Caged Birds Will Fly

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Chapter Thirteen: Flowers For The Lovely Dead

H E L E N

Era lay in her room, unhappy about not being able to play during her visit Her scally head rests on the floor, her body glistening under the chandelier light; her tail moved back and forth, tangling around the columns that stand in the corner. Pinkish-orange smoke rises from her nostrils filling the room. The pitter-patter made a soft melody that calms me as I sit on the rack of the windowsill. I stare out the window, watching as small puddles form alongside the walkway. Did he still remember what happened to our mother? Should I tell him? What if Eli doesn't want to go back with me to our world? What if he wants to stay? My mind was swarmed with thoughts about me and Eli's future. And the most concerning thought broke into my mind: What happens to my friends after I leave?

With spring came the Academy, and with that, I returned to my school life. The grass had dried, leaving a solid path for me to walk on. Ivory, me, and my little brother, along with some escorts walked on the sidewalk leading up to the Academy. Remembrance Day was in secession, meaning all the noble ladies were going to be in the Academy. They wore pink and blue for Aquaria and Arcaid's help in creating peace between us during times of war. The boys seemed extremely interested in this event as it helped bring people from all over Elevrly to unite as one. "Helen!", We turned around to see a very tall girl with multi-colored hair and an Aqua dress. "Era...it that you?"

"Yes! I thought that this form would be better in getting along with you humans!". She smoothed her hands over her dress.

"Well...you look stunning", I said smiling.

My outfit was a short white dress that reached my knees; it started sheer with rose petals at my collarbone and fitted to my waist, finally in flared out into rose-covered mini-skirt. Era wore a fitted choker that connected to her dress; the bodice slimmed its way down, flaring at her ankles. I tied Era's hair into a braided bun, trying my hardest to disguise her small blue horns. I stared at my work, smiling. Ivory wore a dark blue-green suit with a fitted trim; his hair was cut, and in his hands was his love, the baker. Though I never knew his name, in my heart he was a friend. Family even. Eli wore a light purple, which was acceptable and had a blue flower in his pocket. His wavy blonde hair stood out against the blue hues. The Academy waited. "Let's go in guys". I was beaming, everything was ready. Everything except me.

The food was etiquette and melted inside my tongue. The ladies danced; the men drank; I played with the kids. Lune swirled around, holding kids on his back. I giggled. My hair had grown since the last time I checked, it was chin-length and almost curled at the tips. The roses, carnations, morning glories, snap-dragons, marigolds, lily of the valleys, crown imperials, maiden pinks, and yellow arch-angels decorated the garden. The warm weather sun-kissed my pale skin, leaving a glow. I danced with Ivory, Era, and many others. After months of the war, it was over and the people rejoice in their new freedom, free from the worries and tension.

The banquet was a marvelous event filled with poise and elegance. I changed back into my Knight uniform. It's white and gold armor glistened on my body. I liked what I saw in the mirror: a happy and strong woman. Long gone was the girl who wished and dreamed, but rather someone who had fought for what she wanted. It saddened me that one day I would have to leave all this behind. I stood at the entrance, ready to push the doors open. My hands trembled and my knees felt weak. "Helen, aren't you going in?"

"...Yes...I am", I answered. I was ready.

Era held my hands and together we pushed the doors open. Aurous stood up and greeted us. Era smiled and lead me to my seat. Sterling wore a silver suit with the royal crest on his body, so did Aurous. Ivory wore an olive suit with brown hues. My blue eyes stared at their smiling faces. "Helen, Close your eyes". It was an arduous task to keep myself from peeking, but I did. The one thing I always told myself was that my family would be proud of me no matter what, but never would I have expected to see them standing there. There they were dressed in pink and fuchsia, smiling, beaming. All smiling at me, tearing my walls down. I let the tears roll onto my face; this was the happiest moment of my life. "Helen, I thought you never cried", my father chuckled.

"Dad", I leaped into his arms and held him close.

He looked so happy despite his old age. Mom wasn't here, but I could feel her. I embraced my dad, wrapping my arms tighter around his big structure. We sat around the table; big splashes of wine spilled as glasses clanged. My uniform was covered by the bouquet I was holding from Aurous and Sterling. My hands were soaked in sweat as he said my name. "Helen of Arcaid, my daughter"

My dad went back to Arcaid, yet Eli remained. "Why are you here again?", Ivory questioned.

