Silvestre Pendragon

Everything begins and Everything ends

Pain surged through Silvestre's body, her throbbing muscles groaned and her lungs whined with every prolonged breath, but voices were ringing in her ears and instinctively she stilled to listen to their words.

"You can't still blame her for Katerina's death! Alfred, it's insane. You've barely even acknowledged the poor child for all her 16 years, yet here you are! If you had been a half-decent father then maybe she wouldn't be here lying in the physician's ward!" Hydra's fuming voice scolded. 

"I... You were meant to look after her!" argued the King, suddenly a child being admonished by his older sibling.

"Do you even know the girl? She was born to find trouble, she was training with the knights by age 12 and ever since she's been doing whatever she sees fit. No doubt trying to get your attention."

"But why would she do this? Why go alone?"

"Impulsive behaviour, much like you when you were young. She was with the stable boy, perhaps he helped her.. "

"He must have information on her foolish expedition."

"No-one can seem to find him I'm afraid. " Silvestre's heart sank. "You may ask Silvestre questions once she has fully recovered but now I suggest you leave her to the physicians care. "

Silvestre wanted nothing more than peace in that moment, she longed for it and every cell in her body ached for it, 'but before there is peace, there is war.' 

The next few days were a haze of medicinal tonics and bloodied bandages, visitors frequently disturbed Silvestre's wandering mind and pulled her back into the harshness of reality. Florette had brought Little Leisel to see the princess in attempts to cheer Silvestre, yet the young girl only brought her more tears and Silvestre quietly dismissed them without reasoning. Then Almore had visited Silvestre's chambers to offer some praise on her bravery but the princess didn't feel brave and he left unsuccessful. Even Albert was sent, reluctantly, to congratulate her. Nothing seemed to help. 

"Princess Silvestre," said a voice. Shocking her, she spun her head to the door of her chambers where Evelyn stood, "Since no-one is around I thought you may wish to use your powers, perhaps that would cheer you?" She suggested eagerly, gesturing to the fireplace. 

"I'm not sure I ever want to see fire again." Murmured Silvestre, it was the first words she had dared say for a while now. 

"I understand Silvestre, but it is mid winter and I'm under doctors orders to keep you warm."

Flicking her wrist a soft fire grew from the logs in the fireplace and they sat to watch the twisting flames, "I know you've seen horrors, and I know you don't want to talk about it, but we just want to help you. Your powers are beautiful and magnificent but so is your courage and your fantastic heart, whatever Noirsk said, whatever is upsetting you, just let us help." Evelyn soothed as Silvestre began to twist the flames into an image of a fiddle, sighing she released the instrument and looked at Evelyn,

"Do you know where he is?" but her silence only confirmed what Silvestre already knew. 

***

Milo? Milo please, if you can hear me, please, just come back. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I... Please forgive me, I need you..

Squeezing the golden locket, Silvestre begged for Milo's reply, but she only received endless silence. Still she continued hopelessly, beseeching for him to reply, anything would suffice. She was growing desperate. 

A month had passed and Silvestre's wounds were all but healed as she gazed from her window morosely, snow was drifting from the crystal sky and children were dancing in the sea of white. From behind her door Evelyn, Florette, Leisel and Cook muttered their concerns, 

"She hasn't been out of her chambers, not even to find food like she usually does!" Florette exclaimed, "In fact, she hardly eats anything I give her..." 

"She's heartbroken, not to mention the amount of scarring on her arms, it can't be easy for her." murmured Evelyn.

"She didn't even laugh when I tried to juggle!" Little Leisel interjected,

"Ah well, the poor lass just needs to take her time, we all know our Princess, she'll be grabbing that sword any day now and go off to search for mischief."

"I don't know Cook, she hardly seems herself.." 

"You see dears, hearts are like bread dough. The more they're played with, the harder they become. Maybe she wont be the same girl, but I've got a feelin' she'll come through a strong woman. Bloomin' knights better watch out for her when she decides to pick her sword up again." 

"I think you're right Cook." 

"I'm always right." 

Their gossiping was rapidly cut short by the clicking sounds of Hydra's heeled shoes against the stone floor of the castle, "Oh, here we go.." muttered Cook as the pouting woman burst past them and through Silvestre's doors. Alarmed and intrigued, they followed. 

Jerking up from her comfortable armchair, Silvestre faced Hydra. 

"Silvestre Pendragon, I'm sorry but I've had enough." Silvestre said nothing but her eyes creased in confusion, "I used to plead with you to be quiet but I can't stand it! Look, I know about Milo-"

"My Lady Hydra, its a bit of a sensitive topic-" Evelyn warned, but Hydra proceeded with her usual air of confidence and determination.

"Whatever you did, which you are helpfully not telling us," the hint of frustrated sarcasm was unusually combined with a harsh yet compassionate tone, " Whatever you did, you must know something. His forgiveness means nothing if you don't start with forgiving yourself. You made a mistake; now what are you going to do about it?" 

Silence. Silvestre stared back at Hydra, she had never particularly liked her aunt but over the past month she had been her defender and carer. Silvestre lifted her chin and energy flooded through her tired body, like a riveting stimulant gushing through her bloodstream, the others watched, wide-eyed in anticipation but Evelyn was the only one to notice the unusual life to the dancing flames in the fireplace... 

"Flo, in my wardrobe is a basket of winter clothes, would you possibly get them for me. Leisel, perhaps you could choose a dress for me, oh and Cook could you please retrieve my sword. Ev, I'll be needing my crown." 

"Of course Silvestre!" They smiled in unison before collecting the said items. 

"You are going outside?" Questioned Hydra. 

"It's a very cold winter this year and the town's children are playing outside, my old furs would be much more use to them then sitting in my wardrobe, don't you think?"

"I am so immensely proud of you Silvestre and so is your father."

Leisel handed Silvestre a red gown and explained, "Red because you're The Phoenix"

"That's what people are callin' you now me dear" added Cook. 

***

One by one the children of Camelot rejoiced in their luxurious new winter attire, marvelling at their Princess, constantly asking curious questions about her expeditions and this time Silvestre didn't brush them away, instead she smiled and answered them with all the energy and mischief she could muster. They giggled and nodded with wide eyes filled with admiration, 

"I wanna be just like you when I grow up, I wanna be an invincible hero!" Announced one young girl, 

"Being a hero doesn't mean you're invincible, it just means you stand up for what is right and that you fight for your beliefs. You'll be brilliant, I'm sure." Silvestre took the children's hands in hers and together they walked through the snowy streets of Camelot. 

***

Each and every snowflake is unique and they soar from the sky, spinning and whirling in a mesmerising moment, and then they gradually melt away, leaving nothing but the playful memories of dancing in their weightless world. Just like people. 

The End.