The Windflower Chronicles is being written as part of Elenaomi Week! This story, and all the other stories featured in this work, are part of an anthology. While some can be considered in the same continuity, they're not strictly connected or even sequential.
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Day 7 – Free - "Will You Be My Chancellor?"
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Naomi had never been this nervous before, and she'd been on countless adventures where the lives of her and her friends were in legitimate danger. She'd been threatened, attacked, and cursed, and yet, she had never been more afraid than she was at this moment. It had been a little more than a year since she'd become chancellor of Avalor, and more than six months since she'd started dating the queen, Elena. A few short weeks ago, she and her friends had defeated Ash Delgado... again, after she'd escaped the Spirit World and had threatened all of Avalor, and indeed, all of the Everrealm with an army of dead villains, including Shuriki, the tyrant who had murdered Queen Elena's parents. That particular adventure had brought countless close calls and frightening moments, and yet, as Naomi stood in her familiar white shirt and green dress, pacing back and forth in her room at the palace with her parents looking on, she was terrified. Her hands and legs were trembling, she was looking up and down and all around... and in her trembling hands she held a single small brown box, which she kept opening and closing, not even looking at the ring inside.
"I can't do this!" shouted Naomi.
"Of course you can, dear," said her father. He and Naomi's mother Scarlett walked over, and he placed his hand on Naomi's shoulder to calm her down.
"We've seen you do so many things. You've been the best chancellor Avalor's ever had. You've saved the kingdom... you've saved the queen. You've sailed around the world... you're ready for this," said Scarlett, holding her hand over Naomi's as she once again opened the box she held in her hands. "All you have to do is ask."
"That's just the thing," said Naomi. "How do you ask a queen to marry you?"
Naomi looked down at the ring. It was a simple gold ring with a small white pearl that Naomi herself had plucked from the bottom of the sea during a recent adventure.
"One little pearl," Naomi said with a sigh. "Elena deserves diamonds, rubies, sapphires, the most beautiful ring in the kingdom, and all I'm giving her is a little pearl ring!"
"Naomi, listen to yourself," said Scarlett. "The Naomi we know would say that all those things are gaudy and pointless, that jewels are way too fancy and they sparkle so much it hurts your eyes."
"I know, but Elena's a queen," said Naomi, sighing again.
"And she's also your best friend," replied her father. "Besides, how long have you two been dating already?"
"Nine months, four days," said Naomi. "Not even a year and I'm already asking her to marry me! Ugggh, she's probably going to think I'm desperate, or that I'm just after her royal title or something!"
"Elena would never think that of you," said her father. "She admires you, I've seen it. She looks at you the same way I always looked at your mother when we were first dating..."
"Ha, you're right about that!" said Scarlett, leaning in and kissing her husband's cheek. "She's head over heels for you... she's always blushing when the two of you are together. Even during important royal meetings, she has trouble keeping it together. You have a serious effect on her... but one look at you and it's easy to see why. You've grown into a strong, brave, wise, confident young woman. You're far more accomplished than I was at your age, and you throw yourself completely into everything you do."
"And you're a hero as well," said Daniel. "You fought more bravely than anyone your mother and I have ever seen. When those villains came into Avalor, who stood up to them and defended the harbor? Who saved Mateo and Gabe after they were captured by that strange plant woman? Who stood up to Shuriki when no one else would?"
"She trapped Elena, of course I was going to stand up to her," said Naomi.
"Stand up to her? You cursed her out and dared her to kill you, armed with nothing more than your bare hands and a compass!" said Scarlett proudly. "If your father and I hadn't been absolutely terrified that she was going to blast you, we'd have been cheering you on!"
"Yeah, well, anybody can be brave... lots of the knights were brave too," said Naomi, her own nervousness causing her to downplay her accomplishments. She looked at the pearl ring again, closing the box and sighing. "Maybe I should wait a few more weeks? Until all the cleanup from Ash's invasion is finished?"
"Naomi, if you can't do this now, it's okay," said Daniel. He and Scarlett stood on either side of Naomi, continuing to give her encouraging looks, wanting to remind their daughter that they approved of everything she did, no matter what. "You don't ever have to ask Elena to marry you if you don't want to."
