Few moments later, they saw a cave. A very small cave. Entering inside that would have been a foolish choice otherwise. But for Aaron, his mother was ready to face anything and anyone. They entered the cave and it was bright enough inside to make the queen feel less frightened.
"My queen, these people wanted to meet you", the woman they followed announced.
Queen Amanda couldn't see anyone, let alone a queen. It was a very small cave and there were big rocks placed everywhere at a certain distance.
"You brought royalty of Heavengate here, Erasmus". An old but very firm voice of a woman was heard.
"Her Majesty has a request. It is regarding the chosen one", Erasmus replied.
A short figure appeared from behind the biggest rock. She had her back face towards them. Again, blond hair but with some strand that had turned silver.
"I am listening". The woman said without turning.
Erasmus informed her all about that took place including the birthmark on Aaron's forehead and it's prophecy.
After listening, the witch queen turned her head first time towards them. Her wrinkled face was absent of any expression. Her gray eyes landed directly on queen Amanda. She moved across the rock and walked slowly towards them and stood before queen Amanda. She raised her hand, perhaps to touch her but Charles placed himself between them.
"It's alright, Charles". Queen Amanda, for the first time in her life, did not fear a witch. She did not know if it was because she wanted to save Aaron or because she sensed no danger from this witch queen.
Charles moved aside and the witch queen touched queen Amanda's chin with her fingers with a feather light pressure.
"You have a kind heart, child but fate hasn't been kind to you". The witch queen said in an elderly voice and queen Amanda felt her throat clenching with sadness. Really, fate hadn't been so kind to her. She blinked her eyes averting the tears.
"My children are my life. I don't care what fate throws upon me but I want them to have a long and happy life. Please, save my son. I am ready to sacrifice anything for him".
The witch queen assessed her with observing eyes, as if she could find everything she wanted to know on her face. "Estelle was one of our strongest witches. So, her curse too, is very strong. By sacrificing her life, she had made sure that no one would be able to free your husband and your son from her curse".
Her name was Estelle. The witch who cursed her son was Estelle and she was one of the strongest witches. The fear that was holding queen Amanda's throat already, now tightened it's hold. Was there no way to save her child?
"His Highness is the chosen one and so his life has to be saved. Only you have the power to do it", Erasmus tried to convince.
The witch queen placed a hand over queen Amanda's clutched fist and closed her eyes. Queen Amanda could see her eyes moving behind her lids as if she could see more than just the darkness there.
When she opened her eyes she sighed. "Your son is the chosen one. I can sense it".
Queen Amanda's voice quivered. "I just want to save him. I have him with me only until the next full moon. Please, grant me my son's life".
"Estelle made sure no one can save him. But he can save himself". The witch queen said thoughtfully.
Queen Amanda's eyes widened. For the first time since the dreadful night, she heard something that said her son could be saved. She clutched the witch queen's hands with her own, desperately. "How? Do tell."
The witch queen squeezed her hands in return. "Your husband is heartless. It is the reason your son is cursed. Now your son has to develop the biggest and kindest heart and sacrifice it".
Queen Amanda frowned at that. "What does it mean?"
The witch queen left queen Amanda's hands and moved towards Erasmus. She extended her hand amd Erasmus placed his book in it. She opened a blank page in it. Placing the book on the nearby rock, she took the quil lying there and began to write something. Queen Amanda tried to glance at it but couldn't read the language. Looking around, she found the same kind of writings carved over the stones. Perhaps it was the witch's language.
"Your son won't die on the next full moon. The witch queen said closing the book and handing it back to Erasmus. "He will live till the red moon which is going to appear in twenty-two years. This chain will make sure of it". Removing the silver chain she was wearing on her neck, she placed it in Queen Amanda's hands. "Before the red moon, your son has to sacrifice his heart selflessly to a woman and then he will be free of his curse".
Queen Amanda exhaled a sigh of happiness. Happy tears pooled in her eyes. The witch queen has given her a soultion to save her son's life and she has granted his life till next twenty-two years.
"How will this sacrifice take place? How is this woman?" Queen Amanda asked with a smile on her face.
"He will have to figure it out on his own".
Queen Amanda's smile fell down hearing that. What if Aaron failed to figure it out? What if they couldn't find the woman?
The witch queen's eyes softened. "Your son is the chosen one. He is going to be a very influential king in his life. Surely he will become capable to find out his chosen one".
The words gave queen Amanda a strength. Her smile came back slowly on her lips. Her son would surely find the woman. He would surely make his mother proud by holding a kind heart. At least they had the next twenty-two years to make it possible. She looked at the chain in her hands.
"Make sure he wears it till he find her. Not even for a moment should he take it away from his body", the witch queen warned. Queen Amanda nooded her head. She took the witch queen's wrinkled hands in her and kissed her knuckles.
"Thank you". She smiled with tears in her eyes. She looked at Erasmus who blinked. She looked at Charles who returned her smile with a shy one of his own.
She couldn't contain her smile. Finally, they had hope. Her son is going to be safe. She couldn't be more grateful.