Caged Birds Will Fly

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Chapter Fifteen: The Choices We Make

H E L E N

She slips a violet potion into my hands, "For you", she says. I watch her as she walks away. I clutch my hands to my knees. Lune purrs softly around me. I drink the potion, its sweet taste warming my mouth. I fell into a deep sleep.

M A D A L I N

I watch from the window as Helen drinks the potion. I cry. I don't want to harm the girl who saved a witch's life, who gave me hope and friendship, who clung to someone who could kill her if I dared tired, and who looked at me with no fear nor discrimination. I race out of the room, burst the door open, and run towards the meadow, gripping the antidote in my right hand. She lays with the potion in her hands. She looks so peaceful. She looks kind. I open her mouth and pour the antidote in. I pray for it to work. Time seems so long. My hair falls in my face, but my ebony eyes stay on her face. The scenery is quiet and quiet is silence, but the silence is deafening. A hand brushes my crimson hair. I gaze down at Helen's clear eyes; she holds no anger in them. "Why'd you do it Madalin?".

I cried, the tears blurring my vision.

"I thought if you died then the Witch's forest would be revived"

"Then why did you stop? Honestly, I wouldn't give up on something I truly wanted. I was ready and everything."

"Because I couldn't kill someone so loving. Am sorry, am sorry...please...please forgive me"

Helen hugged me tightly, rubbing my back to calm me. She got up and walked to the end of the meadow, where Witch's forest lay crooked and gray. She stepped in and the most beautiful thing happened: the flowers bloomed, the grass grew green, the forest felt alive. She turned to me and smiled. "I don't want to see you cry sad tears Madalin, so cry happy ones from now on. Okay?". The girl was shining so bright, so pure. I cried, why did I want to kill such a beautiful creature, no wonder Mother saved her

H E L E N

Madalin cried after seeing her beloved home alive once again. I don't even know what I did, but somehow thinking that I wanted to see Madalin smile rejuvenated the forest. I touched one of the purple flowers, making it bloom and twirl. This felt so natural to me.

Madalin apologized to everyone for trying to betray me. Aurous and Ivory were the most shocked, while Mao only let her off with a slap and lecture. Eli looks so shocked at what I had done. Madalin told everyone why she did it. "I suppose I owe you a reason, don't I? I was born in the Witch's forest. I was raised by my mother Dahila, with my older sister Carmine and younger sister Claret. We were called the Red Witches. Life was good. Your mother, Marigold", she points at me and Eli, "was one of the only people who didn't fear us and treated us equally. She held her wedding in Arcaid and invited us to bless the wedding and be her bridesmaids. She was kind and unbiased. But then when she fell ill, her sister Orchid held the witch hunt. My mother was spared, but my sisters were not. I hid in the deepest part of the forest with my mom. Then happened the fire. My mom was scared. When Queen Marigold heard of this, she summoned us. She cried for our loss. She offered her kingdom, everything for our forgiveness. My mom hugged her and forgave her. Then my mom saved her daughter Helen by sending her into another world to live. We created a fake to raise. Orchid, in a fit of jealousy and rage, placed a spell on our forest, saying only after Helen's death will it survive. We were devastated. Your mom died of grief, and your father made his heart cold. My mother died from losing her best friend. I wanted her to rest in peace. I hated you. But after meeting you, watching you, and befriending you, I would gladly give my life to you. You are my Marigold and me your Dahila". Her smile shone with purpose as she hugged me.

                                                                                          |♚•♚|

I wait for the letter from my sisters for two hours before it comes.

Dear Helen,

We are now free. You have given us the freedom to choose. We envied your freedom and for that we are sorry. If you can find it in your heart to forgive us, we invite you to my wedding. I have met the man of my dreams after years of teaching. We will be visiting in a few days. Violet is very excited about this and hopes to be one of my bridesmaids. I know we are not of blood, but I hope you can be our sister in spirit. We hope that this would be the beginning of our fresh start, our second chance, at being a family.

Together Forever,

Naomi & Violet

I clutched the letter to my chest. That's all I ever wanted. I felt so full at that time. Mao scoffed when she heard, saying 'I knew they only acted badly'. 

The day they came was a sunny day, without a single cloud. Violet arrives in a lilac summer dress, with her two kids. She looked so motherly. Naomi looked...so elegant. With their smiles shining they were breath-taking. I embraced them, lifting the kids one by one into the air. "It's been so long, Helen", Naomi shyly grinned. "I know! How've you been, darling", Violet bubbled. Am glad some things don't change. Violet glanced back at the carriage and sighed. "What's wrong, Violet?"

