A Rainbow Romance

Curled up in the window seat of my grandmothers little cottage, I stared dreamily as pearly droplets of rain trickled down the windowpane. In a little while as the rain ceased, and the sun broke through the dark clouds, a rainbow appeared. I watched, as its vivid colours grew more intense in the brightening sky. 1

My eyes suddenly grew wide as my brain at last registered the scene unfolding before me. I shook my head in disbelief and blinked a few times but it was still there. In the distance, a grey cloud obscured the far end of the rainbow but the near end was visible, and appeared to be moving closer and closer in an earthbound direction. Eyebrows raised, I stole a quick glance at the vodka bottle on the small table beside me - I had only had a couple, honestly - then turned back to the rainbow. I jumped up and, still in my poodle-patterned pyjamas and fluffy bear slippers, I ran out into the garden. I gazed in wonder as the rainbow came to a halt an inch or so above grandma’s neat lawn. Iridescent colours radiated from its base painting a surreal effect across the garden.
‘I’m dreaming!’ I whispered. ‘I must be!’2

As I stood before the amazing phenomenon, I thought I detected a shadow behind the cascading colours. Suddenly, the rainbow parted like a curtain and a little, wrinkle-faced leprechaun dressed in green appeared, carrying a dull, gold pot. He placed the pot on the ground and then looked at me3

‘Are you Arabella?’ asked the leprechaun.
‘Ye-ess! I am.’
‘Read this!’ he ordered handing me a silk scroll.
‘Aren’t you supposed to be at the end of the rainbow?’
The leprechaun looked at me with one eyebrow raised.
‘This is the end of the rainbow!’
‘I meant the other -.’
‘Please read!’ the leprechaun interrupted rudely.
I unrolled the scroll and read the message.
‘Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the Rainbow, request the attendance of Arabella Swan at the Grand Ball in honour of His Royal Highness, Prince Roschain.’
I giggled aloud then stopped abruptly when I saw the stern look on the leprechaun’s wrinkled face.
‘Well, I’m sorry but I don’t know these people and -’
‘I am here to transport you in the coach!’ the leprechaun interrupted once more
Puzzled, I looked around for a coach.
‘Coach?’
‘Here,’ he said indicating behind him toward the gold pot.
‘That… is not… a coach,’ I said slowly, stifling another giggle. ‘That,’ I emphasized with a wagging finger ‘is just… a pot.’4

The leprechaun’s unusual blue eyes blazed at me then with a swift wave of his hand, he transformed the gold pot into a jewel-studded coach, complete with a team of unicorns sporting sparkling, rainbow coloured horns. I turned to the leprechaun and was amazed to find that he too had changed. His height had increased to about six feet, his hair was thick, and of the deepest black but his face was now hidden behind a mask. He stood before the unicorns resplendent in a rainbow livery.
‘I’d better go and change,’ I said, turning to go back inside.
:No need!’ and with another wave of his hand a gown of gorgeous, deep blue velvet and shoes of finest silk had replaced my pyjamas and fluffy slippers and my hair wound itself into coils and ringlets that cascaded over my shoulders. 5

As the ‘leprechaun’ helped me into the coach, I caught my reflection in the glass window.
‘Is that really me?’ I whispered in awe.
The ’leprechaun’ gave no reply as I seated myself in the plush interior of the coach. He closed the door and climbing up onto the driver’s seat, he urged the unicorns through the rainbow curtain.6

Colours merged and flew by at an amazing speed yet I felt no sensation of motion. In what seemed no time at all the colours cleared and the ‘leprechaun’ opened the door and once again held out his hand. I took it and stepped down onto the crisp snow that lay all around. The scene before me was like something from a magical, faerie-tale. 7

Behind me, I could hear the sound of rushing water; I turned and saw the other end of the rainbow rushing like a waterfall into a stream, and causing ripples of colour to glint like scattered jewels on its surface. In the distance, a rainbow sun was setting in an indigo sky while in the opposite direction a rainbow moon began its ascent. 8

As another leprechaun led away the coach and team a loud gasp escaped my throat. Before me towered the most magnificent building I had ever seen. Built entirely of ice, its walls sparkled against the backdrop of a darkening sky. Light shone through the stained-glass windows throwing scattered hues across the snow-covered ground
My livery-clad ‘leprechaun’ hurried me through the arched entrance, which opened, into a vast hall filled with people dressed in array of fancy costumes. 9

We stopped before a row of seven seats and the leprechaun indicated to one of them.
‘Please sit here and wait!’ he ordered.
‘What for?’ I asked but he left without voicing an answer. I glanced around the huge hall. At the far end was a dais upon which stood two high-backed golden seats. I guessed these were the thrones of the King and Queen of the Rainbow. On one side of the dais, an orchestra played while dancers swayed to their strange, haunting melody. The walls were decorated with garlands of flowers and bunting. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling. 10

Soon six extremely beautiful young maidens took the other seats. Each wore a gown that, along with mine, represented a colour of the rainbow. I don’t know why but a bowl of fruit sprang to mind. But why was I here? I wondered. I’m not beautiful, and yet… I recalled my reflection in the glass window of the coach… and… I was… am… beautiful!
‘In your dreams!’ I reminded myself.11

