Calliope

Chapter 10 - Goodbye

    Waking up the day after I felt sore in my body. I exited my tent and stretched. I was careful to wear gloves and boots all the time. Me dying was a secret I had to keep a little longer. Luckily, Cole had a habit of waking up after me.

    "Aw... No snowman this morning?" He teased, slipping out of his tent.

    "Haaha" I laughed. "No, but let's pack up. We'll be home soon." I added.

    Cole nodded and packed up the camp with a movement of his finger.

    Reaching the city's gate I let out a sigh of relief.

    "Adventuring with me wasn't that bad." Cole joked.

    "It wasn't. I'm just glad we made it here in time and in one piece." I answered.

    "Was there any doubt."

    I looked over at him with a smile.

    "Not everyone has the same confidence as you." I giggled.

    "Too bad." He said, shrugging.

    We entered the city and headed straight for the castle. We were met by servants who was overjoyed by our return.

    "Take me to my mother." I told them.

    They shared a couple of glances before nodding. Cole saw their weird behavior and stuck around. I was led inside the castle. We walked up to my parents bedroom. They knocked lightly on the door before entering. 

    "Princess Calliope and Sir Cole has returned." One of them said.

   "Mom!" I yelled, impolitely, and ran to her side.

    She was lying beside my father looking as pale as he was.

    "Listen... Calliope..." She began.

    "No, no, no, no, no, no! Don't leave me!" I said panickly. 

   "Have you done absolutely everything?!" I asked the doctor, standing at their bedside.

   He nodded and looked down.

    "Listen, Calliope." She spoke weakly. "When a king dies... his queen will soon too... cease to exist.. as well."

    "No.." I sobbed and squeezed her hand.

    "We'll find a way."

    "Calliope. You know... what happens when a queen die.... I would like... to be put beside my mother... Although she wasn't kind.. she was still my mother..."

    "Mom.." I cried.

   "Calliope. Find warmth, when you have it... don't ever.. let.. it go..."

    My mother took my father's hand. At her touch their hands froze together, visually showing their unbreakable bond.

    "It's now!" One of the servants said. "Prepare to lift!"

    Stunned by the turn of events I was pushed back and saw from a distance how they got both of my parents standing. My mother, who was barely alive, clung to my father lovingly. As her life withered the ice spread out. When she took her final breath they were covered in ice and looked like a mere stature of themselves. This is what happens when a queen of the Star Realm dies. She becomes a beautiful ice figurine together with the king, a monument to be remembered by always. The servants relieved their hold on my parents and cleared the room. Only Cole and I remained. I slowly stepped closer and touched both of their cheeks. I was wearing gloves but I could still feel their cold surface, which I knew was cold as I shared the same temperature.

    "Mother... Father..." I said, barely audiable.

    Tears fell from my eyes and landed on the floor. I saw their kind faces in front of me. They looked so peaceful... I cherished their cheeks as I barely kept myself standing.

    "Don't leave me here alone.... I got the crown... see." I said and showed them the crown I and in my bag by the hip.

    I placed the crown on my father's unmoving head.

    "There..." I said, withholding a sob.

    I stepped a few steps back and admired them. The ice was so clear you could see right through it. It was so clear you could almost picture the crown floating. Suddenly I felt a strong pair of arms around me. I spun around immediately and broke down crying. I held unto him tightly and buried my face into his hard chest. He silently stroked my back lightly as he held me in a tight embrace. He didn't say anything while I cried my heart out. How could this Christmas be any worse?

    Later that day I found myself at the star memory. It was a place much like the graveyard. I watched as they set my parents beside the previously king and queen. My grandparents. In front of me was hundreds of other ice sculptures. This was what happened when a queen of the star realm dies. Other realms had their own rituals, however, I thought the Star realm's was the prettiest. The sun shone brightly and reflected its light through them. Because it was the last drop of the queens power that turned them into ice that was unmeltable no matter how hot a summer day got. The servants bowed and showed their deepest respect. I glanced over at Cole. He was standing with crossed arms and looking at the former queen. There was clearly hate in his eyes but also sadness. My eyes fell to the crown in my hand. I was unable to think of what to do with it.

   "Queen Calliope! Queen Calliope!" Someone called.

   I flinched at the same but responded anyways.

    "This is Star memory you disrespectful.." Cole started when he saw my expression.

    "What is it?" I said and silenced Cole before we could say more. 

    "It's the Sky Realm! They're attacking from the north!"

    "The Sky realm?" I repeated confused.

    But why? We had been at peace for decades. Why would they suddenly attack out of the blue?

    "They said that taking the crown back was an act of war."

    "Nonsense, we took back what belonged to our realm." I said.

    "Yes..." The servant answered.

    "Where did you get this information from?" Cole asked.

    "Here, Your majesty." He said and handed over a letter.

    I opened it and froze. The letter carried the official stamp from the Sky realm. The letter explained how taking back our crown was a sign of deference to the world piece. Anger grew in me. How dare they.

    "Cole." I called out.

    I met his blue steady eyes.

    "Could you stay a little longer?" I asked him.

    With his one nod relief entered my body. Without him I don't think I could pull through.

    "Let's discuss this elsewhere." I said thinking of my parents.

    They all nodded and entered the castle behind me.