Chapter 14: In Dreams
Meanwhile, at Blue Diamond's castle, Rose Quartz had been keeping a close eye on Lapis, ensuring that no further harm reached her or the castle. Everything was utterly silent, with only the gentle breaths of the sleeping residents and guests being heard. However, as the fairy queen watched over Lapis, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the princess.
"You poor child," Rose sighed in a saddened tone, looking at Lapis' emotionless expression as she slept. "I suppose you'd be wondering what has happened to you."
Just then, she had an idea, one that would help Lapis be up to date with what happened and make her seem happier whilst she was asleep. So, the fairy queen took out her wand and began to sprinkle some of her magic dust over Lapis. Then, she closed her eyes and started to clear her mind, so that she could speak to Lapis telepathically, for she had the power to visit people in their dreams.
Once Rose had entered Lapis' mind, she was astonished to find herself in what looked to be the castle garden, surrounded by various beds of beautiful flowers.
"What a lovely sight," the fairy queen said to herself as she looked at a bed of red roses.
Suddenly, she heard someone singing from a short distance. Rose turned around and saw Lapis admiring some white tulips, whilst she sang to herself. Without wanting to make too much noise, the fairy queen walked up to the princess, to see if she was alright.
"Hello, my dear," she spoke in a calm tone.
Lapis was quite startled by this, remembering her previous encounter with someone other than the castle staff, her mother or the fairies. However, once she saw Rose, she felt slightly more relieved, as she knew of the fairy queen thanks to her friendship with Steven.
"Rose Quartz," the princess asked nervously. "Is that you?"
"Indeed it is, Your Highness," Rose responded as she gave the princess a warm smile and a curtsy, to which Lapis greeted with the same latter gesture before embracing the fairy queen.
"Might I ask why you're here?" the princess asked. "It's quite uncommon for the Queen of Fairies to be paying me a visit, let alone in my dreams."
Rose's facial expression soon began to look more melancholic, and her smile disappeared, for she didn't initially know how to respond to the princess' question.
"Lapis," the fairy queen asked. "Do you remember what happened to you before you went to sleep?"
Lapis thought for a moment, before recalling her encounter with White Diamond and the bargain she made to free Jamie.
"The last thing I recall was pricking my finger on a 'wishing wheel spindle'," Lapis answered. "I started feeling giddy afterwards and Steven asked me if I was okay, but before I could respond, everything went dark."
The fairy queen placed her hand on the princess' shoulder, the latter of whom was beginning to think something was wrong.
"Come," Rose instructed. "I have some explaining to do."
She took Lapis to the nearest garden bench she could find, where she gently seated the princess, before sitting down herself to face her.
"What's going on?" asked Lapis, who was beginning to feel quite anxious. "Was I not supposed to touch the spindle?"
Rose took a deep breath before telling Lapis about White Diamond's curse and how she was sent into an enchanted slumber from touching the spindle. The princess was overwhelmed by what she was told, for not only had she been tricked by the wicked fairy, but she was now in a forced state of sleep. It was so much to take in, that Lapis began to cry.
"I feel so foolish," she sobbed. "And now because of my curiosity, I'm cursed to sleep forever."
The fairy queen gently put her arms around the weeping princess, trying her best to calm her down.
"Don't cry, my dear," Rose hushed. "You couldn't have known that it was a trick by White Diamond, and I can assure you that your sleep is only temporary."
Lapis took solace in this, but she was still quite upset.
"What about my mother?" the blue girl asked. "Does she know what has happened to me?"
"Not quite," replied the fairy queen as she took out her wand. "Here, let me show you."
So, Rose presented Lapis with a projection of the castle hall. There, the princess could see that everyone was fast asleep and right in the centre, slumbering on her throne, was none other than her mother, with the Duchess Yellow Diamond sleeping beside her. Lapis was astonished by what she saw and asked Rose how this happened whilst she wiped away her tears.
"I told your guardians and Steven to put the entire castle to sleep with you," the fairy queen explained. "Therefore, they wouldn't be upset upon knowing your fate, whilst also keeping you company."
Lapis felt relieved, as she would have hated to see her mother in a grieving state.
"Also," Rose continued. "Steven and the others have gone out to search for a young man that you met in the forest today if I'm not mistaken."
