Chapter 2
Clarion was awake before first light and soon sat at her dressing table pulling her brush through her long brown hair. She had barely slept the night before from excitement at having her love back and desperation to be back in his arms. As she twisted her hair into its usual bun she thought back to the previous day and how she had felt when she had first spotted Milori riding on the back of his owl towards her, he and his fairies ready to save Pixie Hollow. Her heart had beat so fast at seeing him flying to her rescue and as he had moved close to her for the first time in hundreds of years, telling her he didn't know whether everything would be okay or not, she had known her love for him was as true and strong as it had always been. He had seemed uncertain when he first took her hand as they watched Periwinkle heal her sister, but his relief had been so absolute as she had finally placed her lips against his; they would finally be together, as they should be.
She slipped on her dress and her tiara as she heard a knock on the door, but once she opened it to look outside, it was deserted except for a white box with a golden ribbon wrapped around it.
Back inside her room, she looked at the card attached to the box upon which was written a short message; "Queen Clarion, I made this for you. Wear it to the border; Lord Milori is waiting for you. Love Tinkerbell x"
Upon opening the box, Clarion saw a long golden fur lined coat and boots. She noticed the coat was made in such a way that she could fly with it on. Excitement seared through her as she pulled the warm coat over her sparkling gown.
Lord Milori was already at the border, pacing back and forth along the log where the seasons touched. It felt like forever waiting for her; after all, it had been forever since they had been together. He was inexplicably nervous. Would this work? Would she and the rest of the warm fairies really be able to cross the border? Would he finally be able to spend time openly loving his Queen? As he turned to face the warm seasons for what felt like the hundredth time, he saw her flying towards him, her beautiful wings sparkling in the sunshine. He felt his heart fill with love at the sight of her and as she landed, he rushed towards her and pulled her into his embrace. 'It felt like an eternity waiting for the dawn.' Milori said as he pulled back. His Queen rewarded his sweetness with a kiss, but she soon heard a soft giggle and looked behind Milori to see Periwinkle and Tinkerbell waiting. She had been so excited to see Milori again that she hadn't even noticed the sisters, but although blushing slightly she wasn't angry at them; without the persistence and courage of these fairies, she would still be heartbroken, hiding behind the faŅ«ade of joy she had adopted since Milori had broken his wing.
Milori pulled Clarion's coat tightly around her and offered her his hand, leading her across the log into the biting cold of winter as the sisters approached them. 'You're sure this will work?' Milori asked them, worried for his love; her loss of flight would have far more dire consequences. 'We tested several times.' Tinkerbell said confidently.
'My Queen...' Milori said and Clarion moved forwards, further into winter as he moved behind her. It took several attempts for him to completely frost her wings as they kept fluttering with excitement and anticipation at his light touch, whilst Tinkerbell and Periwinkle attempted to stifle their giggles - they were not giggling out of disrespect, but rather happiness that they had reunited their two leaders.
Milori finally stepped back as he finished frosting her wings and he moved back around her, taking her hands in his. 'How do they feel?' he asked. Clarion fluttered her wings a few times and looked up at him with the brightest, widest smile. 'They feel great.' she said. Milori let out a breath he had not been aware he was holding. 'Thank you.' Clarion said to the sisters with every sincerity. For the first time ever, Tinkerbell ran forwards and flung her arms around her Queen before stepping back, looking a little flustered. 'I'm sorry.' she said.
'You have no reason to apologise.' Queen Clarion said, kindly. 'I suggest we set up a frosting team upon the log.' she said.
'We'll take care of it your Majesty.' Periwinkle said.
'Come, my love.' Milori said, taking Clarion's gloved hand.
'I should really stay and watch over the fairies.'
'No. My fairies can handle it. We will watch over them from the skies.' he said lovingly and pulled her further into the woods and out of view of the sisters.
Once clear out of sight, Milori broke into a run, Clarion laughing as she ran with him towards a small clearing by a frozen pond where a large snowy owl waited, a jewelled reign around his neck and a noble look about him that Clarion could not help but admire. 'Fly with me?' Milori asked. Clarion smiled happily; she would fly to the moon with him. Milori climbed behind his owl's head and offered Clarion his hand, which she took, allowing him to pull her up to sit behind him. Clarion wrapped her arms around Milori's waist and they took off, soaring high above the ground and circling the beautiful snowy mountain.
The couple soared through the clouds, over snow covered trees and glaciers, around hills and mountains. Everything in this winter wonderland was beautiful and Clarion was so happy at being able to fly with Milori again; she held him tightly, her cheek resting against his shoulder and a relieved breath escaping her lips. She felt so happy for the first time in forever and she felt at last that she could relax; she finally had her love and life back, and she was looking forward to what the future may hold for her and Milori.
Milori steered his trusted owl around the mountain and over a frosted waterfall; Clarion could see her warm and winter fairies playing together on the ice as they took another turn before coming in to land. Milori climbed down from his owl, feeding him quickly before lifting Clarion down. They saw Tinkerbell above them, leading a line of owls carrying baskets, which opened to drop snowflakes and periwinkles over them. The flowers and snowflakes fluttered down upon them and Milori looked lovingly into Clarion's eyes, holding her hand in his against his chest. This was what he wanted for the rest of his life; this amazing, beautiful woman in his arms.