The Queen's Admiral

Chapter 54: The Lady of the Star

Love? Who loved Admiral Westergard?

Why the answer was obvious. I've watched them fight and flirt with each other for weeks now. I've seen how devoted he was to her and the sacrifice of his life to save mine so he can honor his promise to her made it all too clear how he felt. Certainly Aunt Elsa loved him back. Maybe they've already declared their feelings for each other during that romantic boat ride under the floating lanterns.

"Aunt Elsa loves him," I said to Godmother.

"Does she?" she asked doubtfully.

"I'm sure she does," I replied. "You'll see. She can break this spell just like Belle broke the spell for Prince Adam. We just need to get Admiral Westergard to Aunt Elsa."

The moment I said it, I realized what the problem was. We were in the middle of what I presumed to be Africa with no idea how to get back to northern Europe. Aunt Elsa was half a world away to heaven knows where Prince Heinrik had taken her. He may even be deceiving her right now. How long would she continue to love Admiral Westergard if Prince Heinrik succeeds in hurting her and making her believe it was his youngest brother who did it.

"Is there any way you can take us both back to Arendelle or at least to Tastris?" I asked Godmother.

She shook her head. "I can take you within short distances. But my powers aren't strong enough to cross an ocean with you. My magic cannot allow me to take Hans at all. The most I can do is to go back to Arendelle alone and return with help but it will take me time."

She didn't have to tell me that time wasn't something we had on our side but I could see no other alternative.

"This wouldn't have been a problem if only I had my wings," she said morosely. "I could fly you both across the waters with them."

"What did happen to your wings Godmother?" I asked. I did remember from Aurora's account that she described Godmother's wings to be enormous, black and powerful. I read how it pained her to lose them the first time around. I wondered what other tragedy had befallen her that she lost her wings again. "If you don't mind me asking," I added for I didn't want to sound insensitive if it was a topic that she was not willing to share.

"It's alright, Fredrik," she assured me. "I cut off my own wings and gave them up voluntarily."

I was astonished at her revelation. I thought she could have lost them either accidentally or through a battle but I never expected that.

"I already told you my people were dying. After the destruction of the Moors, our situation only grew worse. We moved frequently for we were never safe for long in one place. I was desperate to find them a new home. I knew of only one place where my people can survive and thrive in peace, but it was not of this world. It's a place where other fairies live and where nothing grows old."

Nothing grows old and where fairies live, I thought. Now why does that sound familiar?

"Is this the land where Prince Peter of Corona ran away too?" I asked.

"Yes," Godmother confirmed. "The place is called Neverland." She pointed to the sky. "You see those two stars? It's the second one to the right and the only way to get there is to fly straight until morning. But there's an invisible shield protecting it. The only ones that can enter it are those that were given the ability to fly after being touched by fairy dust."

Now things were making sense. I remembered what Prince Eugene said when he attempted to go after Peter using the Carpet. He collided with a barrier that had no way to get through.