"The closing of a door can bring blessed privacy and comfort -- the opening, terror. Conversely, the closing of a door can be a sad and final thing -- the opening a wonderfully joyous moment."
~Andy Rooney

Chapter 21: The Invasion.

Skyla was angry, though she wasn't quite sure how to express it. Running her hand over the fresh bedspread, she grabbed it by the corner and shook it out with perhaps a little bit more force than was needed. On the other side of the bed, the person grabbed a corner and gave her a funny look.

"Is something wrong Skyla?" Alima asked as she helped Skyla shake the sheet out before tucking its corners into the bed. "You seem… irritated."

Skyla sniffed and bit her lip, keeping her eyes focused on where she was tucking in the sheet.

"I'm not irritated," she said carefully. "I just… You know. Alima, I don't quite understand why Faolin has to come here."

The wingdom queen raised an eyebrow and took a blanket from where it was lying at the foot of the bed. "I told you," she said in a moderate tone. "One day, you two will have to stay here together. It's unfair towards Faolin to expose her to this place then. She's been working for you for a few months now; it's only fair that you should bring her here."

Skyla sniffed, feeling her stomach twist with unease and irritation. "Yes," she said. "But… this is my home."

Alima shot her a very sharp look like lightening before her face relaxed again. "And you will treat her accordingly," she said. "Skyla, this world is a place where two people can find equilibrium together. It has no set rules of conduct, no call of duty. You two can get to know each other, not as Princess and Lady, but as two people."

Skyla sniffed, feeling even more threatened and helped Alima spread the blanket over the bed and fold the upper sheet over it.

"I think that Faolin needs those rules of conduct," she pointed out. "She doesn't strike me as the type who'll like it here Alima. What will she do?"

Alima looked at her for a few seconds, her gaze telling Skyla that she was debating whether to snap at her or be silent. The queen finally decided on a long exasperated sigh and shook her head sharply.

"Then show her that she doesn't Skyla," she said with a touch of annoyance in her voice. "You have a week left of your holiday and you just got your driver's licence. Take the truck, show her this world. There are many things here that you can't find in the wingdom."

Skyla was quiet for a few moments as they finished making the bed and put the towels in place. For the briefest sense she could see a parallel between what they were doing now and what their Ladies-in-Waiting normally did for them. It didn't make her feel any more comfortable. She could hide from Faolin in the wingdom, here she wasn't quite sure it was going to be that easy.

"How does Faolin feel about this?" Skyla queried as they left the guest room and went to the kitchen to make something to drink. "I mean, does she want to come here?"

Alima raised an eyebrow as she put the kettle on and sighed softly. "It's part of her duty Skyla," she said tiredly. "She doesn't have any objections."

'Duty,' Skyla thought bitterly. 'That's no answer and not something you should have your life dictated by.'

"Did my mother feel that it was her duty to come here?" she queried suddenly, unable to stop the question from popping up in her mind. "What did she think of this world?"

Alima's hands hesitated for the quickest of seconds before she carried on making some tea.

"We came here at the same time," she said carefully. "So things were different because we both managed to discover its value together. But, this is what I'm trying to get at Skyla. This place will give you a haven to which you can escape your duties of court, a place in which you can make your own decisions and allow somebody, who would normally have no say in matters, to do the same. I think that Faolin would appreciate a place like this."

Skyla sighed miserably and accepted the cup Alima offered her as the woman slipped in on the other side of the counter. "We're not like you and my mother Alima," Skyla said honestly as she took a sip of her tea. "Things are different. I love Skyler, I want to be with him and want to be by his side. This is not a place to which I run to escape. It's simply… Home. Which is why I don't really want Faolin to come here. It's an invasion of my privacy. Besides, it hardly seems fair that she's allowed to come here if neither Skyler nor Skyclone has ever had the opportunity."

Alima sniffed, once again showing her irritation. "This has got nothing to do with the princes," she said. "And the decision has been made Skyla, Foalin will come tonight whether you object to it or not."

For the briefest second, Skyla had the urge to snap at Alima that she wasn't her mother and that she couldn't tell her what to do, but she quickly stilled her tongue and sighed.

"I don't like driving," she muttered into her tea cup without looking at the woman.

Realizing that she had won, Alima sighed relieved and shrugged.

"Then walk," she said gently. "Take her into the mountain; it's beautiful this time of year and the people from the wingdom aren't use to seeing trees like we have here." She grew a bit more serious. "Just remember Skyla that what ever you do, take into consideration that Faolin's never been in a situation where she couldn't fly and she's not as used to walking everywhere as we are. You were a child when you came here the first time so you adapted very quickly but it's not as easy when you're older."

