For Film, Franzi, Laura and Julie who always want to read more of this story, and to everyone who is still eager to read the continuation!


Lithi

(Greek) From Ancient Greek λήθη (forgetfulness, being forgotten, oblivion)

Roland climbed the steps two at a time. His legs hurt, but he didn't want to stop.

"Roland, slow down! Wait for me!" Lizzie told him from the bottom of the staircase.

Roland planted his feet on the carpet once he reached the next floor and turned around to look at his friend.

"But I want to go now!" he said with a pout.

"But your legs are taller than mine and you're faster. I can't keep up with you," Lizzie said.

Roland grinned, showing his dimples. "You're here now," he said.

Lizzie reached the top of the staircase and both kids stood there for a few moments to catch their breath.

Roland was the first one to start walking again, with measured steps this time.

"Where are we going?" Lizzie asked.

"You'll see."

Lizzie followed Roland in a part of the castle she didn't recognize. The corridor they walked in was a few floors under the royal chambers where she was staying along with Roland, but at a different side of the castle, one that was directed to the south.

The carpet was elegant and fluffy; they could feel their shoes sinking in its softness. The walls were covered by dark red wallpaper that had gone green in some spots. Roland could smell the fungus and remembered Regina saying that despite the window at the far end, the corridor was never kissed by the sun and the humidity could make it suffocating if no one took proper care of it. Large paintings covered the walls, symmetrically placed along the corridor, their gloomy colors fitting in the darkness.

The ticking of a clock could be heard from the middle of the corridor and Lizzie frowned when she noticed it.

"It's almost lunchtime. They'll be looking for us," she said

"We're almost here," Roland told her with a confident nod.

Roland looked right and left until he spotted a specific painting. He stopped and turned towards it; Lizzie stopped right beside him. The painting illustrated a meadow with several wild horses scattered around, some browsing happily, some standing proudly with their forelocks and tails flowing in the wind. Roland stared at the painting in awe. It had been a long time since he'd seen it and it would always remind him of Regina, of her fascination for horses and her wide smile every time he saw her ride one.

"Roland?"

Lizzie's voice took him out of his reverie.

"We have to reach the secret handle now," Roland said, his eyes focused on the top of the painting. He looked at it with a trouble expression on his face. "I can't reach it," he said, his voice coming out breathless and higher than before. "Lizzie, we can't reach it!"

Roland's eyes filled with tears and he was finding it hard to breathe.

"Roland? What is it? Can I help?" Lizzie asked.

"Roland?" she repeated when she got no answer, tears forming in her own eyes as well.

"I should have known I wouldn't be able to go in! I have to go in!" Roland shouted at the painting, making Lizzie gasp and take a step back.

"Roland, let's go to the dining room," Lizzie said, tears now falling freely from her eyes.

Roland sniffed and took a step towards the painting. He brought his hand up and caressed one of the horses with his fingertip.

"I should be able to go in," he said, his sniffs quickly turning into sobs.

"What is in there?" Lizzie asked.

"It's a room. Regina's secret library," Roland said after a few minutes, when the sobs had subsided enough to let him speak.

"Who is Regina?"

"She was… my other mama," Roland said, rubbing his eyes furiously with his fists.

"Is she with your papa and your mama up there?" Lizzie asked, pointing her finger upwards.

Roland took a sharp intake of breath.

"No! She's just in another world," he said.

"Oh."

"I wanted to go to her library, because I've been there before and I know where I can find some useful things. She has magical things and you can use them to make potions. I wanted to make a remembering potion so that I never forget."

"Forget what?"

"My papa. Regina. My sister. Henry. Home."

Roland whispered the last word. He wasn't sure if home was a place or just a thought. He had forgotten how it felt to have a place where he could feel happy and he wasn't sure whether home actually existed.

Lizzie nodded in understanding and that surprised him.

"You won't forget," she said firmly.

"How do you know that?" he asked.

"Because I haven't forgotten. I still remember my mama's hug and beautiful voice singing to me every night. Her eyes, her smile and her love."

The tears were still shining in Lizzie's eyes, but now her expression was serene.

"I don't remember my mama at all," Roland said miserably.

"And I don't remember my papa. But you remember yours and your other mama. They'll be with you forever."

"Regina told me that my papa will always be in my heart."

"That's true," Lizzie said and gave Roland a reassuring smile before offering him her hand.

Roland took it without hesitation and they started walking to the staircase slowly.

Comfortable silence surrounded them on their way to the dining room, but Roland's thoughts were loud. He thought of Lizzie's words and his papa talking to him softly every night before sleep took him. He thought of Regina's hugs and freshly baked apple pie. The memories were painful, but Roland thought hard and wordlessly promised his papa that he would never stop thinking about them.