The Last Dance

A tragic love story between two people who simply cannot be together

Margaret watched from the shadows as the people danced and laughed at the royal party that was supposed to be for her. But she didn’t want this party, especially because she knew what it meant, her wedding to Prince James was just around the corner. Margaret knew that it was her duty to marry him, to bring peace to both their kingdoms, but she couldn’t love him, not yet, not while her heart belonged to someone else. She began to feel suffocated like she always did when she thought of the wedding, so she headed out to the garden where she could breathe comfortably again. The garden was in full bloom and with the twilight lighting and the distant eerie sound of music, made the garden seem surreal, it didn’t belong in this world, yet it was hard to imagine it somewhere else. Margaret walked the cobble stone path thinking about life, the night creatures her only company. She was so lost in her thoughts she didn’t hear the clicking of shoes belong her, she didn’t know he was there until he spoke.

“Such a lovely garden, such a lovelier maiden.” Margaret couldn’t believe he was here, he shouldn’t be here. He noticed her look of worry, “I’m sorry, I know you said I should stay away, but I had to see you.”

“David, you have to go, now, before they see you.” Margaret had to make him go away, if anyone saw him here there would be dire consequences. “David please, leave.”

“I can’t, I just can’t let you leave.” Margaret saw the sadness in her eyes, but she could give in, she was the princess, soon to be queen, she had a duty to do.

“You must let me go. You have my heart, keep it safe, but I have nothing else to give you.” Margaret felt the sting in her eyes that meant tears were about to come, she could no longer look at David without falling apart.

“Let me have this dance, that’s all I ask for now, the last thing I’ll ever ask for.” She knew he was telling the truth and she knew this was the last time she would ever be with him, so she let herself have this moment, ignoring destiny that was lurking in the shadows.

“Ok, I’ll give you this last dance.”

            And they danced, ignoring the world for a while. It didn’t matter that the music was too soft, it didn’t matter that neither of them were expert dancers, in that moment they were forever. There were time Margaret tried to end it and leave, but he always managed to catch her and he would hold on tighter to her. They danced for a while avoiding and dreading the moment they both knew was near. At last David said his finals words to Margret, “I love you,” and with that he left and didn’t look back. Margaret watched for a moment as her happiness walked away before she gathered her courage to follow her destiny and walk back to the ballroom where her life was waiting to resume.

Author's Note

Please ignore grammar issues, does the pace seem good? it's suppose to be a short story but I don't know if it's slow.

Reviews

[Emylie Rifley]

Honestly, the pace was too fast. The first paragraph was okay, but the rest gradually picked up speed.
This story is of love- it should be slow, we should be feeling what they feel through your words, so you should take time to make it elaborate.
:) Quite lovely otherwise, I must say.