Pain. That was the first thing Emma felt when she awoke. Lightning stung her veins as she tried to move. Cold. That was next thing she felt that pulled her out from the fogged pit of the subconscious. Something cold and wet laid on top of her head that seemed to ease Emma's headache. She couldn't open her eyes yet Emma's mind and ears were awake.

            Emma heard the sweet chirps of many morning mockingbirds echoing into her ears, singing a wonderful tune of a lovely lullaby. It is, as if, Emma had known the lullaby her whole life and could almost sing along with them. When she tried to, all that came out of her mouth was a whispered wail.

            She tried something else. She opened her eyes...if she could.

            When she did, Emma moaned and forced her eyes open. Her vision was fill of clouds, a great hazed fogged over them. All she could really see was colors and shapes. She knew the room she was in was foreign to her through blurry eyes. Emma closed her eyes shut and moaned again.

            Footsteps entered the room. Emma tried to look up to see who entered but slipped back in the bed, headache returning and groaned.

            "Oh!" A disembodied voice to the right of Emma called out. "She's awake. Thank goodness, I thought she would sleep all week." By the tone of the voice, it belonged to that of a young woman.

            "It's only been two days. Anyway, go on then, get the bath started." Emma heard a second voice, much older than the first then followed by what sounded like a tray being placed in front of her. The older woman spoke again, "Drink my dear. I made hot peppermint chocolate tea with a side of biscuits to start off with. It'll warm your bones up."

            Without thinking, Emma takes the cup and gently lifts it up to her lips and takes a sip. The flavors exploding into her mouth as the hot liquid pours down her sore throat. The chocolate malted and soon she felt her body waking up. At that same moment, with every blink, Emma's vison became clearer.

            The room was large and purple with a canopy bed in the middle of it. Emma found the mattress to be fluffy feathered with piles of downy pillows. Next to the bed was an elegant table which appeared to be hand-carved from a single piece of wood. It had a topiary feel with an antique patina well-worn from years of aging. On top of the table was an ornate arboretum lamp, delicately crafted to represent three orchids united as one as their petals overlapped to form the shade. The floor was a much lighter shade of purple and polished marble on its surface.

            On the wall above the table was a large, rectangle mirror displayed in an ostentatious wood frame. A few objects sat on the vanity's surface: a blue marble washbasin and a small metal rack. To the right, was a single jewelry box.

            Behind her were two windows that were purple as well which had a stain glass effect to them. They were as large as the room and a ledge that led to a balcony that overlooked the land.

            Emma couldn't believe her eyes. She must be dreaming. The last thing she remembered was her home on fire and the talking horses. Her brain swarms like a bee hive, trying to process everything. She couldn't understand as questions filled her thoughts rushing in like a storm.

            Was I kidnapped? Am I dreaming? Colm! Oh my gosh Colm!

            "Where's Colm?" Emma found herself saying out loud, trying to get out of the bed.

            A woman emerged from behind the bed, holding a handful of clothes. She was short, plump and middled-aged. Her hair was grey and pulled up in a bun, with no hair out of place. She was dressed in a light blue and white dress with a white headdress. She also smelled of cake and tea.

            "Who, my dear?"

            "My cousin. His name is Colm. Where is he?" She began to chew on her lip.

            The older womaned laughed. "Oh, don't worry, my dear. He is already up and eating. And I can tell you this, that boy sure can eat like the horses here." She laughed again before laying the clothes on the bed. "Anyway, here is your outfit for today. After you had your bath and is settled, breakfast is being served in the dining room where your cousin is." She turned to face Emma. "How was the tea?"

            The blue-eyed teen just blinks for moment wondering what was happening. Why is this woman treating me like a princess? Dumbfounded, she answers, taking everything in all at once. "It was heavenly. Thank you." Emma takes another sip before giving the woman the tray.

            "You're welcome. It only took me two hundred years to prefect it. Did you know that hot peppermint chocolate tea was Sigga's favorite too?"

            Sigga!? There's that name again.

            Before Emma could question the handmaid, a brown mare trotted out of another room. Her mane and tail was long, dark and curly decorated with red feathered pearls. Her hooves where red-tipped and on her face, she wore a halter made of pearls.

