Disclaimer: I won nothing but my own characters and story line
Author's note: Please review, it means a lot to me
After breakfast, Sarah took Toby upstairs to pack their most prized possessions. Sarah had ready asked if they needed to pack any clothes and the High Queen Cordelia had said that clothes would be provided, however, if they wished to take a couple of pieces of clothing to wear in their private time they could.
Sarah sorted out Toby's thing first, making sure he had pictures of their father and his mother as well as the teddy bear Lancelot and other toys. Once he was done, Sarah placed him in the living room and switched on his favourite cartoons. Sarah pulled a suitcase put from under her bed and looked around her room. She grabbed the pictures of her mother, father and step-mother before packing her sixteenth birthday presents, which included a white gold charm bracelet that had just been finished and a lacy lingerie set that Karen had secretly given her on their last shopping trip.
After packing the clothes she'd worn while running the Labyrinth, Sarah looked around her room once more and suddenly to weight of what she was about to do plus the fact that she'd lost most of her family hit her like a ton of bricks. Falling to her knees, Sarah covered her mouth with both her hands and tried to quieten the sobs that were heartbreakingly deep.
This was how Queen Cordelia found her, on her knees, hands muffling her sobs and rocking gently to and fro. Being a mother, Cordelia kneeled down next to her charge and folded her into her embrace. Sarah didn't fight her or pull away, but buried her face into the fae woman's shoulder and cried her out her grief as much as possible.
After a while, Sarah's sobs calmed to hiccups and Cordelia continued to hold her till she had completely calmed down.
"Im sorry," Sarah whispered, as she pulled away slightly.
"There is no need to apologise," Cordelia said softly. "To grief for loved ones who have past, is not disrespectful, it shows that we love them deeply and will miss them just as deeply. If you need to cry Sarah, you cry. There is nothing more cleansing to the soul, than to cry."
"Thank you," the young woman's voice was choked with tears, but she smiled all the same.
"Your very welcome. If you want to talk, just let me know because in nearly every way you and Toby are my children." The women hugged once more before rising from the floor, as they did, Cordelia saw the set of lingerie in the suitcase. "Wow, who gave you this?"
"Oh, Karen, my step-mum gave them to me as a birthday present," Sarah could feel her face heat up and knew she looked like a tomato.
"Well, let hope we can find you a male fae worthily of such a sexy piece of lingerie," and with a smile, Cordelia closed and zipped the suitcase before waving her hand over it, sending it to the Underground.
Toby was very excited by the time they were all ready to leave, he was practically jumping up and down with his energy. Each woman took one of his hands in theirs as Queen Cordelia waved her hand in front of the full length mirror in the hall way. Sarah watched as the surface of the mirror seemed to ripple in response to the magic before the image changed to show a spacious living room. Leading the way, Cordelia stepped through the mirror and in to the beautiful room.
The room was decorated in shades of orange and gold giving the room a warm feeling. The fire place dominated the rightside of the room but left enough room for a built in bookcase on the one side, farthest from where Sarah stood, and a door on the other side that Cordelia lead to the rest of the palace. Behind them was the mirror with floor to ceiling windows framed with curtains either side of it, these windows let in lots of natural light that brighten the room perfectly.
In front of the fire was a sofa and arm chair that were very cozy, Sarah could imagine herself curled up in the sofa with a good book. A couple of metres from the sofa was a gorgeous wooden desk and chair and was already equipped with quills and parchment. Along the wall behind the desk were three more built-in bookcases, all evenly spaced and only half-full. Sarah looked forward to filling n the spaces.
On the wall in front of them was another door that lead to Toby's room. The room was by far big enough for Toby to grow into and even had it's own mini second floor, which connected to the rooms main floor via a ladder and had railings to ensure the boy's safety. The bed was a lovely single bed and was pushed against the right wall next to the window. The whole room was decorated in shades of blue, Toby's favourite colour and next to the bed was a room leading to a closet that had already been stocked with clothes and Toby loved them all.
Under the mini second floor was another door leading to a bathroom which had modern facilities much to Sarah's relief but with a slight difference. In the middle of the room was the bathtub and hanging from the ceiling was white curtains that gave a lovely measure of privacy. It was at this point that Sarah realised she'd be sharing the bathroom with Toby and she also found that she didn't mind as she could keep a close eye on him.
"Sarah, there is someone I'd like you to meet," High Queen Cordelia said, taking them back into Toby's room. "This is Alana," she introduced a young looking fae, with kind turquoise eyes, rich brown hair that was plaited and a caring smile. "With your permission Sarah, Alana will have the position of Toby's nanny."
Taken back, Sarah wasn't quite sure what to say. Not wanting to offend Alana, Sarah looked at the Queen with questions in her eyes. Questions that Cordelia read perfectly.
"The only reason I would suggest this, Sarah," she explained gently, "is because you are going be very busy with your studies of this world and Alana would help you care for your brother. Alana isn't here to replace you in anyway, just make things easier for you."
"I would be more than happy to discuss routines with you Lady Sarah," Alana said, her voice holding nothing but compassion. "Can I also say that it is an honour to meet the Champion of the Labyrinth and I will do my best by you and Master Toby." Her curtsy surprised Sarah and the gravity of her new title could be felt on her shoulders.
"Toby is very energetic and I would be grateful for the help," Sarah responded after swallowing her shock and finding her tongue. "Thank you and I hope we can become friends." At her last sentence, Alana blush her pleasure at being accepted.
"Toby, why do you get to know Alana," Cordelia said to the young boy, "while I show Sarah her new room?"
At his nod, the Queen took Sarah gently by the hand and lead the way through the bathroom and into Sarah's new room. It was just as spacious as the living room and had it's own fire place with a love seat in front of it and was decorated in shades of lavender, sliver and white. However, what really caught Sarah's attention was the huge wooded four poster bed that had been beautifully carved with chrysanthemums, which in general meant rest. Against the wall of the bathroom door was a vanity table and mirror which were both beautifully carved to match the bed with a stool that awaited a user.
Straight in front of them were large glass doors which opened on to a balcony that had potted flowers that gave off a delicate scent. The doors were framed with white curtains and to the right of the doors and on the same wall as her bed was a door. Opening it, Sarah couldn't help but gasp as the closet she stepped into was bigger than her old room and completely stocked with dresses, breeches, blouses, shoes and boots, all in different colours, styles and materials. Sarah felt rather overwhelmed but thanked the Queen for her generosity all the same.
After hugging her thanks, Cordelia took Sarah back to her living room through the door opposite her closet to have a light lunch with Toby and Alana, who were getting on like a house on fire. Seeing the the friendship forming between the two, Sarah felt completely at ease with the young fae woman and they went over Toby's routine and that Sarah would like to spend time with Toby in the evenings as well as put him to bed. They soon came up with a plan that worked in Toby's best interest.
The day soon spilled by and Sarah soon found herself sliding into her new bed after putting Toby down. She'd left the bathroom doors open so Toby could easily find her if he got scared. Sarah thought sleep would come quickly but after a few minutes she was joined by her little brother who cuddled up to her saying he missed mama and papa.
Holding each other, the siblings fell asleep with silent tears staining their cheeks and took comfort in the fact that they still had each other. And so they slept, with hope blossoming in their hearts at this new life they had been given.