shows that you have some rhythm. Come with me. I want you to meet someone.” Taking one last look at the garden below, Paul sighed and followed the monarch out of the room. * * * * * Paul stifled a groan as he realized that the Prince of Jupiter was leading him to the music room. Lady Leda and her sisters all received their various music and dance lessons here. When they were not using the room, the castle musicians practiced here. Lively piano music filled the hallway as the pair drew nearer to the slightly parted doors. Daring to glance at Rand, Paul had to halt another groan at the broad, open smile on the older man’s face. Catching Paul’s eyes, the smile grew even bigger. “I was hoping that he hadn’t left already,” Rand commented, stopping in front of the doors. Knocking briefly, the Prince of Jupiter entered the room. The music immediately stopped and an elderly man with wild white hair jumped from the piano stool to bow. With a calming smile, Rand ordered the man to raise and shook his hand. “Nicoli,” Rand began, releasing the older man’s hand and drawing his attention to Paul, “I need a favor from you.” Studying Paul, the musician raised one snowy eyebrow. “What is that, Your Highness?” “As you are aware, we are holding a ball in Leda’s honors soon.” The musician nodded. “You are probably also aware of Paul’s difficulty in that arena.” Backing back a third groan, Paul felt his face grew even redder, almost matching his hair. He silently begged heavenly to open the floor beneath his feet and swallow him whole. Anything that would end his torture. “I understand, Your Highness,” Nicoli said. “I believe since I survived Lady Caitlyn’s wrath, I can survive anything.” Rand laughed, lowering his head slightly. “Yes, well, my eldest daughter did inherit her fair share of spirit.” Nicoli winked at Paul before adding, “Yes, from both her mother and her father.” “Well, I will leave Paul in your capable hands.” Wishing the young man luck, he turned and left. After studying Paul for another few moments, Nicoli finally nodded and moved to the piano. “Perhaps, young man, you will not be as difficult as Lady Caitlyn was with her lessons.” Not sure how to react to that statement, Paul remained still as the music began to fill the room. “Feel the rhythm of the music,” Nicoli instructed, “and move with it.” With a sigh, Paul lifted his arms to the proper positions. Feeling stupid, he began to dance with his imaginary partner. He also began to pray. * * * * * “One, two, three! One, two, three! One, two, three!” Nicoli called over the music. Paul was counting under his breath as well. He felt ridiculous holding his arms up in an embrace with an unknown, imagery person. Well, for him, the imagery person was not unknown. She was, in fact, too well known to him. Shaking his head, he tried to concentrate harder on the music. However, he didn’t miss Nicoli’s exasperated sigh. The older man stopped playing and stood up. “You must feel the music, young man,” the musician repeated. “Dancing is meant to be graceful, not robotic movements and counting.” Paul nodded glumly. “I’m trying.” The old musician released another exasperated sigh. “Young man, I’m beginning to fear that this exercise is hopeless.” Paul lowered his head, running a weary hand through his hair. “I’m sorry that I have wasted your time, Nicoli.” “You give up too easily, Paul,” a voice chided, startling the two men. “Lady Leda,” Nicoli cried, bowing, “I didn’t hear you come in.” Paul made a hasty bow but remained speechless. He felt his cheeks burning, embarrassed that Leda of all people had to witness this humiliation. “Apparently, neither of you did,” she replied with a broad smile. “I don’t believe Paul’s case is exactly hopeless, Nicoli.” Paul’s face grew even warmer. “You are too kind, my lady,” he mumbled. “Oh, I’m not finished, yet, good sir,” she stated, her smile growing even larger. “Actually, we haven’t even started.” Ignoring his pleading look, she turned to musician. “Will you play for us, Nicoli?” Nodding, he bowed. “As you wish, my lady.” With a flourish, he sat back down at the piano, the familiar waltz filling the air. Still smiling, Leda stood before Paul. After a few moments, when it became apparent he was going to do anything, she moved into his arms. “My lady,” he said softly, “you don’t have to do this.” “Just dance with me, Paul,” she ordered. With a sigh, he began to move them awkwardly to the music.


Part II Chronicles