Elowyn, Chord, Dmytro, and Erik were greeted with a massive carriage as they made land. It was the finest thing Elowyn had ever seen. Drawn with beautiful black horses and decorated with the royal crest. The interior of the carriage was decorated as well with plush cushions and black drapes.

"We will be going straight to the castle," the captain instructed as the carriage began to move.

"There you will be presented to the king and queen. And you will meet your grandmother."

Elowyn began to feel ill again. She looked down at the light green dress she wore, praying that she wouldn't get sick all over it. Now she understood why Chord insisted she put it on before leaving the ship.

They had traded for this dress in Moana. It fit her better than the dress they had before, but it was just as uncomfortable. The tight waist and long sleeves felt too confining and she tripped often over the long skirt. She secretly wished it would be acceptable for her to wear her Suditian clothing, despite the colder climate. But Chord had informed her that proper ladies never showed their legs or midriff in Thana.

The ride to the castle seemed to last hours. The castle was far from the shore to protect it from invasion by sea. Elowyn felt both relief and panic as the carriage rolled through the castle gates. She peered out the window and could not believe what she saw.

The castle was enormous. Made from black stone piled higher than Elowyn could even imagine. A massive outer wall connected six tall towers. In the center was the main part of the castle consisting of several towers of different heights.

The carriage slowed and the door opened. The others got out first. Chord paused to help Elowyn down, probably knowing that she would trip on her dress again. Once she was safely down, they proceeded into the castle.

The inside was just as austere as the out. Paintings and tapestries hung all over the walls. The skulls of different beasts hung beside great chandeliers.

As they neared the throne room, Elowyn asked to pause. She was having a difficult time breathing and she felt she might faint. Panic seized her and her vision began to blur. Captain Dmytro and Chord looked at her with sympathy. Erik looked annoyed. Chord put a hand on her arm.

"It is all right. There is nothing for you to fear," he whispered to her. She nodded. After a few deep breaths, she stood tall and nodded to continue. They entered the throne room through large black doors.

The throne room was large, as Elowyn had expected. The ceiling was high and the walls were covered with strange white lights.

The throne was metal, black, and silver designs etched into it. Elowyn's first impression was that it didn't seem very comfortable. Then she noticed the king. He was a huge man, fitting for the outrageously large castle he ruled in. His hair and beard were blond and he looked younger than Elowyn had expected. In a chair beside him sat the queen. She was beautiful with long, straight black hair and blue eyes. She looked unearthly, like a spirit or an angel, while her husband looked like he had been carved of stone.

Dmytro stopped first, Chord and Erik stopped at his side. Elowyn, unsure of what to do, stopped a little behind them. They all bowed and Elowyn mimicked them. The queen stood and, to Elowyn's surprise, Erik casually walked up to her.

"My son," she exclaimed and embraced him.

Elowyn looked to Chord, confused. He smiled back in an amused way. The king and queen continued to talk to Erik, but Elowyn didn't notice, she was staring at the floor, trying to understand why they didn't tell her Erik was the prince.

"My dear?" The queen spoke to Elowyn. Elowyn continued to stare at the floor.

"Her name is Elowyn, your grace. She doesn't speak Thanan, only Nevarian and Suditian," Dymtro informed.

"Elowyn?"

Elowyn jerked her head up to look at the queen.

"Step forward child." The king commanded in Nevarian. She did.

"Closer." She took another step.

The queen laughed, "Don't worry child, you have nothing to fear from us."

Elowyn glanced back at Chord who nodded for her to continue. She walked to the foot of the throne. The queen inspected her.

"My you are a dark, wisp of a thing aren't you. Didn't those people feed you at all?"

"Y-yes. I was fed plenty. I guess I just don't have a Suditian appetite."

"That is because you are not Suditian. You are Thanan and Nevarian. The daughter of the late king of Nevar and my cousin, Lady Enndolyn," the king responded. "Does she have the mark?"

Dmytro nodded. He looked to Elowyn.

"Show them."

Elowyn tugged on the collar of her dress revealing the birthmark just below her collarbone. An elderly woman standing in the entourage behind the queen stepped out and approached Elowyn.

"So it is truly you. The One True Ayer." The old woman said. Elowyn nodded uncertainly.

"I am Lady Estel. Your grandmother."

"Hello," Elowyn whispered. Lady Estel looked surprised.

"Hello, my dear."

"The poor girl looks exhausted. Estel, show her to her room. We can speak with her more this evening." The queen commanded.

"Come with me, child." Estel put her hand on Elowyn's back and started to lead her out of the throne room.

"One moment," the king added, "My dear, in the future, you are to call the king and queen Your Grace. And you are to call your grandmother, My Lady."

Elowyn slowly nodded. The queen interjected.

"But don't worry, I'm sure you will learn our customs in no time."

Lady Estel patted Elowyn on the back and they continued out of the room. Elowyn looked back to Chord as they left. He smiled. She half-heartedly smiled back.