Chapter 16

Personal War (part 2/2) And Friends

It was dark in Lynphea; most people in the castle were asleep. Flora arrived in her tower, tiered and exhausted. She didn't know exactly how she was going to do this, but she knew she had to. Once it was about nine, she changed into one of the outfits she left from the summer before and headed down the stairs.

"Flora!" A voice said from behind her

"Good morning Rose! It's been a while." Flora said

"What are you doing here?" Rose asked.

"I have to talk to our parents about something." Flora said smiling

Rose is about twelve now, her caramel-colored hair almost touched her elbow. Flora and Rose talked until they made it to the breakfast room. They took their usual spots when the Queen and King came in, they froze for a moment. Then a smile spread across both of their faces.

"Flora! What a pleasant surprise!" her Mom said.

"Thanks mom." Flora said.

They ate breakfast in silence for a while. When Flora's father cleared broke it.

"Did something wrong happen on Earth?" he asked

"Pardon?" Flora asked

"I think what your Father means is-" her mom said-"why are you back so suddenly? Not that we didn't miss you or anything, but, we didn't expect you until March"

"Well… That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about…" Flora mumbled.

Later…

Rose left the room, and all the servants were excused for the time being. Flora was looking for the words to say, she wasn't very prepared for this.

"Alright Flora" her mom said with a crease in her brow "What is it you wanted to talk to us about?"

"Well… Don't freak out, but, I'm engaged." Flora said nervously. But when she actually said the word 'engaged', and the fact that she is engaged to Helia, everything kind of lightened up. She didn't know if it were excitement or relief.

Flora's parent's face lit up. They looked at each other, smiling and happy.

"Engaged?" Her dad asked

"Wow! My daughter is engaged! We need to start wedding preparations immediately! It'll be the most beautiful wedding in Lynphea! And then you will be crowned queen and oh my, everything will just fall into place!" Her Mom sang

"So, who is he? Who's the lucky prince?"

"Well…. Thank you for the encouragement, and I hope you stick to your word. But, the thing is, Helia isn't a prince." Flora said, choosing her words carefully.

"What?" Her father asked "Not a prince! That's insane Flora, It goes against law."

"Believe me, dad, I know. I've thought about this for a really long time, and, I've come to realize That I love Helia. I really truly do. And there is no way I am ever giving that up." Flora said.

"Love? LOVE? Before duty? Flora, are you INSANE?" Her father yelled.

"With all do respect father, you're one to talk. You and Mom were in love! Yes, love, and you two just so happened to be royalty! However, not everyone is lucky like that. And you and I both know I would continue my duty! But, after my days on earth, I've come to realize that there is no duty like the duty to your heart. Helia is the best thing that's ever happened to me! And I'm not about to give him up for a thrown and a sparkly crown!" Flora said, angry.

"So, which is it then, Flora?" her mom asked "The kingdom, or Helia?"

Flora was silent for a second. She was waiting for this. She knew what she wanted, and she knew if she didn't make it official now, she'd never get it.

"I knew it!" her dad said "She isn't as sure as we first thought, she has doubts."

"James, shut it." Her mom said. He glared at her.

"I choose Helia" Flora said, slow and clear.

"So what? You want to just hand the kingdom over to Rose?" the king yelled

"Yes!" Flora yelled " I think Rose will be an excellent queen!"

"What if ROSE doesn't WANT to be queen?" Her Mom asked

"WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO BE QUEEN?" Flora yelled

It was silent for a minute. The three of them starred at each other for at least ten minutes before her Mom finally spoke up.

"So, I suppose we'll have to tell the press about the change of plans" she said " that way it'll spread around Lynphea faster. Now, let me see that ring."

Flora smiled brightly and showed her mom her ring, her father looked at them with disapproval for a while. Then lightened up a bit after Rose seemed excited to take Flora's place.

"I've always wanted to be queen!" Rose had said.

Before heading home she stopped by the hall of frames. Flora had always loved this hall. Back when she went to school in the village near the castle, the people believed that there was a sacred room, filled with magical books that holds the key to everyone's future. Of course, Flora knew it was never true.

She looked at portraits of the royal families of the past. She knew every one of them, the queens, kings, and princess's she studied about in history when she was younger are her ancestors.

It had pictures from the first King and Queen/ family, down to Flora's family, which was painted about a year before. All of Flora's life she thought her family would be up there someday. Now, she's kind of glad she isn't.

