The elves entered the elven world one by one, with Valaris entering first, followed by Sylvani and then Asonya. Annlynn acknowledged them briefly before she continued to stare off the old cliff. As the wind hissed through the trees, and as birds sang out, she couldn’t help but think about how this world was so full of life.

“Is it just me, or is there a special magical quality to this world?” Annlynn said. “Or have I been stuck in winter for too long, that I forgot what it was like to be safe from seeing snow?”

“Oh, you might still see snow here,” Sylvani said. “Even in Summer, the snow still has its way sometimes. Regardless. Annlynn Grace, welcome to the elven world.”

Annlynn grinned, trying to avoid some of the discomfort which came with the way the elves dropped her name. “First human in centuries.”

Sylvani gestured off at the distant mountains and glaciers. “This here is the Wilderness of the Gods. It is where a lot of elves come to pray to or worship the gods. It is also the source of magic in the elven world.”

“You have a wilderness in the human world too,” Valaris said. “But it’s deep within the caverns of a canyon structure down south. The two contrast each other, as said to be the case because of the way the gods interact with the two worlds.”

They began traveling. This time, Annlynn traveled on feet, feeling grateful that she was able to do so. It wasn’t that the elves were unkind, but as she noticed the magic around her, there was a strange restlessness in her magic. A tingling energy lurked, which she had ignored.

No, she couldn’t have her energy returning. That was supposed to be gone. But the subtle hum lingered, just strong enough so she knew what it was. Annlynn tried to ignore it, but the truth remained. Something in this wilderness had reawoken her abilities, although they were still mangled. Indeed, there were some dangerous hisses within the back of her mind.

Maybe something with the magic connected her to it again. But as she looked inward, it was clear to see her magic was still broken. And although it wasn’t live, it was dormant.

After all this time, and after complicated rituals at that.

She pondered what that meant for a while, thinking she should discuss it with the elves. She didn’t though, and there was something odd about it. Perhaps she should have thought it through a bit better, but at this point, it was quite simple that she didn’t even want to acknowledge that her energy was there.

Of course, there was the idea that Valaris could likely feel it anyway, and she would be punishing Annlynn for not speaking out. At least, that’s what her stepmother would have done. Annlynn had begun to believe that these people were different. They would not hurt her, solely for the sake of hurting her. She wanted to believe it, but for the fears holding her back.

Over the next few days, sleep became more of a challenge as nightmares invaded her dreams. The darkest moments came to Annlynn over the next few mornings, as she contemplated what she had felt. They were nearly out of the wilderness and back into civilization. Maybe then, she would be clear of the energy. But at that point, Annlynn knew there was a chance that wasn’t possible.

T he morning before they were supposed to make it out of the wilderness, Cleaning up camp took a drastic turn. After cleaning everything, she helped hand Sylvani the pots, pans, and goodies, before then turning to a small green, round stone. Annlynn grabbed it, thinking she would just hand it over. The stone had a silvery smooth edge over its green, and it was in an almost perfect ball. Annlynn, for a few seconds, allowed herself to be curious about it.

In a split second, the stone sent a jolt of energy through her hand. The sharp pain was drastic enough she dropped the stone, stifling a shriek until it became a whimper. Upon its collision with the ground, the stone shattered, a small jolt of energy shaking the earth and knocking Annlynn off her feet. Pain spread through her leg.

Annlynn turned back, noting how the shards of stone vanished in light similar to if one held a crystal chandelier in sunlight. She turned toward the elves, almost ashamed to speak. When Sylvani turned toward her, she placed her eyes on the ground.

“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to—.”

“Of course you didn’t.” Sylvani bent down to Annlynn. “You were just trying to help me out.”

Annlynn flinched. “How do I repay you for that?”

“Let’s focus on your leg first. Is it hurt?”

“Dreadfully so.”

Valaris bent down on the other side, kneeling. “May I have a look?”

