Chapter 38: One Final Tribute
A few days later, the funeral of Queen Imogene was held in the Faerie Realm. All the kingdom attended, lining the streets for the traditional procession from her castle to the final resting place in the Chapel of the Mother. Every Faerie wore black, but Adina.
She had chosen a beautiful long sleeved rose colored gown, with a matching headpiece.
At first the Advisors had protested, but Adina admonished them, saying, "It's her favorite color. I know she would want me to wear it."
Staring out the window of the castle, Adina felt sad at all that had happened. Oh, Mother, I miss you so! I hope you can see me – I 'don't always wear black' , see? I forgive you, and feel no animosity about what happened. It was amazing, how that feeling had vanished. Adina gave credit to The Mother.
Faeries flew about, carrying flowers. They held them before the coffin, behind it, and scattered the blooms on the path the cortege would take. As the procession headed through the streets, Faeries wept, and bowed, one last tribute to the late, and still beloved, Queen.
Behind the coffin walked Adina, followed by the Advisors and the Queen's maid. They flew slowly, out of respect, and as not to bypass Adina. To do so would be a serious breach of protocol.
Halfway down the funeral route was the Royal Gallery, where ambassadors and rulers from all over the Underground waited. The Grand Council had also come, to acknowledge Adina as the new Faerie Queen in a few days. The procession stopped in front of the Gallery, and all seated inside it joined behind the coffin. Some placed flowers on top of the casket.
And they all mean it. Everyone loved Mother, Adina mused, not really noticing the parade of flower plopping. She heard a sigh, and abruptly stared at coffin. There, towards the middle, lay a perfect bouquet of peach colored roses.
Jareth! Adina surmised, looking around for him. He was nowhere to be seen, in the crowd of nobles or citizens. Slowly, she looked upward, and saw a simple white barn owl flying away. Thank you, Jareth. I love you, brother.
Author's Note: Yet another short chapter-the next one, and final one, will be longer, I promise! Hope you liked this chapter- please review!