Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
AULANI
Iwalked through the forest, unafraid to be seen.
Morning light danced through the trees, and I could hear the ocean waves not far from here.
The birds began circling above, and the bugs, plants, flowers, and insects seemed to respond to my plea for help.
I could feel them prepared to stand in solidarity with me, even to fight.
We must stop Tavo, I told them. He’s going to hurt the island.
The campfire smoke grew stronger the closer I got, and, soon, I heard men talking, metal grinding, and axes hacking.
Already at work. I shook my head to myself, saddened that Tavo had turned against the island and his people.
“Whoa! Look who’s here!” A man called out and Tavo appeared, his shirt off, sweat dripping down his big, bulky frame.
“Ah, Aulani.” He grinned. “Come to join me? You’re a little late, dear. My offer to you and my brother has expired.”
I shook my head, and he frowned, as if realizing I was completely alone. It was a strange thing. And then… “Did you call on all those birds last night?” He gaped. “It’s you…”
Before he could rally his men to snatch me, I nodded and, from all around me, the leaves began shaking in the branches. The trunks swayed, and just the noise from the movement spooked the men.
Leave, I wanted to tell Tavo, but some of his men already dropped their tools and stepped back, looking from the trees to me.
A man reached out and grabbed my wrist, dragging me towards Tavo. I tried to resist, pushing him away. Then, something happened. The frogs responded to my call. I had never reached out to them, bothered by them as I was, but I could feel them worrying for me…
Help me! And suddenly frogs came from every direction, jumping onto the man who grabbed my wrist. He let go immediately, trying to swat at the frogs jumping all around him.
“We can’t keep doing this!” exclaimed one of the men and they all scurried away. Tavo was furious, watching his crew disappear.
“You cowards!” he cursed at them. “Come back! Come back!”
And, soon, it was just Tavo and I in the clearing. He seethed with anger, looking at all the abandoned tools and tents. “This is all your fault!” He grabbed a knife and marched towards me. “You filthy little mermaid! You–”
“That’s enough.” A new voice sounded as Ezra and Cressida came running through the bushes. Ho‘ohuli also followed, along with several guards.
I looked from Ezra to Cressida, a wave of insecurity passing over me. Why were they together?
“Listen,” said Tavo, now turning to Ezra. “It would be so simple if you just gave me the throne. It was rightfully mine–”
“Until you faked your death,” Ezra interrupted.
Tavo’s nostrils flared and his eyes darted towards a figure that moved in the shadows, her steps hesitant.
Kalei?
“Kalei told me everything,” Tavo laughed.
“I didn’t want to,” Kalei quickly replied, her face red. “He forced me to–”
“That’s enough.” Tavo grabbed her and held the knife to her throat. We all gasped, and I braced myself to call the birds.
But Ezra intervened, as if he read my thoughts. Probably did.
“Don’t,” he said softly to me.
But Ezra!
His attention was on his brother. “She’s our cousin, Tavo.
She’s family,” said Ezra. “The people here. This island. Don’t just turn against it all.
” He stepped forward, and my insides tightened.
What was he doing? Now was not the time for diplomacy!
But Ezra was sure of himself, more so than he’d ever been.
“Tavo. We can still work together. You’re my brother–”
“Your half brother,” Tavo spit. “If anything, Kalei should’ve taken the throne before you, Ezra. You’re just a mutt–a half blood. You don’t deserve the throne. You never did!”
Ezra’s face paled, but only for a moment.
I reached out with my mind. What is he talking about?
My mother was a foreigner. Father married her after Tavo’s mother passed away. My mother disappeared…
My heart ached for him. For Tavo. For their father. So much loss!
“I’m so sorry,” Kalei whimpered. “I didn’t want to tell him, but he told me if I didn’t, he’d kill you Ezra…”
“Let. Her. Go.” Ezra took a step and Tavo pressed his knife again. Kalei screamed.
“Give me the crown. Now.” Tavo then turned to Ho‘ohuli. “And you. Do the coronation words now.”
The old man hesitated, and, with his hesitation, everyone seemed to hold their breaths. Tavo’s expression hardened. “What are you waiting for old man?” He motioned to one of his men. “You! Get him to say the words!”
But even Tavo’s crew was still.
Silent.