She feels somewhat, free. As if this weight had been lifted and she is now able to finally live her life, without worrying about what the future might hold.

She went home at around dinner time. The winx gave her hugs as soon as she arrived.

"Where did you go?" Bloom asked

"Lynphea" Flora said cheerfully.

"How did it go?" Layla asked

"Perfectly! I am, officially, getting married to Helia" Flora said, and when she said it, she noticed how good it felt.

The next day….

The girls were working in the shop, each of them were in their stations when they heard screaming outside. Everyone (including customers) ran out-side to see what was wrong. They saw Morgana (the queen of the earth fairies), Nebula, and their army standing in front of the shop.

"Where are they?" Nebula yelled after the crowd ran away.

"Who?" Bloom asked.

"The wizards! We have looked all over the human and magic dimensions for the filthy rats and haven't found a single one! Or a sign of where they could possibly be!" Nebula bellowed "We know you're on their side"

"No such thing!" Roxy, who was at the shop with the Winx, said "We just don't want to hurt the humans."

Morgana stepped in then. "Nebula, it isn't the Winx and Roxy we need to worry about right now. We need to go back to find the wizards, we can deal with them later." She then smiled at Roxy before flying away. The other fairies followed, one by one.

That smile looked as if she were hiding pain. Flora thought I wonder what could be wrong with Queen Morgana

"Well…" Stella sighed "We lost all our customers, may as well go to the Fruity Music Bar!"

"That sounded more happy than disappointed" Tecna teased.

"Of course it is! My honey bun is there!" Stella sang.

"Of course, how could we be so blind?" Musa said.

Later…

The girls were walking to the Fruity Music Bar, everyone in their own separate conversations

"Hey, Flora" Roxy said.

"Yes sweetie?" Flora asked.

"Why do you think Morgana always smiles at me? And every time she says 'the Winx' I'm not included , she adds 'and Roxy' as if I were a completely different group. You think I'm a part of the Winx, right?" Roxy asked.

"Yes you are definitely a part of the Winx sweetie! I'm sure she just says that because you are an Earth fairy, like her, and she wants to keep it that way." Flora said, but she honestly didn't have a clue.

"Thanks Flora" Roxy smiled.

"Flora, are you going to tell Helia about what happened in Lynphea?" Musa asked.

"That reminds me, Flora, who's your maid of honor?" Stella asked.

"I haven't really thought of that." Flora said.

She is everyone's maid of honor ( so far) and everyone is like a sister to her. She loves them all, equally, and it would be hard to just choose one or two people.

"I think all of you should be" She said sweetly with a smile.

"All of us?" Tecna asked.

"I think it's a wonderful idea! The bride and the maid of honor do everything in preparations together? I think, knowing Flora, we all would've ended up doing that anyways." Bloom said

"I love it!" Stella cheered

When they got to the Fruity Music Bar, it was almost sundown. Which is perfect in Flora's eyes, it was when the colors and the sky collided that made a breath taking scene.

"Sky!" Bloom yelled, waving as soon as they walked in.

"Hi Bloom! Hey Winx!" Sky said cheerfully after putting his tray of smoothies on a table.

The rest of the boys followed him, and everyone walked away from each other after a few minutes.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to Lynphea?" Helia asked.

"Are you mad?" Flora asked

"Of course not." He held back a laugh "I just wish I could've been there."

Flora smiled "What's done is done, it all worked out." She said cheerfully.

They were holding hands and sitting at a table with Riven, Layla, and Nabu. Riven was mad and barely talked. Flora glanced at him, then looked at Helia, who got the hint.

"Riven, why don't you go talk to her?" Helia asked calmly.

"Talk to who?" Riven snapped.

"Our sweet black haired friend that looks about as lonely as you do." Nabu said "Riven Helia, Flora, Layla, and I are just trying to be your friend. And we hate seeing you so low."

Riven looked at them for a long time before standing up and walking out of the building all together. Everyone looked at each other and sighed.

That's when Ogron and the wizards walked in, they were out of hiding and looked hurt. Everyone rushed over to them, ready for just about anything.

"Winx, please, we need help." He said.

Authors note: *I do not own Winx Club* Sorry this chapter is so short, and I'm REALLY sorry it's a little late. I hope you don't mind, please rate and I promise this next one will be a lot better. Next chapter: November 13th