A/N: sorry that it took me so long to come with a new chapter, but it is finally up and I hope that you will like it.

P.S.: we are nearing the highpoint of the dramatic part in this fic

XVII. Queen of Tears part II.

Aikka stood gapping in front of the picture, his heart racing in his chest.

"This can't be…" he whispered softly in the half darkness while his trembling hand reached out to touch the picture.

As his hand slid along the richly decorated ebony frame his fingers suddenly brushed against something. There was something carved in the frame. The king moved a little bit aside so that the faint rays of light could brighten up the part with the carving on it. He leaned a bit down to get a better look on the writing, it was some sort of riddle;

"White as the purest snow, the bells are singing to her,

oh the bride is beautiful,

but her dress is cowered with scarlet blood.

On the day of happiness,

the Queen of Tears will only feel sorrow, then her lover is no more.

Look for the heart of the one she loved

before the thorns surround her…"

Aikka looked at the riddle, what it could mean and…suddenly it dawned to him and the realization let his heart almost break. Could it be that the riddle had something to do with Eva…suddenly a memory or to be more specific the memory of a strange feeling to be watched entered his mind. On the night of they wedding day when they both fell asleep he had the strange feeling that one other presence had entered they room. The king swallowed hard and begun to think, "Look for the heart of the one she loved…" The he suddenly remembered, there was in there was a necklace which was reached down in the family with a hearth shaped jewel on it, the same necklace which Eva wore on they wedding day. He immediately turned around and begun to run to they bedroom to get the necklace.

On his way he almost run into Rick, Jordan, Stan and Koji.

"Hey Aikka, why are you running as if the Crogs would be after you?" Rick asked the panting king.

"I…I picked up one old book in the library which opened on a site with a picture…so…so I went to…the room where I saw t…the same painting and…and the figure on the picture resembles Eva almost perfectly…and there was a riddle carved in…in the frame and I think it has something to do with her…" he panted and the others stared at him vide eyed.

"What was the riddle?" Rick asked suddenly, his voice serious.

"White as the purest snow, the bells are singing to her, oh the bride is beautiful, but her dress is cowered with scarlet blood. On the day of happiness, the Queen of Tears will only feel sorrow, then her lover is no more. Look for the heart of the one she loved before the thorns surround her…" he said.

"Uh…I didn't understand a word." said Jordan defeated, but now he was also getting worried.

"I have already solved this one, the necklace Eva wore on our wedding, the gem on it is called "Heart of a lover"."

"Then why are we standing here." said Stan and so the five man headed to the royal bedroom. Many servants only stared confused after them, not understanding what got in they king and the others.

"So we have now this so called "heart", but where is the next riddle?" the Avatar asked while holding the necklace as suddenly Koji gasped.

"What is it?" Stan asked his partner as the other grabbed the necklace from a weary confused looking Avatar and closed the curtains.

"Stan, give me your pocked flashlight." Koji said and after he got it he turned the little light on and let it shine on the gem. "I was right." he said and everyone looked at the wall where the red light of the gem was reflected.

"The next riddle." said Rick as he walked over to the wall and let Aikka read it to them.

"The veil is hiding her angelic face,

but oh the angel has lost her wings.

Open your eyes then the darkness is nearing,

to take back what He has given.

Find the caged happiness,

the right music will be the key."

"As already sayd before…I hate riddles…." Jordan whined.

"Hmm…what could this one mean…wait a minute." Rick said suddenly and everyone turned to him.

"What is it Rick?" Stan asked.

"Do you know what the riddle means?" Koji asked and Aikka looked hopeful at the ex-star racer, he had a strange feeling that they were running out of time.

"A week ago I was in the music room…what is it…" he growled as he saw everyone's shocked gazes directed at him. "Molly wanted to learn how to play a piano and I had piano lessons for two years when I was little." he said, blushing a little bit.

"Ok everyone, we should not fight right now so Rick what was in the music room?" Aikka asked.

"You know that there are a five statues and your mom told me once that the statue of that young woman with the violin like instrument is called 'Caged happiness', but she doesn't know why. I t could be that the riddle meant the statue and remember the last pherse? The right music will be the key." Rick explained.

"You are right and now let us hurry."

And with that they were on they way to the music room to find the next riddle and hopefully the last one.

Meanwhile…

Eva was looking around for Aikka. She reached the doors which lead to the library where she hoped that she would find her husband.

"Aikka?" she asked softly as she walked inside, but there was no one.

The queen of Nourasia entered the gigantic library fully when her gaze suddenly fell on a ancient looking book which laid on the table. Curiosity got the best of her and she picked the book up and flipped a site. Suddenly her red eyes widened and her breath hitched. The book slipped from her delicate hands and she run out of the room to find the others.

The book lay on the ground, the words on the page written in blood;

"Five are searching for the answer,

three as friends two as lovers, but will they find

the secrets key before the clock hits the right time

or will the bride return to Him…"

In the music room…

Rick was playing on the piano while the other stared at the statue…nothing.

"This isn't working."

"Rick, please let me try."

"Are you sure Aikka?" the man asked.

"Yes I think I know the melody that must be played." the king sayd as he sat down and begun to play. Something told him that the melody of the old song which was passed down in they family would be the key.

Everyone looked at him as suddenly they heard a squeaking noise and saw that the ribcage of the statue opened and in there was one old note with a wilted rose beside it.

Koji took it out and gave the note to Aikka.

"The time is running, He is near.

Tears will fall, white veil a brides pride,

but oh her dress is crimson strained from blood.

Crimson red blood shimmers in the sapphire light,

go to where your hearth lies

as long as the time is right…"

"Ok, and what could that mean?" Jordan asked as suddenly everyone gasped.

"Eva!" they said in union and begun to running to find the queen.

"King Aikka? What in the name of Nourasia are you doing?" Caanan asked as he saw them.

"No time to talk Caanan, alarm everyone in the palace and tell them to search for Eva immediately she is in great danger!" Aikka yelled back.

"I'm on my way." Caanan sayd and almost in two minutes was the whole palace searching for the queen.

Aikka was turning around a hall when the old clock suddenly hit eight, his heart raced in fear and his lungs were on fire, but he needed to find her as suddenly he heard a scream. Aikka run faster yelling Eva's name, but when he reached the hall from which he heard her she was not there anymore.

The dying rays of the setting sun shone inside the room, letting the necklace glitter in the faint orange light together with her wedding ring. Aikka fell to his knees, he was to late…

To be continued…

A/N: I know this is one of the worst parts to end this chapter, but I can't let you have all the excitement in one chapter…I soo suck at riddles….