Chapter 17

B eing bound to an elf on horseback might not sound all that great, but a massive sense of responsibility has been lifted from me. That constant nauseated feeling that I wasn't good enough, that I wasn't doing enough to help Vaeril, has eased. Plus, I've been in worse situations.

Looking ahead, I can see Vaeril's unmoving body on the stretcher, strapped between four horses as we slowly make our way to Galandell. This morning, after I'd been bound, the older elf cast a spell over Vaeril, making him fall into a deep sleep.

I glance over at the older elf now. He's riding just ahead of Vaeril's prone form, and I don't miss the glances he throws over his shoulder every couple of minutes at the sleeping elf, or the look of wonderment, like he can't believe he's here. I get the impression he's some sort of general from the way the other elves all look to him and respond to his orders.

Looking around us, I shift on the saddle as much as my bindings allow. I've never ridden on a horse before, and I'm swiftly learning it's not the most comfortable way to travel. It's taken me a while to get used to the swaying gait and stop feeling like I'm going to fall from the horse, but now that I have, I'm able to appreciate the beauty of this place.

The sheer size of the lake is huge, so we walk alongside it for a while, and I feel the eyes of the kelpies on me the whole time. I realise now that the neighing noises I heard this morning were the kelpies. They were trying to warn me that the elves were coming, but I had been so focused on Vaeril that I missed their warning. As we move back into the forest, I notice how it's different here, it seems to be changing the closer we get to the elf city. The trees are larger, older, and appear to have a sentient presence. I feel like they're watching us, and I remember Vaeril kneeling at the base of the trees we used to camp in, thanking them for their shelter.

"Will he be okay?" I ask the elf behind me. My wrists have been bound in front of me with rope, but my hands are free so I'm able to hold onto the pommel of the saddle we're sitting on. The elf, who's been tasked to keep an eye on me, has strapped me to his waist, and I'm actually grateful for that fact. I've nearly fallen off many times, and the elf behind me is the only reason I've managed to stay on.

The elf stiffens when I speak, and I glance back to see his face is tight with discomfort. Is he uncomfortable because of my question, or my race? Sighing, I face forward to look over at Vaeril again with a twinge of concern at his still form.

"I know you don't like me and I'm everything you're taught to hate, but I care for him." I don't even know if he understands me, or if he even speaks Arhavien, but I hope he can hear the sincerity in my voice. "We escaped together, we helped each other. I just want to know if he will be okay." Silence meets my words, and my worry starts to build as my mind spins. What if Vaeril's not going to be okay? What if the elf is staying silent because he knows that?

"We have very talented healers," he finally replies, although warily, like he's saying it against his better judgement. "The general has placed him in a... frozen state. The poison can't spread any further until we return." His elvish accent is thick, but I still understand what he's saying. Letting out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding, I turn in the saddle to thank him, and find him frowning as he looks straight ahead, not meeting my gaze.

"Thank you."

His expression drops for a moment at my gratitude, and something that looks like surprise flashes through his eyes. I avert my gaze, scanning at the forest again.

Stix would love it here, I think with a small smile. The grass is high and there are plenty of places for him to hide. I'm surprised to find that I actually miss him. We had only known each other for a very short span of time, but he has worked his way into my heart. I hope I get to see him again, and strangely enough, even though they scare me a little bit, I want to see the kelpies again also.

I can feel the elf's gaze on me as I shift in the saddle.

"Try to relax into the saddle, move with the horse. It won't hurt so much," the elf advises. Nodding, I try to do as he says. I've been sitting upright, spine straight to avoid falling off, but as soon as I relax into the saddle, the ache in my lower back fades. I thought I was used to the horse's gait, but it's so much easier now.

"Thank you," I tell the guard again, and I feel him nod once behind me. We sit in silence for a while, then I decide to ask a question that's been playing on my mind. "How did you know we were in the cave?"

He's quiet for a moment, as if weighing what he can tell me, and he eventually just lets out a long sigh. "The lake is sacred, there is a magic over it, and it... pulsed," he explains, trying to think of the words in my language, so I nod to show I understand him. "We came to investigate to see what caused the...pulse," he finishes, and I make a noise in my throat.

So that's how they knew, we must have set off some sort of magical trigger. I'm surprised I didn't feel it, usually I can sense magic. Then again, this whole place is magical, and a constant, low buzz of this unusual elvish magic seems to cover everything, so it would be easy to miss a simple spell like that.

