"Nia, Nia" is the first thing i hear as I come out of a deep sleep but all I want to do is cover my ears and turn over to fall asleep again. Suddenly a small pair of hands began to shake my gently. " Nia " the small voice begged until I open my eyes. I was blinded almost immediately and I use my arm to shield my eyes from the blazing sun. Finally when my eyes stop burning I can sit up. There kneeling on the bed was Amari eyes wide with concern. I sigh happy to see that we was ok. Pulling him into a hug I look around the room.
Standing in the corner was one of the men I had seen in the forest, the one who had taken Amari. I pull Amari behind me it the man just disappears through the door locking it behind him. I sit there in bed confused until I feel a splitting pain run through my head. Holding my head I look around the room again looking for a way to escape. Amari sees this and places a tiny hand on my arm. "It's ok Nia" he says " they are nice" I look at him, shocked and confused. "If they are so nice then why did they kidnap you" I ask. " they thought I was you" he said, sliding onto my lap" because I was holding a fairy even though I couldn't see it" just as I was about to reply the door flew open and a small important looking man walked in, flanked by some guards.
"I see that the madam has awoken." He said checking his pocket watch. "And not a minute too soon. Come now me must be on our way to see the queen'' he exclaimed as the guards ushered me and Amari out of the room. We walk down a beautifully decorated hallway but for some strange reason it looked all gloomy and sad. All of the people we passed were whispering which I could understand since we were the only people here without pointed ears.
The halls had vases with crystal flowers lining the walls with beautiful tapestries hanging from the ceiling. The halls floor was made of soft green moss with trees built into walls, their beautiful crystal leaves hanging from the curved ceiling . As we walk I stare in wonder at this beautiful palace. After walking in silence for a few minutes we reach a large set ornate dark oak doors that were inlaid with gold and crystals bigger than my hand. " the man turned to me a stern look on his face. "We are about to meet with the queen. Please be on your best behavior." my face must have said it all. Amari pulls on my sleeve. " its ok Nia. the queen is really nice" i look at him still unsure.
But i didn't have anytime to back away because the two guards pushed open the double doors revealing the beautiful throne room that lay before us. The small man ushered us inside and my jaw nearly hit the floor. Just the like the halfway crystal trees lined the walls of the throne room. Tiny crystals flowers sprouted from the mossy floor and cute glowing mushrooms adorned the trunks of the trees. Tiny fairies flew around the room. Landing on my head and shoulders tugging at my hair. Amari could tell there were fairies that he couldn't see so he tugged on my shirt to get me to tell him what I saw. I picked him up and told him what the tiny pixie-like creatures were doing and I could see his tiny imagination wiring coming up with ideas of what was happening.
The small man coughed drawing my attention to him again as the fairies continued to braid my hair and add flowers into it. He nods toward the throne as he kneels. There on the throne was a beautiful woman. She has long pointed ears pointed out from beneath her long silver locks. She was wearing a long robe with golden embroidery that was laced with small crystals. She looks so regal but something was wrong. Her face was solemn, sad even.
Behind her stood a muscular man. He had long shoulder length black hair. His face was as solemn as the women. He looked down at us from the pedestal on which the throne stood. The room was dead silent. Finally the women spoke.
" Welcome Nia" she said, raising a hand in welcome. I nod unsure of where to look but still wanting to be polite. " We are so glad you are here." she said. " I am Tourmaline, the queen of the crystal Fae, the most powerful Fae in the world. This is my son Jasper. I would like to apologize for the way we brought you here but we had no other choice." she explained Rising from the throne. As she descended the stairs i realized how elegantly she did things, how she held herself so that her crystal crown did not fall off her head.
When she reached me she pulled me into a huge hug. I started to tear up a little bit. Back home my mother rarely gave hugs and sometimes if felt a little alone. The hug the queen gave me made me feel happy as if i belonged somewhere. When she pulled away she looked confused as to why i was tearing up. " what's wrong" she asked placing a hand on my shoulder. Amari looked at me concerned as well.
" I'm sorry" i said. " I'm not used to hugs. My mom doesn't normally show that she really loves me and i don't really have any friends at school" i wipe my eyes on my sleeve. " i just never really felt like i belong anywhere" the queen nods. "You belong her Nia. this can be your home if you'd like. This is where your soul is from." she says pulling me into another hug. I nod " the me from my dream said that." i said.
The queen looks at me confused " what lady" she asks. I explain the dream i had and what the older verison of me had said. The queen thought for a moment before noding. The small man that had brough us to the throne room cleared his throat.
" yes Claude" the queen said turning to the man." the man stood barley reaching my navel." my queen perhaps we should consult the head priest about this dream." he said looking between the two of us . the queen nods. Grabbing my hand she begins to walk out of the throne room through a small side door. The prince follows us.
One of the maids that were in the room nods at me when I look back at Amari. " i shall take the young sir back to his room" says the maid picking up him up. Amari waves as the two of them leave the room through the main doors.
As we walk i look around the hall. This hall looks different from the one we entered through. It was smaller made of pack with few mirrors. Men in black robes passed us many of them carrying important looking documents. They bowed toward the queen and prince as we passed. Many of them gave me a strange look but said nothing. Finally we reached a room that looked like a church. Inside was a thin old man who was hunched over the biggest book i have ever seen.
When we entered he looked up. He bows toward the queen like everyone else but his eyes light up when he sees me. He hobbles over leaning heavily on a crystal cane." welcome child." he saws bowing to the best of his abilities. " this is the head priest." the queen informs me. Then to the priest " Nia says she had a dream of an older version of herself. Would it be possible for you to help us contact this version of Nia." she says.
The head priest nods, hobbling back to the altar he then pulls out a large crystal ball with four smaller balls. He hands the queen prince and Claude three of the smaller balls while keeping one for himself. Then he hands me the large ball. " using these balls we should be able to all go with Nia to see this version of her'' he explains. '' Is this alright with you Nia? '' I nod. The priest begins to chant and the room begins to spin. Darkness begins to creep in and soon all I see is black.