Bound by Music

The One that was Lost

Full disclaimer is in the Credits chapter.

16 years ago....

     It was a chilly September night in Mobotropolis, but the residents of the castle remained safe and warm inside. The residing ruler was a purple mobian hedgehog with wild dark violet hair. She was Queen Aleena, the sole sovereign of Mobotropolis. Her husband, King Terios, had disappeared several years ago in the Emerald Sea, and many believed he was dead.

    She sat in her rocking chair as she watched her children in the nursery. Three of them were triplets, one girl and two boys. They were only a few months old, but they were as energetic as ever. The fourth was her eldest child. He was only two years old, but he was very polite and quiet for his age. He on the floor with his younger siblings crawling over him and poking at his nose or tugging on his stubby quills. Eventually it became too much for the little hoglet.

     "Mother!" he called out, and Aleena laughed before she stood and picked up the babies that had smothered her eldest child. They were so tiny that she could hold all three of them in her arms. Her two-year-old panted dramatically.

    "T'anks, Mother! You're a life saver!" he declared and hugged her leg. She smiled and ruffled his quills with her free hand.

    "Come, help me put them to sleep," she whispered. The young prince smiled and followed her. One by one she layed the drowsy triplets into their cribs with a soft gaze. Each one soon fell asleep not long after, and only the eldest prince remained awake, who didn't act very tired in the least.

     Aleena scooped her child into her arms and nuzzled him, producing a giggle. He hugged her neck and layed his head on her chest.

    "Can I have a swong, Mommy?" he asked without moving his head. She gently caressed his quills as she began singing. His amulet, and those of his siblings began to glow.

Where the north wind meets the sea,

There's a river full of memory.

Sleep, my darling, safe and sound.

For in this river, all is found.

    The little hoglet lifted his head to watch his mother as she moved to the large windows. His eyes drifted to the full moon shining through.

In her waters, deep and true

Lay the answers and a path for you.

Aleena pressed her forehead against his, and they closed their eyes.

Dive down deep into her sound

But not too far or you'll be drowned.

   "Weally Mother?" he asked and she nodded. His eyes widened with the small jab of fear in his heart.

    "But don't worry, darling," she reassured him,

Yes, she will sing to those who'll hear

And in her song all magic flows.

But can you brave what you most fear?

Can you face what the river knows?

   As she held the last note, she noticed that her son had drifted off to sleep and snoring quietly on her chest. She smiled softly and brushed his dull quills. Noiselessly, she carried him to his large bed that stood on the opposite wall, facing his younger siblings, and tucked him. She leaned over him and kissed his forehead.

   "Sleep, my darling, safe and sound, for in this river, all is found," she whisper-sang to him.

    The queen quietly left the nursery and strode down the elegant halls, but a guard stopped her before she could reach her bedchamber.