As Elsie entered the courtyard, she was immediately swamped by the frantic movements of everyone around her. She spotted Aron and his soldiers almost immediately, their armor shining as they helped to accommodate soldiers in good health. She soon also spotted Henrick clustered in with them, listening intently to a tired-looking woman in a uniform similar to Arons. Elsie made her way towards the small circle of gathered soldiers, the tense voice of the woman becoming clearer the close she got. 

“They’ve cornered the area like a ring, legions covering miles of terrain! We couldn't get past, had to fight. We brought back as many as we could... the rest were either taken or killed.” Henrick nodded gravely as Aron consoled the woman, his bright and flirtatious attitude nowhere to be found. After a moment Henrick spoke to the woman, thanking her for the report, before making his way back towards the wounded. 

“Henrick, is everything alright?” Elsie asked as he passed by. Henrick looked back at her, sadness and confusion plastered on his face.

“What are you doing here!? Shouldn't you be with your brother?” 

“Funny you say that, he was the one that said I should come down here.” Elsie gave a small smirk… Henrick’s sorrow didn’t dissipate. 

“Ok, well, it's not safe down here, just go back upstairs.” Henrick continued to the wounded, Elsie followed, confused by what he was asking.  

“And why would I do that?” 

“It’s not safe Princess!” Henrick called over his shoulder.

“You already said that and stop calling me princess!” The pair reached the main throng of medics, but before Henrick could talk to a healer, Elsie had pulled him back, anger flushing her features. “Ok, I get that you think I am some damsel in distress right now, but I want to help!”

“It’s not that I think you are helpless pri-... Elsie, it’s just that if you get hurt, or injured, or anything else, then that means we can't fulfill the prophecy!”

“Screw your prophecy, Henrick!” Elsie screamed. HEads turned for a moment as they watched the young girl scream in the prince's face. “Ever since we've met it's been about me helping you fulfill a prophecy, but you haven't cared one bit about my safety! From the second we got here, I’ve been confused, terrified, and almost killed more times than anyone should ever have too, and now I am standing in here wanting to help you for the FIRST TIME SINCE WE’VE MET, and you’re telling me I can’t because it’s too dangerous!” The crowd was silent as Elsie’s rage washed over Henrick. The young prince simply stood there, tight-lipped, before stepping aside to let Elsie pass.

 Elsie walked past quickly before the boy had a chance to change his mind. Looking back she gave him a slight nod of thanks, receiving one in return before Henrick turned back to the healers. 

Elsie walked between the cots that had been laid out in the courtyard, being careful not to disturb any that were being treated. As she made her way towards the back of the rows, she found a cot that made her blood run cold. Covered in a black cloth, the body underneath was still, the feeling of death looming around the ominous shape. “Um, excuse me?” Elsie asked a passing nurse “Are they…” She pointed awkwardly at the cot.

“Dead? Don't know. They came in like that. We haven't had time to check.” The nurse walked away, leaving Elsie once again alone with the figure. After a minute, Elsie's curiosity got the best of her. 

“Ok,” Elsie muttered to herself as she walked towards the cot. “It’s just a body, no need to feel panicked, it’s not like it can grab you or anything.” She knelt down towards the head of the cot (at least she thought it was the head) before gently lifting up the cover. Suddenly a hand grabbed on tightly to her wrist. Elsie screamed, falling back away from the cover. Magic began to spark through her fingers as the figure raised itself up, the sheet falling off of their face, revealing a young man with pointy ears and a terrified expression plastered over his greenish-brown face. 

“Are you alright?” Else asked, slowly moving back towards the frightened boy. The young man stared back at her, fear plastered in his eyes.

“Help” he cracked out, before falling back in his cot.