A/N: Hello again! :) I promised myself that I wouldn't upload this chapter until I was done with chapter 4 (so that I would be at least two chapters ahead) but you all were so wonderful with your reviews that I couldn't help myself! I hope you all enjoy the next chapter, and I promise I'll get chapter 3 up very soon! :) A big thanks goes out to: asti, phoebemoon (Don't worry luv, I have plans for Jareth. He'll be making an appearance here shortly ;) ), aniron, Seiika Reichi, Serenity (patience is a virtue, hehe, all of your questions will answered, but I don't want to give away anything quite yet.), Wolfe Shadowfire (did you get my e-mail? ;) ), Cyber Keiko (*blush* thank you, I definitely plan on finishing this. If I don't, than I give you full permission to dip me head-first into the Bog), Tarzan Princess, and of course, Ethereal-Athan (*huggles*!)

Title: Coincidental Destinies

Rating: G

Disclaimer: I own Aidlyn and Gendl, as well as the five essences. Yay for me! Though I do not own anything that is seen in the movie...such a pity.

Chapter 2 When Sarah woke again pale yellow sunlight was streaming through the huge double French doors that dominated one wall. Their dark, velvet, forest green curtains were pulled back and held with golden, leaf-shaped hooks to reveal a simple but elegant balcony that she could not see very well from her laying position on the oversized bed. The room she was in was ornate but tasteful, done in shades of green that flowed well with the calm bluish-gray stone walls and floor.

Sarah groggily turned her head; a small groan escaping parched lips at the sudden pain that ripped through her entire body and throbbed in her temples at just that slightest movement. Bright lights danced before her eyes and she struggled to stay conscious as the kind features of an old man came into view. He looked at her with concern as he lifted one hand to brush her hair from her forehead and the other hand reached somewhere out of her line of vision. She heard water splashing lightly in a bowl of some sort and instinctively struggled to tilt her head and look in its direction. Another sharp pain pulsing through her body caused her to squint her eyes shut and reminded her quickly that it was not a good idea to move around.

A few seconds later, a cool, damp rag was placed gently over her forehead, taking away only a bit of the pain that pulsed through her temples, but did wonders to sooth her discomfort. She felt oddly relaxed and fought the urge to fall asleep again. She forced her eyes open to look at the man that was still seated on the bed next to her, a gentle smile pulling slightly at his lips.

"I know you are in pain, dear, but you must rest as much as possible until your strength returns..." His voice was rough and scratchy, faintly reminding Sarah of her foster father who had smoked for many many years. Though her foster father lacked the same compassion in his voice that this man seated next to her had. This voice was reassuring.

Sarah smiled weakly as her eyes drifted closed once more and she surrendered herself into the comfortable darkness.

* * * * *

The elderly man closed the heavy door behind him with a soft thud and a gentle rattle of the round brass handle. He turned only once to glance at the elaborately carved mahogany door that bore the image of an ancient tree. Vines grew from the ground at it's roots, twisting their way around the gnarled trunk and getting lost in the crown of leaves that grew lavishly over the twisted branches before tumbling down to line the inside frame of the door. He studied the image intently, barely aware of the graceful footsteps that where approaching him from down the hall, his mind on the exhausted Queen that slept just beyond that very door.

The woman stopped about five feet away from her old friend, watching him silently for a moment. She frowned uneasily, not missing the intent but worried look that covered his usually cheerful persona. "Is she all right?"

The man turned slowly at her words and nodded, "Yes...but she is still very tired." He paused just long enough to notice a frustrated glint in her mysterious brown eyes before he continued calmly, "There are many new alterations that were suddenly forced upon her body...and she simply needs time to adjust"

"It has been nearly a fortnight, Gendl! I cannot delay her training any longer." Her voice was firm and determined, an authoritative tone that came only from years of practice.

"I understand that...but she is already fatigued enough and I simply cannot allow it considering the consequences." His voice held the same determined attitude, but his more likely came from years of stubbornness.

