Secret Tears Shed for Aurora and Sol

Amaya awoke earlier than usual. Tumbling out of bed, the princess awoke Eve. Eve sat up looking at her mistress and waiting for a command. Amaya pet the puppy on the head and she wagged her tail. Forgetting a cover, she snuck out of her room and skipped down the hall to Amarei's room, she knocked on the door. There was no answer. Maybe she's not up yet. The princess knocked six more times and there was sill no silence. Amaya grew impatient and decided to go in.

The princess saw the queen sleeping on her bed. Amaya slowly approached the bed, when Amarei did not stir the princess climbed up. Amaya tapped Amarei's shoulder but there was no response. Another knock startled the princess. The door open and Morgana stepped in. Eve had run into the closet and Amaya slipped behind the canopy that hung down. Amaya could not see Morgana's face to clearly, but she could have sworn the lady smiled. Morgana retreated after her observations and Amaya came out.

"Amarei," Amaya softly called. "Amarei, wake up! Wake-UP!" There was no answer. Amaya felt that she recognized this type of sleep and knew it could not be normal. The little princess was too scared to leave, she did not know what Morgana would do, so she snuggled next to the queen's cold arm and tried hard not to cry. An hour or so went by while Amaya lay there, she heard nothing else. Then suddenly the door opened again and Amaya cowered.

"Queen Amarei," Jilliana's voice sang out.

"Jilliana!" Amaya gasped. Jilliana almost fainted.

"Princess, you scared me! What are you doing in here?"

"She won't wake up!" Amaya pouted. Jilliana looked glanced worriedly over at the queen. Gods, what if someone did something to her? Lydia came in hearing the princess and Jilliana whispered something in her ear. Lydia nodded.

"Princess, why don't you come with me?" Lydia suggested.

"NO!" Amaya snapped. Jilliana approached the bed and the princess slid off. The lady put two fingers to her ruler's throat.

"It's faint Lydia," she announced. Lydia sighed. Not again, she thought. "Amarei!" Jilliana shouted. Amaya started to cry and her wailing increased in volume.

"Please Princess," Lydia begged covering her ears, but Amaya persisted. A few minutes into her wailing, Amarei fluttered her eyes open. The queen felt horrible and the wailing was giving her a headache.

"Amaya desist!" She tried to yell; however her voice was raspy and quiet.

"Amarei!" Amaya squealed. The queen winced as her head rang.

"Amaya, please." Amaya bowed her head.

"Amarei what's wrong?" Jilliana asked.

"I don't know; I feel so ill."

"I bet Morgana is behind this," Lydia declared. Amaya starred at Lydia. Morgana would never hurt Amarei, would she?

"Amaya," Amarei said noticing her change. Amaya looked guiltily towards the queen.

"I saw her, she came in here." Amarei pulled the princess to her.

"It's alright Amaya," she said, "You're not in trouble." The princess nodded and snuggled against the queen. Amarei held her tight. Lydia and Jilliana smiled sweetly and left. Amarei stood holding the girl in her arms. Her scar hurt more than usual but she gave it no notice. The queen placed the girl on the end of the bed and stepped into her closet to change. When she emerged she was dressed in a deep purple gown. Around her neck hung a simple gold chain that caught the sun peaking through the curtains. Amaya smiled and jumped off the bed. She was afraid that she would ruin the dress and was surprised when Amarei picked her up.

The queen carried the young princess to her room and helped her dress. Amaya matched Amarei in a smaller and by far less elegant dress. Amarei had to force the child to sit as she did her hair. Amaya squirmed relentlessly and refused to cooperate. After the small hair fiasco Amarei took Amaya to morning meal. Marcus and Nikolai arrived shortly after.

"Queen Amarei," he said surprised. " I did not expect to see this morning. There was talk you were ill."

