The Hidden Princess

The guiding light

Emmaline cooked up the rabbit with some herbs she had in her satchel.  She had been living in a cave on the side of the hill for a while now.  She was an Elf fairy hybrid but did not have any wings, so her parents always treated her poorly until she just left to live on her own.  She has always had a desire to move south so that is where she ended up.  She was sweet girl, her and Angela were the same age although Angela thought she was much wiser than herself.  Emmaline liked having company.  She fed her dog the leftovers and inspected the temporary shelter that Angela and Cladd built.

They talked about a lot of things and both Angela and Cladd felt they could trust her, so they told her their entire story.  Angela confessed about her dreams and the glowing light; she had a feeling that this girl might know something about that.  Emmaline sat and listened intently.  The truth was, she already knew who Angela was.  She could feel it in her bones.  She had always heard the story of the missing princess and how people prophesied that she would return and save them all.  Emmaline did not wait to be saved.  She left their world and went to live in the woods where she could be free of the iron fist of King Thomas.  He created nothing but desperation with all his rules and demands. The only people that benefited from him were the ones closest to him, everyone else just paid for it.

Emmaline was intrigued by the dream involving a light.  She had had a similar dream and it is why she traveled to the south.  She has been looking for the large oak tree, which is rare in this world.  She confessed she had had a similar dream and as she further south she goes they gets a bit more intense.  She felt like it was calling to her. 

They all decided that sending Angela out on her own to seek out the tree was out of the question.  Emmaline suggested that they search together for the tree.  She felt inclined to just keep going south.  In her dreams she saw the mountains of the white witches and she thought heading that way might be best.  They all agreed and retired to their shelter to sleep on it. 

Angela discussed everything with Lilith and Bella, and they were in agreement.  They felt good about her and felt that Angela going on her own even though she would be faster was out of the question.  Cladd got Laddy’s opinion and his was in line with everyone else.  They cuddled up in their little shelter and fell asleep.

Angela stood under the large oak tree with the sun shining and the birds dancing and singing in the trees. Everything was heightened to her.  She could feel that Cladd was next to her, but she could not see him.  The encasement was in front of her, but she could not touch it.  “You are almost here Angela.” Marta walked into her vision “Emmaline is on the right track, follow her.  She must be with you when you open this.”  Marta seemed much more relaxed this time, not quite so desperate. “Just keep moving, time of the essence my Queen.” And with that Angela woke up to birds singing and breakfast cooking on the fire.  It smelled so good.

Emmaline was busy cook but seemed like she was avoiding looking at her as Angela walked out of her shelter. Angela sat next to the fire to warm up a bit and offered to help. 

Emmaline handed her a bowl “It’s all done.  Here is breakfast, cherrywood roots with huckelberries. They go well together.” Emmaline sat and started eating her breakfast and Cladd came out of the shelter and she handed him one as well. They sat in silence for a bit. 

Emmaline took a deep breath and decided to tell them about her dreams.  She told them that she knew who Angela was and she told them about how she came to live in the woods.  She felt she could trust them, and she saw Angela in her dream last night talking with the white witch that visits her sometimes.

She came up with a plan and they all agreed to start heading toward the mountains of white witches and they packed up their belongings and headed out.  Ronnie came along.  He was peculiar because people did not have pets, he stuck with them all on his own. He was choosing to be with Emmaline.

The trail was a tough one, climbing up and the climbing down, each night they were so tired they could hardly make dinner.  Emmaline was teaching them how to live off the land on their way, what roots were good to chew on, which ones were good for pain or upset stomach.  She was truly knowledgeable about everything. After 5 days hiking miles and miles they reached a clearing and in the distance, they could see the tree they all have been dreaming about.

Excitement, fear of the unknown, anxiety and wonder all dance in their heads.  Not knowing what to expect they forge on, not wanting to stop they travel through the night.  They can see it, the light, it warms them and invites them in as they get closer and closer to it.

They all are standing there looking at it.  The glowing light pulsating with a heartbeat rhythm. They can all feel its energy.  Angela feels compelled to reach out for it, as she lays her hand it the vines begin to retract, slowly.  She takes her hand off and they stop retracting.  The light is pulsating faster now, and she feel compelled to put her hand on it again and the vines again begin to retract.  The light starts to engulf Angela’s hand and it feels so warm and inviting to her, she closes her eyes and places her other hand on the encasement and tilts her head back with eyes closed.  She had a rush of emotions from the light and she sees a smiling face.  His hair is white, and his eyes are lavender He reaches out to her and touches her face in her vision and just stares at her as if he doesn’t believe that she is there.  She can hear the case unlock and feels it shift under her fingers, she is staring in his eyes in her vision. “Open your eyes my daughter.” Adden says to her with a gentle smile.

She opens her eyes and feels almost dizzy as she brings her head forward and looks out and she see his chest and looks down and he is holding her hands in his.  She looks up and sees his handsome face with a sharp jawline, high cheek bones, lavender eyes and white shimmering hair.  She does not know what to say and he is smiling at her.  He pulls her in for a hug and she can feel the love flow between them, and she knows that she can trust him more than anyone else and she leans into his hug still unsure who he is to her.  He called her his daughter. 

“My Angel daughter.  You found me.” He says has he pulls back to look at her again.  “You look so much like your mother.” He brushes his thumb on her cheek just trying to take her in. 

“You are my Father?” She reached up to touch his hair and his face.

“Yes, my Angel. I have waited a long time for you.” He pulls her in again for a hug and suddenly realizes that there are other people there.  He looks at them and feels like he knows them.  He can sense that Cladd is his daughters’ mate but the other girl.  ‘Who is she?’ he asks himself, but he feels drawn to her.

Suddenly Angela falls to the ground and starts withering in pain, her skin lights up and then goes dark, her wings spread out and lift her up off the ground.  She hovers in front of them and her body folds her

knees to her chest and her arms around her knees for a moment and then she lets out a scream at the same time extending her limbs as far as they could go, and blue fire comes out of her hands then her entire body is engulfed with a bright white light and everyone must cover their eyes.  The light disappears as quickly as it came, and her wings gently lower her body to the ground.  Cladd knows that that Lilith was keeping her safe.  He goes to her and helps her pull her wing away from her body so they can see her.  He is shocked at what he sees.

Her hair is pure white with streaks of black and very long, her skin in the perfect shade of peach with a glow about her and her fingernails now match her wings with purple and white swirls.  She collects her wings and stands up.  “What was that this time?” She looks over at Cladd who is standing there with his mouth open.

“Wow.  You look very different.” Cladd finally says as he holds her hands looking at her. 

“Oh my, you have an entire new look Angela.” Emmaline finally says and Adden looks at her for the first time and is stunned by not only what he sees but what he feels.  Emmaline felt it to at the same time and looked over at him.