Darish and I leave the forest and step out into bright daylight. It is silly of me, but the sight of the sun after all that time spent in darkness almost causes me to weep.

A good hour's walk brings us to a high wall of pale stone which hides the elven city from my curious eyes. We follow it around to the Southern gate; a gothically carved stone archway, wide enough to take a single-decker bus, or large horse-drawn carriage if you will.

The heavy, wooden gates stand open, but the way is barred by several guards in silver armour and black leather boots. I stiffen for a moment before noting the white hair flowing from beneath their gleaming helmets. They wordlessly move aside, allowing us to pass into the walled citadel.

The place has an air of elegance and wealth with grand limestone buildings, wide tree lined boulevards, pristine squares and beautiful marble sculptures. I wonder if my father lives in one of these houses?

In the very centre of the city is an inner walled area. This time the gates are firmly shut, and the guards are far more heavily armed. Across the twin wooden doors spans the silhouette of a seven-branched tree made of silver. I'm sure that the design is the same as my locket and my fingers itch to pull it out from it's hiding place in my dress.

Darish bids me wait while he talks to one of the guards. The guard's cool gaze moves to me and I try not to squirm. It seems like Darish lowers his voice, for the guard leans in as if to hear better. Whatever he says works, because the guard signals with his hand and the gates are heaved open.

I stare in awe at the white fairy-tale palace, its steeple towers glittering in the sunlight. It is sat in the middle of intricately laid out gardens filled with exquisite white statues, tinkling fountains, perfect topiary and quiet seating areas.

Darish confidently strides down one of the white stone pathways. Wide-eyed, I keep getting distracted and have to hurry to catch up with him. He stops at a confection of a white stone building, like a large folly.

He holds the front door open and we enter an airy, white marble hallway lined with ornate, panelled doors. He crosses over to one of the doors and beckons me over before knocking. Hesitantly I follow, my heart beating out an anxious pattern.

I find myself in a grand room which reminds me of a French chateau I once visited. The walls are a pale duck-shell blue with gilt-edged panelling. Heavy brocade curtains frame windows taller than me whilst two chandeliers hang from a baroque ceiling.

A white-blond elf unfolds himself from a rococo chaise and I gasp, recognising him immediately as the one from my vision of Isabella, although he doesn't seem to have aged a day. His features could be sculpted from porcelain and he has lilac eyes.

He is finely dressed in a frock coat with silver embroidery and makes me feel incredibly dowdy in my plain woollen brown dress and my state of disarray after sleeping rough.

Darish bows. "Sire, may I present Elissa? I found her precisely as you said."

The elf studies my face as if I'm a puzzle to be solved and his voice when he finally speaks, prickles with power. "I had a vision of you. Why?"

"I think we are related." I remove the locket from around my neck and hold it out to him. "I was found as a baby with this."

Dismissively, he glances at the locket, then back at me with an impassive, possibly even bored look. "Why should this trinket interest me?"

"Because you gave it to its original owner." Oops! I should probably hold back on the sass.

He steps closer and there is a frisson of menace beneath his calm exterior. "What do you hope to gain by coming here?"

"Sire. I can vouch for Elissa." Darish, bless him, intervenes on my behalf.

"Leave us, Darish," the elf commands.

Darish quavers slightly but shakes his head and refuses to move.

"Please, I don't want to cause trouble. I'm just looking for my father. Do you know where I can find your son?"

"Son?" For a moment there is a flicker of emotion on the elf's face, then the mask of impassiveness falls back into place. "I have no heir."

I falter and the room before me swims. Someone catches me and I'm surprised to find it is him.

"I can feel your pain." A brief frown mars his perfect brow. "Perhaps we should test your theory."

He holds out an elegant hand, palm up, long piano playing fingers stretched out in front of me. Flushing slightly, I place one of my rather dirty hands in his. He places his other hand on top and closes his eyes.

A soft sensation, like the delicate brush of a butterfly's wing, flutters up my arm causing all the hairs to stand on end. I close my eyes and a pleasant swirling in my chest expands as something within unfurls.

I'm enveloped in the sounds of a symphony accompanied by a soprano and a tenor voice weaving together in a wordless song. It fills me with a sense of belonging. As the music dies away, we both sigh simultaneously. There is a glow in our conjoined hands, but it quickly fades.

"What was that?" I whisper, afraid to raise my voice.

He smiles with genuine warmth. "It was our souls communing. There is no doubt, you are my daughter."

