Author's Note: Yay! I'm back! So happy to be back writing for you guys. I had time to relax and fight the writer's block off so I have every chapter planned out for you all. I've looked through all the song suggestions and I will try my best to fit them all in for you guys.
I want to thank everyone who has reviewed and supported me. Sunshine, thank you so much for your support through every step and how you were okay with the fact that I didn't update as much as you hoped while you were on camp. Your words are so touching and make me go bright red. Not kidding!
I'm happy that even though I was gone and didn't update, you guys still reread the story. It means a lot to me that you like it so much that you would go back and read it again. This is an extra long chapter for you all to thank you for everything.
Here's chapter twenty-one! Hope ya'll like it! Dedicated to all my loyal readers =)
Clarion fell asleep in Milori's arms like she had for the past few days. She found that she slept ten times better with him. He made her feel safe and protected. Even now in the early morning Clarion couldn't help but look at him. After staring and thinking about a possible future together, she fell in a content sleep. Just as her eyes fluttered shut and her thoughts arrived at Dreamland, Milori awoke. He didn't have to open his eyes to know that warm soft person in his arm was Clarion. With eyes still shut, He nuzzled her hair and smelt her honeysuckle scent. It still amazed him that she was really here with him. When they first separated, Milori had hope for the first few years. But as the years went by, Milori's faith began to fade away. He never thought he would get her back, but here he was holding her beautiful figure in his arms as she slept. Being with Clarion was like a dream to him, he felt like he was young again, carefree. Milori stared at her peaceful figure. Her honey brown hair was spread across the pillow they were sharing and her eyes fluttered behind her eyelids telling him she was dreaming. He hoped she was having a good dream. An hour or so later, Milori fell asleep with the image of Clarion sleeping embedded within his mind. The two were more similar then they thought. A couple of hours later, everyone woke up for the busy day ahead.
Clarion made some toast with the bread left over from the night before as Milori and David went out on the birds to find something for a main meal. Luckily, they found some fruits off various trees and some kind squirrels gave them a wide variety of nuts to eat. It was simple, but more then they could ask for. Clarion sat in between her lover and elder sister as she ate her breakfast. They all wanted to listen to a song, but they all knew the needed to find the sapphire and get out of here before they were caught. They left their belongs on the roof so the birds wouldn't have to carry the heavy packs on their back as well as the fairies.
"So should we start on deck two today?" Robert asked the group. Clarion just giggled.
"No! Let's start on deck one, just like we did yesterday!" Clarion said sarcastically. "Of course we're starting on deck two!" Robert chuckled at his sarcastic baby sister.
"I was just checking…" He muttered. Clarion giggled again at her brother.
She jumped on Archimedes with Milori behind her, and they flew to the second deck. It was still quite early so the siblings assumed that the pirates were sleeping the alcohol off. They got off their birds and began to search around. With not the worry of being caught by pirates, they were free to roam around. They were able to finish deck two in half the time they did deck one. The third deck was smaller, which allowed it to be finished quicker. Deck four was just as large, if not larger, than deck one. They all knew that the birds were getting tired, as they didn't get much sleep since they were guarding the monarchs. Being an animal fairy, Clarion's ears were able to hear the shallow panting of the birds and began to feel guilty. She quickly informed the rest and they landed on the fourth deck.
"We can't let them keep flying." Clarion said. "It isn't fair on them. They're just as exhausted as we are." Milori smiled at how empathetic his girlfriend was. It made him fall even more in love with her. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist and kissed her temple.
"You're right. We need to let them rest for a while." Milori agreed. The others nodded in understanding.
"But how will we get around?" James asked as he helped his wife down from the bird. "We all know how it takes forever when we walk." Dania rolled her eyes.
"Hello? Creatures with wings here…a flap a flap." She said sarcastically at her brother. She then remembered about Milori and began to immediately regret that she had spoken. "Oh I'm so sorry Milori, that was inconsiderate of me." Milori shook his head.
