Chapter 31: Prince and Princess

Princess Ava waits for his brother's arrival at the throne room. Their Father let her meet with Merlion here. She is aware that her father wants to see his son too but he knows that Merlion would rather not.

The Princess takes a deep breath. She is not sure how she really feels about their family situation. What happened in the past is something she just learned about when she is grown enough. Her Father's betrayal occurred before she was even born.

Their issues make her sad but she is unsure what she should really feel.

She wishes though that she is still just a young princess who has no worries or issues to deal with.

Princess Ava's thoughts come to Prince Hagan's death. Until now, she cannot believe or accept that Alirion can just get rid of someone just like that.

The Prince was the only fairy whom the Dark Fairy can consider as a friend.
Hagan followed him like a dazzled servant all the time when they were young. He has always been fascinated with Alirion's great ability to do magic spells. However, Alirion seems unafraid to delve in dark magic as well. He feels magic is useful, dark magic included.

Truth be told, Hagan was found of Alirion but his love for the Dark Fairy's sister was considered devotion. The Prince did not care if she was not a Princess. Hagan loved her unconditionally. However, her love was meant for someone else.

Princess Ava has always been positively sure that Prince Hagan cared for Alirion too. He would never have helped him escape if that is not the case.

Alirion used that pure love of Hagan to gain favors with King Hakan. Sadly, Prince Hagan did not see that Alirion was just befriending him so he would not be censored for pursuing dark magic.

Princess Ava noticed such things. She was the only one who understood how it felt to love someone from afar.

She was very young then but she admired Prince Hagan ever since she realized that she was already old enough to have special feelings for anyone. Now that she has grown up, all she felt was sadness that the Prince never got over Alirion's sister.

It would seem that the strongest magic that could control anyone is love.

Love could make the best of any of us follow blindly and lose our true self-worth.

Princess Ava sits absentmindedly on her Father's throne. She is reminiscent of the time when her brother Merlion was being groomed as the king.

Her brother always told her to enjoy the time that she does not have to worry about the future of their realm.

Merlion was right.

Presently, as a Princess who is all grown up, she is more involved in the affairs of not just her realm but the others too.

Merlion's arrival ends Ava's changing thoughts.

She runs like she is still a little girl to embrace her older brother. She has missed him terribly.

His refusal to go to the Blue Haven over the years seems too much for her but she could not blame him, just like her Queen Mother.

"Sorry if I made you wait for a while. I missed you so much."

King Merlion hugs his younger sister back.

"It is alright my brother. Your responsibilities as King must be keeping you away."

"I am glad you came."

"Princess Ava sits on the dais for her and allows her brother to sit on the armrest. 

"I have heard of Prince Hagan's demise. I am so sorry Ava. I know you were fond of him."

Merlion places his arms on his sister's shoulders.

"You knew?"

Princess Ava sounds surprised.

"Of course, I knew!"

"You got overly excited when the Prince was present. You became ladylike instead of a careless teen warrior!"

Merlion smiles at the memory but becomes serious once more.

"I was young then. A prince like Hagan is pretty hard to ignore. I just don't get it why he never got his love reciprocated."

Ava is in deep thought again.

"Ava, let us not dwell in the past anymore. Prince Hagan knew what he was doing. The sad part is he was used by Alirion."

Merlion frowns.

"Since Alirion controls the fire fairies and keeps King Hakan as hostage, we have to find a way to save them without hurting anyone."

"Queen Alina thinks we can still try to talk to Alirion again."

He says this with a hint of doubt in his tone.

"I think we are way past talks of peace with that one. The Dark Fairy is full on vengeance. He does not care about anyone now."

"We have to devise a plan wherein we could lift his dark spell over the fire fairies and at the same time rescue King Hakan."

Princess Ava is trying to sound hopeful.

"That is way too big for a plan my sister. We have to hear what the Queen of the Air Fairies think. However, you are correct that Alirion does not have any plans of giving up quietly. If we have to face him in a battle, we must be ready."

King Merlion sounds determined to deal with this issue once and for all. But he does not exclude the opinion of the Queen of Air Fairies.

"Big brother, you somewhat failed to include our dear Father's opinion?"

Princess Ava sort of tries to remind him that their Father is still the King of the Water Fairies.

"You can handle him. I came here on your request, not to talk to him. I never intend to hear his opinion."

King Merlion responds with a bit of arrogance.
           
"My dear brother, you are as stubborn as our Mother Queen. But then again, I could not blame you. But for me, I think it's a lot easier since I was not yet around then. Still, our Father made a mistake!"

Princess Ava attempts to lighten the issue.

"Let us stop talking about that again..."

King Merlion cuts off Princess Ava politely.

"Right now, we must ready our armies. But just as I've told you a while ago, before sending them to a battle, we must hear what the Queen of the White Haven has to say."

King Merlion concludes their conversation.

"Let us go to their realm now. Time is of the essence though I think the Dark Fairy is forestalling for our move before he does anything else. I am just curious what he is really waiting for."

Princess Ava ponders over the Dark Fairy's twisted mind.

The door to the throne room opens unexpectedly.

Ailsa enters and bows to Princess Ava and King Merlion.

"My Princess, Queen Aine has arrived. She is seeking a counsel with the King and Queen."

Ailsa informs them hurriedly.

"Ailsa, accompany the Queen here. I will fetch my King Father and Queen Mother myself."

The Princess sends Ailsa out.

"I guess the Queen of the Air fairies has been thinking the same way as we do. She has saved us the time to travel to the realm above the clouds."

King Merlion points out to his sister but seems unhappy about something.

"Well, brother, I suppose you will have to face our King Father now whether you like it or not. But look on the bright side, you will make our Queen Mother very happy to see you again."

Princess Ava left with a mischievous grin.

"Make yourself comfortable, King Merlion. At least you get to stay longer in our Haven."

"Welcome home big brother."

She adds playfully before finally exiting the hall.

King Merlion sits on his sister's throne with a sour expression on his face. His sister can really be tremendously annoying sometimes.

The Prodigal Prince of the Water fairies stares around him. Truthfully, he has missed this place somehow. He just doesn't like to admit it though.

This will surely be an ordeal for him. However, the opportunity to also see their Queen Mother is a silver lining on his dark expression. He misses his mother too.