Azura makes her way to the Crystal Palace and knocks on the door.
`Come in Azura,' The Enchantress calls. `Elina is expecting you!'
Azura walks into the foyer and smiles at Linia.
`So she is awake?'
`Yes, she woke up earlier this morning and the first thing she asked was where you are, she sounded quite frightened. I believe that there is something you need to talk to Elina about, isn't there? About what I helped you with 16 years ago? You are frightened?'
`Yes, and I am. Afraid, quite a lot actually. What I have to tell her could change everything to her.'
`Azura.' The Enchantress says quietly, `If you ever need someone to talk to, I am here for you. I always will be.'
`Thank you Linia!'
Azura bows her head and flies to the room that Elina is staying in and quietly knocks on the door.
`Come in,' A quiet reply says.
Azura opens the door and sees Elina sitting in her bed with Bibble asleep next to her. Elina has tears in her eyes and dark circles under them. Elina tries to fly to Azura but only falls back onto her bed despite her efforts. Azura flies to Elina and gives her a gentle hug.
`I have been so worried about you!' Azura says with a tear in her eye.
`I am fine, really!' Elina replies trying to sound confident but Azura knows Elina too well.
`Elina, do you remember what happened, anything at all?' Azura questioned.
`Well, I remember going into the woods, for what reason I don't know, I was feeling perfectly well one second than the other I could feel my head hitting the floor and everything going black. The next thing I remember is seeing you in the woods, I couldn't hear what you were saying because I went unconscious seconds later and then I woke up this morning here.'
Azura sighs and remembers back to that horrible day 16 years ago.
Flashback…
`You will not touch her! '
No, I won't!' A wicked grin became over the old lady's face. `But your child will be from now on a wingless fairy, never being able to fly!'
`No!' Azura screams and tries to put herself between her baby girl and the old woman's spell. The spell hit the crying baby and her tiny wings started to disappear.
`No, No!' Azura cried as her baby girl loses her wings. `You will not get away with this!'
`Oh, but I already have! If you tell anyone that is was me who cursed this child I will tell the world about the fact that this child has no father!'
`I don't care, as long as my baby gets her wings back.'
`Well, if you want to play it that way, on this child's 16th birthday she will become ill and if the curse hasn't been broken by then, she will die!'
The curse of the old woman went straight toward the little girl but this time Azura managed to pick her daughter up and turn her back to the curse. The curse hit Azura in the back but because she was holding her child half of the curse was imprinted into both mother and daughter.
The old woman left and Azura cried and rocked her wingless baby girl.
`I will do everything in my power to protect you and if that means keeping you away from me that that is what I'll do.'
Azura, the next day went and asked the Enchantress for help. Linia told her that to stop her baby from dying she will need to stay away from her because the curse had only half effect on both of them that if Azura stayed away from her baby than on her 16th birthday the curse would make her incredibly ill but will not kill her, unless they found the antidote.
`I don't want anyone to know about my baby, ok? The less people that know the easier it will for me to stay apart.'
The next day, Azura went to her friend and fellow guardian Topaz, who guarded the Magic Meadow.
`Topaz, I need your help.'
`Anything Azura, what is it?'
`I-I found this child by itself and I think it would be safer if she lived here in the Magic Meadow. If you could look after it until she is old enough to live on her own just make sure that she doesn't know that you were the one to take care of her, ok?'
Sure, what's her name?'
`Her-her name is… Elina!'
End of Flashback…
Azura looks at Elina and begins to explain.
`Elina, when you were a baby, a witch came and put a curse on you. The first was to take away your wings and the other was that on your sixteenth birthday, you would… Die, if no antidote was found. But for both curses, your mother tried to stop them and protect you but was only successful over the last curse. The last curse's affect was halved between you and your mother. This means that you will fall quite ill for some time but eventually get better.'
`Wait!' Elina, shocked asks, 'Why did nobody tell me? And you knew my mother? What was she like? Was she beautiful? Talented? Funny? I bet she was all of those things and more!'
Azura laughs half-heartedly. `No-one told you about the curse because the only person who knew about it was too afraid to tell you knowing what other questions would be asked.'
`What other questions?' Elina askes confused.
`Questions… about your mother.' Azura sighs and continues before Elina could say more. `And to answer your previous question about you mother, Yes, I know her very well! But the other parts of your question you will have to answer yourself.'
`B-but I have never met my mother! Can you tell me who she is?'
`You have met your mother Elina!' Azura fells tears fall down her cheeks, 'Because I, am your mother.'
Elina looks at Azura who was still crying and thinks this whole conversation through. Elina can't believe that her mother had been in front of her this whole time.
`Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you leave me?'
`Oh Elina! I am so sorry! I couldn't tell you earlier because I was afraid, afraid that the curse being together would be stronger, afraid that you would never talk to me again! I never wanted to let you go, I love you so much!'
`Azura, I have wished, every year that my mother would come back to me, I was scared of the reason she left me. Now that I know why you left me was to protect me I am so happy that my mother finally came back and that you always loved me!'
Azura catches her breath as Elina hugs her and whispers.
`I love you mum!'
Azura cries tears of happiness and says back.
`I love you too, and always have!'
Once the two separated, Elina has a few more questions.
`Did you always know that it was me? From the first time that I came to you for help?'
`Honestly no, I hadn't seen you since you were six months old so when you first came to me I had no idea that it was you. Only when you told me your name and that you were from the Magic Meadows did I realise.'
` Ever since the time where I came to you for help, I have always thought of you as my motherly figure, I cannot believe that the person I loved so much is actually my mother.'
`You, you have always thought of me as your mother figure?'
`You have done everything to help me, you have stood up for me, protected me and loved me. Of course, I did! I am so happy that I finally found my mother.'
Azura brushes the tears from her eyes.
`And before when you said that I had to answer the questions myself if my mother was beautiful and talented. My answer is yes, my mother is both of those things and more, my mother is one of the most amazing, funny, talented and beautiful fairies I have ever met, and I love her more than anything in the world.'
Azura smiles and brushes her tears away.
`You should get some rest; the curse will take some time to get over.'
`I can't possibly rest now! Can you please stay a little longer and tell me what I was like as a baby?'
Azura laughs.
`Ok but then you have to rest, Ok?'
`Fine!' Elina pouts and laughs. `Azura?'
`Mm,' Azura replies contently.
`Can I call you mum?'
Azura looks at Elina and smiles.
`I would love you too but don't think you have to, leaving you was the worst thing I ever had to do, and you don't have to forgive me for it!'
`I forgave you the moment you came back into my life. I love you mum.'