CHAPTER - GOING BACK
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Avery held her breath as she opened the box. She looked inside and, just like when she first found it, it was dark. Avery recalled every moment as it happened last time she had opened the box. After lifting the lid, she heard a cry, someone calling her name, only this time she didn't. Avery then remembered looking deeper and deeper into the box and then as if by magic she started to shrink. Avery tried this and just as she had planned she did start to shrink smaller and smaller. As she was shrinking Avery felt her back tingle, and the wings she had from her last visit appeared. As she landed in Enchanted, everybody stopped what they were doing. They remembered her, yes but she looked different. This time not only was Avery a fairy, but she looked like one. Her hair had fallen out of her high, smart bun and fell to loose curls down to her waist. There was glitter and even purple coloured hair in some places . Avery looked down at her clothes. A beautiful one shoulder purple and turquoise dress with flowers down the shoulder strap and a slit down the right hand side of the dress's skirt had replaced her rose coloured princess gown. Avery also realised that on her head was a tiara with amethysts, aquamarines and diamond gems. The dress was fitted at the waist but then was so loose and soft at the bottom, it felt like she had nothing on! It wasn't her usual attire as she always wore floor-length gowns that stopped her breathing and this dress being only past her knees made Avery feel beautiful, showing off her legs. Avery looked down at her feet and saw two strappy turquoise coloured shoes with a sophisticated heel decorated with blue and purple flowers. Avery felt amazing and she couldn't help but smile at herself.
After admiring herself and her new attire for a long time, a trumpet was blown almost scaring Avery. A fairy announced the arrival of the royal family and every fairy pulled themselves together and continued working. Some waited for the arrival so that they could curtsy and bow and finally Queen Clarissa arrived smiling down at her subjects. King Raphael and then Prince Dylan appeared, looking more ravishing then ever, and as he smiled at her, Avery blushed unintentionally. As the Queen came to ground, Avery turned her attention back to why she really came. Curtsying the queen who returned the favour to Avery while Dylan and Raphael bowed to show their respect.
"So Princess, I must say you are really looking like a princess now as well as a fairy" said Queen Clarissa as she nodded her head at approval. Avery didn't just look like a princess, she felt like one and she felt a smile come to her lips from the though and the compliment.
"So , what can we do for you?" The King said knowing that the queen was too dazed at Avery's appearance, to begin to continue.
"Your majesties and your highness..." Avery said she addressed the King and Queen and Prince Dylan with a smile. "...I have terrible news. News I believe you might or might not be disappointed in but I've come to tell you," Avery said, as her smile dropped. She felt like she was addressing her public but Avery felt safe here, which was no surprise considering everything going on in this world.
The Queen's smile dropped when she heard the seriousness in Avery's tone of voice. She knew that some thing was wrong, the instant she got the call that Avery had come to Enchanted. The queen looked at her subjects who were talking amongst themselves when Avery spoke.
"Please, all of you get back to work. There is nothing to worry about," Clarissa assured the public. The fairies that had gathered reluctantly went back to work but still continued to talk.
Queen Clarissa nodded at Avery and the princess followed the Queen into the palace. She was taken into the throne room and Avery had to admit that the thrones were much better than her parents'. The Queen seated herself up high on a podium with King Raphael on the throne next to her and Prince Dylan stood next to his mother. Avery walked forward so she was just in front of them.
"So, Princess, what is this terrible news?" The Queen said to Avery with a smile. Clarissa knew that this news must be a big deal but she didn't want to seem weak in front of her son.
Avery did a small curtsy before talking, "Your Majesty, I was in the market the same day I had arrived here for the first time..."Avery started but the queen unintentionally interrupted.
"I believe the day when you said to us, 'You believe us, but you cannot guarantee anything."
..."Yes, yes that day... You heard me?"Avery nodded with agreement before realising what the Queen said.
"Of course, I heard you. It's called mind link. Fairies who are loved ones and/or are close by can communicate through a mind link. Me, being Queen means that any fairy can contact me, even you," Clarissa said with the proud tone she had used when she first explained the city of Enchanted to her. Avery was amazed. What else could these fairies do?
