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Flora and Aero had been acting odd for a while. They always seemed busy with something. Rook couldn’t help but feel they were planning something. They were always asking strange questions such as favorite food or flower. Then they would vanish randomly and return later that day acting as if nothing were different.
Flora always asked her question in a very roundabout way.

“Say Rook,” she asked one day, “Which dress do you like better? This one, or this one?”

“The purple one.”

“Is purple your favorite color?” she’d ask eagerly.

“On you.”

“Then what’s your favorite color?”

“I never really thought about it,” he told her. She looked disappointed. “Well, I like black,” he offered.

She looked thoughtful for a moment looking around. “The roses will be blooming soon. Do you like red?”

“Red is good.”

“Okay,” she answered cheerfully, “I’ll see you later.”

Aero was much more direct. She’d often fine Rook in the parlor reading to ask her questions.

“What kind of songs do you like?” she asked one day.

“For dancing or listening?”

“Dancing. Do you like the more traditional songs or the faster large group dance songs?”

“Traditional, I don’t like switching partners.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you.”

They always ran away without explanation.

“Flora, what’s going on?” Rook asked.

“You’ll see.” She laughed leading him through the halls. “We’re sure you’ll like it.”

When they left through the arch of the halls to the courtyard a roar of applause greeted them from a crowd. As they walked to the crowd maids threw rose petals.

“Favorite flower.” She smiled. The market square was decorated in red. “I decided to go with your second favorite color. It seemed more fitting.”

When they entered the square the crowd shouted, “Happy birthday Prince Rook.”

The troupe began playing music as Aero ran up to them. “Favorite music, too.”

“You didn’t need to do all of this for me,” Rook told them embarrassed.

“We wanted to,” they answered together.

“How did you find out my birthday?”

“We found it in the palace records,” Aero explained, “We had to rush a bit, though.”

“We ended up being obvious. Good thing you didn’t find out what we were planning,” Flora added.

“Thank you.” Rook smiled. “It turned out beautifully.”

“Prince Rook!” Ive called over the crowd with a laugh, “What’s your favorite song?”

“Play them all,” he called back.

“Alright ladies and gentlemen,” Ive called to the crowd, “Let’s dance ‘til sunrise.”

They erupted once more with cries of glee as they paired up. Aero jumped up onto the platform to join the other singers. The musicians played the songs together as everyone danced.

“What gave you the crazy idea to throw a party for me?” Rook asked as they danced.

“Besides the fact that it would be fun?”

“Yes.”

“I guess to thank you,” she answered, “for everything you’ve done for me, and Aero as well.”

“You didn’t need to thank me.”

“Then I guess it was just for fun. I’d never seen you so surprised.” She laughed. “It really was fun. Almost like a game for Aero and I to find out more about you.”

He gazed at her face.

“What?” she asked.

“You don’t look down anymore.”

“I-I’ve been practicing with the troupe while they rehearsed music.”

“And you didn’t invite me as your partner?” he teased.

“We couldn’t let you find out what we were planning,” she explained.

The music played through the night rotating musicians so everyone got a chance to dance and enjoy the party. As the night wore on the mood softened and calmed. The music was lighter and slower like a lullaby. Many people sat at the tables listening as they talked softly. A few of the singers went up to Ive whispering something to him. He nodded, still playing.

“Aero,” one of them called to her, “Do you want to sing the descant of your favorite song?”

The music stopped as the musicians found the parchment for the song. The people at the tables looked up waiting as it started up again. There was a hint of sadness as it began, but as the singers joined in hope overpowered the sadness. Aero had longed to sing this song before a crowd. It was a song of waiting and worrying. Her voice seemed to shine brightest while singing this song.

“I can hear Aero,” Flora pointed out as she listened.

“It feels like she’s trying to get Tornado to hear,” Rook added, “The lyrics sound like them, don’t they?”

“They do, sad yet hopeful. I wonder how she’s doing. She smiles so much now, but I can’t help but feel she hurts when she’s alone.”

“Me too,” Rook reassured her, “but she still has us. I’m sure her friends from the troupe are there for her too.”

Flora nodded closing her eyes as she listened. The song was beautiful and sad. Even though the song was filled with sorrow it seemed to lift the spirits of those who heard it. The song was balanced by the hope and love of the singers. As it continued one by one the instruments joined the hopeful chorus. It ended powerfully overwhelmed with joy.

The crowd applauded as the troupe bowed.

“Thank you, thank you,” Ive called, “That song was composed by one of our very own. Kian, please take a bow.”

Kian bowed sitting quickly with the others. Aero smiled at him and a few of the other villagers dispersed among the troupe members. Ive didn’t give the crowd time to get a good look at him as they started the next song. Kian nodded a thank you to Ive before he started. Ive never seemed to stop striving for peace.



The next morning the town was quiet as everyone slept. The decorations still hung in the square undisturbed. Aero lay in the courtyard among the rose petals as the early summer sun shone down on her. She stared up at the sky.

“Aero,” Flora walked over sitting beside her, “What’s wrong?”

“Three hundred fifty four days,” she answered, “That’s how long it’s been since the night Tornado left. I have thought of him every day. Sometimes I see his face in a crowd and I can’t help but picture his wings every time I see a black bird fly. I have spent three hundred fifty four nights worrying about him. I constantly ask myself what he is doing and if he is hurt.”

“You’ve been counting?”

“Yes, days, weeks, and months. In a few more days I can start years,” Aero told her watching a hawk circle in the sky, “over and over.”

“He will come back,” Flora assured her, “he promised you that.”

“I know, I know. It’s hard waiting. I just wish there was some way to contact him, to know he’s alright.”

“It’s difficult to get through realms. It requires a power that very few can even use.”

“I know,” Aero rolled over burying her head in the grass and rose petals, “but how long do I have to wait?”