Sighing softly, unable to push away the bitter thought that she was going to have to play babysitter to her Lady-in-Waiting for the whole time that she was going to be here, Skyla merely nodded and said the safest words that she could think of.

"Yes Alima…"

&&&

Faolin sat in her room, clutching her satchel as she stared at the door, her stomach twisting with nerves. She sniffed angrily and muttered at herself that she was being silly. She opened her bag and stared at its meagre contents. A book, some personal paraphernalia and a shawl she liked to wear in the evening. She had been told that she didn't need to take anything else, because the clothes that they wore in the wingdom wouldn't necessarily be appropriate in that world.

She sniffed sharply and stood up, flying to her wingdom to look over the city. 'What kind of place was that?' She thought as she touched her own clothes self-consciously. 'And why did I pretend that it's alright if I go?' The answer was blatantly obvious and she didn't like it one bit.

Duty.

Sighing, mourning the loss of her personal time, Faolin turned around just in time to hear the knock on her door. Taking a deep breath to still her nerves she calmly flew to the door and opened it to find Master Anwar smiling at her. She returned his smile hesitantly and bowed slightly, acknowledging his position above her even though it wasn't official. He returned the bow graciously before straightening to smile at her again.

"I've come to take you to the king," he said kindly. "Are you ready Lady Faolin?"

She schooled her face to calm and nodded, stepping out of her room and locking the door.

"Yes," she said. "Thank you for collecting me." She started to fly up but he shook his head, making her land again.

"Let's walk a bit," he said and offered her an arm. "Do you have everything that you need?"

Faolin accepted his offer hesitantly and shrugged. "I was told that I don't need much," she said. "So I presume yes."

Master Anwar nodded sagely and gave her arm an encouraging squeeze; they walked in silence for a while, Faolin feeling a bit frustrated by how slow the walking was taking. She would rather just have flown there and got it over with…

"It's hard isn't it?"

She blinked at Master Anwar's words and gave him a questioning look. "I'm not following." she said politely, making him smile and look in front of her.

"Walking behind someone every day of your life."

Faolin missed a step but immediately corrected herself with her flight. "I'm not following," she said again – though this time her voice was a bit tenser.

Master Anwar gave her a knowing smile and shook his head. "The problem is that you're not a follower," he said. "And, that is why this time can be very good for you."

Faolin shrugged uncomfortably and, unable to help herself flew up. Master Anwar watched her for a few seconds then joined her in the air.

"You have to remember that you won't be able to do that there," he pointed out. "Which is why it's important for you to remember that there, you won't have to do all your usual duties. You don't have to protect Princess Skyla."

Faolin sighed softly and shrugged. "I will do what needs to be done," she said softly. "Don't worry."

The older man shook his head sadly and patted her shoulder. "That's not what I meant Faolin," he said. "There you have a chance to walk beside Princess Skyla. You'll find that it's a much better view. Relax and enjoy your time there, it's a grand opportunity."

Faolin couldn't meet his eyes but rather spread her wings and flew ahead of the man to the king's office. That was what they had said when she became the queen's attendant as well.

&&&

Skyla stood on the grassy expanse where they always travelled to and from the wingdom, wondering what made this spot so special. She didn't understand magic and although she had always vowed to ask Master Anwar about it some day – or even Skyler, she just never got round to it. One of the things she would've liked to know would be whether it was possible to build a door between the wingdom and this world so that it they won't be so dependent on the Skyswirlstone to transport them. If they could use the focus of this place and shape it somehow then it would be easier for her to move to and from the wingdom. That way she could spend more time with Skyler without loosing time away from her home. There had to be a way…

She noticed that Alima lifted her head seconds before Faolin appeared and felt a touch of admiration for the woman. For all practical purposes, Alima possessed no magic but she had become tuned to the difference between the two worlds in a way that Skyla couldn't comprehend. She knew that she would have to learn it one day and felt daunted because from observation she could see no clear way of knowing how the woman did it. It was intuition, a given sense that showed Skyla that she still had a lot to learn before she could stand in the woman's shoes.

Faolin stood very still for several seconds as she clutched her satchel, staring at Skyla and Alima. The queen had opted to wear a pair of very faded jeans and a loose jersey, looking more casual than Faolin had probably ever seen her. Skyla wondered if the older woman did it on purpose to emphasize from the beginning that things were different here than they were in the wingdom. Skyla had chosen to wear some loose trousers that she normally wore over her dancing outfit, also a clear statement that they were far away from the formalities of court.

When Alima stepped closer, Faolin schooled her stricken features to calm and made a quick curtsey. She lost her balance almost immediately though and would've stumbled had Alima not rushed to her side and steadied her with a gentle laugh.

"None of that Faolin," she said with a smile as she squeezed the younger woman's shoulder. "I believe that Master Anwar told you which protocols to use here?"