"That's right... I don't want you to feel like we're pressuring you... we just want you to have more confidence in yourself, because we both believe in you."
Naomi looked at both of her parents and pulled them in close, hugging them tightly to her. They'd always encouraged her when she felt down, and they were the first people to make her think she was more than just an ordinary girl doomed to a life as a plain old sailor. They were the first, and after them, Elena. Elena had given Naomi everything... a place to belong, a purpose to her life, the means to accomplish her dreams... but even after she'd done more in just 21 short years than most people would ever do in their entire lives, she had one last dream she wanted to fulfill.
A life of happiness with the person she loved... in Naomi's case, Elena.
"Thanks, mom... thanks, dad... I'll try to remember what you said, but I think I still need some time," said Naomi, looking down at the box containing the ring.
"If you need us, you know where to find us, Naomi," said Daniel, kissing his daughter on top of her head, while Scarlett kissed her on the cheek.
"We'll always be here," said Scarlett. As she and Daniel left the room, Naomi opened the box again and sat down on the bed. She kicked her legs back and forth, thinking about the ring and about Elena, and everything they'd been through in their time as friends.
I love her, thought Naomi, clutching the box containing the ring to her chest. She loved Elena so much it hurt... her stomach was churning, and her hands and feet tingled with anticipation. I love her, and I don't want to make her feel bad... what if it's too soon to ask her, and it ruins everything between us? I know what mom said, that she'd never think badly of me, but I've never done anything this crazy before! Asking her to marry me?
On top of that, Elena was the queen of Avalor... rulers were expected to produce heirs, and Elena and Naomi obviously couldn't. The fact that they were both women wasn't a problem in and of itself... the people of Avalor had never discriminated against same-sex couples, and couples consisting of two men and two women could frequently be seen around Avalor, mingling, showing affection, and living as married families, adopting kids and raising them as their own. Naomi's own friends Antonia and Ixlan had been dating for nearly a year as well, and had announced their engagement just before Ash's return, to much fanfare and celebration.
It's not that Avalor would be upset... it's that... Elena might feel a responsibility to produce an heir. She's always put everyone else before her own happiness, especially when it comes to matters of the kingdom. I mean, I guess there are ways me and Elena could have a kid... adoption... magic... Isabel's really smart, but... she's more of a mechanical scientist, not a biological one. Isabel... if Elena and I didn't have a kid, then Isabel would become queen when Elena... ugh, I don't even want to think about it. Just the thought of Elena dying, even in like 80 years of old age, it makes me so sad! I love her, of course I love her, so of course thinking of anything happening to her freaks me out! I want to be with her so much... I have to ask her... but I'm so scared...!
Naomi fell to her knees, almost in a prayer-like stance, still holding that box in her hand. She cleared her throat, opened the box, and pretended to present it to an imaginary Elena.
"Elena, will you marry me?" said Naomi, her voice shaking with nervousness. "No, no, no, that's not right...!"
Naomi cleared her throat again.
"Queen Elena... of Avalor... will you marry me? ...no! Too formal, too stuffy, I have to be myself!"
Naomi took a deep breath, and smiled, looking into a distant mirror and holding up the ring almost as if she didn't care.
"Hey, Elena, so, uh... think you might... wanna marry me? ...no, that's terrible!"
As Naomi fretted, she nearly fumbled the box. She managed to save it, but the ring fell out and began rolling across the room.
"No!" she shouted again, diving for the ring and managing to get her hands over it before it would have slid into a crack in the room's floor. She breathed a sigh of relief, holding the ring tightly in her hands and pulling it tightly to her body, clenching it for dear life and looking at herself in the mirror again. She was a mess... her hair was frazzled, her face was flushed, her eyes looked tired... could she really propose to Elena in this state? Could she really propose to her at all? "I can't do this..."
Naomi put the ring back in the box and started to close it again... then looked at herself in the mirror, and at the pearl ring, plain but pretty, shimmering slightly in the sunlight. She'd gotten that pearl herself, diving down deeper into the ocean than she ever had before. She'd gotten that pearl for Elena... and she'd have went down ten times deeper if she had to.
I've done so much for Elena, but nowhere near as much as she's done for me... thought Naomi, looking at herself again. What does she even see in me? She's kind and sweet enough to see the best in everyone, but what makes me so special?
