Based on @nevermore-plutonianshore‘s prompt: Enjolras and Grantaire meeting at a masquerade ball.
As soon as the faint rattling of the carriage
wafted up the promenade out of the fog rising from the river, the bell on the
main tower began to toll. The nightmarish sound echoed back from the moors,
leaving the will-o’-the-wisps shivering over their marshes. It reached the
edges of the dark forests where it got caught in the threatening arch of
spindling branches and trunks of the black barked beeches, birches and oak
trees in the rustle of a gust of wind. The last leaves clinging to barren twigs
sailed to the muddy ground on its back, long dead before they touched the bare
earth around roots that desperately hang on for what little footing the gaunt
earth promised them. Lastly, the eerie peal drifted down to the shimmering
lake, swirling above the surface for a moment before dipping under water,
muffled by the crystal waves. The sound of the bells resounded over the abandoned
manor house, clinking the window panes in their setting. It chased a couple of
ravens off their perch on the bell tower, followed them through the abandoned
gardens and settled on the wall surrounding the graveyard beyond the hill.The ornate wrought-iron gates creaked open,
moved by an invisible hand to allow the carriage to enter the courtyard. Its
wheels scattered the light gravel in all directions as it took a turn in front
of the main entrance, a pale lantern dangling from the coachman’s seat. The figure
perched on it was swathed in a cloak that obscured both head and body, leaving
nothing to see but the gleaming eyes under the hood. Gloved hands held onto the
reigns of four black horses that seemed eager to run on, steam billowing from
their muzzles and ears dancing in excitement. The coachman restrained them with
obvious struggle. For a moment, the fight seemed undecided, then the horses
settled, huffing more steam into the crisp evening air. A door was opened, the
carriage house tilted to one side and gravel scrunched under boot soles.Oh, this is lovely!! Thank you so much! I adore this!!!!! You write so beautifully!
ExR Samhain
Published
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