Of Wolves And Wildflowers

Chapter 16 Once Upon A Dream

A/N: There a couple of POV shifts in this chapter so watch for the markers. For those of you who are wondering, Mara's mother will be revealed soon. :) This chapter is another long one. So buckle in. Enjoy! This chapter was fun to write. It gets a little goofy. Let me know what you think in the comments! 

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　𝓐　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙ 

The sun was shining through the trees, casting a sparkle like glow on the ground around me.

"Amara!"

The voice calling my name, was like a lullaby, and gave me a warm and safe feeling.

"Coming Mama!" I shouted and then paused. I looked down at my hands they were much much smaller.

I looked down to my feet, and wiggled my tiny toes in the grass. I was a child again.
I let out a gleeful giggle and skipped over towards the river looking down at my reflection, My hair was untamed and all over the place and in the middle of my tousled brown curls sat a crown made out of all sorts of beautiful wildflowers. I looked around for any sign of my father. He wasn't here. I grinned and jumped into the shallow water, splashing about, trying to catch minnows that swam by.

I heard a laugh from behind me, and realized how desperately I missed that sound.

"What am I going to do with you, my wild one?" My mother asked.

I turned around anxious to see her face again but when I did, I frowned. It was my mother, but her face was paler, and her eyes were tired. She was sick. My heart sank. Why would the Gods remind me of this? No..I couldn't take this for granted. At least I was seeing her again.

"Come on Mara, I want to show you something." She smiled and held out her hand.

 I walked to her, as quickly as I could while the mud on the bottom of the river was suctioning to my feet. I climbed back up onto the grassy bank and ran to her, not taking her hand, but throwing my arms around her waist, hugging her.

"Whats wrong sweet girl?" She asked me running her hands through my hair.

"I missed you is all." I replied.

"Well I'm here now." She said. I pulled away and looked up at her smile. I smiled back and took her hand as she lead me through the trees.

"Where are we going?" I asked after we had walked a little ways.

"You'll see." She replied and looked around cautiously before she stepped into the water looking like she was about to cross over to the other side.

"We can't! Papa says never to go over there!" I exclaimed.

"Your father says a lot, without knowing for himself. But don't worry, we aren't crossing. Come here." She said.

I stepped into the water. It was somehow warmer over here than it was closer to home. She took my hand again and we walked up the middle of the stream.

"If we aren't going to the other side where are we going?" I asked.

"Where we are going, is kind of an in-between. Its a place where only special people can go."

I looked down at the water.

"Jack says there isn't much special about me." I mumbled.

"Don't you listen to Jack, don't you listen to anyone who tries to tell you what or who you are. You decide that for yourself." My mother said in an almost scolding tone.