"No worries Dania. Its something I've come to terms with a long time ago." Milori assured his hopeful sister-in-law. Milori noticed that Clarion began to shift uncomfortably. It wasn't until they all saw a small teardrop leak out of her baby blue eyes that they figured something was wrong.
"Would you all excuse me for a moment?" Clarion asked, wiping the tear and walking off. Milori sighed. It seemed the Clarion still blamed herself about what happened. He didn't blame at her all. As far as he was concerned, he already got his wings back when they were reunited. But sadly, Clarion had trouble seeing that.
"I'm going to go talk to her." Milori said as he walked off. The siblings looked at each other.
"I feel horrible." Dania sighed as she rested her head on her husband's chest. "If I didn't mention us having wings, Clarion wouldn't have cried." Dania began to lose the battle of not crying and let a single tear roll down her face. David cupped his anguished wife's face and kissed her tear away.
"This isn't your fault, darling." He said soothingly as he rubbed her back. "It doesn't matter if you brought it up or not because it still wouldn't have made a difference. It's obvious that Clarion still blames herself for what happened and that wouldn't have changed regardless of what you brought up." Dania nodded and kissed his chest through his shirt.
Meanwhile, Milori found the Queen of Pixie Hollow holding back tears behind an old barrel. It broke his heart to see her so upset about something that wasn't worth crying about. He watched as Clarion wrapped her arms around herself and pressed her back to the wooden barrel and slid down to the floor as she hugged her knees. It was then that he realized how petite she really was. She may be the second tallest fairy in Pixie Hollow after him, but she still was tiny to the Lord of Winter. Milori walked up to her to see her face buried in her knees. He squatted down and placed a comforting hand on the top of her kneecap. Clarion raised her head to be met by warm brown eyes and a comforting smile. Milori leaned forward and kissed her forehead as he sat down next to her, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders as he did so.
"Sweetheart, what's the matter?" Milori asked as Clarion quickly wiped her tears. She sniffled before replying.
"Nothing." She said too quietly for comfort. Milori sighed and rolled his eyes, as he knew Clarion could be stubborn.
"Well, that' a lot of tears for 'nothing'." He said, lightning up the mood. Clarion giggled and leaned her head on his strong masculine shoulder.
"Are you mad at me?" Clarion looked into his eyes and held back a fresh batch of tears. Milori immediately shook his head.
"No of course not. Why would you think that I am?" Clarion shifted slightly.
"Just for what happened to your wing…I mean it's my fault it all happened and if I-" Clarion was abruptly cut off by cold lips. She sighed and kissed him back. He slowly pulled away and looked deep into her beautiful eyes.
"I don't blame you for a single thing. What happened to my wing is in the passed and the most important thing is that I have you now." Milori paused and kissed her cheek before continuing. "Being with you these past few months made me realize that I have everything I could possible need. A woman who I'm in love with and she loves me back, loyal subjects and the most amazing home. I know it sounds cheesy but you are my wings. With wings and Archimedes I can touch the sky, but with you…" Milori shook his head in disbelief and amazement. "With you I can touch the heavens. Whether you believe me or not, you are my wings and I couldn't ask for a better pair." Clarion just stared at him with tears forming in her eyes and gave him a fierce hug.
"That wasn't cheesy at all. It was the sweetest and kindest thing anyone has ever told me." Milori smiled at her and hugged her tightly. They stayed like that for a good few moments before Milori raised his head from where it was nicely nestled on her shoulder to kiss her. Clarion immediately and wrapped hear arms around his neck. They pulled away and smiled at one another.
"Come on, let's get back to the wild bunch." Milori said referring to Clarion's family. Clarion giggled and held his hand as they made there way back to the waiting fairies. Dania noticed the couple walking towards them and immediately broke away from her husband and ran to Clarion. She cupped her baby sister's face in her hands and looked into the blue eyes that matched hers.
"Clarion, are you alright?" She asked. Clarion smiled and hugged her elder sister. Dania wrapped her arms protectively around her and hugged her back.
"I'm fine." She replied as she placed her head on her sister's shoulder. Dania smiled and pulled away but kept her arms around her as she planted a kiss on her forehead. Clarion smiled at the gesture and thanked Mother Dove that destiny brought her and Dania together as sisters.
