Raven followed the queen as Meredith stopped to visit with outer foreign dignitaries. All of the guests were happy and at ease, speaking briefly with the queen before letting her move on. Raven kept quiet noticing how Meredith greeted them with ease.
Raven recognized some of them but tried to remain invisible knowing her fathers' men didn't much care for her or her classmates for that matter. Though luckily it seemed Honey and Ginger were too busy terrorizing their dance partners to notice her. They made their way around the room before Meredith wandered off, away from the party. Raven followed closely as Meredith chuckled.
"Do I make you nervous?" Meredith asked as Raven blushed.
"I'm sorry. I don't spend much time with someone other than my parents and you're the queen on top of it all. I have never dreamed about being around so many people who don't even scowl at me. I'm babbling, now aren't I?" Raven gushed embarrassed as the queen chuckled. Meredith paused pulling Raven to a stop.
"I have a small confession I need to make. I don't really need an assistant." Meredith told the young girl watching as the light quickly died away from her purple eyes. "I need your help with something else. I wasn't sure Hank would approve so I used that as an excuse to speak with you more privately. Please hear my request." Meredith begged as she opened a study door. Raven nodded slowly, wrinkling her nose at the sound of water.
The door opened to a short hallway, blocking most of the room from view. Once Meredith had closed the door, she led Raven around the corner where she could take in the full view of the study. She hesitated at the stone fountain sitting in front of a large mirror.
"What exactly do you need me for?" Raven wondered as she glanced around the room. There was a small desk and chair on the other side of the room, but for the size, it was mostly empty. Well, the fountain took up most of the space. Her frown deepened as she explored the feature with her eyes.
It wasn't like anything she had seen before, with an odd stone carved base. The centerpiece was of a maiden, but in place of legs, she had the tail of a fish. "That's a mermaid, isn't it?" Raven asked as Meredith glanced at the statue surprised.
"Why yes. She is. I didn't know people still knew the term around here." Meredith muttered as she patted the base lovingly.
"I tend to read a lot. There are books that mention mermaids with a brief description. Creatures born of the water to protect all that dwell inside the lakes and rivers. They mention that they could come onto land and in one book I read they fought in the great war that gave birth to our kingdom. But I don't really know much else about them. Do you think that's what they really looked like?" Raven asked nervously as Meredith sat on the edge of the basin with a sigh.
"When I was younger, I left my home and found a cave. That cave had the most beautiful mirror I had ever seen. Crafted in coral, this material here, and covered in pearls. I was so busy exploring I never noticed the eyes watching me." Meredith told her as she dipped her hand into the water.
"King Trayson?" Raven wondered as she sat beside her making Meredith laugh. The queen seemed younger when she smiled and laughed. The wrinkles around her eyes fading briefly.
"No, he wouldn't come until years later. My colony was slowly dying. The lights were fading out. If I wanted to save my people, I needed to leave them. I prepared my young pupils as best I could and left. I have no doubt they think I am dead." Meredith mumbled sadly as she made the water move and dance under her touch. Raven watched, spellbound before gasping softly.
"You’re a mermaid." Raven murmured as Meredith smiled gently. Raven jumped as the queen's gown shifted and changed. Something slid out of the bottom of her skirt as Raven stared in wonder at the faded blue fin.
"Yes. Raven, I need you to do me a favor, no one should ever need to require. My people are dying. I need you to save them. Free them from the darkness. My son will help you do this." Meredith explained as Raven paused.
"You want me to do what?" Raven asked bluntly confused as Meredith smiled, her tail disappearing.
"The world needs you to save it. And old darkness is rising and will soon swallow the valley. Mermaids, Druids, Fairies, Elves and the like will parish. You are the key that will stop this madness and restore balance to the world. It is what you were born for." Raven whirled on the new voice, surprised by the woman in the mirror. She stared at the woman as Meredith wandered over to stand beside her. All evidence of her mermaid heritage hidden.
"This is Framtida. The nymph of time." Meredith said, introducing them. Raven waved confused as she frowned. "Is something the matter?" Meredith asked as Raven paced slowly.
"It's just I thought there were three nymphs and that they each represented a different fraction of time. My readings are very incomplete." Raven paused in her mumbling.
