Title: pink petals under a golden sun
Fandom: Barbie Movies
Rating: G
Length: 385 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Gen, Anneliese & Erika, also for the prompt “roses” on my creativechallenges table.
Summary: Erika searches for inspiration in the rose bushes.



Erika snuck into the royal gardens one spring morning, to see the sunrise over the fresh flower blooms. She wanted inspiration for the next dress she was meant to make for the princess, and what better place to get inspiration than the gardens the princess was rumored to wander in quite often.

Erika slipped through a gap in the hedges, finding herself near the prized rose bushes. She looked high and low for any sign of guards. When the coast was clear, she wandered further in. Her fingers clutched her blue cloak as she walked, keeping the hood secure to hide as much of her face as possible. She eventually found a stone bench to set in. She plucked a red rose from a nearby bush. She examined its bright red petals and green thorns. She tried to imagine a dress with such a color scheme, but it seemed too harsh for the gentle Princess Anneliese.

Not that Erika had ever seen Anneliese. She knew she was blonde and pretty. She wore Erika’s dresses and a gold tiara. Erika had a fairly good image of the princess in her head. That image did not suit a fiery red dress.

Erika suddenly heard footsteps, causing her to freeze with the red rose in her grasp. Into her view came a girl with blonde curls and a familiar dress. She had a book in her arms. She did not notice Erika, even as she paused to look at the rose bushes. The one she stopped at was full of pale pink roses. Her fingers traced the soft petals. The sunrise caused a faint golden glow in the sky, illuminating the flowers and the blonde girl.
The girl that was definitely Princess Anneliese.

Erika did not breath until Anneliese continued on, pink rose in hand, without once glancing Erika’s way. Erika blinked several times after she was out of sight, unsure if she had seen the princess or a ghost or even an angel. She had been far enough from where Erika was sitting that Erika didn’t get a good look at her. It must have been her, she decided.

The trip was a success. Erika knew exactly what dress she’d make. Pale pink, accented with gold. It would be delicate and royal and perfect for Princess Anneliese.