Flashback (Continuation from the previous chapter)
(Lyra's POV *one of the spinsters)
My eyes snapped up as the Queen asked, "How old were you?"
"Twenty five. He thought I was too old."
She chuckled in a low throaty voice as her head turned to one side. I was left pondering over her reaction. Then, it struck me. There would only be one reason why she would be interested in my story. My eyes widened, not realising that it must have made quite the impression. "I would be surprised if you had let go of your feelings towards Daniella, because as it is evident, it will take a long time to come to terms with what Snow White did. But I trust that you will do your best to stay away from my daughter."
I nodded but she continued to look at me strangely as if contemplating whether to do something or not.
"Come with me," she commanded as she started walking out of her chambers. I scampered after her in vain. It was surprising how quickly she could walk. The guards bowed when the doors to her chambers opened and she led me through the corridor with the mirrors on one side of the wall. I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection and saw how tired I looked. We soon entered the large room with the portraits hanging on the wall. Then, the Queen flicked her hand and to my surprise, a part of the wall, about the size of a normal doorway disappeared. She motioned me to go in, so I had no choice but to walk in first. It was a tunnel. I didn't get far before the musty air made me cough. The only source of light were torches along the wall. I frowned but the Queen answered my question as she said, "They're enchanted to light up at someone's presence."
I should be scared, but I wasn't. I was more intrigued. Except, that was cut short as I nearly walked straight into a cobweb. I didn't dare look back at the Queen's reaction but no wonder she got me to walk first. The corners of this tunnel was infested with cobwebs and grime.
Soon however, we got to a wooden door to which the Queen pressed her palm against. There was a glow of magic underneath her hand and the door swung open. She stepped in which beckoned me to follow her. It was dark in the room at first, but then she waved her hand and the torches on the walls lit up. Amongst the shadows, and piled up around the room, were furniture, intricate items and golden knick knacks. I was able to make out frames of paintings peeking out beneath calico sheets. However, the Queen drew my attention when she coughed. I turned around, and leaning against the wall that she was standing at, was a large painting. I came closer and under the flicking orange light from the torches, I made out the faces of a King, no doubt Snow's father. He was smirking triumphantly with a gleaming golden crown on his balding head. He stood dominantly next to a chair, in a stance that screamed patriarchal power. His hand was resting on the back of the chair, upon which a teenager sat, dressed in white.
My eyes swept over the bottom of the wide decorative gown and traced up to the bodice where glimmering diamonds and pearls were stitched in a neat beautiful pattern. With her dress pulled in at her waist so tightly, it only accentuated just how thin her arms were. My eyes trailed up to stare at the brilliant diamond necklace that perched on the decolletage of this petite frame. I avoided the face to look at the heavy crown nestled above the bride's towering hair. The veil was still there, but it was moved to one side, tucked behind a dazzling earring. This bride was literally adorned with jewels like some kind of coronet, but her eyes were not sparkling. They were in fact, fearful. I finally looked at the face in whole. Such a, dare I say, pretty face. A sad, pretty face. Other than the eyes, there was nothing alarming about the portrait at all, for the artist had done such a beautiful job. But one thing was clear; the bride was a child. Or at least, she would have been no more than eighteen.
I looked up at the Queen. The shadows were casting a dangerous glow on her face, but the image that reflected back into my eyes wasn't one of an intimidating woman. Sure, she could rip my heart out if I overstepped the line, but I sensed that she wasn't here to do that to me today. With that in mind, I tried to let my shoulders relax. Then, she stepped to the side and reached to pull away the piece of calico cloth draped over another painting. This one depicted the Queen, sitting in the garden on a marble bench by a fountain. She had her hands over a pregnant belly. There was still an aura of youth hanging around her, especially in her dark eyes. They were different from the dull frightened ones in the wedding portrait. There was...joy.
"This wasn't the original painting." I turned to look at the Queen as she continued, "The original was burnt along with Daniella's belongings. My father tried to save it, but what use is an old man against the King's knights?" The Queen paused for a moment. "I re-commissioned this painting after I was rid of him. Luckily, the artist had quite the memory. I didn't sit for this portrait. I couldn't." Then, she moved along and pulled away another piece of cloth, to reveal a group painting which depicted the King, the Queen, Princess Snow and...I almost reached instinctively to touch the charred hole right where the Queen's arms were. However, when her hand reached to touch that part of the painting, I was reminded of my place. She lifted a bit of the curled canvas before releasing it. It bounced back dismally with a soft crackle. In a quiet voice, she said, "He didn't want it burned because of his precious daughter. But..." the Queen stopped speaking. There was very obviously a lump in her throat. She tilted her head up, as a memory glazed over her eyes. I immediately felt guilty for being there. This is all private, I really shouldn't be here, at the Queen's behest or not. I began, "Your Majesty..."
