Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

The palace of the Faery Realm was very quiet as Flora looked out to the courtyard garden. The cool wind wafted the scent of the roses towards her. She missed seeing the familiar face of her friend around the palace. Hardly a week had passed since Aero had left for the Light Realm but Flora couldn’t help but wonder how she was handling the transition.

“Flora,” Rook walked over to her, “Would you like to go to the Light Realm. I know you’ve been worried about Aero.”

Flora nodded. “I can’t help but worry. Would we be able to open a portal?”

“Yes, I can send word for them to be expecting you.”

“Won’t you come with me?” she asked confused.

“I wouldn’t be accepted there. Don’t you remember what happened to Tornado?”

“But you would be with me,” she told him with a reassuring voice, “No one would be able to harm you with Aero and I around.”

“It would still make the people uneasy,” Rook explained, “You should ask Miss Lucidia to join you. I’m sure that would make Aero happy.”

Flora looked down. “Yes. That’s true, but I’m sure she misses you as well.”

“Someday she will be able to come visit us here again.”

“One day all four of us will be able to meet together,” Flora reminded him, “I’m sure of it. We’ll all be together again.”

“Yes.” He smiled softly. “I look forward to the day we can all live together at the summer palace.”

A chill wind blew through the courtyard causing Flora to turn away from the window. Dry petals shuddered momentarily before they were plucked from their home and carried away by the wind

“You should go get a shawl.” Rook told her worriedly as he noticed her shivering.
“I was thinking the same thing. Wait there, I’ll only be a moment.”

Rook leaned against the window as he waited. Though only a week had passed the palace already seemed dull. Flora hardly went to town and the only news they heard of outside life came from the advisors. Rook knew that this wasn’t the way for Flora to live. She was too social to be stuck within these thick stone walls. She couldn’t survive forever watching the roses bloom and whither. Books would never satisfy her need for entertainment. Rook could only hope that a trip to the Light would restore her confidence in Aero’s happiness and release her from her worries. Only then would she be able to live her life again.

Rook looked up at the sound of footsteps. Two maids were escorting a young man.

“Prince Rook.” A maid curtsied and the other followed suit. “A mister Ive is here to speak with you and her highness, Flora.”

“Flora will be here in a moment. You are welcome to wait for her here, Ive. I’m sure she is the one you were hoping to speak to.”

“Y-yes, I’ll wait here then.” Ive stood awkwardly as he waited. The presence of the Dark Faery prince seemed to weigh on him.

“Are you worried about Aero?” Rook asked suddenly. He looked calmly over at Ive.

“Yes. Have you heard anything?” he questioned shakily, unable to keep contact with Rook’s piercing purple eyes.

“Nothing yet sadly. We can only hope that no news is good news,” he continued casually, “Flora is planning to go visit and see how she’s doing. Maybe she’ll be able to give Aero some advice on being a princess.” He laughed slightly at the idea.

“It’s hard to imagine,” Ive told him, “thinking of Aero as a princess.”

“Why? Because she’s always seemed so casual with you all?”

“I’m not trying to say anything bad about her,” Ive tried to take back the comment for fear of angering Rook.

“Flora was raised in the same village as Aero. They are able to relate with their people in ways that I could never dream. I believe that their experiences will make them less likely to be consumed by the idea of power. It’s for that reason that I think they can become great leaders.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Ive explained, “I just hope that Aero won’t be overwhelmed by it. It is a big change from her common life.”

“I fear more for her being used. Who knows how corrupt the ruling powers may be.”

“Aero wouldn’t allow them to stay corrupt,” Flora told them as she entered the hall, “If there’s one thing that will make Aero determined to become a strong leader it will be the corrupt beliefs of the Light Realm.”

“Princess Flora,” Ive greeted with a bow.

“Stand, please,” she told him kindly, “Have more faith in Aero. She has a strong sense of right and wrong.”

“I know that,” he softened,” but I can’t help but worry that she will be intimidated. She has a hard time talking in front of people.”

