Royal Rules

Part 6

The Elder tree looked even more menacing than yesterday. I looked up at the tree with dread, thinking of what was about to happen. The whole kingdom stood behind me as I faced the giant tree, my foot only a few inches away from the trunk.

It was terrifying.

The dark red leaves swayed peacefully above me, and I imagined it beckoning to me. I took a deep breath and straightened out my dress to stretch the time. It was a dark red that matched the tree leaves, and it dragged on the grass as I turned to the crowd. I wanted to see Jacob one last time before the future king would be picked. I searched the crowd frantically before I finally spotted him.

He was already looking at me before our eyes locked. His eyes looked like two thunderstorms ready to shoot lightning, and I could see his temples pulsing. He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace in an attempt to make me feel better, but it just made me feel ten times worse. I looked away in pain, and I could feel my throat constricting.

Without a second thought, I turned around and stepped onto the trunk that was closest to me. The tree root started to glow, and I could feel myself sweating in my dress. I tried my hardest not to whimper as the light traveled from the trunk to my feet, and then to my legs. It was disturbing; the feeling that I was being possessed by the spirit of my ancestors in the tree. I watched the light slowly crawl up my body, and I lifted off the ground as if gravity ceased to exist. All I wanted was to scream or yell for help, but that wouldn't do much. By that time the glow was all the way up to my neck, and I gasped as it reached my lips. My head fell back to its own accord, and suddenly I couldn't see.

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"Amelia... Open your eyes Amelia." When had I closed my eyes in the first place? I opened my eyes and blinked in the blinding white light. Was I standing up or flying?

Everything was white. I couldn't tell which way was up, down, left or right. It was just a blinding white that was surrounding me.

Was I dead? No... I couldn't be dead. My parents didn't hate me that much.

Where had that voice come from?

"Amelia... I've been watching you grow. You've become such a fine young fairy." The voices were coming from all around, but I still looked around the infinite white to see if I could spot anything. At first I saw nothing, but then as I turned my attention back to where I'd been looking in the first place, I saw a form start to come into focus in front of me. The first thing I saw was a red gown that faded into white at the end. The gown seemed to stretch up forever, but then I saw the hips and torso it belonged to. Even further up was the face of a goddess, with plump cheeks, full lips, thin eyebrows, and a smile that could light even the darkest crevices on Earth. Hair was flowing all around her face, red locks that were as smooth as a river flowing.

"Amelia..."

My eyes traveled further up at the sweet voice, and my eyes locked with hers. Her eyes were the deepest, darkest shade of red I had ever seen in my life.

"Who... who are you?" I squeaked, gazing up at the giant fairy. She smiled, putting her hand to the ground with her palm facing up.

"Come my child, let me get a good look at you," she said, and somehow her eyes and smiling were reassuring. I stepped onto her hand, holding onto her thumb as she gently raised me to her face. She examined me with a keen eye, and I shrunk under her gaze.

"Are... are you the Elder tree?" I stammered, still a bit frightened. She tapped the tip of her nose, a gesture of affirmation.

"Yes my child, I am the spirit of the Elder tree, and I am to choose the next ruler for your kingdom. But this man shall not be just ruler, but also your spouse."

"I... I understand."

"As I said before Amelia, I have been observing you. My roots stretch far across this world, letting me be able to watch over your people as well as yourself."

"So, you've seen me and Jacob?"

"Yes." I blushed at the statement, feeling embarrassed that the spirit of the Elder tree had seen everything. She was our most sacred adviser. I was even more startled and embarrassed as a sweet laugh came forth from her lips.

"There's no need to be ashamed Amelia, there are a great many before you who've had the same problem."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Well... how will I get over him? It pains me to think of ruling over this kingdom with the one I love so far away from me." At this she smiled even more, and I gasped as she moved her hand to put me down. I had to grab onto her thumb to keep from falling, and I stumbled onto the ground.

"My choice is made. You must return now Amelia, for I fear I have taken too much of your time."

"Wait, but who is to be my spouse?"

"Go Amelia, you will see."

I nodded to her, taking a deep breath. I could feel my fingertips getting tingly, and I could only assume that I was about to get sucked into reality.

"Thank you," I called to the spirit, and she nodded to me.

"May the wind rise under your wings Queen Amelia."

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When I opened my eyes again, I still wasn't under the Elder tree. I was flying a good foot above the ground, and I alighted upon the ground to take a look around.

I was in... my parents' room?

Suddenly, the door busted open and a young girl ran past me to jump into my parents' bed. She turned in my direction, and a smile alighted her thin lips. She looked strangely familiar with those bright eyes and that wide smile, but I couldn't figure out why.

"Um, excuse me young one, but who're you?" I asked her, going closer to the bed edge.

"Azalea! What have I told you about running around so frivolously my love?" I spun around at the voice, my eyes widening as a figure entered the room. The man walked into the room like he owned the place, and I was instantly intimidated. He looked up at the little girl, and I instantly recognized those eyes and cheekbones.

"Jacob?" My voice came out in a whisper at the sight of him. He was so much... older. And more mature. I was in shock for a full five seconds, just staring at him. He didn't acknowledge my presence, just walking past me to sit on the edge of the bed and look at the little girl.

Oh god, I'm in the future.

"I'm sorry Father," the little girl mumbled, looking up at him with big doe eyes. He chuckled gently, pinching her chin affectionately.

Well, at least he moved on.

"What's going on in there you two?" I looked at the door once more as another person entered, and my jaw dropped to the floor. I stared, mouth open, at the older version of myself as she walked up to the older Jacob. She kissed his cheek and brushed his hair back, and they both smiled at each other. I was still comprehending what was going on when I was sucked away from the scene, and everything went black.