            The horse bows at Emma before speaking. "You're bath is ready."

            A cough exploded from Emma's throat. "T-the horse is talking!" She screamed, jumping back on the bed and pointing.

            The woman, who was calm, nodded. "Of course. All equines talk here. Bryda is no different." And with that they left, leaving Emma more confused than ever. She swallowed, trying to soothe her thrashing heart.

            Emma ran to a window to get a better look at her surroundings. The sky looked like home but below was something Emma has never seen before. A town with doll like houses on a dirt road; a colorful bazaar not too far from the town and beyond the valley laid two black and white mountains in the form of horse heads. Scattered around the sky, land and even the water, Emma saw diverse horses with wings, horns and mermaid tails.

            The brown headed teen shakes her head. Where am I? This can't be North of North? I must be dreaming. She ran her hands in her hair, which felt strange and foreign to her. It was also much longer than its usual shoulder length.

            As if by instinct, Emma rushes over to the mirror to get a look at herself and gasped. Her once dark hair lighted to a chocolate color and was down to her thighs. Her navy-blue eyes brighten to an aqua hue and permanently lit with excitement. Even her waist seemed to trim down a few inches as her pajamas were now loose and baggy.

            Even though her appearance and physic had changed drastically, the other thing that stood out was that she was covered in dirt and soot. So, the fire really did happen. She told herself. Then did everything else happen after the fire was true as well? Emma brushes the thought away.

            She was in dire need of a bath and she wasn't going to argue with herself or anyone at the moment.

            "Wow." The words escaped her mouth as she took a step into the bathroom. It was as large as the bedroom. Not to mention the tub took up most of the room, like an indoor swimming pool.

            The bath itself, was delightful. She sank into the hot water, submerging herself underneath the water, surrounded by pure clean water. It was haven and Emma found herself playing with the soap and bubbles that brought strength into her body. It felt like magic, restoring her weaken limbs. Emma felt healthy for the first time in a year after her aunt and uncle's neglect upon her.

            While drying off, Emma eyed the clothes the woman brought her. It was a royal purple vest decorative with gold helms and an orchid imprinted on the back with a ruffled white dress shirt with puffed purple sleeves. For the paints, they were royal blue with golden buttons and brown boots to match. She puts them on and was surprised that they fit her perfectly. Even more how the clothes didn't make her inch. She swiftly puts her hair in a low ponytail as she walks out of the room.

            The handmaiden was standing outside, waiting for her. "Oh, you look lovely my dear."

            Emma raised an eye brow thinking of a way to express gratitude towards the older woman. "Thanks, miss-" She started to say but realized she didn't catch her name.

As if she knew, the woman replied. "It's Miss Bridget and I'll be attending to your everyday needs."

"Thanks, I guess, Miss Bridget?" This feels weird. "Anyway, um, can I ask-"

"You probably have quite a few questions."

Emma snorted a giggle nervously. "A few is an understatement."

Miss Bridget smiles warmly. "I'm sure you do. If I woke up in a different world, I would have many a questions too."

"A different world?"

Miss Bridget only nods.

Blinking, Emma didn't question as Miss Bridget led her through the hallways. They walked down a long, carpeted hallway of gold, white and orange. Protruding columns from the walls were decorated with light brown sconces and lit candles. There is also the occasional cushioned chair or round coffee table placed along the walls. People and horse paintings were hung in an alternating pattern between the columns. The largest of the frames was that of a blonde tanned woman and a white mare that Emma found herself gawking at it.

Emma couldn't help herself but hum as they walk.

The two walks down a wide stairway with curving balconies on either side above it. Large armor women statues fill the space on either side of the bottom stairs. Behind Emma, a paned triptych of arched windows letting the sun though, casting her shadow onto the orange-carpeted steps in front of her. The floor at the bottom of the stairs had a red oval design in its center. Both levels have open archways leading to other rooms.

The floor was so polished, that Emma could see her reflection on the stone. They continued to walk together silently, the only sound being the satisfying clip-clop of Emma's heels echoing through the hallways.

"This isn't a house or a mansion," Emma questions.

"Very observant. This is a Rolandsgaard castle."

"A castle?" This has to be the most detailed dream that I've never had.

