Chapter 30: The Return

As soon as Princess Ava and the rest of the rangers from their mission return at the Blue Haven, the Princess goes straight to his father to report all the things they have learned from the Dark Fairy.

She looks so furious and distraught at the same time that she does not bother to excuse herself from the other envoys of the two realms.
            
"I bid you all safe travels to your realms. It is a sad affair to be the bearer of bad news regarding the Orange Haven."

Ailsa bows to them and turns on her heels to follow Princess Ava.
            
Aramir proceeds to exit also, with the rest of the rangers. They are ready to depart for their own realm.

Cleon does the same for his group to bring the news to his kin at the White Haven. This will be such terrible news for their Queen.

The present situation of the Orange Haven as well as the King and his fire fairies are big matters for all the realms. The fire fairies are strong but the Dark fairy got to them using his dark magic spells.
            
Princess Ava finds his Father sitting on his throne with a bottle of strong wine. By the looks of it, the bottle is almost empty.
            
"Sad greetings to you my King Father. I am sorry but I bring such grave news..."

The Princess pauses upon observing the state her Father is in at the moment. She grabs the bottle of wine from him and places it on a side table.
            
"Father, what is going on with you? Have you had another dispute with Mother? How long have you been drinking?"

The Princess is aware that she asks a rhetorical question. Obviously, she knows the reason because nothing else will perturb him this way except a spat with her mother.
            
"Father, whatever happened in the past cannot be undone. You just have to understand that the pain remains in all of our hearts most especially with mother."
            
King Oberon stares at his daughter with sad eyes. He shakes his head and places it between his hands.
            
"My daughter, I am aware of my sins to this family and my realm. You are correct that there is no way to take it back. My only wish is that you would still believe that my love for you, for your brother, and for your Mother remains the same."

The King whispers imploringly.
            
"Yes Father, it is all done. I am trying to get past that now."
           
"Please, there are bigger matters than the past. It is about the Orange Haven."

The Princess waits for her Father's reaction. She tries to sound as calm as possible.
            
"So tell me my daughter, what is going on in the realm of the fire fairies?"

The Princess receives her father's full attention now.
            
"The Dark fairy controls the realm. King Hakan is imprisoned in the dungeons and Prince Hagan is dead."

Princess Ava reports in a hurry. She thought that if she will say everything fast, it will be less painful.
            
Prince Hagan is a good friend. He might not be the best kind of Prince for his father could wish for but his heart is in the right place. She is sure of that since she grew up friends with Prince Hagan. However, he followed his heart in the end, which brought him to his demise.
            
Princess Ava wipes the tears that are starting to fall. She does not like to show any weakness in front of her King Father.
            
"My daughter, I am sorry to hear about Prince Hagan's death. What we must do now is save King Hakan and his people from Alirion."

King Oberon says gently to his daughter but very determined to do everything in his power for the rest of the fire fairies.
            
"Alirion has gone terribly insane for vengeance. I have to talk to my brother about this. Bigger things are at stake here. So many fairy lives are in danger."

Princess Ava replies, now in a more emotionless tone.
            
"My Princess, we shall send for your brother to join us here. It is time that we set aside our family's past. As a King, he will answer to our summons."

The King states shortly.

"I will send Aerwyna to the Earth Haven immediately. She is our swiftest fairy after all." Princess Ava bows and turns, bringing along the bottle of wine with her as she exits.
 
 
*****************************
 
Aramir searches for King Merlion in one of the inner gardens in the vast Elder Tree. King Merlion sits on one of the wooden pews facing yet another garden. The King is somewhat lost in his deep thoughts that he does not take notice of his approach.
            
Aramir takes a knee then greets his King.
            
"My King, our mission in the Orange Haven is complete. I am afraid there is no point in any secrecy about the mission since the Dark fairy is ready for us. He has taken over the realm and used his dark magic to use some of the fairies as sentinels."
            
"It is safe to assume that the fire fairies have no choice but to obey him. King Hakan is his prisoner, and unharmed for now but Prince Hagan..."

Aramir cannot finish his words.
            
King Merlion stands and faces Aramir. He holds him on both shoulders then asks,

"How is Princess Ava?"
            
Aramir stares the King straight in his eyes and replies,

"Princess Ava is strong but I think she needs your counsel now, more than ever."
            
King Merlion simply nods and turns away.
            
"You know Aramir, our lives are intertwined though realms separate us. All these turn of events are brought about by our interwoven past and present decisions. Now, the future is also dictated by what we will choose to do."

King Merlion declares, full of resentment in his expression. His statements are full of deep meanings.
            
"Queen Alina believes we can still save him. We can still stop Alirion from his madness."

The King adds but with so much doubt.
            
"My King, though you do not seek my opinion, I feel that you should let the past rest by enlightening the ones involved in this entanglement know of the truth. Unravelling this whole story from the past that has led us to our present predicament, might help resolve the situation better. It might even prevent mayhem in our kin."

Aramir stops there. He believes he is able to state his point clearly to his King.
            
"You have come to be a wise counsellor at this instant. Who would have known that our young Aramir could learn to be wise like Marion?"

King Merlion answers with admiration.
            
"Marion has taught me a lot of things but I am afraid I would never come close to what he was as an honored leader."

Aramir humbly responds.
            
Suddenly, Caspian enters hastily, followed by Aerwyna.
            
"My King, Aramir," Caspian says in greeting.

"Aerwyna came to request for your presence in the Blue Haven."
            
"My King, Princess Ava needs to talk to you immediately. She has sent me as soon as she can. She says she will not take no for an answer."

Aerwyna states insistently.
            
King Merlion glances at Aramir, then to Caspian.

He finally makes up his mind that his sister is far more important than his personal issues. He nods to Aerwyna.
            
"Go ahead Aerwyna and inform Princess Ava of my return to the Blue Haven."
            
Aerwyna bows and abruptly takes her leave.
            
"Aramir, you will come with me to the Water Fairy's realm."  

"Caspian, find Bran. You will both watch over Queen Alina and Princess Aria. You will stay with them at all times in my absence."

King Merlion leaves with Aramir after him.
            
Caspian is left at the garden by himself.

Finally, he will do his duty for his Princess and Queen.