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Strange Magic – ButterflyBog
by
Raven Diablo

Chapter 11 – WAR!

Part 12

(If Today Was Your Last Day - Nickelback)

(Bog - Random band member backing vocal in parenthesis)

My girlfriend gave me the best advice
She said, "Each day's a gift and not a given right.”

[Marianne realized he sang the very words she spoke earlier. Her face became very soft when she said, “Oh Bog!”]

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

[Everyone swayed and clapped to the beat]

And try to take the path less traveled by.
That first step you take is the longest stride.

(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Bog laid harder into the chords playing louder. The band followed. Everyone swayed more.]

And tomorrow was too late
Could you say "goodbye" to yesterday?
(What if, What if)
Would you live each moment like your last?

[Some out on the floor took to dancing slowly with their partners, but most just watched Bog perform while moving to the beat. Marianne danced a little to the side of him. He could see her getting lost in the song.]

Leave old paintings in the past
Donate every coin you had?
(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Instrumental Break]

[Bog slowed down the rhythm again as he went into a small break. Marianne came over and moved slightly behind Bog as she draped her arm around his neck. She rocked her shoulders to the beat, never taking her eyes off him. Sugar plum shot her hand up to the ceiling and the lights dimmed in the room.]

(What if What if, If today was your last day)
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try

[Marianne rested her head on Bog’s shoulder and she sighed loudly. Benny started to slow dance with Yara, he got very close to her. ]

So live it like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Suddenly Alice and Monica each grabbed a string of light spheres from the wall and flew up and above Marianne and Bog. They danced together with the light strings trailing behind them. There were some, “Oooo’s from the crowd.

And tomorrow was too late
Could you say "goodbye" to yesterday?

[Even more of the goblins got up and joined the crowd swaying to the beat.]

(What if, What if)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old paintings in the past
Donate every coin you had?
(What if, What if)
And would you call old friends you never see?

[Everyone continued to pair off with the ones they loved and they started to sway back and forth with them. Dawn and Sunny went off to a table in a darkened corner and he sat on it while she stood. They started to kiss as they swayed to the music.]

Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
(What if, What if)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?

[King Dagda cut in and resumed slow dancing with Yara. Benny was a bit frustrated, but one of the taller elf women came over to him. The two spoke for a bit and the two started to slow dance.]

Swear up and down to Heaven above
That you finally fall in love
(Finally Fall In Love)
If today was your last day

[Thang got a light sphere that was in a flower decoration and he gave it to Stuff. The two sat down on the goblin’s table and he slowly put his arm around her. The two swayed to the music.]

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars

[As Bog continued to sing, he couldn’t help but notice that Queen Spydera just stood in the shadows and she was constantly putting her hand near her face. Alice and Monica continued to dance above with the light strings. Marianne just watched in awe.]

Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life

[Marianne had such a soft look on her face as she leaned into Bog’s body. Then he could feel her kissing the nape of his neck. ]

Let nothin' stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

[Marianne came around to his front and just looked to him with her soft golden brown eyes. He almost missed his song cue as he started to get lost in her eyes. But he came to and just slowed down a bit.]

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say "goodbye" to yesterday?

[Marianne again leaned into his shoulder as she draped her arms around his neck.]

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old paintings in the past
Donate every coin you had?
(Would you? Would you?)

[By now everyone held on to someone they cared about and just heavily swayed back and forth or slow danced to the music. Alice and Monica took to wing again and danced above with their string lights trailing behind them.]

And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
(What if, What if)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to Heaven above
That you finally fall in love
(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Alice and Monica flew into each others arms and embraced, the light sphere strings just dangled below them]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When the song ended, the applause was deafening. Marianne held Bog’s face in her hands and said, “Such a beautiful song with such good advice it is for today was almost my last day.”

“That is why I picked the song for you, my dear.”

“Oh Hon! You did it to me again”, she called out

She then nestled her head into his chest and began to sigh heavily as she unfolded her wings and began to open and close them slowly. She then began to repeatedly kiss him all over his face. He even sighed heavily receiving so much love from his lady.

Alice and Monica landed nearby. Both had the light strings around their neck as Alice said, “Oh, she’s got it bad for him.”

Bog looked to them and said, “Oh, thank you ladies for your illuminating assistance.”

Both of the them laughed as they put an arm around one another and they then wrapped their wings around each other. What they were doing behind those wings Bog could only guess. But the shadows created by the light strings had given him and everyone else a good idea.

Just then King Dagda and Yara came over. He said, “Great song, my friend! A good message indeed and you based that off that line of advice my daughter spoke of earlier.”

“Well, the song isn’t mine, I just changed the words around a bit to fit the situation.”

Marianne still had her arms around his neck as she turned to her father and in a swooning tone said, “It is beautiful. Ahhh, he’s so wonderful isn’t he?”

Bog’s eyes widened as he told her father, “You don’t have to answer that.”

Everyone in earshot laughed. Marianne just looked to him with starry eyes.

Her father watched his daughter as she continued to open and close her wings. He said, “Ummm, not to sound like Griselda and be pushy, but have you two thought about when your wedding will be?”

Marianne and Bog looked at each other and they both said together, “As soon as possible.”

They both laughed and she said to her lover, “Well, I will wait if you want, I don’t want to be pushy either.

“No, I can’t see a reason why we should wait. We both have known for a while that this is what we want.”

Marianne finally folded her wings as she said, “Not to sound needy or anything, but I do want to be your queen.”

She then reached up and brought her lips to his. There was cheering and clapping among the crowd.

King Dagda and Yara smiled as he said, “Well, that is good to know, and let me know if I can be of assistance in anyway.”

“As do I, Yara love planning weddings! Being tribal queen, I am good at it too.” Yara said.

Marianne said, “Don’t worry, I think we are going to need quite a bit of help with this one.”

Her father said, “That big, huh?”

Everyone laughed and then slowly headed back to their seats.

When they sat down, Bog just looked into Marianne’s eyes and she stared back at him. Moments later he heard Sunny speaking to Benny:

“Well, if you are gonna sing you better do it now, we are going to wrap it up shortly.”

“I know, I know, I just have some butterflies.”

“Why? You sang in front of everyone before.”

“Yes, but this time I want to tell Yara how I really feel,” He said. “I think I am falling really hard for her.”

“Oh….yeah, I guess I can see why you are nervous. But just go with what you feel in your heart and everything will fall into place,” Sunny advised.

One of the three sprite fairies said, “Your song choice is beautiful. I think she will love it.”

“Alright then, give me a few moments to change,” Benny said.

Sunny nodded and then Benny took off towards the kitchen. Benny rounded up a few of his elves and they took their positions at the instruments.

Several moments later a servant emerged from the kitchen and notified Sunny that Benny was ready.

“Our final number for tonight will be by our very own Chief at Arms,” Sunny announced. He then put his hand out towards the ballroom doors and yelled, “Benny!”

The doors of the ballroom flew open wide as Benny pushed them open very hard. Everybody began to applaud as he entered. Sugar plum started up a slow piano chord progression as he entered.
The outfit he was wearing resembled a gladiator type outfit that looked very old. The color was mainly brown and gold and it quite matched the look of Queen Yara’s outfit. The outfit had three layered plates on each side that formed pauldrons that went out to a point past his shoulders. The two center paudrons came down and attached with a strap to a chest plate which had straps that ran under the first set of pauldron plates. The neck line was scooped and showed his neck and a good portion of his upper chest. The top center crease of his sternum could be seen. The lower edge was scalloped and layered down his sides and stopped about mid abdomen where the center part of the last later came to a point both on his abdomen and back. This left the sides of his lower abdomen open. He wore bracers that matched and ran up to his elbows and also terminated to a point. The bracers were heavily adorned in gold trim. For the lower part of his body, he wore a tight pair of shorts and over it was a layered tusset that was formed of two large brown leaves that overlapped on the backside and formed a part on the front. His legs from mid thigh down were bare. He completed the look with matching laced sandals. The laces ran all the way up to just above his knees. Despite the fact that Benny wasn’t as muscularly built as many of the other soldiers, he had a lean and ripped look and many of the girls in the room took notice. Still, Bog had to chuckle a bit as he noticed that Marianne’s arms were almost as big and and just as ripped as his.

