The Itezista Castle was lit by hundreds of golden lanterns. In the courtyard, the linden flowers spread their scent through the summer air, and the sky seemed closer than ever. Today was a day of celebration — Sofia was turning eight.
The fountains sang, the courtiers brought gifts, and the queen smiled softly. But among all the voices and lights, Sofia felt a mysterious calling — the same one she had heard for the first time a year ago, when she had stepped into the Itezista Forest with Dragoș.
After everyone had congratulated her, her father took her hand and led her into the grand throne hall. There, in a corner, stood a small lindenwood box, finely carved with the symbols of the forest.
Her mother and father entered together, each carrying a small gift.
— "Happy birthday, our little ray of light," said her mother, approaching and kissing her on the forehead.
— "Happy birthday, Sofia," added her father, sitting beside her. "It feels like only yesterday you were learning to walk through the courtyard, and today you are already running through dreams and forests."
— "Forests," Sofia smiled, "but you still don't want me to go there, Father."
The man sighed softly.
— "Not because I don't want you to, Sofia. But because the Itezista Forest is no ordinary place. It is full of secrets I do not even understand. And until you are ready, I want to know that you are safe."
The girl lowered her gaze.
— "But how will I ever be ready if you don't tell me how to recognize it?"
Her mother smiled, placing a hand on her husband's shoulder.
— "Let her go, my love. The light knows when it should shine."
She paused for a moment, then took a small box from her pocket, tied with a blue ribbon.
— "Then take this. It's my gift."
Sofia carefully untied the ribbon. Inside was a delicate gold bracelet with a small yellow sun-shaped stone.
— "It's… beautiful!" she said, her eyes wide.
— "It belonged to your grandmother," 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 wrist and smiled.
— "Thank you, Father. Then you will find me easily, even if I go into the forest."
Her father laughed softly.
— "Was that a promise or a challenge?"
— "Both," she replied, joking.
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 pendant with a blue crystal in the center. When she touched it, a gentle warmth enveloped her fingers.
— "It belonged to Miral," her mother said. "And he once told me: when the day comes that the Light awakens again, give this pendant to the Child of the Sun."
Her father watched in silence.
— "Perhaps Miral knew more than we did."
After lunch, Sofia went out into the courtyard. Dragoș was waiting by the fountain, holding a small wreath of white flowers and a tiny package tied with string.
— "Happy birthday, Sofi!" he called.
— "Thank you!" she said, laughing. "What's that you have there?"
— "Something I couldn't make perfectly, but I made it myself."
She opened the package. Inside was a small wooden figurine, clumsily carved but beautiful — a girl holding a stone.
— "It's you," he said, his voice full of emotion. "Just the way you were when Miral gave you the stone."
Sofia smiled warmly.
— "It's wonderful, Dragoș."
Then she looked at him with sparkling eyes.
— "Do you want to go into the forest? I haven't been there for a few days."
— "How could I refuse, especially today?" he laughed.
The two of them stepped through the small garden gate. The forest seemed more alive than ever: sunlight filtered through the leaves, and the song of birds mingled with the rustling of the grass.
After a while, they reached the lake, shining like a mirror. They sat on the shore, gazing at the sky reflected in the water.
— "It's beautiful," said Sofia.
— "It's beautiful because you came," Dragoș smiled. "I think the forest was waiting for you."
— "For me? Why?"
— "To wish you happy birthday. I think that's its gift for you."
Sofia laughed softly.
— "Then it's the most beautiful gift."
At that moment, the pendant around her neck glowed softly. Sofia was astonished.
Two familiar silhouettes emerged from the shadows of the forest — Vlad and Alexandra.
— "Vlad! Alexandra! I can't believe it!" Sofia shouted, running toward them.
Dragoș stood and smiled. — "It's been a while since I've seen your faces! Where have you been?"
Alexandra smiled, holding a glowing flower in her hand.
— "In the mountains. Miral sent us to bring light to forgotten places. He told us that when the stone glows again, it will be time to return."
Sofia touched the pendant, feeling the same gentle warmth.
— "So Miral knew… even this."
Vlad nodded.
— "He knows more than he lets on. And he said something for you, Sofia — the light is never lost; it only waits to be found."
The wind rustled through the leaves, and the forest seemed to whisper:
"The circle is complete. The light returns."
The bracelet on Sofia's wrist and Alexandra's flower glowed simultaneously, filling the forest with a gentle, warm light.
And for a moment, Sofia felt that Miral was there — unseen, yet present — watched over by the forest that united them all.