The Queen's Pearl

Ch. 1 ~ Sweet Sixteen

"We were fools to think that our fairy tale-like adventure would have a happy ending."

Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy night, in a land so far away, hidden in a universe parallel to that of the mortals. It was early spring and the snow had not yet melted away from the darkest corners of the kingdom's castle. The sounds of rain and thunder was abruptly drowned out by an ear-piercing scream, so loud and powerful, it was as if the entire Hidden World was contracting in pain. The lights were flickering, not only in the castle, but every light in every household, as the hidden residents ceased their nightly activities and waited with bated breaths.

The usually quiet castle was buzzing with life, despite being long since sundown. Servants were dashing up and down the hallways, directed by a strict, but keen butler. There was no time to wait or hold one's breath for the castle's employees, healers and especially the midwife. While the head butler was directing people around the castle, the midwife was directing things in the Queen's chambers. She was a small, yet powerful woman and not even the Queen would question her. Shouting over the screams and flickering light, the Elder worked her magic.

A few hours past midnight, all the lights in the kingdom, whether it was natural flames, created by magic or technology, went out. The world fell silent, even animals and beasts in the forest would not dare move. Until, finally, a new scream filled the castle and all the lights, even the ones that was previously off, started to shine and the moon finally peaked out from the clouds, filling the world in light. A new light had been born into the world.

The door to the Queen's private chambers slowly creaked open and a young woman walked in. She had neither the clothes of a healer nor a maid, but she walked into the chamber like she belonged. Greeting some of the workers with silent nods, as they had collapsed from exhaustion and relief. The woman was wearing a simple white dress with flower patterns and her feet were bare. The dark brown and green hair was flowing just past her shoulders, her movements were fluid and silent, making anyone who didn't know her, think she was some kind of forest fae or druid. Her arms and legs were wrapped in green plants. Either would not be too far from the truth.

She knocked carefully on the second door and only entered when she heard the low, raspy voice of the ancient midwife. The woman had delivered more royals than anyone cared to count. They greeted each other with respectful nods, before the younger woman hurried to her matriarch's side. Kneeling by her bedside, the young woman took the Queen's fever-warm hand and held it between her cold ones. The younger woman's sun-kissed skin, contrasting the Queen's pale complexion. The Queen had long, wavy golden blonde hair and eyes the color of the setting sun.

"My Queen," the young woman's voice was shaken and uncertain, her accent mixed. "Light of this world, how are you feeling?"

The Queen just looked at the younger woman, who seemed more like a queen of the forest than herself and just smiled. "I am alright, child. What about my baby? I want to see my baby girl."

A pained expression flashed across the young woman's face, but she slowly got to her feet and turned to the midwife, who had just finished cleaning the newborn and the young woman looked down at the infant. It had been a long time since she had seen a newborn baby and she had a fleeting thought, wondering if they always looked this ugly.

Suddenly terrified, she looked around, as if worried that someone in the room might have just heard her thoughts. The few remaining nurses and maids were silently cleaning up, the midwife was wrapping up the baby and the Queen looked like she was barely hanging on to consciousness. "It is not my recommendation, sweetie," the midwife spoke, her raspy voice lowered, keeping this a conversation between just the two of them.