Elements knew what he understood, but when Khoral came and stood near Aelanor and began nudging her face with his, she could not have been happier. Nimuel was safe, so were the ponies. "I'm so glad we got through that. For a moment there, I didn't know what to do," she sighed. Nimuel chuckled. "I knew you could do it." The path ahead of them was clear. No visible shadows with riddles lurking in between them. At least not any they could see. Several pairs of eyes followed them as they walked through the forest, their paths unknown. The luminescent eyes would have glowed in the dark, if they were open. The shadow sentinels observed through their lids, trying to detect hints of deceit; the caravan moved on without any hinderance. The forest came to an end, and they stopped. Nimuel took a swift breathe that dissipated into the mist. In front of them was a city, surrounded by the same dark trunked trees as in the entrance,

Propping herself on her elbow, Aelanor looked out to her sleeping companions. The horses were snoring peacefully in a makeshift stable, and Nimuel was curled up in a thick blanket; but Haz'th didn't seem to need one. He was sleeping on a pile of straws he had fashioned into a bed, and overrode all their objections saying that he is not able to feel the touch of dry grass, thereby, it didn't matter to him where he sleeps. Smiling slightly, Aelanor fell asleep in a comfortable sleep.The crowing of the rooster woke Aelanor up. She could hear the cutlery clicking against the pots and pans, and the smell of fried egg wafting towards her and knew that Haz'th was already awake. She wondered how the rooster knew it was morning since there was no sun in the sky.She wondered a while about the kid. He was the first and still the only humanoid they had met in this strange land, and the land itself was strange. According to Haz'th, people were scared of the ruler, but why would t

"I cannot take these, no!" Aelanor said, "And where did you even get these dresses from? I thought shadow creatures don't need clothes?""I am a vessel for the worlds- the reason why I can change into a solid being, like yourselves, or shadow at will- which, I was sure you would have guessed if you were as clever as you look, Princess."Aelanor had had enough. Curling the black dress into her fists and  quite forgetting that she was a Princess, she threw the lot at Haz'th, who ducked."Aren't Elves supposed to be fast?" he laughed.Nimuel entered the cottage to find Haz'th dodging objects in the room with apparent ease, as Aelanor ran behind him like a bull shown red. As Haz'th reached Nimuel, she put a protective hand on him and pulled him behind her, as Aelanor tried to grab the kid out of her hold."Stand aside, Nimuel. This midget...""No, sister. Step back. He's a child," she pushed her gently, still laughing."This child is

Spoons hanging in air, the females at the table stayed still for a second, which seemed like an eternity to Aleanor. Even though everyone had already started feigning an indifference to the apparent fact that their new friend was the Princess' offspring, Aleanor felt that the slight moment that had passed between the two seemed indecent. She was unable to look at the child, though every inch of her being wanted to. And it was not about the fact that Haz'th seemed to be a bit resentful towards his mother, or even that she now knew what the wheelbarrow in front of his house was for. She just knew."So, what do you suppose our next stop should be? Should we continue towards the Misty Mountains of the Dream Isles, as my mother suggested?" Nimuel asked."I see no other alternative. I would visit the place, if I must." She sighed."What is wrong with the Misty Mountains? I thought it is a good place, my mother said that so," Nimuel asked."I am not sure how good the place is," the Princess

Pylaieus lead through a castle made entirely of blue ice, and Aelanor shuddered. She hated the cold winds in these high mountains, albeit it was considerably lesser than what one would expect at such height. There was some magic working in whole of the Dream Isles that kept the frozen water warm enough to walk even barefoot. The group made it to the Queen's chambers . The huge silver door opened to a ballroom, at the end of which were two giant claws of white ice, each two feet wide . And in between was a sparkling chandelier made of ice, with shards poking out every which way. Beneath the chandelier that was entirely made of icicles, was Queen Elektra. The Queen's azure eyes travelled over to the group, and her lips relaxed into a smile. She got up from her throne and approached the party. She was draped in a periwinkle dress; her silver hair flowing behind her and radiating an unearthly glow. Her pale skin looked translucent in the bright lights of the court. She held out a h