Sioni gasped and reeled backwards at the sight of her mother, so thin and sad-looking. Her eyes were misty with unspilled tears, and her hands remained outstretched.

“M-mother?” Sioni whispered, falling to her knees before the miserable figure. Arms were around her, sobs rang in her ears, and her mother’s voice hushed her, telling her all was well.

“Oh, Sioni, how beautiful you are, my daughter.” Eva murmured, pulling herself away, but holding Sioni tight. “I’ve been so worried, thank God you’re alive.” She pulled her baby to her and rocked her, as- unbeknownst to the two of them- another mother rocked her lost child in the palace.

Sioni smiled at her mother as best she could, though the deepest happiness she’d ever known had left her. “You’re alright… They said you’d left and gotten lost, I was so scared, Mother.” Eva ran her hands through Sioni’s hair, pressed them to her flushed cheeks. Her daughter’s beautiful eyes glistened with fresh tears.

“What a reunion…” Helen mused from the shadows.