Chapter 2

Oops-a-Daisy

Sunshine had awoken, peeking through the crevices between curtain and glass. It was a warm day in the throes of spring.

"Good morning, my little blossom." Mommy kisses me on the forehead and helps me get up.

"G'morniasmfff..." I rub my eyes, not yet fully awake.

She gives a lighthearted chuckle that rings through the room like a bell, "Rather than a flower, I suppose you're more of a sleeping hollow." She teases my hair and pokes my forehead. "Now let's go for our morning stroll to wake you up, yes?"

"Mmm..."

I cling onto her arm selfishly and nuzzle into her warmth. Mmm, it's soft and comfy here.

Her steps bounce up and down with regularity - a soft clack clack with every stride. Fresh air and the scent of spring envelops us. Sounds of gravel crunching underfoot keep the rhythm to my mommy's playful hums.

"We're here, Aeriea. You're already seven constellation-cycles, so you should be a bit more independent."

She lets go of my hand at this. I whine sulkily but walk all the same. When we reach the garden, hundreds of flowers greet us cheerfully. I immediately shake my sleepiness off and run towards the fields, "Good morning!"

Mommy sits by the archways and takes out a book while I frolic in the foliage. "Let me know when you get hungry, little blossom. I brought sandwiches."

"Okay!"

*

"Continuing off from last time," I begin to narrate, "The blue and violet flowers argue with the scarlet roses over who their new queen should be.

'We bring balance to the realm, so the throne should go to Princess Belleau!' The bluebells raise their scepters of vines in protest.

'Nonsense! The crown rightly belongs to Princess Rosaline!' Shout the rose court in indignation." I flourish my story with dramatic poses here and there.

"Heh. What a cute little play you're performing there, spring seedling."

Looking up, iridescent wings that shimmer with lavender and forest green greet my eyes. Gasping, I notice her irises and eye-whites are coal black.

"What's your name, spring seedling?" The palm sized Fae flits from right to left excitedly.

"I'm Aeriea, what's yours?" I stare in awe at her beauty. She seems to glisten, her wings reflecting light all about.

"My! A beautiful name for a beautiful bud. My name is Nara. May I join your play?"

"Of course!"

There isn't anyone else around the estate that plays with me other than Crescia, so it'd be so nice to make another friend.

I show her the beautiful flowers I've picked to be the Princesses and she dances in the air with vigor. "You've chosen the prettiest ones! What a smart seedling you are."

"-And at long last, peace settles in the Kingdom of Flora with the two Princesses of Beallau and Rosaline ruling together!" Nara and I both give a small bow and applaud one another.

"That was quite fun, what do you say we play a bit more?"

"I'm a little hungry though, I'll come back right after eating!"

She tugs on my sleeve, "Don't worry, the place I will show you doesn't have things such as hunger. Instead there is only endless life, song, and beauty - A true 'Flora Kingdom' just like in your play! I'm sure you will love it, spring seedling."

A place like our make-belief Flora Kingdom? I want to see it! I nod eagerly and stand up, "Oh, I should tell mommy first." Turning to look at her, I notice she's asleep.

"Come, come, don't wake your mother incessantly. She looks so peaceful."

"Mmm, that's true." I follow Nara towards the nearby forest. We stop just before where the tall pine trees grow.

"Now then, right under this tree burrow we go. This is an In-Between Place at the threshold of entrance. Breathe deeply now."

I crawl in, roots and leaves scratching and scraping. My dress is left with dust and dirt. "Oh my," Nara furrows her eyebrows. "We'll get you all fixed up soon."

When I hit the ground with both feet, the floor suddenly seems to disappear and balance disjoints from my senses. As if we flipped over in a second's time, I am no longer under the burrow of entangled roots. Instead I find myself underneath the branches of a magnificent ash tree. It stands as tall, no, even taller than my family's estate.

I've never seen anything like this before… Nara smiles at my agape mouth and drifts forward.

"This is the ancient Yggdrasil, be sure to ask for its blessings before we continue." There's an ethereal feel to the atmosphere and I no longer feel the hunger or weariness from this morning's playtime.

Verdure seeming to extend to the very edges of the world, flowers with seeds or bulbs seem to pulse in a soothing tempo. A clear lake reflects above where the sky should be.

Immediately I interlock my fingers, but I don't know what to say.

"What a helpless seedling," Nara laughs teasingly. "Oh great Yggdrasil, please offer your blessings to this small blossom that has yet to mature. Let your roots guide her to eternal wisdom. Let your endless branches open just as many paths to her. Let your leaves show her the beauty of life, for this small one has no need to see the miseries of humanity."

Her prayers offer me comfort, it's as if I'm truly being blessed.

Nara spins around, seeming to beckon me. "Now follow along seedling, anyone who arrives must first give their greetings to the Queen."

"I see you are guiding her well, young Nara."

"Queen Titania!" Nara immediately bows down. I look forwards and am stunned. All thoughts leave my head, as I bask in the beauty before me.

A woman smiles upon me kindly. With sun-kissed skin that radiates warmth, it's as if the very essence of summer shines from her being. Golden hair flows in the air like liquid starlight. Eyes as opulent as fresh honey stare curiously at me. When I come back to my senses, I take a cue from Nara and manage to stutter out "Q-Queen."

"I am the Queen of the Summer Court, Titania, and I welcome you to my domain. Please stand and tell me your name, Child of Sunira."

"M-My name is Aeriea Newlyn, thank you for welcoming us." I play with my fingers nervously and muster my best curtsy.

Urgh, is it the left or r-right hand that goes here, no there? Ahh, this is so embarrassing... I silently resolve to practice my etiquette properly when I get back…

Huh...? Get back where?