Chapter 14: A Queen's Death
It was just after the fight between Blu and Tomada and Blu, Rafael, Nico, and Pedro were continuing on their journey to Jewel.
Ever since Blu fought Tomada, he has been quiet and his mood seems to have changed, Rafael wanted to ask Blu what was wrong, but he waited the next day to ask Blu what was the matter.
The next day Blu was the same, as Rafael rode alongside Blu.
"Blu, is everything alright?"
Blu was a little surprised for Rafael asking, but replied.
"It's just, I have been thinking a lot about that fight, a lot about death, how it can just happen all of a sudden."
"So was that the first time you fought someone."
"Yes, but it is not the first time I experienced someone's death, especially since it was someone that was close to me. It was the death of the queen or Jewel's mother."
About a year after Blu's first visit to King Eduardo's castle, terrible news came to Blu's home that Queen Crystal has died of an illness and the king has requested David and Blu to come.
David and Blu were playing with each other in the field when a group of soldiers came to bring the news. The soldiers told Mary and Mary went to her husband and son.
She came to see father and son playing with each other happily, smiling and laughing.
Mary put on a smile, but was still crying, as she went down.
David noticed his wife crying.
"Blu, stay here." David told his son and Blu stayed while his father went to go see what was wrong.
"What's wrong?" David asked Mary as he wiped the tears off.
"David, the queen is dead, die of an illness, his majesty requested for you and Blu to come."
David was shocked and with no time to lose he and Blu were on their way to the castle.
In a couple of days Blu and David with their horses arrived at the castle and the two quickly made their way to the king.
"Sir David, Blu." Mimi greeted them, she was at the door of the throne room, where the king was sobbing uncontrollably. "Thank god, you two are here."
"Well we came as quickly as we can, how is his majesty?"
"Not well. Can Blu stay here, I think he needs to see someone." Mimi asked.
"Sure, my lady." David said and with a deep breath walked inside.
"Okay Blu, I think Jewel will feel better if she sees you."
"I think that's a good idea." Blu said and walked with Mimi to Jewel's room.
As the two got to the room, they could hear Jewel's loud crying.
"Okay Blu try to comfort her." Mimi said.
"I will try." And Blu, like his father, took a deep breath and walked inside.
Blu found Jewel laying face down on her bed, crying her eyes out. Blu could tell she has been crying a lot, her pillow was soaked through.
Blu waited for a minute before calling to Jewel.
"Jewel?" Blu said, which got the attention of Jewel.
Jewel looked up to see Blu.
"Blu?"
"Hi Jewel, I heard what happened and…" Blu started.
Jewel ran up and just hugged Blu as tightly as she could, not saying anything as she cried on Blu's shoulder.
"It's okay Jewel." Blu said as he patted Jewel's back.
"Why did this have to happen, she was so kind and understanding, she was the best mother ever and now she is gone."
"I understand Jewel, I feel the same way with my father, he is the best dad ever. Your mother, I know, is probably up there, smiling at you, she is still alive that way, I guess."
Blu did not know if he made Jewel feel worse or better. It must have been better, because out of nowhere Jewel suddenly broke away from the hug and kissed Blu, not on the cheek, but on the beak.
Blu was surprised, he did not know if he should be confused or happy. He just went along with it. Jewel broke away from the kiss, looking happier.
"Thank you Blu." Jewel said and went back to hugging Blu, which Blu hugged her back.
A little later that day, on a small round hill just outside the castle, the funeral took place for the queen, David, Blu, and Jewel present along many others to moan the passing of Crystal.
As everyone took their place, the queen's body was brought up and as she passed by everyone, everyone let out tears of sadness, but the most was Jewel, who had a hard time just looking at her lifeless mother. Blu felt his heart ache from just looking at Jewel, let alone the queen.
When the queen reached her burial site, Eduardo spoke.
"We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of not only a queen, but a loyal and strong wife and mother. She tried her hardest to fight the evil inside of her, eventually that evil won and took her life away from us. I remember her last words to me, "I love you with all my heart and soul". I will spend every day missing her until I join her up there."
Eduardo paused before continuing.
"She, however, left behind a living memory of her, my princess Jewel, I see my queen through her. Those two were inseparable, my queen raised her to be a smart, independent individual, something I am very proud of. I also remembered my queen's last words to Jewel. "To grow up like the way she wants, and to help take care of the kingdom, as that was now her job."
After Eduardo finished, the queen's body was lowered into the burial pit and everyone continued crying in sadness.
After the funeral was over, everyone stayed and talked to each other about the queen. No one noticed it at first but Jewel was walking away with Edward by her side, both of them had their heads hung low.
Blu noticed this as he stood beside his dad, where he was talking to Eduardo and Mimi. Blu was not listening to their conversation and David noticed Blu staring at Jewel walking away.
"Go my son." David said to Blu.
And Blu went to find Jewel.
Jewel was down by a stream, where she was crying, covering her face with her wings and Edward trying to calm Jewel down by nuzzling her against the side.
Blu arrived with Sally, feeling so sorry for Jewel as he watched her.
"Stay here girl." Blu ordered Sally.
Blu went down to Jewel.
"Hey Jewel." Blu greeted her nervously.
Jewel did not respond, but Blu understood.
He sat down beside her and put his wing over her.
"It's okay Jewel, you will get through this." Was all Blu said as he continued to try to bring Jewel to rest.
"It's okay Jewel." Blu said to Rafael in the present time as Blu finished the story.
"Well the queen sounds like she was great, no wonder why Jewel is so beautiful and well known." Rafael concluded.
"Yes, both of them are, I just hope Jewel does not join the queen yet up there." Blu said, looking up at the sky. "I will save your daughter, my queen." He said softly to himself.