When I woke up, Cedar was gone. Only the King was present. He looked over to me. "Glad to see you're awake!" He told me.
I got up. "Where is Prince Crown?" I asked.
"He's by the Spring Gate," King Crispin answered.
"We shall bring help to Mistmantle," I told him. I exited the Chamber of Candles and made my way to the Spring Gate. There, I explained to Prince Crown (and Pitter) my plan. They agreed. The only way is to bring back some outside help. We will leave Mistmantle and find some help.
A few days after Prince Crown, Pitter, and I left, we made it to Whitewings. I jumped off of Prince Crown. "I am Silver, once of Swan Isle. Mistmantle is now my home. Where is Queen Larch?" I called out.
A small female hedgehog came forward. "I am she. What is it?" She asked.
"An army of Ravens has been attacking for a few days now. Their numbers are many. There are far too many to defeat. We left to find help for Mistmantle," I explained. I bowed my head, waiting for an answer.
"Mistmantle has helped to free us from Silverbirch. It is our turn to help them!" Queen Larch decided. She picked fifty of her islanders. We are to ride in a ship to Swan Isle. Once we gather more swans, we will free Mistmantle from the Ravens' clutches.
Queen Larch and I are sharing a swan. There aren't nearly enough for us to each get one. As we are riding, Queen Larch notices me Wince. "What is it?" She asks. It is then that she notices the long talon scratch down my chest. "How did that happen?" The Queen asked.
"The Ravens had attacked Swan Isle first, while I was still living there. When King Crispin came, he killed the leader of the ravens. Before the raven leader died, he tried to claw the King. I pushed him out of the way and took the blow. My sister, Akira, sided with the ravens and killed my girlfriend not long ago. She bore me a son and two daughters. I found out that she was pregnant after she died, so I got my children out of her. They are fine," I told her.
"Some good can come out of tragedy," Queen Larch stated.
"You have a point. I named my son Acorn. My two daughters are named Maple and Hazelnut," I continued. We said no more until we reached Mistmantle.
Two days later, we reach the mists. I see the King and Queen watching from one of the windows. They are bound. Princess Catkin is tied to the jetty. The swans land and let us jump off. Then, they take off to do battle with the ravens. I rush to the Princess's aide. I free her of the ropes. Queen Larch frees the King and Queen. King Crispin and Queen Cedar rush down from the tower, to where Catkin is. They hug fiercely. The ravens are being defeated. I only have one thing to do: Find Akira and kill her. King Crispin spots the look in my eyes. "You are going to look for her. I will come with you," he told me.
"Fine, but don't interfere. This is my fight," I told him. With that, the King and I ran through the forest, seeking vengeance.
We made our way to the underground caves. I have a hunch that Akira is inside. I rush inside. Akira is standing there, waiting for me. I draw my sword. With that, battle ensues. She feints and dives. I follow her movements. She takes a step backward. I don't know what she is doing right away. She kicks a hindpaw up, bringing some sharp stones with it. Said stones pierce through my fur and into my skin. I growl with rage. The light of battle engulfs my eyes. I think about those that have died because of Akira. My parents. Sylvia. They are all dead. My children will never know a mother's warmth and affection. I fight for them. I will always fight for them. Finally, after about five minutes of running and dodging, I see my chance. With one final thrust, my sword cuts deep into her back. She collapses to the ground. I look down at her body. As we are about to leave, the ground shakes. Rocks fall. The entrance is closed off. A rock hits me in the back of the head. I fall to the ground, unconscious.
"Silver!" King Crispin's voice draws me from my sleep. He is on the ground next to me. His right leg is twisted unnaturally. I try to get up, but rocks are covering my legs. Fiery pain shoots through them. I cry out. My chest hurts as well, though not from my old wound. I remember that a rock hit it.
I hear shouts coming from outside. "Crispin! Silver!" Queen Cedars voice rings out.
"We are both alive. My leg is broken, though. I don't know the extent of Silver's injuries," King Crispin called back to her.
A moment later, the Queen and some moles break through the cave-in. Queen Cedar rushes to us. She checks me over. "Your legs are broken. A few ribs are broken as well. You are lucky that no lungs were punctured. Moles! Bring those stretchers over! We must take them to the tower!" Queen Cedar ordered. The King and I were each laid on a stretcher. A few moments later, we were back to the tower. Cedar took care of my injuries first because they were the most severe. I was left in peace. Since Akira is dead, I can finally morn for Sylvia, as well as my parents. That night, I cried myself to sleep.
When I wake up, I find a wheelchair next to my bed. There is a note tied to it. It says that the carpenter mole, Twig, made it. I get into it and roll myself outside of my chamber. The King is nearby with his crutches. "You've been crying, haven't you. Now that Akira is dead, you feel that it is time to grieve for them," the King spoke.
"Yes," I confirmed. I take a look at Mistmantle. It is beautiful since the ravens were defeated. Queen Cedar walks towards us. I turn to her. "Where are my children?" I ask her.
"We put them in a nursery. Mother Huggen is watching them," Cedar leads me to the nursery. I enter. Mother Huggen is holding Acorn. Maple and Hazelnut are in a crib together. I wheel myself to the crib. Maple turns and squeals in delight at seeing me. I smile.
"Do you want to hold her?" Mother Huggen asks. I nod. She puts Acorn down and picks Maple up. She places Maple into my arms. I kiss Maple's forehead. She squeaks, still in delight. I place her back in the crib when she starts to yawn. I sing her to sleep. I stay there all day. When night hits, I am reluctant to return to my chamber for sleep. Cedar persuades me to go to bed. I return to my chamber and contemplate these past events. Akira is dead. Sylvia is dead. I have three children. Out of tragedy, some good came. Now, I can finally rest, knowing that all will go well from now on.
A/N: There will be a sequel! I haven't started writing it, yet, but I do have all the characters, old and new, laid out.