Revelations
Author's Note – Thank you all for your reviews, they inspired me to write this quicker. I love you all. I hope you like this next chapter, and I hope it is worth the short wait.
Please enjoy.
Eighteen years later –
A young woman with dirty blonde long hair was seated at the writing desk in her bedroom. She was softly humming a tune, whilst twirling a quill in her right hand, thinking through what she was going to write next on the Parchment in front of her. Today was her eighteenth birthday, and Avaleigh Erised was looking forward to the celebration later on in the day.
Her Mother, Charmaine was currently out in the town buying groceries. Avaleigh had offered to accompany her; however her Mother was adamant that she was to stay home today. If she was being honest, Avaleigh was sure that she had seen worrying showing in her Mother's eyes. But she could just not understand why. As far as Avaleigh was aware, their payments were up-to date, so there was no issue money wise.
The blonde sighed and then scribbled some more upon the parchment. This was one of Avaleigh's most favourite pass-times. She loved to write, just like reading fantasy stories; it enabled you to travel into another world, one of adventure and mystery. And those of Princes and Princesses, and tales of the Old Religion. Of course, Avaleigh kept them secret, as it was world-wide known that Sorcery was punishable by death within Camelot. She was not sure if reading tales of such things would land her in serious trouble as well. But she was reluctant to find out, that is for sure.
Her Father, Aaradon however made no secret of his opinions – he told anyone who asked, that he believed not all magic users were evil. People had questioned why the King allowed him to express such thoughts, a man who was practically siding with Sorcery. Nobody could explain it, not one, but a few. Aaradon was famous also for the quality of food his farm produced, good enough for the Royal Family. However, again to the confusement of the others, Aaradon refused to take a penny from King Uther or Prince Arthur.
This was of course, because the King had provided The Erised's with their long awaited child. And since that day eighteen years previously, Aaradon and Charmaine refused to take a penny from the Royal Household. However, since the birth of Avaleigh, Aaradon and Charmaine did manage to conceive two children. The eldest being a son they named Amir, and a daughter named Avarona. Amir was sixteen years old, with warm hazel eyes, dark haired and of a strong build, probably from all the years' hard labour on the farm. Avarona was much like her Mother was at the age of fifteen, with long ginger curly hair, a fair face. However, unlike her Mother's deep blue eyes, she had inherited her Father's, just like her brother had before her.
This was one reason why Avaleigh had been looking forward to her eighteenth birthday. For many years, she had been asking her parents as to why she was the only one with blonde hair, and why her looks were so different. Her Mother and Father had merely told her not to think on it too much, and that she would know the day she became a Woman. She had to admit, she had her theories on the subject. But she refused to believe them.
Avaleigh was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of her sister's voice.
"Ava, Mother has returned. Her and Father are requesting you go see them." Avaleigh nodded towards Avarona, replying she would come along in a minute.
Once her sister had left, Ava stood and straightened her dress. Today she was wearing a dark pink layered dress, with her blonde hair pulled back from her face into a loose bun. Checking her face in her hand mirror, she smiled and walked gracefully into the comfortable sitting area. The room was the largest on the house. Joined with the kitchen, the furniture was drawn round a large fire. There an armchair on either side of a cosy looking settee. Ava noticed her Parents were seated upon the Settee, and they were motioning for her to sit down in the chair to their left.
"Ava, your Mother and I have something we need to tell you. This is something that will require your absolute attention. Do we have it?" Her father asked gruffly. Ava nodded her understanding. Ava knew that whatever it was they had to tell her, it must have been what had her Mother worried this morning. Charmaine looked so old, much older than she was. Never in her life, had Ava seen her like this.
"For many years before you were born, I and your Father had been desperate for a child, but it did not seem to be." Charmaine started, looking her daughter in the eye. "However sweetheart, the Gods must have blessed us, because on this day eighteen years ago, they gave us you."
Charmaine burst into tears, sobbing into a pink blanket she was currently holding. Unable to carry on, she gestured for her husband to carry on. Ava couldn't figure why her Mother was so upset. What is it about her birth, which caused her such heart breaking sorrow? Stroking his wife's back, Aaradon continued the story.
"When I returned home from the fields that evening, I was greeted with my wife – your Mother, holding a beautiful baby girl. I was to say the least, shocked. That morning, I left very much childless. Your Mother then proceeded to tell me what had happened. As you know, there was another child born the same day as you. We have told you many stories of him as you have grown up – we did this as a promise to someone. Eighteen years ago, your Mother was greeted by his Royal Highness, King Uther. With him he brought a baby girl wrapped up in a pink blanket."
Ava's eyes widened in shock, as her gaze fell on the blanket her Mother was so desperately clutching.
"The child I spoke of, born the same day, as you already know, is the Prince Arthur. However, you share more than the same date of birth." Aaradon paused, leaving Ava with baited breath. "You also share the Prince Arthur's blood!"
A/N – So there you have it! Sorry for the cliff hanger! It had to be left there. I really do hope you enjoyed it. Again, I would love for you to review.
Amorous Erised xXx
