The Heart of Aurora

There was a sound of a woman’s voice echoing throughout the forest. Kiera opened her eyes. She was lying in soft, cool grass, next to the sound of a gurgling stream. Kiera sat up. She recognized the forest. 

“Here again?” She asked aloud.

Suddenly, she realized she was alone. She jumped to her feet.

“Ven?” She called.

There was no answer.

“Ven!? Fauna!? Flora!? Merryweather!?” She called again.

No answer. 

Kiera was troubled. Then, she heard the woman’s voice again, vocalizing through the trees. It sounded close. 

“I wonder who that is?” 

Kiera decided to venture deeper into the forest, tracking the source of the voice.

“I wonder, I wonder
I wonder why each little bird has a someone, 

To sing to sweet things to, 

A gay little love melody.

I wonder, I wonder
If my heart keeps singing
Will my song go winging
To someone who’ll find me
And bring back a love song to me.” 

Soon, she came across a flock of birds twittering loudly. Then, a woman emerged from the wood. She had golden blonde hair, hidden behind a plain, purple bandana, and violet eyes. She wore a white blouse and purple skirt with a black corset. Kiera was in awe. She was beautiful. A band of animals: an owl, some birds, and some squirrels emerged from the bushes, dressed in a red cape, hat, and boots, moving synchronized like a human. The woman giggled fondly. 

“Why, it’s my dream prince!” She announced, playing along.

The owl puffed its chest out as they approached her. The woman giggled again, and they met in the center of the clearing. 

“Well, I’m not really supposed to talk to strangers,” said the woman with a grin, “But we’ve met before.”

Then, they started to dance.

“I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream,” The woman sang,

“I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam,

And I know, it’s true, that visions are seldom what they seem,

But if I know you, I know what you’ll do, you’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.”

Finally, Kiera put the pieces together. 

“It’s Aurora!” She gasped.

All of a sudden, a man emerged from the bushes, dressed in fine clothes. As soon as the woman closed her eyes, and spun around to be caught in her woodland friend’s arms, she found herself in another’s. She was surprised. 

“I’m sorry,” said the man, “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Aurora started to pull away, but hesitated.

“No, it’s just that…” her voice trailed a bit, “It’s just that you’re a…”

“A stranger?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“But don’t you remember? We’ve met before.”

“We have?”

“Well of course! Once upon a dream.”

The man began to sing along with her:

“I know you, I’ve walked with you once upon a dream,

I know you, that gleam in your eyes, is so familiar a gleam…”

Aurora continued to hesitate, but grew so enchanted, they began to dance together.

“…And I know it’s true, that visions are seldom what they seem,

But if I know you, I know what you’ll do, you’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.”

“A dream…” Kiera echoed, “Wait…If Ven and the fairies aren’t here, and Aurora’s wide awake. Does that mean…I’m in one of her dreams?”

Kiera was confused.

“That’s impossible! How can I be in her memories?” 

Then she remembered her keyblade. She lived in a world where more things were possible than one would first expect. 

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Suddenly, Aurora pulled away again and dashed towards a thicket.

“Goodbye!” She called.

“Wait! Where will I find you?” The prince called.

“Oh, I don’t know! Maybe someday!” Aurora stammered.

“When? Tomorrow?”

“Oh, no. This evening! At the cottage, in the glen!” Aurora instructed, “Goodbye!”

Finally, Kiera’s entrancement with the scene ended, and her tongue loosened.

“Aurora! Wait!” She called. 

Kiera took off after her. 

She could see Aurora, a mile away from her.

“Wait! Your majesty!” She called again.

At last, Aurora heard her and stopped. Kiera caught up to her and paused to catch her breath. Aurora seemed frightened. Kiera looked up.

“It’s okay, I’m a friend of the fairies,” Kiera assured, “Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather.” 

“The kindly women who take care of me?” Aurora asked, “Well, I seem to know who you’re talking about, but you’re mistaken about them being fairies. And who’s Aurora?”

“What?” Kiera thought for a moment. “How could she not know…? Wait, the fairies mentioned being in hiding. Maybe Aurora doesn’t know they’re fairies.” 

“Oh. Right. Briar Rose” Kiera spoke, “I’m sorry, Briar Rose, but I’m afraid you’re in danger.”

“What? Why?” Aurora inquired.

“Someone very evil has stolen your heart from you,” Kiera explained, “This is actually a dream. You’re sleeping in a castle right now, waiting to be awakened.”

Aurora seemed horrified. 

“A dream? Sleeping?” She echoed, “Does that mean…None of this is real?” 

Kiera shook her head. 

“No, this really did happen! It’s just that it’s happened already. Your heart seems to be replaying your memories while you’re asleep. I guess…That’s how I ended up here.”

Aurora seemed less frightened, and cautiously approached Kiera.

“Well, if what you say is true, then how do I set myself free?” She asked.

“You’re not…worried?” Kiera wondered.

“Oh no! I’m not worried,” said Aurora, “I’m glad that this is a memory, and not a dream. That means that my prince is out there somewhere waiting for me!” 

Aurora stared at the ground, sadly. 

“I didn’t get the chance to know him long. But somehow, I just knew in my heart that he was my true love. I wish I could’ve seen him again.”

“So bright a Light…” Kiera thought, “Wait! Maybe the reason why a spell was placed on her, was because Maleficent knew she was a Princess of Heart!”

“You can!” Kiera insisted, “If you free yourself from the evil that’s keeping your heart locked away, then you have a chance to see him again!” 

Light seemed to return to Aurora’s face. 

“Your heart is bright Aurora,” Kiera continued, “One of the brightest lights there are. If you call it, maybe you can lead your heart back to you!”

Aurora folded her hands together.

“I…I am calling…With everything in me…”

She closed her eyes. After a few minutes, Aurora began to glow. It started mellow, then shined a golden color. Aurora opened her eyes, surprised.

“What’s…What’s happening?” she gasped.

Kiera beamed.

“I think it’s working! Keep at it Aurora!” she exclaimed.

Aurora closed her eyes again, wishing and hoping with all her might. Suddenly, she opened her eyes again, this time with realization.

“I…I understand now!” she announced.

And with that, Aurora disappeared, in shards of light. Kiera grinned.

“Thank you…Kiera” she heard a whisper.

“It worked. She’s free…!”