As Benny walked by the elves’ table the tall pretty elf girl he danced with during Bog’s number, stood up to get a better look. She was breathing very hard as she said, “Oh he looks so hot!”

Benny apparently heard and he walked even more proud pushing his chest out. He bowed a bit and said, “Why, thank you, m’lady.”

“Oh and so gallant too!” She said as she swooned, put the backside of her hand over her forehead and passed out.
Another well built girl elf caught her and said, “Brittany! Get your head out of the clouds, he’s a fairy and a knight, he would never go out with you!”

“Oh can it, Celeste! Leave it to you to suck the fun out of my fantasy,” Brittany said.

Benny shook his head and then proceeded to proudly walk straight up to Queen Yara with a swagger as the slow piano chord progression continued to play in the background.

Yara’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates as he approached. Her lips even cracked a small smirk.

“May I have this dance, m’lady?” he said as he bowed before her with one hand behind is back and his other hand out for her to take.

“Yes, of course, good, kind Sir.” she said as she took his hand and he helped her out of her seat. She continued. “Do we dance the Trot of the Fox again?”

Everyone in earshot laughed.

“Not exactly,” he replied as the two got into a dance hold on the ballroom floor. “This is more freestyle.”

“Oh Okay.”

He took a few turns with her and then began to sing slowly in a soft voice. Yara smiled as he sang to her.

(Give Me Your Love – Sigala, Feat John Newman)

(Benny, Marianne, Pixies)

(Benny)

I may be selfish but I'll take your pain
When you get weak I'll make you strong again
When all is lost, I will comfort you, mmm, mmm

[A guitar riff played out and the beat changed to an up beat dance rhythm. Benny broke out of his dance hold with Yara and took her hands in his. At first she looked confused but she got the idea by the manner of how he was moving her arms to the beat and the way he started to step his legs to the beat. She then followed along and she began to smile.]

So give me your love, I need it
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding

[He still sang softly, but by this point Marianne began to move side to side in her seat rocking her shoulders to the beat. She said, “Oh! I know this one, it’s really good!”]

Give me your love, I need it, oh yeah, oh yeah!

[Just then the beat dropped out and Benny took his voice up in loudness as he dropped his arms to his side. He began to just sway side to side. Yara’s eyes widened as followed and began to sway with him.]

Give me your love, I need it!
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding!
Give me your love, I need it, uh, uh yeah!

[The music then stopped altogether and Benny thrust his arm forward pointing towards Yara and in almost a cross tone in his voice he yelled out.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

[The music started up again with the beat changing slightly to more of a hip hop style.]

(Benny, - pixie fairies in parenthesis italics)

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

[Spydera said, “Oooo, this is catchy.” she said as she tapped one of her back legs on the floor and slightly bobbed her head to the beat.]

Give me your love!

[The dance shifted more to Benny’s legs as he was shuffling them to the music. The top half of his body was swaying to the beat as he swung both his arms back and forth.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

[Spydera said, “Hmmm, little warrior man sure can dance well.]

Give me your love!

[Yara attempted to follow the upper body movement while also snapping her fingers to the beat.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

Uh, uh, yeah!

(Your love, love, your love)

[Marianne was bouncing to the beat in her seat with more energy now. Again there was a pause in the beat and Benny stopped for a moment, put his finger out to Yara and sang out loudly.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

(Pixie Fairies in a lower pitch.)
(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[Marianne looked to Bog and said, “I can’t sit still for this. The beat is too good!” ]

(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[She got up from her seat and started to dance off to the side. As Spydera watched her, she began rocking her shoulders to the beat and tapping her leg to the beat even harder.]

(Benny)
Give me your love!

[Bog’s eyes widened as he noticed Marianne was doing the dance style even better than Benny.]

(Pixie Fairies)
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love

[Once the beat shifted back to a dance beat, Yara started to move her lower body more to the beat. Benny nodded in approval.]

I will be there every lonely night

[Yara added a bounce to her movement and Benny’s eyes widened. She noticed and smiled widely.]

When you wake up, I'll be by your side
I will always be there for you, mmm, mmm, oh yeah!

[The beat then dropped out again and Benny put his hands on Yara’s shoulders and was gently squeezing them. He had a passionate look in his eyes. Yara put her hands on Benny’s hips and the two swayed back and forth. Marianne turned around and grabbed Bog by is lapels and practically pulled him out of his seat. She ended up singing along with Benny, but at a softer level.]

So give me your love, I need it!
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding!

[Marianne started to ‘push’ Bog towards the dance floor, he said softly, ‘Marianne no! I can’t dance to this!’]

Give me your love, I need it!

[Marianne continued to push Bog back until he found he was backed up against a pillar].

oh yeah, oh yeah!

[She continued moving forward and up until her face was close to his. She thrust out her arms over his shoulders and they slammed into the pillar behind him and when the music dropped out she sang along with Benny. Meanwhile Benny held Yara’s face in his hands as he belted out the next line.]

Why don't you give me your love?

[By now many noticed something going on with Marianne and Bog as well. Marianne then flew off to the side of the dance floor and began to dance in a hip hop style similar to Benny.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

Give me your love!

[Bog had a wide eyed look on his face as he watched the intricate legwork Marianne was doing. The crowd started to applaud when she took to the dance floor.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)
Give me your love!
(Your love, love, your love, your love)

[By now Yara was moving her lower body more to the beat, but wasn’t moving like Benny or Marianne.]

Uh, uh, yeah!
(Your love, love, your love)

[Marianne moved closer to Benny and she sang out the next line aloud to Bog as Benny sang to Yara. Spydera continued to rock her shoulders to the beat but in a different way with a bit more bounce.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

[Their harmony was spot on and and they quickly glanced at each other before the beat started up again. Benny shouted to Marianne, “Hip Hop number eight”. Marianne nodded in agreement and the two broke out in the same legwork routine, but they moved their upper bodies a bit different.]

(Benny, Marianne, Pixies in parenthesis)

(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[The crowd was cheering loudly as they clapped to the beat and watched. They were really getting into it and soon others were getting up and dancing by their tables and some even on the tables. Bog just marveled at the way Marianne danced and he just leaned up against the pillar and crossed his legs as he watched.]

(Benny, Marianne)

Give me your love

(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[The beat dropped out again and both Marianne and moved closer to their partners. Benny had backed Yara into a pillar and he moved close to her face as he put his hands on her shoulders again.]

(Benny alone)
You don’t need no other man baby
He won't treat you like I could
Stop your searching around
I will always love you more

[Marianne and Benny backed off their partners and sang together to them.]

(Benny, Marianne)

So give me your love, I need it!
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding!

[Again their harmony was spot on. The both broke into the same routine as they did earlier dancing in sync. Everyone was cheering and clapping to the beat with the exception of the goblins. More and more people started to line the edges of the dance floor, clapping to the beat.]

Give me your love, I need it,
oh yeah, oh yeah!

[Both Marianne and Benny pointed their fingers at their respective partners and yelled out.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

[Suddenly Yara moved from the Pillar and began to dance in between Marianne and Benny. She attempted her own leg work to the song as she opened her large wings behind Benny and Marianne. She was moving them up and down to the beat. Everyone was cheering her on.]

(Pixies)
Your love, your love, love

[Marianne joined in the backing vocals with the pixies]

[As she sang out her line, she had a heavy bounce to her step. Her hair bounced along and Bog just looked at her in awe.]

(Marianne to Bog)

Oh, you got to give me, give me more!

(Pixies)
(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

(Benny Marianne)
Give me your love
(Pixies)
Your love, your love, love

[Marianne then broke out of the dance line and marched over to Bog and put her arms around him and rocked her shoulders as she sang]

(Marianne to Bog)
Oh, you got to give me, give me more!

(Pixies)
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love

[Benny put his arms around Yara as he and Marianne sang together.]

Why don't you give me your love?

