Author: Ica
Part one can be found here
Ava watches with sadness as the images of her homeland fade away into the distance. Hours pass by slowly, as she tries to muster up the courage to become the queen she is expected to be.
She sighs and looks up at the temple as they round the bend. The distinction and enchantment of the temple seems foreign and cold. Chills run down her spine as she focuses on the main temple, the Trellion Temple, standing tall and forbidding. It is to be her home for the next few years as she learns the duties of the queen.
Ava studies her new surroundings and walks through the vast gardens weaving its way up to the main temple. A wave of fear whips past her, causing her to stop and take a seat on one of the nearby stone benches.
She takes a deep breath as she tries to calm her nerves. She can't quite bring herself to enter the temple and start her new life.
She stares off into the distance and her mind drifts further away. Her thoughts wander and she slowly comes back to her senses as she hears a soft melody through the sculpted trees around her.
Ava stands, intrigued and follows the mystical voice lingering in the air. She follows it further into the twisting maze, until she comes to the source of the enchanting voice.
She walks closer to a young girl with soft blonde curls trailing down her back.
"Oh," she exclaims as she turns to see Ava. "You startled me-"
"I am sorry," Ava whispers backing away slightly.
"No need to be sorry," She laughs. "I tend to lose myself in song. Especially, with the frivolous task of chores at hand. My name is Delrina and you most be Ava-"
Ava smiles and nods with confusion, "how did you-"
"Know?" Delrina adds with laughter in her voice. She studies Ava briefly, her emerald eye dancing with mischief. "Well, I've never seen you before and Lord Pesterly and Sorcerer Weirdo are all a buzz
about you coming."
"Lord Pesterly and Sorcerer Weirdo?" Ava repeats as Delrina laughs.
"For shame!" She giggles. "If they heard me telling you their nicknames, they would hold my singing lessons as punishment-" Delrina pauses briefly as Ava smiles. "Lord Pierson and Lord Weirs have been talking about your arrival for days now."
"Why do you call-"
"You shall see!" Delrina grins as she glances towards the main temple. "Have you been inside?"
"No-" Ava sighs as she closes her eyes briefly.
"Do not be afraid-" Delrina whispers as she takes her hand and squeezes it, reassuringly. "Besides, I shall be by your side."
Ava smiles as she squeezes her hand back. Delrina guides her back through the maze.
"Ready?" Delrina asks as Ava pulls her hand from her graps and backs away.
"No, Rina-" Ava whispers. "I am not ready, I can not do this-"
Ava's tears sting as she turns and runs away, leaving Delrina speechless. She stares at her retreating form, her heart breaking in sympathy for her new found kindred spirit.
~
Leti tries to concentrate on his studies at hand, when he looks up from his books. He pauses as his gaze lands on a young maiden before him.
His heart aches as he notices the tears glistening in her eyes and he immediately feels guilty for the sinful thoughts that flicker through his mind.
He quickly gathers up his things, preparing to leave her be- but, her echoing sobs prevent him form doing so. He places his stuff back down and he goes to her. Without a word, he wraps his arms around her.
She gasps at his tender touch and she gazes up into his matching blue eyes. She trembles slightly as he dries the tears from her eyes and pulls her closer to him.
She sighs feeling the warm comfort of his arms. She feels as a sense of calm serenity surround them.
"Ava!" Delrina calls out as she rushes to them.
"Ava?" he whispers as he pulls away and studies the beautiful girl in his arms. "The future queen?" He questions as she nods. "Oh," he replies as his developing feelings crash down around him.
tbc
