A/N: I'm writing this in third person, 'cause it's not possible to tell the story from Aireia's POV while she's asleep.

Chapter 10 – True Love's First Kiss

The gnomes came home the next day and found Aireia on the kitchen floor. A broken cup was on the floor, spilling its contents on the ground. FraechramM examined it and told the others that it was the enchantment of the apple that caused this.

They did not bury Aireia because fraechramM said she was not dead. They gently laid her to rest on her bed in the cottage. They stood by her side to wait for the cure, as fraechramM said would one day come.

One day when they gathered around Aireia, they saw a spot of white in the trees through the window, it was coming closer and closer. Helen and Henry left Aireia and walked outside the cottage, they squinted and saw it was a great white horse trotting towards them. On the horse was a handsome young lad dressed in golden silk.

When he came close enough, he dismounted and bowed on one knee.

"Prince Charming of Leithia, at your service." He said in a deep voice, "I've heard about the great beauty who is waiting for her prince is around here, where is she?"

Henry bowed and told him she was inside, but the Prince didn't understand Gnomic that well, and started to turn.

Thinking quickly, Helen grabbed Charming's sleeve and gently pulled him towards Aireia's bed.

"Don't touch me! You– " Charming yelped but stopped in mid-sentence when he saw the beautiful girl. "What is that?" he walked toward it. "Oh my, she is beautiful." He breathed when he saw Aireia.

"She's a Princess, or rather, Queen." Said Helen in broken human language.

"A princess! That's even better! I've got to rescue her and make her my wife. It's my destiny." Charming came inside and leaned down to get a better look. He did not recognize the young girl as Aireia, whom he met before, as she was wearing a dress now instead of tunic and breeches.

"I know just what to do." Charming leaned down and brushed his lips against Aireia's, he straightened up and waited for the enchantment to lift. Minutes past, nothing happened.

"She's supposed to wake up." Charming scratched his royal head. "Don't worry, I know exactly what to do." said the Prince to Helen and Henry, who stood behind him with an uncertain look on their faces. Charming leaned down again and kissed the girl, this time a bit more forcefully. They waited, nothing.

Charming tried to lift Aireia's eyelid with his finger, but the enchantment prevented her eyelids to open. The Prince was about to yank on her eyelids, but Helen stopped him.

"Are you sure she's not dead?" the Prince said while brushing himself off, annoyed that the gnome touched him.

"She is alive, look at her chest." Helen said gently. She was right, if they looked closely at her chest, they could see the gentle rising and falling of her breathing.

The Prince cursed under his breath, for Princes were not supposed to use language like that, and tried one final time. He held to kiss for a couple of seconds and was quite forceful. He was sure it would work this time but he was wrong.

"Stupid Princess!" he shook the girl's shoulder violently, still nothing happened. He raised his hand to hit the sleeping girl, but Helen caught his arm.

The arrogant Prince marched away from the girl and the gnomes, feeling humiliated and frustrated, mounted his great white steed and rode off without looking back. Aireia, oblivious to what's going on, slept peacefully while her faithful family stood by her.

~*~

The gnomes waited for Aireia's saviour, they were not discouraged by Charming's failed attempt. Winter melted into spring, until one day they were awarded for their patience and faith.

"Aireia? Aireia, where are you?" a voice came to the gnomes from within the forest. Moments later, a young man with light brown hair wearing forest colours emerged. The gnomes, all of them were present, recognized the young man as Robin.

"She is here, young Robin." fraechramM stepped outside to greet him. Robin had been around the gnomes long enough to understand them.

"Can I see her? I haven't seen her for a long time and I have some important news for her." Robin looked around for Aireia.

"You can, but it won't be what you expect." Said Helen hesitantly.

"That's okay, as long as I see her." Robin was getting a bit nervous. He saw that everyone looked solemn and began to wonder what was going on. Helen led him inside to the bed. Robin took a look and almost cried, "No…"

Aireia lay in a bed of petals, her eyes were closed. Her long dark hair framed her pale face, contrasting with her dress. Her skin lost its tan because she was out of the sun for so long. She looked so peaceful as well as beautiful. At first glance, she did look like her soul left her.

Robin fell on his knees so that he could see her better. He was so stunned he couldn't talk. The gnomes gently patted Robin's back and left Aireia and him alone.

"Aireia." Robin whispered. He couldn't talk, couldn't think; he was in a state of shock and devastation.

"Aireia!" He laid his head on her body and sobbed into her white dress. His shoulders shook and his tears flowed freely. Her body was warm, but it didn't register in Robin's mind. At last he looked up into her lovely face, "I'm sorry Reia, I should've been there to protect you." Robin said between sobs. He brushed a strand of black hair back from her face and took her hand in his.

"I know everything now. Vivia imprisoned me but I found out everything. I know you are Queen Airadne, the real queen of Annon. You were right, Vivia isn't evil by nature and I know how to free her and get your throne back." He paused to take a shaky breath, "But, but it's too late." With that his tears flowed again. When he got his composure, he continued, talking more to himself than to the sleeping girl.

"I know you are Airadne, the best friend I ever had. Vivia made you a maid and gave you a false name. I, I," Robin wanted to say something, but couldn't bring himself to say it.

He swallowed and brought his face closer to hers and whispered, "Good bye my dear, you can't hear me but I want you to know something." he paused and said silently, I love you. He closed his eyes and kissed her red lips tenderly…

~*~

Cliffs again! Don't worry, it's not the end. I think I have at least two or three chaps to go.
Shards of EvenSong: sry if I grossed you out.