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Tornado woke up with a gasp. He sat up too quickly and felt his head spin as he breathed large deep breaths trying to calm his speeding heart.

“Aero.” He breathed. “It’s her!”

It was still dark out but he couldn’t go back to sleep. He repeated her name over and over as he paced the small room. The dream had triggered so many memories of her smiling face but one vision of her tore at his heart. In the last few sights of her face tears had run down her soft cheeks from her light eyes. Her face was struck with pain and sorrow just before she collapsed on the ground unmoving.

He knew that to remember he would have to go back to sleep but what he really wanted was to be with her and see her again. He wanted to know where she was.

Tornado ran down to the throne room where Queen Mab stood amidst the clouds of dreams. He stopped knowing he wasn’t allowed to interfere with her work.

“Your dream stopped.”

“Thank you.” Tornado blurted out. “Thank you for doing all this for me. I was able to remember her. Remember Aero.”

“If you want to remember more go back to sleep.”

Tornado nodded knowing that he was dismissed and went back to his room.

“He’ll leave someday.” Queen Mad told herself quietly, “he’ll find that girl so don’t get attached. He is not your son.”

The next day Tornado worked eagerly. He couldn’t help but smile at everyone he saw. When he greeted the other servants many of them became speechless.

“Where’s my dark little rain cloud?” Lia, the head cook, gasped when Tornado came in for lunch. “You’re so cheerful today!”

“I’ve remembered her!” He explained with excited eyes.

“Her!” Lia gasped causing many other servants at the tables around them to turn, “well what’s her name?”

“Aero.”

That night at the servant dinner Queen Mab came into the kitchen and stood at the front of the room causing a hush to cover the room.

“I’m sure you all know that Tornado has regained a very important memory recently. There are about two years of memories left to regain so he doesn’t have much time left here. After he has remembered everything he will go find Aero. At this point in time he doesn’t have any supplies to travel besides his servant clothes. If he works very hard you may decide to pay him so he can be prepared for his journey.” With this she left.

“He is not your son.” Queen Mab reminded herself kneeling against the wall of her throne room. “You were foolish to watch his memories and growing attached. You don’t need to be sad about him leaving. He is not your son!”

Years passed and Queen Mab continued to send Tornado dreams of his memories. Tornado was around six in his memories and looked the same as he had when he arrived in Avalon.

She sighed as she watched. “There’s not much time . . .”

Tornado clutched the note firmly against his chest as he looked into the marketplace through the cover of the trees. He sighed and walked briskly across the dirt street his small black wings held tight against his back as he looked at the ground. He only looked up when he found himself standing in front of a produce stall.

“What do you want you little monster?” The man sitting behind the stall asked.

Tornado flushed and handed the man the note. The man opened the note taking the money and reading the list Tornado’s keeper Sebastian had supplied him with.

The man grumbled something as he got the produce together and counted out the coins a second time. He turned to Tornado and held out his hand. “You’re short.”

Tornado shook his head fearfully.

“You callin’ me a liar?” The man asked standing up to loom over Tornado who only shook his head in defense. “Then pay up.”

Tornado dug into his pockets fearfully and managed to pull out a few coins he had collected and slammed them on the table before recoiling once more from the man. The storekeeper shoved the sack of produce at Tornado who caught himself from falling back before running away into the trees. He could hear the laughter of the townspeople and loudest of all the hearty laugh of the produce storekeeper.

“Are you alright?” Sebastian asked when Tornado shuffled into the house without a word.

“I didn’t have enough to pay with.” Tornado explained.

“You didn’t steal those d-”

“No!” Tornado shouted and flushed. “Sorry . . . no I happened to have a few coins in my pocket to pay with.”

“Well that’s good. You may want to look around for some coins in case something like that happens again.” Sebastian told him smiling, “say. Did you speak to the storekeeper today.”

“No.” Tornado answered looking away ashamed.

“I see. Well, you’re going to be living with these people forever. You might as well try to get along with them.”

“Tell them that.” Tornado grumbled.

“I heard that.” Sebastian looked at Tornado firmly. “Try your best, okay? I’ll make dinner you go play.”

Tornado left the house looking for coins as he walked to the flower field. There as she was everyday sat Aero right in the middle of the field playing with the endless supply of blossoms. When she heard his footsteps she stood smiling happily with her little pure white wings.

“It’s done!” Aero held up a wreath she made of colorful flowers and leaves. She put it on her head, “I’m a princess, you know. Nana says I’m not allowed to wear my tiara outside. Apparently it’s dangerous. Here.” Aero placed a second wreath on Tornado’s head, “now you can be my prince!”

Tornado’s smile wavered and vanished. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He took off the wreath and looked down.

“Why not?”

“Remember, people don’t like me.”

“I like you! You’re my best friend.”

“You’re my only friend.” Tornado countered. “I want you to stay my friend forever but I don’t think you’re people would like me to be a prince.”

“When I start ruling I’ll change the way they think. I won’t let anyone be mean to others. I’ll make this realm a better, nicer place. I promise!”

“I’m sure you will.” Tornado assured her happily.

Tornado slept happily that night and got up early to meet Aero once more at the field. He tore off a piece of bread and ate it as he left the house. The ground was still cold and damp with morning dew. A dark band of fabric fell in front of his face and Tornado stopped as the strip gagged him and was tied behind his head. He was restrained from behind as his eyes were blindfolded. He grabbed at the fabric trying to force it off as he kicked behind him at the attacker. He felt himself fall against the ground as his hands and feet were bound. He gave up the struggle as he felt himself hoisted up in a bag and carried away.

Tornado sat waiting in the darkness for a sign of hope. He thought of Aero waiting alone in the field. Was she worried? Was she thinking of him?

He was hoisted up again. He felt the rough fabric press against him as he was carried. He wondered where he was being taken and what was going to happen when got there. The sack was dropped and he rolled out scrambling to stand. He felt the blindfold loosen behind his head and fearfully waited for the sight before him.

Queen Mab couldn’t watch anymore. She stopped the dream angry at herself for being so weak. Footsteps sounded down the hall. She turned to see Tornado kneeling on one knee in the entryway. He bowed his head, “milady.”

“Stand.” She instructed, “what is it, Tornado?”

“Your majesty, I don’t want to be rude, but, why did you stop the dream?”

“Today is your last day here. Whatever the outcome of your dreams I would rather you be happy, or rather content. You know as well as I that the fact you were kidnapped means an unhappy memory will follow.” Queen Mad couldn’t look at him anymore.

“Are you feeling alright, my queen? You look very pale.”

“I . . . I’ll be okay. It’s just hard to watch.”

“You don’t need to watch my dream, right? You could focus on a . . . happier one.”

“I can’t help myself. I’m curious. Besides you’re likely the one in more pain.”

“You have to remember I’ve already lived through it once. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being optimistic or giving into despair.”

“Heh. In my case I think they’re about the same.”

Queen Mab smiled and shook her head. “You should get ready for work.”

“Yes ma’am.” Tornado bowed and turned to leave, “oh.” He turned back, “Thank you for worrying about me.” With that he left.

“You’ve grown up a lot Tornado.”