"What will happen to me when we get to Galandell?" The last couple of days have been so physically tiring, coupled with the fact I've been so focused on reaching Galandell and getting Vaeril help, that I haven't really thought about what will happen to me when we get there. He'd promised me I would be safe, but instead I'm arriving as a prisoner.

"You will be taken to the dungeons until someone comes to question you." His voice has hardened again, as if remembering who I am. "What happens after that will be up to the queen."

This is the first mention of a queen, and I find myself surprised. Sure, I knew someone must be in charge of the elves, Vaeril had said that the high elves kept everyone in line, but I assumed it was a council or something. In Arhaven, a woman cannot rule, so to have a female ruler fills me with surprise and hope. If the elves are open-minded enough to let a female rule, then perhaps they are fair and will judge me without letting my race cloud their decisions.

"I won't cause you any problems, I just want Vaeril to be safe," I assure him simply, glancing up at him again. Feeling my gaze, he looks down at me, frowning.

"You are not what I expected for a human."

I can't help but laugh quietly at that, shaking my head as I turn away, watching Vaeril's still frame again. "I've been hearing that a lot recently."

I don't expect him to speak again, so when he does, a small seed of hope forms inside me. "I've never met a human before."

Smiling to myself at this change, I shrug. "Before Vaeril, I'd never met an elf either." I turn in the saddle as much as I can so I'm properly facing him. "I'm Clarissa, human and friend of Vaeril. What's your name?" I'm not sure why I felt the need to introduce myself like that, I never would usually, but some part of me insisted it was important.

"I am Elier, son of Saeril," he replies formally, his head tilted to one side. "Is it true, are you really friends with him?" He nods towards Vaeril. "An elf?"

"Yes," I answer genuinely. I want to frown, to ask if it's really that hard to believe, but then I remember how we were when we first met. The distrust, the hate, and fear towards each other, but as we got to know one another and the situation we were placed in, we managed to form a friendship. It's a fragile bond, but we've relied on one another to survive, and somehow, through all that, we came to care for one another.

Elier goes to ask me something else, but the older elf barks something in elvish at him, and he suddenly sits up straight, his curious expression gone and replaced by the blank mask.

Conversation over. There goes any hope that I might have another ally when we arrive, given my only one is currently in a magical coma, my thoughts point out, and my nerves churn at the unknown.

After a couple of hours, the trees start to thin out, and we reach a winding, paved walkway. The trees seem to be getting even larger the farther we go, some with massive, twisting vines that wrap around them, and when I look up, I gape. Houses… there are little houses built into the trees, and I can see some diminutive faces peering out at us as we pass by. When we turn the final corner, my mouth drops open at what I see before me. Vaeril told me the city was beautiful, but even in my wildest dreams I hadn't imagined anything like this.

When we travelled, the lake turned into a river that we still follow, the mountains jutting up around us as we walk down into a ravine. The gulch is bowl-shaped with two mountains, ending with sheer cliff faces, bracketing the river running out to sea between them. Built over the river is the palace, constructed from the same white stone of the cliffs. It seems to be erected over three large bridges, and soars up into the sky with its twisting towers. On either side of the castle, built into the mountains, is the rest of the city. It's beautiful and sprawling, and nothing like I expected.

The forest we're walking through starts to thin out, and the elves at the front of our little entourage start the slow, winding descent into the ravine and towards the city. The whole time I look around in wonder. Everything is so much brighter here. That could be because we are farther south than Arhaven, or it could be because the castle in Arhaven is built from the dark stone of the black cliffs, whereas here, everything has been constructed from the white stone mountains. Whichever it is, the city feels hopeful and bright.

The feeling of being watched becomes great as we make our way through the outer edges of the city. Glancing up, I see elves in the trees watching us, eyeing me, but it seems to be out of curiosity rather than the hatred I was worried they would automatically view me with. As I observe them, I see no slaves and no one seems to be living in poverty, and again, I'm struck by the differences between the two cities.

"When we reach the castle, don't say anything," Elier whispers to me, and a flash of alarm surges through my veins. I want to ask him what he means, but I keep my mouth shut and just nod.