As the song ended, Marianne opened her wings and wrapped them around Bog. She then leaned forward and gave Bog a semi private kiss. Given that her wings were up and no one could see them kiss, Bog was about to indulge in her kiss. Suddenly there was some very loud cheering and many wolf whistles. Marianne realized something was up and she lowered her wings. Both her and Bog looked over to Benny and Yara, and both of them had their lips locked. Both of their eyes widened. But after a few moments, Yara suddenly pushed Benny away. She had a shocked look in her face.

Benny said, “I Love you Queen Yara.”

She shook her head and called out, “No no! You mustn’t, not for real.”

“Yes, I love you for real. I want to start dating you if you will have me?”

Suddenly she got a frightened look in her eyes. Then she did something unexpected as she took to wing and started to fly off.

“Open the door!” she shouted as flew towards it. However, there was no one standing by the door.

Marianne said to Bog, “Oh no!”

There were many that gasped out, “Ohhhh!” as this was the first time they saw Yara flying. She still had a bit of trouble keeping herself straight. She started to veer off to the side when Benny shot into the air and came to her aid. He managed to catch her and he helped her down and into the corner.

Marianne, being as curious as she always was, flew over to a pillar and tried to listen in. Bog ended up joining her. He could barely make out what they were saying.

“I thought we were falling for each other, Yara. I just sang my heart out for you there.”

“I thought we have fun like with other song. Yara love to dance with you and have fun with you. You are kind to me and treat me like a queen. I want to be friend to you, but nothing more. Forgive my saying, but Yara too old for you. You could be my son,” Yara said as her voice wavered and her eyes welled up.

Bog could tell that Yara was ready to cry.

Others slowly started to gather around them but still stayed at a distance. King Dagda moved forward and put his arm around Marianne. He was slowly trying to pull her back, away from Benny and Yara.

“I don’t care. I happen to like older women, but don’t take that the wrong way. You look young to me. You’re a beautiful, strong woman and I find myself more and more becoming attracted to you. So tonight I sang to you to show my love for you and I want to start going out with you.”

Bog could hear many of the girls saying softly, “Awwww!”

“Thank you for wonderful compliments, Benny, but no, it will not work with Yara.” she said as tears started to roll down her cheek. Yara wiped her face as she started to walk towards the door.

“Why not? Why don’t you give us a try, please. I will be good to you,” Benny said as he followed and was ready to grab her by her arm.

She turned and yelled back to him, “It will not work because Yara in love with someone else!”

She inadvertently raised her arm up not knowing that her hand was pointing right in King Dagda’s direction. She then looked towards the slowly growing crowd on the floor and right in front was King Dagda. He slowly looked down as he curled his lip inward.

Yara grasped the large handles on the door and grunted loudly as she pulled on the handles and opened both huge doors with such a force that they swung all the way open and slammed against the wall.

She then turned to the crowd and with tears rolling down her face, she yelled out, “No one follow me! Yara want to be alone!”

She made again eye contact with King Dagda, and then she took to wing and started to fly off down the hall.
Benny then took to wing as he he started to fly towards the door. But then he changed direction and flew towards the King. In a gruff voice, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

As he started for the door again, King Dagda shouted, “I didn’t know. We never professed our love for one another.”

Benny stopped in mid air and said, “Well, do you love her, Your Majesty?”

King Dagda looked around as all eyes were on him. He looked very uncomfortable.

“Well, Sire? I need to know, because if you don’t then you have to tell her.”

“Darn it, Benny, you are not putting me in a good position right now,” the King said. He shook his head and then said, “If you must know, Yes, I do love her.”

There were some ‘Ohhhhhh’s’ from the crowd as they looked to the king with wide eyes.

“Well then, I will back off of her, Sire. She’s yours,” he said in a calmer, but disappointed tone. He then looked towards the balcony and said, “I need some air, I had enough for today. Thank you again for the medal, Sire.”

“You’re Welcome. I think we all had enough today,” The king said. He then turned and looked to a nearby servant and said, “Wrap it up, party’s over.”

Benny flew off towards the balcony as the servant headed for the kitchen.

There were some disappointed voices among the crowd. But it was getting late anyway. The crowd started to break up with most saying goodnight and leaving the ballroom. But all of the royals remained. Sunny, Pare and a few other elves stuck around to help clean up.

Queen Spydera was the first to get back to her seat by the table. King Dagda followed and then Marianne, Bog and Dawn.

Spydera said, “Well, I thought it was a good song, I have not heard music like that in a long time.”

King Dagda said, “I saw that by the way you were moving.”

Dawn said, “Yeah, you were really dancing in your seat there, Your Highness. You have good rhythm.”

“My daughter is right, you do have good rhythm. Can you dance?” King Dagda asked.

“Just A little.”

Marianne asked, “You don’t have parties in the Forbidden Forest?”

“Sadly, spiders are not much into things like dancing to music, so no.”

“Well perhaps the next time we have a party, you could take a turn on the floor with myself or even Bog, he is much taller than I and would be a suitable dance partner for you,” King Dagda said.

Bog’s eyes widened as K.D. volunteered him to dance with Spydera, something he had no desire to do. But what seemed odd about the conversation was that no one mentioned his falling for Yara.

Griselda came over shortly after and said, “I saw that all. It was a beautiful song up until the end when things just got….”

Spydera finished Griselda’s sentence and said, “Awkward?”

“Yeah.”

The Spider Queen put her hand to her mouth and yawned.

“Perhaps I should be off myself,” she said. “I will be heading back to my kingdom in the morning as there is a lot a prep work I need to do to make it safe for your fairies to fly into my realm.”

King Dagda got up and said, “Very well. I am assuming everything is fine with your room, Your Highness?”

“Yes, it is a beautiful room, Thank You.”

“Then rest well and I will see you tomorrow morning for breakfast.”

“Yes, I will look forward to that,” she said.

As Spydera got up from the table and started to walk towards the ballroom exit, there came a loud bang against the sealed doors from the balcony. She stopped, looked towards the balcony and said to King Dagda, “Is he going to be alright out there?”

“Yeah, he should be.”

“Before I go to bed, I’ll check on him for you.”

King Dagda said, “Thank you.”

“You’re Welcome,” she said and then she turned and walked towards the balcony.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the balcony:

Benny sat in a chair leaning back on two of it’s legs. His legs were up on the balcony rail and he just felt so miserable and ashamed of himself for having done what he did. He was so angry that he threw one of the goblets on the table against the doors behind him. He knew Yara was getting close to the king, but she never mentioned anything about falling for him. He thought he had a chance with her, but she told him otherwise. Then the king came out and said he loved her too. He was hurting bad inside and he just closed his eyes for a moment as he sighed loudly. He then thought of a song that reflected on how he was feeling about love at that moment. With his eyes still closed he began to tap his foot to a beat and he started to sing:

(Victim Of Love – Erasure)

(Benny)
I don't wanna look like some kind of fool
I don't wanna break my heart over you
I'm building a wall, everyday it's gettin' higher
Next time I won't end up another victim of love

“Are you okay?” a voice suddenly said aloud.

Benny jumped up, chair tipped and as he fell backwards his head nicked the edge of the table when he came down. When he hit the floor he quickly scrambled up, took to the air and flew into the corner of the balcony and began to breathe hard.

“Whoa, what the heck!” he said as he splayed his fingers out, but then he focused on Queen Spydera and said, “You scared the crap out of me, Your Highness! Sheesh, please make some noise or something when you come up behind someone.”

She laughed for a moment and then said, “Sorry, I don’t make much noise when I walk.”

“I’ll say.” Benny said as he flew down, righted his chair and sat back down in it. “You thought that was pretty funny, huh?”

Spydera sat down on the table and her rear legs splayed out across the table behind her as she said, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you, but it was rather comical the way you fell and scrambled to get up like that.”

“I guess so,” he said as he rubbed the bump on the back of his head.

“So, Queen Yara let you down pretty hard, huh, little warrior?” Spydera asked as she crossed her front legs and placed her left hand on top of them.

“Yeah,” Benny said as he looked to how long and shapely her lower legs were. “I guess my little song proved that much, huh?”