"Hate to be the one that has to break this up but we need to get a move on." Robert said as he checked his wristwatch. It will be easier to find the sapphire while those drunk busters are asleep." His sisters giggled at how he described the pirated on board. "We can fly on our own as the birds rest." Everyone nodded but Dania looked towards her sister and her boyfriend. Clarion gave her a caring smile.
"I'll walk with Milori." Clarion said as she grabbed his hand gently. Milori knew she was being polite but it slightly bothered him that she held back and slowed down for him when he was perfectly capable to go on his own. But he shrugged it off because it meant he would be alone with his Ree for a while.
"Are you sure, Clarion?" Milori asked. "I can go on my own if you'd like." Clarion shook her head and kissed his nose.
"And why would I want you to go on your own when I can spend some quality time with you?" Clarion asked smiling. Milori just chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"Okay then, we'll meet back her in…let's say two hours?" Robert asked glancing at his watch. Milori did the same to see what time they would meet and nodded. Robert looked at his sister in Milori's arms and pointed at her. "Don't do anything stupid."
"Since when have I done anything stupid?" Clarion gasped sarcastically. Robert shook his head and smiled.
"You know what I mean." He said rolling his eyes. The two groups parted their ways with Milori and Clarion walking as the others flew.
"You know you didn't have to walk if you didn't want to right?" Milori asked. Clarion sighed.
"Honey, I'm fine honestly. I love walking with you anyway, so there." Milori chuckled as they strolled hand in hand across the deck. For one moment it felt like they were back home and walking on the beach, holding their shoes in their hands to feel the sand between their toes. There was no pirate boat, no gems and no missing diamond castle to find. It was just their love.
The rest of the siblings flew around together high on the deck. Not noticing that they were at eye level with any human should if one come along. They talked and laughed as they searched for the missing sapphire. Dania felt a tad guilty for leaving her youngest and only sister and Milori on their own but she knew that Milori would protect Clarion. It would forever be love to the end with them. As they flew, they were oblivious to the movement behind them. Big black eyes were right behind the monarchs and a net below them. To engross in their conversation, they were oblivious. Before they knew it, they were trapped in a blue net and raised by a hand towards a face.
"Captain will be happy about this." The pirate smiled, his teeth looking like they were fighting his way out his mouth. He walked off with them as the fairies screamed helplessly.
Clarion suddenly stopped walking. She looked at Milori with a worried expression. Milori looked confused as to why she would stop walking and waited for her to explain. "Something isn't right." She said.
"What do you mean, love?" Clarion looked around as if she was looking for something or someone.
"Something has happened to the rest. We need to find them." Clarion said as they began to walk around. Milori, trusting Clarion's instincts fully, followed her. He whistled for Archimedes and luckily the bird got enough sleep to help his master. The couple hopped on as they flew stealthily around the deck. As they flew by the cabin doors, they heard two pirates speaking to one another. Milori flew over to the door so they could listen in.
"Where do you think they came from?" Came a voice from behind the door.
"I don't know you idiot! Why don't you ask them?!" Came another voice but sarcastic.
"Oh okay. Where do you guys-" The voice was cut off by the sound of a slap.
"Not seriously dumb head! You really expect them to respond?!"
"Well aren't they meant to be nice? You know…flying around and causing joy?" A sigh was heard.
"Sometimes I wonder how you're even a pirate. You'd be better off as a ballerina or something."
"Ohhh, I love ballet. I'd love to learn how to-" Again the voice was cut off by a slap.
"Just shut up!" Clarion and Milori heard enough and realized that the rest were trapped behind the door. They needed to get in without being caught. The couple jumped off Archimedes and inspected the door to see if there was a way in. Clarion looked under the door and realized it was just big enough for them to crawl under. As she looked, she saw something blue sparkling on a desk. A sapphire. She gasped as she faced Milori.
"What is it?" He asked.
"The sapphire is in there." Clarion told him. He nodded as she pointed out that they could crawl under the door.
