A Royal Interchange

The trek to the palace was carefully selected by Nath to avoid all of the obvious pitfalls of the Land of Magic.

The closest they came to danger was running across a lone Jackalope, but lacking the support of the rest of his herd, the horned rabbit chose to flee rather than risk bringing the others out of hiding.

The humans did not understand Nath's heavy sigh of relief when the fluffy tail was fully out of sight.

As they got to the heart of the kingdom, Mairwen could see a stark change in the landscape from when she had been there just a couple of months prior. The trees lacked their usual vibrancy, and the princess sensed it was not merely the winter chill in the air that was subduing them.

The elves too, seemed sapped of energy. Normally a proud people, the golden-skinned beings trudged around the city completing their daily tasks, lacking the vitality of creatures who usually live a millennia.

Even the children, who were seen occasionally running around the street, were missing the laughter that should have accompanied their youth.

Of course, when the elves saw the visitors, they straightened their backs and put on brave faces. The humans respected them enough to pretend not to notice the change.

The princess relaxed when the elven castle came into view. It looked as radiant as ever, which was an indescribable comfort to Mairwen.

'At least something is the same.'

While Hannah, the three royals, and Eira were admitted into the main gate along with Nath, the human soldiers were escorted to the elven barracks to be fed and find rest. The idea of a bed and warm food was enough to lift the soldiers' spirits considerably. None even thought to ask what kind of food elves like to eat.

"Do you think anyone told Queen Lanassa of our arrival?" Renat had gathered how much the Queen mother did not like surprises.

"We will find out soon enough," Hanna did not think it wise to speculate about someone inside their home.

"Where are we heading, Nath?" Alaron stayed a half-step behind the elf as he looked around.

"As court is not currently in session, King Ithel will be greeting you in the Meeting Room for Foreign Dignitaries." Nath relayed the information he had gotten from the front gate. 

"How many named rooms are there in the palace?" Alaron asked idly. He had heard so many names thrown around by the elves that he was beginning to think that they were made up. 

"All the rooms have names according to their purpose," Nath answered. "How else are you supposed to know where to go in such a large palace?"

Alaron had never really thought about it before. Did the rooms in Castle Valiant all have names about which he was unaware? 

"Fair enough. But puzzle me this," Alaron smirked. "Do you have a special room just for the royal gardener to house his tools?" 

"Of course," Nath seemed unbothered by the question as he continued his stride. 

"What do you call it?" The Guardian persisted. 

"A shed." Nath gave the silver-eyed man a quizzical look. "Do you not have sheds in the human lands?" 

Mairwen hid her grin. "Of course we do, but perhaps the Guardian has forgotten what they look like. He probably needs a full tour of the palace while he is here. I heard on good authority that he knows very little about the elven palace and would like to know more." 

'My sister has gotten mischievous,' Alaron smirked. He knew Dania must have told her about his ill-fated tour the last time he was with the elves. "As long as you will come with me, Your Highness, and we get the most detailed account of every facet of the building, I am more than willing to take such a tour."

The dark-haired princess dipped her head. "I have great interest in elven architecture, actually--" 

"Wonderful. I will arrange for someone to escort you and give every detail you desire," Nath nodded and made a mental note. 

The prince and princess exchanged glances. 

Mairwen cleared her throat lightly. "I am not sure we will have time on this particular trip. If we did, I am sure it would be lovely." 

"Another time, then." Nath allowed them to graciously back out. 

"On to more important things. Who exactly is meeting us just now?" Hanna was tired of the nonsense of the humans.

Normally she would have played along and goaded them, but seeing the condition of elves had soured her mood. If they looked so downtrodden, how much more must the Fates, who have had lifetimes longer to live, be suffering? 

Hanna had been so focused on the goal of making it back to the land of magic with reinforcements that she hadn't had time to think about her physical condition. But if she were honest with herself, before the infusion of the water from the Ice Barrier, her old bones were beginning to ache.

Mortality was not something she liked the idea of facing. So she forced aside the gloomy thoughts and pushed her way ever forward. And the next step was knowing whom she was about to address.

"I am not sure who will be present," Nath admitted, rubbing his neck. "But King Ithel is sure to be there." 

"He is the one we need to speak to the most, so that is really all we needed to know." Renat knew how it felt when someone superior to you asked a question to which you did not have the answer. It was an unpleasant feeling. 

The large hall gave way to an ornate entrance. The gold filigree on the door was in ancient script, but none of the humans doubted that the words 'foreign dignitaries' were among the words.

Nath knocked twice. A brief period of anxious waiting ensued before a familiar face opened the door. "They will send just about anyone these days," the elf whispered with a smile at Nath. 

"I am glad to see you are well, Lilith," the two elves exchanged signs of respect.

Mairwen wondered if they were being formal due to the venue or if elves did not hug as often as humans did. The princess was not able to hug her brother in public anymore for fear of people talking, but before she would only refrain during formal occasions. 

"Show them in, please," a woman's voice ordered sharply. 

Lilith smiled apologetically. "Of course, right this way, esteemed guests." 

Hanna entered the room first, followed closely by Mairwen, then Renat, Alaron, and finally Eira and Nath. The elf had been reluctant to enter the room at all but Lilith had less than gently pulled his arm inside, forcing the rest of his body to follow. 

In the meeting room, a welcoming low table was spread with food and drinks. In three thrones, King Ithel, and his esteemed parents, Lanassa and Zoltan sat patiently waiting for the group to file in before them. 

Ithel rose, spreading his arms wide. "My friends and most honorable guests. Fate Hanna, Princess Mairwen, Prince Renat, Guardian, and Soldier Eira. We greet you!" 

Hanna dipped her head, and Mairwen curtsied while the rest formally bowed. 

"It is good to see you, King Ithel." Hanna smiled at the elf before her.

Ithel motioned for the others to sit on the couches surrounding the table. The weary travelers most happily obliged, thankful to have something other than a horse or the hard ground beneath them. With permission, they dug into the food and savored it. 

Ithel sat back on his small throne. "I must apologize that we did not meet in the throne room. The change in our circumstances with the magic has made us more prone to fatigue. Mother thought it would be wiser to have a more intimate gathering, especially since my Calla could not join us." 

Mairwen had noticed the queen's absence. "Is she ill?"

"No, nothing like that." The king clearly appreciated the princess's concern. "I want to get down to business, but protocol bids that in this room I must inquire after personal affairs first. So..." 

Ithel went on to ask a series of questions about the royal family and the Fates. While he did so, Mairwen had time to study the two former monarchs on either side of their son. 

She realized there might be another reason why they had not been greeted in the throne room. Zoltan looked deathly pale; his golden hue was almost completely gone. His eyes were glazed over, and he looked exhausted even just sitting in his chair. Whether it was due to his age or his past injuries, the elf looked ready to pass onto the next life at any moment. 

Lanassa looked haggard as well. The princess had considered the Queen Mother quite beautiful, but just now she reminded Mairwen more of an old grandmother than of the vivacious queen which she usually portrayed. 'She looks so sad.'

On that front, Mairwen thought she could be of assistance. 

When the conversation had reached a natural lull, Mairwen spoke up conspiratorially. "Queen Lanassa. I have a gift for you. But be warned, the giver hopes you will give him candy in return next time you visit."