Dia de los Muertos was over, and, in their quest to protect the kingdom that day, Elena and Mateo had missed the festivities–– and their loved ones. Mateo's heart clenched as he stood back in the shadows of the moonlit cemetery, observing what he thought must be one of the saddest— and, yet, somehow the most heartbreakingly beautiful— scenes he'd ever born witness to.
Though the festivities were over and the families had returned to their homes, the altars and decorations remained–– to include the altar for her parents Elena had so lovingly and painstakingly decorated herself early that morning. Candlelight flickered up and down the hill, blending with the moonlight and giving everything from the altars to the bundles of marigolds hanging from nearly every surface an otherworldly appearance in its ethereal light.
The crown princess stood in silence before her parent's altar— her shoulders hunched slightly as if they alone bore the weight of the world. He watched his friend as she removed the locket from around her neck and kissed it, kneeling to lay it at the foot of the altar with such tender gentleness he felt his eyes burning with emotion.
As she gazed up at the portraits on the altar, Mateo could sense the warmth and sadness and love radiating from her very being. She tipped her face back as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as if trying to calm herself when Mateo saw her profile–– her eyebrows furrowed with emotion and her eyes shining, looking for all the world as if she was about to shatter. He couldn't bear how utterly alone and emotionally exhausted she looked and was nearly overcome with the desire to go to her— to offer his dear friend every ounce of strength and comfort he possessed.
He knew that over the past few months–– in recent weeks especially–– she had been overwhelmed with worry and doubt about the mysterious darkness coming for her along with the fact that Avalor's worst criminals were still on the loose–– not to mention the daily burden that comes along with the crown. Mateo couldn't imagine what it was like to be under that sort of pressure, but wished that he could do something— anything— to ease her burden.
As he watched her, he remembered learning the previous day that she had the power to see ghosts–– which Mateo thought was nothing short of amazing–– and had confided in him that she was desperately looking forward to Dia de los Muertos in the hope that she might be able to speak with her parents and receive a bit of guidance, and perhaps comfort. He imagined that sacrificing her only chance to speak with them for the whole next year to chase down Avalor's worst criminals— and having failed that task— would be painful.
Stepping from the shadows into the pool of candlelight Elena was kneeling in, Mateo placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and said quietly, "I'm sorry you missed them, Elena."
Without a second thought, she automatically turned toward the sound of his voice— instinctively seeking him out. His heart leaped and his breath caught in his throat at the look she gave him— a soft smile brimming with gratitude and love, and yet unfathomably sad as her eyes shimmered in the candlelight with unshed tears.
Yet again, Mateo found himself desperate to ease her burden–– if only there was some way to shoulder some of it in her stead–– or all of it, he would gladly take it from her if he could. But, of course, that was impossible. She was the future queen of Avalor and he knew that the best thing he could do for her–– the thing that she needed most–– was to offer a listening ear, an occasional shoulder to cry on, and his tamborita to watch her back when she walked into danger— or ran headfirst into danger, which was more often the case, in his opinion.
As she didn't seem inclined to shrug his hand away, he continued gently gripping her shoulder as she gracefully rose to her feet and placed her own hand over his. The young royal wizard's eyes widened in surprise as she squeezed his hand affectionately and gave it a little pat.
Turning to look at him with wide, sad eyes, she said softly, "I didn't," and gave him a small, secret smile that he understood to be a gift–– she was offering him a key to the door of her own private world where she had experienced something extraordinary that night–– something truly precious. He knew in that moment that Elena had seen her parents–– she had seen King Raul and Queen Lucia that night–– had spoken to them–– just as she'd so desperately wanted.
Mateo's mouth fell open slightly in surprise as he realized what her words meant–– both the obvious and the understanding that she was offering to share this most precious experience with him. She wanted to talk about it–– with him. Eyebrows furrowing slightly with the indescribable emotion welling up within him, Mateo offered her a small smile of his own and nodded his understanding as he gripped her shoulder a bit more firmly as a show of understanding and thankfulness to be standing there with his best friend during what many would consider a very private moment.
