Far, far away, Aidan was soaking wet. The water spat him out on an unfamiliar meadow and continued to flow as if nothing happened. "What on earth was that?" he managed to utter, looking around. "Chirp? Are you here?"
The bird let out a confirming note. Shaking the water from his feathers, he added, "What a journey! I don't remember life being this exciting while I was a wizard's pet."
The prince smiled. "All in a days work, my friend. He patted his pocket and his eyes got wider.
The tiny Viniria groaned. "I am alright as well. If anyone cares," she mumbled.
"What's wrong?" the tiny bird asked.
"The apples," he said patting himself over. "They're gone!"
From that moment on, the prince has frantically been searching the ground. "Where can they be? They didn't fall into the river, did they?" he uttered, turning his strained eyes towards the mighty river.
Not so far away, the tiny fairies looked at the long stream they had created.
"That will teach that rude vine monster to behave," Flora added scornfully, as she sat sulking on her flower throne.
"My queen," one scout spoke. "I think the handsome prince was swiped away with it."
The tiny queen raised her nose up. "Serves him right. Acquainting himself with mean creatures like that," she stated coldly. Still, her subjects were not as convinced. After a long and awkward pause, one of her fairies in waiting whispered. "Sure sad about his wife though."
Flora swiftly turned towards her. In the outburst of emotions, she forgot about that small and yet such significant detail.
"It's no use. I can't find them," the man gushed, grabbing his head in a state of panic.
Viniria was busy looking as well. They have been searching for half an hour and there was still a long way to go. "I don't know. But it will be difficult to find the apples if they fell into the water," she mumbled, wanting to keep the thought to herself.
Prince Aidan looked towards the long streaming river. It was wide, deep and filled with rapids.
His heart sank, thinking of the worst. "And I was so close. I had them. I only needed to bring them to her," he said with his lips quivering. His throat closed up, as his eyes began to water. He fell to his knees, hitting the ground with his fist. "No! This can't be! Not after everything we've been throughout. Why did this happen? Why?" he screamed so much, is voice turned raspy.
The fairies were quickly alerted and rushed over.
"Oh Zora. I failed you! And right when salvation was in reach! I cannot lose you now. I cannot!" he said, pressing his hands over his face.
The forest guardian in disguise looked away, distraught. She was not the only witnessing this earth-shattering sight.
"Is he crying?" Flora whispered with her face filled with guilt. Her subjects wiped their eyes with their thin fingers. Fixing her saddened face, she emerged from the bushes and said, "What is wrong of handsome prince?"
"You!" Viniria said agitated. "Go away! This is all your doing!"
The small queen pierced her with her gaze. "I was not talking to you. And besides, if you had kept your foul mouth shut, none of this would have happened." Turning to the kneeling man, she uttered sweetly, "Fear not, oh handsome sovereign. I apologize for the shower. But believe me when I say that this is nothing that cannot be fixed. Come fairies! Together, we will find the missing apples in no time."
Aidan nodded and slowly stood up. He tried to smile, but anguish was still visible on his face.
At the same time, Chirp was searching on the river bank. He flew over some roots when something shiny caught his eye. One golden apple was being held by the wood, just beneath the water surface. The tiny bird jumped with glee. Turning left to right, he thought about what to do next. It did not seem too deep, but the current was strong – too strong for a weak bird like him. One wrong move and he might drown. Still, if he did not act quickly, the apple would certainly float away.
Taking in a deep breath, the friend turned back. He prepared his wings and submerged.
"Are there any more apples left?" Viniria asked as the fairies searched further away.
"I believe not. They may grow in a month or so," Flora said, not finding anything in the tall grass.
"That may be too late," Aidan said anxious. His mind was so preoccupied, he did not even notice Chirp was gone. And then he heard him splash. His high-pitched voice called out to him as splattering became louder. Frantic splashing lead the prince right to him.
"Chirp?" he called. The prince hurried to the river, spotting the tiny bird stuck in the small opening. His head was underwater. His wings and feet were no longer moving.
"Oh no!" Aidan's eye looked on in shock. Jumping towards him, the young prince pulled his friend out. The bird's body felt weak. Still, he managed to hold on to the small golden apple with his beak.
"You noble creature!" Aidan smiled with his eyes filled with worry. He gently placed his friend on the ground, mildly patting him. The fairies surrounded the drowned bird. Flora sat near him. Feeling a bit guilty, she thought for a moment and let out a heavy sigh. Then, she placed her delicate hand on the bird's chest.
"Is he going to make it?" his human friend asked. Everyone looked at the fairy queen in eager anticipation.
"Maybe," she said sad. Placing both her hands on the bird, she turned the soaked creature on his back. Pushing her hands down gently, a strong light grew that seemed to turn his feathers into fire. The fairy queen strained herself, as if struggling.
"You're hurting him!" the prince yelled.
"I am not," she uttered serious. "Be silent."
Aidan held the golden apple tight, conflicted. One bite might save him.