The Elven Princess

The Journey

    Raella rode along quietly beside her mother trying to puzzle out what her mother had eluded to, she wasn't aware of anything happening. She blew out a soft breathe between her lips and decided to put it out of her head for the time being. She rode along beside her mother gazing around her surroundings observing the beautiful forest they currently rode through. As they continued they saw a wide open field in front of them and Raella felt Marievy start to get antsy at the sight in front of them. They continued riding across the field towards a forest they could see in the far distance in front of them. The journey took about a day before they reached the forest in front of them. Reaching the tree line just as darkness fell queen Emmera raised her voice and spoke to the entire party they rode with "Call the dragons down Demir; we'll make camp here for the night before continuing on at first light, it's imperative we reach our destination by night fall tomorrow. We'll be expected." The guard Emmera gave the order to walked to the end of the tree line and let out a loud whistle calling the dragons down to the ground. 

    Raella spoke up as the company dismounted and handed their horses off to a steward to be untacked and fed "Mother, where ARE we going exactly? I wasn't aware of any state tours." A shuffling was heard as the dragons touched to the ground and both women approached them to look them over, "Well, there is a tradition that we don't speak much of, it is sacred and time honored. I can't say much, but I can tell you that you will be changed at the end of our journey." Emmera stated softly while humming and stroking her dragons head. A guard walked over to let her know the horses were settled in and they were starting a fire. "Go into the forest and hunt at least one deer and a few rabbits, we brought enough fresh vegetables with us to not need those, Raella and I will start preparing them." Emmera ordered him before turning towards the fire with Raella at her side to start preparing the vegetables. They chopped an assortment of vegetables and put them in a pot by the fire. 

    An hour passed before three guards returned, one carried a string with 6 rabbits tied to it while the other two carried a sizeable buck who's meat would feed the entire party with a generous amount left over. They set all the meat down and carefully started to skin everything taking care to gut the creatures as they worked. Once everything was skinned they wrapped the skins in a piece of lambskin to be brought home and lifted the deer over the fire. One guard put the rabbits in a bucket and carried them to the Queen and the princess who sat quietly watching everyone work. "Here are the rabbits your Majesty, your Highness, we took the liberty of skinning and gutting them, but we saved the hearts and livers of all the creatures. We know they're treats for the dragons." he stated respectfully. The queen nodded "Make sure you put the vegetables on the fire as well, we'll go feed Brigd and Glan." the guard nodded and passed the queen the bucket before returning to the fire and putting the vegetables on the fire as well. 

    Sometime later the dragons had been fed the rabbits, their treats remained in the bucket for the time being. Everyone was seated around the fire getting ready to enjoy the meal that was just finished cooking, the Queen stood first and a guard cut off a generous bit of the deer meat for her before scooping some vegetables onto her plate as well; the Princess went next and was given the same meal. They both sat down and started eating as the rest of the company mirrored their actions, getting their food and sitting down to eat. Dinner was enjoyed quietly, with the remaining meat being safely packed away for the mornings meal. Two guards set up a tent and sleeping rolls for the Queen and the Princess to sleep in while the rest set their rolls around the tent to guard the tent while the two women slept. The dragons curled up just outside the tree line to protect the monarchs from that direction. 

    When morning came the entire company enjoyed their breakfast before the guards packed up the camp and saddled the horses. The Queen and the princess went to the tree line and fed the dragons the animal hearts and livers that were saved for them from the night before. "Fly high my sweets, watch and protect us from the sky, we'll be at our destination later today." the Queen told both dragons sweetly, they listened obediently as hot air was blown by the dragons lifting off and slowly flying forward just above the tree line. The Queen and the princess went to their horses and mounted them as the last of their guards mounted their horses as well. As one the party rode forward with a few guards in front of the queen and the dragons flying above. They continued rode for the day only stopping to water the horses and give them a break before continuing on. As the day went on an air of excitement and expectation came over everyone, they all knew they were going to be somewhere very important soon, even if only the Queen and the dragons knew where they were going and why. 

    As sunset came the Queen and her entourage emerged from the forest to see a sandy cliff ahead of them. The air was tangy with salt water and the sea could be heard rushing far below the cliff, the horses shook themselves gently enjoying the feel of the air as everyone got a good look around. Most had never seen the shore before aside from the Queen and her personal guard so everyone was looking around in wonder. After a few moments they turned as a whole and rode along the cliff and down onto the beach before reaching an area that to Raella's wonder had green grass growing despite being so close to the sea, the dragons landed and walked towards the grass making excited chuffing noises. The air was noticeably thick with power and the grassy area ahead of them shimmered with an otherworldly effect; the Queen looked to her daughter with a soft smile "We're here darling." she stated before nodding to the oddly shimmery area.