Serenity's Song

by Lynn Landes

  Chapter 14

  Michael feels her hatred the moment they land. Horror fills his eyes as he looks at his father and the hunters who hold Mrs. Brown. Sincere hides his face behind his father’s leg when he sees his old babysitter. She begins laughing wildly when she sees them.

  “You’re too late, Michael! She will die, and you will all beg for mercy from the new Winter Queen!”

  “Michael, the hunters found Mrs. Brown and cohorts, attacking our house! They have all been captured,” his mother begins to explain, but Mrs. Brown interrupts.

  “Do you feel that, Michael? Your new love is surrounded by three guardians, and Ayva! You will bury her just like your first wife!” she screams spittle flying from her mouth.

  Nick moves in front of her and waves his hand, her head falls back and she goes quiet. “Tell me Ayva’s plan!”

  “Ayva said to separate the lovers and destroy the woman! She sent her guardians after the human and while she fights, Ayva will claim the well for herself.”

  Noel gasps, and grabs Michaels arm. Sincere is standing back, holding Nathan’s hand and they look at each other. “Dad!” Nathan calls.

  He turns and looks at them and smiles. “It’s going to be okay son, they do not know who they are fighting. We are stronger when we are together.” The boys run to him and grab his hand.

  “Grandpa are you coming with us?”

  His laughter booms out and he grabs Noel’s hand, “Of course!”

  “Wait!” Noel turns to the hunters, “Imprison her until we return.” She turns back to her family and her eyes are glowing purple. “We will not go alone, I will call the others, Nick.” She drops to her knees, and they all back away. Oblivious to the snow surrounding her, Noel lifts her face to the Northern lights rippling in the sky above. She reaches up with a hand, and a beam of purple light rips from her hand merging with the flow of the river above.

  The moment her stream joins the emerald ribbons, they shift, glowing a brilliant purple. Now they expand, rippling across the sky like a waving flag, calling the attention of all who see. Noel creates a magic show just for the guardians, calling them to action.

  The light fades from her hand but the heavens grow brighter as returning beams of purple begin to join hers in the sky. “Now, we can go,” she says as Nick helps her up from the snow.

  “Nana, you are awesome!” Nate says. They laugh and watch in awe as Nick opens a portal door. “Time to end this!”

  Serenity steps through the door into the setting sun. It is four o’clock and her time is up. She unrolls the map and it reads. Stay left.

  With trembling hands she rolls the map up and looks at the long road in front of her. It is flanked by stone walls. Street lights glow and in the distance she hears the sound of cars driving by. “Stay left, that’s real helpful,” she snaps sarcastically and begins the long walk. The soft mist has turned into a soft rain. Serenity hurries along, and the rain falls heavy now. With every step she takes the wind picks up and she feels the sting of the rain, striking her skin.

  She plods along, ignoring the sucking of the mud against her boots. Soon she is past the brick wall and she finds herself on a bridge overlooking the castle. The once calm river begins to rise and the birds take flight, as they fight through the storm to find shelter.

  Serenity pushes on and comes to a fork in the road. Her hair is plastered to her head and she remembers the map said to stay left. Looking to her left she sees the river has begun claiming the road. It would easily be knee height by now! “I can’t go left, now what map!” she snaps and draws it from her pocket only to have the wind tear it from her grasp.

  The map disappears on a heavy wind and Serenity hears the wicked laugh she has come to hate. “Ayva!” she snarls. In the distance a flash of light, purple light! Ayva laugh changes to a scream as the Saint and the Guardian attack her. The swelling river slows, and Serenity knows they are buying her the time she needs. She runs left, straight into the heavy flow of water and prays that she makes it in time to wherever she is going. Turn right at the fork! Daniel yells.

  Not needing to be told twice, she turns and runs right, finding herself surrounded once again by a large brick wall. At the end of the road she sees it! A fountain, protruding from the wall. It looks more like a pipe protruding from a wall into a concrete basin. It has a small trickle of water. Green moss covers the wall from the spray of the water, and Serenity smiles in joy! She can feel it, the power of the Well. It calls to her drawing her close.