She then imagined herself in a beautiful wedding dress, standing next to Elena... saying their vows as their loved ones looked on... she imagined Elena holding her hands, looking so beautiful in a gorgeous red wedding gown, a shimmering crown on her head... and as much as Naomi didn't think it could ever be, she wanted so desperately to believe it could.
She does love me. She's said it herself, so much... she's always made me feel like someone special...
Still trembling as she clutched the box with the ring inside, Naomi stood up and faced her own reflection, determined not to let another day go by without letting Elena know how she truly felt. Maybe she'd be rejected, but she had to know if Elena was willing to marry her, and if she didn't ask, she never would.
Engagement ring in hand, Naomi left her chambers and made her way to the throne room. Fortunately, there was no one around to question her as she walked down the hallway... stopping to talk to anyone else might've made her even more nervous, and she was already nervous enough as it is. She pushed the doors to the throne room open, and went inside, approaching the throne.
Only... the throne room was empty, save for one person. The queen was missing, but her cousin Esteban was waiting inside with a stack of papers.
"Ah, chancellor Naomi!" said Esteban, walking toward her.
"Esteban?" Naomi said nervously, quickly tucking the ring box into her pocket. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to discuss some architectural matters with the queen, but alas, she is in her chambers and requests not to be disturbed," said Esteban, who looked somewhat impatient as he continued to clutch his papers. "She said that she's thinking about something and would need a few minutes, but it's been half an hour, and I have been standing here with these papers like a fool!"
"Well, you don't need those papers to look like a fool, Esteban," said Naomi, snickering.
"Why... you...!"
"Sorry, sorry, I couldn't resist, you just look funny when you're all huffy like that," said Naomi. "Relax, I'm not here to pick on you. I was just looking for Elena, I wonder why she's shut herself up in her room..."
"You know her better than anyone, you tell me!" said Esteban, calming down somewhat but still frustrated with the queen's absence.
"You're her cousin, you know her way better than I do," said Naomi. "You've known her way longer, anyway..."
"This is true, but you, you are her chancellor... and her companion," replied Esteban. "You and the queen are almost inseparable... though it is easy to see why she is so fond of you, despite your occasional rudeness."
"Oh, is that so?" asked Naomi, leaning in slightly. "Surprised to hear you say that, considering that you once said my voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard."
"Yes, I... may have exaggerated my discomfort with you to some degree," said Esteban, looking a bit embarrassed that Naomi brought up some of his old insults. "To tell you the truth, I may have been a bit... jealous of how close you and Elena were becoming. When Elena and I were little... before Shuriki came along, she and I were the best of friends... and then, through my own actions, I ruined everything. I took a lot of that out on you, but I suppose that I was also angry with myself... I blamed myself for losing Elena as a best friend, and resented you for taking my place."
"...really?" said Naomi, surprised to hear Esteban confessing those sentiments to her. "But I could never take your place. You're her cousin, you're family..."
"And you are something even more," said Esteban. "Naomi, from the moment you and Elena met, it was as if you had known each other your entire lives. You complimented everything about her, your boldness and her caution, your humility and her pride, your sincerity and her tact... so different, yet so very similar. And you... you would never have made the terrible mistake I did. You would have seen Shuriki for the terrible evil she was... if you had been in my position back then, Elena's parents would still be alive."
"Esteban, you can't possibly know that," said Naomi, reaching to comfort him. Esteban smiled and waved his hand dismissively.
"It is all right, I have been able to move on thanks to Elena's forgiveness... but it's true, Naomi. You have been a far better protector to Elena than I have, and it is because of you that the kingdom of Avalor is still here today."
"You saved Avalor too, you know..." said Naomi. Refusing to take no for an answer, she leaned forward and hugged Esteban tightly, suddenly feeling a lot better about proposing to Elena now that she'd heard his encouraging words. "And you've been like family to me... even if you did try to turn me into a stuffed suit back at my quinceanara..."
"Yes, well... I suppose it was wrong to try and change you... Elena certainly likes you just the way you are," said Esteban.
"I know," replied Naomi. She parted from Esteban, then kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Thanks again."
"...for what?" asked Esteban as Naomi briskly walked out of the throne room.
