The Incident of the Broken Thread
The Queen was bathing – her once a year day, whether she needed it or not. The court stood around gossiping in hushed tones, while maids cautiously soaped Her Majesty’s back. A burst of laughter pierced the quiet, attracting a royal glare. A rare grin flitted across her face before being replaced by the habitual glower.
An open bottle had fallen from the table to roll across the uneven flagstones filling the air with a plume of precious perfume, before finally coming to rest at the feet of Lady Coral Nonesuch.
“Pick it up you clumsy witless girl. Save what you can.” growled the Queen. “I want to wear that scent to the ball.”
She rose, majestic, water cascading all around, putting a term to the panic. “Towels,” she hurled orders at the flustered maids. “Dry me. Gown. Jewels. Move.”
In her haste, the Mistress of the Jewels managed to snag the long necklace on the back of the throne, breaking the thread. Giant pearls shot here, there and everywhere rolling and causing the assembled company to slither, scramble and crash in a colourful heap of arms and legs.
All eyes swivelled to the Queen. Would heads roll? No. A cackle became a guffaw, became a gale of raucous laughter. Saints be praised. Her Majesty was in a Good Mood.
Ah…you paint so well with your words!! What a lively scene that unfolded before my eyes.
*hugs*
Sometimes it’s so difficult to maintain that terrifying personna.
Nice to see that pearls rolled and no heads were lost in the process!
It’s good to know she has a sense of humor, it’s so difficult being queen,
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/wordle-95/
Ooh what relief, good mood! Good mirth too!
A fun read. Loved the ending!
A fun story! Made me think of Elizabeth I
This is a fun romp, Viv. The ending is wonderful from the colourful heap to the queen’s laughter. Brava!
I can’t help but picture a naked royal highness laughing, while the poor servant girl is vainly scrambling for the pearls; very comical indeed.
What an unexpected ending! (Actually, I was hoping for heads to roll!)
Ah good clean fun !;). -could not resist the pun!
Truly delightful
as is your pun!
I was sure heads would roll. Perhaps after a year without a bath the stench has finally gone from the realm.
Don’t you just love a happy monarch…?