“Exploring?” Anna repeated softly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise. Her hands rested on the armrests of her wheelchair as though unsure whether to refuse or agree.
Before she could respond, Emma smiled and leaned forward. “Don’t worry about it,” she said reassuringly. “I’ll move the wheelchair. And if you’re worried your parents might look for you, just leave them a note. That way, they won’t worry.”
Anna hesitated, her delicate brows furrowing in thought. Then, after a moment, she said, “Why don’t I just ask one of the servants to tell them where I’ve gone if they ask?”
Emma considered this and nodded. “That works.”
Anna waved over a nearby servant, a young elven woman who stood discreetly at the edge of the green canopy. The servant approached swiftly, her posture respectful yet curious.
After explaining her request, the servant glanced at Emma, then back at Anna. “Should I accompany you, just in case?”
Anna shook her head with a calm but firm smile. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. Just let my parents know where I’ve gone if they ask.”
The servant hesitated for a brief moment before nodding. “As you wish, Miss Anna.” She stepped back into her position by the canopy, and Anna turned to Emma.
“Ready,” she said with a small smile.
Emma stepped behind the wheelchair, gripping its handles gently. She began to push, guiding them away from the vibrant canopy. The bustling festival streets stretched out before them, a tapestry of life, magic, and celebration.
The air was alive with the mingling scents of roasted meats, spiced greens, and sweet pastries. On one side of the path, cooks prepared steaming dishes, their hands moving with practiced ease. Pots bubbled over open flames, sending waves of enticing aromas into the air. On the other side, green-lit lanterns cast an enchanting glow over clusters of festival-goers who laughed, sang, and swayed to the lively music played by a group of elven minstrels.
Emma couldn’t help but notice the diversity of the crowd. Though most of the attendees were elves, there were a fair number of humans, their differences blending seamlessly into the festive atmosphere. Children darted between the adults, their laughter ringing out like wind chimes, while vendors shouted cheerfully, displaying wares that shimmered with faint magical auras.
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“Look at them,” Anna murmured, her voice tinged with awe. Her eyes followed the movement of a group of dancers, their long green robes flowing like water as they spun in perfect synchrony.
Emma smiled but said nothing, content to let Anna take it all in.
As they moved further down the path, something caught both their attention—a fountain nestled in a quiet corner of the venue, near the edge of the playground.
The fountain was unlike anything Emma had ever seen. Water cascaded from its topmost tier in glowing droplets, each one shimmering with an iridescent light before merging into the pool below. The air around it was cool and serene, as though the fountain exuded an aura of calm.
“It’s beautiful,” Anna whispered.
They weren’t the only ones captivated by the sight. A small group of humans and elves stood nearby, their faces reflecting the soft glow of the fountain. It was as if the fountain’s magic had drawn them into a shared moment of quiet wonder.
After a while, Emma gently pushed the wheelchair again, steering them toward the playground.
Here, the festival was even livelier. Children ran about, their laughter carrying over the sound of the music. Some were building elaborate sandcastles that seemed to defy gravity, the grains of sand held together by faintly shimmering magic. Others performed small magical tricks—conjuring lights, shaping water, or making flowers bloom from seemingly barren soil.
Anna’s gaze lingered on the children, her smile fading ever so slightly. The joy in her eyes dimmed, replaced by something softer, heavier. Emma noticed immediately.
Her chest tightened as she watched Anna, her small hands resting still on the armrests of her chair, her expression quietly wistful.
I didn’t think bringing her here would make her sad, Emma thought, guilt curling in her stomach. If I’d known…
Almost Instinctively, Emma stepped closer . She leaned over Anna, wrapping her arms around her shoulders slowly, in a firm but gentle hug. Their cheeks were nearly touching, and Anna’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Emma pointed toward the children in the playground. “One day,” she said softly, her voice steady and filled with quiet meaning, “you’ll be out there Anna. Walking, running, using magic. Laughing. Having the best time of your life.”
Anna’s breath hitched, and tears began to well in her deep green eyes. They spilled over silently, tracing glistening paths down her cheeks. She nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement, and then, to Emma’s relief, she smiled—a soft, genuine smile that carried a glimmer of hope.
“Thank you,” Anna whispered, her voice barely audible over the festival’s hum. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and straightened slightly in her chair. “Let’s keep going. There’s still so much to see, right?”
Emma nodded, her own smile returning. “Right.”
She stepped behind the wheelchair once more, her hands steady as she began to push. Together, they left the playground behind, the glow of the magical fountain fading into the distance.
Ahead of them lay the rest of the festival, a world of beauty and wonder waiting to be explored.
image [https://i.ibb.co/P69NLDP/IMG-20241128-WA0003.jpg]