After coffee, the three of them left the dining room and walked through the back door, to the majestic courtyard. It resembled a magickal themed botanical garden. Off in the distance, beyond the forest edge was a gorgeous serene waterfall. Ravenessa breathed it in. She didn't want to forget a single detail of it's enchanting beauty.

    The empress could tell it was working. She understood exactly how the sorceress had been feeling. After losing Melinda years ago, it had been difficult. Helping Lily had been the on;y way to work through the grief.

                         It was hard to believe how long ago it had been....  Time was a funny thing. You didn't notice time, until someone's time was gone. Magickal or mundane that was life, she thought as they walked though the courtyard.  Then she heard a noise, like splashing in water near the pool of the waterfall.

"The water fairies and mermaids are playing in the water." Lily told her.

The empress nodded, listening to the sounds of fairies playing, trolls and gnomes running back and forth seemed to have a calming effect on her, too. The three of them spent most the afternoon in the courtyard, enjoying nature. 

    When they stepped back into the palace, the front door creaked open. Three minutes later Willow and Rune walked into the room to greet them.

"Sweetie, I'm so glad you're back." Lily exclaimed to her only child.

"Me, too." She said, flashing a bright grin.

"Why don't you two get settled, then we'll meet in the dining room," The Queen suggested.

"That sounds great, mom." Willow replied, then walked up the stairs with the druid halfling.