The pair stood like that for a few minutes, gazing at the beautiful altar dedicated to King Raul and Queen Lucia. Elena still held Mateo's hand to her shoulder, absently brushing her fingertips across his knuckles as he offered her his silent strength and support through that simple physical connection.
Mateo had heard stories from his mother and his grandmother about what a kind and loving king and queen they were, which he'd believed–– even more so after getting to know their kind and loving daughter so well. He sent up silent thoughts and prayers that they'd rest in peace and know that their daughter was well cared for–– by him–– by all of her friends and family–– but especially by him. He had promised to always be there for her and he intended to keep that promise, to whatever end.
Giving her shoulder a little squeeze, he said quietly, "So, what was it like? Seeing your parents after all of these years?"
Elena was silent for a long moment as she continued staring at her parent's portraits upon the altar. Hand still upon his, she turned to Mateo, her expression a mixture of conflicting emotions— deepest sorrow and greatest joy. Mateo looked into the fathomless depths of her warm amber colored eyes and thought he could see her true age for the very first time. He could see the forty-one years of guilt, fear, and sorrow churning right alongside her current fears and worries as the crown princess facing an unknown enemy.
"It—" she started, her voice low and husky with emotion, "it was incredible— and heartbreaking. A gift and a curse all at once. They were exactly the way I remembered them, down to their expressions and the way they looked at me— Papi, he—" her voice cracked with emotion as she continued, "he called me 'Elenita' just like he did so many years ago."
Mateo was quiet, knowing instinctively that this was one of those times where she just needed a listening ear and probably a shoulder to cry on very soon. He stepped a little closer and slid his hand out from under hers, rubbing gentle, comforting circles around her back. Leaning into his touch, she sighed deeply and continued, "And Mami, she was just as I remembered— concerned with my immediate well being, but seeing to the heart of the matter and always ready to offer a word of encouragement––" she paused, glancing sidelong at Mateo, offering him the tiniest of smiles before continuing, "a lot like you, actually."
Mateo chuckled quietly, saying, "I never really thought of myself as the motherly type."
In spite of herself, Elena snickered, saying, "That's not really what I meant," she turned around and sat on the step at the foot of the altar, gesturing for him to sit beside her. She hugged her legs to her chest, resting her chin on her knees as she looked earnestly at her friend, "It's more like you are my solid rock and a faithful presence in my life. You are constantly offering a steady stream of strength and encouragement–– just like she did–– and I have to admit–– that, well, it's just nice to know I can always count on you."
As he sat beside her, Mateo didn't know what to say— he was so surprised. He'd considered her his own greatest source of confidence and encouragement— more so even than his mother, which was saying something. She'd been the one to pull him from the darkness where he'd hidden his passion and talent for so many years and taught him to stand tall and be proud of who he was, not only as a wizard but also as a person. It hadn't occurred to him that he played a similar role in Elena's life.
"Of course you can count on me, I'm always happy to help," he paused looking up at the full moon, his thoughts turned wistfully toward his own missing family members.
"You know," he said thoughtfully, "I'm really glad you were able to see your parents tonight. Truly you've been given a gift."
Elena smiled crookedly as she said, "You don't think it's weird? That I can see ghosts?"
He leaned over to bump his shoulder against hers, saying, "Not at all! I've often wished that I could speak to my grandfather even for just a moment simply to gain even the tiniest bit of wisdom from him. Just to know if— if I'm truly following in his footsteps. If I'm making him proud— of me— you know? As a royal wizard?"
Elena huffed out a small laugh, "I know the feeling."
"But you–– you have a real gift! It's pretty amazing really, that you were able to see your parents again tonight–– and not just see them! You were able to speak to them! And you'll be able to every year from now on!" Mateo gestured animatedly with his hands as he spoke, his excitement for his friend building.