"Why can't I stay with my future Knight"

"She is not your Knight"

"But she is my sister"

I stood in the middle, frozen by the tension in the room. Mao shook her head, "They are like little kids", she whispered. As they argued, I noticed a wilting flower. It was sapphire and stayed in the shade. I picked it up, hearing a faint "no" as my lids closed. 

I found myself in a big clear blue lake. I gulped down water, the liquid staining my throat. I am going to die, I thought grimly. The surface seemed to flow farther away from my grasp. I was in the King's castle with a fallen crown on my head. A knife was at my throat. He was crying. Don't cry, please don't cry. A shattered mirror filled with blue sapphires blocked my gaze. I felt so tired. Era and Lune lay on the ground dead and motionless. The killer smiled, and I felt a chill go down my spine. I gave him all my fear and glared at him. He stumbled and I drew my sword through him. Everything vanished and I saw the ceiling. "Helen! Helen, wake up!" Sterling stared at me wide-eyed, his eyes glistened with leftover tears. Madalin sat near the desk mixing potions and switching them on a tablecloth. Era sat in the far corner meditating peacefully. I stood up a little in my bed, startling everyone. Mao grabbed my hand, I didn't realize she was there, gripping me on for good measure. My head pounded. "Ugh, what happened"

"You touched a Bue Ivy", Madalin said.

"A what?!"

"Bue Ivy. A plant that transports images of a possible future into one's minds. Many aren't fortunate enough to escape."

I pushed away Mao's hand and stood up, only wobbling a little. The door seemed so far, but I managed. The cold air hit my face. Oh, how I missed the Capital air. It felt like ages. I breathed it in, allowing the scents to reach my brain. Mao helped me balance on my crutches and walk to the garden. The red Quines glistened in the sunlight. Aurous sat in the shade. "Hello Helen"

"Good-morning My King"

My eyes focused on the pleasing aroma coming from the meadow. Mao picked up a Quine and braided it into her hair. Eli held me up gently, "Helen, I need to ask you of a favor"

"What is it?"

"Come with me to Arcaid"

The tea clattered as Aurous stood up. "I will not allow it". My sapphire eyes saw a fuming Aurous, and I felt a tug. My hair flowed in the wind; the flower petals flew. I felt myself fall so deep in love. But the feeling did not last.

                                                                                              |♚•♚|

M A D A L I N

I stirred the pot unrelenting, cursing myself under my breath. The grey liquid slowly turned purple. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but for the sake of Witch's forest, it must be done. My scarlet hair fell onto my translucent skin and blushed cheeks. I opened my cabinet, grabbing my potion and a valve. I poured the bitter liquid down my throat, forcing it down. The flashbacks began: Me playing with my mom in the forest, the fire, and the witch hunt. I stumbled out of the illusions; I'll never get used to that. I poured the now yellow liquid into the valve, and stepped out, clutching the potion in my steady grip. I had a mission to complete. Helen Floret, the lost princess of Arcaid, would die by my hands. Today.

Lune gazed out the window at the meadow, tapping skillfully on the butterflies. I opened the window and stepped out. Lune hopped around, bitting the top of the evergreens. I replayed what Celeste said about me going back to Arcaid. I twirled the evergreen between my fingers, getting green powder on my thumb. My toes wiggled in the grass, hidden from Lune's eyes. I rested my head down. A dark shadow loomed over me, forming Madalin's face. "Hello Madalin", my eyes continued to drift down. Madalin sat beside me. "It's pretty, don't you think, Madalin?"

"I... guess"

"My mom used to take me out to see the flowers bloom every sunny day"

"Oh...really"

"Yes. She would weave them into a crown, place them on my head, and flash me the smile Dad loved so much"

"She sounds like a nice person"

"She was. I screamed at God when he took her away. My brother cried for days with me. It... was never the same without her."

We sat there in silence; me thinking about my mother, and Madalin about hers. The loving wind blows ever so gently into my arms, cradling me in a warm embrace.