✧The Earthe of the Elves✧

7

I give a small nod and smile to the men as I follow Knox to the doors, where another pair of guards open them for us. My heartbeat speeds up as the guards turn to stare at me as I walk, murmuring in that same language Knox was. 

Do I really stick out that much?

The minute the doors close behind us warmth spreads through me, enough to have me take off my hood and unwrap my cloak from around me. 

Inside is massive, and virtually everything is made of wood. An elegant staircase leading to a second floor to my left, a huge hallway in front of me with colorful banners and tapestries lining it. To my right is an arched doorway leading to a room with a pool filled with clear, glowing water. My gaze is drawn to everything as we walk down the hallway. Most of the doorways are just that, with no actual doors. Just an archway. The tapestries depict all kinds of scenes, from battles to picnics in trees to flowers and leaves. It's mesmerizing, but unfortunately we are through the hallway before I can really study them, through two huge double doors and into a large room with towering ceilings, a glittering jewel chandelier, and pedestals each holding small fires that flank a wide, red and gold rug leading like a red carpet down the center of the room to a raised dias. The platform has two chairs- no, scratch that. Two thrones. There is a smaller one and a big, centered one. The big one, unlike most other furniture, is not made of wood, but one large slab of white and grey marble. The smaller one is similar, but less extravagant. There is a rich purple cloth draped over the back of the large throne, and in the chair sits the prettiest woman I've ever seen.

I see where Knox gets it from. I mean- she's gorgeous.

Her thick, straight, super blonde hair goes down to her hips, and certain strips are braided in crazy patterns that all swirl together to form a bun on top of her head, letting the rest fall down in a silky curtain. Her eyes are blue, and she has to be at least 6 feet tall. She is dressed in a white dress that has sky blue ruffles all down the skirt, and long, lacy sleeves. Definitely a lot fancier than my dress. 

The crown she wears is surprisingly modest for such an extravagant home and dress. It's not tall, but a nice sized, simple one covered in shimmering diamonds. The center of the crown holds a single deep red ruby that has my eyes immediately drawn to it. The rest of the crown is just diamonds covering the silver strips that weave around each other. There is also a web of tiny silver chains that hang down, ending in a single chain holding a small, diamond-shaped jade jewel in the center of her forehead.

Part of me thinks she looks intimidating and scary as hell, but the other part of me thinks she looks regal and kind. The kind side wins when she sends Knox and I a thousand watt smile as we approach the throne.

"Welcome, Mia. We're so glad to have you."

"Thank you," I reply a little shakily. I'm not really sure how I should be talking to a Queen. She must notice, because she stands up, her dress billowing around her as she steps down to our level. Should I bow?

"Don't be nervous Mia. I'm Queen Larraeith, but please call me Rose. We're only formal to an extent here." With that, she walks up and pulls Knox into a loving hug. Even the hug is graceful. What is it with elves and being graceful all the time?

"Thank you dear. You really helped us out."

Knox gives a small nod. Queen Larraeith- Rose- backs up and looks me up down. Just like in the dress shop, this look doesn't feel mean, just.... Curious. But that makes sense. I've kinda been feeling like Alice in Wonderland recently.

Curiouser and curiouser.

"What a lovely young woman you've grown to be."

My lips part and I give her a confused look.