"For everything!" she shouted back at him.
"...even for trying to turn you into a stuffed suit?"
"Not for that!"
Naomi almost ran down the hall toward Elena's chambers... she knew Esteban said the queen didn't want to be bothered, but she hoped that Elena would make time for her... especially considering what she had to say. When she stood in front of the door, she took a long, deep breath, reaching her hand into her pocket to take out the box, but deciding to leave it there until she was actually on her knees popping the question.
Okay, Naomi. You've got this.
Naomi opened the door, letting herself into Elena's room. She could see Elena nervously pacing back and forth, talking quickly to herself, and wondered what could possibly have the queen so uptight.
"Elena?"
Elena practically screamed with surprise, and turned toward Naomi. The queen was dressed in her casual royal dress, bright red and ornately decorated with flowers and golden braid, though also somewhat functional, stopping just above the knees to allow for natural movement. She was blushing bright red as Naomi walked up to her, and trying to compose herself by wiping the sweat from her brow with her gloved hand.
"Naomi..." said Elena softly, still nervous but managing a friendly smile. "Did you need to see me about something?"
"Well, yeah, actually-" Naomi started before Elena pressed a finger to her lips to shush her.
"Hold that thought!" replied Elena. She was unusually jumpy, and her unsettled demeanor brought back some of Naomi's nervousness, though as Elena lowered her hand, she just looked at her, wondering why the queen could possibly be so unsettled.
"Okay..." Naomi finally said, as Elena took a deep breath and started shaking wildly. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm... just fine, really..." Elena stammered, taking another deep breath and exhaling loudly. "...Naomi, did you hear any of the things I said just now? Uh, before you entered the room?"
"No, I was just in the throne room, you told Esteban-"
"Esteban!" shouted Elena. "I completely forgot about Esteban, he wanted to talk about those permits and I just completely ghosted him! Naomi, did you talk to him at all?"
"Yeah, we talked about-"
"The permits?"
"No, we talked about..."
Naomi sighed. Clearly, it wasn't a good time... Elena was completely out of sorts about something, probably a brand new crisis in the kingdom, and now definitely wouldn't be the time for any sort of marriage proposal. A look of disappointment appeared on her face, but part of her was relieved... she didn't want to pop the question if the answer was going to be no, and from how Elena was acting, the answer would definitely be no. She watched as Elena walked toward the door and reached for the knob, and she began to walk toward her.
Guess we're both coming back to the throne room to talk to Esteban. Guess it's just another boring day in the palace... guess I'll ask Elena some other time.
Elena began to turn the knob... then Naomi saw her take another long, deep breath, and stop.
"...no," said Elena to herself, before quickly turning back around, walking around Naomi and reaching for something in the small chest on a drawer next to her bed. She stayed at that drawer for a few seconds, while Naomi just watched her. Elena was shaking... trembling, her legs seemingly barely able to support her.
"Elena...? Are you okay?" asked Naomi, genuinely worried about the woman she loved, and wanting to say something to make her feel better. "I'm here, Elena, if something's bothering you..."
Elena walked toward Naomi with her hands clasped in front of her, concealing something. Naomi just stood there, watching her as she walked right up to her and looked into her eyes... a tear sliding down her cheek. Seeing that tear made Naomi instantly feel sad, as if there was an empathetic connection between the two of them... but as Naomi started to speak, Elena spoke first.
"Naomi... there's something I need to know right now."
And then, Elena did something that Naomi never expected to ever see her do.
Elena went down to one knee.
She unclasped her hands, and in them was a small white fabric box... and when she opened the box, there was a simple golden ring, decorated with an aqua blue sapphire.
Naomi recognized the ring immediately. It was the wedding ring of Elena's mother Lucia... the only thing that had survived the spell Shuriki used to kill Elena's parents.
Elena told me about her mother's ring... after Shuriki's spell, Esteban rushed to pick it up, and locked it in the safest vault in the kingdom... and after the coronation, he took Elena to where it had been kept... Elena cherished that ring as the last object left from her mother... and now... and now...!
"Naomi... will you marry me?"
