DISC: I DO NOT own any of the characters from Elena of Avalor! They belong to their respective creators. I only own the idea for this story.
Enjoy!

"More Important Than a Meeting"

Chapter 9

Back in Cordoba, Elena stared down at the feathers lining the basket. She knew it didn't matter which one she chose. Even so, she couldn't tear her eyes away from the sight. Selecting a brown and white one, she carefully picked it up. Turning to Juan Ramon, she smiled for the first time since before everything had started with Isabel.

"Gracias. You don't know how much you've-" a sudden rumbling sound cut her off. Before she knew it, she was trying to stay upright as the floor started to shake. Her new bujito friend was doing fine since she could fly.

"Princessa!" Juan Ramon grabbed her arm and pulled her down so she wouldn't get injured.

"Gracias. What was that all about?"

"I have an idea, but I don't want to say anything unless I'm sure," he replied. "Pore favor, espar aqui. I'll be back."

Elena nodded. Sitting on the floor, she took a deep breath. Gazing up at the sound of wings, she was soon joined by her new friend. "Esta bien," she stroked the bujito's head reassuringly. "I'm scared. If I don't get back home soon, my sister might…" she blinked hard.

As if to comfort her, the bujito rested a wing on the sixteen-year-old's shoulder.

"Gracias," Elena sighed just as Juan Ramon returned.

"You must leave now," he urgently informed Elena.

"Why?" Elena stood.

"When you took the feather, you awakened the yakalli. He's upset you took it," he explained.

Elena frowned.

"I'm sorry if I caused any problemas, but Isa needs this," she held up the feather for emphasis.

Juan Ramon looked confused.

"Isabel," Elena corrected herself.

"I understand. If it were up to me, I'd give it to you. You need to speak with the yakalli directly," he informed her.

"I'm sure he can be reasoned with," Elena confidently insisted. She followed Juan Ramon back outside. They approached a carriage. At Elena's puzzled look, the king explained.

"We need to go to him. He lives near a river."

Elena nodded. She got in after Juan Ramon. It didn't take them long to reach their destination. Elena gasped when she heard more bujitos. Her new friend answered her fellow friends in kind.

"He lives in there," Juan Ramon pointed to a patch of forest that had two dirt mounds surrounding it. "You must go in alone."

Elena nodded.

"I'm not totally alone," she patted her new friend's back. Entering the patch of forest, Elena took a deep breath. She could do this. She had to, for Isa.

. "Hola? Hello? Anyone here? Senior Yakalli?" Elena called out.

For a moment there was silence except for the bujitos around her. Just as she was about to turn back, she heard more rumbling. Fearing another quake, Elena dove for the ground. When none came, she slowly stood again. "Sorry, girl," she softly apologized to her bujito companion. A voice made Elena jump in surprise.

"Who dares to seek me out?"

Elena took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"I'm princess Elena. I need to ask you for an important favor."

The Yakalli looked at the teen with curiosity.

"I'm a reasonable guardian. What is this favor?"

Elena steeled herself to explain. A small nip on her shoulder from the bujito gave her the courage to keep going.

"I need a bujito feather. My little sister is really sick. If I don't get a feather to take back home so my friend can make her a special medicine, she could…pore favor, will you allow me to have one?"

The Yakalli thought for a few minutes. In truth, he felt bad for her plight, but that didn't change his answer.

"I'm afraid I cannot grant my permission, princesa."

"Por que? My sister could…You have to help!" Elena desperately pleaded. "I only need one."

"That's where you're wrong. I need to do no such thing. All Humans do is cause damage and pain to these beautiful creatures of the sky. Why should I help one now? My first priority is to protect the bujitos. And here you come asking to take something of theirs. Not only that, but you've captured one," he indicated the bujito contentedly sitting on Elena's right shoulder.

"I didn't kidnap her! She connected with me. I wouldn't take what isn't mine. My parents and grandparents taught me better," Elena fiercely defended herself.

"I've never heard of a bujito bonding with a Human before," the Yakalli frowned.

"Well it looks like this one did," Elena gently stroked the bujito's back. "Pore favor, let me have what I came for…"

"No," he stated.

Elena felt the last hope for Isabel slipping away like sand through her fingers. Turning around, she made her way back to Juan Ramon. From behind her, the Yakalli called for the bujito still accompanying the crowned princess to return to him. To Elena's satisfaction, she didn't listen. Elena was almost out of the forest when the ground started to rumble again. This time, she wasn't so fortunate. Falling on her right side, she hissed as pain shot up every inch of it. She was about to try and stand when a male voice cautioned against it. A very familiar one.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, crowned princess. Stay down until the area is safe."

"Gabe? How did you? What are you doing here? I told you to stay behind," she reminded him.

"You're fortunate I have problems with authority sometimes," he smirked.

Elena glared at him.

"In truth, I was worried about you. What's going on?" he earnestly asked.

Elena squeezed her eyes shut. Shaking her head, she blinked hard against tears.

