Chapter 40: Rangers and Princesses

Caspian feels lighter and calmer after his conversation with Princess Aria. Somehow the Princess has given him a more practical and positive view towards the disturbing revelations about his life.
At the same time his relationship with the Princess evolved in a more relaxed manner. Apparently both of them need each other more than they ever care to admit.
Their encounter at the willow tree means so much to both of the young fairies even if it was just casual and unexpected. Their lives are intertwined more than they can ever fathom.
Caspian whistles to himself as he heads for the healing tree. He intends to check on Aramir who is still recuperating from the encounter with the Dark Fairy.
He was not able to talk to Aramir on his first visit for the latter was still unconscious then.
Caspian grins as he recalls Princess Ava's refusal to leave Aramir's side since the Water Princess brought their head ranger for Nurse Zella's magical healing. Too bad Aramir lays unconscious in the duration of the Princess' stay by his bedside. His fellow ranger would have been ecstatic if he was aware of the special attention he is receiving from the Princess.
Every ranger in the Green Haven is conscious of their leader's strong admiration for the Princess of the Blue Haven. Their King might have a notion too but maybe does not mind his sister's admirer.
Aramir and Princess Ava have always been close since they were young. He seems to be more than eager to volunteer whenever the King needs a ranger to deliver a message at the Blue Haven or needs a representative as audience for any dialogue with the King and Queen.
It is not unexpected if the Water Princess cares so much for this ranger in the same manner. They share common interests in training as rangers.
Caspian's thoughts drifts back to his own Princess, his Earth Princess.
It was Princess Aria who finally convinced Princess Ava to leave Aramir temporarily and let Nurse Zella care for her precious ranger. Princess Aria requested her aunt ranger to train her to hone her Water Magic.
Princess Ava caved and was very thankful somehow to her niece that she can blow off some steam. She was quite furious when she arrived with the injured ranger a few days back. She even mentioned that if not for Aramir's state, she would have joined Haco and some of the rangers from the fire fairies when she heard them planning to go to the Dark Mountains to pursue Alirion.
Princess Ava is really strong willed, which she must have observed as well about her new found niece too. At the same time, Princess Ava is also curious regarding her niece's growing skills in using her recently discovered magical abilities.
As a ranger, Princess Ava cannot pass out the chance to train her niece. Complementary to that, Princess Aria is thrilled about learning from her aunt who is a well-trained ranger above and beyond her Princess title.
The two Princesses are now on their second training day outdoors near the lake where Caspian and Princess Aria fought like bickering couples way back.
Caspian smiles once more recalling how much different they behave to each other at this time. They seem to be back to just being Caspian and Anna all over again, which is the best thing for him right at the moment.
Aramir sits on his bed assisted by Enya. His chest is still wrapped with healing leaves. It might just have been luck that saved him from the Dark fairy who is more intent on his escape than killing other fairies. If that is not the case, Aramir would have been dead on the spot.
Caspian forces a smile when he enters the healing grounds. Upon seeing Aramir, he cannot help but recall his recent discovery of his affinity to the fairy who made his leader friend suffer.
"Hi Aramir! I hope you're feeling a bit better now. Too bad I was not with you guys. I could have done a lot of damage to that crazy..."
Caspian's words were left hanging. He could not bring himself to name the Dark fairy, his half uncle. Somehow he regrets opening up the topic altogether.
Aramir stares at him with an apologetic expression.
"I am sorry Caspian.  I know we have been together for a long time. But it is not in my place to say anything. It was the King's decision. He wanted to protect you."
Aramir stops there. He knows that there is no explanation to justify his keeping a secret. As a ranger, each one should be able trust his fellow ranger. They are a family. However, it was King Merlion who forbade all of them.
"Aramir it's fine. It has nothing to do with you. You don't have to apologize for anything. I get it now. It does just feel a bit awful not know the truth about something that big about my life. But honestly, it's not significant for me."
"I am my father and mother's son and that is it. Nothing else matters."
Caspian takes a deep breath and tries remembering his conversation with his Princess to return to his previous calm state.
"Hey nice training by the way, I didn't know you are involved in training anyone before."
Aramir teases Caspian, intentionally to lighten their exchange.
"Well, it was an interesting prospect. Besides it was the Queen's idea. I would assume Bran can't wait to tell you that."
Caspian retorts back with a little sarcasm.
"You know how Bran is. He always finds humor in everything."
Aramir says with a smile.
"I am glad you're sitting now. So, how does it feel saving your Princess?"
It was Caspian's turn to tease him now.
Aramir's face turns solemn.
"That moment when I saw that Princess Ava would be hit, I didn't think twice when I shielded her. It's like I could not live with myself if something happened to her. I could not imagine a world without her."
Aramir confesses.
Caspian stares at his friend for a while. It dawned on him that he would have done the same thing for Princess Aria.
"Wow, I never knew you feel that deeply for the Princess. We are rangers and I feel the big gap between our statuses to the Princesses."
Caspian admits too.
"Well, we are rangers and that does not stop us from caring deeply for someone. There is no law that forbids that. I just feel that however I choose to serve the one I love is the best decision I have done."
"When you feel strongly for someone, you don't have to expect that she would feel the same way for you. You love her and would do anything for her. That is the thing that prevents us from causing harm to her and all that she loves even if her love is not intended for you."
Aramir has never been more serious and honest. Maybe with his near death experience, it made him more willing to share his feelings before it's too late.
Caspian nods in agreement. Hearing Aramir say those words makes him more determined to do his duties as truthfully as possible for his Princess.
Both Aramir and Caspian remain silent after that. Each ranger caught in his own thoughts about his Princess.
Suddenly, Bran comes rushing in. He skids to a stop, almost bumping Caspian's back. He smiles at both rangers.
"Nice seeing you are already up Aramir. It's really something when you have a Princess as your guardian!"
Bran never fails to tease even his lead ranger.
"Hey Caspian, I was looking all over for you. Care to watch two Water Princess dueling? Jeera and the others are curious too."
Bran gives a playful wink.