This is it, we have finally made it here . All my insecurities flood forward, and I have to remind myself what Vaeril said, that I would be safe here. I repeat it like a silent mantra.

You're safe. You're safe. You're safe.

We're close to the palace now, and I have to crane my neck to look up at the towers. Pulling my gaze away, I see a small group of people waiting for us at the front of the castle. There is a huge, intricately carved archway with several white stone steps down to the paved, circular space that overlooks the river.

Reaching the paved area, the horses all stop at once, as if by some unspoken command. Elier dismounts and then turns to me, easily lifting me from the horse as if I weigh nothing. When he places my feet on the ground, my knees buckle after being in that unusual sitting position for so long. Throwing me a look, Elier helps steady me before turning to the people waiting for us at the top of the stairs.

A regal-looking woman stands at the front of the little group, her hands clasped loosely in front of her as she watches us curiously with a tilt of her head. She has the same silver hair as Vaeril, of which half is up in an elaborate, twisted braid, the rest falling in loose curls down to her waist. She's wearing a fairly simple dress, but in a beautiful bronze colour that seems to catch the light, making her appear like she's glowing in the sunlight. She has a matching bronze diadem that rests on her brow, her delicately pointed ears proudly on display.

"General, you have returned." Her voice is light, and although she says it softly, somehow, I can still hear her clearly. They're not speaking in elvish, which surprises me, but I'm pleased to be able to understand what's happening. The general steps forward and climbs the steps to claim her offered hand. Bowing, he kisses her hand then stands, and helps her down the steps towards us. "I received your message, you found one of our lost?"

Lost? The way she says it makes it sound like she's talking about the dead.

"Your Majesty, I am pleased to be back," he responds, as they reach the bottom of the steps. He pauses for a second, preparing her. "Yes, I wouldn't usually bother you with this, but I thought you would want to see who we found."

Her previously blank mask cracks and is replaced with a delicate frown. She gets halfway to the pallet Vaeril's body is resting on when she sees him. Her eyes go wide and her gasp echoes around us.

"Vaeril." I hear her pain as she speaks his name, closing the distance between them. My heart goes out to her. She was obviously close with him before he was captured, and I can't imagine how it must feel to see him like this.

"Yes, he's gravely injured, but now that we have him back, the healers should be able to fix him," the general informs her, and she freezes before turning to face him, placing a hand on his chest to stop him mid-pace.

"Wait, he's still alive?"

I'm not sure why, but the way she says it rattles something within me, or perhaps it's the flash of fear in her eyes before a gentle smile is plastered on her face. I also get the feeling that if we were in private, her expression would be something altogether different. Why do I instantly distrust her? I have no evidence to say she is anything other than a fair ruler, I just need to stay on my toes and keep out of trouble.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I thought you would want to see him before we took him to the healers," the general responds, and I realise he's done it this way on purpose. With the public procession through the city, everyone has seen the fallen elf, and in front of everyone, she can't turn him away. She pauses as she runs her eyes over his body, her regal, perfect mask in place, but I can tell this has taken her by surprise.

"You were right, General, as usual," she says, and she turns to face him before looking over her shoulder at the small group of people who had been waiting with her. "Yes, take him to the healers immediately."

I study her entourage. They all follow her, but at a careful distance, and are now waiting for instruction. Two are clearly ladies in waiting, wearing hooded cloaks the same colour as the queen's dress, their heads bowed and hands clasped in front of them. Two older elves stand behind her, who I assume are advisers of some type. A young male elf, who is clearly related to the queen, stands with a carefully blank expression as he watches the proceedings. His gaze suddenly falls on me, and I freeze as his eyes narrow, a smile curling up one side of his lips. Five armed guards stand in a semi-circle behind them, their spears shining in the sunlight, but for some reason, it's the smiling elf who makes me more nervous.

At the queen's order, the four elves who had been carrying Vaeril with their horses quickly detach his pallet from the procession and hurry away. Without even realising what I'm doing, I take a step forward as if I'm going to follow, the bond stretching and telling me I need to be with him, to make sure he's safe. I don't trust the queen not to harm him. It's a gut instinct.

A hand reaches out and stops me from going any farther. "Don't," Elier mutters through clenched teeth, but the movement has caught attention.

"Why is there a human in my city?" The queen's voice has turned dark, and although she doesn't raise her voice, I can hear her fury. The hairs on my arm stand on end and my skin starts to tingle in warning, and as I glance down, I see my Goddess mark is glowing brightly.

