In Terranova's eyes

I thought I knew you

After 3 years the time has finally come for Ayni to take her place next to the Queen whom despite her efforts she has only seen from afar. Ayni moved to Terranova almost five years prior to today, leaving her home in Romania and immigrating to Terranova. This is where she found her peace from all the trauma she endured under her father's rule. Her past drove her to pack her bags one night jump out of her window and run like she never had before. No one in Terranova knows her whole story but what they do know is that today the daughter of Meliz li of the Tribe of mela is getting married to the Queen of Terranova. 

Ayni's Pov:

It's 6am in GaleReach and the birds are chirping. I lay in bed my eyes still closed trying to convince myself that I am asleep. My heart is heavy, and tears threaten to leave my eyes. Oh, how I will miss my time here. I will miss my mom and my little sister Aydi. I have lived in this house for five years now. I love the smell of the flowers that grow around my windowsill. I slowly open my eyes and make my way to my window. A big white sign catches my eyes. It's my name with the words our White Heron alongside it. I draw a deep breath and release. I can't believe I agreed to this so many years ago! I start to panic. How can I agree to marry the Queen, I don't even know her and the whole nation is preparing for our wedding. I grab onto the sill to steady myself as I feel my heartbeat fast trying desperately to escape my chest. What if the Queen and I turn out like my old mother and father? 

A knock on the door startles me. "Ayni, are you awake my love?" My mother's sweet voice calls out for me. 

" Yes, I'm awake" I respond trying to sound normal "Come in!"

The doorknob slowly opens, and a tall 40-year-old woman enters the room her olive skin and brown wavy her a testament of her beauty. Her big golden-brown eyes filled with love contrasting her sharp features. She has a cup in her hand. 

" I expect you to be nervous." She states calmly as she hands me the cup. 

" I agreed to this" I respond bluntly 

" You know." She starts talking as she walks over to my bed to take a seat. " You were just a frail little kid when I met you. Dirty unwashed her, bloody hands and a heart emptied of almost every drop of hope in humanity. Your body was so exhausted when you got to the boarder that you passed out and I remember this precisely because I got a call from Dr Lali while I was working in the wind farms saying that my daughter had arrived. I was so confused that I left everything behind and ran to the car with nothing but the keys in my hand. I drove all the way to the city  Kimbara like my life depended on it. With every passing minute I grew more restless and when I finally made it to the hospital, you were there "ni ayni" (my life) covered in tubes. I knew right there and then that I had found my daughter." she continues as I stare out the window, I did like being remembered about my life before Terranova. 

" You may be wondering why I am telling you this" She says as stands up and walks toward me "but I want you to know why I let you agree to the Queen's proposal three years ago. It is because things work differently here in Terranova. All our acquaintances are chosen by our hearts. I did not give birth to you but from the moment you were born your heart was calling out to me. I kept on telling Doctor Lali that my daughter was on her way to me the same way the Queen knew you were her White Heron. That is why when you woke up you called me mom even though I look nothing like the one who gave birth to you, nor do I sound like her and It's for that same reason you attend every unity festival anxious." She continues as I turn to face her.

Did she really know that I stalked the Queen in secret at Unity Fest every year?

" I know it is because you wish to see her." She says " That is because she is yours and she was yours since birth. I know the role of White Heron is a lot of responsibility, but you will figure it out all you have to do is to be kind to yourself."