Lost Wings

32~Home

Previously on LW:

As the group prepares to leave the forest and the fairies, Aiden reveals he intends to stay for a bit longer.

Chapter 32

The flight to the outpost was uneventful. We soon reached the stone edifice, previously a mysterious target as we lost our way in the woods, now just a grey building as the colorful forest and our adventure faded into memory.

Autumn was waiting for us outside. I ran to her as soon as we landed. She met me half way and drew me into a hug.

"Hailey, I missed you so much!"

"Me too." Her hair was neatly braided, and she smelled of soap and safety.

"Sorry to say this, but you stink." She laughed.

"Like you were any better a day ago," I retorted with a smile. "But you're right, I do need a shower. Show me the way? I have a lot to tell you."

"Should we wait for them?" She nodded towards the soldiers. Since they were in the army, they had to wait for their commander's signal before running off to hug their best friend. Which was probably better, or else the small courtyard would have been chaotic.

"Hailey, your hair," Autumn complained.

"I know. At this point I might as well cut it all off."

"Just wash it first. When we get home, I have some stuff that might help. Although you'd look good with short hair."

Autumn got some clean clothes and a towel from a soldier inside, then led me to the showers.

"Autumn," I said before she could leave. "Before you go back outside, there is some stuff you should know."

"What is it?"

"Aric is here with us. He said he wanted to talk to you, but then he's going back home, to find his sister."

She tensed up. "Okay. I guess I should go talk to him, then."

"And also..."

"Also?"

"Aiden didn't come back with us."

"What? Why not?"

I explained everything, from the strange bird egg to his injuries, and why he had wanted to stay in the forest. Noise outside put an end to our conversation.

"Go." Autumn waved me off. "Take your shower, because I know a lot of these ladies are going to want to take one too, soon. We can talk more later."

We exchanged a last look, which shared our worry for Aiden, whom we already missed.

"Well," Autumn straightened up. "Better go talk to Aric."

***

We ate at the outpost with the soldiers. It was, I was informed, an early dinner. My sense of time was starting to come back. Fatigue caught up to me again, and I was a poor conversationalist at the outpost commander's table. Thankfully, Chase was tired as well, and Bree was as friendly as ever, so I didn't seem too out of place. We left with the break of daylight. My friends seemed as impatient to go home as I was. That night, in the dormitories, I had been struck by how long these few days in the forest had seemed, like I hadn't been home in months. Aric left at the same time as us, going north while we went south. He and Autumn seemed to have talked things out. Their goodbyes were a bit awkward, but their well-wishes heartfelt.

Our only stops were two short breaks and a quick lunch time. Bree kept reminding us of all the work she had to catch up because of the days she missed looking for us, and assured Chase he was going to be helping her. Autumn and I mainly wanted to see our families again. In the late afternoon, the fairytale-like castle of Sol was within our sights at last.

A soldier spotted us, too, and flew out to meet us.

"Commander! I'm glad to see you. You too, princess. Parker. Jeremy's little sister." He nodded to each of us.

"Shut up and go inform the king," Bree snapped.

"On it!" He dove away. Even if I hadn't been tired, I couldn't have kept up with him.

We soon landed on the paved area in front of the castle's door. A castle worker ushered us inside into the main room. The king was sitting on his throne.

"Grandpa!" I ran up to him.

He stood up and drew me into a tight hug. "Hailey, I was so worried. I'm glad you're safe, but," he pulled away, "you are in a lot of trouble."

"I missed you," I tried, but he cut me off.

"How dare you run off like that? Are you completely unconscious? Your father would have my head if he knew what had happened, and rightly so! And as if it wasn't bad enough; you endangered you friends as well! We'll have a long conversation about your deplorable behavior as a princess and as a person tonight. Meanwhile, you're grounded."

"But, I-"

"I expect our kitchen to be the cleanest one in the kingdom when I come check on you."

"What?"

"The cooks will give you the cleaning supplies you need."

"But that's not-"

"One more word," he cut me off, "one more, and you'll worsen your punishment as well as your friends'."

I let out an irritated noise and stomped off to the kitchen, feeling more like a wronged six-year-old than the princess of a magic realm.

Luckily for me, I was more welcome in the kitchen. The main cooks and helps, who were used to me dropping by to bake some treats for myself or for them, crowded around me to exclaim their relief.

"Little lady, I can't tell you how worried we were." The head of the kitchen told me as she wiped flour-covered hands on her apron.

"Why did you run off like that?" An apprentice asked.

"Are you hungry? We have chicken and apple pie right here. I'll make you a plate," another one insisted.

Against all my expectations, I felt my eyes begin to water.

"Thank you, everyone. I'm really glad to be home."

The head cook tried to send me back to my room to rest, but I had to insist on following my grandfather's punishment. Though I was disappointed by his cold welcome, I knew deep down that he was right. I had to remember that I was a princess, someone people looked up to, and someone who reflected the image of the royal family. A princess couldn't just run off like I had. I didn't regret my decision, but I recognized my grandpa's reasons and accepted my punishment. The fact that I had some help and that the cook sent me away earlier claiming it was enough and she needed space to prepare the dinner also helped.

As soon as I was out of the kitchen, I set off to find Chase and Autumn. Since I had been sent off, I had no idea what the king had told them, or what their family's reaction had been.

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Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

The beautiful fan art at the top is by talented @emma_emmzie_ !

See you in the next update!

(look at it's widdle face)