Four days until the druids would arrive, and for four days more the princess dreamed of her prince. She rose on the last day with a hope in her heart that she’d find her love. 

She wandered the palace, more aware of what was around her than the past seven days. The halls were pristine, and flowers had been brought in, just as she had requested. The air smelled of warm spices and noise bustled in the gathering hall.

Her father waited outside the door for her, opening it as she approached his side and they were met with many faces. She clasped her hands together and entered slowly. 

One by one the visitors were brought up to the princess to tell her fortune. One by one the visitors left without an answer and the room’s number dwindled. 

By the time only seven were left a cloaked man burst into the room exclaiming, “Your Majesty forgive me for my tardiness!” He bowed to the king and turned to Mavourneen with a yew branch in his hand.

Mavourneen’s previous furrowed brow lightened when the figure entered. She looked at her father then back to the hooded man, “Come, please,” she beckoned.

The figure looked up and stepped forward. Paces away from her seat he removed his white hood to reveal pointed ears on a snowy figure. He was fair as marble and appeared delicate as a spring frost, the only colour of his figure came from the rosy blush from his skin. Stopping where he was he cocked his head. “I am a prince of the aes sídhe, my lady, I do not come for your hand. I cannot leave you a name but I can in other ways assist you.”

“And what do you mean by that sir?” She asked, looking curiously at him. 

“Your dreams my dear, for seven days you’ve dreamt of a faerie man. Not a single magician or druid can tell you what they mean, but you dream of one of the sídhe.”

The princess frowned, “Your point sir?”

The man grinned, “Only a bear knows what another bear says, true my lady?”