"Anyway, your majesty, I went to the market with my best friend Olivia for the first time without a 12-army escort and without my parents. I was very happy as my parents trusted me. I was having a lovely day with Olivia buying necessities and enjoying tasty foods with exotic flavours. However, I was almost killed by an arrow, twice. First time, the arrow missed me completely and the second time the arrow was heading my way but one of the villagers took it for me. I was so shocked at what was going on that I didn't realise another arrow had come my way but this time it was heading for Olivia. She missed it and we were quickly taken away back to the castle. For the past days I have been in my room weeping and still in shock over the situation but finally today, my parents asked for my appearance in the throne room to lay down some rules. I am forbidden to leave the castle and I must always be in my room, no matter what the situation. I can no longer go to carnivals held by the public or even go into the castle gardens without at least a 12-guard escort. I am practically a prisoner which is why I have come to you, to tell you I don't think I can complete the quest you had set me."
Avery could see the royal families faces drop with disappointment and could see the distress in the Queen's face.
"You, however are okay though?" Prince Dylan asked. This was the first time Avery had heard him speak during her second visit here, and she heard his tone of voice sounded husky yet deep and strong unlike her first visit when he taught her to fly. Avery nodded making eye contact with the prince and he smiled back at her making Avery blush slightly.
"Did they find this murderer?" The Queen asked taking Avery out of her daze.
"Yes, they did and he is in the castle dungeons until further notice. But apparently, he was sent by someone to try and kill me. There is a cult that is against me being Queen and they are doing everything they can to stop me from ruling," Avery said to Clarissa. She saw the Queen's face seemed disturbed.
"And the man that was hurt? The man that protected you, is he OK?" Clarissa asked very concerned.
"He's fine, recovering and I'm very grateful to him," Avery replied.
Clarissa started talking to the King and it seemed like an intense conversation. She then turned to Dylan and whispered something into his ear while Avery stood there in silence. She felt awkward while the royal family talked among themselves.
Turning back to the princess, Avery could see the worry on Clarissa's face.
"You say you cannot leave the castle at all?" Clarissa said finally and Avery replied with a nod. "Well, then you must stay here until I can certain that my plan will work," Clarissa ordered as she waved her hand for the guards to come. Avery saw this and shook her head.
"No, I cannot stay here. I have a home to where I must go so please can you tell me now, because I'm still a princess to my people," Avery said quickly as the guards walked towards her. They stopped where they were before moving back to the door.
"Nobody, will know that you have gone, Princess. When it is day here, it is night in your world and when it is night here, it is day in your world. As you cannot leave the castle, I'd presume you'd stay in your room so your guards, parents and friend will not disturb you as you're probably in a bad mood. They would know not to make the Princess even more angry then she is..." Clarissa said as she came down from the throne and made her way over to Avery slowly.
"But how do you know?" Avery said looking straight at the queen. Clarissa smiled to herself and then turned to Dylan.
"Dylan, take Avery to a room in the private quarters. Explain everything to her and answer any questions she might have," Clarissa said as she walked back to her throne.
Dylan nodded and Avery couldn't feel but slightly annoyed as to why Clarissa was talking to Dylan about her like she wasn't there.
Dylan came over to the princess and offered his arm.
"Your highness, if you may, please follow me," Dylan said as Avery took hold of his arm. As they flew away, Avery looked back at the queen who was in tears...
***
"For a princess who cannot return to her kingdom, you are awfully quiet. My mother said I will answer all of your questions so go ahead, ask away!" Dylan said to Avery as they walked through the long hallways to her room. The private quarters were very big, Avery thought as they were in a completely different building altogether. There were so many rooms and so many guards and the place was decorated so beautifully. Avery started to feel homesick as the place felt a lot like home which Avery couldn't see why. This place was more amazing and despite her kingdom being the richest in all of France, their lifestyles were quite dull and boring. Before Avery was old enough, everyone dressed in simple, plain and boring colours and as the princess grew and travelled she saw so much life and colour that she started to dress differently from everyone else before painting the village and castle in different colors, lightening the mood and instantly life in Carcassone started to change for the better. Her father wasn't very happy with the change and neither was the Viscount who looked after her father's religious work. Avery's own mother started following her daughter's trend and Avery felt that the whole place was full of colour and life which made her feel so happy. The private quarters of the palace in Enchanted reminded Avery of the colour and lifestyle of her room which made Avery's stomach churn.
Avery looked up at the prince who was looking right at her. Avery just blushed and said,
"I'm waiting till we are in the room before I lose my temper."
"Very Princess-like. Keep your anger in control until arriving in a private place before lashing out at everyone and everything," Dylan said sarcastically and Avery couldn't help but smile.