All eyes turned to Ezra, and there was nothing but respect. He had not forced his brother to do anything. Hadn’t even physically fought him.
And they respected him for that.
I finally realized that Ezra’s gentleness was his greatest strength. That no, he did not have to use brute force or power to influence his people or his kingdom. By giving people the power to choose–and yet still offering compassion–he had won this war.
It had never been a physical battle, despite what I’d believed.
“Let her go, Tavo,” Ezra said once more. Then he turned to the others.
Ho‘ohuli stepped forward. “The king may not fight you, Tavo,” he said. “But we will fight on his behalf. He has asked for peace, extended compassion to you as your brother. You have only instigated violence and oppression.”
More silence.
Ezra spoke up now to Tavo’s men. “Join me and my people,” he said. “We can work together in peace. Create alliances with foreign kingdoms that mutually benefit and respect us both.”
The silent devotion shifted, like tides changing. Tavo’s men could see the difference between Ezra and his brother.
Tavo gaped. “What are you waiting for?” he exclaimed, but his men did not move.
“We weren’t looking for violence,” said one of the foreigners, and threw down his weapon. The others followed.
And Tavo, now realizing his own defeat, released Kalei.
I rushed to grab Kalei and pull her back while Ezra’s guards cuffed Tavo’s large wrists. The man didn’t even resist, accepting his loss respectfully.
“You’re under arrest for treason,” Ho‘ohuli said. As the guards took Tavo past Ezra, the king let out a breath.
“I am sorry that things ended like this, Tavo. You’re my brother, and I love you. I only hoped you would love our people the way I do. The way father did.”
“Well I’m Tavo.” He spit. “I do things differently.” And with that, the guards took him away.
I finally turned to Ezra, ready to embrace him when…
What is she doing?
Cressida held out her golden ball, golden magic swirling around it. Ezra let out a breath and I gasped.
Ezra, no! She’s turning you back into a frog!
Before I could leap towards Cressida to stop her, Kalei grabbed my arm.
“Stop, Aulani!”
No!
Ezra looked at me, the magic moving like ribbons around him. He let out a gasp and crouched down.
Ezra! I tried to break free of Kalei. However, Ezra spoke with a pained expression.
“Ho‘ohuli knows this, but I give the crown to you, Aulani. You are queen of Kaiora–”
No. No!!!
You deserve to live, Aulani. His voice was tender, and he even smiled at me.
It all happened so quickly.
NO! Pili pecked Kalei’s wrist and she let me go. I ran to Cressida, shoving her to the ground. Then I grabbed the ball, but the magic was still swirling.
Whatever spell she cast had been activated, swirling between Ezra and I… and if I didn’t act quickly, Ezra would turn into a frog within seconds.
I grabbed the nearest hard object I could find: an ax. And with that, I let it drop on the ball. I had surprisingly good aim, because it landed right in the center of the sphere. As soon as it hit, golden light exploded all around us and I flew backwards.
“Aulani!” It took a moment before Ezra came running towards me, cradling me in his arms. “Aulani, why did you do that? You were supposed to live. The spell would make me transform into a frog, but you would be human forever.” Now tears stung his eyes.
I blinked a few times, then touched his soft cheek. You are the king here, Ezra. Don’t croak on me now.
Aulani, I’m serious.
I know. So am I. And then I kissed him, hoping he knew how much I loved him, and how I wanted things to be like this. Sure, the golden ball was our last chance to help me transform into a human forever, but it was not worth Ezra being a frog for life.
It had to be one or the other, me or him.
And I wanted him to live a long, full life. I had made my decision long ago when I took the potion from my aunt, and though I wished we could live happily ever after, I was content with this being the end: seeing Ezra as king, his brother locked away, the island returning to its former beauty.
Look, I said, pulling away and pointing to a spot in the clearing. The frogs assembled, hopping into a neat little pile. They listen to me too, I said, and Ezra gaped. I squeezed his hand.
I think we’ve figured out your frog problem. And, just like that, the frogs listened to me, congregating so that it was easy for the guards to put them in a container and ship them out of here.
Ezra let out a breath and hugged me. Thank you, Aulani. And I was grateful–so very grateful–to be able to help him. To serve him. To serve this island and people. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world… not even my own world.