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“I think I’ve been here before.” Tornado whispered as he and Aero walked through the quiet marketplace. The both wore their cloaks to hide their feathered wings.

“Really?” Aero asked, “but I thought the only other place you were always at Avalon.”

“I was.” Tornado explained. “Avalon is a mysterious city. It moves. Since it doesn’t have any farmland it has to attach to other markets in the realm.”

“Then is that why people keep glancing over at us?”

“Maybe but it’s more likely because we’re travelers.”

“I guess that’s true. New faces attract attention.” Aero smiled at the people passing by. “Ah! There’s the palace!”

“Wait we need a plan.” Tornado whispered. They slowed their pace looking around them and examining the area. Guards blocked the entrance to a path that led up to the main entrance of the palace. The path led to a beautiful garden that acted as a courtyard as the palace wrapped around it.

“I have as plan.” Aero whispered smiling, “just play along.” She linked her arm around him walking closely by his side. “Look at the roses! Aren’t they beautiful?” She pointed out the bushes that lined the path of the royal garden. “I wish we could get a closer look at them. I can already smell them from here.” She saw the guards looking their way and took a step back as if hiding behind Tornado.

He caught on and led her to the guards. “Excuse me, sirs. Are we permitted to walk through the garden?” Aero smiled shyly at the guards.

“I don’t see why not. Go right ahead.” The guard answered smiling back at Aero.

“Just make sure you stay on the path.” The other guard chimed in.

Tornado led Aero in walking slowly making sure to stay casual. They stopped occasionally to admire the various types of roses. Aero couldn’t help but smile at how well her plan was working. When they were out of view of the guards she stopped and turned to Tornado. “We pulled that off pretty well. You acted just like a gentleman very well done.”

“I was raised in a castle after all.” Tornado retorted. “How about you smothering up the guards by acting all shy and cutesy.”

“Hey! What are you trying to say?” Aero crossed her arms.

“Oh so you are the only one who has teasing rights now. I see how it is.”

“I’m not forgetting about that comment but we still aren’t done here.” Aero lowered her voice to a whisper. Let’s find a window.”

“Alright.” Tornado looked around until he found a window slightly hidden by a bush. “There!” The walked towards watching for people. When sure no one was around they darted behind the bush. As Aero kept watch Tornado hoisted himself onto the ledge and checked inside to the hallway. “All clear here.”

“Same here.” Aero answered. Tornado climbed in helping Aero in after him. They ran quietly down the hall. When they came up to another hall Tornado stopped and peeked down the hall and motioned for Aero to follow. He stopped again when they were in front of two tall double doors carved with fanciful designs and opened one of the as quietly as he could. Aero gaped as the doors revealed an elegant library filled with levels of books and spiraling stairs. Tornado hurriedly closed the door.

“Where there’s a library there’s a librarian.” He thought aloud as he ran to the next hallway where he stopped. “If the library is on this side the ballroom is probably across the courtyard. Judging by the shape of the castle the path through the garden probably leads to the dining hall and beyond that the bedrooms.”

“So you’re saying we have to sneak to the other side of the castle.” Aero leaned against the wall tired at the thought of more running.

“No actually. It’s almost noon so Flora is probably in a parlor somewhere and likewise the prince and any other residents.”

“So where do we start?”

“This side. We’ll check all the doors if we need to.”

Aero nodded confidently. “And if we find someone else?”

“If they suspect of anything we run.” He smiled mischievously.

“Good idea.” Aero smiled back as they ran down the hallway peeking into room after room. Whenever they heard footsteps they hid in the empty rooms trying their best to stay quiet and out of sight.

“How many rooms have we checked?” Aero asked after a while of searching.

“A lot.” Tornado guessed, “Maybe thirty but more importantly we’re running out of time.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’ll have to go to the dining hall soon. Once the meal ends all of the servants will go back to work around the castle. It’ll be harder to hide and we’ll have to start over.”

“Then let’s hurry.” Aero ran up the hall to peek into the next room.

“Who’s there?” A voice asked.

Aero slammed the door open. “Flora!”

“Aero!” She exclaimed in awe, as she stood up alarmed. She wore a lovely dress made in the royal style. “How did you find me?”

“A long flight and many doors.” Tornado answered.

“I’m so glad you’re both here.” Flora smiled hugging them both.

“Are you okay?” Aero asked worriedly. “What happened? Why did that prince guy take you away?”

“I haven’t gotten to tell her yet.” The group turned stepping away from the door where the prince stood. He seemed neither angry nor upset at the presence of the two uninvited guests. In fact he seemed to have an apologetic tone in his charming voice. “Come. It’s time for lunch.”

“We came to-”

“I know.” He interrupted Tornado, “I’ll have to more places set.” He held out his arm and escorted Flora out of the room. She glanced back at Aero and Tornado. Aero had a look of pleasant confusion but Tornado just glared at the back of the prince’s head.