Annlynn turned and went from her kneeling position—which had become too painful—and she turned toward the elves. At this point, even when Valaris asked to touch her leg, Annlynn flinched. When the embrace had lost its fear, she was like a statue underneath Valaris’ care.

“Your leg is broken,” she said. “I don’t think I should try to heal it with magic, though. It seems your own magic is awake. And any time we try to do something to this magic, we risk making that situation much worse.”

“I know,” Annlynn said. “I should have said something, but it was alive earlier. Just dormant. I am so sorry; I was just scared of making note of it myself for some reason.”

“We’re not here to judge you for that decision yet,” Valaris said.

“I have a bunch of twine, and I can make you a crutch, if you will.” Sylvani turned to a nearby group of meadow grasses.

The meadow grasses wrapped around Annlynn’s leg—thankfully there was no touch this time—and they hardened into something which would keep her leg in place. Annlynn turned back to the woman, as if to thank her with her eyes. But at this point, her fear took hold of her once more as Sylvani grabbed a stick and turned it into a sizable cane.

“I am so sorry about the stone,” Annlynn said.

“Nevermind that,” Sylvani said. “I am scared you thought we would hurt you for that. What would have happened in your native village?”

“Well, a year or two of service is one idea,” Annlynn said. “But the person you slighted could choose almost anything.”

“We would never do that,” Sylvani said. “That type of stone–if dropped properly–could kill someone. It’s enough for us that you’re okay.”

Annlynn nodded. Her vulnerability was noticeable—almost to the point where it was too much. But she let it run its course, hoping it would be enough. At least for these people to try and accept her. There was something more to what she had felt, and she had to feel it.

“I wanted to say thank you for your help,” Annlynn said. “But I keep thinking back to when I broke things in the village. It would have been terrible, especially for something as valuable as a magic stone. I am so sorry for assuming you would do the same.”

“You don’t need to apologize to us for anything,” Sylvani said. “We understand what you are going through, even if it is on a surface level. Hang in there, my dear. You don’t need to apologize. But I don’t want you to ever feel scared of us again. That stone can be replaced. You can’t.”

Annlynn then began to cry. No one had talked to her like this—not even Tarvos’ parents or Tarvos himself. It was then she realized that some things had just been accepted in the village, for better or worse. She turned back to the elves.

“I think I just need time,” Annlynn said.

“Hang in there,” Sylvani said. “We’re almost through the forest, and then we can take you to a doctor so we can get things looked at.”

“I wish I could repay you,” Annlynn said. “If nothing else, I hope you can take my thank you.”

“No need to repay us for this, or at all,” Sylvani said. She gave a smile. “If someone is in danger, then it is our job to help them, is it not?”

“I suppose,” Annlynn said. “Thank you.”

“Let’s get you out of the wilderness,” Sylvani said.

“What was that stone?” she asked.

“A communication stone,” Sylvani said. She gave a wry smile. “Those are easy to make, though, so it’s not too much of a problem to replace.”

“Oh,” Annlynn said. “What does it take to replace them?”

“If you’re going to ask to pay us for anything, don’t,” Sylvani said. She gave a shrug. “But as long as you’re curious.”

“No. I am just curious. And why did it awaken my magic like that?”

“Well, it takes a specific set of mining and incantations,” Sylvani said. “But it could be as simple as finding them on the ground, if you will.”

“And your magic awoke because certain types of magic can awaken other magic,” Valaris said. “For the record, it was our fault we didn’t tell you to avoid it. We should have communicated to you better about it.”

“Oh,” Annlynn said, feeling a bit deflated.

“You see, we cannot blame you for our lack of communication. And I did sense your magic, even if it was very feint.”

Annlynn nodded. It was here in this moment that something snapped. These elves didn’t snap at her. Somehow, she didn’t want to leave their presence now at all, feeling as though she had stumbled upon a lucky pot when she had found them. There was something about it which lead her to feeling the way she had.