Over the next few weeks the empress had been swamped but had to run off to the fairy kingdom. No emergency, but an event. It was little Willow's second birthday party. It was too hard to believe she was already two. It didn't seem like she'd arrived that long ago. Checking the time, she rang to ready the dragon for the trip. 

 "I'll see to it right away, miss." Amberosia said and ran off to do so.

         The empress had coffee while packing up for a day trip to the land of the fae. She couldn't wait to go. Lily threw some of the best parties, as did her mother. Even if it was for a two year old. 

     Within the next fifteen minutes she'd had two cups of pixie brew and had been completley packed and ready to go. 

           Three minutes later Amberosia opened the door and poked her head in. 

"The dragon is up, fed and ready miss." She informed her, then went back to work.

The empress nodded grabbed her magic bag, then headed out the door. She swiftly exited the castle, and jogged a few feet, meeting up with the dragon. 

"Hello Soranto." She said, excited but tried not to sound too perky, he hated that. 

"Fairy Kingdom again?" He asked in a thick sarcastic tone.

"Be nice it's princess Willows birthday." 

The dragon let out a full hearty roar of laughter. 

   "Fine, get on." He commanded.

Giving him a dirty look then climbed up and prepared for take off. 

                   What a smart-ass she thought as they flew up and over goblin's hollow territory. She just smiled as the wind kissed her cheeks, whipped at her dark red curls as the dragon kept flying as if he had tunnel vision. She knew why. He was just tired of going there too often. 

   She tried but found it difficult to stay settled. Over-excited to see not just Willow and Lily, but all the others who would come to see the princess for her big day. The empress couldn't help it. She loved her alone time, however loved these big gatherings. Just not too often.