Chapter 21: Family Ties 

The morning after receiving the letter bearing the royal Feywood family seal, Lady Ellara decided the time had come to explain a portion of its significance to her cherished five-year-old son Eric.

Though still tender in age, Eric's unusually thoughtful nature and brightness beyond his years gave Lady Ellara hope he could grasp at least an essence of the important family history and meaning behind this anticipated trip. She found Eric playing happily in the terraced palace gardens with his constant canine companion Shadow, their joyful laughter mixing melodiously on the gentle perfumed breeze.

Lady Ellara called Eric over to sit beside her on an ornately carved marble bench tucked away in a sunny alcove framed by climbing ivy and sweet blooming jasmine. Eric obeyed eagerly, always excited to have his mother's undivided attention. He sensed somehow instinctively that what she wished to discuss was serious.

"My dear one, I wanted to tell you about the very special letter that arrived yesterday morning," Lady Ellara began gently. From within the pocket of her flowing gown, she carefully unfolded the fine parchment, embossed with a wax seal bearing the ornate insignia of a sleeping dragon curled around a sword.

"This letter came from the kingdom of Evermore, sent by my mother and father who live there. You know how I've told you stories of your grandparents?" Eric nodded, intrigued. "Well, they are the Lord and Lady of House Feywood, one of the most prominent royal families in that land. And they have invited us to come visit them soon."

Eric's hazel eyes went wide with curiosity. "You mean I have real grandma and grandpa like in the story books? Can we go right away? Why haven't they ever visited here?" he asked innocently, his stream of eager questions neverending when presented with something new and interesting.

Lady Ellara smiled wistfully, brushing back an unruly lock of Eric's chestnut hair. "I'm afraid it is more complicated than the storybooks make it seem," she replied patiently. "You see, many years ago before you were born, I left the kingdom of Evermore where I grew up to come here and marry your father, Lord Alaric of House Emberhart."

"The distance between our kingdoms makes travel difficult and rare. I have not seen or spoken to my family since departing all those years ago. But now, thanks to this letter, we know they would dearly love to meet you, their only grandson."

Eric nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. Though he did not fully grasp the nuances of politics and family history just yet, he could sense this trip represented something meaningful and momentous.

Over the next few days following Lady Ellara's explanation, a whirlwind of preparations for their long anticipated journey dominated the household. Evenings found Lady Ellara sequestered with her handmaidens, carefully selecting which gowns and jewels in her extensive wardrobe would be most appropriate for presentation at the royal Feywood court upon her homecoming.

Meanwhile, Lord Alaric spent long hours sequestered with his advisors, meticulously mapping the safest travel routes through the wild frontier lands that separated Emberhart from the kingdom of Evermore. He hand-selected the contingent of seasoned soldiers who would escort their family on this significant diplomatic venture to the foreign queendom.

The manor staff busied themselves airing out the lavish carriage and readying provisions for many weeks of travel. Young Eric watched the hustle and bustle with great fascination, always underfoot trying to help despite his small size. The concept of venturing somewhere new beyond the familiar estate filled him with nervous excitement.

Ever since Eric could remember, Lady Ellara would lull him to sleep with mystical tales of the distant Feywood queendom ruled by her own royal bloodline - descriptions of shimmering groves filled with exotic plants and magical creatures found nowhere else across the realm, ancient tree cities nestled high above the forest floors, the opulent golden palace where she had played as a carefree child.

These wondrous stories stoked Eric's imagination and longing to experience adventure. And now, much sooner than he had dared dream, he would get to witness that almost mythical homeland for himself! Eric could scarcely contain his anticipation as the day of departure finally arrived.

That morning, the royal family climbed ceremoniously into the ornate royal carriage. Eric nearly vibrated with excitement tucked snugly between his regal, richly-garbed parents for the long journey ahead. As the manor faded into the distance, Eric whispered conspiratorially to Shadow about meeting mysterious grandparents and exploring a whole new kingdom full of magic and surprises.

Though the true political significance and family history at play still exceeded the child's limited comprehension, in his heart of hearts Eric knew with certainty that something monumental and likely life-changing awaited him down the long winding road ahead.