*End Flashback*

After my story, Marian and I sat in complete silence now. I knew I had shocked her with my story of why I was always with this tree. But, to my surprise she thanked me for telling her this as she stood beside me. She offered me her hand to help me up, but I shook my head telling her, "I want to stay a bit longer. I hope you understand, child."

Marian nodded in agreement bowing her head, "Queen." She opened her mouth, but she hesitated to speak for a minute. Then, she arrived to the words. "Queen Aurora...?" she whispered, scared of what she was about to ask, "Do you love the King?"

I looked up at her knowing this question was bound to arise, but I was in loss of words.

I love him-sometimes...

"Child, sometimes...love is sacrifice." I grinned under my breath knowing Mulan was the one who had said those exact words to me the first time we had met. Marian smiled feeling she understood now and left me to be with the tree. I leaned my head against the soft bark and spoke softly, "Mulan, I hope you can hear me...because there's not a day where I don't think of you. Phillip has never known, and he will never know. I hope one day, we can meet again." I placed my hands in my lap, just listening to the soft breeze rustle the blossoms and buds. "I love you." I finally whispered feeling my heart flutter again, like it did all those years ago.

In the distance I heard Phillip and the children call out for me wondering where I had gone this whole time, thinking the maids hadn't found me yet. Phillip and the children found me in a matter of minutes as I saw my children run up toward me.

"Mother!" My darling Elizabeth called, coming closer to hug me. I took her in my arms along with Little Gregory, both being the same age; Nine.

"Sitting with the tree again I see." Phillip spoke out smiling as he reached for my hand to help me up. I grasped his hand smiling, picking up the children as well as he offered to walk back with me to the castle.

And in that slight moment as I walked away from the magnificent tree, past the rustling of the blossoms and leaves, I heard Mulan's faint voice call out to me.

We will meet again one day, my love.

An exaggerated smile come across my face as I closed my eyes to feel my heart beat pound within my chest.

I hear you Mulan...

I breathed in the air around me knowing she was here with me, as the cherry blossom tree.

The End