Lullaby's Tale ~ Listen to the Reign.

A Siblings Love

Sighing she closed the case and left the room deciding to go out to her spot in the woods one last time. Running through the plush green lawn of the manor, the soft blades caressing her bare feet as she ran. At the edge of the woods in the shade of the trees stood a little stone arch way put together by two siblings many years ago. Covered in moss and dirt the top stone etched with four little words put by the sloppy carving of a twelve year old. "Friend not just Family"

Walking into the forest she left the breeze wash over her with the welcoming fragrance of moss, wood and wild flowers. The brightly colored fall leaves rustled as if they knew she was there. The wind blowing through her loose hair as she ran to the river the soft carpet of the forest floor protecting her feet from the cold ground. Sitting on a rock by the small waterfall, she ran her hand through the water. The running of the water, the rustle of the trees, and the soft thuds of animals prancing in the distance made up the song of the forest. Gently touching the moss on the boulder she's sitting on she put her head down letting the song of the forest washing over her.

Hours later Atlas walked up to the forest entrance and ran a hand over the stone arch. With a knowing smile he walked straight for the river. Walking up to the river he saw the most peaceful scene, Astra asleep by the waterfall her hand in the water. The moss working as a padding between her and the rock the trees having dropped a blanket of leaves over her to keep her warm. Three deer slept by the base of the boulder and quite a few birds that have yet to migrate sat near them all fast asleep in the autumn air.

Gently moving closer he picked up the tiny girl, the animals barely stirred just enough to look at him. Holding her close he clicked his tongue at his sister stupidity, the middle of fall and she's out here barefoot, no coat and summer riding pants. Rolling his eyes and walking back to the manor he plopped her down in front of the fireplace in the library. With a yelp of surprise she woke up and glared at him.

"Hey!"

"You're an idiot"

"Am not"

"Are to, now warm up quickly so we can leave" grabbing one last back be circled the entire library grabbing old favorites and the entire contents of their fathers desk which was normally off limits. Looking at the shivering bundle by the fireplace he smiled and plopped a book down on her lap.

"Will you stop throwing things on me......It's Alice in Wonderland!"

"Of course it is, remember when I was twelve and I'd sit with you by the fire and read this story till you fell asleep?"

"Yeah, Apollo thought it was so sweet and it was to remind me of mum and dad"

"It was the only story that would stop your crying, oh you bawled when i threatened to burn it while we were in a fight"

"It's a special book!"

"That it is"

Taking the book from his sister's hand he pushed it into the bag and closed it. Looking around the library a soft smile on his face he pulled his sister from the floor. As she stood she looked up at Atlas with a smile, sadness interwoven with it. As the siblings left the library they took the mansion in with whole new eyes. Every nook and cranny told a story, the dent in the doors told of sword fights and tea parties long forgotten a world that seemed so out of reach. Each step made a soft tap on the wood determination in each step. Entering the grand foyer they grasped hand and held on tight as if their world would melt away if they left go even for an instant.

With hugs to Apollo and the others who have served them over the years the young royals looked at each other as if to say "we must go '' but as the mahogany doors closed they gazed over the pattern and found it held more meaning than ever before. Each sibling getting on their horse the pure black stallions whinnied in excitement. Starting off in a race the siblings galloped through the streets but as they got closer to the docks they slowed to a small trot cherishing everything in the town they grew up in. Mademoiselle Arrea's flower stand, Monsour Jean's bakery, the old cobblestone streets and the children playing in the market square. The whole town seemed to know something big was about to happen. The streets normally packed where scarce if not fully empty, the only ones out where some children who seemed to not be as loud as before.

Glancing at each other they made their way to the cobblestone dock and looked upon their home Starlight. Dismounting their feet hit the stone with a thud, something was different since they left, maybe it was the ship was clean? No they'd seen that thousands of times before. Was it a few days? Couldn't have been this was something more serious and it was bugging the brains out of them. Marching up onto the deck that's when Astra realized it there were more crew members, looking at every face that's when they realized it was everyone was there every maid, butler, crew. Even Apollo was there standing at attention, the crowd seemed to bring the ship alive.

With a bright smile Astra looked over her crew and with a soft giggle she paced back and forth in front of the crew.

"Some of you are new, one thing to learn is that I run a tight ship you take care of your fights on your own time not on my ship"

Atlas stood up straight to show off his muscles as if to dare anyone to defy the captain.

"Do not complain about food we all eat the same thing and if it's your turn for cooking duty you better do it for if you don't earn your keep we'll throw you off over board!"

To ensure the joke a few of the older crew say 'poor Johnny' stifling laughter at some of the new crew's reaction. With a wave of her hand the old crew lead the new to the cabins below deck. Looking up at her brother she smiled and headed for her quarters, following her giant brother smiled. Plopping down on her bed she laid back pulling a pillow over her face.

"You look tired, highness"

"Call me that again and I'll throw you over board" Her voice a playful growl as she sat up.

"You still look tired"

"I'm allowed to look tired. I'm under a lot of stress" Running a hand through her hair she sighed.

"All this is giving me a headache"

"Then sleep, you'll need it" Settling on his place on the floor he opened a bag and pulled out a book smiling at the title. As his sister snuggled into her pillows a fluffy blanket from the mansion wrapped around her. Opening the book he gazed at the fire the first lines embedded in his head as he spoke the first lines of Alice in Wonderland.

"Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, 'and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice, 'without pictures or conversation?'"