“Uh huh...I can see you look very disappointed,” she said as she placed her right hand a bit behind her, twisting her midsection so she could face him.

Benny glanced down to her stomach for a moment.

“Well, I thought we had something going there. It was the way she looked at me when I did something nice for her. It was how she smiled when we danced together. Earlier when I helped her with flying, the way we held hands, she just looked so happy. I was so certain that we were falling for one another. But she sees me nothing more than just a friend.”

“So, I heard. I am surprised she turns away the affections from a younger man.”

“I thought being younger than her didn’t matter. She doesn’t look old to me,” Benny said.

“Well, it is her loss. Even though your king is a fine gentleman, like yourself, you are far more handsome than he is. Coming from an older woman myself, there would be no contest as to whom I would pick.”

Benny raised an eyebrow as he said, “Thank you, Your Highness, I appreciate the compliment.”

“You’re Welcome,” she said and she paused for a bit before continuing, “Did you mean what you said back there about being attracted to strong women.”

“Yes, of course. I don’t care for a woman that is overly thin. Sadly most women here are built that way. That type of frame is in style as most of the fairy men like a woman like that, but not me. I like strong, well built women.”

“Why haven’t you ever pursued a relationship with Princess Marianne? She has nice strong arms.”

“She wasn’t always like that. She was thin like the other women. She used to be clumsy and I didn’t find her interesting until she took up sword fighting. She became less clumsy, more agile and more athletic looking. Then I started to become interested in her. But she swore off love after being hurt by her ex-fiance, so I didn’t want to push the issue and let her be. Then all of a sudden she ends up falling for, and becoming engaged to the Bog King. And just that fast she’s unavailable,” he explained as he sighed. He then continued. “Then Queen Yara came. She was different, strong, independent, beautiful mocha skin, beautiful eyes and beautiful black wings and also a warrior. The attraction was immediate. But what drew me to her most was that she was so kind and appreciative of anything we did together. After I escorted her to a few of our functions and danced with her, I felt myself falling for her and I figured she was going to be the one. When I held those large solid shoulders of hers…Well, I started to want her.”

Spydera had a disappointed look on her face as she said, “That’s a shame it didn’t work out for you.”

“What about you, your highness? Do you have someone special in your life?” Benny asked.

“Me? No,” Spydera said as she reached up and splayed her long fingers over her chest. “In fact it has been a VERY long time since I been with anyone.

“Why?”

Spydera put her hand back down behind her on the table and lowered her brow as she said, “Why? Just look at me. I’m a monster. No man would want me.”

Benny found himself constantly looking down to her strong abdomen. He liked the way it moved when she spoke.

He looked back up to her and said, “Are you kidding me? You are so cool and awesome! I saw the way you were fighting out there. You came in riding that huge spider and then the way you were shooting those webs out of the tips of your hind legs. The way you threw your spears with such a force they went through multiple flies at once. That’s amazing. You are so strong and unique. What guy wouldn’t like a woman like you?”

“Huh? Ya...you don’t think I am a monster?” She asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“Hell no! You look very much like a woman to me and an attractive one at that. You are different, yes, but you have a pretty face,” he said as looked to her face and continued. “You really have amazing looking eyes and those cheekbones of yours...so cool looking. The way you are sitting now, you look very feminine and womanly to me.”

She suddenly shot her hand forward and got him by the chin, stared him down and said, “Are you sure you are feeling alright, little warrior?”

She released his chin and allowed him to speak.

“Yeah, I’m fine. What is it? Has no one paid you a compliment before?”

“No, until today I have not heard a compliment for as long as I remember. Monsters don’t get many compliments now do they?”

“Please stop saying that, Your Highness, you’re not a monster. I see a unique, strong, and attractive woman.”

She swallowed hard as she said, “Thank you.”

“By the way, your outfit looks pretty hot.”

Spydera’s eyes widened as she said, “You like what I am wearing?”

His eyes grew wide as he looked again to her abdomen as he said, “Yes, very much.”

“I noticed you are always looking at my stomach.”

“Oh forgive me for staring, Your Highness, it is just I never seen a woman that had such strong abs like you,” he said as he looked again at her abdomen and he liked the way it flexed when she talked. He had such a strong desire to run his fingers along her abdomen. Without even thinking he just raised his hand towards her stomach, but he stopped and asked, “May I, please?”

He found her answer very unexpected as she smiled a bit and said, “Go ahead….But make it quick.”

“Yes, Your highness.”

Spydera uncrossed her legs and leaned back on her both arms a bit to straighten and elongate her abdomen. He slowly moved his fingers forward and it seemed like she was tensing up. The lines on her abdomen became deeper. He gently touched his fingers to one of the center squared off parts of her stomach and she flinched a bit and she tensed up even more. While her skin was soft, the muscle beneath it was rock hard. He ran his finger across one of the creases her muscles made. He noticed that her breathing changed and her face seemed to tense up even more. He then ran his finger down the middle crease of her abdomen. He just watched as his finger fell deeper into the crease when she exhaled. He couldn’t help but scrunch his nose as he liked the feeling of her muscles moving under his fingertips, getting very hard to the touch. It felt really kinky. He then gently raked his fingertips over her entire abdomen.

Suddenly there came a heavy scratching sound. He looked up to see her fingers curl inwards on the table scratching it as her sharp fingernails dug into the wood.

Spydera tossed her head back and called out, “Uhhhhhhhh!”

She then scrambled to her feet using her back legs on the table and her main legs and quickly moved away from Benny. She stood wide eyed with her fingers splayed out and she was still breathing heavy.

Figuring something went wrong, Benny said, “I’m sorry! Did I hurt you? I was trying to be as gentle as possible.”

“No, I am fine. I just didn’t expect the reaction to your touch. I normally don’t let anyone touch me.”

“I hope I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable.”

“No, it wasn’t you, it was me,” She said as she still was breathing hard.

As big and strong as she was, she suddenly had a bit of a scared look on her face.

“Well, as long as you are OK, Your Highness.”

“Yes, I am fine.”

“Well, I am sorry if what I did displeased you in any way.”

“No, it wasn’t displeasing. Just don’t do it again,” she said as her breathing returned to normal.

“As you wish, your highness. I was just satisfying a curiosity.”

“I would like to go back to our interesting chat, but I want to ask you something now.”

“Alright.”

“This might sound strange, but that dance you did with Marianne. Can you teach me that?”

Benny’s eyes widened as he wouldn’t figure that the spider queen of the Forbidden Forest would be interested in modern dancing. He put a smile a mile wide on his face as he said, “With pleasure, m’lady, but I can only show you a few things now since it is getting late, but we can continue tomorrow.”

“That is fine. Are you available after breakfast tomorrow?” She asked.

“Definitely.”

She smiled and raised an eyebrow.

Meanwhile back in the ballroom:

Once Spydera exited out to the balcony, Marianne leaned on the table and said, “Congratulations Dad! Dawn and I were hoping that you would hook up with Yara.”

“You did?” he asked in a puzzled tone, “I thought you both would be upset.”

“Why?

“I thought you would would think I was betraying your mother.”

Marianne said, “Dad, it isn’t betrayal. You were so true and loved mom well beyond when she died. I think it is high time you finally let go and love again.”

“I don’t know, but it just doesn’t seem right,” he said.

Dawn said, “Dad, tell her you love her, Please. I want Yara to stay with us. I love her too.”

Marianne said, “Yes, Dad, I am with Dawn on this. I want her to stay too and I love her three.”

Everyone laughed at her remark.

“Alright, but for now I just want to respect her wishes and leave her be.”

“Ok, Dad, but please go to her, tonight yet. I saw the way she looked at you when she said she was in love with someone else to Benny.”

“Yes, I saw it too.”

Bog said, “Don’t forget that dance you had with her earlier on the boat.”

K.D. lowered his eyebrow and said, “Yeah, next time knock or something, you two nearly scared the bejesus out of us.”

Bog, Marianne and her father laughed.

Description
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Strange Magic – ButterflyBog
by
Raven Diablo

Chapter 11 – WAR!