Naomi was shocked into speechlessness, and her mind flooded with emotion. She immediately raised both hands to her mouth, and let out an incomprehensible gasp, as her eyes flooded with tears. Her entire body shook, her chest burned with emotion, her stomach began roiling again, and her eyes were unable to stop the rivers of tears that flowed from them. Tears began to streak down the sides of Naomi's face as the overwhelming emotion of the moment washed over her... she didn't know what to say. There was nothing to say.
Nothing to say except...
"Yes," gasped Naomi, still barely able to speak without sobbing. "Of course I will."
Elena took the ring out of its box, her hand trembling as it moved toward Naomi's. Naomi's own hand was trembling as well, and the queen could barely fit the ring onto her chancellor's finger, both of them were shaking so much.
"Elena..." whispered Naomi, blinking back another stream of tears. "This is your mother's wedding ring..."
"When I was a little girl," said Elena, having to blink back tears herself, "my mother told me how much she wanted me to find love... it didn't have to be romantic, just someone to spend my life with, like she had found my father. Six years ago, I found you... at first, I was happy that I'd found a best friend, and I had no idea that you'd be anything else. But then, after we got to know each other... went on adventures together, saved Avalor together, saved each other... I knew... I knew I loved you as more than my best friend. I knew you were the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and rule alongside. We've been together for a while now, and I know for sure... I want to be your wife, and I want you to be mine. Naomi... I love you."
Naomi looked down at the ring on her finger, knowing that besides Queen Lucia, she would be the only one to ever wear it. The jewel was beautiful, but the sentiment even more so, and Naomi could barely stop to think about it without crying. She smiled again, wiping more tears away, and gently removed the glove from Elena's hand before taking the ring box out of her own pocket and opening it up.
"Believe it or not, I was going to ask you the same thing," said Naomi, removing the ring from its box as Elena held out her hand. "I guess great minds really do think alike."
Elena giggled, her smile beaming as Naomi placed the ring on her finger.
"It's a beautiful pearl," said Elena, admiring her new engagement ring. "Where did you get it?"
"Fished it out of the ocean myself," Naomi replied. "It's actually a little plain... kinda like me, the girl from the port, you know?"
Elena's smile softened, and she gently placed her hand on Naomi's cheek.
"You're the most beautiful person in the Everrealm," said Elena. "And this is the most precious pearl in the sea."
Naomi's face was flushed with joy, and as her mind began to race with thoughts of her wedding to Elena and all the things they were going to do together, she felt Elena's hands clasp hers once more, their rings touching as they held each other's hands tightly.
"I'm so glad I met you, Naomi... and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Elena... I love you so much... this is the happiest moment of my life..."
As Naomi began to once again collapse into an emotional heap, Elena pulled her close and passionately kissed her on the lips. Naomi reached around and embraced Elena tightly, hands clasped behind her new fiance's neck as the two of them continued to hold each other and kiss tenderly, their lips caressing, their eyes closed to enjoy the warmth of each other's presence. The kiss continued for some time, until the two finally collapsed from the weight of it all, falling onto Elena's bed still locked in each other's arms. As they opened their eyes, looking sweetly at each other, they leaned in and kissed again, and Naomi's hands began to slide down from Elena's neck, resting in the small of her back and continuing to tenderly caress her. The two just nuzzled together for a few more moments, overwhelmed with emotion, looking deeply into each other's eyes as they rested and tried to recover.
"I was so nervous about proposing to you... guess it turns out you were just as nervous proposing to me, huh?" asked Naomi, wondering just what Elena had to be so nervous about... after all, she was the queen of Avalor.
"Naomi, believe it or not, I've always looked up to you... you're so brave, and your instincts are so sharp, and... to be honest, I was worried that you'd think I'd keep you tied down, you know?"
"Elena, I already agreed to be your chancellor. Besides, I already tried seeing the world... it wasn't the same without you. It never could be. I'd rather be here in Avalor with you than anywhere else in the world without you. Even if I never got to leave this palace, as long as I have you, I'm right where I want to be."
Naomi reached up and stroked Elena's face, and Elena took Naomi's hand and began to kiss it over and over again, making Naomi blush and moan.
"Fortunately, I get to travel the world and be with you," said Naomi. "The best of both worlds... an adventure with you by my side."