Amused by his enthusiasm, Elena said with a smirk, "True, let's just hope that I'm in a slightly less embarrassing predicament the next time I see them."
"What do you mean? You know, you still haven't told me exactly what happened to you when we separated."
This brought Elena up short, the whole day had passed in such a blur she was having trouble keeping track of what she'd told Mateo about and what he'd actually witnessed himself. Her heart clenched uncomfortably as she remembered she had an apology to make.
"Er–– Mateo? First I need to apologize to you–– again."
"What in the world could you possibly need to apologize to me for?"
She sighed deeply, steeling herself to admit her mistake. "Because you were right–– again. We should not have split up. I was in such a hurry and so panicked about the test that I put both of us in unnecessary danger by rushing off and insisting that we split up. We are a team, Mateo, and I think we could have caught them had we worked together— like we'd been practicing. But instead, you got hurt and I got trapped beneath thousands of pounds of stone."
"You–– what?! Are you ok?" Mateo looked her over with concern, trying to see any sign of injury–– apparently forgetting that she'd been perfectly fine in the hours since they'd left the temple ruin.
"Mateo, I'm fine. Not a scratch. It was really very lucky that the stones fell around me the way they did, I almost wonder if the magic inside me protected me somehow? I don't know, but that's really not the point," she shook her head and gestured with her hands, "the point is that I'm sorry for not listening to you and I hope you won't let this keep you from offering your advice. It really is good advice." She smiled crookedly at her friend, "I'm just terrible at following it."
Mateo returned the smile with a crooked grin of his own. "Oh, I know! Just try and stop me," his gaze softened as he continued, "by the way, of course, I forgive you. And I agree, we make a great team and can do so much more together than we can separate."
"I just feel so bad that you got hurt because of a decision I made."
"Don't worry about it! It was just a little sprain, honestly. I was trying to dodge Victor from one side as Carla came at me from the other and I tripped. I was able to mostly walk it off. Once I got my tamborita back, I cast a minor healing spell on it and it's as good as new," he stretched his leg out in front of him and wiggled his foot back and forth, "See?"
Elena giggled a little at Mateo's wiggling boot but looked slightly less guilty as she watched him take his hat off and run his hand through his hair. She was amused that it refused to lie flat even after having been squished beneath a huge hat for hours.
"So," he began, looking at her curiously, "what advice did your parents give you? Was it the advice you were hoping for?"
Staring out into the darkness of the cemetery around them, Elena said softly, "Yes, actually. It was so simple really, but it made perfect sense. Papi told me that when he was king, he had to deal with many problems every single day and he couldn't waste time worrying. He just did what he thought was best for the kingdom. So that's what I'm going to do–– though the worrying is kind of a habit now so it may take some time to shake it off."
Turning towards her, Mateo looked thoughtfully at the crown princess who still looked a little sad, but with a hint of determination trying to spark in her eyes. He placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "That sounds like excellent advice. As far as the worrying goes, just know that anytime you need a listening ear or an encouraging word–– well, I'm here for you."
"You have no idea how much that means to me," she said quietly, her eyes shining with fresh tears in the flickering candlelight. She leaned into him, sliding an arm around his lower back and resting her head on his shoulder.
Knowing just how important physical contact was for Elena, Mateo smiled affectionately at his friend and slid his own arm around her shoulder, giving her a little squeeze as they sat in comfortable silence together.
Elena broke the silence as she said in a small voice, "You know, I think the best part was when Mami and Papi reminded me that they had never seen me give up. And then Papi said, 'not even when you were stuck inside that amulet all those years.' When he said that, I knew for the first time that I hadn't been alone inside that amulet. They were watching––" her voice cracked with emotion as she continued, "––they were with me–– actually with me! I never knew."