"You should not believe everything you hear," Amarei replied with a sarcastic smile. Amaya took no notice of this conversation; she was too busy trying to be nice to Nikolai. The meal was eaten without interruption and when it was through Amaya dismissed her court and the obeyed. Each member of the court was trying hard to help Amaya, they wanted her to be seen as a good ruler that was kind yet strict. They also wanted to show Amarei that Amaya had learned something.

"King Marcus, Prince Nikolai, perhaps you would like to see Dawnacia?" Amaya suggested.

"Thank you, Princess, we would love too," Marcus answered.

"But Father…"

"Hush Nikolai." The king smiled and Amaya led them to the stables. They mounted and rode off. Amarei had passed the word to the knights and she knew they were not far behind.

Amaya took the party over the stone bridges with the gushing waterfalls to a small stream. Through the stream they went, but only where there was barely a trickle. Amaya rode around her kingdom showing them different sites and places of interest. Everyone they passed waved and said hello to Amaya and Amarei. Amarei was impressed with how much Amaya knew. She knows everyone by name; she knows their families, and their occupation! This has got to be a thorn for Marcus, especially if he had any hope of switching the populations' loyalty. Amaya's sudden halt jolted the queen out of her thoughts. She glanced around to see what was wrong.

"Advisor Holney!" Amaya greeted.

"Princess Amaya, what a pleasure! I see you are showing your royal vistors your kingdom. It is lovely, don't you agree King Marcus?" Andrew said. Amarei's blood ran cold as she saw her advisor on a horse no more than teen feet away.

"Yes, it is magnificent," Marcus agreed with little enthusiasm.

"ANDREW!" the queen snapped.

"Majesty, I was not informed you were out with the princess," he gasped. Amarei resisted the urge of yelling at him in front of everyone and moved so she was next to the princess.

"We shall speak later." Amaya was just a little scared as she saw the daggers fly from Amarei's eyes.

"We should probably head back," Amaya announced.

"Excellent idea!" Nikolai exclaimed, he had had enough of Dawnacia's countryside. The party rode quickly back and when they arrived, Marcus announced that his party would be return to Fooville the next morning. Amarei was highly relieved and Amaya was just happy to be away from the prince. The party split up and Amaya went over to Amarei. Eve had come outside and followed her mistress toward the queen.

"Queen Amarei."

"Amaya, I have to deal with Andrew, but I'll come find you later, alright?" Amarei informed. Amaya nodded and wandered off with Eve. Amarei turned her attention to her advisor. "ANDREW!"
"Yes, your majesty?"

"I'm waiting for an explanation and let me tell you something, I it had better be a really good one!"

"Uh, well, I got tired of waiting. When will you be back?"

"I don't know! Eveana can handle itself for a week or so," Amarei said.

"I beg to remind you ma'am that you are the QUEEN! Your duty is to Eveana NOT Dawnacia!"

"Do I need to remind you of your place? Your damn right, I AM THE QUEEN! I can also make my descisions. I run my kingdom very well and trust me when I say they can last a week without me around!" Amarei explained becoming frustrated.

"Amarei," he said reaching for her arm.

"Don't you dare touch me."

"Amarei, you are tired. I understand your letting your emotions rule you…"

"I'm being ruled by emotions? Let me be right clear, you are letting your hatred run you and if I find out that you have done anything to put this kingdom or Eveana into any kind of unrest, I'll kill you." Andrew nodded. Amarei walked past him and he grabbed her arm.

"Just know I would never hurt you, Amarei."

"Get the hell away from me," she barked and broke away. He and Morgana, along with Marcus infuriate me to no end! Andrew watched his queen leave. I will never hurt you Amarei, but anyone who causes you pain shall die by my blade and so will anyone who takes you away from me. Andrew watched until he could no longer see Amarei and than he head toward the gardens. Unknown to either of them, Knights Rupert and Peter had overheard the conversation. For Rupert it was a confirmation of what he had thought, Andrew is completely crazy.