"My hero," said Elena, continuing to kiss Naomi's hand as Naomi wrapped her other arm around the queen's back, pulling them even closer together.
"My queen," replied Naomi, enjoying every second of the embrace, looking once more at her hand adorned with Lucia's ring, and hoping that someday the spirits would be kind enough to allow her to meet Elena's parents, if only to thank them for bringing the woman she loved into the world. "I love you."
"Te amo," replied Elena, resting in Naomi's arms and nuzzling her tenderly.
The two continued to rest in each other's arms, knowing that soon, they'd have to go back, back to the throne room, to Esteban and the business of ruling knew there would be more boring paperwork, more meetings, more business... but for now, and for the next few minutes, their whole world was that room, that bed, each other's arms... and they were more than content to enjoy every second they could, even as they imagined the many years of happiness to come.
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The next morning, as the people of Avalor gathered in the courtyard of the palace for what the queen had said was a 'major announcement', many in the crowd wondered what it could possibly be. Some, like Naomi's parents, already knew. Elena's sister Isabel also knew... she was the first and only person Elena had told, and she was overjoyed at the news. She wanted to scream it out to everyone, though Elena made her promise not to say a word until the next morning, not even to Gabe or Mateo. Elena had told her grandparents next, and they were incredibly happy for her, with Luisa volunteering immediately to cater the wedding. Elena and Naomi both suspected that Esteban knew, though he was nice enough to play dumb when the two returned to go over those permits with him, and didn't say a thing about the lipstick marks on Naomi's neck, or about Elena's badly ruffled dress.
The assembled crowd murmured with anticipation as Elena stepped out onto the balcony to address her people. She still looked a bit nervous as she addressed them, mostly because she was on the verge of screaming with joy and she wanted to maintain some measure of decorum.
"People of Avalor," said Elena, looking down into the crowd to see some familiar faces. Gabe and Mateo were there, of course, with Gabe standing next to his new girlfriend, the pirate captain Alma, and Mateo snuggling up with Carla, who was slightly more physically affectionate than he was, her arm around his shoulder. Isabel was at the front of the crowd, giddy with anticipation, ready to cheer and scream for an announcement she already knew. "These past few years have been some of the most difficult that Avalor has ever known. Our kingdom has been through a great ordeal, but thanks to the strength of all of you, we have come out stronger and happier than ever. I have never been prouder to be your queen, and I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the hard work and bravery of all the people of Avalor."
The crowd cheered, thanking Elena and shouting words of encouragement to her.
"During this time, I've been able to lean on my friends and loved ones, and their strength has carried me through the many ordeals and adventures I've experienced. One person in particular has been my best friend during everything, and you all know this brave and selfless woman as the chancellor of Avalor, Naomi Turner."
The crowd cheered again, with Gabe and Mateo both shouting 'go Naomi!', and Naomi's parents cheering the loudest of all, as they too knew exactly what was coming up. As the crowd cheered, Elena looked back behind the balcony, to see Naomi standing in the shadows, hidden from view, wearing a beautiful aqua blue dress and blushing all over her face.
"Are you ready?" Elena asked her.
"Always," Naomi replied, giving Elena a look of love and admiration that made the queen's heart flutter and all her nervousness fade away. "I'm ready for anything, thanks to you."
Elena then turned to face the crowd once more.
"And I've come to realize something as well in these past few months... Naomi is my best friend, and my most trusted adviser, but she's also something else... she's the inspiration that makes every day a new adventure. She's the person who gives me the strength to carry all of Avalor's burdens on my shoulders. ...she's the hero who's saved my life more times than I can count."
As Elena spoke, Gabe and Mateo quickly realized what Elena was about to announce. Of course, they knew Elena and Naomi had been dating, but didn't think their relationship had progressed that quickly, and Gabe let out a loud cheer as Elena got ready to make her feelings known to the entire kingdom.
"She's the woman I love, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. And that's why I'm happy to announce on this day... my betrothal to the future princess of Avalor, Naomi Turner!"