"Isa's…she's sick. At first we thought it was the stomach flu. We even had Dr. Sanchez examine her. She agreed with us, saying it was going around at Isa's school. But Mateo found out it's…uh…it's more serious. I came here to get an ingredient for a tea that can cure her. But the Yakalli won't let me have the feather. I promised Isa I'd protect her. Now when it really matters, I failed. She's gonna…and it's my fault…" Elena turned away as tears fell freely over her tan cheeks. "We've already lost so much. I can't lose…Isa's…I can't lose her…"

"Hey, hey, it's okay, listen to me. We're gonna figure this out, " Gabe tried to assure her.

Elena shook her head.

"It's not okay! Isabel doesn't deserve this! I should be able to help her. I'm her older sister. It's my job. None of this is okay! Now I'm probably going to lose her..." throwing her hands in the air in frustration, she turned around and ran for it.

"Elena! Elena, wait!" Gabe called after her.

Elena heard him, but didn't respond. Catching her breath after ten minutes, she glanced around. Realizing she was near a river, she let the sound calm her a little. Hearing a soft sound in her left ear, Elena sighed.

"I'm sorry, girl. How can I convince the Yakalli to help me? I'm not leaving without the feather. I won't let Isa down," her voice grew stronger with determination. Wiping at her eyes, she put her mind to work. There had to be a solution somewhere. A compromise of some kind that could be made. Elena was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of her bujito friend taking off. Following the creature's line of vision, Elena gasped. It looked like something had torn through this part of the forest, destroying what looked like little houses. Staring at the destruction, Elena got an idea. It took her ten minutes, but she was able to find her way back to King Ramon's palace.

"Elena, you're okay!" Gabe looked relieved upon seeing her.

Elena ignored him for now.

"Your royal guard told me what happened with the Yakalli," Juan Ramon frowned. "I'm sorry."

"Gracias. But I think I know a way to get him to change his mind! Bente con mi. Hurry!" with that, Elena lead the way back to the sight. "Su mahastad, do you think a construction crew can help me fix these up?" Elena asked.

"I suppose so. It'll take an hour though," he cautioned.

"We're okay. We have until eleven. It's only three. It only takes two hours to get home," she assured him.

"I'll be back," with that, the king left them alone.

"Do you think we really have time for this?" Gabe asked.

"It's Isa's best chance," Elena answered.

Before Elena knew it, the project was almost complete. She grinned at the progress. She had done most of the work with the construction crew pitching in and giving her instructions. "I'll be right back," with that, she took off towards the Yakalli's home. Entering, she sent a prayer up to her parents. "Pore favor, let this work. Senior Yakalli? It's me, princesa Elena."

"How dare you come back here," he appeared before her, glaring in irritation.

"Listen, I have something to show you. A surprise," she explained.

"What could a Human do for me and my winged friends?" he dismissed.

"Come with me and you'll find out," Elena prayed he would agree.

The Yakalli thought about it before nodding reluctantly.

"Great! I promise, you won't be disappointed," turning around, she led the way back to the newly made sight. She allowed the Yakalli to go first once they got there.

Glancing around, the creature's face broke into a smile. Turning back to the princess, he asked, "Did you do this?"

"Yes," she replied. "I saw how destroyed the bujitos homes were and I wanted to help. I asked King Juan Ramon to assist and he agreed. Now the bujitos have new homes."

"And I will pass a decree so nobody will ever harm them again," Juan Ramon said determinedly.

"Thank you. No other Human has ever done anything so thoughtful for us before," the Yakalli admitted.

"It was my pleasure," Elena bowed. "While I did the work, it was Ember who alerted me to it," she gently rubbed the bujito's head.

The Yakalli nodded.

"She really appears to have bonded with you, princess. I won't stand in her way of a new home with someone who cares about her. Her place is with you."

"Gracias Senior Yakalli," Elena felt a small weight lift off her shoulders.

"There's only one more thing for you to do," the Yakalli continued.

"Que?" Elena was puzzled. Had they missed a spot during the renovation?

The Yakalli smiled. Extending something towards the teen, he watched her eyes widen in realization.

Taking the precious object in her left hand, Elena could hardly get the word out as a lump formed in her throat and grateful tears welled in her eyes.

"Graci…Gracias, Senior Yakalli. On behalf of me and my entire familia, Muchas gracias." Turning to Gabe, she said, "Come on. It's time to go home." After thanking Juan Ramon for all of his help, Elena climbed back into the carriage with Gabe next to her. Silence fell between them for the first ten minutes of the journey. Finally, Elena broke it. "Gabe, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken my fear and frustration out on you. I promise to work on it in the future."

Gabe nodded.

"I forgive you, Elena. I know you're scared for Isabel."

Elena nodded. Now that they were on their way home, fear gripped her heart in a vice once again. She just prayed they got there in time. Patting Ember's back, Elena concentrated on the journey. Something told her she would need strength for what lay ahead.

