THE PAST  ... "Elizabeth!" A white turtle-dove slowly circled above the treetops and then landed on the branch of a blossoming apple-tree. It lazily turned its head towards the sun and then looked down to the ground. "Elizabeth!" was heard again. The turtle-dove cooed and found the source of the call. There was a woman on the meadow, nervously looking up. She was not very young; red hair was threaded with silver and a few wrinkles graced her face, but her eyes were more than alive and they sparkled with great temper and power. She wore long, lacy green dress and high dark leather shoes. Her hair was braid, the wind moving only couple of free locks. "Elizabeth!" The woman screened her eyes with her hand to protect them against sharp sunlight and searched tree branches. She seemed to be angry. "Elizabeth! I'm waiting! Come down here! Right now!" she called once more and turned nervously. There was not much time left. The turtle-dove moved its wings and sang, shortly. Then its wings touched each the other. A silver glare appeared and swallowed the bird. Its eyes changed to human ones, human eyes colored an unusually light blue. It contrasted with white feathers of a small body. The wings changed their shape and suddenly there were warm fingers. More power  ...  and she turned to her human form completely. "Elizabeth! Climb down from that tree immediately and come with me!" the angry woman called and waved at a small girl, sitting on the tree. Elizabeth rested pleasantly on the trunk and smiled. She knew they would send somebody to get her. Even now, when the castle was full of that fuss with preparations, she knew her sister won't let her be alone. But why Merley? Why didn't they send Valerio? The girl frowned. Probably because he had to help during preparations of the inviting party. Sister would never hear a word against him in these cases. Valerio had a discerning talent in arranging amazing ceremonies and balls. His ideas were always original. And he's an elf, a real one, complete with pointy ears, eyes dark as leaves, red hair, and a small, slim and supple body. Plus Valerio was funny. He always had lots of crazy ideas and he made her laugh. He never grumbled. And he forgave her everything. Yes, Valerio was her friend. "Why didn't they send Valerio?" Elizabeth queried towards the ground and saw the woman frowned even more. "He's helping  ...  like everybody else  ...  prepare the celebration," she murmured. "And we should do the same, Ell! Come down from that tree! We don't have any time." Her voice was tired. "Yes, there's no time now. They will be here in a moment," Elizabeth whispered and looked at a far-away horizon. "What?" "They must go this way. And I want to see him! I want to see..." she repeated, more for herself now, and tried to see something in the distance. Merley turned around in despair. This child will be the end of her! "You must come down! They can't find you here! You will see him in the evening, in the castle." She raised her voice, obviously more nervous. "They won't find me. I'll be hidden." "Your sister sent me to bring you, young lady, so come down immediately and come with me, before it's too late!" Elizabeth made herself comfortable on a wide branch. A sudden strong wind tousled her hair. She slowly moved one lock away from her forehead. "I'm not leaving! Tell my sister!" she called down and watched Merley's face turned red with anger. "Damned insolent girl! That's what she inherited from her father!" she hissed and quickly left the garden full of flowers towards the castle. "Well, here we go," Elizabeth smiled, but then something forced her to move her head. It was music. Silent music, reminiscent of' the bells of the forest fairies. Living music, coming from everywhere and through everything. Wonderful, magical, heavenly. It surrounded her and she had to close her eyes. She felt it coming closer. Sunshine reflected off the golden shields and lances of the long procession. The music was everywhere now. They were close. Elizabeth leant a little and watched a column of elves who formed the gate of the procession. Some of them played flutes or sang, while others had rainbow dust in their hands and spread it around. Dwarves were among them, too, in ceremonial clothes. They carried large ornamental chests with king's seal. In the middle there were several white knights on their horses, flags floating above their heads, crystal shields at their sides. Symbols of fairy kingdom adorned them all. Then they moved a little and she saw him. His long fair hair moved slowly in the wind. Elizabeth lent closer to see more. Good, his face! So incredibly gentle and beautiful. She has never