In a matter of hours, Princess Diana was stepping down from the plane onto the white sands of the beach on the southern-most tip of the island. This location put her about a mile away from the palace and she reveled in the idea of being able to make the trek by her lonesome. It would give her time to drink in some of the things she had missed most about being here and at the same time plan her method of surprise! With this latter thought she giggled like a child, for at the moment, that is how she genuinely felt.

Time had reversed itself as she saw in the distance and above the treetops, the ancient pillars surrounding the temple and the top of the pediment that adorned its entrance. Straining her neck she could almost see the spot on the hill overlooking the palace where she and Magda had run and played as youngsters, imitating the games that only the older 'sisters' were allowed to participate in. In rapid succession, odd memories and recollections together with pictures from the past swept before her eyes.

Presently she was coming up on the rose garden planted by order of the Queen to celebrate her eldest child's coming of age as heir to the throne. Diana bent to smell the sweet fragrance of the soft pink and yellow roses that bore her name. Voices floated to her ears in the gentle breeze and she quickly darted behind the trunk of a massive tree to avoid being seen. Observing Philippa and Osiris as they strolled by lost in their adolescent conversation, Diana couldn't wait any longer... She waited for the pair to disappear in the distance and started herself in the direction of the palace in a gait that couldn't belie her excitement.

When she got to the high wall that gated the small ancient city, she could see a group assembled out in the palace garden that included her mother and two of her attendants, Relah and Ona. She was disappointed that there was no sign of Dru as she was hoping to find her and the Queen together.

Something poked into her side and startled her. Diana jumped and before she had the chance to turn around, she heard the familiar laugh of her baby sister, Drusilla.

"You know, Mother says it's not lady-like to sneak around!" Dru barely had the words out before Diana grabbed her and embraced her affectionately. She planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Me? Sneaking around? How about you, scaring me like that!" They laughed together, content merely to hold on to one another as they were. It was awhile before they separated and Diana was able to take a good look at her sister.

"Drusilla, you are nearly as tall as I am!" And seeing the exasperated look on Dru's face, she quickly adjusted the direction of the conversation realizing that she was still treating her like a kid. She was now a grown woman nearly and there was so much of a change in her it was just unbelievable. Immediately Diana could see that it went beyond just physical appearance. As they continued talking, she noticed a certain maturity and grace that had never been there before. It was almost as if she were being groomed for...

Oh, Diana thought. Her heart sank as she realized exactly what was going on. In Diana's long absence, things had changed...

Drusilla read the look on her elder sister's face as she would read an open book and looked away in the uncomfortable silence. She had not anticipated that this moment would come so soon and she was not ready.

Drusilla started very slowly and nervously, "Diana, I didn't want this... you...why did you stay away so long? Mother has been so worried, I was worried..." The tears were streaming down her face as she looked pleadingly at Diana for an answer.

It was at that very moment Diana realized just how hurt her family had been with the choices that she had made. All the doubts and all the fears she had endured for years about what she had done burst inside her as she stared down into the reddened eyes of her sister and her own became moist with tears. She took Dru in her arms and whispered into her hair, I'm sorry...

They stood as they were for what seemed like hours, each not wanting to be the first to let go. Dru finally pulled away and asked:

"Have you come home for good, Diana?"

Diana couldn't look at her and words wouldn't form. What could she say? This was all happening too fast. In the emotional state she was in now, she longed to scream yes. But the voice of reason cautioned that there was now too much involved. The momentum of the life she had chosen for herself would carry her along until it had finished with her...

When for several minutes Diana failed to reply, Drusilla sadly turned and walked away.