-45-There was a fairy who travelled the lands, in a time too distant to mind.The fairy rested in places it found homely; forests, grasslands, caves and meadows, and much more in its journey.
Amongst all the places to stay, the fairy liked settlements the most. Be it encampments, towns, villages or cities. It liked people and it liked company.
Where the fairy was, prosperity followed. To people, plants, animals, and to life.Soon word spread and people prepared, eagerly awaiting the fairy's arrival.When the fairy arrived, the people rejoiced. Celebrating with song and dance, and wine and grub.Yet the fairy could not stay, it was bound to leave and resume its journey.Prosperity followed where it went, and so did prosperity leave where it left.People pleaded and begged but it could not stay, it was bound to resume its journey.Their wishes denied, they grew to hate and wrath soon filled their eyes.Some took to imprisoning the fairy while some took to barring its entry.Yet the fairy would resume its journey, unimpeded by all and any.In time the fairy too, grew weary. Would its journey ever end?Where was the place it was to go? It sank in despair and bemoaned.Then floated a flower from the sky, landing beside where it lay.Its mane was yellow, its face was brown, its stalk was as small as the fairy.The fairy turned to the sky and saw the sun was bright and hale.A gift? It thought, and smiled. Comparing the likeness of gift and giver.Its vigour renewed, its steps light, it journeyed with the flower in hand.When despair returned, it held the sunflower and continued on its journey.Until the fairy passed a forest and was met with a blinding light.There were sunflowers, sunflowers, beyond its sight, beyond what it could imagine.The fairy knew, this was the place. The end of its journey was nigh.It walked on the path, between the flowers, and stopped beside a giant sunflower.It planted its sunflower, beside the sun's flower.And stayed there forever.-"Today we commemorate! The journey of Fortune and our Sun's benevolence!"Miriel could hear the heral's cry as it echoed in the air, even as she made her way from the city's gates to the plaza."The end of Fortune's journey and our Sun's return!"Miriel had never seen the streets of the Capitol so empty. All shops and buildings were closed, all stalls unmanned, and no wares displayed on the streets."Our sun split a part of its being, in the time of Fortune's despair! It descended as a sunflower, that Fortune may be envigored! That Fortune would resume its journey!"She saw the sea of people crowding the plaza as she neared, and the herald standing on the steps as he cried."And so did Fortune journey! Guided by the light of the sun! To the end of its journey! To Azvant's glory!"An archway that led to the mound was embanked by people on its sides. Vines and leaves slithered and twirled around the archway while a green carpet ran above the tiles from front to end on the pathway.Miriel wore a pale robe, her head covered by its hood. The robe was embroidered with green leaf-like stitches from tip to toe. She held a pot to her chest with both her hands as she walked. It housed a sunflower which reached her head as she held the pot.When they saw Miriel passing through the archway, the silent crowd sprung aloud and their volume rose anew. They pointed and shouted, and clapped and shifted as they stood. She passed the archway and walked up the steps to reach the landing above."Today we commemorate Fortune's arrival! Today we celebrate Azvant's glory! Today we rejoice as Azvant's people!"Miriel walked to Elle, who sood in the middle of the landing. She was draped in a white robe with loose sleeves, the dress covering her from neck to feet.She held a green vine-like straight staff that was as tall as her neck, its tip frayed and split, Miriel placed the pot in front of Elle, and stood to her side."How was the journey Miriel? Exciting?" Elle spoke.Miriel glanced at Elle, who stared at the crowd with a smile, her lips barely parted as she whispered. Her braided hair fell down her back and past her waist."Could I have not started closer?" Miriel asked."Tradition, dearie, tradition." Elle replied."You get the best seat for the ceremony, is that not exciting?" Elle said."I am standing." Mriel replied, "I suppose I know why your maids wanted the role at least." She added.'Or why no other noble wanted it.' Miriel thought.Miriel saw the people close to the mound and those afar, and they - in turn - saw her. People weren't only at the ground of the plaza or the streets beyond; they watched from balconies, windows, and the tops of buildings."Fortune be with you, people of Azvant! May we prosper in the light of the Sun!" The herald cried."May we prosper in the light of the Sun!" The people shouted in unison.A calm, soft, tune wafted through the air as the musicians started playing."That is my que then. Watch closely, okay?" Elle said, "You may stand a bit to the side if you wish."Elle slowly wove her staff in the air, in curves and peaks, left and right, front and back.The staff sparkled as she did. It emitted yellow, light-yellow and white sparkling lights that seeped from the tip of the staff. Some drifted outward and they slowly dispersed, covering the landing and the air above the crowd and the plaza. Then drifting throughout the Capitol.Elle rested the end of the staff on the ground, holding in front of her with both hands.Miriel watched as the sunflower in the pot grew. Its stalk reached higher and higher while the flowerhead grew larger and larger.The small sunflower was now a giant gargantuan sunflower atop the landing, swaying left and right in the air."May you prosper in the light of the Sun!" Elle shouted.As she did, each sunflower in the plaza and the giant sunflower, began to emit the sparkling lights. And as they did, petals and flowerheads on the ground rose to the air and danced."The Sunflower Festival commences!" The herald cried.All at once the people cheered and clamoured. They stared in awe at the lights that floated in the sky above the plaza and other parts of the Capitol. And at the petals and flowerheads dancing beside them.They shouted exclamations and praises, felicitations and blessings, they hugged and laughed, and all abounded in joy.Elle beamed and waved her hand at the people, and also her staff in her other hand. As she did, the gargantuan sunflower slowly grew taller.Miriel sighed and shook her head as she watched Elle.She dragged the over-enthusiastic princess with her and descended down the back of the mound.