  Three Guardians drop from the sky, blocking the road in front of Serenity. She skids to a stop and her heart drops. “Betrayers,” she growls and her eyes glow purple.

  Chapter 15

  Serenity glares at the three obstacles blocking her path. She has never fought anyone and they mistake her fear for weakness. They begin to fan out, intending to surround her. Another flash of light and scream from Ayva, distracting them for a moment. The sky above erupts with a supernatural purple light and Serenity feels it! The magic of the Saints and Guardians! The three warriors scream and run directly at her. Too late, they are blown away when Serenity reaches towards the light and is engulfed by the mystical purple ribbon. She is lifted into the air as the Guardians of the world flood her with their power. When her feet touch the earth and her eyes snap open, her attackers begin to tremble in fear. They lash out with the power of the guardians, and Serenity absorbs it reflecting it back at them.

  The resulting screams echoes down the corridor, drawing Ayva towards it.

  “Betrayers! Because you have shunned the gifts of heaven, seeking power for your own selfish desires, you will be judged,” Serenity’s speaks and her voice is joined by the multitude of Saints. Drawing on the powers gifted to her, Serenity seizes the water surrounding their legs and causes it to flow over top of the three warriors, then freezes it, effectively holding them in place.

  “You will be judged, but not by me. Your fellow guardians will be given that job,”

  Serenity hurries past them towards to fountain, it is calling to her. The water begins to glow, her mouth is so dry. Just one sip…she thinks as she reaches for it, only twenty feet more! Michael rushes through the doorway opened by his father, just in time to watch Serenity reach for the fountain. Nick and Noel follow closely with the boys. They all hold their breath as she cups her hand into the well and prepares to drink.

  Nathan screams as he is ripped from his family into Ayva’s arms. Her once lush black mane of hair is now gray, and her skin withered like rotten fruit. At Nate’s throat she holds a dagger and it trembles beneath her gnarled fingers.

  “Step away from the Well of Souls, human!” Ayva shrieks.

  Serenity’s purple eyes snap to Nathan’s, and the snowflakes appear, dancing just beneath the violet surface. She tilts her hand releasing the water back into the well and steps forward. Ayva backs away dragging Nathan with her. With her back to the stone wall she presses the knife a little deeper into his throat. His large brown eyes are scared and he flinches when he feels the bite of the blade. Michael is terrified, he holds Sincere back and they hear Serenity speak.

  “Ayva, release the child. The well is yours, come and claim it.”

  Serenity whispers to Nathan’s mind, “Do you like magic, Nate? I know you do. I want you to look into my eyes but do not blink.”

  The moment Serenity closes her eyes, she feels the power run through her, the power of all the Saints and the Guardians of the world. That power is made stronger because of the love this family has for this child. In a flash, Nathan is standing near the fountain and Serenity is held in the arms of the betrayer.

  “Now, Nathan!” Serenity calls out.

  A collective gasp rings out, when Nathan reaches into the fountain and drinks. Ayva screams and plunges her knife deep into Serenity’s heart! The purple power erupts from Serenity, her last act as the Winter Queen, is too destroy Ayva. She sends all the power gifted to her into Ayva’s body. Purple flames erupt all over Ayva’s form, she begins
to scream as the pain envelopes her. Serenity drops to the earth below as a desperate Ayva lunges for the fountain, hoping to drink.

  “Nooo!!” she wails. Nathan smiles when she realizes he has frozen the water! Furious she leaps at Nathan with clawed hands. Nick springs forward swinging his wooden staff towards Ayva, sending his power into her body and she screams in agony. Her body is unable to contain it and she explodes. Michael runs for Serenity, and cradles her in his arms. The dagger is embedded deeply in her chest, and his tears flow freely.

  “No, Serenity!” he weeps holding her in his arms.

  “Daddy, it’s okay.” From his coat pocket, Sincere pulls the jar he made for Serenity containing the Northern Lights.

  “We figured it out, Dad.” Nathan says dropping beside his father. He takes Serenity’s hand and Sincere takes the other. Nick and Noel join the group followed by Adare and Daniel. Nate takes the jar and twists off the cap, handing the jar back to Sincere.

