Serafina the Grey (Book 3 of the Daughters of Durin Trilogy)

Chapter 8: Maternal Instinct

Bending down, Aria reached up and plucked a white flower, turning to the figure next to her and presenting it to them. "This is my favorite flower, Mama. A white rose, as white as your old robes."

A laugh sounded from the Queen as she knelt to her daughter's height, accepting the flower. Long ago had she put her witch's clothing away, for she was a Queen now. Aria was always digging through her things, and about everywhere else that she shouldn't be. "Yes, it is. Thank you, Aria."

Ravonna smiled at the child as she skipped along the dirt path, collecting more and more sprigs of beautiful herbs and blossoms around them. Every few paces, Ravonna would have to stop, for Aria would pause so suddenly to pick a flower that Ravonna would have tripped over her. After a while, the two finally reached their destination.

"Come now, Aria. We have arrived."

A small gasp escaped from the child's lips as her eyes took in the sight before her. A magnificent tree had taken solace in the lush plain below them, the dark green grass of the forest woven into it's long roots. It was enormous, standing alone and taller than any other trees around it. Oaken bark encased it's exterior, lining it like a shell. Put simply, it was a magnificent sight to behold.

"Mama, it's beautiful!" Aria's black hair whipped around as her shocking blue orbs met her mother's twin ones. Looking up at her, Ravonna was the most beautiful person she had ever seen. The Queen's long blond hair cascaded down her back as her silver grown glistened in the sunlight, which also electrified her blue eyes. Aria would always model herself after her mother; greatly she desired to be as beautiful and regal as her.

"Yes, my child. But do not go any closer."

"Why?"

"Well, that is why I brought you here today." Ravonna began, taking her daughter's small hand within her larger palm. "I wanted to teach you a very important lesson."

"What is it, Mama?"

"Do you see how beautiful this tree is?"

"Yes." Aria sighed again, wishing she could run a hand along it's intricate bark. Nonetheless, she would not disappoint her mother and disobey her. "So beautiful."

"But do you see how it stands alone?"

Aria frowned at her mother, seeing that she was right. "Yes. But hardly any tree is not surrounded by others. Why this one?"

Ravonna broke from her gaze, causing both of them to return their view to the tree. "Because it is dangerous, Aria. This tree was tampered with dark magic long ago, and caused this whole forest to become gravely ill." Aria gasped, never hearing of such a thing before. "It honed and harnessed it's power, and only when it was discovered and put to rest was the forest's sickness cured."

"Mama, I don't understand. It is still so beautiful. Shouldn't it be an ugly tree, one that is contorted and disoriented, if it was tampered with?"

"One would think." Ravonna mused, nodding along with her daughter. "That is the importance of this lesson, Aria. Though this tree looks and acts like all of the others, it has a secret, deep down within it's roots. It is evil within, Aria, hence how it's dark magic affected this forest."

"Why do you show me this, Mama?" Aria looked up to the Queen once more, having one final question.

"To show you the importance of knowledge and trust, Aria. One may look, act, and even think like everyone else, yet you will never really know the extent of that person until you look deeper. Throughout your life, you must promise me that you will be on your guard. You will not trust as easily as the forest trusted this tree. Promise me, Aria."