The woman frowned. "And what happens if she is presented to the kingdom without having enough knowledge to prevent making a fool of herself? What then?" She asked hotly, pressing on when Gendl made no move to reply. "May I at least speak with her? Explain what is to become of her and the rules which she must understand and follow?"

Gendl frowned, still hesitant, he glanced towards the door briefly as if trying to decide. "Well..."

"I completely understand the consequences if I am not careful, Gendl, but she must know what is happening to her and how she can control it if she is to be successful as our Queen."

Gendl studied the woman for a moment longer before nodding shortly and stepping to the side so she could enter through the imprinted door that he was blocking with his frail figure. "Make it brief." He muttered to her as she passed him, waiting for her nod before shuffling his way down the hallway and out of sight.

The woman stepped into the darkened room and closed the door behind her. She saw the young Queen sleeping peacefully in the bed, buried by fluffy pillows and heavy comforters that are meant to keep the chill away from the cold night air flowing through the opened French doors.

The woman walked silently across the room and closed the doors with a gentle click before closing the heavy velvet curtains over them, blocking out against the starry night sky. She crossed the room again to light a candle sitting on the mahogany bed stand, glancing briefly at the Queen as she stirred from the light.

* * * * *

Sarah woke when the dull light from the first lit candle reached through her closed eyelids. She slowly opened her eyes and watched a strange woman walk through the room with a long white candle, lighting the other candles scattered about the room and finally, with a wave of a pale, slender hand, a healthy fire crackled happily in the great fireplace to her right. The woman was tall and thin, with long waves of sandy blonde hair that were twisted into a thick braid and fell to her waist, with the exception of a few delicate strands that were too short to be pulled back and had fallen loose, framing gentle features. She was wearing a rich red gown that looked to be made of many silk scarves that were draped daintily over her shoulders and wrapped about her slender form. Sarah vaguely registered the long, iridescent red and blue, insect-like wings hanging loosely against the woman's back, still too groggy to react.

She watched as the woman turned in her direction and moved across the room to sit in a chair next to the bed. Sarah remained in a bewildered silence, watching the elegant being with awe, her mind still fuzzy from sleep. It was the woman who spoke first, a friendly twinkle in her dark eyes.

"Hello, My name is Aidlyn." Her voice was sweetly luxuriant and lightly accented. Sarah remained silent for a few lingering moments, trying to sort the seemingly uncomplicated statement through her sleep-hazed mind.

"You..." She tried to think of something intelligent to say, "...have wings." She surprised herself with how weak and unstable her voice seemed, and her eyelids were growing heavy again. Had they drugged her? She feebly tried to sit up, swallowing back the wave of dizziness that fought to impede her efforts. Aidlyn laughed gently.

"Yes, Sarah, I do." Aidlyn debated whether or not to tell Sarah of her own wings that would soon start to appear...if they have not already.

"How did you know my name?" Sarah finally propped herself up against the fluffy, silk covered pillows with much exertion and looked up at Aidlyn as she spoke.

"Everybody knows your name, my Queen."

Queen...the word in itself made her uneasy and nauseous.

Aidlyn frowned, her brow furrowing with concern when she noticed Sarah grow slightly pale. "Are you all right Majesty?"

"Please...don't..." Sarah searched for the right words, looking down at her hands. "Just call me Sarah." Aidlyn tilted her head forward slightly in agreement, but waited for Sarah to answer her question. Sarah hesitated somewhat before finally continuing. "I Just don't know what to think about this whole Fairy Queen thing..." She looked up at the woman sitting calmly in the chair, whose features were evenly measured and emotionless. "'Fairy' Queen...right?" Aidlyn nodded in confirmation, continuing to be silent and impassive, but watching Sarah with a gentle interest in what she was saying.

