Twas the night before the governor's annual Yule Ball, and all through the library
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The books were all tucked away in their shelves with care,
In hopes that eager hands would soon be there.
The denizens of Rhydin were all trussed up and out on the fly,
While visions of the evening's festival lights danced in their eyes.
And Tibbelt simply smiling, and Elle in her most spaz-tastic glory,
Had just finished up one the building's second story.
When all of a sudden, there arose such a clamor,
Elle sprang to her feet and grasped her face and abject horror.
"C-charles! There's no way I'm wearing that!" She objected incredulously.
Away to his assistant Charles tottered easy and slow,
As he strode, in fact, his smile only seemed to grow.
"Now, now Estelle. This was Elena's once upon a time when she was a slender young woman like yourself." Chuckling dryly, the book master gestured weakly across to the object in question that caused his assistant so much distress.
Like the moon on the breast of fresh Rhydin snow,
The low-lit aura of the building cast the gown in a glow.
When, what to Elle's wondering eyes should appear,
But the image of the late Mrs. Elena Tibbelt, not much older than she by a year.
With a youthful face, so soft and unlike how she recalled,
For a moment Charles and the room seemed far too small.
More rapid than eagles the memories came,
And the illusion of young Elena disappeared as quick as a blown-out candle flame.
"Charles..." Elle replied in a softer voice now, touched by the ghost of some Christmas past she'd just seen. The late Mrs. Tibbelt had been a beloved parental figure as much as her husband still was to the awkward little librarian. It wasn't quite the length, cut, or means of personal decor Elle was used to, but perhaps in the spirit of charity and love that the season inspired, she could accept and even muster the strength to wear this lovely gift.
As Elle's thoughts wandered before the hurricane of emotion,
Charles nodded his head, his smile reaching his eyes as his assistant came to except the notion.
So up to the chair she walked, her fingers steady and sure,
Plucking up the delicate garb that had been gifted to her in the spirit of all things beautiful and pure.
"I'll wear this for you Charles....And for her. Thank you. I-I." She paused, her eyes suddenly full of tears she hadn't even realized had been creeping up on her. "I can't thank the two of you enough for all you've done. F-for all you continue to do even after she's gone."
And then, in a twinkling, Elle dropped the gown,
Spun around, almost knocking Tibbelt down.
He croaked his joy as the laughed and twirled,
There then for a moment all was right with the world.
Their laughter, how it echoed! Their dimples, how proud!
Elle's cheeks were like roses, Charles' nose gave a humorous snort aloud!
Her sweet little mouth was draw wide and bright, breaking it's normal cupid's bow,
All because his beard was tickling her face just like it did in a time not so long ago.
Not unlike a father and daughter, they parted from their embrace,
Elle looked to Charles, and Charles to Elle, each studying the other's face.
And laying his finger to the side of her bespectacled nose,
And giving a nod, up from his crook he rose.
Charles set a hand to his back, let it crack, and gave a low whistle,
And away they both padded like the down of a thistle.
But the walls, how they echoed, ere' they walked back downstairs.
"Next time you hop up for a hug like that, take care." He grumped in a good natured tone. Smiling distantly as she cradled her gown, Elle couldn't help but find her thoughts revisited by the initial horrors of wearing such pretty little thing out in public. Goodness help her.
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http://www.omiru.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/payton-plaid-coat_083109.jpg
The Hideous Plaidtastic-Doesn't-Match-The-Dress-Worth-A-Damn-Coat
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af255/fellea/RDI%20Thingys/GovernorsBallGownElle.jpg
Mrs. Tibbelt Elena's Heirloom Dress
http://www.usabrideweddingjewelry.com/images/JS-591-G.jpg http://www.lovelyhairstyles.net/hairstyles/formal-updo-hairstyles-for-prom-2011-1.jpg
The Costume Jewelry and Hair
