Haven't written in a long while but I kind of got stuck in this one because I didn't know how to start it (Adralan gives me a headache sometimes) I even ended up writing three versions of this one chapter. But anyway I'll try to get back to updating often now that I get this chapter over with.

Good news is that I'm getting my laptop back soon so hopefully I'll post more than one chapter as time goes on.

The Avian's Tuuli Thea and the Serpiente's Diente had looked so radiant when they were in each others company, even after all the years of being together. Adralan had looked at them, forgetting the legends, and for the first time laying her eyes on two people who loved and cared for each other deeply. She wished to see her mother as happy as she had seen the Tuuli Thea Danica but knew that it was merely a dream far from happening. Once her mother had been almost as happy with her father but that was long ago when things were different. That was when her mother still treasured her roots and worshipped the simplicity in nature. Instead, with time her mother had changed and though she had grown more beautiful than before, she had lost that which had made her almost like Adralan.

Adralan rested on the soft bed in the room where she stayed and closed her eyes. The day had been hectic and even dinner with those from court had been strange. It appeared to be that a family problem had overtaken the royal family concerning Bastian. Maybe that was why he had not attended the dinner but nonetheless, it was all matters of the court. Eventually, the events of the day had left her tired and sleep began to overcome her. Yet instead of pleasant dreams, her mind had decided to remind her of the past and of her mother.

Her mother had been crying. Adralan had always known when she had been crying and it appeared that it had become more frequent. She was still a child then, but she had always been aware of the affection between her parents. Most importantly, she had been aware of the undying devotion that her mother showed for her father. But the day her mother cried, Adralan knew something was wrong. She had never seen her in such state. Auria, though always loving, had never cried before any of them and had been an example of resilience and strength among her children and her people. After all, she had spent countless years waiting for Ulrik to return and reclaim his kingdom and had never faltered. Auria remembered the times when she had gone into the forest with her mother while she explained the wonders of nature. Just as Auria loved her father, it appeared that she treasured nature and its wonders even more.

Through a child's eyes, she saw her mother as a goddess, a lover of nature and freedom. Her hair was always down and her clothes, though she was a queen, were never regal. However, the first day she had seen her mother cry, Adralan sensed that her mother would not be the same. After that day, Adralan along with her brothers Vycan and Adran had been sent away to be cared for by Ormaine for a while along with their grandmother, Ivanka. Their stay with them only lasted a few months and once they returned, they were all stunned at what they found. Their mother was not as she had been and it seemed that the time away had served to change her whole appearance. Her hair was no longer disheveled and instead was always flawless and ornate as well as her clothes. She had once treasured simplicity which was always reflected in her kind nature. But instead, her mother had become vain when it came to appearances and everything that she had not been before they had left. Her change in appearance had not shocked them as much as the change in her mannerisms and behavior. The surprise did not end in her mother's drastic change; they had also been greeted with the arrival of a little newborn brother, Fenrir.

Adralan opened her eyes looked out through the small window in her room from where she lay. It was still dark and apparently not much time had passed since she had gone to bed. Even as she was at Wyvern's Court, memories of her mother would never leave her.

Frustrated at herself, Adralan flung the covers to side and sat on the edge of the bed. She bent her head down low and shook it to be rid of her thoughts. It was those memories of her mother that frightened Adralan whenever she thought of the idea of being tied to Damek. She had never taken the time to get to know him and she did not allow for him to get so close to her as well. It was something that she did to keep herself from turning like her mother. Usually, when such dreams accosted her she would run into the woods and rest under the light of the moon. She could do no such thing at Wyvern's Court. She walked to the small dresser in her room and grabbed a white nightshift so that she could change from her regular clothes.

A small knock on her door stopped her from getting the nightshift and she turned to it. She walked to the door to open it and expected to find her father or Adran behind it. Instead, she found herself with a different sight. In front of her stood a young man who looked to be no older than she was. Instantly, she noticed the startling garnet color of his eyes and realized that he belonged to the royal family. More importantly, Adralan looked at his face and though he had grown from the little boy she once played with, he was none other than Bastian.

He stood before her and smiled down at her as he too realized whom she was. After all, they had not seen each other in years and this was the first time they had set eyes on each other.

Adralan was the first to speak. Her voice came out soft and she could not hide the surprise at the sight of him. "Bastian?" she asked tentatively. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled wryly and said simply. "I came to apologize."

Adralan raised her brow to prompt him to continue.

"For what happened earlier this morning." He said in that same quiet manner.

It didn't take Adralan long enough to figure out what he meant by those words. She should have known and yet she had not expected it. It was he that had collided with her and thrown her to the mud. The other must have been a friend of his and through the all the commotion, she had not caught a glimpse of him.

Bastian must have realized the unconvinced look that came to Adralan's face when it came to his apology because he then added.

"I am sorry you know." He paused and turned his head slightly almost as if to see if anyone was listening to their conversation. "If you were to know what happened today… I am sure you would understand."

Despite her annoyance at what he had done earlier that morning, Adralan could not wipe off the amused look off of her face. Of course, she could also notice that Bastian appeared to be quite troubled and with his absence at dinner it was clear something was up.

Adralan didn't know what to do or what he wanted her to do.

"Adralan, we were friends when were children no?" he asked.

"Friends?" Adralan asked. "We were more like playmates but I don't think we were exactly friends."

Bastian only laughed.

"It might come off as odd then but I need someone to speak to, preferably a young woman such as you."

"What about Loeiza, she is your sister." She had never fully met Loeiza but she had seen her once as a child. It struck her as odd that Bastian sought to speak to her when he had a sister.

"Loeiza?" he laughed. "You must be mad if you think I'll talk to her."

Adralan studied Bastian to see if there were any signs of him causing more mischief. But after so many years of not seeing him, she could only see the young man before her asking for her to listen.

"I can't invite you into my room as it is—"

Bastian interrupted her. "You don't need to. We can walk outside as it is still early and there are people still out."

Adralan nodded and walked out of her room, closing the door shut behind her.