Chapter XVIII

A few years later, the little Prince was going to celebrate yet another birthday. The King and Queen had made preparations for a beautiful celebration the night before.

It still suprised them how fast he was growing.

"Arden," Maya said as her hand slid beneath her face.

"Yes Maya," King Arden returned.

"Ayaan's turning eight tomorrow," She added.

"I know, time does fly. It feels just like yesterday when he was so little." King Arden said.

"I'm sure he's asleep already so he can be the first to wake up..." Queen Maya said.

"Hahaha! Let's beat him to it then, goodnight love." King Arden said.

"Goodnight," Maya said.

The night was a long one. Maya was up with the larks as usual.

"Ayaan," she thought and turned to King Arden.

"Good morning your highness," she said stroking his hair.

"Good morning Queen Maya," he returned.

"Did you sleep well?" Maya asked.

"Of course I did, you were right here." King Arden said.

"Oh you, let's go wish Ayaan." Maya said.

"Oh yes, let's go." King Arden returned.

They got down from the bed and went straight to Ayaan's room. King Arden pushed the door gently to peep.

"He's still asleep," he whispered to Maya.

"Let's go then," Maya whispered in return.

He pushed the door completely this time and they both went up to his bed.

"Wake up my handsome prince," Maya said.

"Wh...what! What's happening..." Ayaan mumbled.

Now Ayaan's eyes were wide open. Shyly he covered his face and his parents began to sing.

"Happy birthday day to you sweetheart," Maya said hugging him.

"Thank you Mum," he hugged her.

"Happy birthday son," King Arden said.

"Thank you dad," King Arden said.

"Now go get ready, everyone is preparing. It's your day today." Maya said.

The palace was beautifully decorated. Gifts has been coming all morning and soon there was a stack of it. Priya and Arjun arrived early.

"Maasi, Arjun" Maya said hurrying to meet them.

"How are you?" Priya asked.

"I'm fine, Arjun I hope you've been taking good care of Auny?" Maya asked teasingly.

"Of course I have," Arjun returned.

"There's our birthday boy," he added.

"Uncle Arjun. Grandma Priya." Ayaan said happily running towards them.

"Janambi Mubarak beta (happy birthday my child)" Priya said as she hugged him and gave him a present.

"Dhanyavad Dadi ( thank you Grandma)" Ayaan returned.

"Happy birthday champ, here's my own gift," Arjun said.

"Woah! A clay horse! This is awesome. Thank you Uncle Arjun, you're the best!" Ayaan said giving Arjun a tight hug.

Arian, Miguel and Liam arrived not long after the party had begun. Ayaan was so happy to see his favorite cousin.

"Aunt Arian," Ayaan said as he ran to hug her.

"Look how big my little nephew has grown," Arian said pulling Ayaan's cheeks playfully.

"Happy birthday," she added.

"Thank you Aunt Arian," Ayaan said with a smile.

"Happy birthday Ayaan," Miguel said handing him a gift.

"Thank you Uncle Miguel," Ayaan said.

"Happy birthday Ayaan," Liam said.

"Thanks, come on let's cut the cake together." Ayaan said.

"Alrighty," Liam said.

"Raphael you too," Ayaan said.

They looked just like brothers.

"Look at those three," Maya said and smiled.

"They've filled the whole place with nostalgia," Arian said.

"Just as it's always been," Queen Ara said.

"Alright are my boys ready to cut the cake?" King Arden asked.

"Yes we are," Ayaan returned excitedly.

After cutting the cake, everyone clapped and sang a song for Ayaan. The celebration lasted all afternoon. After the party had ended, Priya and Arjun bid them goodbye. The boys had run out to the courtyard and Liam suggested they played outside the palace. They kept walking for hours.

"Liam where are we going?" Ayaan asked.

"I getting tired and hungry too." Raphael said.

"Food isn't always the answer you know..." Liam said.

"Yes it is," Raphael said.

"Liam are we there yet? My legs are aching." Ayaan said stoping to rest for a minute as he bent and put his hands on his knees.

"And we're here," Liam shouted.

"An abandoned house?" Ayaan asked.

"You don't expect us to go in there do you?" Raphael said, with a gulp.

"Don't be babies you two, let's go." Liam said excitedly.

Back at the palace, while the maids were cleaning up Queen Ara noticed she hadn't seen the boys since the party ended. She went to the lounge and found Arian and Maya.

"Arian, where are the kids?" Queen Ara asked.

"I saw them in the courtyard after the party." Maya added.

"They must have gone out to play," Arian said.

"It's getting dark. Did they go out with any guards?" Queen Ara asked worriedly.

"I don't know, now even I am beginning to worry." Maya said.

"I'll ask the guards to go look for them," she added.

When the guards reached the abandoned house, it was freezing cold. They heard cries from behind.

"Somebody please help us," Raphael and Ayaan cried.

"It's all my fault," Ayaan cried.

"Liam you'll be fine," he added.

The guards ran hurriedly in the direction of the voices they heard. Increasing their paces as they sighted the boys.

"What happened?" Xan asked picking Liam up and hurrying to his horse.

"Some men tried to take us," Raphael cried.

"No time for stories now, let's get them to the palace," said one of the guards.

When they arrived the palace, everyone was waiting worriedly in the lounge. On seeing Liam in Xan's arms Arian ran quickly to him.

"My baby! What happened to him?" She cried.

"Where did you find them?" King Arden asked.

"We found them in woods behind the abandoned house, Sir." Xan said.

"Quickly take him to my chambers," Queen Ara said.

"Arian calm down," Miguel said.

"Raphael, Ayaan come with me." Maya said.

"I'm so sorry mom, it's all my fault. I didn't mean to hurt Liam." Ayaan cried.

"Those bad men were hurting us and Ayaan saved us," Raphael said backing up his friend.

"I believe you sweethearts. Don't worry, Grandma's taking care of Liam." She assured them hugging them both.

"Aunt Arian and Uncle Miguel will be so angry at me," Ayaan said.

"No no," Maya said.

Miguel entered just then and had heard what Ayaan said.

"Your aunt Arian and I are not angry, come here." Miguel said, Ayaan ran to him and he gave him a tight hug.

"Is he okay?" Maya asked concernedly.

"The cut wasn't very deep. Queen Ara's used her healing powers and applied some ointment, he'll be fine." Miguel said and smiled.

"You two should go to bed now," Maya said.

"Yes Queen Maya, goodnight Ayaan." Raphael said.

"Goodnight Raphael," Ayaan said.

"I think those three have had enough adventure for one day," Miguel said.

"Poor little things, I agree." Maya returned.

"I'll go to Liam," Miguel said.

"I'll come with you," Maya said.

"Alright let's go," Miguel added.

Queen Ara stroked Liam's hair and his mother covered him with the blanket. King Arden held his hands and was patting them gently when Miguel and Maya entered.

"Is he asleep?" Miguel asked.

"Yes he is," Arian answered.

"Ayaan feels so guilty, he said everything was his fault." Maya said.

"Would you look at that..." King Arden said.

"Liam said it was all his fault and Ayaan actually saved them," Arian said.

"I think we should all rest now, it's been a long day," Queen Ara said.

"Alright mother, goodnight Liam." Maya said and kissed Liam's forehead.

"I'll stay here tonight," Arian said.

"I'll be just here," Miguel smiled.

"Alright you two, sleep tight." Queen Ara said.

"Goodnight," King Arden said and the three of them left for their various rooms.