When Eliza Meets her Friends
The Queen of Kristland
She was 20 years old, and an opera singer when Philippa married Haku. He was a soldier serving the Kingdom of Kristland and a year older than her. Seasons chassed the time, and the young couple welcomed their firstborn daughter, they named her Eliza. The next eight years were full of music, dreams and happiness for Haku, Philippa and the little girl. One day, as she was practicing singing with her mother on the piano, Eliza saw the royal army and King Harold 1st himself, coming returning from war. And they were heading to Philippa’s home, how exciting! “ Look mommy, daddy’s home from war!” Eliza rushed to the front door, effortly opened it and ran to the King. Seeing the child, King Harold got down from his mounting and kneeled to reach Eliza’s height. He started to apologize, only to let the young girl know that her father will no longer come back home, for his life ended on battle. The child embraces the denial, as she watches with her mother, the soldiers bringing Haku’s corpse to Philippa, paralyzed, helpless and devasted. One year had passed, and Philippa was now raising her daughter alone, for what she had stopped singing opera and playing the piano.
That same day came four young voyagers: two young boys, a radiant young elf and a strange toad they’d call “Bate”, as well as a mysterious egg that the eldest boy was shyly carrying in his bag. He had brown hair and green eyes, that were shining like an emerald. He told Philippa that his name was Karl. The white-haired elf came from the Moon shadow Tribe, which were an archery tribe, and was nicknamed Hay, from her full name Hailee. Finally, Eliza noticed the little boy, who appeared to be her age as he was holding his pet toad. He had dark puffy hair and ocean blue eyes which were staring into Eliza’s soft pink eyes. Karl introduced his younger brother and called him Erik.
But one night, as Philippa went to bed, she heard tears coming from one of the visitor’s doors. She opened it to find Karl struggling to sleep, for the sadness in his eyes was too great to leave him in peace. Hailee was at his side, with a desolated face. Philippa looked into them, and saw the same tears and devastation, which reminded her of the day she lost Haku.
“what’s the matter, dear, questioned Philippa, why do you have so much trouble sleeping in a quite late hour?
It’s my dad… well no, he’s not my dad… I mean he wasn’t, but … well King Harold is d-one, no he …
Don’t rush you lovely thing, whispered Philippa, take your time.
It’s the king, King Harold is dead, sobbed Karl.
Oh my! What happened?
Assassinated or … I don’t know, I was just told… Hailee told me he was gone!”
Karl explained that him and Erik were the sons, and rightful heirs of the Kingdom of Kristland. Erik had to grow up without their mother, for the queen had died in Battle. As for the king, he had just learned about his passing. Without a word, Philippa took Karl and Hailee in her arms, consoling the brown-haired boy’s broken heart. As a brother, Karl confessed that he was more concerned about telling the news to Erik than his actual grief. Philippa responded that she could be in charge of telling the bad news, that way it would be easier than if it was Karl. “So, you are the new king of Kristland, now? Asked Philippa
Not me, no, said the young boy in Hailee’s arms, I said we were the rightful heirs, but I’m not really “rightful” to the throne. I said that wrong.
How is that?
Well, I’m the eldest, but the kingdom wasn’t really sure if I was the king’s son, rumors spread that my father was some lover of the queen. The king decided to raise me though, but my whole childhood I was treated like … illegitimate.
I’m really sorry, declared Philippa, it was inappropriate from me to assume such state.
Oh no, it’s fine, smiled furtively Karl as he grabbed the bag, I wasn’t planning to become king anyways, I’m just going to keep studying mysterious artefacts. But first, I have something to do: talk to Erik.
Leave that to me, replied Philippa”.
