Aurora was home in the Castle Valiant dressed in a gown of blue and gold. She looked around the Spring Garden and sighed. It was a perfect day and the weather could not have been more stunning.

"What a cruel dream!" The dark-haired woman cried to herself. "For I want nothing more than to be at home."

"I was wanting to make you feel comfortable, Young Empress," a deep, rich voice answered her.

The events of a moment ago came back to Aurora. She had fallen into the pool at the top of the Mystic Spires and been transported here. That could only mean…

The woman fell to her knees and pressed her face to the floor before The Maker. "Forgive me. I did not mean to offend." Her whole body trembled involuntarily.

The voice chuckled. "You do not need to apologize. I would not have made humans with their own opinions if I could not handle them. Please sit, Aurora."

The Maker spoke with such fatherly tenderness that Aurora moved to a stone bench in the main part of the garden. She could not explain it, but she found that she felt suddenly at ease in his presence. Although she dared not look at him, Aurora could sense he meant her no harm.

They sat in companionable silence for some time. The air was the perfect temperature and the sky the most perfect color to want to just bask in the glow of the warm, welcoming sun. Now that she was comfortable, the Empress secretly hoped they could go on like this forever.

The Maker broke through her thoughts. "Your unplanned visit has given you the rarest of opportunities."

Aurora furrowed her brow, uncomprehending. The Maker laughed. His joy filled her soul with indescribable gladness.

"Do you have a question for me, Young Empress? Surely there is something burning in your mind that you want to ask me."

Of course he knew she had many questions. But The Maker's polite coaxing gave her the courage to ask. Aurora wrung her hands in her lap as she stared down. "Will everything be alright?"

"What will happen depends on your decisions and the decisions of those around you. But you knew that, Aurora."

Aurora gave a small smile. "I know. I was hoping you would give me something more definitive."

"Take heart, and do not give up."

The Empress shifted her weight. She noticed the container of water at her feet. Whether it had been there the whole time or just appeared, she could not say. She lifted the canister.

"Will this water heal Alaron?"

"Yes," the Maker answered without hesitation.

Aurora felt a weight lifted from her shoulders. Her guesses and speculations had not been in vain. She pulled her mouth to one side. "Why do I sense there is a 'but' that comes after that yes?"

"There is, however, you will not hear it."

"I hate that," Aurora was no longer afraid to give her opinion.

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"I know," the Maker responded affectionately. "You have another question, though."

Aurora looked toward the Maker in surprise and nearly blinded herself before looking away. She held her temples until her vision cleared. She decided to focus on a lovely bluebird that was skittering along the ground instead. "My question is based one something Asha said. She pointed out that Cafer has never directly tried to kill me. Is there a reason he cannot harm me?"

"Cafer has a seal placed on his life. If he physically harms the Royal Family, his life is forfeit." The Maker's voice was sad.

"You said hurt. He doesn't actually have to kill me then for it to be over?" Aurora asked.

"I can see your wheels are turning. Good. It is time to be on your way. Zan and Gandr are becoming very concerned." The Maker allowed the world to fade slightly. The garden, which Aurora was fully enjoying, became dull in her vision.

"Before I go, do you remember that vision you gave me last time I was here?" Aurora tilted her head. It felt silly to remind the Maker of something, but she wasn't sure how else to bring it up. In that vision, Aurora had been in this very gown with a grown Mairwen and Alaron. Her entire family was happily together. It had been ideal.

"I remember."

"Thank you for that chance to see how wonderful things could be, if even for a moment. It gave me hope. I...I am sorry that I failed you." Aurora averted her eyes as she came off the bench and curtsied. She was truly ashamed of her failure, and could not leave without apologizing.

Rather than a firm reproach, a hand covered the top of the Empress's head. The touch was so strong and yet so gentle, Aurora felt simultaneously like she would be crushed and yet that nothing was touching her at all.

"Look forward now, not back, Young Empress. Be well. Love well. Live well."

