I woke up the sound of crying. I rolled onto my back and stared out of the window for a moment, the view was magical and it never failed to take my breath away every time I gazed at it. The trolls and Klea may have destroyed this land over two years ago but the fae have restored Avalon to its original beauty. I have two homes, one in the human world and the other one is here in Avalon. They both are completely different but they do have one thing in common, they both have Tamani and our baby daughter Elsa. Once I was in bloom after the battle with the trolls, things got a bit heated between me and Tam before we knew it, along came our Elsa. Tamani's mother came through again and she took care of Elsa while she was sprouting. I have remained in Avalon for over a year because I wanted to stay with my child. After about a year, Elsa finally sprouted in the winter, making her the fourth winter fae. It wasn't the normal arrangement that would happen when a new winter sprouts, they normally go straight to the winter palace where they are raised away from their parents, however since Avalon was thankful towards me and Tamani for stopping Klea and her army, the winter court decided to make an exception for my Elsa and they allowed her to stay with us.
I was about to get up to tend to my daughter when I noticed that Tam was no longer next to me and the sound of crying had stopped. I must have zoned out for a little while. Instead of laying back down like I was going to, I briefly yawned and stood up. Our dear friend Jamison arranged for us to have our own little house in the woods right next to the winter palace so that my new family could have some privacy and could stay together. I picked up my spider silk blanket and wrapped it around myself before I made my way to the nursery next door to mine and Tam's room. I walk in and Tam has his back to me. He is looking out of the window and in his arms is Elsa. It appears that she has fallen back to sleep, she probably only wanted a bit of attention. I walk up behind Tam and warp my arms around his waist and rest my chin on his chest. He chuckles quietly and kisses the top of my head. I back away for a moment so Tam can put Elsa down in her crib. We both stare down at her for a moment, I was admiring how beautiful my little girl looked, although there wasn't much of it, she had the blondest hair I have ever seen, it was almost white. She also had crystal blue eyes, she was truly magical.
Tamani turned to face me and smiled. He ran his hand down my face before embracing me in a tight hug. I rested my head against his chest and inhaled the scent of him. As if she sensed that she was left out, Elsa started bawling. Me and Tamani looked at each other before we both smiled. I ran my hand through the green parts of his hair and he kissed my hand before releasing it so that I could pick up Elsa. The moment she was in my arms, her crying stopped and I smiled down at my daughter. I slowly rocked her and she wrapped her hand around my little finger. I walk over to the window and smiled as the sun hit my skin, 'this is where you belong,' I whispered to Elsa and turned her so she had a view of Avalon outside of the window. Tamani wrapped his arm around my waist as he joined us at the window.
He let out a low whistle, 'I still can't believe this is our home now,' he smiled and continued to look out the window in wonder.
I sighed and turned to face him, 'oh Tam, please remember that we are all equal, we may have different seasons but you belong here, never forget that okay?' I said proudly.
He looked me in the eyes, 'I know my love, it is just difficult to get used to, even after all of these years. In all of my wildest dreams, I would have never imagined I would be living in the winter land with you and our very own daughter.' I nodded along because I agreed that it was a lot to get used to. Our daughter was a winter faerie, it was a terrifying miracle. I pushed the thought out of my mind and focused on the present. I turned to Tam, 'we should start getting ready, we need to leave soon, they will be waiting for us.' Tam nodded and waited for me to put Elsa in her crib. We walked hand in hand back to our bedroom so we could get dressed.
I pulled out my favourite green sun dress and I was about to change but my breath caught in my throat as I turned to see Tam taking his top off, he was truly the most beautiful creature I have ever set eyes on, well, apart from Elsa that is. I snap myself out of it and quickly trade my night dress for my summer dress and slide on my flip flops. Even though it was winter in Avalon, I knew I wouldn't be cold. Just in case though, I put on dark green cardigan to match my dress. While Tam was still changing, I went to get Elsa ready. I changed her into a puffy ice blue dress with matching slip on shoes. I smile at my choice of clothing for her, it is perfect for a winter born child. I am just wrapping her up in my spider silk blanket to keep her warm as Tam walks in. He is wearing a button down green shirt and black trousers with his bare feet showing at the bottom. I nod my approval and he laughs.
