✧The Earthe of the Elves✧

15

I stare at her before looking away, thinking. It doesn't make that much sense, though.

"But why would they just run off when Knox came? And wouldn't throwing me in a stream kill me?"

"Not necessarily. They are probably cruel, so that may have just been their way of having fun. And they probably left because they didn't want to risk breaking their cover."

I just nod, taking in the information. I guess it makes sense.

"Ok," I finally reply. Rose seems to take that as a cue to move on.

"So I know you have a day off, I just wanted to let you know that Elanil is training some kids today and Knox is off... Doing something," she says with a dismissive wave of her hand. "So, obviously, you're free all day. Just thought I would let you know that your friends are busy today. But don't worry, all the elves here are very nice don't be shy to talk to any of them."

"Ok, thanks." I've definitely said 'okay' one too many times by now. I don't know what to say to any of this! How am I supposed to reply? I'm still at a bit of an informational overload.

Breaking free of my own thoughts I bow slightly before turning to leave, deciding to get outside where there are more people.

"Oh, and Mia," Rose calls, her voice echoing across to me. I turn.

"Yeah?"

"I wouldn't stray too far, not alone at least. It's safe here, but we can't be too careful now."

I give her a thumbs up and stride out of the throne room, thanking the guards who open the door to the wintery Saturday atmosphere for me. I take in a deep breath of cold air when I step onto the path outside the palace, immediately wrapped up in the bustle of the morning.

-

My spirits lift considerably as I walk around. I even end up playing hide and seek with a group of little elf kids; they asked me to, and, come on, I couldn't say no to a group of adorable little elves.

After a bit of walking around I eventually decide to head up. I pick a tree, any tree really- they all have stairs. It takes me a minute, but eventually I scale the steep wooden steps that seem to be carved into the ginormous tree itself, and make it to the top. I'm just below the tree line, at least a few hundred feet off the ground. It's a pretty amazing view. Below me are hammocks tied to tree branches with elves swinging and laughing in them. I also spot a few tables and chairs sitting on huge, flat-topped branches. I had nearly forgotten about the huge branches, almost as big as the smaller redwood trees back home, that stretch out horizontally from the tree's trunk, some eventually connecting to another tree. Like a walkway in the sky.

I head over to one of the walkways and start to walk across. There is plenty of room on the path, probably enough room for four people to walk side by side, but I still find myself getting a little nervous at the lack of railings. Or any support systems at all. Yet, as I look to my right and see two elf girls laughing and swinging and flipping around in the trees, I see why. I might be inclined to believe that elves are half monkey...

There aren't any houses up here, so it's more quiet than down below, which is nice. As I walk from branch to branch I still get a few stares, and I'm sure after yesterday I'll be getting even more. I even get a few elves who stop me and ask if I'm 'the halfblood everyone is talking about.' I say yes, and they all seemed nice enough. None of them tried to kill me, so I'd say I'm off to a good start with friend making, all things considered. Even though technically I haven't made any friends besides Knox and Elanil.

A strong breeze whips by so hard I take a step back, my heart lurching as my foot slips on some snow and I take a step closer to the edge of the ridged wood. I quickly make my way to the adjacent tree, which has three huge branches that extend out in three different directions, allowing for a circular, wooden platform to rest in between them. The branches above my head are bare of leaves, snow covering them in a glistening blanket.