Naomi stepped out onto the balcony to the most thunderous roar of applause she'd heard in her entire life. Thousands of people cheering with joy at the news that she was to be wedded to their queen... to rule at her side for the rest of their lives, sharing the throne and sharing their love. Elena met her, and took her hand, and leaned in, kissing her tenderly... but as Naomi heard those cheers and the loud yelling of her overjoyed parents, a feeling of pure passion came over her, and she dipped the queen in her arms, lowering her for a much more passionate kiss. The crowd gasped at first, then roared even louder, especially when Elena reciprocated the kiss and wrapped her arms tightly around her new fiance.
"Woooo!" cheered Isabel, jumping up and down and cheering excitedly. "Go Elena! Go Naomi!"
"Ah, it is just like the day we became betrothed..." said Luisa, sniffling and wiping a tear from her eye. "Don't you remember, Francisco?"
"I remember it perfectly," said Francisco, smiling and kissing his beloved wife on the cheek. "There wasn't quite this many people, but it was beautiful all the same."
"Y'know, I kinda knew all along," said Gabe, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Even when you guys were dating?" asked Mateo, leaning in.
"Hey, I saw how excited you got when you thought me and Naomi were a thing... cleared the way for you and Elena."
Mateo blushed, remembering his old crush on the queen. He still had one, to some extent, though once he realized his feelings for Carla, he was happy to leave his feelings for Elena in the past, no longer wondering how it might've worked out between them. Things seemed to have worked out just fine for everyone, and as he felt Carla's sweet embrace, and even her lips on his cheek, he knew that someday he'd be just as happy as Elena and Naomi were, and right now, he was happy to see two of his best friends locked in each other's arms, making out in front of the whole kingdom.
"Ha!" shouted Carla excitedly, smooching Mateo again before watching Elena and Naomi's balcony kiss and pointing at them, deciding to have a bit of fun at their expense for old times' sake. "Get a room, you two!"
Carla then let out a squeak as she felt her father's hand clamp over her mouth, silencing any further taunts from the violet-eyed girl.
"Behave yourself, Carla!" said Victor, as his daughter glared sharply at him.
"What does she mean by 'get a room'?" asked Ixlan. "Palace has plenty of rooms, and they already own them, do they not?"
Antonia, standing next to Ixlan, rolled her eyes before pulling her girlfriend close for a quick kiss and whispering something into her ear. Ixlan's eyes widened, and then she looked at Carla.
"That comment was very inappropriate! You should feel great shame!" said Ixlan sternly, prompted a muffled growl from Carla and a snicker from Mateo.
Elena and Naomi continued to kiss for a few more seconds before parting, keeping one arm around the other and using the other to wave to the cheering people. They basked in the kingdom's love while basking in each other's, and while Naomi mostly looked at her parents, Elena looked down at Isabel. Though Isabel was the first to learn that Elena had been successful in asking Naomi for her hand in marriage, Elena had told Isabel beforehand... in particular, asking her if it would be a good idea to give Naomi their mother's ring. That ring was as much Isabel's as it was Elena's, and Elena still remembered what Naomi had said to her before leaving her alone in her room.
I love Naomi too, Isabel had told her. She's almost as much a sister to me as you are, and I want her to be a part of our family.
Elena looked up to the sky, thinking of her parents... her mother and her father, and the memories she had of them.
They would have loved you too, thought Elena. And one day, I'm going to take you to the Spirit World so you can meet them. You can't see the spirits like I can, but I'll find a way to make it possible... and if I can't, I'll take you to meet them when we're both spirits ourselves.
Naomi shed a tear as her parents' faces said it all... they were so proud of their daughter, and were ready to welcome Elena into their family as well. Naomi then turned to Elena, and nuzzled her cheek against Elena's face, whispering softly into her ear.
"Thank you," Naomi whispered. "Thank you for letting me be part of your life."
Elena held Naomi close, whispering back to her.
"You are my life," whispered Elena. Naomi, touched beyond words, kissed Elena again, and closed her eyes as Elena returned the kiss, the cheers of the gathered people drowned in the echoes of Elena's kindness as Naomi remembered every single compliment the queen had ever given her.
I am someone special... because I found you.
The greatest dream, the greatest magic, the greatest adventure... love, the purest love the kingdom of Avalor had ever known. A love that had already saved Avalor, and would save it many times in the future. Forever and ever, never to part even in death, the queen Elena and her hero Naomi, the flower and the wind, locked in a timeless embrace, floating on the skies of eternity.