Intrepid

Chapter 8: Mother

"Your Highness?" came as a tiny whisper in my ears.

I woke up with a sudden jolt. My! I had fallen into deep slumber after having tons of questions weighing my mind. Where were we anyway? I scanned my surroundings and all I could see were endless rows of trees.

"I apologize for that but did we manage to escape?" I rubbed my eyes. How had I managed to fall asleep with chaos ringing in my ears? Well, that explains why I am a really heavy sleeper.

"Yes, surprisingly. There were dozens of them chasing after us and forgive me, I was astonished to find you asleep even during a moment like that."

My face turned red with embarrassment. Right, I had to change the topic. ''So... Do you have any idea where we're heading to now?''

''I guess I do. We started our journey in Moria and if it's alright for you, we're heading to Rhovanion now although I have a feeling we may have to halt for the night."

I nodded my head in agreement. Then I blushed at the thought that she had been planning our next move while I, on the other hand, was sleeping.

The sun dipped low behind the forest of trees. Nightfall was closing in on us. Layla suggested we would stop there, under the shelter of branches and leaves, for the night. We gathered handfuls of firewood and threw them into a pile. 

By the time we had lighted a fire to warm ourselves from the chilly wind, the moon had already taken its place in the centre of the sky. I laid down beside the fire, opposite Layla, on the leaf-covered ground. When we finally settled down, my mind started to fill up with questions.

"Layla, where did you get that horse from anyways?" I laid on my side, fist supporting my head. 

"Oh that. Edna gave it to me." I shot up from my lazy position and sat upright in shock.

What? Did she just say Edna gave it to her? My supposed sister was really getting on my nerves. How could she have been so hospitable to my maidservant and threaten me into joining her rebellion? 

Rumours may have been spread saying I had left because of my unwanted wedding. If that was so, it would have been no wonder to me how Edna tried to make me a part of her rebellion. She must have had a deep hatred towards my father.

"Is there something you're hiding from me, Layla?"

"To be frank... yes. I was ordered to keep this truth from you but now that we might not be returning to your father's palace, I think the time is ripe for you to know the truth. I am your mother, Alessandra."

My heart thumped against my chest. My jaw dropped. She was my mother? The mother that was banished with Edna? It couldn't have been true. It seemed almost impossible! 

Layla was... My mother? My mind hung onto that last sentence. "Layla, I mean, mom? I don't understand how-"

"Darling, Layla is just a cover-up. My real name is Alice. I don't want to brag but... Dragon slayer? The one who travelled through mirrors? Yeah, that should be enough for you to guess."

"Mom! You're Alice? The one who stumbled upon the legendary Wonderland? That's so unbelievable! But...", she looked down to the ground with concern, "How were you banished with Edna and still remained a maidservant they called Layla?"

"I know. It's a long story.''