Chapter 42: Azure Gathering

The early morning sun shines brilliantly and casts a shiny reflection on the surface of the Azure River. The mirrored sun appears distorted by the rippling waves giving an impression like the sun is dancing or running away.
Princess Aria gazes at the glistening water. She marvels at the hypnotizing effect it creates which makes one stare as if tempting you to plunge carelessly to catch the elusive sun.
Queen Alina gently holds Princess Aria's right arm, which breaks the magic spell that seems to hold her fascination towards the glistening of the river.
This is the very first time for Princess Aria to set foot in this place, for her to be in awe at every facet of her surroundings. Not to mention her surprise to be in the presence of so many fairies. She has never imagined that there are a lot of them. Well, in her fairy tale books she has seen a few but never thought that she would be encountering them and mingling with such marvelous beings for real.
The Princess suddenly misses her best friend Jo. Her human friend could have been so thrilled to witness this phenomenon too.
Now, Princess Aria is reminded that Jo would be coming back soon from Alaska, along with her parents. In addition to this, she cannot hold her excitement in the fact that she would finally go back to visit her Popsie and Marmee too as promised by her fairy parents after this day's ceremony is over.
Her Queen Mother gives her a slight tug on her arm to usher her to move closer to where all the Kings, Queens and all the high ranks from the Air, Water, Earth and Fire realms are seated.
Most of the fairies of the four realms are in attendance to honor the death of the Fire Lord's son, Prince Hagan.
King Merlion is seated beside Queen Meridian with King Oberon by her other side. Meanwhile, the Fire Lord is situated alongside King Oberon. The proud Queen of the Air fairies sits with Nurse Zella farther right, leaving two seats empty for Queen Alina and Princess Aria.
For the time being, her aunt, Princess Ava prefers to stand among the rangers of the four realms spread at the river bank in their color-coded garments.
Princess Aria scans the rangers assembled. Their group stands in an organized fashion vividly with shades of blue, green, white and orange. For this occasion, the rangers wear the colors of their realm and not their ranger clothing.
The Princess spots Caspian among the green-clothed rangers. Caspian is looking at her too. Both smile when their eyes meet.
Princess Aria is contented with their current relationship. She feels comfortable with it although their status has no label.
Princess Aria smiles once more with the thought that she does not even have an idea what labels do fairies give to relationships that are not basically between a husband and a wife.
Her reverie is cut short when the Fire Lord stands with a blue urn. He carries it close to him as if embracing it like a precious item. He wears a sullen look.
The rest of the fairies gathered around the Azure River watch in silence for the Fire Lord's next move.
"My fairy kin, first of all, I would like to express how much I am grateful for your presence, despite of..."
King Hakan pauses trying to choose the best words he can think of at the moment to express his sentiments for his combined admission and apology for Prince Hagan's lack of better judgment regarding the escape of the Dark fairy.
"I am so much thankful for all your attendance to honor my son Prince Hagan despite his shortcomings. Being here with me and my people signifies your understanding and forgiveness. For that I am relieved. I hope that this signifies that your faith in the Fire fairies remains intact."
The Fire Lord carefully opens the lid of the blue urn, as one of his fire fairies walks up to him to assist in holding the lid.
"I know that this is not our customary way of burial, but in this manner, in my opinion, my son's death would be cleansed of his sins to our kind if a part of his ashes would be scattered in the Azure."
The Fire Lord dips his free hand inside the urn to retrieve some of the ashes there.
"May Prince Hagan's ashes drift and blend with the water of the great mystical Azure. In this manner, may our ancestors be calmed by his ashes being as one with this river that signifies the unity of the four realms; Earth, Water, Air and Fire."
After his speech, the Fire Lord walks closer to the river. When his feet touch the water, he retrieves his hand from inside the urn to scatter a fistful of ashes. He repeats the ritual three times.
The same fire fairy approaches the Fire Lord to assist his King to walk back, away from the river.
King Hakan waves his free hand to signal the fairy to move away.
The fairy stands back, giving the Fire Lord some personal space.
Unexpectedly, King Hakan embraces the blue urn as he kneels on the spot. He lowers his head. It would appear as though he is in deep prayer or sorrow.
Whichever the case, the entire fairies in attendance stares in astonishment. They have never witness the proud Fire Lord in such a humble disposition.
All the fairies, even the Kings and Queens, kneel on their places as a symbol of reverence and condolence to the Fire Lord.
King Hakan is a father in grief. This they all understand.
After a few moments, King Hakan stands, automatically assisted by the waiting fire fairy.
"My son may your spirit rest in peace."
The Fire Lord walks back without looking back, after that last few words. He returns to his seat beside King Oberon. The King of the Water fairies taps his shoulder in a friendly gesture.
Queen Aine is the first to stand and approach King Hakan to offer her condolences.
"King Hakan, you have shown us humility in your time of grief. Keep in mind that each of our realm's survival depends on our unity as fairies."
Queen Aine's words surprise the other royalties. She has never admitted that she needs the other realms for strength. But her words confer the change in her point of view very clearly.
"Queen Aine, if there is any good brought by my son's death, it is in our realization that our division as Fire, Water, Earth and Air fairies that led to our defeat and misery. Working in unity would ensure the stability of fairy kind."
King Hakan's response is heard loud and clear by all the fairies.
This gathering at the Azure is one symbolic event that shows the start of true harmony amongst fairies.
"May this be a momentous day for all the fairy realms... We shall work towards helping each other for a better future."
It is King Oberon's turn to speak out his mind.
Queen Meridian nods in support for her King's statement.
Queen Alina embraces King Hakan to reassure the latter of the Earth realm being an ally.
"We should fortify our defences and magical protections for the entire fairy realm. The Dark fairy may have temporarily been out of reach but we shall pursue him in the coming days."
King Merlion rationalizes to indicate that a strong alliance with the other realms should be push forth.
By now, the sun shines warmly at the Azure River. The gathering of the fairies has come to its fruition.
After the ceremonies, a humble feast commences that last until late in the afternoon.
This day is a reprieve from what is yet to come.
The fairies are aware that the Dark fairy is bidding his time at the moment. But they would try their best to prepare themselves to protect their realm from his evil threat.