They then soon came upon a large dining hall.  A large rectangular table forged of wood sat at the room's center, placed around which were chairs made of similar material. A complex chandelier hung above the table, brass rings supporting dripping candles-melted wax ran down their sides, reminiscent of the way tears fell. Large windows had been carved into the opposite wall, allowing wispy strips of gold to ease into the dining hall. A purple floral centerpiece decorates the white-clothed table which laid a variety of food on gold plates and silverware.

The variety contains of fruits, cereal, soup, vegetables with fresh milk and cold meats. Waffles, pancakes, eggs, and toast lay on the other side of the table that made Emma's mouth water. Her stomach growled.

Emma soon found Colm, who was stuffing his face with peanut butter pancakes. Just like her, his appearance had changed as well. His blonde locks brightened and were now touching his shoulders. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a gray short-sleeved jacket, two leather vambrace around his arms, a pair of blue jeans with patches on the knees and brown boots to match.

It wasn't until when Emma sat down, that he finally noticed her. "Oh, you're here in my dream?" Colm's tone shifted as he snapped his fingers. "No, I won't aloud it. You are now my personal maid. Go bring me some of that amazing peppermint chocolate tea."

Emma raised an eyebrow.

Colm blinks. "Wait why isn't it working?

"Because this isn't a dream." At least I don't think it is, She tells herself as she grabs her now long ponytail and begins to toy with it. This feels way to real but inside my heart is telling me something different.

"Of course, it is, there is no way I saw my parents die in front of me and talking horses coming to save us."

Just then a large black head popped up behind Colm. "Actually, that fire really did happen and we do talk." Colm falls out of his chair. Three other horses emerged as Thunder spoke.

Emma raises her hands over her mouth admittedly knowing who they are. "The legendary horses!"

Thunder; born in a mountain storm, Fiona; shaped by fire, Jewel; sculpted with magic and Nike: flying ever higher.

Colm shakes his head. "What, from the stories?"

"It can't be. This can't be real." Emma shakes her head as well, covering her ears. "What's going on here?" Panicked, she gets up from the table and grabs a knife, pointing it at the talking horses. The brown-haired teen noticed her hands were shacking.

Fiona speaks, "Calm down, we're not going to hurt you."

"We saved your life's!" soothed Jewel. "Don't you remember?"

Colm gets up. "This doesn't make sense. Horses don't talk!" He stands next to Emma. "What is this place and why did you bring us here?"

Emma adds, heart racing, "Why did you kidnap us?"

"Is this a fancy orphanage?"

"We want answers, now!"

Suddenly a soothing voice reached out to the frighten cousins. "Do not be afraid." The teen's stopped dead in their tracks. This was a voice that could melt stone, and reminiscent of all things warm. This was a voice that caused the horses in the room began to bow as the room lit up in a heavenly glow.

The glow transformed into a steady beam, a ray of energy, shooting upwards. Silence came first and then a tinkling sound like wind chimes hanging from a porch. Emma's heart was racing, head pounding, barely able to comprehend what was happing in front of her.

Light sparkled and gleamed, blinding the girl. When the light dimmed, two women and three horses now stood in the middle of the room. Emma couldn't believe her eyes; it was Wings and Soot! The moment the two horses saw their favorite people, they ran up to them and greeted them with hugs. Thrilled, Emma petted her horse, never wanting to let go of him. She felt at peace.

After she came to, Emma notice the two women. One had long black hair, that draped down to her hips, shaved into a mohawk. Her body was athletic built, and she was wearing a turquoise tail coat with black paints and thigh high brown boots.

Emma took a second glance at the second women. It felt like a dream to Emma as she knew this woman, and she needed no introduction with her block locks, kind blue eyes and eternal glow of a god. When Emma spoke, her voice was a whisper.

"You're ... her, aren't you? You're Sara the goddess of all horses."

The goddess answers with a bow. The horse standing beside her bows too. Emma knew who she was as well.

"And you're Bella!" The mare returns with a nod.

Sara raises her arms in a greeting, calming the Roland's. Then Sara speaks, her voice was a mixture of calm and soothing like a mother, yet threatening like a god. "Welcome Emma, welcome Colm, to North of North.