Part 12

(If Today Was Your Last Day - Nickelback)

(Bog - Random band member backing vocal in parenthesis)

My girlfriend gave me the best advice
She said, "Each day's a gift and not a given right.”

[Marianne realized he sang the very words she spoke earlier. Her face became very soft when she said, “Oh Bog!”]

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

[Everyone swayed and clapped to the beat]

And try to take the path less traveled by.
That first step you take is the longest stride.

(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Bog laid harder into the chords playing louder. The band followed. Everyone swayed more.]

And tomorrow was too late
Could you say "goodbye" to yesterday?
(What if, What if)
Would you live each moment like your last?

[Some out on the floor took to dancing slowly with their partners, but most just watched Bog perform while moving to the beat. Marianne danced a little to the side of him. He could see her getting lost in the song.]

Leave old paintings in the past
Donate every coin you had?
(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Instrumental Break]

[Bog slowed down the rhythm again as he went into a small break. Marianne came over and moved slightly behind Bog as she draped her arm around his neck. She rocked her shoulders to the beat, never taking her eyes off him. Sugar plum shot her hand up to the ceiling and the lights dimmed in the room.]

(What if What if, If today was your last day)
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try

[Marianne rested her head on Bog’s shoulder and she sighed loudly. Benny started to slow dance with Yara, he got very close to her. ]

So live it like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Suddenly Alice and Monica each grabbed a string of light spheres from the wall and flew up and above Marianne and Bog. They danced together with the light strings trailing behind them. There were some, “Oooo’s from the crowd.

And tomorrow was too late
Could you say "goodbye" to yesterday?

[Even more of the goblins got up and joined the crowd swaying to the beat.]

(What if, What if)
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old paintings in the past
Donate every coin you had?
(What if, What if)
And would you call old friends you never see?

[Everyone continued to pair off with the ones they loved and they started to sway back and forth with them. Dawn and Sunny went off to a table in a darkened corner and he sat on it while she stood. They started to kiss as they swayed to the music.]

Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
(What if, What if)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?

[King Dagda cut in and resumed slow dancing with Yara. Benny was a bit frustrated, but one of the taller elf women came over to him. The two spoke for a bit and the two started to slow dance.]

Swear up and down to Heaven above
That you finally fall in love
(Finally Fall In Love)
If today was your last day

[Thang got a light sphere that was in a flower decoration and he gave it to Stuff. The two sat down on the goblin’s table and he slowly put his arm around her. The two swayed to the music.]

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars

[As Bog continued to sing, he couldn’t help but notice that Queen Spydera just stood in the shadows and she was constantly putting her hand near her face. Alice and Monica continued to dance above with the light strings. Marianne just watched in awe.]

Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life

[Marianne had such a soft look on her face as she leaned into Bog’s body. Then he could feel her kissing the nape of his neck. ]

Let nothin' stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

[Marianne came around to his front and just looked to him with her soft golden brown eyes. He almost missed his song cue as he started to get lost in her eyes. But he came to and just slowed down a bit.]

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say "goodbye" to yesterday?

[Marianne again leaned into his shoulder as she draped her arms around his neck.]

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old paintings in the past
Donate every coin you had?
(Would you? Would you?)

[By now everyone held on to someone they cared about and just heavily swayed back and forth or slow danced to the music. Alice and Monica took to wing again and danced above with their string lights trailing behind them.]

And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
(What if, What if)
And would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to Heaven above
That you finally fall in love
(What if, What if)
If today was your last day

[Alice and Monica flew into each others arms and embraced, the light sphere strings just dangled below them]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When the song ended, the applause was deafening. Marianne held Bog’s face in her hands and said, “Such a beautiful song with such good advice it is for today was almost my last day.”

“That is why I picked the song for you, my dear.”

“Oh Hon! You did it to me again”, she called out

She then nestled her head into his chest and began to sigh heavily as she unfolded her wings and began to open and close them slowly. She then began to repeatedly kiss him all over his face. He even sighed heavily receiving so much love from his lady.

Alice and Monica landed nearby. Both had the light strings around their neck as Alice said, “Oh, she’s got it bad for him.”

Bog looked to them and said, “Oh, thank you ladies for your illuminating assistance.”

Both of the them laughed as they put an arm around one another and they then wrapped their wings around each other. What they were doing behind those wings Bog could only guess. But the shadows created by the light strings had given him and everyone else a good idea.

Just then King Dagda and Yara came over. He said, “Great song, my friend! A good message indeed and you based that off that line of advice my daughter spoke of earlier.”

“Well, the song isn’t mine, I just changed the words around a bit to fit the situation.”

Marianne still had her arms around his neck as she turned to her father and in a swooning tone said, “It is beautiful. Ahhh, he’s so wonderful isn’t he?”

Bog’s eyes widened as he told her father, “You don’t have to answer that.”

Everyone in earshot laughed. Marianne just looked to him with starry eyes.

Her father watched his daughter as she continued to open and close her wings. He said, “Ummm, not to sound like Griselda and be pushy, but have you two thought about when your wedding will be?”

Marianne and Bog looked at each other and they both said together, “As soon as possible.”

They both laughed and she said to her lover, “Well, I will wait if you want, I don’t want to be pushy either.

“No, I can’t see a reason why we should wait. We both have known for a while that this is what we want.”

Marianne finally folded her wings as she said, “Not to sound needy or anything, but I do want to be your queen.”

She then reached up and brought her lips to his. There was cheering and clapping among the crowd.

King Dagda and Yara smiled as he said, “Well, that is good to know, and let me know if I can be of assistance in anyway.”

“As do I, Yara love planning weddings! Being tribal queen, I am good at it too.” Yara said.

Marianne said, “Don’t worry, I think we are going to need quite a bit of help with this one.”

Her father said, “That big, huh?”

Everyone laughed and then slowly headed back to their seats.

When they sat down, Bog just looked into Marianne’s eyes and she stared back at him. Moments later he heard Sunny speaking to Benny:

“Well, if you are gonna sing you better do it now, we are going to wrap it up shortly.”

“I know, I know, I just have some butterflies.”

“Why? You sang in front of everyone before.”

“Yes, but this time I want to tell Yara how I really feel,” He said. “I think I am falling really hard for her.”

“Oh….yeah, I guess I can see why you are nervous. But just go with what you feel in your heart and everything will fall into place,” Sunny advised.

One of the three sprite fairies said, “Your song choice is beautiful. I think she will love it.”

“Alright then, give me a few moments to change,” Benny said.

Sunny nodded and then Benny took off towards the kitchen. Benny rounded up a few of his elves and they took their positions at the instruments.

Several moments later a servant emerged from the kitchen and notified Sunny that Benny was ready.

“Our final number for tonight will be by our very own Chief at Arms,” Sunny announced. He then put his hand out towards the ballroom doors and yelled, “Benny!”

The doors of the ballroom flew open wide as Benny pushed them open very hard. Everybody began to applaud as he entered. Sugar plum started up a slow piano chord progression as he entered.
The outfit he was wearing resembled a gladiator type outfit that looked very old. The color was mainly brown and gold and it quite matched the look of Queen Yara’s outfit. The outfit had three layered plates on each side that formed pauldrons that went out to a point past his shoulders. The two center paudrons came down and attached with a strap to a chest plate which had straps that ran under the first set of pauldron plates. The neck line was scooped and showed his neck and a good portion of his upper chest. The top center crease of his sternum could be seen. The lower edge was scalloped and layered down his sides and stopped about mid abdomen where the center part of the last later came to a point both on his abdomen and back. This left the sides of his lower abdomen open. He wore bracers that matched and ran up to his elbows and also terminated to a point. The bracers were heavily adorned in gold trim. For the lower part of his body, he wore a tight pair of shorts and over it was a layered tusset that was formed of two large brown leaves that overlapped on the backside and formed a part on the front. His legs from mid thigh down were bare. He completed the look with matching laced sandals. The laces ran all the way up to just above his knees. Despite the fact that Benny wasn’t as muscularly built as many of the other soldiers, he had a lean and ripped look and many of the girls in the room took notice. Still, Bog had to chuckle a bit as he noticed that Marianne’s arms were almost as big and and just as ripped as his.