This left Lapis speechless, for she remembered what the fairies had told her earlier.
"My true love," the princess said dreamily before her tone became melancholy. "But is this true? Garnet told me that I could never see him again."
"That may be so," Rose responded. "But that young man is the only one who can save you from your fate."
"How so?" Lapis pondered, to which Rose told the blue girl that only by a kiss of true love, may she awaken from her slumber.
"Plus," the fairy queen added as the projection changed to that of Lapis, sleeping in the high tower, where she pointed to the pink rose that was held between the princess' hands.
"That rose right there is a gift from Steven," the fairy queen spoke. "As a promise that he will find your true love, regardless of how long it takes."
Soon a beaming smile appeared across Lapis' face, for a ray of hope now resided within her heart.
"Oh, Steven," she said happily. "You truly are a wonderful friend."
Rose couldn't help but smile as well, knowing that her son would do anything to help his friends, no matter the cost.
"Although," asked Lapis. "Is it possible for me to see where Steven and the others are regarding their quest?"
"Certainly," Rose replied as she shifted her projection to reveal the rescue party heading towards a dark castle.
"Where are they headed?" Lapis asked curiously. "It looks quite scary."
"It appears that they are heading to White Diamond's castle," Rose replied worryingly. "I suspect that your true love is being held prisoner."
The blue girl was stunned to hear this, realising that what White Diamond had shown her earlier was the truth and that her sacrifice to free Jamie from his chains changed nothing.
"Isn't there anything that either you or I could do to help them?" Lapis asked curiously, to which the fairy queen sadly shook her head in response.
"I'm sorry Lapis, but at this moment I must protect the castle in case White Diamond attacks," Rose spoke. "That, and I'm afraid you can't do much to help whilst you're in this state."
From hearing this fact, Lapis frowned, for she wanted to encourage Steven and her guardians to ensure they wouldn't give up.
"But don't worry my dear," Rose reassured her. "I'm sure Steven will be fine; the others will look after him."
This somewhat cheered Lapis up a little, as she believed that the fairy queen always spoke the truth.
"Now then, I, unfortunately, must leave you now," Rose informed. "But before I go, is there anything you would like to particularly dream about whilst you sleep?"
From those words, Lapis fully knew what she wanted and whispered her desired dream to Rose. The fairy queen beamed and waved her wand. Suddenly both she and Lapis found themselves in a replica of the castle hall, as compared to what was happening outside, everyone, including the queen and duchess, was wide awake. Even Steven and the other fairies were present, all giving Lapis a warm heartfelt smile. The princess couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
"And there's more," the fairy queen replied, as she pointed Lapis towards a figure slowly approaching them. Once he was in full view, it was none other than Jamie, wearing what looked to be an attire a prince or duke would wear, which was far different than what he wore when Lapis had met him. The young man soon went up to the princess and gave her his hand, just as he did in the forest.
"Would you care to dance with me, Princess?" he asked politely to which Lapis responded positively with a simple "Yes, more than anything."
Rose looked in amazement, taking pride in what she conjured. "I must be off now," she told Lapis. "I hope you won't mind."
"Not at all," the blue girl replied. "And thank you, Rose Quartz, this is a dream come true. You've made me very happy."
"My pleasure, Your Highness," replied the fairy queen. "I'll see you again if trouble arises, but for now, enjoy your dream."
And with that Rose disappeared as Lapis waved her goodbye. With everything now clear to her and knowing that she would soon be awoken from the spell, the princess took her true love's hand and the two began to dance, with the queen, the duchess and the fairies watching in awe at the happy couple.
Once Rose's mind returned to the real world, she breathed a sigh of relief, happy that she managed to make Lapis content. She then looked at the sleeping princess and noticed that something was different from earlier. For on Lapis' beautiful sky-blue face, was a small gentle smile, implying that she was having a blissful dream. Rose then took out her wand one last time, and cast another spell on Lapis, producing a rose-pink aura around the princess. This was to ensure that White Diamond's powerful magic could not affect Lapis whilst she was sleeping.
"Your true love will be here soon Lapis," said the fairy queen soothingly. "Until then, may you have a pleasant sleep."