She cut me off as looked at me, chest rising and falling heavily. In the most haunting tone, she replied, "You should be feeling rather honoured that I dislike you. It seems like the only people who have seen me beyond my evil moniker are those who have hurt me."
After a second, I replied slowly, yet in the most genuine tone that I could muster, "I am sorry. I really, really am."
Her eyes roamed over mine but I kept my gaze on her this time. I knew she wasn't one to stoop down to accepting an apology from a lowly peasant, but there was something that turned at the back of her mind. She sighed and then, with one strong tug, she ripped off the cloth covering the last portrait. This one showed the Queen, holding a rose in the background, whilst Snow was in a running before her, chasing a butterfly. I looked down to the bottom of the frame, noting how the date was a year after the previous portrait. I glanced at the painting of the Queen again, and noticed for the first time how she was holding a thorny rose. When I moved closer, I gasped, for the artist had painted a droplet of blood on her finger. How could anyone not have noticed-
"As I said, only those who have hurt me pay attention to me. Perhaps the King was too blind to notice, but when this painting was presented before him, he told me afterwards that I could have looked more engaged with my...duty. Well, one of them anyway."
One? ...oh.
I couldn't help but ask in a confused tone, "But why is the droplet there?"
She raised her eyebrow and answered simply, "I told the artist to paint it. After all, if paintings are to reflect ourselves and a sort of reality, shouldn't there be an element that shows who we are?"
"Who we are?"
She waved her hand and the paintings were covered up again. Then, she nodded and murmured, "Broken."
*End of flashback*
(Daniella's POV) *at the ball
"You gave her your memories?" I exclaimed, a little surprised. Even though I knew that it was possible, I never really thought about it.
"Yes, but we had technically promised your mother that we would keep our distance, except I felt that we should probably say something to you before we left," Lyra responded.
I bit my lip, before saying, "Don't worry, I won't tell her that I know what's going on."
The spinsters all bowed their heads to me and I couldn't help but give them a smile. Then, I said, "I have to go look for my mother. This will be a goodbye I guess..."
"Oh, go ahead. We wouldn't want to keep you waiting," Linota responded with a warm smile. I took one last look at them before turning away and going to the front of the hall, where mother was standing with a high-ranking black knight by the name of Sir Headley. When I approached, he gave me a bow and headed off. She began in an unamused tone, "Why, it seems like he has taken this joyous opportunity to tell me that he would like to visit Camelot because of his mother's sickness."
"Camelot?! But isn't that in...another realm? How could he have known?"
"From our time in Storybrooke, I suppose. As his family is originally from the Enchanted Forest, everyone was affect by the curse, despite the rest of his kiln living in Camelot."
"So did you let him? Aren't knights supposed to serve the Crown until they are relieved of their duties?"
Mother sighed, "You're not wrong, but perhaps Storybrooke has changed my way of thinking. I have let him go, but hopefully he will return here. He has been an important knight who I have trusted for many years. Anyways, enough about him. Did you end up finding Maria?"
I nodded, "Yeah, but you told me to come to you before the clock struck midnight, didn't you?"
Mother smiled and lead me to the podium upon which our two thrones sat. She gave the announcer a signal with her hand and he blew the trumpet, alerting everyone that my mother wished to say a few words. When the hall had quietened down, she began, "My dear guests, I do hope that you have enjoyed tonight's festivities. We are here to celebrate and look forward to the prosperous years that I am sure, we will be very blessed to encounter in the near future if we set aside our past differences and work together to ensure that the Enchanted Forest is a leading example for other realms to follow. I, for one, would have been appalled at the idea of any sort of collaboration, but my years as mayor in Storybrooke has shown me that forming alliances are a step closer to ensuring peace. In fact, I'm sure many of you would be delighted to hear that the Northern Kingdom is no longer in war with the South under the reign of Queen Snow and King David."