  “It was always with us, but Serenity understood.” Nathan says as he gently pours the shimmery ribbons over Serenity. The ribbons saturate her body and the dagger lifts from her chest. Immediately the ribbons sink deep, tending to the deadly wound. When she begins to levitate, Michael holds on tightly, “NO,” he groans, but little hands grab his arms.

  “Let her go, Daddy,” Nathan demands. Looking into his sons eyes he sees a flash of purple that takes his breath away. Slowly he nods and releases her to the mystical ribbons. She is lifted into the sky and the bands begin to spin around her body, circling, and twisting like a cyclone. Nathan tugs Sincere back towards the fountain then he unfreezes the water and fills the jar, before sealing it tight. He tucks it into his pocket and turns to watch Serenity.

  Michael stands with his family watching in awe while Serenity is healed. The purple ribbons begin to change, shifting to a dazzling white light that blinds all in the vicinity. They are forced to close their eyes against the intensity of the brilliant beams. When the light fades they all gasp at the sight they behold. Serenity is held in the arms of large Angel. His enormous silver wings are stretched out wide, and he holds Serenity as though holding a great treasure. He lands before Michael, and smiles down at the boys.

  “I am Liam, does this gem I hold belong to you?”

  They quickly nod, and he sighs as he looks down at Serenity, “Tis truly lucky you are, to be gifted with such a rare treasure. Take good care of her, Michael.” He walks forward and gently transfers her to Michael’s arms.

  “Thank you, Liam,” he replies hoarsely.

  Liam touches her forehead and a sparkle appears at her neck. It is a snowflake necklace with a silver cross on top. “The Winter Queen will live. Should she ever need my help again, use the necklace to call me.” With a rush of his mighty wings he is gone.

  Michael’s forehead touches Serenity’s and his tears drop to her face, “Take us home, Dad.”

  Chapter 16

  “She’s like Snow White, Dad, you should kiss her,” Sincere demands for the fifteenth time in two days.

  “We need to be patient, Sincere. She will wake up soon. Until then, we need to let her rest.” Michael says trying to hide the desperation in his glance when he looks at her. It’s been two days, and the Saints and Guardians have all been waiting to hear the condition of the Winter Queen.

  Nathan stands at the door and smiles, “She will be okay, dad. I know it.” Sincere jumps up and runs to his brother, “Nate maybe if we tickle her toes she will wake up?” Baron pushes into the room past the boys and pads over beside Michael. He glances at Serenity and whines.

  “Not you too? Maybe she is just trying to find a minute of peace. All of you out, come on boys.” Michael says pushing them from the room.

  “Your father is right, give her some quiet. I made cookies, and if you wish I will tell you the story of Saint Nicholas,” Noel offers. Nick will be busy tonight and she knows Michael is tormented by guilt.

  “Thank you, Mom.” He whispers and then he sinks into a chair by the fireplace and listens to the story he has heard since childhood.

  “Once upon a time there lived a little boy named Nicholas, who wished more than anything to dance among the stars. Each night he would look up at the stars and pray for a miracle. One special night, long ago Nicholas was squeezing his eyes tight and praying just as hard as his little heart could pray, when a special light danced around him. With wide eyes, Nicholas reached out and touched the ribbon of light that had found its way inside his room. The ribbon danced on an unseen wind until, finally, it wrapped its way around the little boy, and then something magical happened.”

  Sincere bounces on his knees and giggles “I know, I know!” he interrupts and looks at his father. Michael smiles and grabs Sincere, squeezing him in a big hug.

  “The light gave him a hug and melted straight into his body.” Sincere giggles and squeezes his dad back and snuggles into his lap. “It was a magical hug, warm and soothing. This time when Nicholas closed his eyes,” Sincere squeezes his eyes shut tightly, “he could see it! A magical doorway leading straight up to the stars!”

  Nathan smiles and his father continues, “Nicholas had a pure heart, and he did not know that every night the stars waited and prayed, hoping that this would be the night he would come and dance with them! Being a strong brave boy, he stepped straight through the doorway and ran up to the stars. With every step he took a ribbon of green, purple, and white, seeped from beneath his feet creating a sea of special lights in the sky.”