Sarah looked back down at her tightly folded hands in her lap for a moment, thinking. Aidlyn made her feel as if she were speaking with a psychiatrist, as if she was revealing her deepest emotions and thoughts, only to have them brushed away as 'family troubles'...or something to that effect.

"...That's why you have wings." Sarah looked up again at her sudden theory and a small smile pulled at Aidlyn's graceful lips.

"Yes."

"But..." Sarah looked confused and stressed, "But...you're my size."

A mischievous twinkle lit up Aidlyn's dark brown eyes, and her smile deepened into a grin showing rows of pointed teeth. "And how can you be so sure that you are not my size?"

Sarah looked at her, baffled. She could not think of any reply. Was it true? She did not feel any smaller...but things are not always as they seem, she reminded herself with an inward sigh. Everything had come upon her so quickly; it was hard to distinguish between dream and reality, it all felt unreal. Maybe she was dreaming...

"...And it may be difficult to learn how to use them."

Sarah suddenly jerked back into reality, she had not even realized Aidlyn had been talking. "I...I'm sorry, what did you say?" A blush crept into Sarah's cheeks as one of Aidlyn's slender brows arched with mild surprise.

"I was explaining that with your new title comes new responsibilities..." Aidlyn repeated with a more informative tone than before.

Sarah nodded slowly, her head swimming slightly with the movement, "and...and what might be difficult to learn?" She was starting to feel more disorientated and sleepy, her words harder to articulate.

"Well, there are many things that may be a bit of a challenge for you." Aidlyn explained, "For one, you will need to learn all of the laws and regulations of the Underground, including the other kingdoms besides ours." Sarah looked confused, and Aidlyn smiled reassuringly, deciding to go with a different angle. "I am sure you are already aware that the five previous Queens' presences are with you..." Sarah nodded lightly,

"Yes...especially the one just before me." She replied quietly. Aidlyn nodded in return.

"Of course, that would only make sense, as of right now she is the one that still holds the most power in her essence, but as time grows on her power will gradually grow weaker."

Sarah gasped, the sound barely audible falling from her lips. "Will she die?"

Aidlyn smiled again lightly, and nodded slowly, "Yes...but that will not be for another five generations...you will also notice that with time the Fifth and oldest spirit will fade away almost completely. I am most positive that you will not hear from her much as it is."

"Because her power has faded so much?"

"Precisely." Aidlyn could not help but smile again, this girl was quick, and she could already tell that the young human would have no problems in her training.

"So..." Sarah fought to organize the information in her mind. "With each generation, the spirits' power fade...does that mean that every Queen will have at least five previous Queens with her in essence?"

"Yes...but the first three will be the ones that contact you the most because their power is still strong enough to reach you often enough. Though the Second will be more talkative than the Third and the First more so than the Second...am I making any sense, Sarah?"

Sarah nodded and smiled lightly, "Yes, I think so...but..." Sarah trailed off, hesitating slightly.

"Yes?" Aidlyn pressed.

"Where do you come into this?"

Aidlyn chuckled softly, "I am your royal advisor and teacher, if you will." Sarah smiled. "It is my job to be by your side, but to first and foremost, train you in all ways of the Underground." She stood gracefully and patted Sarah's pale hand reassuringly, with a smile. "Now, I promised Gendl that I would not keep you awake for too long...you need your rest."

"Gendl?"

"He is the healer that has been attending to you."

Sarah nodded lightly, her eyelids already feeling like they had two-ton weights pulling on them and her head was swimming from the weariness. "I see."

Aidlyn turned and walked back towards the door, blowing out candles on her way, but leaving the happily crackling fire to burn itself out with time. Sarah called after her just before she exited the room. "Thank you, Aidlyn...it was nice meeting you."

A gentle smile formed across her face, "I will see you again tomorrow, Sarah, when Gendl approves it...and please call me Lyn."

Sarah nodded lazily and laid back into the welcoming folds of her new bed, barely noticing the gentle thud of the door closing after her royal advisor as she fell into a dreamless sleep almost instantly.