An applause erupted from the crowd, whilst many cheered and looked at each other in disbelief. Mother continued, "Whilst we still have many differences to settle, Storybrooke has taught the both of us, that for the good of all, we need to put our best foot forward, starting with re-opening trade between the two kingdoms and fostering diplomatic relations. Now, if I may be excused, I would like to steer this address to another topic, to end the celebrations tonight. Whilst I am grateful for those who have supporting the re-development of our lands these past few weeks, I couldn't ask for a better companion to have been my source of light and inspiration; my daughter, Daniella."
I turned around in surprise, as my cheeks blushed pink with embarrassment. She took my hands into hers and squeezed them before continuing with teary eyes, "Daniella, you have been the moral compass in my life for so many years. Without you, I would not be standing here today. Every time I look at you, I'm reminded of the love that exists, even for such wretched creature as I. As your mother, I'm so proud of how far you've come and how much you've grown. Life hasn't been kind to you, but you've done your best, striving forward to be your best in everything that you do. I love you, my child."
I bit my lip to conceal the smile of appreciation that threatened to grace my face in an ugly manner. I hugged her tight and replied, "I love you too, Mama." There were several cheers from the guests and a sea of applause. When we parted, I expected the speech to end, but mother must have timed her address incredibly well, for the clock struck midnight. She continued, "Tonight is very special for myself, because I am reminded of how blessed I am to have my daughter by my side. It seems as if all the time travelling and realm crossing has jumbled our sense of time, but to Daniella, I wish you a happy 12th birthday!"
The crowd erupted in applause again, this time a little louder than the last. I widened my eyes and I whispered to mother, "Wait, really?!" The date must have really flown past my mind. She chuckled and made a gesture to somebody behind me. I turned around and saw Yvette carry an open flat box to mother. Inside, nestled amongst crimson satin, was a beautiful diamond necklace, glittering in all it's glory. "Happy birthday, sweetheart," Mother whispered in my ear. I looked up at her in shock, "It's mine?"
"It belonged to your grandmother, so I suppose it's a family heirloom. I believe she would have wanted you to have it. It was amongst the items that she received when she married your grandfather." Then, she added with a wink, "Don't worry, I have instructed Yvette to make sure that when you return to your chambers, you are able to open your other presents."
Mother carefully picked up the necklace and as she put it around my neck, she said, "It'll feel a little cold at first." Indeed, as the diamonds met my flesh, it made me shiver a bit. It was quite heavy, but it made me imagine that a part of grandmother was with me at the moment. Yvette held out a mirror and when I peered into the reflection, a girl looked back at me, rosy cheeked, dripping in diamonds from the crown and necklace. No wonder why mother chose this particular crown for me to wear; it seemed to compliment the pendant.
As Yvette stepped back into the shadows, mother spoke in a loud voice, "May you raise your glasses and join me in wishing the Princess a happy birthday."
The guests' echoes filled the hall, making my heart beat faster. For once, standing in front of a huge crowd of people wasn't as intimidating as it used to be. In fact, those voices seemed a little less foreign, a little less distant and a little less cold. In the flickering light of the chandeliers, the reflecting glint of the wine glasses resembled a sea of fireflies. At the other end of the ballroom was an open window that allowed one to overlook the lake that stretched down to the other regions of the kingdom. As I glanced at the dark horizon, I suddenly felt a pang in my chest for I still wished that father could have been here. However, I took a deep breath and shrugged it off as I put my hand to my chest and murmured a quiet thank you. I felt my mother pulling me close into her torso so that my head could nestle on her chest. "I love you, little firefly," she murmured. From that moment on, I knew exactly where home truly was. Breathing in the fragrant scent of apple blossom and rose water, I whispered, "I love you too, Mama."
The End
(Part 1: Forest of Fireflies)
The Earliest Firefly - Thomas Hill
Fearless little pioneer,
Leader of thy race this year!
Tiny spark of wondrous light,
Wandering through the darksome night,
Strangely pleasant is the sight
Of thy vague, erratic flight.
Author's Note:
Wow. Thank you so so so much for embarking on Daniella's story with me. I'm incredibly grateful for all of your support! It has been so rewarding to read your comments and see how much some of you have enjoyed my story.
I look forward to writing more fics in the future, including the sequel to this fic which takes place 5 years into the future. As you are aware, the plot involving Daniel is not finished yet but I already have plans on how I might go about solving that complication. I'm forever a supporter of Stablequeen but I see so much potential in further developing their story. Please head over to 'City of Starlight' to continue reading Daniella's story. I will also include a chapter preview at the end of this fic.
- Jasmine