Amarei stomped into the palace, steam blowing off her head. The day was not going as she had planned and Andrew only served to elvate her mood. The nerve of him! Thinking he can just show up whenever he pleases and tell me how to rule. I swear, with the Gods as my witnesses, if he does one more thing I'll take away his title and give it to someone else! By now Amarei was so angry that she just felt like locking herself away from everyone. She looked around for Amaya briefly but did not find her. Where has that girl gotten?

A crash of thunder caused Amarei to jump. She looked out a window and saw the skies had darkened. Oh where did Amaya go? She's probably terrified! The queen searched the halls in vain, her anger forgotten, but she came up empty handed. She passed the doors that led to the gardens when a flash of light lit up the outside world. A little black ball was frantically scratching at the doors.

"Eve!" Amarei quickly opened the doors and Eve started barking. Eve circled Amarei tugging on her dress. "What's wrong?" Eve ran back out into the garden. "EVE!"

Amarei ran outside after the dog and immediately felt like she'd been thrown into a pond. Jilliana and Lydia had been passing in the hallway when the queen ran out; they followed to see what was wrong. Amarei was trying her best to see Eve ahead of her. The bottom of her dress was weighed down by the mud and making it very difficult to run in. Eve never slowed once, but continued through the freezing wall of water. Amarei was soaked to her bones but she kept going. Something must be wrong; Eve would never leave Amaya anywhere. Eve suddenly stopped running and started to bark. Amarei quickened her pace to reach the puppy. Eve started to run in circles and became louder as the queen got closer. Amarei looked down on the mud covered land and to her horror saw a child's lifeless body.

"AMAYA!" she screamed. The queen fell to her knees and dropped her head. She pulled the princess closer to her and held her. He child still felt warm and Amarei noticed a small thumping. She was sure it was the faint beating of Amaya's heart. "Gods, Amaya please wake-up," she whispered.

"Amarei!" Lydia's voice rang out through the storm.

"Over here!" Lydia and Jilliana materialized through the rain and saw the princess.

"Oh no, Amaya!" Jilliana gasped.

"We must get her back," Lydia said. Amarei stood up with the princess encased tightly in her arms. Her dress clung to her skin and her hair tangled behind. Lydia scooped up the wet fur ball that was Eve and carried her towards the palace. Jilliana followed the two searching for some sort of clue.

Amarei was thrilled to be back in the warmth of palace. She held Amaya close to her trying to keep the princess warm. The queen noticed red marks on the back of the princess' neck and the anger from before returned. If Marcus had anything to do with this I'll make sure he does not escape without punishment, but if he didn't and Morgana wasn't around than who would have done such a thing? As Amarei pondered her thoughts she had been walking quickly to her room. Jilliana had run to the princess' room to get a change of clothes and bring them to Amarei's room.

Lydia pushed open the door the queen's chambers and held it so Amarei could bring the little girl in. Lydia made sure the door was closed before setting Eve down. Amarei placed Amaya on a couch and removed the wet raiment. Lydia had begun to run a hot bath for the princess and Amarei placed the small child gently into the hot water.

"Amaya?" Amarei softly called. She held the girl's back up so she would not drown. "Amaya?" the queen repeated louder. Jilliana arrived with a change of clothes for the princess and both Lydia and herself. Lydia stepped out to change and Amarei was alone. Amarei, still in her soaked clothes, sat next to the tub supporting the child and praying she'd wake up. When Lydia and Jilliana returned, Amarei's lips were a rather bluish color.

"Amarei you should change. You'll catch cold if you don't," Jilliana informed.

"I'm fine, Jilliana."

"Majesty, your lips are turning blue, we'll stay with the little princess while you change," Lydia announced.

"Very well," Amarei sighed. Jilliana took over and Amarei stood. She left the room and went into her closet. Amarei returned within five mintues in a new dress with a towel to dry her hair. Amaya had still not come to.

"Perhaps, we should dry her off and put her in bed," Jilliana suggested. She helped Lydia pick the child out of the tub and handed her to Amarei who had a soft towel waiting. The queen dried Amarei off and carried her into main part of her chambers. With Jilliana and Lydia's help Amarei dressed the child and tucked her into the bed.

