The queen hesitated, before slowly placing her hand in his. This made her husband happy, helping her get into the vessel.
"Do not worry. I have arranged everything. You only need to rest and enjoy the open sea," he addressed his wife, while contemplating what rope does what.
"Open sea, is it?" Zora looked around curious. "It certainly looks nice. Still, are you sure it will endure such a trip?"
"Of course," he said, tapping it lovingly. He then sighed and with a dreamy gaze moved his arm. "I can imagine it now. Just the two of us. Nothing but the ocean waves and a clear night sky."
Zora hummed.
"You do not get sea sick, do you?" he asked.
"No, that is not the issue. I am simply not certain. What if something happens while we are away?"
Aidan puffed. "I think the world can survive our brief absence."
"Well, yes. Still."
"Think about it logically, my love. It was always royal duties, this. Responsibilities, that. When was the last time we could relax and enjoy our time as a couple?"
"You cannot really blame others. It is just the way things are," she said, with a shrug.
Still, the king seemed determined. "In that case, things will remain that way regardless of our trip," he said, lifting the anchor, as he was thought. Next, he placed his hands on the helm to get a feel of it.
The queen pondered for a moment. Still, seeing how happy he was, seemed to melt all her worries away.
"You are right. When do we start?" she said.
Aidan clapped thrilled. "Now, of course."
"Now?" she said bluntly.
"Yes! Do not worry. As I said, I arranged everything."
Zora felt nervous again. Not so much about where they were going, but because a man was in charge of the packing.
Still, the tiny ship left the shore, sailing down the river into the sea. Aidan told her the trip was going to take a week. He was very specific about the timing. On the third evening, the two were already in open waters. Lazily lounging near the helm, they chatted and giggled in each other's arms.
"Did you know that in some places, the married couples go on trips like this. To spend some time together away from any worries. They call it a honeymoon, I think," she said.
"An appropriate name indeed?" Aidan spoke. "We should embrace such a tradition wholeheartedly. Although I would not call it honey. Too sticky. Maybe a sugar moon or cake moon. Mmmm-"
Zora playfully slapped him. "So, can we consider this to be our honeymoon, despite being married for so long?"
"I do not see why not. After all, what did we do after getting married? Awoken an ancient deity, slayed a dragon and climbed out of a flying abomination of architecture."
"Not very relaxing, I agree."
They both chuckled.
He turned to her, happy. "And how are you feeling now? Are you happy to be here with me? Away from it all?"
"Well, I suppose a tiny break from all the madness would not hurt." she added, moving her finger on his chest.
"Good, because we are close," he said.
"To the surprise you wanted to show me?" she lifted herself from the lying position.
"Yes," he sat up as well.
"Do you see those stars over there?" he pointed. "A group of about a dozen stars."
Zora looked carefully.
"What do they remind you of?" he said.
"A pair of lungs?"
Aidan squinted. "Try harder dear. Don't they seem to, I don't know, resemble something?"
She thought for a moment. "A bird soaring upward?"
"No."
"Or a bat with its wings close to its body?" she continued.
"Not even close," Aidan replied.
She hummed, thinking hard. "A badly tied bow?"
Aiden laughed.
"I am sorry, that is what I see," she defended herself.
He shook his head, patting her cheek gently.
"Never mind. You will see it soon enough."
Sadly, something else was brewing underneath. Not long after, a terrible storm begun. The waves swayed their ship left and right, as the winds carried them far off course. Aidan took the helm, doing everything in his power to keep the situation under control. As he was trying to steady it, Zora was frantically looking for the magic hoop.
"I don't understand! There was not a single cloud in the sky all day," Aidan yelled in frustration, soaking wet.
The queen, getting the item, hurried to him so they can escape. A wave, long and slender, almost like a hand, got in between them, pushing it out of her hand.
"No!" she yelled desperate. The magical circle glowed, moving towards the edge. She hurried to catch it before it fell in the water.
"Zora!" Aidan yelled, letting go of the helm to grab her.
"Aidan!" she shouted. "We need it. Please! The water was too strong. I don't know-"
The waves tilted the ship as the merciless waves pushed it forward with great speed. They held to each other tight, trying to stay above water.
That was the last thing they could remember. A stormy night was replaced by an uncertain dawn. Wreckage of the ship could be seen scattered. Pieces of wood covered a sandy shore, with the couple tossed nearby. They both woke up at about the same time, coughing and weak. Their regal clothes soiled with water and tiny grains.
Aidan stood up, looking around.
"Where are we?" Zora asked.
"I do not know. This place looks desolated," he replied. His worried gaze went over what seemed an endless sand-filled landscape.
"The hoop!" she yelled out. "Aidan, it was in my hand. I was holding it tight, but-"
"There, there, dear," he said, hugging his trembling wife. "First we need to see what we can salvage. We should hurry. The sun can be unforgiving in these parts."
"Right, right," she uttered, searching around.
Aidan was about to do the same when something caught his eye. A figure was there, standing and observing them in silence. The stranger had ebony skin, wearing what seemed a suit with tiny bumps that covered his entire body. The two looked so fused, it was difficult to see where one ends and another begins. He had a long thin tail with an arrow tip and only two large toes on his feet.
The king's hand instinctively went towards his sword holder. "Who are you? Explain yourself!"