Chapter 25: Queen Alina

Princess Aria slows down as soon as she is certain that she is definitely as far away as possible from Caspian. As if the distance from him will lessen the pain she feels in her heart right now. Her eyes are getting blurry with all the tears that falls incessantly, while her locket glows brightly too. It obviously reveals how much intense her pain is right now.
The Princess stops from running away. She looks around her, not knowing where she is at the moment.
The halls are dimmed. Only several torches hang by the walls in equal distances to illuminate the place.
Fairies have excellent vision so she need not exert so much effort to see. She has grown accustomed to using that fairy ability by now. Her emotional state at present is the reason for her disorientation.
Princess Aria carefully walks with no particular place in her mind. She tries to retrace her steps from when Nurse Zella was with her when she was on her way to the inner garden. She has not gone far when she hears voices in one of the rooms at her left side.
The Princess knocks at the wooden door, like customary gesture for humans. The voices stop abruptly and she hears footsteps nearing her way to open the door.
A young fairy, maybe a bit younger than her, takes a peek.
"Princess Aria, it's you!"
The young fairy in green garments, similar to hers but cut shorter, looks so surprised but sounded extremely thrilled to see her.
She curtsies to Princess Aria and then pulls the door wider to admit her in.
The Princess scans the room as she enters, noticing that it is some sort of sleeping quarters. Everything is in green, though in different shades of it. There are two canopy beds placed parallel with each other, still in green.
There is a low window, which is left wide open. The light breeze from it gave her some fresh air to calm her constricted heart.
Another young fairy is also present, sitting on one of the canopy beds. She automatically stands to give the Princess a hurried curtsy.
"Who are you?" Princess Aria asks the two fairies politely but with so much curiosity. This is the first time she has ever seen fairies younger than her. Both look enchantingly pretty.
"I am Nadia, my Princess." The fairy who opened the door for the Princess a while ago answers courteously.
"My name is Enya," introduces the other one near the canopy bed. She seems shy because she keeps staring down, avoiding the Princess' stare.
"My Princess, did you need something?"
"Enya and I are just waiting for Nurse Zella. She will teach us some healing spells but right now, she is with our Queen Alina."
Nadia explains courteously to the Princess.
"So you are training to be a nurse fairy?" Princess Aria inquires intrigued by the information revealed by the young fairy.
"I am looking for my Queen Mother but unfortunately, I am not yet familiar with all the areas here. I came from the inner garden." She narrates.
"Oh, we will be honoured to accompany you to the Queen's chamber," offers Nadia while Enya simply nods in agreement.
"Thank you. That is most kind of you."
The Princess bows to both fairies and allows Nadia to take the lead. Enya closes the door behind her. Then the three young ladies proceed to their destination soundlessly.
In the short time that Princess Aria has discovered who she is, she is able to tap to her fairy abilities quite effortlessly. She walks with the two fairies noiselessly as if she has been doing it before.
Her fairy blood syncs with her mental capacity to behave as a fairy automatically. This fascinates her tremendously. It is like she has read a manual about fairy qualities and abilities and is able to behave like one naturally. For a moment she is distracted from her emotional turmoil.
Both fairies walk in front of her quietly and stop at a wide door after a short while. The entrance opens with one slow wave of Enya's hand.
Again, the Princess takes note of this and plans to try for herself later.
"We cordially apologize for interrupting your rest my Queen."
"Princess Aria was looking for you."
Nadia declares in respect as she slightly bows.
Nurse Zella bows to the Princess. She does not wait for the Queen's command. She left quietly with the two young fairies without a word.
Queen Alina is sitting on her bed. But stands immediately and walks towards her daughter to embrace her as a greeting.
Until now, the Queen has only said a few words since she had her Princess back. She is more physically showy maybe because she is unsure of what to say to her after so many years being apart.
Princess Aria starts to tear up again as soon as she felt her mother's touch. Her musing over the young fairies and the structure of their abode temporarily diverted her thoughts. She is thankful for the reprise, but now, she definitely seeks her mother's comfort.
"What is wrong my child? Please keep at heart that I am here for you now."
"Though I might not have all the answers or the exact solution to make your sorrows go away, I will try my best to do so."
Queen Alina promises while she caresses Princess Aria's hair.
"Mother, I am sorry if I seem to give you worries but I just can't help it. I feel so hurt. I don't even know how to begin to explain to you."
The Princess responds in between her sobs.
"Is this about Caspian? I am aware that she is special to you."
"You have grown close to each other and that brought you to us."
Her mother replies in a gentle voice.
"It is a fortunate occasion that Caspian met you. It is as if he was meant to find you for us."
"My Queen Mother, I appreciate that he helped me find my true family but he seems to change so quickly when he found out who I really am."
"I thought that our feelings for each other are mutual. Apparently, I was mistaken. He has given up on us easily." Princess Aria laments.
"Oh, my Princess, Caspian is an honorable ranger like his father. He is as pure hearted like his mother. But he has gone through a lot at a young age."
"Give him time to sort things out on his own. For now, please allow your heart some rest. You have had such an emotional day."  
"Come lay down for a while."
Queen Alina takes her daughter by the hand and leads her to the enormous bed.
Princess Aria allows her mother to guide her. She is tremendously tired for all the events that unfold.
She lies down on the soft cushions and closes her eyes. When her body touches the bed, it gives in to the relaxing sensation of rest. She finally feel the whole weight of her tiring day.
Her mother sits on the bed beside her, allowing her gentle fingers stroke her hair.
The Queen remains silent the whole time by her side. Having her long lost mother near her is more than enough comfort for the Princess. She needs this tranquility to let herself calm down too.
Her Queen mother is finally with her after such a long, long time.
Sleep comes to the Princess.
However, she still misses her Marmee Rose...