The blessing given, Aurora felt herself transported back into the pool of water. The canister of water was in her hand with the strap wrapped around her just as she had left it. She was half submerged in the pool and her hair was soaked. Flailing her arms in a moment of panic, Aurora sat up with a gasp.

"Very graceful, Your Majesty," she chided herself, "dropping in on The Maker unannounced and splashing around like a fish."

Now that she knew where she was again, Aurora's mood was quite good. Her misadventure had turned into a great boon. An idea was even forming in her head how to stop Cafer once and for all. "Thank you, Maker," she smiled as she spoke.

She topped off the water container and sealed it tightly. She looped the strap over her shoulder and patted the water skin against her side.

Moving to the edge of the pool, Aurora held to the wall so she could lean over the edge and look down. Despite the large amount of water falling, there was no perceivable current where she stood. 'More magic,' she realized.

The ground was so far below that it may have well have been non existent. The Empress could not spot her friends or the unicorns. Fighting the sudden dizziness that overcame her, Aurora stepped back from the edge to keep from tumbling down.

"Where are you, King Edjer?" Aurora wondered. The mighty dragon had not been anywhere below.

A shadow blocked the sun from the chamber. The king roared, relieved to see the Empress.

Aurora quieted him, "Sh! You will draw the attention of the Fates."

Edjer stopped and pushed his body slightly into the hole. Lowering his head, the king allowed the woman to climb up the spines on his neck and onto his back. With his passenger ready, the dragon began his long descent to the ground.

Either because of the Maker or because they were no longer after the water, the wind ceased to be an issue. They were able to glide to the ground without incident.

Aurora slid off the creature's back and curtsied. "I could not have done this without you, Your Majesty."

Edjer bowed his head to her and snorted soft smoke. The warmth dried the remaining wetness from the woman's clothes and hair.

"Thank you, King Edjer. You are a most valuable ally. I do not suppose you would help us in the upcoming battle?" The Empress asked.

Edjer gave a gentle roar and took to the sky, waving his farewell as he went.

"It was worth a try." After the king had promised not to interfere with people, she had not expected him to agree. She waved at the king until he was out of sight.

"Your Majesty!" Zan called from behind her.

Turning, Aurora could see the Guardian, halfling and the three unicorns hurrying toward her. Utku was particularly enthusiastic as he ambled up and nudged her arm with the side of his head. His horn was glowing.

"It is good to see you too," the woman patted him gently.

Zan and Gandr dismounted and looked wide-eyed at the Empress. "What happened to you?" They asked together.

Aurora looked from where she had just come. She motioned upwards. "The wind up there was wicked, and I was thrown from Edjer's back into the pool at the top of the spires. I met the Maker again and, well, he said the water would definitely heal Alaron."

"The Maker? Again?" Zan was astonished. "Did he touch you?"

Aurora was surprised by the question. "He did. He touched the crown of my head and blessed me. Why?"

"Your hair!" Gandr offered her the mirror. Instead of using it for a magical purpose, Aurora surveyed her visage. Her fair skin and blue-flecked eyes remained unchanged, but her hair…she could hardly believe it.

The crown of her head was golden with tinges of orange, red, and even white. Ringlets like fiery tendrils ran down past her shoulders intermixing with her normal dark waves. It was as if a burning flame had settled on her head and been absorbed by her luscious locks. Maybe it had.

"It's slightly more dramatic than the blue flecks in my eyes," Aurora mused.

"It's stunning," Gandr could find no other words.

"A crown fit for an Empress," Zan added.

"You are both too kind. I only hope His Majesty feels the same," the woman's mind drifted to her husband. As long as he thought her beautiful, she could stand any change. She handed the mirror to Gandr for safekeeping.

The halfling stowed the glass and returned the Empress's pack to her.

"You have the water?" Zan asked.

Aurora held up the water skin. "I do. And it will work."

"Excellent. Shall we head back?" The Guardian looked at the beautiful woman with expectation.

"Yes, Zan, it is time."