Magical Journey of the Elf Queen

Chapter 19 - Another revelation

After breakfast, we sat on the floor with our backs to the couch and rolled open the heavy gold map. Geez, you’d think it’s made out of real gold judging by how heavy it is.

We stared down at the blank surface in confusion, until the red diary opened up to a blank page and words began to appear on the surface.

*~*~*~*

Well down Maria, you have unlocked the third clue and I am extremely proud of you. Now for the last clue, you need to go where there’s:

The next clue is: Reflection…

Here’s your hint - Sunrise.

*~*~*~*

Glaring at the diary when it shut closed, I throw my head back with a groan.

“Does anyone have anything to say about this clue?” I ask, and was met with silence. “Well, that’s just great.”

Shifting the map, I laid down on the floor next to it. The light reflecting in through the windows suddenly began to heat the surface of the gold map and the golden light it mirrored blinded Katie for a minute.

Kicking the map from her line of sight in annoyance, we stared in silence at the illumination for a couple of minutes before straightening up.

“Put the map where the sunlight is coming in again.” My mother instructed, and we did, but only a shimmer of something appeared on the map before it disappeared again.

“Maybe it needs direct sunlight reflection.”

Katie shot me a dry look. “How much directness do you need that the window isn’t already giving?”

“Well, then what do you suggest is the problem?”

“Duh, the sun reflecting in here is already risen.” She replied, rolling her eyes.

The next day, in the early hours of Monday morning, Katie and I woke earlier and settled in the living room so we could wait for sunrise.

We both spread out blankets on the floor with the map placed between the two of us and the diary right next to it, and after an hour of trying to fight off sleep to no avail, we finally succumbed and dozed off without being able to witness the rise of the sun.

Or how, very slowly, the reflected light shone on the map through the window.

The gold map glowed as it enlarged to the size of a book. Slowly, as if an outer layer was being peeled off the surface, coordinates and directions on the map began to appear just as the diary opened up to another page until words filled the blank space.

“Ugh,” Katie groaned, shifting onto her back with a grimace at being kicked awake.

The sounds she made me open my eyes slowly to see my mother stand above the both of us with a cup of coffee in hand and Katie reached out with a pleading moan.

“Can I sip that Mrs Montgomery?”

“No, go get your own.”

With a pout, Katie rolls to her side, and I couldn’t help but let out a groan when I sat up straight and stretched. My back contracting with pain thanks to the hard, cold floor.

“This will be the last time I ever sleep on the floor.” She grunts, disappearing towards the kitchen as soon as she got to her feet.

Letting out a yawn I stare down at the map, but quickly shut my mouth closed when I see the coordinates drawn on the surface. “Looks like it worked?” My mother said, walking towards the couch to settle down.

Rising to my feet I pick up the diary and the map, despite the heaviness of my lids, and read out loud the words written on the diary.

*~*~*~*

Dear Maria,

I’m so happy you’ve discovered all the clues, now the only thing left for you to do is travel down to L.A and get your wings.

The portal which leads directly to my realm opens up on the hill with the “Hollywood” sign, between the double O’s, and the only way you can get there is if you acquire your Wings.

Since your 17th birthday has passed, your Wings should appear any day now so be prepared. I'm sad I cannot be there to see how my beautiful little girl matures into an adult faerie, but I’m pleased that it’s happening.

When it’s time for your journey, you’ll need to sprinkle a bit of gold dust on your Wings to help with the flight. Newly grown wings are too young, so they haven’t acquired the will of flight yet. The magic of the dust can only last for a day, before your wings stop working, so make sure to bring extra dust along for the ride.

When and if you make it through the portal safely, I have prepared some things for you. A trustworthy aid of mine will lead you to the island of the lost. Be very careful my pea, because now the real journey begins.

Oh! And please, keep your eyes tightly closed when walking into the portal, the last thing you need is to end up temporary blind.

Love truly, C.

*~*~*~*

“I guess it’s time for that journey, I can’t believe we’re going to L.A.” I let out a sigh as the diary shuts close.

I mean, we do live in California and it’s not like L.A is a big deal but the furthest I’ve travelled is San Jose where my mum’s parents live.

“Wait!” Katie steps out of the kitchen with a mug of coffee in hand, frowning. “If the map isn’t going to lead us to your realm then where does it lead?”

“She said it’s to a fairy tree or something like that, we need to probably bring two jars of the dust. She said I’ll need it for the tree as well.”

Biting down on my lip, I looked from my mum to Katie with a hesitant look. “Are you coming with me?”

“Hell yeah!” Katie exclaims excitedly, making me smile. I turned to my mother and she sighed apologetically, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry sweetie I can’t, after your exams am going to visit your father in New York.”

My eyes widen at that. “What, why?”

She shrugged, giving a brief smile. “His family is having this big gathering at their mansion and I was invited, even though we’re already divorced.”

“In other words, grandma is bitching again.”

“Eva!” My mother exclaimed in outrage, glaring at me.

Giving her a sheepish smile, I say apologetically. “Sorry.”

After that day, a month went by without a hitch even though there were a few excitements that happened in school.

After the whole public make-out session between Melody and Zack’s brother, Jack, they had no choice but to come forward about their relationship which shocked the student population.

The principal somehow found out Katie and I snuck into his office and damage his precious flower pot, so we became the temporary janitor’s of the boy's bathroom for the entire month. Disgusting.

And as for Zack and I, we’ve simply kept things friendly and non-romantic to avoid confusion. Which set off the theme to our summer vacation as Katie and I make the trip to L.A all on our own, without our parent’s supervision.