Chapter 19: Letting Go

After Anna finishes narrating all the information she has learned from Caspian, as well as all the revelations aided by her mysterious locket, Popsie and Marmee remain speechless for a few moments.
Anna does not take her eyes off her parents. She owes her life to these parents whom she will always love, no matter what she has learned about herself. They have sheltered and given her love all her life despite not knowing anything about her.
 
Both are now teary-eyed in front of her.
 
"Popsie? Marmee? Please say something..."
 
Anna pleads, now looking a bit worried, not having an idea what they are thinking.
 
It was Marmee Rose who stands first from the sofa and gives Anna a tight embrace.
 
"We have always known that this time will come. After all, you have been really someone extra special in our hearts. For us, you are forever our Princess. Although we are also surprised by all that you have told us, nothing changes for me and your Popsie."
 
Marmee Rose caresses Anna's hair with so much affection while they continue to hug.
 
"When you were growing up, we have often wondered about the extraordinary things you can do. So, I guess you are really different from others, from us. But keep in mind my darling; you will forever be our daughter, our Anna."
 
Marmee Rose whispers to Anna, as she cries on her shoulder.
 
Popsie Reed stands too, and joins her girls for a tight hug.
 
"Anna, we are very happy that you have finally uncovered who you truly are. We have always felt that knowing the whole truth about your identity will make you feel whole again."
 
"We have nothing greater to give you than our whole-hearted support in whatever you decide to do now. Your Marmee and I are fully aware that your time with us is borrowed. When you came to us in your green basket, you have captured our hearts and we cannot turn our backs on you. Right there and then you have our love and devotion."
 
Hearing Popsie Reed's words melts Anna's heart even more.
 
Anna's locket starts to glow once more, as bright as it can be.
 
Caspian stares at the captivating object yet again in amazement as it glows brilliantly, fully illuminating the whole house.
 
"Your Marmee and I have always suspected that your locket is connected to you, your feelings, and most especially your sense of protection."
 
Popsie Reed walks closer to Anna and Marmee Rose to engulf them with his warm embrace.
 
"You can see the magical locket too?" Caspian exclaims.
 
"Since Anna arrived in our doorstep with it, we have always known she is different, that she is someone who will bring warmth to everyone she encounters like what we have experienced when she arrived to us. She will truly be Arianna, our Sunshine."
 
Marmee Rose answers proudly.
 
"Let me show you something." Anna excitedly says, remembering what happened to her just outside a few minutes ago.
 
She touches her glowing locket. Sure enough, her true appearance is revealed. The locket has kept her true appearance since she came to the human world for her protection.
 
Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose smile at their Anna. Though her fairy qualities come into sight, the adoration of her foster parents did not falter, not even a bit. Truly for them, she is a Princess. But not their own...
 
Anna's face turns sad abruptly. Learning about her true lineage means she has a responsibility to her true people, the fairies. Deep in her heart, not just the fairies' lives are at stake.
 
The looming battle with the Dark Fairy is her concern too, which means, she has to join Caspian. She will be leaving her Popsie Reed and Marmee Rose...
 
As if Anna's foster parents read her mind, both clutch their daughter's hands tightly.
 
"You have to go, right?"
 
Popsie Reed asks but he knows Anna's answer to this anyway.
 
"Popsie, i wish i wouldn't have to, but..."
 
Anna replies in such melancholy.
 
"But you have to." Popsie Reeds finishes for her.
 
"Oh, Popsie, you have always understood me so well."
 
Anna declares as she embraces her foster father.
 
"Please, be careful. Caspian... promise to guard her, with your life!"
 
Marmee Rose turns to Caspian with her demand and not a request. Her voice betrays the unbearable pain in her heart. It is never easy to part from someone you have always instinctively yearned to protect. For her, she would never ever be ready to part with her daughter although she and Popsie Reed have long accepted this fate.
 
"I am her protector even before I knew who she really is. You need not ask that of me anymore, Marmee."
 
Caspian says with certainty.
 
Anna starts to cry in silence. How can she deserve such very understanding and loving parents? It breaks her heart to see them trying to be completely composed instead of breaking down with sadness.
 
This is what their worried looks in the past truly means. They have always known that she will leave them. And to think she wondered so much why her foster parents look so anxious. If she had known the truth earlier, maybe she could have spent even more time with them. Maybe she could have given more of herself to repay their unconditional love for her.
 
Marmee Rose leaves them for a while, rushing to go upstairs.
Popsie Reed is still holding on to Anna's hand.
 
Caspian stares out the window. He begins to worry about what is happening in their realm.
 
After a few minutes, Marmee Rose comes back holding a green cloth. It is the soft blanket of Anna when she was a baby.
 
"Here, my Princess, this belongs to you."
 
Marmee Rose says as she wraps it over Anna's shoulders like a shawl.
 
"Be safe."
 
She whispers softly while touching Anna's face gently with both her hands. In her eyes, her daughter seems to have transformed into an elegantly strong young woman. A Fairy Princess...
 
Anna hugs her Marmee Rose tightly and whispers back,
 
"I will return to both of you. I love you so much Marmee! You too Popsie."
 
Popsie takes his turn in engulfing Anna in a very loving embrace.
 
"We will be here, awaiting your return. We love you Princess." he says like a promise.
 
Anna takes a final glance at her parents, her devoted family.
 
Caspian slightly bows his head to Popsie and Marmee then opens the door.
 
Anna follows Caspian and shuts the door behind her without looking back. If she looks back, she will surely breakdown in tears. But she is determined to show that she can be strong. She has to be strong after all; she is a Princess, a Fairy Princess.
 
"Princess Aria, will you be alright? We have so much to explain when we get to the Green Haven. For one, I left without permission. So maybe I might be in trouble."
 
Caspian tries to make light conversation with her.
The sudden change in Aria's status makes him uneasy. He is a ranger, she is a princess.
 
"What? You left without telling anyone? That's irresponsible of you!" Aria says, exasperated.
 
"Wow, you truly are acting like a princess now, talking about responsibility and stuff..."
 
Caspian replies, trying to deflect her retort.
 
"I told Bran where I'm going. He is one of the rangers with me but not Aramir." he explains further.
 
"Who is Aramir?" Anna inquires, as they walk towards the trail.
 
"My princess, you really have a lot to learn from now on...well, let's see if we can get there quickly."
 
Caspian suddenly stops walking. He stares at the Princess.
 
Anna stops too but clueless on what Caspian means.
 
"Now, Princess, try to concentrate on visualizing the valley." Caspian explains to her.
 
Anna stares at him with a puzzled expression but when he remains expectant, she closes her eyes and tries to do what he asks.
 
At first, it seems nothing is happening. For a moment she thought Caspian might just be playing a joke on her.
 
But after moment, she can feel her locket glowing and the warmth spreading all over her.
 
She continues to imagine the valley. Recalling the morning jogs she takes with her Popsie...
 
"Welcome to the valley, Princess."
 
Anna hears Caspian's comment beside her.
 
Anna opens her eyes and there they are, at the Valley.
 
She looks around her trying to make sure if it's just her eyes imagining all these. It is dark so she tries to focus her eyes a bit to check carefully.
 
Yes, they are definitely at the Valley. Just like magic...