Trapped
By HuntressDiana

From challenge eight at the Dancing Dove forums. All characters belong to Tamora Pierce, and I am making no profit from this.

"But I don't want to do this!" The girl cried, she was perhaps fifteen, but was pouting like a seven year old.

"You must!" She was roughly pulled around to face her mother. While she shared her mother's emerald eyes and fair complexion, she was fortunate that she hadn't inherited the slightly hooked nose and thin lips.

A hand held mirror was thrust in front of her face, and she looked into her own verdant eyes, admiring the glitter within them, the rosy flush of her cheeks and her pert red lips. She knew she was beautiful, it had been drummed into her, both at the convent where she had been a star pupil, and at home. The future of her entire family rested upon her ability to do this now. The Eldorne fortune lay in shambles and they would be reduced to trying to ensnare a rich husband to restore their coffers.

But she hated what she had become. She had never really been interested in the affairs of the country, wanting only to snare an attractive husband, and enjoy herself while doing it. Now, she was ensnared herself, like a deer in a trap, and she had only one exit.

"You are going to do this!" Her mother hissed into her face as she stood there, staring at her own reflection.

Suddenly the mirror was gone, and she found herself staring into what she could become. Lines around the eyes and mouth, but they weren't from laughter or joy. Cold eyes, looking like jewels. A mouth twisted into displeasure. Hair pulled back into an elaborate style, but heavily streaked with grey.

"No!" She burst out, wrenching away from her mother's grip and turning to flee. She didn't know where, but she had to get out of that room. Her father caught hold of her as she fled, and pushed her back into the room,

"Listen to me." he shook her hard. "While we are in the palace we are one happy family. We don't have a care in the world and everybody is lower than us. You will go out there and do this, my girl. You are a member of my family and you will do as I say. We need you now; you are the only one who can pull us out of this slump. So Gods all help you if you don't do as I tell you and do this as well as you can."

She was shaken once more, harder, and then her mother came back over to her, adding a fresh coat of lip paint and a bit more rouge. Her tresses were pulled back into a style much like that of the elder woman's, but her hair was dark, thick and glossy. She was pushed into a green silk dress. It was long and beautiful, and she knew she looked her best in it. The corset underneath was pulled tight, and the dress' neckline was pulled low. She was to use anything she had at her disposal to hook this fish, looks, lust and her wits.

A jade fan was thrust into her hand and she was sprayed with scent. "Time to go." She nodded delicately, knowing that she had no choice in the matter.

She glided along the corridors, to accept the hand of her escort and then was brought to the top of the stairs.

"Lady Delia of Eldorne!" The herald called. Immediately her eyes began scanning the hall for her target; Prince Jonathan.

This was written a little while ago, but I rediscovered it and decided to post it.

To all who are interested in volunteering to judge in the Tortallan Heroes and Emelan Circle Awards, which I run, the application forms will be removed from the website some time next week. There is still time to volunteer and all are welcome. Email me if you have any questions or go to the website (the address is on my profile)

Thanks to the people who have already volunteered.

HuntressDiana