"Dear friends and family of court, our homes here in Elandra, our lives, all dreams of our future are in danger." Queen Aislyn sat on her golden throne, addressing her regal-looking audience. Brooke and Nicole stood in the back of the crowd, lifting up on their tiptoes to get a better view of the Queen.
"As you know, the royal slippers disappeared this week, searching for our weapon against Witch Maura. Each day she grows more and more powerful as she wrongfully acquires our magic. It is now time to fight back, to put Maura in her place. With your support, we will be able to banish Maura into the Dessert of Runes forever. We have our two warriors here now to begin their journey. Will you stand beside us?"
The crowd cheered and voiced their devotion to their Queen and Elandra. The women cried tears of joy, and the men shouted out "Long live Queen Aislyn!" Brooke and Nicole were beginning to feel overwhelmed by all of the spirit in the room. It would be easy to cheer for warriors of dreams when you aren't actually a warrior of dreams. Brooke grasped Nicole's hand as they shared a look of uncertainty.
"Let us meet the warriors!"
"Yes, bring out our warriors!"
Men and women alike shouted to bring out the warriors. "They don't know it's us, Brooke," Nicole panicked. "What will they think when they see two girls?"
Before Brooke could think up an answer, Queen Aislyn parted the crowd with her scepter, leaving the girls exposed to the masses. Brooke found her throat tighten up and her hands shaking. All was quiet, save for the twinkling of the slippers on Brooke's feet.
The crowd seemed surprised, and Nicole was relieved to see looks of confusion on their faces other than looks of anger.
"Step forward, Warriors," Queen Aislyn called to them. "Do not be deceived," she addressed the crowd, "for the faith of children far surpasses any number of magic and strength. I present to you Brooke and Nicole, our hope has arrived!" The crowd cheered wildly again. Being accepted allowed the girls to feel more confident, but they both felt uneasy about defeating a witch they knew nothing about.
When the crowd had dissipated, the Queen invited the girls to the North Wing, where her chambers were. They followed her into an oval-shaped room, walls lines with shelves full of books and trinkets. In the middle of the room sat a crystal ball on a diamond stand. On an alter near one of the bookshelves sat a book with a page that flipped back and forth all on its own. Brooke felt so intrigued by the objects here she almost forgot what she and her sister were brought to accomplish.
"We need a plan," Queen Aislyn began. She walked over to her crystal ball. She rubbed the top of the sphere and peered into it. Brooke wondered what she was seeing.
"Your Highness," Nicole interrupted.
Brooke looked at her sister, who seemed more determined than ever. Her face was stern and her hands were clenched into fist. Brooke knew this side of her sister well; she did not like when she did not have the answers. Defeating a witch was not a task they would be asked to carry back home, simply because there were no witches. Brooke knew the magic shoes would help them, and her knowledge of fairy tales along with her imagination would guide them. Nicole solved her problems with facts, not fantasy. Brooke saw that she was uncomfortable here even though they were being treated like royalty.
"You don't seem to understand that we have no knowledge of this Maura, nor her strengths or how she can possible be defeated. For the safety of my sister and myself, we will not go forth with any plan until we have all of the facts."
"Very well," was the Queen's reply. "Follow me." They exited the crystal ball room by way of a secret passage through a bookcase, into a lovely sitting room with sofas and a fireplace crackling. The Queen served them hot chocolate in gold goblets and chocolate cherry truffles. The girls enjoyed their treat as Queen Aislyn told them the story of how Maura came to threaten Elandra.
"Maura is my sister. She and I ruled Elandra together for many years; I governed the northern territories and she the southern. We were happy as long as we were together. Our people were happy and our home was peaceful.
A man from your world came upon our castle, by way of the hollow tree. He was an explorer, and as we took care of our unexpected guest I grew close to him, and I fell in love. Unbeknownst to me, my sister shared the same fate. When we found out about each other's affections for him we fought terribly.
Days passed and we both tried to out one another by being the best suiter for the human, but he grew tired of our jealous fits. He returned to his world through the hollow tree and we never saw him again.
My sister took his absence more severely than I. She left the castle, and I have no spoken to her since. I did not know what had become of her until she started using her magic to control our people, and thus turning them into stone."
Queen Aislyn turned her head to wipe a tear from her cheek. Brooke sat in silence. Nicole shifted her weight in her seat, and Brooke could tell she was coming up with some type of solution.
Queen Aislyn and Witch Maura were sisters who had had a disagreement. Now one sister was wreaking havoc on innocent lives and the other had no choice but to be banished forever.
"Banished to the Dessert of Runes? That's your goal... For your own sister?" Nicole roared. "Your highness, how could you condemn your own sister to an eternity like that? My sister and I have our moments, too, but I could never imagine spending more than a day without her." Nicole gave a sideways glance to Brooke, who was smiling to know her sister loved her so, before continuing her bargain. "No, you will help your sister. You will fight for her to be redeemed. You will bring her home."
Queen Aislyn sat in shock to be addressed in such a way. The unforgiveness she had been holding for her sister had turned her into a bitter Queen. She had resolved to only think on Maura's offenses and not the things she loved and appreciated about her sister.
"You are very wise, child," Queen Aislyn spoke as she wiped another tear. "How horrid of me to forget that she is my dear sister."
"It's okay to be upset," Brooke added, "But you should never let anything get in between family."
Queen Aislyn nodded. "What do you suggest we do then, my two warriors?"
"We go to Maura," Nicole proclaimed. "We will bring her back."
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