As Benny walked by the elves’ table the tall pretty elf girl he danced with during Bog’s number, stood up to get a better look. She was breathing very hard as she said, “Oh he looks so hot!”

Benny apparently heard and he walked even more proud pushing his chest out. He bowed a bit and said, “Why, thank you, m’lady.”

“Oh and so gallant too!” She said as she swooned, put the backside of her hand over her forehead and passed out.
Another well built girl elf caught her and said, “Brittany! Get your head out of the clouds, he’s a fairy and a knight, he would never go out with you!”

“Oh can it, Celeste! Leave it to you to suck the fun out of my fantasy,” Brittany said.

Benny shook his head and then proceeded to proudly walk straight up to Queen Yara with a swagger as the slow piano chord progression continued to play in the background.

Yara’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates as he approached. Her lips even cracked a small smirk.

“May I have this dance, m’lady?” he said as he bowed before her with one hand behind is back and his other hand out for her to take.

“Yes, of course, good, kind Sir.” she said as she took his hand and he helped her out of her seat. She continued. “Do we dance the Trot of the Fox again?”

Everyone in earshot laughed.

“Not exactly,” he replied as the two got into a dance hold on the ballroom floor. “This is more freestyle.”

“Oh Okay.”

He took a few turns with her and then began to sing slowly in a soft voice. Yara smiled as he sang to her.

(Give Me Your Love – Sigala, Feat John Newman)

(Benny, Marianne, Pixies)

(Benny)

I may be selfish but I'll take your pain
When you get weak I'll make you strong again
When all is lost, I will comfort you, mmm, mmm

[A guitar riff played out and the beat changed to an up beat dance rhythm. Benny broke out of his dance hold with Yara and took her hands in his. At first she looked confused but she got the idea by the manner of how he was moving her arms to the beat and the way he started to step his legs to the beat. She then followed along and she began to smile.]

So give me your love, I need it
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding

[He still sang softly, but by this point Marianne began to move side to side in her seat rocking her shoulders to the beat. She said, “Oh! I know this one, it’s really good!”]

Give me your love, I need it, oh yeah, oh yeah!

[Just then the beat dropped out and Benny took his voice up in loudness as he dropped his arms to his side. He began to just sway side to side. Yara’s eyes widened as followed and began to sway with him.]

Give me your love, I need it!
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding!
Give me your love, I need it, uh, uh yeah!

[The music then stopped altogether and Benny thrust his arm forward pointing towards Yara and in almost a cross tone in his voice he yelled out.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

[The music started up again with the beat changing slightly to more of a hip hop style.]

(Benny, - pixie fairies in parenthesis italics)

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

[Spydera said, “Oooo, this is catchy.” she said as she tapped one of her back legs on the floor and slightly bobbed her head to the beat.]

Give me your love!

[The dance shifted more to Benny’s legs as he was shuffling them to the music. The top half of his body was swaying to the beat as he swung both his arms back and forth.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

[Spydera said, “Hmmm, little warrior man sure can dance well.]

Give me your love!

[Yara attempted to follow the upper body movement while also snapping her fingers to the beat.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

Uh, uh, yeah!

(Your love, love, your love)

[Marianne was bouncing to the beat in her seat with more energy now. Again there was a pause in the beat and Benny stopped for a moment, put his finger out to Yara and sang out loudly.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

(Pixie Fairies in a lower pitch.)
(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[Marianne looked to Bog and said, “I can’t sit still for this. The beat is too good!” ]

(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[She got up from her seat and started to dance off to the side. As Spydera watched her, she began rocking her shoulders to the beat and tapping her leg to the beat even harder.]

(Benny)
Give me your love!

[Bog’s eyes widened as he noticed Marianne was doing the dance style even better than Benny.]

(Pixie Fairies)
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love

[Once the beat shifted back to a dance beat, Yara started to move her lower body more to the beat. Benny nodded in approval.]

I will be there every lonely night

[Yara added a bounce to her movement and Benny’s eyes widened. She noticed and smiled widely.]

When you wake up, I'll be by your side
I will always be there for you, mmm, mmm, oh yeah!

[The beat then dropped out again and Benny put his hands on Yara’s shoulders and was gently squeezing them. He had a passionate look in his eyes. Yara put her hands on Benny’s hips and the two swayed back and forth. Marianne turned around and grabbed Bog by is lapels and practically pulled him out of his seat. She ended up singing along with Benny, but at a softer level.]

So give me your love, I need it!
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding!

[Marianne started to ‘push’ Bog towards the dance floor, he said softly, ‘Marianne no! I can’t dance to this!’]

Give me your love, I need it!

[Marianne continued to push Bog back until he found he was backed up against a pillar].

oh yeah, oh yeah!

[She continued moving forward and up until her face was close to his. She thrust out her arms over his shoulders and they slammed into the pillar behind him and when the music dropped out she sang along with Benny. Meanwhile Benny held Yara’s face in his hands as he belted out the next line.]

Why don't you give me your love?

[By now many noticed something going on with Marianne and Bog as well. Marianne then flew off to the side of the dance floor and began to dance in a hip hop style similar to Benny.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)

Give me your love!

[Bog had a wide eyed look on his face as he watched the intricate legwork Marianne was doing. The crowd started to applaud when she took to the dance floor.]

(Your love, love, your love, your love)
Give me your love!
(Your love, love, your love, your love)

[By now Yara was moving her lower body more to the beat, but wasn’t moving like Benny or Marianne.]

Uh, uh, yeah!
(Your love, love, your love)

[Marianne moved closer to Benny and she sang out the next line aloud to Bog as Benny sang to Yara. Spydera continued to rock her shoulders to the beat but in a different way with a bit more bounce.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

[Their harmony was spot on and and they quickly glanced at each other before the beat started up again. Benny shouted to Marianne, “Hip Hop number eight”. Marianne nodded in agreement and the two broke out in the same legwork routine, but they moved their upper bodies a bit different.]

(Benny, Marianne, Pixies in parenthesis)

(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[The crowd was cheering loudly as they clapped to the beat and watched. They were really getting into it and soon others were getting up and dancing by their tables and some even on the tables. Bog just marveled at the way Marianne danced and he just leaned up against the pillar and crossed his legs as he watched.]

(Benny, Marianne)

Give me your love

(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

[The beat dropped out again and both Marianne and moved closer to their partners. Benny had backed Yara into a pillar and he moved close to her face as he put his hands on her shoulders again.]

(Benny alone)
You don’t need no other man baby
He won't treat you like I could
Stop your searching around
I will always love you more

[Marianne and Benny backed off their partners and sang together to them.]

(Benny, Marianne)

So give me your love, I need it!
Give me your heart, I'm bleeding!

[Again their harmony was spot on. The both broke into the same routine as they did earlier dancing in sync. Everyone was cheering and clapping to the beat with the exception of the goblins. More and more people started to line the edges of the dance floor, clapping to the beat.]

Give me your love, I need it,
oh yeah, oh yeah!

[Both Marianne and Benny pointed their fingers at their respective partners and yelled out.]

Why don't you give me your love?!

[Suddenly Yara moved from the Pillar and began to dance in between Marianne and Benny. She attempted her own leg work to the song as she opened her large wings behind Benny and Marianne. She was moving them up and down to the beat. Everyone was cheering her on.]

(Pixies)
Your love, your love, love

[Marianne joined in the backing vocals with the pixies]

[As she sang out her line, she had a heavy bounce to her step. Her hair bounced along and Bog just looked at her in awe.]

(Marianne to Bog)

Oh, you got to give me, give me more!

(Pixies)
(Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love)

(Benny Marianne)
Give me your love
(Pixies)
Your love, your love, love

[Marianne then broke out of the dance line and marched over to Bog and put her arms around him and rocked her shoulders as she sang]

(Marianne to Bog)
Oh, you got to give me, give me more!

(Pixies)
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love
Your love, your love, love

[Benny put his arms around Yara as he and Marianne sang together.]