Mateo felt his chest tighten with emotion as he heard the sorrow in her voice and felt the quiet tears soaking into his shirt. He leaned into her as he quietly rubbed his hand up and down her back, offering comfort in the only way he could in that moment.
She sniffled and said, "I felt resolve and determination fill me like never before. I knew I could do anything I put my mind to if they were with me. It was a really nice reminder. But then–– then Papi held his hand out to me and I reached for it, excited––" she paused, sniffling as the tears trickled down her cheeks and onto Mateo's shoulder, " ––but then my hand passed right through his and it was like the spell was broken. For just one shining moment, I almost felt like we were a family again. That they were back to stay and we could go back to our lives together the way they were before––" she swallowed hard, " ––before the dark times. But then they began to fade. I begged them not to go, but it must have been midnight and they had to leave. They promised me that they loved me and they were always in my heart, and I know it's true but–– it's just hard not having them with me. Knowing that I'll never get to hug my mother or walk hand in hand with my father ever again. When my hand passed through his, I felt–– alone–– all over again. Like it was all just a dream."
Mateo pulled her a little closer, reminding her of his presence and his promise. He leaned his head to rest gently upon hers as he thought about the extraordinary experience she'd had that evening. His heart broke for her as she cried quietly on his shoulder, but he was filled with resolve to do whatever he could to continue to be her steady rock and a faithful and reliable friend. He would do whatever he could to ease her burden, no matter the consequences to him. He would be there. He would gladly walk into the darkness and back for his best friend if that's what she needed him to do.
He gave her one final squeeze and said quietly, "You've had a long day and I think the sun is going to be rising soon. We should probably get you back to the palace before they send out a search party," he stood and smiled softly as he reached out his hand to help her up, "come on, I'll walk you home."
Elena's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the hand he was offering her–– his very real, warm, and solid-looking hand. She looked up into the sincere, hazel-green eyes looking back at her and was reminded of his promise to be there for her, no matter what. Smiling a little, she took his hand and was surprised by the warmth that flowed up her arm and into her heart, filling a small void she hadn't quite realized was there. She was reminded–– yet again–– that she was not alone. She not only had her friends and family who loved her, but she had this remarkable young man who understood her so well and was determined to walk beside her through troubled times— who she knew willingly shouldered her burdens alongside her. He would stand with her against whatever was coming and she knew that when they worked together–– as a team–– they could do anything.
She stood and kept his hand grasped firmly within her own. Smiling, she said, "Let's go home."
Nodding, Mateo turned to walk her back to the palace but paused after just a few steps, saying, "Wait, I forgot something."
He released her hand and she watched, raising a curious eyebrow, as he hurried back to her parent's altar, pulling his tamborita from the holster. Murmuring an incantation and slowly waving his wand in a small circle, he conjured a small brightly colored bundle of marigolds, catching them in midair.
Putting his tamborita away, he pulled a small, metallic object from his pocket and looked at it with resolve. It was the small golden earring that Elena had launched at him in the spirit world–– when she'd come to rescue him from a potentially terrible fate. It was a token he'd constantly carried with him since that harrowing experience as a reminder of just how devoted Elena was to their friendship— how he would never be alone or lost to the shadows with her as his closest friend— how she had crossed worlds just to save him.
He placed the token inside the bundle of flowers upon the altar and gazed intently at the portraits of the late king and queen of Avalor, the parents of his best friend and reiterated his vow to them in a low whisper, "Don't worry. I promise to be there for her, no matter what."
Turning from the altar, he hurried back to the princess who was watching him with an unreadable expression–– her gaze was soft, affectionate somehow, but also sad. She reached for his hand, interlacing her fingers with his as she whispered, "Thank you, Mateo. For everything."
Resting her head comfortably on his shoulder, the pair walked hand in hand out of the cemetery and made their way back to the palace by the light the moon. Both content in the knowledge that no matter what came their way, neither would have to face it alone–– they would stand side by side, hand in hand and face the darkness–– together.