Faolin's face was very calm as she studied the queen. "He didn't tell me of any protocols," she said – sounding apologetic. "Forgive…" A note of panic entered her voice. "Your highness, your wings…"

Alima blinked and instinctively looked at her shoulders. Realizing the woman's surprise, she smiled reassuringly and patted Faolin's shoulder. "We don't have them here," she said. "Look at yourself and Skyla."

Faolin frowned and gently touched her shoulder. She had appeared in a light green sundress which exposed her shoulders. Her face went pale when she realized that her shoulders were bare and for a few seconds she looked positively scared.

Alima made a soothing sound and patted her back, motioning to Skyla to come over. "They'll come back," she whispered. "I don't know how it works, or understand any of it – but they'll come back. Don't worry. Here, let Skyla carry your stuff. We'll take you to your room and give you something to drink. The first change is always the hardest."

Faolin's light green eyes rested on Skyla and once again she instinctively tried to curtsey but the queen stopped her with a gentle, but insistent squeeze on her shoulder. "You don't have to do that here," she insisted as Skyla joined them with a tentative smile and reached out to take Faolin's satchel. "The people in this world don't know who or what we are Faolin, it's very important for you not to expose yourself or us." When Faolin looked uncertain she smiled encouragingly and took the satchel from her and gave it to Skyla. "Trust us Faolin, you'll enjoy it here."

&&&

It was strange having somebody else in the house.

Skyla knew from the warning looks that Alima send her way that she should've been more open with Faolin but she struggled finding any words to say to the older young woman. It didn't make it any easier that Faolin was truly not coping well with being in this place. Although the attendant's pride forbade her from mentioning it, Skyla suspected that Faolin had a roaring headache by the time that they had supper. She sat quietly on her chair, balancing herself with her one hand as she poked at her pasta with the other. Skyla tried to remember if she had felt the same when she arrived but the only memory she could find was lying next to her mother on that first night, listening to her quiet breathing and taking in her familiar smell, wondering why the world was so cruel as to make Skyler the next king.

She smiled to herself and looked down at her own food, amused that she could've been so selfish. The world had turned many times for her since then but the one thing was certain. Skyler was going to be a very good king and ultimately, things had worked out the way they should. Even after her parents' death.

She looked at Alima, wondering how she felt about this new person in her house. 'Things had changed for her as well,' she thought. At first, she must've thought that this house would always just be her and her mothers. Then, she had to open it up to Skyla and now, Faolin. Her world has turned as well, but Skyla wasn't sure it worked out quite as well for the queen as it did for her.

She sighed softly and took a deep breath, fully intending to break the silence and make an effort, if only for the queen's sake.

"Are you alright Faolin?" she queried, watching her Lady-in-Waiting closely as she replied.

Faolin glanced up, swallowed and nodded before she returned her gaze to her food put down her spoon.

"May I please be excused?" she queried - her hand twitching as she prepared to get up. "I am tired." She glanced first at Alima, then at Skyla. The two women glanced at each other and nodded as one.

"Of course," Alima said as Skyla nodded. "You don't have to ask permission here Faolin, just tell us that you're tired and that you're going to bed."

Faolin pushed herself away from the table and stood up, inclining her head as she did so. "Of course your highness," she said softly. "Sleep well and thank you for your hospitality."

Skyla wanted to comment on the bow, but when she saw Alima merely nod her head with a gentle look, she held her tongue and said a quiet good night to her attendant. When Faolin left the room, she turned to Alima and frowned at her.

"She's feeling sick," she said. "We should send her back Alima, this won't work."

Alima raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly as she shook her head. "Give her time Skyla," she said. "It's the first night, she's disorientated and feeling uncomfortable at seeing us both so informal. Don't underestimate her."

Skyla let out a frustrated breath and shook her head. "I'm not," she said a little bit too defensively. "It just feels so cruel, watching her."

Alima smiled again and patted her ward's arm. "I want to teach you a little bit of wisdom Skyla," she said. "Never underestimate people for they will continually surprise you wherever you go. It sometimes takes the warmest fire to produce the purest gold. Faolin will be alright tomorrow." She gave her a pointed look. "And I expect you to make the most of it."

&&&

They danced around each other for two days.

To Skyla's frustration, Faolin spend most of her time just quietly following her around, much as she would've when she was in the wingdom. At first, Skyla tried to encourage her to step away from playing attendant but when it became that Faolin wasn't going to change her attitude she gave up and just allowed the woman to do what she felt she must. She had planned to take Faolin hiking through the school's surrounding forests, something she liked doing, but had to change her plans when she saw how quickly Faolin grew tired.

When they went for a morning drive, Faolin became carsick.

