Aurora was scanning the grounds of the garden as Ithel approached. "Your Majesty," he said with a bow. "The guards and I have been looking for you everywhere. I am pleased that you are safe." He notice the Empress was staring past him. "Are you looking for something?"

"Prince Ithel," Aurora curtsied. "Forgive me. I was just looking for Princess Brinn and Devrim."

"I saw my sister grab the man and pull him into those bushes. I think they mean to spy on us." Ithel pointed to a group of bushes a short way off. His voice was playful.

"Do not flatter yourself," Brinn called from the shrubs. We are berry picking." There was movement and both Devrim and Brinn emerged from the greenery. There were leaves sticking out of Brinn's bright red hair.

"Berry picking? That is the new term for spying, is it?" Ithel was clearly amused.

Brinn had no response. She motioned for Devrim to follow, and she stormed off through the garden. "You and your sister do not seem to be on the best terms." Aurora observed.

"We get along about as well as siblings do, I believe." Ithel saw no problem with their relationship.

"I know a brother and sister that are so close that sometimes I believe they read each other's thoughts. Having a sibling is a blessing." Aurora thought about Mairwen and Alaron. They were nearly inseparable.

"That is very special. Perhaps human love drives people to such closeness." Ithel said pragmatically.

"Your father mentioned that love is something that sets humanity apart. Do you not feel love?" The Empress's asked.

"It is said that you humans are like candles in the night. You flicker brightly and briefly. Your emotions are strong and intense. I can say that I feel affection and amusement, but I cannot say that I feel love and joy. To experience such things must be exhausting, no?" Ithel was curious.

"Exhausting but wonderful. Even the darker emotions are useful in giving added meaning to the good. I would not know the true meaning of joy had I not experienced at least some despair." Aurora smiled.

"How poetic! I do love to learn something new. I feel there is much you could teach me, young as you are." The prince said. "Please have lunch with me. I would like to spend time with you."

Aurora hesitated, but then she remembered Brinn's words. Perhaps she could convince Ithel to refuse the marriage. "I would enjoy that," she told him.

Further in the garden a table and meal were already prepared. Aurora could not help but wonder how much magic was used in the preparations. Ithel pulled out a chair for the girl to be seated. He sat down next to her. Servants appeared and filled their plates. Some of these servants were clearly not elves.

"You have a wide variety of staff at your palace," the Empress remarked.

Ithel furrowed his brow, "I suppose so. Those who can pay their debt no other way provide manual labor for a time. It is only fair when the elves render a service," he said as if talking about the weather and not forced servitude.

"Are there any humans in your service?" The Empress asked casually, trying to hide the disgust she felt. Creating slaves of those who you claim to help was beyond her comprehension. One of her first acts as Empress was to allow the innocent captives of war to go home and to set her slaves free. Those who worked for her were paid. It was expensive, but it had created a loyalty that nothing else would have.

Ithel thought about her question, "I suppose I have seen a human or two around the palace. Do not worry, as my wife you would never be subjected to menial labor."

"About that, can I ask you some questions without offending you?" Aurora was hopeful.

"Of course," Ithel gladly agreed.

"You said I was young. Indeed I am not yet seventeen. How old are you?"

"I am two hundred eleven."

"And our difference in ages doesn't…bother you?"

"Elves age differently. We remain small children for much longer. Even my younger sister Brinn may yet have some growing to do. If I were a human, I would be only twenty-one." Ithel explained.

Aurora held up a finger as if remembering something. "That's another thing. You live like a thousand years, right?" When the prince nodded, she continued. "I at best will live to only a fraction of that. I will age and die. And you will not yet be thirty in human years."

"That is true," Ithel agreed. "After you die, I will take an elven wife, and the child from that union will someday be king or queen."

"Our child would not rule?"

The prince shook his head, "Only a full elf can rule. Our child would be highly valued, but not the heir. Our second born could be ruler of your world, if you like," Ithel said as of it was a big concession.

Aurora had to fight the churning in her stomach. This whole arrangement was just unfathomable, but she had to keep calm. "You bring up an excellent point. I am the ruler of the human world. I need to return to it."

Ithel gave a broad smile. "I will gladly return with you. Elves can shapeshift and so I can appear to look like Devrim. It is easily done. I actually would like a chance to learn from your human libraries." The excitement was evident in his eyes.

'This is not working at all,' Aurora thought, dismayed. "What would you say if I told you I was in love with someone else?"

"You can love anyone you like," Ithel said, not understanding her meaning.

The Empress pressed her hands to her temples. "What if I wanted to marry him instead of you?"

Ithel's mouth puckered as he thought. "That would be a problem. I am told love is important to humans. I suppose if that were true, my parents would simply eliminate the threat so that we could be together." He put a comforting hand on Aurora's.

A chill went down Aurora's spine. She knew that this would probably be his answer, but hearing him say it so carelessly was terrifying. She could not let them 'eliminate' Devrim or anyone else she loved. "I appreciate your honest answers," she said. "They've been enlightening."

Ithel was pleased. He took a last bite of a delicious, sweet, foam-covered dessert as he stood. "Please allow me to show you my kingdom." The prince held out his hand. The Empress, who had eaten very little, was relieved to move from the table. Taking his hand, she was led outside to a pair of dazzling unicorns. Then they were off.