******

The journey took an hour and a half, but to Elena, it felt like a thousand. The minute she saw her home come into view, she resisted the urge to jump from the carriage while it was still in motion. She managed to wait until Canella had stopped before jumping down. Entering the palace, she went straight up to Isabel's room. Getting there, she found her little sister fast asleep with Mateo, Naomi and Luisa watching over her. Naomi had the nine-year-old in her arms.

"Gracias for taking care of her," was Elena's greeting to everyone there.

"Mija, you're back," Luisa stood and embraced her granddaughter or at least tried to. As she did so, she let out a surprising noise when she saw the creature on her shoulder.

"I'll explain later," Elena assured her. "Let's just say Ember was a gift from a special new acquaintance."

"Did you get the feather?" Mateo asked.

"Yup," Elena held it out to him.

"Excellente. I'll go and make the medicine. I'll be back in a half an hour," with that, he left.

Elena went over to her sister's bed. Sitting down, she held her arms out.

Naomi gently handed Isabel over.

"I'm going to make you some of your favorite tea," Luisa announced. With that, she left the two best friends and young princess alone.

"So what did I miss?" Elena asked.

Naomi sighed.

"Well I wouldn't let Esteban watch Isabel when she's sick ever again. I took over because he decided leaving her when she was throwing up and clearly afraid was a good idea."

Elena glared towards the hallway.

"I'll talk to him later," she vowld.

"Other than that, everything else was all right. Isabel threw up a few times, then she was able to sleep."

"Gracias, mi amiga," Elena sighed with relief. She was about to say something else when Isabel stirred in her arms.

The little girl let out a whimper before settling down as her eyes opened.

"Elena," she realized.

"Hey, Isa. Did Naomi take good care of you?"

"Better than Esteban," Isabel replied.

"Don't worry. I won't ask him to help you when you're sick again," her sister promised.

"I missed you," Isabel snuggled into her sister's hold.

"I missed you too. I'm back now. You have me for the rest of the night. Listen, Mateo's making you some medicine that will help you feel better," Elena explained.

"I'm not drinking anymore magic stuff!" Isabel declared.

"You might not have to," the teen assured her.

Isabel sighed with relief.

The sound of soft hooting grabbed everyone's attention.

"She's bonita!" Isabel commented, almost sounding like her old self.

"She definitely is," Elena agreed.

"What's her name?" her sister inquired.

"Ember," Elena replied.

"Is she friendly?" Naomi asked.

"Very," her best friend smiled a little.

"Can I Pet her, pore favor?" Isabel asked.

"When you're better," Elena answered.

The three passed the last twenty-minutes they had to wait talking about this and that while Isabel rested in her sister's lap. It wasn't long before Mateo rejoined them.

"I've got it!" he announced.

"Great! Let's get Isa better," Elena urged.

Mateo nodded.

"I need you to hold her," he spoke directly to Elena.

"No problema," she said as she adjusted her sister.

"You don't understand. I need you to sit on the bed, so Isabel can lay her head in your lap. You need to prevent her from moving her right arm at all cost. It's muy importante."

"Okay," Elena resituated herself. "I thought she was gonna drink it."

Mateo shook his head.

"It's too risky. There's only one way to get it into her system."

"Which is?" Elena felt a sense of unease come over her at the look on Mateo's face.

In answer, Mateo held up his tamborita.

Elena was still confused.

"I have to carve a path into her skin where the rash is, then pour the potion on the mark. It'll absorb it and hopefully work. I'm not gonna lie to either of you. This is going to hurt."

Isabel locked frightened eyes with her sister for the fifth time in two days. Tears were already welling at Mateo's words.

Elena responded by pulling her close. Running a hand through her hair, she whispered loving reassurances to her in Spanish and English. Helping her sister get resituated, the sixteen-year-old locked eyes with Mateo.

"If it'll make Isa better, I'll help in whatever way I can," she vowed.

Mateo nodded.

"It will. Your job is to keep her as calm as possible. Sing to her, tell her a story, anything you can think of. Just keep her attention on you. Also, do your best to prevent her from moving."

"Gotcha," Elena replied. While she was composed on the outside, inside she was shaking. She prayed this worked. As she watched Mateo prepare to start the procedure, she forced herself to focus on Isa.

"Isa, esta bien. Yo te tengo. All you need to do is look at me. Just like earlier," she gently instructed.

"Elena, I'm scared!" Isabel admitted.

"I know, baby. I am too. But I promise, this will make you feel better. You trust me, right?"

Isabel nodded, unshed tears in her eyes.

"Okay, Elena, do you have her?" Mateo asked.

"Yes," Elena answered.

Mateo nodded.

"Okay, here we go…"

Elena forced herself to concentrate on her task. As she started singing their mother's lullaby, the sob of pain that issued from her little sister's mouth tore her heart in pieces. Despite this, Elena continued the song. Little did she know she was in for a very long night…