Itezista Castle was lit by hundreds of golden lanterns. In the courtyard, the lime blossoms spread their fragrance in the summer air, and the sky seemed closer than ever. Today was a holiday—Sofia was turning eight.
The fountains were singing, the courtiers were bringing gifts, and the queen was smiling gently. But, amidst all the voices and lights, Sofia felt a mysterious calling—the same one she had first heard a year ago, when she had stepped into the Itezista Forest with Dragoș.
After everyone had congratulated her, her father took her by the hand and led her into the great throne room. There, in a corner, stood a linden box, finely carved with the signs of the forest.
Her mother and father entered together, each holding a small gift.
— "Happy birthday, our little ray of light," said the mother, coming closer and kissing her on the forehead.
— "Happy birthday, Sofia," added the father, sitting down next to her. "It seems like yesterday you were learning to walk in the yard, and today you are already running through dreams and forests."
— "Forests," smiled Sofia, "but you still don't want to let me go there, father."
The man sighed lightly.
— "It's not because I don't want to, Sofia. It's because the Itezista forest is no ordinary place. It's full of secrets that even I don't understand. And until you're ready, I want to know you're safe."
The girl looked down.
— "But how will I ever be ready if you don't let me know her?"
The mother smiled, putting her hand on her father's shoulder.
— "Let her go, my love. The light knows when to shine."
He was silent for a moment, then took a small box from his pocket, tied with a blue ribbon.
— "Then take this. It's my gift."
Sofia carefully untied the ribbon. Inside was a thin gold bracelet with a small yellow stone in the shape of a sun.
— "It's… beautiful!" she said, her eyes wide.
— "It was your grandmother's," her father said. "And it has a story. They say that as long as you wear it, the light will find you, wherever you are."
Sofia put it on her hand and smiled.
— "Thank you, father. Then you'll find me easily, even if I end up in the forest."
Her father laughed softly.
— "Was that a promise or a challenge?"
— "Both," she answered playfully.
Then her mother brought another box, carved with ancient symbols.
— "And this is my gift. It comes from my brother… Miral."
Sofia opened it and saw a small silver medallion with a blue crystal in the center. When she touched it, a gentle warmth enveloped her fingers.
— "It was Miral's," said her mother. "And he once told me: when the day comes when the Light awakens again, give this medallion to the child of the Sun."
Her father watched in silence.
— "Maybe Miral knew more than we did."
After lunch, Sofia went out into the yard. Dragoş was waiting for her by the fountain, holding a wreath of white flowers and a small package tied with string.
— "Happy birthday, Sofi!" he called out.
— "Thank you!" she said, laughing. "What do you have there?"
— "Something I couldn't do perfectly, but it's made by me."
She opened the package. Inside was a small wooden figurine, clumsily carved, but beautiful—a girl with a stone in her hand.
— "It's you," he said with emotion. "Just as you were when Miral gave you the stone."
Sofia smiled warmly.
— "It's wonderful, Dragoș."
Then she looked at him with shining eyes.
— "Do you want to go to the forest? I haven't been there for a few days."
— "How can I refuse you, especially today?" he laughed.
The two of them set off through the small gate in the garden. The forest seemed more alive than ever: the sun's rays filtered through the leaves, and the birds' songs mingled with the rustling of the grass.
After a while, they reached the lake that sparkled like a mirror. They sat on the shore, watching the sky reflected in the water.
— "It's beautiful," said Sofia.
— "It's beautiful because you came," smiled Dragoș. "I think the forest was waiting for you."
— "For me? Why?"
— "To wish you a happy birthday. I think this is her gift to you."
Sofia laughed softly.
— "Then it's the best gift."
At that moment, the medallion around her neck lit up slightly. Sofia was amazed.
Two familiar figures emerged from the shadows of the forest — Vlad and Alexandra.
— "Vlad! Alexandra! I can't believe it!" Sofia shouted, running towards them.
Dragoş stood up and smiled. — "I haven't seen your faces in a while! Where have you been?"
Alexandra smiled, holding a luminous flower in her palm.
— "In the mountains. Miral sent us to carry the light to forgotten places. He told us that when the stone lights up again, it will be time to return."
Sofia touched the medallion, feeling the same gentle warmth.
— "So Miral knew… even that."
Vlad nodded.
— "He knows more than he lets on. And he said something for you, Sofia—that light never gets lost, it just waits to be found."
The wind blew through the leaves, and the forest seemed to whisper:
"The circle is complete. The light returns."
The bracelet on Sofia's hand and Alexandra's flower shone at the same time, filling the forest with a soft, warm light.
And for a moment, Sofia felt that Miral was there—not seen, but present—watched over by the forest that united them all.