She would've felt sorry for the older woman, but Faolin carried her discomfort with a quiet air of accusation as if Skyla herself was responsible for her illness. What irritated Skyla more was Alima's amused attitude about the whole situation. When she asked the queen to have a quiet word with her Lady-in-Waiting about her attitude Alima had merely laughed and said that here, in this world, she wasn't the queen and it wasn't her responsibility.

It vexed Skyla to a point where she was ready to snap at both women and missed Skyler more than she ever had when she was here. Her home truly felt invaded and she had no idea how to get round it.

On the third morning of Faolin's arrival, she got up early to try and clear her head with some dancing. She had bargained on everybody in the house still being asleep but was very disappointed to find Faolin curled up on a chair in the living room reading a book. Her Lady-in-Waiting blinked as she saw her standing in the hallway and stood up, barely stopping herself from curtseying. Skyla stared at her for a long time, wondering how her response could be so quick.

'She never relaxes,' Skyla thought. 'As I told Alima, she needs to play this subordinate role. I think she has to.'

She barely managed to hide her irritation as she left the room without a word only to find Faolin falling in behind her. She glanced back at her attendant and sighed, stopping herself from commenting. If Faolin wanted to be stubborn, she could to.

The dancing studio was at the other end of the main school building and they had to walk quite a distance through the school grounds to get there.

It wasn't a very pleasant morning.

The weather changed quite quickly up on the mountain and they weren't above having four seasons in a day. Today was very windy, threatening rain so that, along with the early hours of the morning, made the grounds deserted. In the past few years Skyla had been the only one using it. Although Alima didn't want to talk about it, Skyla had a feeling that the student count had been dropping steadily. Because she spend more time in the wingdom, it became increasingly difficult for Alima to keep her hand on the school administration. And, times were changing as were the general school curriculum. She didn't want to say it, but she suspected that Alima would have to review her school's mission in the next few years if she wanted it to stay in business.

'Maybe I should talk to her about it,' she thought as they arrived at her dance studio. 'I have a few ideas… It won't hurt to bring them up.'

The dance studio was intimately hidden away in a grove of trees. Skyla's heart warmed when she saw it, remembering all the hours she had spend there. Not all of them were particularly happy, she had come here right after her parents died and danced and danced and danced until she had collapsed crying, lonelier than she had ever been in her life. Yet, she had also come here after Skyler had proposed to her and Alima brought her home to give her some distance from the wingdom and time to clear her head. She still wondered if the woman had hoped that she would change her mind but she never did.

Skyla took the key from her neck and glanced back to see if Faolin was following her. The woman had stopped a few steps behind her and was squinting up at the studio walls with a critical expression on her face. Skyla had to admit that it didn't look like much, with the ivy all but smothering the walls and breaking off pieces of cement, but she liked her studio and wasn't about to tolerate that look from Faolin. It was the look that vexed her the most. The woman managed to look disapproving and meek at the same time. It wasn't her place to judge…

"Do you see something?" Skyla asked mildly as she unlocked the doors and swung them open.

Faolin sniffed and glanced at her. "The windows are quite small," she said thoughtfully.

Skyla clenched her teeth and turned her back on the woman as she walked in. "It's because people don't have to fly through them," she said a bit snappishly. "Are you sure you want to be here Faolin? You've seen me dance a hundred times. It's a nice morning for a walk…" A small drop of rain landed in her eye.

She hated to admit it, but she deserved the sceptical look at Faolin shot her way. "Clearly walking is an interesting past time in this world," Faolin said dryly. "You'll have to excuse me though for not taking you up on the offer. I'm perfectly happy here, thank you."

Skyla snorted and walked inside. "Could've fooled me," she muttered and put her bag in the corner. "There's a chair in the corner if you want to sit down. You really can go back to your book…"

She did not miss the look of quiet triumph that Faolin had as she patted the pocket of her loose trousers and went to the corner of the dance studio where the chair was that Skyla mentioned.

"I'm alright thank you," she said again. "You can…"

The door slammed shut, startling them both.

Skyla put her hand against her chest to still her heart and quickly trotted over to open it again. She tried it a couple of times, not immediately realizing that it was locked until she leaned her weight against it and pushed.

Faolin frowned and joined her from her corner.

"Is it stuck?" she queried, pushing against the door that Skyla was trying to open. The dancer frowned and pushed against it again, fiddling with the handle as she did so.

"No," she said surprised. "I think it's locked…"

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To Be Continued…

AN: And, I'm back!! :) Hello everybody!

Not much to say once again about the chapter, it's all pretty self explanatory. I hope you are all well and that things are good this November!

Have a super time.

Alyss

-;--

Ps – thank you for all the support in the last chapter! I love you all!