  Serenity hears the melodic rhythm of Michael’s voice and she struggles to find her way back to him. Her head moves side to side as she fights with her eyes to open.

  “Did he dance, Daddy?” Sincere asks with chocolate crumbs on his face.

  “He danced among the stars, spinning, and twirling creating a magical show in the sky. Finally, exhausted he lay among the stars looking down at the earth, when something catches his eye. Far below his bed of stars a little girl is walking with her father through the village square. She wears tattered clothes, and has no shoes upon her feet. It was cold and the first snow was upon them. She hurried after her father, who carried one day’s worth of wood to warm his small hut, outside of town.

  ‘Hurry child!’ her father snaps.

  ‘Yes, Papa,’ she whispers and follows behind him, trying not to cry at the pain in her feet.

  With each step she took, Nicholas cringes as though feeling her pain. She looks up at the sky and gasps in delight. ‘Papa, look!’ she cries pointing up at the night sky.

  ‘What is it child!’ He looks at the direction she is pointing and stares open mouthed at the sky. Ribbons of colors, blue, green and white dance across the sky in a display never before seen! ‘Amazing! We should get home to the others, Noel. Hurry, they should see this!’ with that her father hurries through the woods to the little hut that is their home. Michael sips his coffee and continues the story.

  ‘It’s so beautiful!’ When she takes a step she cries out in pain. Drawn by the light of the beauty above her she stepped on something sharp. Looking down she sees a rock imbedded in her foot. She drops to the ground and looks for her father. When he doesn’t return she takes a breath.

  Nicholas takes a step towards the door, drawn by the beautiful little girl. His heart breaks for her. ‘What can I do?’ He asks his new friends. They dance and ripple around him and he laughs in delight when he is gifted a small purple bag, tied with a silver rope.

  Noel rips a piece of her thread bare dress and pulls the small rock free, crying out at the throbbing pain. She carefully begins to bind her foot. Wincing in pain she turns to go home, forgetting about the beautiful lights for the moment.

  ‘Hello, do you need some help?’ A small voice asks. Noel blinks in surprise when she sees the shadow of a boy, surrounded in rainbow colors!’

  Sincere laughs out loud and climbs into his Nana’s lap. “You tell it Nana!” she laughs at his exuberance and hugs him tight.

  “Well, having never seen a
shadow boy before, I screamed and scared him so badly, that he backed up and fell smack down on his bottom!” Both boys laugh in delight at the idea of their big, strong, grandfather being scared.

  “Noel, stares at the boy and the colors begin to fade.” Michael continues, “For a moment he looks normal and she thinks she must have imagined it. He jumps to his feet and says, ‘Let me help you home, my name is Nicholas.’

  Noel looks at the beautiful boy and feels ashamed. She doesn’t want him to see where she lives, so she simply says, “No thank you, Nicholas. I can manage,” but her foot has had enough. When she tries to put pressure on it, the pain causes her to gasp. She sits down and her tears are more than Nicholas can take.

  ‘Please, let me help you,’ Nicholas begs. Then he feels something strange in the small bag the stars had given him. It is warm and vibrating so he lifts it and opens it. Sitting beside her he takes her foot in his lap, and unwraps the cloth. It is bleeding and dirty, he reaches into his small bag and pulls out a ribbon that matches the colors in the sky. He wraps her foot and immediately her pain eases.

  ‘It feels better, Nicholas! Thank you,’ she says wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

  ‘You are welcome, but you should let me help you home,’ he replies standing up he offers her his hand.

  Noel looks up and behind him, she sees the stunning ribbons of light surrounding the magical boy. She takes his hand and lets him help her. When they arrive at the shack she calls home, she sees her family staring in wonder at the sky. Her mother notices Noel is limping and moves to help.

  ‘I stepped on a rock, but I’m okay.’ For some reason she does not tell them of the child’s magic. They invite Nicholas to join them for supper. It is a small meal, just soup and bread, by the fire. Suddenly, she feels rich surrounded by her family and the way they love to share. Nicholas smiles at her across the fire as though he can read her thoughts.