“If you are so worried why don’t you come with me to the Light Realm?”

“The Light Realm?” he asked startled, “I couldn’t. Not with you, your highness, it would be completely unacceptable.”

“There will be just enough seats in the carriage if we send for Miss Lucidia and Blake,” Rook pointed out to Flora dismissing Ive’s protest.

“Yes, it will be perfect. I’m sure Aero will be glad to have the group visit,” she replied smiling.

Ive looked between them exasperated. He later consented to going though still rather nervous about the idea. The next day Lucidia and Blake arrived in the capitol. They couldn’t stop gaping at the buildings and crowds of people. They stood in the middle of the courtyard admiring the well-kept garden.

“Lucidia! Blake!” Flora called happily. She lifted her skirt slightly as she hurried over to greet them.

“Flora, you look lovely,” Lucidia exclaimed embracing Flora tightly. “I’ve missed you girls so much. I’m so glad to see you again.”

“I’ve missed you too. How is everyone back home?”

“Everyone is fine. The town is doing very well.”

Blake looked passed them to Rook and grabbed hold of Lucidia’s skirt instinctively.

“What is it dear?” she asked the child.

“These are Aero’s friends?” he asked quietly to hide his unease.

“Yes. Princess Flora grew up with Aero,” Lucidia explained, “Once Flora went to become princess, Aero became friends with Prince Rook as well.”

Flora knelt down so that she was on the same level as Blake. “Are you excited to visit Aero?”

He nodded still clinging to Lucidia.

“Can I tell you a secret?” she asked and he looked at her curiously. “I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been to a different realm before. Have you?”

He shook his head.

“How about you Lucidia?”

“I’ve never even left my village before today.” She smiled softly at Blake.

“It’s new to all of us,” Flora explained to Blake, “Somehow that makes it a little easier for me. I don’t feel so scared because everyone is a little nervous.”

Blake loosened his grip of Lucidia’s skirt. He felt the same softness from Flora that he had from Aero. He could feel her empathy and that helped him connect to her.

“It’s about time to go. Ive will be joining us shortly. Let’s go to the carriage,” Flora offered her hand to Blake who held it lightly as he walked between Lucidia and Flora.

A carriage stood waiting for them at the exit of the courtyard. Ive stood anxiously beside it while Tomber was fastened into the harness.

“Are you ready to depart, Princess?” Tomber whinnied spreading his dusty colored feathered wings as he trotted in place.

“You seem excited,” she laughed.

“I want to see Miss Aero again as well, milady.”

“Then let’s be off,” Flora told him, “Come everyone, let’s get in the carriage.”

Lucidia lifted Blake in while Flora hurried back to Rook.

“I’ll be back soon,” she told him looking at his sadly.

“Don’t worry about me,” he told her smiling softly, “Have a good trip and send Aero my greetings.”

“I will,” she told him as he helped her into the carriage.

She took her seat beside Lucidia while Blake stared out the window from the opposite seat. Ive sat down beside him stiffly for he didn’t know any of his company. Blake noticed as he sat down and stared at him. Blake looked like a miniature Ive except he had yellow orange wings instead of green.

“You are Aero’s friend, too?” Blake asked jealously.

“Y-yeah,” he answered hesitantly to the child’s stare, “You too?”

He nodded, “she’s my sister.”

“Sister?” he asked confused.

“They both live with me,” Lucidia explained, “Blake sees her as his sister so he’s a little wary of her friends.”

“I see.”

Light began to shine around them and Flora hurriedly shut the curtains of the windows but it still shone through the cracks with a nearly blinding brightness. When it receded they reopened the curtains to reveal the scenery of the Light Realm.

Tomber pulled the carriage forward once more trotting happily up the hill. They entered the courtyard slowly pulling to a stop. When the company hopped out of the carriage they were met by a familiar voice.

“Welcome to Aria,” Aero stood at the entrance of the palace flocked by maids. The contrast of her dark blue gown gave her white wings a resplendent shine.