The Blue Bird

Chapter Six

The blue bird's song roused me with the sun. I couldn't help but smile as the soft orange light bounced off the brass of my bedposts and flitted around the room.

"May I come in?" The blue bird chirped from the stone window sill.

"Of course you may!" I laughed. "What was that song you were singing? It was beautiful."

"Didn't you recognise it?" He answered. "I have to admit it was a poor representation, but it was supposed to be the first song I heard you play."

"How sentimental of you." I smiled.

"I'm a sentimental kind of bird. Speaking of which, I brought you a gift." He hopped into sight.

He was holding something in his little claws, it glimmered as it caught the sunlight. My hands flew to my mouth. It was a gorgeous silver bracelet embedded with sparkling blue stones.

"This." He explained as he dropped the piece of jewellery into my hand. "Is the Silver Ocean Bracelet. It's one of a kind, just like you. I had to fly all the way back to my own kingdom to retrieve it, even then, it was hard to find. I found it in the chamber of echoes. You would love that room, Hanna. It was specifically designed to seat an orchestra, so they can play the monarch to sleep."

I gasped. "Really? How does it work?"

"I will have to show you one day." He laughed. "It is truly amazing. It enhances the sound quality immensely. But another incredible feature of the chamber of echoes is that whatever noise is made in it can only be heard in the monarch's chambers."

"I would very much like to see it some day." I said earnestly, before turning my attention back to the bracelet. "This is truly beautiful."

"I want you to have it." He tweeted.

"It looks like it's worth half my kingdom. I couldn't possibly take it from you." I argued, trying to give it back.

"Oh. Oh dear." He let it slip onto my bed. "I think I've hurt my wing. I don't think I could possibly pick it up and carry it back with me. Will you please wear it for me until I'm strong enough?"

I laughed. "Okay, fine. I shouldn't be so ungrateful. Thank you, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever been given."

"And yet it still cannot compare to your beauty." He chirped.

"Well don't you just know all the right things to say." I teased him, then felt my forehead crease.

"What is it?" He asked, noticing my frown.

"I don't actually know anything about you. I mean, I'm sure you're lovely, but I don't know you." I said.

"What would you like to know?" He asked, hopping closer to me.

"Okay, let's start with the obvious one. Who are you?" I asked.

"It may be an obvious question, but it's a hard one to answer." His laugh was like a song. "My name is Hector. My favourite subject to read about is history, though I also enjoy science and philosophy. My least favourite subjects are law and politics."

"How unfortunate, given that law and politics are fairly important subjects for a future king to know about." I laughed.

"Oh I know about them, it's just that I also find them incredibly tedious." He responded.

"What about music?" I asked. "Do you play?"

"Pianoforte." He nodded. "Though I must admit, I lack your musicality."

I couldn't help but smile. "I haven't heard you play, but I know you have a very nice singing voice."

"I'm afraid that's just one of the perks of being a blue bird." He responded.

"One of the perks?" I queried. "Is there another?"

"Yes." He nodded. "Being able to fly is definitely a perk. And being able to see you every day without having other people around is also quite an excellent perk."

I laughed again, I swear I hadn't laughed so much in years. "What about your family?"

He paused. It was nigh impossible to read emotions on his face, but it seemed I had hit a nerve.

"It's just me and my father now." He eventually responded. "We lost my mother and little sister in childbirth, and my older brother Michael in the war. He was much more suited to our birthright than I ever was."

"I'm sorry to hear that." I said, compassion aching in my chest.

"It has certainly been hard. I miss them a lot....but....I guess....I can be grateful for the time we had together, they made my life that much better because they were here." He explained.

"That's a really nice way to think about it." I felt tears sting my eyes. "I was so angry for years after I lost my mother. I couldn't understand why we were put on this earth and given people to love - only to lose them."

"I can't imagine you angry." He cocked his head to the side.

I couldn't help my chuckle. "Well then, I think it's very important that we don't get married until you can."

He blinked his big beady eyes. I took this to be confusion.

"Oops, sorry." I grimaced. "I guess that was a silly joke..."

"I..." He shook his head quickly. "I'm cursed to wear this form for seven years. Would you be willing to wait for me?"

I pretended to consider his question carefully. "Good point. I have been very tempted to accept one of my many other suiters, you'll probably have a lot more competition while I'm locked in this tower. I'm sure you've noticed how much I adore meeting suiters at fancy balls, I'm a regular society girl!"

He laughed a song. "Sarcasm does not become you, my dear."

I laughed with him, then my face fell. "But yes, of course I would wait seven years for you. You're the kindest and most thoughtful man I've ever met. Besides, I believe sixteen is far too young to get married any way, I don't even know myself yet."

He laughed again, the sound sent chills down my spine. "You certainly are one of a kind."

"Breakfast!" A gruff voice interrupted our merriment, followed by the grating sound of the food tray being slid under the door.

"Thank you!" I called back, then turned to Hector. "Would you like some water and bread?"

"Is that really all they are letting you eat?" He asked, shocked.

"It is all one needs to survive." I shrugged.

"This will not stand." He chirped, taking a bite of the bread. "I'll bring you something much better tomorrow."

A smile tugged at my lips. "That would be nice."

"Good. Then it's decided." He took another bite.

I looked over at my harp, I was starting to miss it. Granted, it had only been a few hours, but I needed music like I needed air.

"Do you mind if I stay and listen to you play?" He asked.

I looked back at him. "How did you--?"

"It's hard to miss the longing look in your eyes." He laughed. "I'm sorry for keeping you from your beloved for so long."

"Not at all." I laughed, reaching for my harp. "It is a pleasure to talk to you. And of course you must stay! If you wanted to sing along, that would be okay as well."

I ran my fingers along the strings. I played a simple melody for him, he sang it back to me. I played another phrase, he sang a harmony to it.

I closed my eyes and let a grin take over my face. The sound that filled the space was heaven to my ears.