Well, dream or not I wanted to know what was going on and decided to ask one of the maidens seated next to me.
‘Excuse me, but what is this ball for?’ I asked the orange maiden on my right. She fluttered her long lashes at me then broke into a giggle. Turning to the green maiden next to her, she whispered something and the green maiden also giggled. I felt a tap on my arm and turned to the violet maiden seated on my left.
‘Tonight the prince will choose one of us to be his bride!’ she answered excitedly.
‘Oh! But what if the chosen one doesn’t want to marry him?’
The violet maiden’s hands flew to her mouth as she shrank back in horror.
‘Who on rainbow would not want to accept such an honour?’ she squeaked, eyes wide in disbelief.12

A fanfare of trumpets interrupted our little tête-à-tête, announcing the arrival of the King and Queen. Those guests who were seated stood up so I did the same. Entering the hall from a door on the right, the King escorted the Queen to her throne and then seated himself in his.13

The King looked to be in his forties - by earthling standards - and was still a very handsome man. He had a kind, open face with sparkling blue eyes, a straight nose, and a mouth that appeared to be always set in a smile. A few blue-grey strands tinged his sleek black hair. 14

The Queen was very beautiful but it was difficult to determine her age. Her alabaster skin was as smooth as silk and her demeanour was one of quiet gentleness and wisdom.15

The door opened again and seven young men dressed in identical attire and wearing masks entered the hall. Apparently, this was so that none of us would know which one was the prince.16

The King waved his hand and the orchestra resumed playing. Just then, a young man carrying a tray of glasses filled with a blue liquid passed by. I reached for one of the glasses and drank its syrupy contents straight down much to the chagrin of the young man. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I placed the empty glass back on the tray. 17

The next few hours passed in a constant round of dancing and merriment. I tried to pick out distinctive traits of each of the young men so that I could keep count of how many times they asked me to dance: big or small ears, rough or smooth hands, deep voices, but as the heady beverages began to take effect I forgot anything I had discovered. With not a moment to take some time out, I was exhausted by the end of the frivolities. I breathed a sigh of relief when at last, another fanfare signalled the end of the dancing, and my partner escorted me back to my seat. 18

The King rose from his throne and stepped forward to address the gathering.
‘My son, His Royal Highness, Prince Roschain, has chosen a bride.’
Everyone waited expectantly. My eyelids grew heavy and it was with great effort that I forced them to stay open. I just wanted to hear name of the lucky girl; then, I would succumb to sleep.19

The other six rainbow maidens suddenly stood up and once again, I followed their lead. A page appeared before us and bowed. The maidens curtseyed and I followed belatedly. The page stood directly before me smiling, and held out his hand.
‘What?’
‘You have been chosen to be the bride of His Royal Highness,’ he whispered.
‘Me? Are you sure?’
He nodded and I allowed him to lead me, slightly the worse for wear, to the centre of the hall where the Prince stood, tall and broad-shouldered. As I approached him he removed the mask he had been wearing all evening, and my gaze fell upon the most handsome face I had ever seen: perfect bone structure, smooth tanned skin and… those strange blue eyes… and all that black hair. Why did they look so familiar? The orchestra striking up again interrupted my thoughts and Prince Roschain took me in his arms and we danced again.
‘Why did you choose me?’ I asked him.
‘I have wanted you since I first saw you but I knew my father would not have allowed me to marry anyone outside of the Rainbow Realm so I devised a plan.’
My eyes widened as it occurred to me where I had seen those eyes before!
‘You were the leprechaun!’
‘I have visited your realm several times!’ smiled the Prince mischievously. It was at that moment I knew I was in love. The music ceased and the King made an announcement.20

‘Arabella! My son has made his choice tonight and the Queen and I are so happy to welcome you into our family. A toast to Roschain and Arabella’ 21

Everyone raised their glasses and the cheers echoed in the great hall as the gathering voiced their congratulations. A whirl of excitement ensued as I was whisked off by the other six rainbow maidens whose job it was, to prepare me for my nuptials.22

Later, I took my place beside Prince Roschain and we exchanged vows. As he held my hand ready to slip the gold band on my finger, I was suddenly overcome with fatigue. I watched through half-closed eyes as the Prince, his parents, and all the wedding guests began to shrink into the distance. I reached out my arms in a feeble attempt to grasp the Prince’s hand but he drifted further and further away. No longer able to keep my eyes open, I let the comforting blackness envelope me and felt myself falling, falling…23


I landed with a bump and woke to find myself on the floor beside the window-seat.
‘It was just a dream after all!’ I thought staring at my familiar pyjamas and furry slippers.
Just then, there was a knock at the front door and I went through to the hall to answer it. On the way, I checked my hair in the long hall mirror; no coils or ringlets.
‘What a sight for sore eyes!’ I muttered as I opened the front door. I felt the colour rise in my face as I gazed upon the most handsome face I had ever seen: perfect bone structure, smooth tanned skin… and those strange blue eyes… and all that black hair!24

‘Hello!’ he said.
‘Hello!’ I croaked
‘I’ve recently moved in next door and I’m having a house-warming tonight. I rather hoped you come!’ 25

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