My tired brain struggles to wrap itself around the idea, surely he should be my grandfather and yet he seems so certain. I still don't know who he is though, so pluck up the courage to ask, "Who are you?"

For a moment he looks taken aback. "I am Prince Aldebaran, third son of Queen Celestia."

......

After a delicious sleep, I awaken and stretch. Oh, to be in a proper bed again. What bliss!

Detecting the aroma of spiced tea, I open my eyes to find Darish standing in my new room with a cup in one hand. Not any cup, but my favourite cup with the red dragon which I got on the Amber Isle. My heart flutters. He kept it.

"Once you have taken the time to refresh yourself, the prince would like to see you."

Darish's code for sort yourself out, perhaps. Admittedly, I'm a state and my poor hair is like a bird's nest. Earlier, I was almost afraid of dirtying my pristine white sheets, but Darish insisted, saying that I was almost asleep on my feet.

After a thorough soak in the rain chamber and dressed more appropriately for the company of royalty, I go in search of my host. The idea of finally finding my father leaves me feeling a mixture of apprehension and giddiness. Our earlier meeting was rather fraught.

Aldebaran is seated in the same room as before. He looks up from a book and gives a welcoming smile. "You look well rested."

"I feel much better, your Highness." I hover, and he motions for me to sit.

"Please call me Aldebaran and I hope with time 'father'. I apologise for being so guarded this morning. Alfheimr can be a treacherous place. I am truly thankful that fate has delivered you to my door. I hope that you will consider this your home."

"Thank you. I couldn't remain in Arcadia. I just wish I could let them know that I am safe."

Aldebaran rises. "That can be easily remedied."

He leads me into an airy room, set out for study of the arts; one wall contains a selection of instruments, another is lined with bookshelves and a trestle table is piled with canvases, paints and brushes.

He gestures to an ornate mirror on the far wall. "You can use my mirror to contact Arcadia."

Cautiously I approach it, not quite sure what to do. It looks like a normal mirror, yet when I touch the hard surface it liquifies. I pull my hand back and stare into the glowing surface.

Aldebaran quickly steps forward and disengages the mirror. "I have not witnessed it react like that before. Allow me to contact Arcadia for you."

After a short wait the surface shimmers and the mirror displays the image of another room. King Torbjorn appears facing us. He looks unsettled, but quickly schools his features to a picture of calm kingliness.

"Prince Aldebaran. To what do I owe the pleasure?" His voice holds a note of caution.

Aldebaran gives a slight bow of his head. "King Torbjorn. I have someone here who wishes to converse with you." He steps to one side, allowing me to move forward.

Torbjorn gasps. "Elissa! I just saw your image flash upon my mirror. Where are you? We have been so concerned for your safety."

"I'm in Alfheimr."

"How on Elysium did you get there so quickly?"

"I may have had help," I hedge, not wishing to betray the role of the nymphs and dryads.

"Thank you for your warning, but why, why did you put yourself in such danger?" he beseeches.

"What is the fate of one against many? The High King wants me and my presence endangered you all."

"We would have protected you." Torbjorn looks hurt.

It is painful to see him again, a reminder of a place I was so happy. "How ... how is Aren?" My voice quavers.

"I will not lie to you Elissa. He is not in a good state."

I had meant to stay strong, but the tears start to flow. "I'm so sorry. It broke my heart to leave him."

Through blurry eyes, I see the figure of Sirius running up to Torbjorn.

Sirius's voice is breathless. "There has just been a sighting of Elissa in Ulrica's mirror. She is alive!"

"Yes, I would say that she is very much alive." Torbjorn gestures towards me.

Emotions cross Sirius's face; first shock, then delight, then concern. "Elissa, are you hurt?"

"No, I'm just sad. I miss you all."

"I cannot believe my brother forced your hand. To have you in our lives and then so quickly ripped away." Sirius shakes his head. "It was a cruel blow."

Guilt running rife, I bury my head in my hands. A reassuring hand rests on my shoulder.

"Enough," Aldebaran admonishes. "I will not stand my daughter's distress. This interview is over. We bid you farewell."

Both Sirius and Torbjorn nod, their faces stony and the mirror goes flat.

"Why does the High King want you?"

"Err..." I wrack my brains for what to say. I don't yet know if I can trust him.

"I will petition mother to grant you sanctuary. Then my brother will be impotent to move against you."

He gives me an endearing look. "You wear your emotions so clearly on your face. I think it best that we keep you secluded from the court, for it will surely seek to devour you."

Where have you sent me, Cosmos?

❤️