The Last Hope

Five years ago...

          The day started out like no other, it was hard to believe she would be crowned today. They had decided to hold the coronation on hers and Melody's eighteenth birthday. Ever since their moms death the kingdom had been left without a ruler, four years had passed and Mia was now ready to take the throne; or so she thought.

"Mia, wake up! You need to get ready is not only our birthday but your coronation, stop being so lazy." She could hear Melody entering her room ready to jump onto the bed until she woke up.

"Fine, fine I'm awake... Happy Birthday!" As she sat up Mia brought the present on the table to her. "Here from me to you, hope you love it." Melody's eyes went wide as she opened it, she couldn't contain her excitement as she saw what was inside. Mia had created a fairy statue using water-bending, the statue represented one of Melody's powers. Underneath the statue there was a crown, the one Mia had worn since their thirteenth birthday when she became crowned princess.

"Well now that I'm turning queen, you'll be crowned princess. And I know how much you love fairy statues, so why don't you add this one to your collection." Melody jumped onto the bed and hugged Mia tightly.

"I love it! Thank you! My present will be waiting for you at the party." Melody winked and left before Mia could even ask.

After Mia got out of the bathroom there was a letter waiting for her on her nightstand, before she could open it she heard a knock.

"Princes is time to get dressed." Mia started to feel overwhelmed, everything was happening so fast.

"Right um, can you give me a few minutes? I'm going for a walk in the gardens, I'll be back after." The servant nodded before closing the door, Mia grabbed her coat and headed out.

When she reached the gardens there was a guard waiting at the entrance.

"Princes, congratulations. You shouldn't be walking around by yourself, would you like some company?"

          Mia got startled she was so lost in thought she hadn't seen him. "Oh of course, I could use a little distraction." They started to walk along the path, Mia love the to walk around the garden, the fresh air always made her feel calm.

"Anything on your mind princes?" As Mia looked at him she noticed that he was quite attractive, he had brown eyes, light brown hair and his voice was very soothing.

"Well actually yes, but before that was your name?" He seemed surprised by her question.

"Elijah princes." Mia always hated the word princes, she hated formalities. It would always make her feel uncomfortable. Her mom used to say that she would get used to it, but the thought of them calling her queen only made her feel dread.

"Well Elijah, can I ask you a question? And could you also be totally honest with me?"

"Yes, princes go right ahead."

"How do you feel about the kingdom and me ruling it? My parents were great rulers but that just means I have big shoes to fill and I'm not so sure I can." Mia couldn't help it his presence made her feel comfortable, she felt like she could be honest. Elijah seemed to be taken aback by her question. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have just blabbed all of my worries, you don't have to answer the question if do not want to."

"No, no princess I wish to help, the kingdom is peaceful, all beings are in harmony. Princess if you are every bit as kind and open as the rumors say, you will be a great queen."

"Thank you for being honest, it really helps to hear you say that." Mia started to calm down, the idea of becoming queen didn't scare her that much anymore; she thought she might be able to do it.

"If I may princes, I do not wish to overstep but hasn't the monarchy reached its end?" Mia turned to look at him with a confused expression.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, to be able to explain that I would have to tell you a story. When I was just a little kid, I believe when your mother had just been crowned, my parents were killed." Mia was taken by surprised by this, she stopped in her tracks a white rose in her hands.

"Killed?! By whom?"

"Yes murdered, they weren't guards like me, and powerful like you princess. They had no way of protecting themselves when the demon king came." The white rose fell, filled with shock Mia walked to the bench next to them and sat down.

"The demon king?! There is no way, he was my mother's best friend, my uncle would never kill anyone." She couldn't believe him, her uncle would never kill anyone if they weren't attacking him or the royal family first.

"But princess how can you be so sure? He is a demon, demons lie and kill that is their nature. The demon king entered our house and murdered them. I was but a mere child and did not understand what was going on, my mom came into my room and told me to hide, I had never seen her so scared in my life." Mia was shocked, her uncle never mentioned this, her mom did tell her about the day of her coronation and the assassination attempt on her life, but this couldn't be related to it, could it?

"They never gave me an explanation but when the commotion was over, I found my parents dead, their blood was all over the place, like they had been gutted. Whenever I think of them, I think of the powerful people in our kingdom, aren't they too powerful princess? Hasn't it been enough, they kill, abuse, and torture us but get no repercussions isn't time for the less powerful to rule? Princess you are the only one that can put a stop to this, you are the one with the ability to renounce the crown and its power, renounce the monarchy."

"I do not understand, you want me to renounce the crown?" Mia was taken aback, he seemed to be serious.

"Well princess, what do you believe? The only thing that can control the most powerful amongst us is the crown that will be given to you tonight. Shouldn't you stop this ridiculous ideal of most powerful ruling and give the less powerful a chance?"

         Mia had never felt so attacked and overwhelmed, she did understand where he was coming from and he did have a point, but there were so many things to consider. Could Elijah be right? Would destroying the monarchy be a good thing?

"There are so many things that you don't know, the kingdom not only needs a queen to rule above the separate rulers. It also needs the separate rulers to keep the different communities in check. The demon, angel, and dark angel kings are needed to maintain balance. Not to forget the fairy and mermaid queen, they are all necessary for our universe to work. I completely understand where you are coming from though and will take it under consideration. But you helped me realize that the kingdom needs me so things like what happened to your family don't happen to other people. I am very sorry for your loss but there are so many things that you don't understand, and I really hope you do."

          Mia finally felt that she had found the answer she was looking for. She had to rule and put the people at ease she needed them to understand why there was a monarchy and why her family was chosen. Now she had her speech and she was ready for the coronation.

          But before she could do anything Elijah grabbed her by the hair and yanked, pain filled every nerve in her head, she couldn't get out of his grasp. Mia closed her eyes and concentrated she could hear his thoughts, he was planning on killing her and everyone in the castle. She went for the knife hidden in the side of her dress but before she could do anything Elijah broke her neck, the last thing she saw was the fire that had started in the left wing of the castle.