Wishing Well

Chapter IV

Emaline blinked. She didn't know what to think, but instincts took over and she waved hi with a smile.

Theon had the same greenish tint to his skin like Emaline did, he had horns that were a brown and his hair was a dark green. He had golden markings that looked like tattoos on his face and arms. He was wearing the same brown leather as everyone else, except he was wearing a couple gold accessories like a circlet on the top of his head and a ring on both of his middle fingers.

"And unfortunately for you, you've already met him." Demala continued like Emaline was just supposed to deal with having another brother. Emaline's attention was drawn to an approaching Devdad.

"The Castle guards are drawing near, we need to leave now." He said seriously.

"Oh....you too scared of them?" Emaline teased.

Devdad rolled his eyes then glared. "You know you don't look human anymore right? They won't know your Emaline, and they'll slaughter us all, looking for you."

Emaline clenched her mouth shut. She really hadn't thought about her new appearance and how it affected everything so much.....

Demala nodded. She stuck two out of three of her dark grey fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly. The rest of the elves came out of their tents and gathered around the campfire.

"We leave in ten dalkin." Demala said, and with that the elves begin tearing down their tents.

Emaline had no idea what dalkin were, so she just followed Demala. She also figured that she would help her because Demala's tent was the biggest tent they had. The rest of them seemed to only be large enough for one person or elf to sleep in them, and not even move around while Demala's was large enough for probably all of them.

Emaline figured it was because Demala was probably the head of the group, and if they needed to hold a meeting while it was raining or storming then they would have a place to do so.

Demala held her hand out to stop Emaline. "I got my tent, just hang out and be quiet. Oh, and keep watch."

Emaline did as she was told and stood there, scanning the woods for any movement.

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The queens eyes slowly opened, it was getting harder every day for her to do so. She wanted to meet her daughter before her passing...that's why she had sent the group when she did. The queen slowly sat up as one of her handmaidens rushed to her side.

"Ma'am, your breakfast will be here shortly." The handmaiden said, arranging the pillows to support the queen. "But for now here is you morning drink." She picked up a cup that had been placed on the bedside table.

"Thank you." The queen said, taking the drink.

She sat there, sipping on her drink like it was any normal day.
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"We're ready!! Let's head out!" Demala said, and the thirteen elves got in a single file line with Demala and Emaline in the front and Devdad in the back. They walked for a couple hours, until dawn.  They walked through the forest before reaching a river, that on the side that we were standing on had a brick platform and arch. It would be a beautiful place for a wedding, with the river and mountains in the background.

"I didn't know this was here," Emaline said.

"That's because on human maps, it isn't, this is where we cross into Elvin territory, its hidden by magic, and only elves can see it." Demala said, reaching down and placing her hands on one of the bricks. Each of the other elves did the same, but Emaline once again just sat there; useless.

The bricks the elves had put their hands on started to move. The bricks moved over the river to create a bridge. Halfway over, it met with more bricks so that the bridge was long enough to cross the river.

"And only elves can enter," Demala continued. She stood and started to walk over. Emaline followed her across the river, careful not to trip because the path was only two bricks wide. Around halfway across Emalines right foot slipped and Emaline found herself nearing the river. But the girl Demala called Asena, grabbed onto Emalines arm and pulled her back up.

"Try keeping your balance it'll help." The girl said smiling.

Once everyone had crossed, the bricks moved back to where they originally were.
Demala took a small sip of water or whatever was in the canteen, then handed it to Emaline.

Emaline looked at the canteen suspiciously. She then decided it was better to be poisoned than to die of being thirsty.
It tastes sweet like wine but it also tasted like nothing, like water.

Emaline handed the canteen back to Demala, and they all got back onto the trail. They were in a small village when it was midday.
Now that they were closer, Emaline could see a palace in the distance. But it was far away. Maybe a weeks journey, that was her guess though, she wasn't the best when it came to traveling. But it looked beautiful from what she could tell. She couldn't see the top of it though, because it was covered in clouds.

"That's where we're headed," Demala said, noticing Emaline staring at the palace.
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She got dressed slowly, barely able to move, and she went and waited by her window. When she had sent the troops out, she had told the leader of the troop to send her a message or a sign of some sort when they found her daughter.

To her surprise, a bird was heading her way it landed on the windowsill and sat down. It took the Queen a few moments to realize the note tied to its leg.

She took it off and read it, then stared out in the distance and smiled. Her long lost daughter was on the way.
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Emaline then looked behind her back at her home, or what she thought was her home. This would be her first birthday she wouldn't spend at home. At least tomorrow would be. Tomorrow she would turn sixteen.

"We aren't stopping here." Branka told Emaline. "We still got a long journey ahead if we want to reach the palace by tomorrow."

"We have to reach there?" Emaline pointed to the castle as she started to walk. "By tomorrow!?!"

"Yup. Otherwise you get kicked out of all elvin rights." Branka said, smiling.

Emaline ran up to Demala and asked her if that was true.

"Unfortunately, yes it is. But now that we are in Elvin territory there is no harm in using magic." Demala said stopping.

"But I thought you said that magic was really bad?" Emaline asked.

Demala let out a small chuckle. "That's Demon magic, not all magic is bad."

Emaline nodded slowly.

"Everyone has one of these." Demala pulled out a small berry. "Mix it with this." She held up her canteen. "And it will take you anywhere you want."

"Where do I get one of those though?" Emaline asked.

"Why do you think we walked to this village instead of just using it right away?" Branka said. "Because we needed to get you one." She added when Emaline didn't answer.

"Branka, you and Asena get the woodberry. Fenrys and Dev, get the juice." Demala said.

"And the rest of us?" Theon asked.

"None of us have the energy to teleport right now, because we just crossed the bridge, so we need to get some rest. When you have retrieved the items, meet us outside the forest where we will set up camp." Demala answered and with that the group dispersed and went on their way.