They finally arrived at a big door which had two guards standing outside. Dylan nodded at them and they opened the double-door, before Dylan ushered Avery in and her mouth dropped with surprise. The room was bigger than her own bedroom and there was even a fireplace. Avery looked around the room; a beautiful chandelier lit with candles hung above her and candelabras were stationed at certain parts of the room. On the floor lay a big rug which was soft Avery could feel the rug rub against her feet despite wearing shoes. She looked at the walls decorated with art of nature, fairies and mermaids. The full length window gave Avery a beautiful view of the kingdom below with Avery soon realising it was a door which opened up onto a small balcony. In the room, Avery saw a bookcase filled with so many novels, a seating area with luxurious chairs covered in silk throws and a small table in the middle and a comfy chair was located near a vanity table with lots of make-up, jewellery and hair accessories. But the one thing that caught Avery's eye was the bed. It was so big and exquisite filled with pillows and cushions. The bed also had four posters which held four sheer silk curtains. Avery couldn't help but jump on the bed which was soft and luxurious. She heard the prince let out a laugh and Avery couldn't help but blush. She felt like she was doing that a lot around Dylan.
"Do you like it?" Dylan said through a smile as he walked over to her window.
"Like it? I don't think that word comes up in my vocabulary right now, I love it!" Avery said as she jumped off the bed and looked around the room again to take in the surroundings.
"Well these are your private quarters, princess. Anytime you come to Enchanted, you can come here to catch up on your energy and get ready for another day," Dylan said as he headed to where Avery was standing. Avery couldn't help but smile and looked at Dylan. His eyes were as dreamy as the moonlight, in their amazing combination of a crystal blue and a stormy grey.
Avery was speechless. But suddenly reality hit Avery and she looked away from Dylan and headed back to the bed.
"Why can I not return to my world?" Avery said with sadness in her voice. Dylan noticed her mood suddenly change and he stayed where he was to give her space. After taking a deep breath he said,
"Princess, this would be so much easier to explain if I told you everything."
Avery nodded and was prepared for whatever the prince was going to say to her.
"Okay, well my mother thinks that the person that was sent to kill you was Argon as somebody from the kingdom has told him that a princess from the other world has been sent and trusted to find Troy and Marigold. However, he's furious and he wants you dead. My mother is scared for your safety and all the fairies here because if anything happens to you, she'll never forgive herself as she got you involved. My mother wants you to do battle strategy training in case the worst happens. You'll take lessons with the court guards..." Dylan stopped and stuttered hesitantly ..."If that's okay with you." Avery nodded with agreement.
"She feels that all is lost. She needs you here until she knows its safe for you to go back. And then you can continue your search," Dylan continued as he walked over to the fireplace. "She has a plan princess and my mother never fails when she is determined. She wants to end this war but she needs you to trust her and all of us here in this world. She's more desperate then ever to find her sister and nephew and to find the traitor in this world so you have to be patient," Dylan continued as he looked directly over at Avery.
"But I cann't continue my search, remember? I'm a prisoner," Avery corrected Dylan and he nodded.
"I think that's were the plan comes in, don't worry," Dylan said in an assuring voice and Avery nodded, slowly. "So, princess will you stay? With us?" Dylan was standing right above Avery she didn't even realise. Avery looked at him and sighed before standing up.
"I will stay, but not for long. I have my duties too like you do Prince, but I will be patient and while I am here I will practise with your court guards so I will be prepared for whatever fate will throw my way..." Avery stopped suddenly when she saw Dylan let out a sigh of relief with a smile on his face. "...on one condition..." Dylan looked up suddenly at Avery's serious tone, before nodding. "Please, do not call me princess. My name is Avery," Avery said in a joking tone.
"Fine by me, Avery. And you cannot call me Prince, You must call me Dylan as I see here the start of a beautiful friendship," Dylan said walking over to Avery with a smile
"Deal," Avery said smiling and the two royals shook hands.
"Avery, if you ever need anything, my room is just opposite yours so just knock," Dylan said as he headed out of the room. "I mean, we are friends now, right?"
Avery let out a laugh and agreed before the prince headed out of the room and the guards closed the double doors behind him.
So now, she was alone again. Avery was back where she started but this time she had a friend. A friend that can talk to her and that was basically her, only a male. Avery walked to the window and saw fairies continuing the daily work and she also looked over to the courtyard where guards were training in battle-strategy. Avery was looking forward to her time here but she also wanted to return home. Clarissa would hopefully come up with a plan which will allow Avery to go back to her kingdom but something was making her want to stay and that something disappeared as soon as Dylan walked out of the door...