One day, the senior princess and the queen decided to pay her a visit. The princess wept the entire way. "Poor child. Who knows what that monster will do to her," she cried as her face was buried into a silk handkerchief.
"Maybe it won't be so terrible. She never stated that she will kill her. Not directly, at least," said the queen callously, growing tired of her sobbing. "She'll probably just forbid her to simply leave the forest. Keep her as a pet of sorts. Besides, Zora was in such an awe, the first time we saw her. Who knows... Perhaps, this is where she belongs. She might witness some fascinating things," she stated before stopping to ponder. "Now that I think about it, it might be the best thing that ever happened to her."
"If it is going to be as wonderful as you describe it, why don't you take her place?" the princess retorted mad.
"Me! Why... I cannot," the queen stuttered, looking around. "Who would advise my husband? You know very well that he cannot rule without me. And the people! You know, they would weep for months on end if I'm gone."
The princess nodded with her eyebrows pressed together.
The two guards stood near a heavily locked door. They moved their axes to let them in. The small bedroom seemed vacant. No one could be seen inside.
"Zora?" the princess called, searching. "Zora, where are you?"
"I am here," a quiet voice was heard. The two ladies looked at each other and rushed to find her. At one point, the queen opened the wardrobe and found the young princess curled up inside.
"Heavens, child! What are you doing there?" she said, shocked.
The young woman slowly stood up and bowed to the two ladies. "I am sorry I did not greet you once you came in, your Highness. I could not make myself leave my dark shelter. I cannot bare the sunlight ever since my darling Aidan left," Zora uttered sad, leaving her sisters-in-law deeply shaken.
"Oh Lord," the queen whispered and averted her teary eyes. The senior princess started to weep again. "Zora, tell me how I can make the time you have left more pleasant?"
The princess sighed. Pondering for a moment she replied, "With your permission my Lady, I would like to go into the forest and pick the prettiest flowers. I want to make a wreath that will adorn my head when I am taken to the forest guardian."
"Such a humble request! Of course you may, my dear" exclaimed the princess. The queen wiped off a tear but remained suspicious. "I don't know. What if she escapes?"
"She will have chaperons of course" her lady smiled. The queen shook her head. She looked at Zora and sighed. "Do as you wish. I want no part of this. And if anything goes wrong, it will be on your head," she told her companion serious.
Samantha nodded and joyfully turned to the sad girl, "Guards will accompany you. You may go anytime you please."
"Within reason," added the queen.
Zora made a deep bow. "Thank you, your Highness. My Lady."
The elder princess grabbed her into a warm hug. "Such a sweet child!" she said sniffing.
The very next day, at dawn, Nora's guards took her to a meadow near the forest. While she walked around, searching for the most beautiful flowers, one of them yawned.
"Did we have to come so early in the morning?" he asked drowsy.
"That's what Her Ladyship ordered," the other responded and continued mimicking a female voice, "Take her to the forest whenever she wishes."
The wreath of the young princess was almost done. Stepping in grass, she carefully picked the flowers and them mindfully and very slowly tied them together with a blue satin ribbon. She was wearing her favorite silk blue dress with white lace adorned with small white pearls. Her hair was loose, with only a small decorative comb holding two small strains on the back of her head. When the wreath was completely finished, she took a deep breath and said to the guards, "Doesn't dew smell wonderfully in the morning?"
"Yes, my Lady," her sleepy chaperons replied.
The rustle of leaves was heard in the distance accompanied by groggy grunting. The startled guards pointed their spears in the direction of the noise.
"What was that? A deer?" one of the guards spoke.
"Deer don't grunt," said the other. "It must be that fairy creature. My Lady, it is better for us to leave this place."
Zora's feet froze. "Alright," she obeyed and slowly started to move. Suddenly turning her head, she spotted something in the grass. Glaring at it, she stuttered, "Stop."
Obeying her order, her guards looked at her inquisitively. "Is anything the matter, my Lady?" one asked.
Gulping, she pointed at the grass. "That mushroom, is it poisonous?"
Taking a look, he replied,"No, my Lady. It is edible."
"Are you insane?" the other made a face. "Look at its cap! That shroom is more poisonous than a viper."
"What are you gibbering about? I have been picking mushrooms in the woods since I was a child. This one is edible. I guarantee it!"
"My neighbor made soup from one of them and died instantly. The poor man. He was still holding the spoon when they found him", the other replied, shaking his bowed head.
"That must have been a different one," the first guard stated. "On my honor, this one is safe to eat."
"I say that it isn't!" the second guard said mad.
"I say it is!" the first yelled, also angry.
"It is not!"
"It is!"
The two, whose argument was getting louder and louder. They have not even noticed that the princess tiptoed towards the forest. As soon as she reached the first trees, she rushed to the garden being constructed. The runaway could still hear the arguing of the guards. Very soon, the noise was accompanied by the clanging of their armors, as they grabbed each other by the throat.