Welcome

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

-Robert Frost

The purple dragon remained in flight staring at the red barren mountains in front of it. Traces of populations in various parts of the mountains were seen surviving in the striking hot temperature in contrast to the shivering cold where she had escaped from. On top of the mountains standing with utmost pride designed in red and grey bricks covering more than an acre land was the palace. Tiny ant like humans patrolling around it.

Idalia wasn't sure her father would even recognize her but she had no choice but to enter the palace she couldn't return back to where she was. She flew towards the palace with enough speed that she could withstand before her power would betray her. She had almost reached the boundaries of the palace when a loud roar behind her caught her attention.

A mighty dragon covered in green scales glared at her ready to attack at the first given chance. She cursed herself for not thinking that the security was to be in air as well. Instead of paying heed to the dragon she flew towards the palace her vision was getting blurry, her energy vanishing with the speed of lightning.

The dragon tried to catch up to her but before he could even reach her she transformed again. No more a dragon she fell towards the palace instead of flying inside. She tried to transform again but her body wouldn't allow so she closed her eyes and braced herself for the impact waiting for her head to come in contact with the wooden floor. The impact never came she was left hanging in the air exactly one inch above the ground. She peeked open one of her eyes thinking she might have really just died but instead a green sharp claw held her shirt and just before she could acknowledge it, the claw disappeared and she was thrown to the ground. It was better than falling directly to the ground from twenty feet. A loud clash sounded right beside her and she looked to the side to see her sword clinking to the ground beside her. Just when she was about to reach for her sword another sharp blade's point appeared right above her grip stopping her from reaching her sword. She sighed in annoyance not really having imagined such a grand welcome.

"what do you want?" she looked up at the guy covered in black and red armor from head to toe even his face was covered, not daring to get up gathering her strength.

"You are the one to ask" he scoffed assessing her weak form lying on the ground. "who are you?"

"I could ask the same?" She folded her arms sitting up causing the guy to take a step back.

"I am the general here. You broke into here" He was looking at her but she wasn't listening she saw the opening for her sword and launched.

Within a moment she was in stance the point of her sword right against his neck. "I am here to see my father" she declared.

'You don't get in the palace unless you tell me who you are" He easily pushed away her sword but she was a fighter and a skilled one at that. She got back to him easily dodging his blows. But he was more strong he got around her elbowing her in the back causing her to fall face first on the ground this time his sword against her neck. She wasn't the one to give up.

"How about we talk this out?" she chuckled slightly holding the blade between her two fingers away from her neck. She couldn't die not right now.

"You don't look trustwort…" before he had the chance to continue his sentence was broken by the loud sounds of multiple boots marching against the ground in sync. She turned her neck up looking at the men covered in similar armor entering the area where she was currently held almost captive.

"What is happening here in my palace?" a loud voice boomed across the area she couldn't look up enough to see their faces but she knew from the voice that it was her father. She hadn't seen him often just on rare occasions in her palace but It had been years since she had met him.

"This girl broke into the palace" The guy above her spoke bowing to her father and she sat up looking at the king. He was dressed immaculately in black robes decorated with golden jewels marking his glory his attire a complete opposite to her mother's. She studied his face so and she saw her resemblance. He had grown his beard more than the last time she had seen him there were few stray white hairs poking out. And then she finally had the moment she had waited for, her own hazel eyes stared at her. Her father studied her and as if the realization had sparked in them they softened. "Idalia" he whispered she couldn't hear it but she read his lips.

"How did you get here?" the first question that he asked she wasn't sure if she was disappointed or not. At least he recognized her.

"Flew here. Took a little time to find it but I was determined" she shrugged without breaking the eye contact.

"You must be tired" she saw worry flicking in his eyes. No one dared to interfere between the conversation.

"A little" she sighed. She felt something warm on her upper lips and she brought her finger under her nose just to find deep red blood dripping down her finger. Gasping her father, the king stepped towards her a few "Your majesty" whispers erupted but with one signal they all silenced not moving a step. "Get off that ground" he commanded giving her a hand to get up. The guy who had strangled her a minute before took a step back.

"Next time general victor treat my daughter with respect" Her father scolded the guy behind her and he bowed apologetic. Everyone gasped at the word daughter unable to believe the princess was here. With a protective arm behind her back he led her inside. She turned around took one last look at the defeated general pulling down his mask and she knew he wasn't from the fire kingdom. "Victor" she found herself whispering the name. As if hearing his name, he looked up at her and she smiled wiping the last trace of blood from her lips a challenging mystery glowing in her eyes.

................

(To the present)

"victor" Idalia's eyes few open and she sat up on the bed with a sudden motion startling her mother who sat on the bed right beside her.

"You must have seen a dream" her mother's icy voice got her attention. She held up a finger wiping away a stray tear from Idalia's face, she hadn't even noticed before. As if the contact had sent electric shock through her, Idalia turned away her face.

"Where is Victor? What did you do to him?" there was spite in her eyes for her mother.

"If only I hadn't let you escape that night none of it would have happened" she ignored Idalia's question and went on.

"Only to lock me up in this palace just like right now. No wonder you have placed spellbound on me you can't lose me again to father, right?" She scoffed at her mother anger coursing through her veins.

"It's all for your own benefit" her mother cooed pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"What benefit do you find in putting me through this tortue?" this time she screamed at her mother pushing away her hand.

"You brought this upon yourself" her mother sighed with pity looking at her.

"Your actions forced me to do all this. You are the one to blame" She let her hair fall upon her face not meeting her mother's eyes.

"Anyways it's too late to resent it all now. You are back here again safe and sound" Idalia wanted to scream at her mother's nonchalance as she stood up ready to leave Idalia as it is.

"answer my question first" She held onto Orianne's hand stopping her.

"You should rest" with one slight pull she had easily gotten rid of Idalia's grip on her arm. And then she was gone leaving Idalia alone in the silent room.

Idalia felt like a kid again stuck in a palace where her cries went unheard. This time she did let herself cry unable to even move a limb to her wish. And in tears she prayed that her daughter was safe and she wished to meet her husband again his face vivid again from her dream.