"Queen Amarei, we'll go get he clothes dried out and cleaned," Lydia said. She and Jilliana left the queen in a suddenly very quiet room. Eve had curled up on the floor at Amarei's feet; the queen was sitting on the bed waiting for Amaya to wake up. Please she thought, please Gods let hr awake. Amarei slid off the bed and dropped to her knees, she clung to Amaya's hand.

"Gods, who blessed my friend Aurora with this child and in turned blessed me, please take mercy on her. Please Gods, protect her, and send her back to me. Please, I ask not as a queen but as someone who cares for this child laying before you." A lone tear slid down her flawless face that was now covered in fear. She continued to hold Amaya's hand and it suddenly felt like it was alive. "Amaya," she whispered.

Sure enough the child's hand moved again. Amarei returned the squeeze and Amaya responded. The queen quickly let go. She looked at the semi-live child in front of her. Please, Amaya, open your eyes. As if on command, Amaya fluttered her eyes open.

"Amaya!"

"Amarei?" the little girl's voice was unsure and raspy. Amarei pulled the child to her as she returned to sitting on the bed. Amaya soon became fully awake and clang to Amarei in fear of something.

"Who did this to you?" the queen asked, ready to murder them. A knock sounded on the door and Amaya buried herself in Amarei's embrace. "Its open." The door opened and to her surprise she saw Knights Peter and Rupert holding between them Andrew. If looks could kill, Andrew would have died on the spot. Queen Amarei glanced towards the Knights waiting for an explanation.

"Queen Amarei, we are sorry to disturb you, he was hanging around outside the princess' room. We questioned him, but her refused to answer and demanded to see you."

"Put him under house arrest for today, Rupert," Amarei ordered. "And in the morning, make sure he returns to Eveana. Peter please stay a moment."

"As you wish," the knights replied. Rupert departed with the shocked Andrew and Peter stood where he was.

"Approach Peter, I was just about to ask Amaya what happened. Please Amaya, answer the question," Amarei coaxed.

"I don't know, it came from behind me."

"Did you see anything Princess?" Knight Peter inquired. There was a long pause and the princess fought hard to remember.

"I saw black, a black figure, I think," Amaya answered.

"You're sure it wasn't Eve?" Peter reminded.

"Yes! She was wandering and that's why I went farther, I was looking for her," Amaya explained her voice increasing in volume.

"Shh, it's okay Amaya. You are not in trouble. Knight Peter, see if you can find anything on this black kni…figure," Amarei commanded. He nodded as if understanding the almost spoken word. This time the Black Knight has gone too far, he thought. The queen and princess watched him retreat from the room. Amarei stood and went to her grand doors that led out onto the balcony. Starring at our among Dawnacia she wondered how long the peace would last as the storm beat against the kingdom. Amaya as tried as she was, was frightened by how pale Amarei had become. Dizzily, she stumbled towards the queen.

"Amarei?" she said quietly. The queen did not turn. Amaya gave the queen's dress a light tug and this caught her attention.

"Yes Amaya?" she replied quite calmly, not allowing the little one to see the strain of as pain ran to her hip.

"Are you mad at me?"

"No Princess, never," the queen reassured. She came eyelevel with the princess and saw that confusion and fear had its hold on her. Placing her hand underneath the princess' chin she forced Amaya to look her in the eye.

"I don't feel well, Amarei," she whined. Amarei could only imagine what the little girl was coming down with. Probably pneumonia or something terrible, there is no way all that exposure cause just a common cold. What is going on here? First I find Amaya hurt in her closet, Andrew shows up unexpectedly, Amaya ends up like this and Andrew is caught hanging around her room! What in the name of the Gods is going on?

"Amaya, I am going to stay in Dawnacia for at the very least a cycle and a half of the moon," Amarei announced. The little girl's face, weary from the events, suddenly lit up and she smiled happily. She threw her arms around the queen. "Well, I guess I'm not getting any objections."