Elier gasps and lets go of me like I'm on fire. I look up and see everyone is staring at me, but the queen's gaze is on my glowing mark, and an interested expression crosses her face, one I can't quite figure out, but it puts me on edge.

"She is the one who brought Vaeril here," the general explains, and I let out a small sigh of relief as the queen pulls her gaze from me to look at him, a perplexed eyebrow raised. "She took him to the lake, which is where we found the two of them. We bound her to bring her here, but she has caused us no problems." His voice softens, and I get the impression he is trying to make me seem like less of a threat.

That can't be a good sign , I muse. Why would he be trying to convince her of that? Surely she can see I'm not a threat. I'm smaller, less powerful, and all skin and bones. I'd just started to put some weight back on thanks to Grayson, but my escape with Vaeril has only made me lose it again.

"She claims they escaped together, that they're friends," the general finishes, but I know instantly he's said the wrong thing. At the word ‘friends,' the queen looks like she's just been slapped in the face, her disgust clear to see in her expression as her eyes run over me.

"Vaeril hated humans, even more so than most. He would never be friends with one. She must be lying." The queen's pitch is high, and I can tell she's trying to keep her voice down and maintain her calm appearance for her audience. "Take her away and prepare for an execution."

My heart drops and I feel like I'm about to collapse. Even Elier seems surprised, if his quiet gasp is anything to go by, his grip tightening on my arm, but I feel it's more in support than to stop me from trying to escape. We both know there is nowhere I could run to without being caught.

"Your Majesty—" the general begins, surprise lining his features, but she cuts him off.

"She was probably his captor!" she shouts, her eyes wild as she glares at me, seemingly not bothered that she's causing a scene. The elves we travelled with shuffle about, sharing looks of confusion and surprise.

"Your Majesty, she is just a youngling, she couldn't have—" He tries again, but I know it's useless from the wild, mad look in her eyes.

"She is lying human trash."

I try not to be offended at her words, she doesn't know me, after all, but that comment stings. I don't know what possesses me to do it, or where my bravery, or possible stupidity, comes from, but I take a step forward, shaking off Elier's grip, and clear my throat.

"Vaeril told me you were a fair ruler, that I would be safe here."

As soon as I speak, I know I've only made things worse, as the queen starts to storm towards me, her hands glowing green as I feel a large amount of magic being called to her.

She's going to kill me . The thought is sudden and sure, ringing like a bell through my head.

"Liar!" she shouts, making the closer elves wince as they quickly moving out of her way as she gets closer. Elier stiffens at my side, torn between stepping out of the path of his wrathful queen and fulfilling his role of guarding me. Thankfully, the general catches up with her and jumps in front of me, placing a hand out in front of him as if to stop her.

"Get out of my way, General," she hisses, her eyes widening at his actions. He quickly drops his arm, but takes a small step closer to her, blocking me from her view. I'm not sure if it's intentional or not, but I'm thankful for it regardless.

"We should ask Vaeril when he wakes, let's not be rash, Your Majesty." His voice is calm and even, and I don't miss when he tips his head slightly towards the other elves who have gathered to watch. "Remember who is watching." His voice is so low that I don't think anyone else was supposed to hear, but since I'm close, I catch the hushed words.

All of a sudden, the queen seems to realise what she's doing, her chest heaving with her anger. Taking a deep breath, she briefly closes her eyes, a crease appearing in her brow as she concentrates. When they open again, they are calmer, calculating, as she regains her regal mask.

"Very well," she agrees, moving as if to step away, but she turns to look at me one last time, a shudder taking over her as her look of disgust returns. "I want her locked up in the meantime. Humans are dangerous."

Spinning away, she begins her climb back up the stairs to the castle entrance, her ladies in waiting and advisors following behind her, but one remains. The younger elf who shares some sort of relation to the queen. He's watching me with a hungry look in his eyes, except he's not looking at my body, but my still faintly glowing Goddess mark.

Two palace guards approach me and take me from Elier, leading me away and around the side of the castle, but I can still feel his eyes on me as I go.

The guards take me past the front of the castle, their hands gripping the top of my arms as they hurry me away. If it was different circumstances, I would be admiring how beautiful this place is, especially the crystal clear river that tunnels through the rock under the castle. I'm pretty sure I can hear the ocean on the other side of the castle, and I hope I'll have the opportunity to see it, but that is something that will have to wait.