"Nothing...it's just...my husband went for a business trip and I can't get used to him not being here"

I giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"I didn't know you were this cute"

Violet's cheeks turned red and she hid behind Naomi. Her kids scooted closer to me. I remembered their names: The girl was named Amber, and the boy David. They both had dark hair and violet eyes. Era greeted them and hit it off with Naomi about literature. As we neared the palace, we saw Ivory stood fencing with Ferric, their swords clanging against each other in vigorous movements. The kids gushed about how cool they were until Ferric and Ivory were bright red. I laughed. The sky moved, creating pretty images, telling stories I would never understand. I changed into my casual clothes: a beige blouse, white jeans, and grey converses. My hair was put into a braided bun. The afternoon weather was perfect for a picnic. I sat crisscross on the navy fabric. Violet wore a faded pink knee-length dress with sliver slippers, while Naomi wore a white elbow-length shirt with azure waist-high pants, with blue heels. The kids chased each other, joined by Sterling. I eat a slice of cake, letting it melt in my mouth. Naomi talks about how she met her fiancé at the library and continued to meet up until he proposed. "It forever will be, the happiest day of my life". I wondered if I would ever get married. Who would I even marry? Aurous popped into my mind, but I swatted away the idea. I looked around to find the kids, but they weren't there. "Um... where are the kids?". Violet looked around and called their names, but... nothing. I stood up and whistled. Lune came running, almost crashing into our picnic. "Lune, I want you to find Amber, David, and Sterling". He gives me a nod. I take another slice of cake while we wait. It takes two hours for Lune to bring back the kids. While Violet scolds them, I wonder to the forest. It looks so enchanting. I notice a flash of red hair. Maybe it's Madalin.

When we return, Aurous scolds Sterling about running into the woods without protection. Lune stumbles onto his bed, rolls around twice, and falls asleep. I head, once again, to the library. A rusted gold book catches my attention. It looks old, but the pages look so new. I open it, only to find blank pages. "That is the secret book of Ardor, how did you find it?"

I turn to see an old woman holding a pile of books that towers over her, I don't know how she can see.

"It just caught my attention"

"I see"

I check out the book. It could hold something important.

E L I

I pace around the room, ruffling my curly pink-blonde hair. Ivory stands at the corner writing. I re-read the letter that my father sent me days ago.

Dear Celeste,

I hope this does not come at a bad time. Arcaid is rejoicing about finding its missing princess. I hope that you and your sister, Helen, would come back for the annual Crowning. The kingdom needs you both, I need you both. I haven't got much time, nor do I have the will to live. I soon will join Marigold in the afterlife. Please come home, my children.

Your father,

Dereck Floret, King of Arcaid

My father was dying. I crumble the letter in my hands. I stare at Ivory, feeling a ping of guilt. I did help kill his father, and you're trying to take away his best friend forever. I continue to pace the room. "Can you stop that", Ivory remarks angrily.

"I can't help it!", I pace so more. How could I convince Helen to come to see our father during his last moments? I could show her the letter. I uncrumple the letter and head for the door. "Where are you going?", Ivory puts down his book. I make the most convincing face I could muster. "Nowhere special". I race out, my guilt stabbing me in the back. I hit the cold evening air, where is she? Helen stands facing someone. "What do you mean by 'where is Madalin'?

"I need to see her"

Helen touches her forehead and sighs. I stand still, hitching my breath in my throat. The girl shifts closer and presses her hands to Helen's arm. I race out, grabbing her arm, hard. "What are you doing?". The girl glares her midnight eyes at me. "I am heal-ling her", I shift backward startled but keep a tight hold on her. Helen stares at me, shocked and confused. I let go of her arm. She presses on Helen's arm again.

H E L E N

The sensation is warm. I stare at her; she has red hair and freckled cheeks... she looks a lot like Madalin. I touch her hair. Madalin races over, hugging the girl tight. "I thought you were dead...Claret". Claret, Madalin's younger sister... she's alive.

she embraces her little sister tight, happy tears spilling down her blushed cheeks. Her bright red hair tickles her nostrils. 

M A D A L I N

I want to ask her the most difficult question, "Is Carmine... dead?". Claret shakes her head. I breathe a sigh of relief. "Carmine is right over there", Claret points to the ground. I stare at the ground. Claret stares at the book at Helen's feet. "Where'd you get that?". Helen blinks and tells of how she discovered the Book of Ardor. Claret smiles, "You have it"

"Has what?"

"The key to getting Carmine back"

Claret talks about how mom told her that our father was from Ardor, a half-dragon, and how he fell in love with my mom. Am I from the lost city of Ardor?