Why don't you give me your love?

As the song ended, Marianne opened her wings and wrapped them around Bog. She then leaned forward and gave Bog a semi private kiss. Given that her wings were up and no one could see them kiss, Bog was about to indulge in her kiss. Suddenly there was some very loud cheering and many wolf whistles. Marianne realized something was up and she lowered her wings. Both her and Bog looked over to Benny and Yara, and both of them had their lips locked. Both of their eyes widened. But after a few moments, Yara suddenly pushed Benny away. She had a shocked look in her face.

Benny said, “I Love you Queen Yara.”

She shook her head and called out, “No no! You mustn’t, not for real.”

“Yes, I love you for real. I want to start dating you if you will have me?”

Suddenly she got a frightened look in her eyes. Then she did something unexpected as she took to wing and started to fly off.

“Open the door!” she shouted as flew towards it. However, there was no one standing by the door.

Marianne said to Bog, “Oh no!”

There were many that gasped out, “Ohhhh!” as this was the first time they saw Yara flying. She still had a bit of trouble keeping herself straight. She started to veer off to the side when Benny shot into the air and came to her aid. He managed to catch her and he helped her down and into the corner.

Marianne, being as curious as she always was, flew over to a pillar and tried to listen in. Bog ended up joining her. He could barely make out what they were saying.

“I thought we were falling for each other, Yara. I just sang my heart out for you there.”

“I thought we have fun like with other song. Yara love to dance with you and have fun with you. You are kind to me and treat me like a queen. I want to be friend to you, but nothing more. Forgive my saying, but Yara too old for you. You could be my son,” Yara said as her voice wavered and her eyes welled up.

Bog could tell that Yara was ready to cry.

Others slowly started to gather around them but still stayed at a distance. King Dagda moved forward and put his arm around Marianne. He was slowly trying to pull her back, away from Benny and Yara.

“I don’t care. I happen to like older women, but don’t take that the wrong way. You look young to me. You’re a beautiful, strong woman and I find myself more and more becoming attracted to you. So tonight I sang to you to show my love for you and I want to start going out with you.”

Bog could hear many of the girls saying softly, “Awwww!”

“Thank you for wonderful compliments, Benny, but no, it will not work with Yara.” she said as tears started to roll down her cheek. Yara wiped her face as she started to walk towards the door.

“Why not? Why don’t you give us a try, please. I will be good to you,” Benny said as he followed and was ready to grab her by her arm.

She turned and yelled back to him, “It will not work because Yara in love with someone else!”

She inadvertently raised her arm up not knowing that her hand was pointing right in King Dagda’s direction. She then looked towards the slowly growing crowd on the floor and right in front was King Dagda. He slowly looked down as he curled his lip inward.

Yara grasped the large handles on the door and grunted loudly as she pulled on the handles and opened both huge doors with such a force that they swung all the way open and slammed against the wall.

She then turned to the crowd and with tears rolling down her face, she yelled out, “No one follow me! Yara want to be alone!”

She made again eye contact with King Dagda, and then she took to wing and started to fly off down the hall.
Benny then took to wing as he he started to fly towards the door. But then he changed direction and flew towards the King. In a gruff voice, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

As he started for the door again, King Dagda shouted, “I didn’t know. We never professed our love for one another.”

Benny stopped in mid air and said, “Well, do you love her, Your Majesty?”

King Dagda looked around as all eyes were on him. He looked very uncomfortable.

“Well, Sire? I need to know, because if you don’t then you have to tell her.”

“Darn it, Benny, you are not putting me in a good position right now,” the King said. He shook his head and then said, “If you must know, Yes, I do love her.”

There were some ‘Ohhhhhh’s’ from the crowd as they looked to the king with wide eyes.

“Well then, I will back off of her, Sire. She’s yours,” he said in a calmer, but disappointed tone. He then looked towards the balcony and said, “I need some air, I had enough for today. Thank you again for the medal, Sire.”

“You’re Welcome. I think we all had enough today,” The king said. He then turned and looked to a nearby servant and said, “Wrap it up, party’s over.”

Benny flew off towards the balcony as the servant headed for the kitchen.

There were some disappointed voices among the crowd. But it was getting late anyway. The crowd started to break up with most saying goodnight and leaving the ballroom. But all of the royals remained. Sunny, Pare and a few other elves stuck around to help clean up.

Queen Spydera was the first to get back to her seat by the table. King Dagda followed and then Marianne, Bog and Dawn.

Spydera said, “Well, I thought it was a good song, I have not heard music like that in a long time.”

King Dagda said, “I saw that by the way you were moving.”

Dawn said, “Yeah, you were really dancing in your seat there, Your Highness. You have good rhythm.”

“My daughter is right, you do have good rhythm. Can you dance?” King Dagda asked.

“Just A little.”

Marianne asked, “You don’t have parties in the Forbidden Forest?”

“Sadly, spiders are not much into things like dancing to music, so no.”

“Well perhaps the next time we have a party, you could take a turn on the floor with myself or even Bog, he is much taller than I and would be a suitable dance partner for you,” King Dagda said.

Bog’s eyes widened as K.D. volunteered him to dance with Spydera, something he had no desire to do. But what seemed odd about the conversation was that no one mentioned his falling for Yara.

Griselda came over shortly after and said, “I saw that all. It was a beautiful song up until the end when things just got….”

Spydera finished Griselda’s sentence and said, “Awkward?”

“Yeah.”

The Spider Queen put her hand to her mouth and yawned.

“Perhaps I should be off myself,” she said. “I will be heading back to my kingdom in the morning as there is a lot a prep work I need to do to make it safe for your fairies to fly into my realm.”

King Dagda got up and said, “Very well. I am assuming everything is fine with your room, Your Highness?”

“Yes, it is a beautiful room, Thank You.”

“Then rest well and I will see you tomorrow morning for breakfast.”

“Yes, I will look forward to that,” she said.

As Spydera got up from the table and started to walk towards the ballroom exit, there came a loud bang against the sealed doors from the balcony. She stopped, looked towards the balcony and said to King Dagda, “Is he going to be alright out there?”

“Yeah, he should be.”

“Before I go to bed, I’ll check on him for you.”

King Dagda said, “Thank you.”

“You’re Welcome,” she said and then she turned and walked towards the balcony.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the balcony:

Benny sat in a chair leaning back on two of it’s legs. His legs were up on the balcony rail and he just felt so miserable and ashamed of himself for having done what he did. He was so angry that he threw one of the goblets on the table against the doors behind him. He knew Yara was getting close to the king, but she never mentioned anything about falling for him. He thought he had a chance with her, but she told him otherwise. Then the king came out and said he loved her too. He was hurting bad inside and he just closed his eyes for a moment as he sighed loudly. He then thought of a song that reflected on how he was feeling about love at that moment. With his eyes still closed he began to tap his foot to a beat and he started to sing:

(Victim Of Love – Erasure)

(Benny)
I don't wanna look like some kind of fool
I don't wanna break my heart over you
I'm building a wall, everyday it's gettin' higher
Next time I won't end up another victim of love

“Are you okay?” a voice suddenly said aloud.

Benny jumped up, chair tipped and as he fell backwards his head nicked the edge of the table when he came down. When he hit the floor he quickly scrambled up, took to the air and flew into the corner of the balcony and began to breathe hard.

“Whoa, what the heck!” he said as he splayed his fingers out, but then he focused on Queen Spydera and said, “You scared the crap out of me, Your Highness! Sheesh, please make some noise or something when you come up behind someone.”

She laughed for a moment and then said, “Sorry, I don’t make much noise when I walk.”

“I’ll say.” Benny said as he flew down, righted his chair and sat back down in it. “You thought that was pretty funny, huh?”

Spydera sat down on the table and her rear legs splayed out across the table behind her as she said, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you, but it was rather comical the way you fell and scrambled to get up like that.”

“I guess so,” he said as he rubbed the bump on the back of his head.

“So, Queen Yara let you down pretty hard, huh, little warrior?” Spydera asked as she crossed her front legs and placed her left hand on top of them.