"We need a plan though." Clarion nodded as she and the Lord of Winter came up with a plan on how to get the sapphire and save Clarion's family. They crawled under the door and saw two pirates sat by the desk where the gem rested, drinking a bottle of Mother Dove knows what. On the other side of the room, they saw the family trapped behind bars. Clarion and Milori nodded at each other as they put their plan into action.
Clarion flew up to the cage and looked at the lock. Knowing it was far too risky to get the key, she settled on melting it with her light. Clarion rubbed her hand together to bring up the heat so it would be strong enough to melt the metal. She focused all her power on freeing her family. She held her hand out and began to melt a certain part within the lock. Taking longer than usual, She looked over her shoulder to see if the pirates had noticed her presence and she looked down to see Milori hidden by a curtain. Finally melting the lock, she quietly but quickly freed her siblings. They thanked her and Clarion filled them in on the plan. They nodded and went to their positions.
Clarion flew by a big plant and swirled her hand. The vines began to dance with her movements. She raised her hand and ordered the vines to tie up the pirates. The pirates cried out in shock and Milori threw a puff of snowflakes in their faces so they wouldn't see what was going on. Dania and Robert went over to the sapphire and using a special shrinking potion they stole off Zoe, they shrunk the sapphire to fairy size. They picked it up and put it with the rest before making a run for it. They all ran under the door and whistled for the birds as they arrived to the comforts of the roof. They panted as they sat down.
"I cannot believe we pulled that off!" Robert panted.
"I can't believe that those pirates can still drink after last night!" Clarion joked.
Everyone laughed as the girls made dinner for the men in their lives. They sat around the fire and reflected on what they accomplished. Hopefully they'd be home soon. They ate and laughed and talked. Everything was as close to perfect as you could get. It seemed as though the worst was behind them. After finishing dinner Clarion went to wash the dishes and dry them with her sister-in-law, Louise. As they sat back down, Elizabeth looked sheepishly at Clarion.
"Would you mind playing something?" Clarion smiled and nodded as she fetched her guitar. She sat down and thought before she came up with a song and began to strum the wooden instrument.
"Everybody needs inspiration, everybody needs a song
A beautiful melody when the nights are long
'Cause there in no guarantee that this life is easy."
Milori smiled at his beloved girlfriend as she sang the chorus and realized this was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
"Yeah when my world is falling apart
When there's no light to break up the dark
That's when I, I
I look at you."
Milori began to look into her eyes and realized those lyrics were written to him. He held back tears as she stared into his eyes and began to sing to his soul.
"When the waves are flooding shore
And I can't find my way home anymore
That's when I, I
I look at you."
Clarion continued to sing the second verse and the repeated chorus to her audience who listened intensely. By the time she repeated the hook of the song, the girls were singing along making the moment even more perfect. As Clarion strummed the final chord, everyone clapped. Milori leaned close to her ear.
"That was beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the songwriter." Clarion blushed as Milori kissed her cheek.
"It was for you. Every word was true." Clarion said hugging him. Milori hugged her back and kissed the top of her head as he held back tears of love and passion.
After the song, everyone retired to bed. They decided to sleep on the roof again since they had already set up camp. Clarion changed into her pajamas, which consisted of plaid turquoise and pink trousers and a pink t-shirt. Milori and the rest were in similar pajamas but in different colours. Milori's was dark blue. Clarion snuggled up to Milori under the sheet and closed her eyes. She breathed in his masculine sent of Evergreen.
"I love you." Milori whispered. Clarion looked up and smiled.
"I love you too." She leaned forward and gave him a small goodnight kiss. Milori responded to the kiss and held her tight as she drifted into a deep slumber.
Author's Note: There you go guys! Hope you liked it. Onceuponatimefan13 suggested the song Clarion sang and it is titled 'When I look at you' by Miley Cyrus. Please review this chapter so I know how I did.
Many readers have been asking about a sequel. I am planning to do one but I want to focus on this story before I think about the planning of the next one. And I really want to finish this before I go back to school on the third of September. Thank you all again for your reviews and support.
Please review! And see you in the next chapter!