Today is the day that Elsa is going to see Avalon with her own eyes and we are taking her through the gate to visit my parents. Elsa has been on walks around the winter palace but this is going to be the first time she travels around the land that is her home. I watch as Tam picks Elsa up and then I quickly gather her things together. Tam passes Elsa over to me when I am done and he picks up her bag before placing it over his shoulder. 'You both look beautiful, your parents are going to fall in love with her.' I smile at his comment and stroke Elsa's blonde hair. 'Are you ready?' I ask Tam and he nods. I nod my head back at him and we both make our way out of our house.
We are greeted straight away by the spring fae who are assigned to guide us to the gate. I recognize many faces and greet them. They all stare at little Elsa is awe before smiling at the new winter fae. They quickly recover themselves and they bow, much to my annoyance. Before I can say anything, Tam grabs my hand and that silences me. We all make our way through the fall and summer lands. Everyone we pass stops and stares, most bow but some fae are too busy staring in wonder as we pass. I try to keep my head down as we walk by but I made sure that I keep a smile on my face. As we make our way through spring, I start to see the gate. Elsa starts giggling to herself and that cheers me up. Tam is right at my side and he starts laughing to himself at the sound of his daughters chuckles.
I look towards the gate and standing around it are about 100 spring fae. Standing in front of them is Jamison, Marion and queen Yasmine. A few years ago when I returned to Avalon after leaving with the key that Yuki had given Tam, I came back and I suggested to the winter court that maybe they should try a vote throughout the whole of Avalon to see who the new queen should be. While Marion was not happy with the idea of using a human method to settle the matter, the other fae seemed to agree with me and with the help of Jamison, the vote took place. The fae of Avalon gave more votes for Yasmine, so Marion is no longer the queen of Avalon. Long live queen Yasmine. By orders of Yasmine, Marion still remains on the winter court much to her annoyance. Due to the winter, Marion and Yasmine are both in blossom. The winter blossom is truly breath taking. This is Yasmine's first year in bloom and she looks just like a real queen. Her blossom matches her crown and she looks so graceful and powerful.
As we approach, Jamison comes towards us. He smiles at us and gestures to Elsa. I smile back at him and place my daughter into his arms and step back to take my place next to Tam. Jamison also step back so he standing in the middle of Yasmine and Marion. As one, all three of them raise their left hand above their heads. Elsa looks at Jamison and also raised her small arm. I stare in wonder as they all start to glow and then a burst of energy shots out of all of their hands and into the sky. We all stare up as it begins to snow. I start to laugh and I hug Tam. This is the first time our Elsa has used her powers. I hear Elsa giggling so I turn back to the winter fae. Snow has already started setting on the ground.
Me and Tam walk together up to the winter fae. Tam bows at his waist and I follow his lead. I then step forward and wrap my arms around Yasmine. She returns my hug and smiles at me when we break apart. I nod towards Marion and she nods back, her face remains emotionless. I finally turn to Jamison and smile at my old friend. 'It is lovely to see you Jamison', I say. I give him a loose hug and step back again. 'Laurel, Tamani, a pleasure as always. This is truly a miracle. Due to our shared powers, I have recently had a vision of your daughters future. The vision was very blurry but I can tell you a little part of what I know. Does this interest you?' I turned to Tam in shock and we both nodded. 'Very well then, little Elsa is going is to grow up into a very graceful and very powerful faerie with terrific strength. I have seen that your daughter is going to be queen for two separate kingdoms. While her power will grow very strong, danger and fear is still in your daughters path.' Jamison told us and he handed Elsa back to me and she giggled.
I looked at Tam briefly and then I turned back to Jamison, 'what do you mean she is going to be the queen of two kingdoms? I asked Jamison. Tamani wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. Jamison shrugged his shoulders sadly, 'I do not know Laurel, I wish I did. Elsa is going to become very powerful, that I know though. But with great power, comes great responsibility.' Once again, Jamison shrugged his shoulder and frowned. I wonder what Jamison's vision was saying and what did it mean when it showed him that Elsa would be the ruler of two kingdoms when she grows up. I can understand that she may one day be the queen here in Avalon but where else could she be queen? I turned to Tam and I think he was thinking the same thing as me because his look of confusion mirrored my own.
Queen Yasmine stepped forward, 'I hate to interrupt you at a time like this but Laurel, the gate it ready for you.' She smiled at me and gestured to the gate behind her. I looked at the gate and then turned back to the winter fae. 'Thank you very much. We'll be back soon, I promise.' Yasmine and Jamison nodded as me and Tam stepped up the gate with Elsa. Some spring fae walked through the gate and Tamani followed them straight away without looking back. I took one last look at Avalon and waved to the winter fae before I stepped through the gate after Tam with Elsa safely in my arms.