And so I lay in this deathlike state for thousands of years, with only my thoughts to keep me company. It was both the greatest agony and greatest blessing a person could be given. It was torture to have a body and not be able to move it. However, I was able to examine my life, and my choices, and to realize that I had wasted so much of my time worrying about becoming a monster. So much so that I hardly knew myself.
After a thousand years of numbness, the first touch I felt was like fire shooting through my body from my lips. I knew in that instant that it had happened. True love's kiss. I could feel my limbs slowly waking up, my chest beginning to rise. Slowly, my eyes fluttered, letting in a small burst of darkness and light. When I was able to open them fully, I realized that I was looking up at a sky of starlight; a darkness that seemed to be fighting off the impending dawn.
"She-She's waking up," a startled, if a bit slurred, voice spoke. "Gods on high, she's waking up!" I turned my head towards the voice to see the torso of a male, and another male sitting on the rim of a fountain in an overgrown rose garden. They each held a horn that had been filled from a keg that was on the ground. The one behind the torso rushed toward us and dropped his ale when we made eye contact.
I strained myself to look up at the man closest to me. His hair was a simple brown and his brown eyes stared at me in shock. He instinctively ran his hand through his hair as we looked at each other for a moment. He couldn't be older than twenty.
"She's awake," he repeated, more to himself than his friend. "I must be drunk. This can't be happening." I looked away from him for a moment and took in the garden. It looked overgrown, forgotten. I didn't remember this place.
His friend placed a hand on his shoulder "Henry, we should go. What do you think they're going to do to the true love of the sleeping princess? Whatever it is, I can guarantee that it won't be good." I tried to speak, but my voice wasn't working. The men didn't seem to notice. Henry turned so his back was to me, then motioned his friend to do the same.
"Terran," Henry whispered, though he was still loud enough that I could hear him. "If I'm the princess' one true love, does that make me king?!"
"Maybe a thousand years ago," Terran replied sarcastically, "but I doubt that King Rainer would call you legitimate."
"Help," I managed to sputter out, lifting my hand gingerly. Henry spun around at the sound of my voice. He took my hand and clumsily helped me sit up. He reeked of ale.
Terran looked me over once, assessing me.
"Okay, sleeping princess is awake and talking. She's even sitting up on her own. Time to go." Terran looked at Henry, who still had yet to let go of my hand.
"I-" he stuttered, looking at his friend and then me. "I'm sorry. I have to go." He dropped my hand, then he and Terran began to run. A few moments later, they disappeared in the surrounding forest and I was alone.
I could feel the strength slowly returning to my body and forced myself to stand. Pain ran from my heels to my hips, but I held in my scream. I allowed the sounds of the world to fill my ears when I heard a distinct voice. I thought it was one of the men, returning for me from the forest, but I saw no one.
"Child of fire," it spoke again. I followed the sound, then saw an owl at the top of a tree at the edge of the wood. "Follow me, and I will teach you your destiny." I looked back toward the overgrown garden, then nodded to the owl. It flew slowly ahead of me, allowing me to take rests as necessary. Once we had reached the middle of the forest, it ushered me to the base of a tree.
"Rest here. This tree is the first. It will give you the answers you seek." I looked at the owl and smiled softly. It still hurt to speak.
"I will be back for you when the moon rises," the owl replied. As it flew away, I sat at the base of the tree, running my hands along the roots.
"Hello Aurora," an older, gentle voice said. "It is good you are back." I leaned into the tree, feeling my back press into the solid bark.
"Thank you."
"I am as old as time itself, I will tell you of your history." I felt the pain in my body begin to dull. "I will also heal you, if you'll permit me."
"Thank you." I closed my eyes as the tree's roots began to cover me, enveloping me in warmth.