Back in Arhaven, I'd been taken to Vaeril's underground prison, but I was lucky never to visit the castle dungeons. I heard terrible stories about what used to happen to those who were unfortunate or evil enough to end up there. My mind is whirring with possibilities of what might happen to me here. I'm their enemy, and the queen is just barely tolerating my presence, but I have no doubt that if I cause even the slightest problem, she will order my execution. Based on how furious she was just now, she might just save everyone the trouble and kill me herself.

We round the castle and enter through a gate where the carriages must come through. I see the stable off to the right where the horses from our ride today are being led to be brushed and fed. Elier follows behind, leading his horse towards the stables, and looks up at me as we part way, his lips twitching into a ghost of a smile as he meets my gaze.

Maybe I did make a friend after all.

Returning the smile, I turn to face the way we're going, the last thing I need is to trip because I'm not paying attention. My stomach is a knot of worry and I'm trying to keep my breathing even.

We reach a large, wooden door built into the back end of the castle where two elves are standing guard, but when they see us, they pull open the heavy door, allowing us entry. As soon as we step inside, the door shuts behind us with a thud, and darkness envelops us as the sunlight is cut off. It takes a couple of seconds for my eyes to adjust, and I have to take a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart. Thankfully, the guards give me time to adjust before moving on. They're certainly treating me better than any of the guards back in Arhaven, but my mind is making up all sorts of terrifying scenarios.

Now that my eyes have adjusted, I can see we're in a long, dark corridor, but I see light at the end of it, which, thankfully, is the direction we're heading. There are a couple of thick metal doors with a tiny barred hole at the top, but we just keep walking.

"Is it true you helped rescue Lord Vaeril?" the guard on my left inquires, his voice quiet, like he doesn't want to be overheard, but he doesn't sound disbelieving. Me, however, I have to stop my jaw from falling open.

Lord? Vaeril is a lord? He never told me that, I practically shout in my mind. That could have been a helpful fact to know before I dragged his lifeless body straight to his queen. Of course Vaeril wasn't just any elf.

"Yes, we worked together to escape," I finally respond, pleased that I manage to keep my voice even and devoid of the surprise I'm feeling.

The guard on my right snorts in disbelief. "But she's a human! How would she be able to help him escape?"

"You saw her arm glowing, she is no normal human," the first guard retorts.

The farther down the corridor we go, the lighter it gets, and I can see why. The cells have gotten bigger, and the bars on the door are floor-to-ceiling, with a little window in the far wall that lets in a small amount of sunlight.

"I guess," the sceptical guard mutters with a huff.

"All I know is that he's been missing for a century. He couldn't do it alone or he would've already. She helped him," the kind guard on my left counters defensively, and he's right. I can feel their eyes on me now, wondering how a human helped an elf escape. I'm suddenly pulled to a stop, and the guard on my right tugs open the barred door to an empty cell.

The kind guard steps in front of me, waiting for me to lift my head and meet his gaze. "We won't forget your actions. You will be safe here," he promises, and I breathe a sigh of relief, screwing my eyes shut for a second.

I want to hug him. I don't know where that thought comes from. I usually avoid physical contact, which is something I'm working on, but I also know that won't be appreciated by the guard.

"Unless the queen says otherwise." There's a heavy pause after the second guard speaks. We all saw how furious the queen was when she saw me, but I just have to hope that Vaeril wakes up and can explain what happened.

One of the guard's coughs and gestures for me to enter the cell, which I do, flinching at the sound of the door locking behind me.

"I'll get you a blanket and some food. I won't be long," the kind guard calls out, and I turn to smile at him. I'm sure I look a state, and given the sympathetic expression he's giving me, I know I'm right.

The guards turn and walk away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Suddenly, I feel claustrophobic, my chest tight as I look around the small cell. Three of the walls are made of stone and brick, and then the cell door is made of metal bars. There's a bench across the back wall and I hurry to it, climbing to stand on top so I can look out the window, gasping for fresh air. The smell of salt and the sea immediately greet my senses and help calm me.

So, I stay there, standing on my bench as I watch the sun begin to set. I should be worrying about my future, but instead my thoughts are on my injured elf.