“This is the informal dining hall. I hope everything is to your liking.” The prince spoke politely to the group as the servants held out their seats. Flora sat at the head of the table and the prince sat at the other. Tornado and Aero sat across from each other at the middle. They sat silently as the appetizer was served. Cheese, spreads, and a small baguette were placed on a plate decorated with gold. Tornado caught Aero’s eyes and rolled his eyes as he motioned to the plate subtly. Aero had to hide her laughter by coughing slightly.

“Um. What’s your name?” Aero asked trying start conversation.

“I’m Rook. And you are?”

“I’m Aero and this is Tornado.” Tornado didn’t acknowledge the statement and tore off a piece of the bread.

“I’m sure you’re both weary from your travel. Help yourselves to whatever you need.”

“Thank you.” Aero answered gratefully as Tornado ripped off another piece of bread. Aero began to do the same.

Flora coughed quietly. “Excuse me.” She apologized while peeking over at Aero as she sliced off a piece of her bread. Aero flushed a bit and picked up her knife.

“Heh.” Tornado scoffed and tore off another piece.

“Shall I begin to explain?” Rook asked.

“Please do.” Tornado mocked.

“Tornado!” Flora warned as Aero kicked him lightly under the table.

“What? His politeness annoys me especially since he’s acting as if the kidnapping never happened.”

“He has a good reason.” Rook agreed, “but I must inform you that it wasn’t my choice to act as I did.” They looked at him confused. “There’s a prophecy that has been handed down in the faery realm. It tells of a war between the three realms. The tapestry that depicts it hangs in the throne room of the main palace. I know what it says by heart. ‘Two drawn by fate and two by destiny. A ring, a memory, and a war to bring peace.’”

Tornado swallowed down his peace of bread choking for air. “What was that?” He asked unsure. “Did you say something about a memory just now?”

“Yes but that’s the part I’m unsure of. I only know the part about the ring.”

Tornado leaned back in his chair thinking to himself. He and Aero caught each other in a sideline glance.

“In something wrong.”

Aero shook her head. Tornado answered. “No. Go on.”

Rook nodded and continued. “The ring Flora found is the same ring talked about in the prophecy.” Flora raised her hand looking at the amethyst ring. “The Faery realm is always led by a queen married or unmarried. A king can never rule alone even if he is the heir. Even if I were to marry I would have no power. Right now we have no queen so the ring has chosen the new princess.”

“Flora’s a princess?” Aero asked excitedly. “That’s wonderful.”

“Wait just a minute.” Flora crossed her arms. “I didn’t ask to become princess.”

“But you were still chosen. My mother disappeared over ten years ago. The ring has taken a long time to choose but you are the one it chose.” Rook explained. “You’re the best person to rule and our realm needs a princess. The darkness is overpowering the light and we need your light to restore balance. It’s your destiny as the prophecy spoke.”

“Destiny?” Flora asked with a laugh. “Be reasonable. A ring can’t choose a proper princess.”

“I think it chose well.” Aero smiled reassuring her.

“So you’re going to make Flora stay here?” Tornado asked. Aero’s smile vanished as she placed her hands politely in her lap.

“She will eventually be expected live in the main palace in the capitol. Though, as princess she can do as she pleases.” Rook explained. “She can visit her friends and family or even have them live in the palace.”

“Either way it doesn’t matter.” Flora decided. “I don’t believe a ring can choose a princess. If the realm needs a princess so badly it should find one on it’s own. I’m not royalty I’m a healer!”

“And that’s just what our wounded realm needs.” Rook countered, his words soft yet strong. “We need a princess who can heal us and bring back peace.”

Flora was speechless. She didn’t know what to think. The idea of the ring was beyond her reasoning but somehow Rook made her want it to be true. The entrance of the main dish gave her an excuse not to reply.

The afternoon was spent taking a formal tour of the palace. At the end Aero and Tornado were shown to their room.

“You can stay as long as you want.” Rook offered.

“Thank you.” Aero answered as Tornado handed her the few belongings he had brought of hers.

“I’ll let you both get settled in. I’ll be in the library if you need me.” With that he left.

“Aero.” Tornado began after Rook’s footsteps faded down the hall. She looked at him questioningly. “What do you think about his story? You know the one about the ring and the memory.”

“Well, there’s no way for him to know about our . . . situation unless Flora told him, right?” Aero added, “and I don’t think they even talked until today.”

“I’m still not sure.” Tornado explained. “I just can’t believe that we were supposed to loose our memories. How could anyone plan for two kids to go through everything we went through?”

“I know what you mean.” Aero sat by him, “but think back. Everything that happened back then happened because we chose to meet. We knew the others wouldn’t approve of us being friends. Now that I think about it his story is probably true. I think we’re the two drawn by fate.”

Tornado sighed still not wanting to believe. “Two by fate.”

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