Edited

My mother holds me at arms length and surveys me, joy written across her face.

"My darling girl...my baby-you've grown up!" She chokes out tearfully. I nod-incapable of any words. I feel a tear trace its way down my cheek as I give her a watery smile.

"I can't believe that you're here!" I whisper, grabbing her hand. The happy smile slowly melts from my mothers face, turning into stone.

"That's why I needed to talk to you."
She murmurs. My heart sinks with dread.

"What's going on?" I ask-alarmed. My mother averts her blue eyes that are so much like my own.

"I have good reason to believe that myself, Mithil and your father won't be here much longer. I suspect some of the Seatadors are trying to kill us. I'll try to prevent it-but I can't control everything. If there's none of royal family left, one of them will rule. They think that they could prevent a war. Except they won't. They're immature fools. Faiyria need royal blood on the throne. If all else fails-we need you. I'm trying my best. I have trusted guards stationed around us at all times....but still." My mother finishes, her eyes burning into mine.

I slump down on a log and lean my head against the tree behind me. They can't die. They're my family. I won't let them die.
"Mamma-I want to go home! I don't want to be Lynx anymore." I whisper, allowing myself to be honest for the first time in years. My mothers gaze softens, and she grabs my hand-sitting down beside me.

"Eadu-you've been so brave. I'm sorry to put you in this position." My mother murmurs. I don't respond. I can't respond. She continues to speak.

"Eadu means wealth. Power and riches and beauty. But that's not why we named you Eadu. Eadu also means servant to others. Darling, you will be a princess once more. You will have all the wealth you could ever want. You will be happy. I swear it. But as a royal, you must also be a servant. You must serve your country, even if it kills you. Even if it hurts." She explains to me. I look at her-narrowing my eyes.

"What happens to you then? What about Dad and Mithil?" I ask her wearily. She shrugs sadly, as if the weight of the world is on her shoulders.

"I don't know what happens darling. But whatever does happen, always remember how much we love you, and how proud we are already of you. We've always been so, so proud of you." My mother responds simply. I nod again mutely, closing my eyes.

"What if I can't do it?" I murmur, almost incoherently-putting into words one of my worst fears. My mother just chuckles.

"You can do it. I know you can. Be yourself. Thats all that they want."

I give her a look, which makes her laugh once more, tenderly squeezing my hand.

"If you really want a tip-listen to this. Show your people that you care about them. If you love them, they will love you." She says lightly. Then my mother gives me a gentle kiss on the forehead, and swings onto her horse, leaving me to ponder my thoughts.