before seen such a perfect face. It radiated from within with wondrous power, but it also contained something she couldn't quite describe at that moment. What is it? His eyes met hers leaving her no time to hide. She couldn't move her gaze from his eyes. Something overpowered  and confused her. Then she realized something that changed the magic. Something on his face. A small movement. She forced herself to stop staring at his eyes. It was a smile. He smiled. The magic fled at that moment and she felt it. It was like offering your face to a sharp winter wind. She found the answer, hidden in his eyes. Coldness. She didn't notice when the rest of the crowd disappeared in the distance and the music stopped slowly. She didn't notice when she jumped down from the tree and turned back to the castle. She didn't see anybody greet her and call her. She could only think of him. It was still in her head. She had to have made a mistake. It wasn't coldness, what she saw in his face. Maybe it was just a shadow, or confusion, or lack of interest or weakness... No! She was sure. Cold frost touched her back, when she recalled it. Oh God, her sister! How could she overlook it! How could she not see the danger in his eyes. Elizabeth passed the secret passage, leading from the garden right to the castle. Nobody knew about it, just her and her sister. To enter, she had to go through the garden fountain, through the underground maze around eternal guardians of her kingdom. It was easy to get lost and loose your direction forever, but it was not dangerous for her, for Elizabeth. She knew every turn perfectly, she knew every trap, every strong and weak point of the underground labyrinth. For the first time she entered it years ago, she had been just a child. At first she couldn't solve it, she couldn't pass. And then, when she almost gave up, she found the mechanism. It seemed, that as she passed the corridors, her own power created new ways. It was like she was unconsciously changing and creating it. She was its part. She felt with it. It was like a portrait of her soul. So split and strange, secret, beautiful, dangerous. She loved it. There were more labyrinths in this kingdom. One of the largest ones was in the garden. It surrounded the main kingdom and protected it against intruders and other dangers. The way through it was full of puzzles, traps and surprises. It was one of the most complex labyrinths and it was never fully explored. They said it was older than the castle itself. Only a few could pass safely. Only people with magic powers. Elizabeth entered the back part of the corridor to the throne room. Her steps echoed in the empty and silent castle. Everybody was out there, welcoming the procession. Everybody except of one person. The bride. According to the old law on her wedding day she will appear after the sunset, at the altar. Then she will join her husband, after their "I do". "And they will be together forever..." Elizabeth whispered and moved faster.  "This evening." Elizabeth turned from the main corridor to the narrow wooden staircase. Her hand nervously touched wooden symbol of the kingdom. It was an ornament resembling bird wings, her family sign. It was a replica of the original, the castle was full of them. Her mother had had the original, a silver necklace with a golden end. They said it was a symbol of all the magic. After mother's death Areell inherited it, and Areell will one day pass it on to her children. Thus the line would remain unbroken, ensuring the fairy kingdom a rightful ruler. Elizabeth walked the stairs up. She had to speak to her sister. She had to tell her what she discovered about her groom. She had to warn her. Areell needs to be happy. She will be the queen. Soon. She came to the end of the staircase, to a small ornamental door. Elizabeth hesitatingly raised her hand and knocked. Nothing happened for a moment, then the door opened and light from the room touched her face. A red-haired woman filled the door. She looked at Elizabeth and her eyes narrowed. "So. You're here. You don't look very ceremonial, Ell!" Her long green dress swirled around her as she opened the door completely and showed Elizabeth inside. "I didn't tell your sister you didn't listen to me," Merley said, thinking that was the reason Elizabeth had come. "I didn't want to cause her any more trouble. She's got enough already. In a couple of hours she'll be at the altar." "I need to speak with my sister," Elizabeth whispered. "Please, leave us alone." Merley shook her head, surprised. "Of course. Anyway, I have to arrange something." Then she left. Elizabeth unconsciously overlooked the room. Her sister was at the