The Daughter of Wind and Ash

Prologue

"C'mon Marline dear. You need to hurry or we will be late for your uncle's wedding," mommy shouted to Marline as she was taking a very long time combing her hair. Old people act weird.

I went to mommy and tugged at her dress. When she saw me, she immediately picked me up and smiled.

"Well hello there. Who might this beautiful lady be and where is my daughter?" mommy asked still smiling.

"Mommy, it's me!" I giggled at how silly she was.

"Oh my! You look so pretty and different that I couldn't recognize you," mommy spoke surprised, and then pinched my nose.

"Mom, I am ready. Can we go now? Uncle said there will be ice cream," Marline came out and whined.

"Of course dear. Just let your father come." Just as she said that, daddy appeared like a magician and picked up Marline and spoke.

"Now we can go."

When we finally reached our destination, I was dazed by the beautiful place. There was a very fancy garden with many pretty flowers and trees and there were so many people and food.

Mother went to uncle to talk to him after giving him his present. She did go to grandpa first but he didn't even look at her. I saw him staring at me before that in worry. I was now holding mommy's hand tightly so I don't get lost in this huge place. Once, Marline got lost and it took ages for her to be found. She must have been very scared though she says she was not because she is a 'Big Girl'.

"I am glad you came sister," uncle spoke.

"I had to come, didn't I? I am happy to be here. Though it would have been better if father finally talked to me," she said sadly.

"I am sorry. I should not have told him about you. But I was young and naive and I didn't think it would lead to something this big," uncle spoke to mommy guiltily.

'It's okay. You must have apologized a hundred times by now. Leave that. I heard the royal family will also be present here today because of father's connections. Is it true?" mother enquired.

"Yes, it is true. In fact, they are already here," uncle answered.

Then they talked about a lot of boring stuff and so I gave up listening. As I was looking around for something interesting, I saw a boy who looked a bit older near a table eating ice cream. He wore weird clothes with too much gold. I also wanted ice cream though.

"Mommy, can I walk around a bit? I am bored," I spoke pleadingly.

"Sure, but don't go outside the garden, okay?" she replied.

I nodded and went to that boy with ice cream. He had brown hair and he was staring at his ice cream instead of eating it. He looked sad.

"Hello, do you know where I can get ice cream? And why are you sad?" I asked.

"I have one more you can take. And I am sad because I have no friends" he replied.

"I will be your friend," I offered.

"Really?"

"Really. So can I get my ice cream now?" I questioned.

He smiled and gave me my ice cream which we ate together. I wish I had asked his name that day. Well I didn't know that years later things would get so complicated.