Annlynn spent the night with the elves, although her sleep was still fitfull. Cleaning up camp the next morning, Annlynn still couldn’t believe she’d fallen in with a company of elves. And, at that, she was still nervous, knowing how kind they had been to her. Maybe she shouldn’t have been surprised. But the fact that no one had shouted at her, or made her feel ungrateful, had been quite novel.

They soon trudged through the grasslands together, making their way back west. Moments before, she had begged them to let her remain with them for the halygor’s hunt.  But as she struggled to keep up with them, she soon began to understand why they had refused. 

Her calves and feet ached. There were numerous times where she paused to catch her breath, before moving on. Meanwhile, the elves would pause, trying to ensure she was okay. The pattern continued several times throughout the day. Each time, Annlynn’s face grew redder and redder. 

“I’m sorry,” Annlynn said. “I just can’t seem to keep up. I don’t know why.”

Sylvani turned to her. “I think I have something that could help. I have a plant potion that could help your energy increase. It should only be used once a week, though, at the very best. Although I am not certain of what it would be for a small human.”

“Thank you,” Annlynn said. She took the draught, and instantly felt stronger. Somehow, it felt wrong for her to take the elves’ materials, even if they had offered it to her.

The bitter taste lingered long after she finished. Once they moved forward, she continued to lag behind, although pace had improved but a little. Additionally, the heaviness from the previous days had lessened. Her sadness lingered, but the fear of failure, as well as the hopelessness, had faded into the background.

“Why do I feel so much better after taking the potion?” Annlynn asked.

“A lot of elven potions have multiple uses. Or, if they are dangerous to someone, they might have multiple downsides. Or a mix. There is an essential theory that explains plant magic, but I don’t suppose I should bore you with the details right now,” Sylvani said. “You see, both Valaris and I crafted it together using plants from the elven world. And then Asonya used her abilities to preserve it. You see, when three elves get together, their magic will be amplified.”

Even when they settled down for dinner, Annlynn wasn’t tired. She wanted to ask more questions, but instead, she turned and helped the elves set up camp. When she finished, she helped with chopping up some of the vegetables and preparing the meat, before sitting down once more.

“See, this is where the youngling could be of help to us in a long chase,” Asonya said, sparing Annlynn a wink. In a way, the elf’s mannerisms gave  “Always helping us, and always knowing how to make food as well. Quite nice, if you ask me.”

“I am glad my stepmother instilled some good values into me,” Annlynn said, hoping her words came across like a joke. But upon the delivery, she wasn’t quite as certain as she could have been. “Do I need to sleep after taking the potion?”

“Unfortunately, if that’s the word you’re looking for,” Sylvani said. “It cannot cure anything, and it does little good to push it too far. The effects are temporary.”

“Oh, I understand,” Annlynn said. “How long will the effects last?”

“A few days,” Sylvani said. “There’s no withdrawal period like some medications, but that one also helps recover nutrients you have been missing, in case you were in a famine. You see, this medication was created for those who have been dealing with food scarcity.”

“Oh,” Annlynn said. Her mind raced back to all of the times her stepmother had told her she deserved to starve too, just as her stepsister had. “So are you really going to take me to the elven world?”

“We’re going to try,” Sylvani gave a soft chuckle. “But whether or not you will get into the elven world will be up to you. You see…”

“The Gwynisar reads your heart, mind, and soul,” Annlynn said. “Believe me. I read Prince Aleksei’s stories like nothing else when I could.”

“Oh,” Sylvani said. “That’s good. I guess you know what to expect, then.”

“So he was real?” Annlynn asked. “He was my hero.”

“He was real,” Asonya said. “My father knew him.”

“What was he like?” Annlynn asked. “I have always dreamed of being in his situation. Well, not the royalty. But the rest of it.”

“Forgive me for asking, but is it normal for a peasant to connect with a prince like that?” Asonya asked. “I thought it was mostly royal kids who…”

“That’s complicated,” Annlynn said. “I arrived in the village when I was seven, but before all of that, well. And there was supposedly a prophecy. But the prophecy talked about a boy, and that was before my parents ruined everything. So there was a lot of debate over if I was actually, well. The prophesied. And it didn’t help that I was blessed by a cursed god. Or at least, that’s what I was told about myself.”

“Sometimes mortals have a very complicated view on gender, and it’s quite amusing at times,” Asonya said. “But I assure you that if you’re meant to be the prophesied one, there is likely some element of power to it, regardless of your gender. Even if it did call for a boy. Because the prophecy came from a god who never lies about gender, mind you. But the reality might be vastly different.”

“I do struggle with the rules they put on me, and what they mean as someone who fails the bounds of traditional femininity,” Annlynn said. “I mean, I was supposed to get married, have children, and maintain a farm, but I never wanted any of that. And so maybe in that sense, there’s some truth behind it. Although they did break my magic before they sent me to live where I did.”

“Listen,” Valaris said. “Regardless of whether or not we take you to the elven world, we promise we will not tell them anything. Because your magic is still alive, even if it’s broken.”

“I don’t know,” Annlynn said. “Somehow, I feel strange about that. Like there’s something to it that I don’t quite know. The other day, I did see the elven ghost. I know some see it as a simple superstition, but I know I have some unfinished business somewhere or another. Is the elven ghost real, or is it another superstition?”

“The elven ghost is not real,” Valaris said. “Or at least, it’s a human-made superstition. Especially when we’re talking about the tornadoes. That being said, it’s normal to find truth, or realization during moments when you might be close to death.”

Annlynn turned back, longing to find something more to the answers she’d received. She settled with a bowl of stew, and she began to eat. As she remained silent, the elves spoke still. Even though she didn’t partake in their conversation, they would still speak in a language she understood. As she found herself in the elves’ company, there was something quite cozy about it. They had made decisions to help her feel included, and that alone was enough for her to feel truly welcome.

Like they actually wanted her there.