"My fellow sisters have passed on. Only I remain to warn you of the coming darkness. Look through the mirror and see what the future holds." Framtida demanded as she placed her hand on the glass surface. Raven frowned, gasping in horror as she stared at the pit filled with lifeless bodies.
A stone statue of a man sat in the center of it all and she whined as her blood vibrated, trying to answer some unknown call. Raven could feel the madness seeping off him as men worked happily to drain victims of their blood and feed the stirring statue. Then the vision was lost, and Raven found herself trembling on the floor.
"What is he?" Raven asked when she was sure she wouldn't cry.
"He is both a monster and a man. Driven insane by the darkness within him. The world will see him as the demon of great power, but he is simply the key. The key to unlocking true darkness." Framtida told her softly.
"Demon of great power? Like the one in the last war? In the books?" Raven asked as Framtida smiled at Meredith.
"Not like. He is." Meredith explained as she went back to the fountain. She climbed up onto the edge of the basin, walking across the water as Raven stared fascinated.
"Raven. Should you choose to accept your destiny and follow this quest there are some things you need to understand. First, the demon is only a monster because of the darkness that drives him insane. You may be able to free him from his curse, but that freedom may cost him their life. Do not be afraid to choose that path if necessary.
“Second, the demon hurts because his heart is shattered and bleeding. You must find the pieces and mend that which is broken. Only then will you have the strength and power to defeat him.
“Third, he must be stopped before he is used to open the door to eternal darkness. You will not have to fight him on your own. You will gain many allies on your journey to fight him." Framtida concluded as Raven glanced between the two women.
Raven ran her fingers through her hair as she paced in a small circle. They were kidding, right? Mocking her because she was different than anyone else. Raven glanced up into Meredith's worried face. The queen wasn't someone to take a joke this far. She growled frustrated turning on the woman in the mirror.
"You said this was the reason I was born?" Raven asked as the mirror changed again. This time it revealed a crumbling castle in the state of decay. Abandoned.
"Albitonya. The Kingdom of harmony and beginnings. This is the home of your ancestors. Your mother was a descendent of its people and she has passed those genes onto you. Albitonya is where the darkness sprouts from. Only you can end its madness." Framtida murmured as she let the scene fade. She was weak and panting leaning against the glass. Sweat gathering on her pale brow.
"Our time is short. Raven will accept your destiny?" the nymph asked in a rush. Raven hesitated unsure. She wasn't sure she was ready for something so important, but surely even if she accepted, she wouldn't have to start tonight. Right? Hank would know what to do after she discussed it more with him after the ball. Raven realized they were waiting for an answer, taking a deep breath.
"You say it is my destiny. I have many questions and concerns, but I will face it." Raven told them as Framtida smiled weakly.
"Take the heart of the forest. Recover the other missing pieces. Our time here is at an end. Tristan will be your guide. I will send him to you." Framtida told her with a wave of her hand. Raven frowned at the fading image of a stone cat on a waterfall. Meredith stared at the image with a mix of love and sadness. What was so important about the waterfall and statue?
"Our time is up. He approaches. Farewell Raven, may we meet again at dragon tears." Framtida mumbled before fading away completely. Raven stared at her reflection realizing that the mirror, for a short time, had turned into a window for another place.
"Here. This is the heart of the forest. Take it." Meredith told her handing Raven a small silk bag. Raven opened it, dumping the small metal piece into her palm. She gasped as she felt its warmth and nervousness, greeting her as she examined it. Someone knocked on the study door making them both jump in surprise. Raven put the piece in the bag, holding it to her chest as Meredith dragged her to the balcony.
"What's going on?" Raven asked in a hushed voice, noticing Meredith's urgency.
"My mission is complete. I have done what I set out to do. Please save our world and let my son know once you find him, that I always loved him." Meredith muttered softly as a knock came a second time. She cupped Ravens face in her hands, kissing her forehead.
"Whatever happens, stay hidden. Your life is more important than mine now." Meredith told her, closing the doors, and leaving Raven on the balcony. She took a deep breath to steady herself before crossing the study and opening the door. Ivy hesitated before she regained composure.
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