“Yeah,” Benny said as he looked to how long and shapely her lower legs were. “I guess my little song proved that much, huh?”

“Uh huh...I can see you look very disappointed,” she said as she placed her right hand a bit behind her, twisting her midsection so she could face him.

Benny glanced down to her stomach for a moment.

“Well, I thought we had something going there. It was the way she looked at me when I did something nice for her. It was how she smiled when we danced together. Earlier when I helped her with flying, the way we held hands, she just looked so happy. I was so certain that we were falling for one another. But she sees me nothing more than just a friend.”

“So, I heard. I am surprised she turns away the affections from a younger man.”

“I thought being younger than her didn’t matter. She doesn’t look old to me,” Benny said.

“Well, it is her loss. Even though your king is a fine gentleman, like yourself, you are far more handsome than he is. Coming from an older woman myself, there would be no contest as to whom I would pick.”

Benny raised an eyebrow as he said, “Thank you, Your Highness, I appreciate the compliment.”

“You’re Welcome,” she said and she paused for a bit before continuing, “Did you mean what you said back there about being attracted to strong women.”

“Yes, of course. I don’t care for a woman that is overly thin. Sadly most women here are built that way. That type of frame is in style as most of the fairy men like a woman like that, but not me. I like strong, well built women.”

“Why haven’t you ever pursued a relationship with Princess Marianne? She has nice strong arms.”

“She wasn’t always like that. She was thin like the other women. She used to be clumsy and I didn’t find her interesting until she took up sword fighting. She became less clumsy, more agile and more athletic looking. Then I started to become interested in her. But she swore off love after being hurt by her ex-fiance, so I didn’t want to push the issue and let her be. Then all of a sudden she ends up falling for, and becoming engaged to the Bog King. And just that fast she’s unavailable,” he explained as he sighed. He then continued. “Then Queen Yara came. She was different, strong, independent, beautiful mocha skin, beautiful eyes and beautiful black wings and also a warrior. The attraction was immediate. But what drew me to her most was that she was so kind and appreciative of anything we did together. After I escorted her to a few of our functions and danced with her, I felt myself falling for her and I figured she was going to be the one. When I held those large solid shoulders of hers…Well, I started to want her.”

Spydera had a disappointed look on her face as she said, “That’s a shame it didn’t work out for you.”

“What about you, your highness? Do you have someone special in your life?” Benny asked.

“Me? No,” Spydera said as she reached up and splayed her long fingers over her chest. “In fact it has been a VERY long time since I been with anyone.

“Why?”

Spydera put her hand back down behind her on the table and lowered her brow as she said, “Why? Just look at me. I’m a monster. No man would want me.”

Benny found himself constantly looking down to her strong abdomen. He liked the way it moved when she spoke.

He looked back up to her and said, “Are you kidding me? You are so cool and awesome! I saw the way you were fighting out there. You came in riding that huge spider and then the way you were shooting those webs out of the tips of your hind legs. The way you threw your spears with such a force they went through multiple flies at once. That’s amazing. You are so strong and unique. What guy wouldn’t like a woman like you?”

“Huh? Ya...you don’t think I am a monster?” She asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“Hell no! You look very much like a woman to me and an attractive one at that. You are different, yes, but you have a pretty face,” he said as looked to her face and continued. “You really have amazing looking eyes and those cheekbones of yours...so cool looking. The way you are sitting now, you look very feminine and womanly to me.”

She suddenly shot her hand forward and got him by the chin, stared him down and said, “Are you sure you are feeling alright, little warrior?”

She released his chin and allowed him to speak.

“Yeah, I’m fine. What is it? Has no one paid you a compliment before?”

“No, until today I have not heard a compliment for as long as I remember. Monsters don’t get many compliments now do they?”

“Please stop saying that, Your Highness, you’re not a monster. I see a unique, strong, and attractive woman.”

She swallowed hard as she said, “Thank you.”

“By the way, your outfit looks pretty hot.”

Spydera’s eyes widened as she said, “You like what I am wearing?”

His eyes grew wide as he looked again to her abdomen as he said, “Yes, very much.”

“I noticed you are always looking at my stomach.”

“Oh forgive me for staring, Your Highness, it is just I never seen a woman that had such strong abs like you,” he said as he looked again at her abdomen and he liked the way it flexed when she talked. He had such a strong desire to run his fingers along her abdomen. Without even thinking he just raised his hand towards her stomach, but he stopped and asked, “May I, please?”

He found her answer very unexpected as she smiled a bit and said, “Go ahead….But make it quick.”

“Yes, Your highness.”

Spydera uncrossed her legs and leaned back on her both arms a bit to straighten and elongate her abdomen. He slowly moved his fingers forward and it seemed like she was tensing up. The lines on her abdomen became deeper. He gently touched his fingers to one of the center squared off parts of her stomach and she flinched a bit and she tensed up even more. While her skin was soft, the muscle beneath it was rock hard. He ran his finger across one of the creases her muscles made. He noticed that her breathing changed and her face seemed to tense up even more. He then ran his finger down the middle crease of her abdomen. He just watched as his finger fell deeper into the crease when she exhaled. He couldn’t help but scrunch his nose as he liked the feeling of her muscles moving under his fingertips, getting very hard to the touch. It felt really kinky. He then gently raked his fingertips over her entire abdomen.

Suddenly there came a heavy scratching sound. He looked up to see her fingers curl inwards on the table scratching it as her sharp fingernails dug into the wood.

Spydera tossed her head back and called out, “Uhhhhhhhh!”

She then scrambled to her feet using her back legs on the table and her main legs and quickly moved away from Benny. She stood wide eyed with her fingers splayed out and she was still breathing heavy.

Figuring something went wrong, Benny said, “I’m sorry! Did I hurt you? I was trying to be as gentle as possible.”

“No, I am fine. I just didn’t expect the reaction to your touch. I normally don’t let anyone touch me.”

“I hope I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable.”

“No, it wasn’t you, it was me,” She said as she still was breathing hard.

As big and strong as she was, she suddenly had a bit of a scared look on her face.

“Well, as long as you are OK, Your Highness.”

“Yes, I am fine.”

“Well, I am sorry if what I did displeased you in any way.”

“No, it wasn’t displeasing. Just don’t do it again,” she said as her breathing returned to normal.

“As you wish, your highness. I was just satisfying a curiosity.”

“I would like to go back to our interesting chat, but I want to ask you something now.”

“Alright.”

“This might sound strange, but that dance you did with Marianne. Can you teach me that?”

Benny’s eyes widened as he wouldn’t figure that the spider queen of the Forbidden Forest would be interested in modern dancing. He put a smile a mile wide on his face as he said, “With pleasure, m’lady, but I can only show you a few things now since it is getting late, but we can continue tomorrow.”

“That is fine. Are you available after breakfast tomorrow?” She asked.

“Definitely.”

She smiled and raised an eyebrow.

Meanwhile back in the ballroom:

Once Spydera exited out to the balcony, Marianne leaned on the table and said, “Congratulations Dad! Dawn and I were hoping that you would hook up with Yara.”

“You did?” he asked in a puzzled tone, “I thought you both would be upset.”

“Why?

“I thought you would would think I was betraying your mother.”

Marianne said, “Dad, it isn’t betrayal. You were so true and loved mom well beyond when she died. I think it is high time you finally let go and love again.”

“I don’t know, but it just doesn’t seem right,” he said.

Dawn said, “Dad, tell her you love her, Please. I want Yara to stay with us. I love her too.”

Marianne said, “Yes, Dad, I am with Dawn on this. I want her to stay too and I love her three.”

Everyone laughed at her remark.

“Alright, but for now I just want to respect her wishes and leave her be.”

“Ok, Dad, but please go to her, tonight yet. I saw the way she looked at you when she said she was in love with someone else to Benny.”

“Yes, I saw it too.”

Bog said, “Don’t forget that dance you had with her earlier on the boat.”

K.D. lowered his eyebrow and said, “Yeah, next time knock or something, you two nearly scared the bejesus out of us.”

Bog, Marianne and her father laughed.