mirror. "Hello, Areell." A girl with long fair hair turned when she heard this. "Elizabeth! I've been waiting for you. Come to me!" she shone. Elizabeth smiled. She loved her sister. She was so kind, so beautiful. She had long gentle golden hair, a tall and slim figure, and a lovely face. Her alabaster skin contrasted sharply with Neptune eyes, enhancing the beauty of both features. She was unmistakably a fairy. Elizabeth turned to a large mirror, where her reflection appeared. She frowned. Her sister may be a fairy, but she was not. Just half. Oh God, why couldn't she be beautiful like Areell... She had only inherited the fairy skin, light and soft. Otherwise, she was completely different. All fairies have fair hair, Elizabeth's hair was as dark as night. All fairies have dark blue and wonderful eyes, Elizabeth's ones are extremely light and they change their shape, like eyes of a cat. Their magical power was done and set, but nobody knew what powers Elizabeth possessed. And nobody knew who her father was. Mostly people think he was a human, leaving her magic power mixed and weak. Elizabeth critically watched her vision. "What do you see?" her sister's voice asked near her. "That I'm very short," she lied. "You're tall enough for your thirteen years," Areell declared and stood next to her, so they both were in the mirror now. "You'll grow." "Maybe I will, but I will never be as beautiful as you," she whimpered and rested her head on sister's shoulder. "You're gonna be much more beautiful, Elizabeth!" Areell laughed and embraced her. Then she noticed the strange look at her face. "What's wrong, El?" she asked and forced her to look up. Elizabeth didn't want to. She turned away. "What's wrong?" Areell repeated and this time she seemed frightened. "Are you all right? Are you sick?" She raised her hand, reaching to touch her sister's white forehead. "I'm not sick," Elizabeth jerked back. That surprised her. "It's because of my wedding." Elizabeth didn't answer. She took the music box and started to explore it closely. "So is it?" "Yes." At last her sky blue eyes met the dark blue ones. God, it was so difficult! How to tell her what happened today. She didn't want to harm her. But it was necessary, she had to tell. She had to warn her. "I told you, this changes nothing. You will always be my little beautiful sister..." "It's about your groom," Elizabeth interrupted her and her eyes darkened. Areell didn't understand. "You have to know... I must tell you..." she couldn't find the right words. "I saw him today. Passing around the garden." Areell moved her head to one side. Elizabeth knew this gesture. "You were in the garden, when he came." It wasn't a question. "A coincidence," she whispered and noticed sister's quick smile. "What I'd like to say is that... I saw him and..." "Did you like him?" sister asked, overjoyed, and turned back to the mirror. "He's gorgeous, believe me. Maybe on the first sigh he may seem a little bit..." "Cold," Elizabeth continued. Areell looked at her, trying to find a sign of joke in her face. But it was only decisiveness. "Cold?" she repeated, not understanding. "I feel cold and danger from him. It's very powerful. Trust me!" The blonde girl frowned. "I trust you and I know that you're an excellent judge of character, but you're wrong this time. He's not that way." Elizabeth came closer. "I felt it! And I'm scared! I'm scared... scared he's gonna harm you!" she said and tried to find the answer in her eyes.  She had to know. She had to be sure. Arreell shook her head. "He won't harm me. I know him. He loves me and I love him. He's the man of my life!" She embraced her sister strongly. Elizabeth felt the energy coming from her. She didn't know if it was her own power or the power that took her  ...  power of love. "Trust him," Areell said. The landscape sang. It was a music so wonderful and magic, that filled everything. Its sound was like a crystal bell, tones of dew falling on a silver spider web, and songs of unicorns. The castle beyond the fairy city was its center. It was the sunset. Music overpowered everything. Nobody and nothing moved. The music kept waiting. Then you could hear steps inside the tones. Light and silent, completing the music, joining it to become its director. A girl in wedding dress walked towards the altar. "Long live the king and queen!" everybody shouted as Areell completed her wedding vow. She looked at her husband. Standing there, gazing at her. He was full of tenderness and love. His incredible eyes fixed hers. She had to close them, when he moved closer, so close she felt his warm breath. A sudden wave of unearthly energy darkened her senses. He kissed her.