Alfheim

XII. A request

Timothy brought me to the stables. There we fed the horses and talked.
"I can't believe you're alive," Timothy said while staring at me. I sat down on a pile of hay. Me neither. I'm exhausted. I feel really clammy and just want to take a nice shower.
"Are you alright?" Timothy asked.
"I'm fine," I answered. "Thanks for saving me back there."
"Anything for my princess," he said with a cheeky smile.
"Why were you surprised I was alive?" I asked. Timothy looked at the horse he was feeding. "You forgot what happened?" he asked.
"Yes," I answered. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Timothy looked around. "Let's talk at my place, okay?" I nodded. I have no clue who this elf is and how Ivy is related to him, but he reminded me of one of my friends I have back home.

Timothy's place wasn't far from the stables. He brought me to a cute cottage not far from the stables hidden by some trees. When we entered the cottage everything smelled like autumn. There were golden brown leaves lying around in the hallway.
"Don't mind the mess," he said, "I haven't been here a while."
"No worries," I said while entering the living room. "You have a wonderful cottage, Timothy," I said while looking at the furniture. "You think so?"he asked while staring at me. For a moment he fell silent. Then he said: "Please, sit down. Make yourself comfortable." His cottage had a vintage style. I sat down on his leather sofa. "Ok, so I'm assuming you also don't know what happened with your parents?" I nodded. 'Then I will tell you. It started..." When Timothy was about to tell me more about Ivy, we were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. "Timothy, you and Lady Ivy are being summoned," the one at the door said. Timothy opened the door and greeted the stranger with a hug.

Later I held on to Timothy's arm as we followed the man. "I see you and Lady Ivy are getting along," the man said while smiling at Timothy.
"Father!" Timothy said while his pointy ears turned red. Aww so sweet. So that man is his father. Should I introduce myself? He probably already knows Ivy.
"What, I'm just curious. Because you and lady Ivy fought all the time," Timothy's father said. Interesting. So he and Lady Ivy weren't at good terms back in the days... So why is he nice now? When we almost arrived at the palace the two stopped talking. Timothy's father didn't enter the palace with us. Inside we followed a maid to the queen's bedroom. There the queen sat at her desk. She was writing. "I've brought them, your majesty," the maid said.
"Thank you. You may continue your work," the queen said. Then she looked at me and sighed. "Ivy, I might have been a little harsh to you..." Timothy stepped in front of me. "That's an understatement."
"Timothy, I'm glad you are very loyal to her. I was right to add you to the team."
"What are you talking about?"
"We found a clue for the prophecy," Queen Gwendolyn answered. "We don't find those very often."
"How do you know it's the real deal?" Timothy asked.
"It's indestructible," she answered. "And it's been two years since the last time we found the scroll like the other times."
"So what does it say?" Timothy asked.
"First I need you to accept my request to fulfill this prophecy."
"Why us?' I asked. "Because I can't risk my people's lives," the queen answered.
"But we are your people too!" Timothy said, clearly offended.
"Okay, I will admit that I think you both are one of the strongest," she said. "Give it some thought. Tomorrow evening we will hold a big feast at the palace and start this years' race for power. All elves invited. The king and queen of Aestas  are coming too. They've chosen their champions already. You have till to tomorrow noon to decide. As an incentive I will tell you:  if you refuse, we all will be doomed and I will make your life a living hell. Are we clear?