#also has mild eleteo

[magicwithineleteo]

Light is Coming

Mateo sat in his bed wide awake. Sleepless nights were normal for him. After witnessing his father’s execution, sleep wasn’t much of a thing anymore. He drowned in his thoughts night after night, wishing for some sort of peace. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock at his bedroom door.

“Mateo? Are you awake?”

It was his mother. Mateo scrambled into his covers, quickly trying to look like he was sleeping. The door quietly opened as Rafa peered into the room. She took one look at her son.

“Mijo, I know you’re awake.” she said with a hand on her hip. Mateo slowly opened his eyes and sat up.

“Having a hard time sleeping, mijo?” The 8 year old nodded. Rafa paused, placing her finger on her lip in thought.

“I have an idea. Wait here.” Rafa rushed out of his room, leaving Mateo wondering where she was going. She later arrived holding two pieces of paper, both pictures. Mateo scooted over, giving Rafa room to sit on his bed. She held up one of the two pictures. It had 7 people in it. A dazzling girl stood in the middle. Mateo looked over to the second picture, it was the same beautiful girl.

“This is a picture of the royal family who ruled before Shuriki. They were around when I was merely your age, Mateo.” Rafa lifted her finger and pointed to each member of the family.

“This is King Raul and Queen Lucia. They were the kindest rulers, very caring. These are the Queen’s parents, Luisa and Francisco. This is the King’s nephew, Esteban.”

“Esteban? Like, Chancellor Esteban?” Mateo asked.

“Yes, that’s Chancellor Esteban. This is the younger princess, Princess Isabel. What a genius she was.” Rafa’s finger moved to the beauty in the middle.

“And lastly this is Princess Elena, the true heir to the throne.” Something about this princess was special to Mateo.

“Mami, why are you showing me this?”

“Patience, mijo. You will know soon.” Mateo’s attention went back to the picture of Princess Elena.

“The royal family ruled happily, everyone loved them. Once, Avalor was a peaceful, colorful, and vibrant kingdom. We were able to sing, play music, and dance on the streets. Compared to the present, it’s unimaginable. Everything changed in every way.” Rafa looked down as she recalled the memories of her early childhood. Mateo listened to her in wonder, imagining what Avalor once was.

“One day, the evil sorceress, Shuriki invaded the palace. She murdered the king and queen. Your grandfather was there, and he knew a way to protect the Queen’s parents and Princess Isabel. It was a spell to lock them into a painting, but he needed time to cast the spell. Princess Elena bravely went to stand up to Shuriki giving your grandfather time. Shuriki attacked the princess.”

“What about the chancellor?” Mateo interrupted.

“The chancellor was nowhere to be seen. Anyways, the princess was attacked. Unknown to Shuriki, she survived.”

“What? How?” Mateo wondered how someone could survive an attack from a powerful evil sorceress. “On Princess Elena’s 15th birthday, she was gifted the Amulet of Avalor, a necklace that was charmed to protect the bearer. When Shuriki attacked the princess, the amulet pulled Princess Elena inside.”

“But, I thought the royal family passed on in an accident. That’s what everybody always says.”

“No, mijo. That did not happen. Your abuelo was there and he told me everything.”

“Why are you telling me this, Mami? How will this help me sleep?”

“The point, Mateo, is that there is hope. The Amulet of Avalor is still somewhere in the world, with the princess inside. Princess Elena will return one day and she will save us all. I have no doubt that she will. Better times are coming. Light will always defeat the dark. There is always hope, Mateo. Believe in hope. See the light. Princess Elena will return, and all will be well again.”

Mateo smiled at his mother. For the first time, he wasn’t feeling afraid. He was hopeful. Hopeful that Princess Elena will return and peace will be restored. Rafa smiled back and kissed her son’s forehead as she tucked him back into bed. Mateo managed to take the picture of the princess when his mother wasn’t looking.

“Are you okay, mijo?” Rafa asked as she covered Mateo with a few blankets.

“Yes, Mami. Thank you for telling me about Princess Elena. Will you tell me again tomorrow night?”

“Of course, Mateo. I will tell you 1000 times. Light is coming. I love you, Mateo.”

“I love you too, Mami.” Mateo smiled at her as he shut his eyes.

“Buenas noches.” Rafa whispered as she closed his bedroom door.

Mateo quietly went to his small desk and pulled out a red pen. He circled the princess and scribbled the word “hope” at the bottom. He quickly hopped into his bed as he hugged the picture on his chest, and fell asleep with the warmth of hope in his mind.