It was a warm day in the garden this afternoon. I was sitting next to the fully-grown cherry blossom tree as the blossom petals fell upon my head as I felt the warmth of the sun above me. I glanced up and smiled at the falling petals gently brushing them away watching them glide down with ease. I placed my fingers upon the fallen petals feeling the smoothness that shuttered my spine every time.
I then rested my pale cheek against the tree, the roughness of the bark slightly scratching me, but I felt my whole body become one with this tree.
And, I felt her near again.
Suddenly, I was ripped away from my solitary moment. One of the maids was calling for me in the distance, but I failed to move or even acknowledge her. I wanted to stay near to the cherry blossom tree forever. I ignored the maid as I closed my eyes envisioning her. Her long, black silk hair that was always up in a warrior's ponytail, but when it was down, it was just as beautiful and graceful. Her strong jaw outlining her stronger facial structure, but she had the softest and most inviting chestnut eyes I have ever laid my own eyes upon.
"Queen Aurora! Have you been here this whole time?!" The maid asked as she caught her breath smiling as she approached me. "I seem to always find you here at the edge of the garden with this tree!" She laughed out as she approached me closer, trying to take my arm to help me up. My maid, Marian, was younger and she reminded me of myself in my youth. She was peculiar.
I slowly turned her way, away from the tree, and looked at her with somber eyes, "Marian, have you noticed?" Marian looked at me with surprise, probably not aware that I had become filled with bitterness.
"I...uhm...Queen, I have not..." she removed her hand from me and bowed her head in respects to my sudden saddened mood, thinking it was her fault. I glanced beside me, at the tree's dark bark smiling to myself before I addressed Marian.
I reached up to her lightly tapping her shoulder watching her sheepishly look up, "Marian, let me tell you something I have never told anyone before. It is the reason why I care so much for this simple cherry blossom tree." I motioned for her to sit next to me for this was a long story, and a personal one. Marian sat next to me, not too close to still show her respects of her status, but I prompted her to sit closer. I didn't want her to feel any different, especially from what I was about to tell her. I knew after this she will see me in a completely different light.
My lips curled to perfection as I began, "It was long ago..."
*Flashback*
Rush of adrenaline pumped heavily throughout my veins as I ran through the unknown dense forest. The blur of green and brown flashing past as I held on tightly to the hand that fiercely pulled me along.
"Hurry! We need to hurry!" She called out in between her heavy breaths. What was behind us was more frightening than anything I have seen before. Even more frightening than seeing Phillip's soul being devoured by the Wraith. Suffering spirits were chasing us from my earlier accident within the Cave of Souls.