The little girl did not understand why the princess was so upset, but in the true self-absorption of a child with a favorite toy, she bounced away without question. "The girl just ratted us out," Brinn said in human-speak as the soldiers nearby began to rally. "Go west and meet me at the wall. I will find you and we will escape."

Aurora nodded, and Brinn used her magic to disappear. It was surprising for something in front of you to suddenly vanish, but the Empress shook off her astonishment. "Look for an opening," she ordered.

The elven soldiers were gathered around the young girl, Nena, trying to figure out what exactly she saw. One of them reeled back as something substantial landed on his head. His tall frame caved under the blow, and he hit the guard next to him with his body. The other guards were quickly alerted to the threat. "We are under attack!" One screamed.

Three more guards in sequence received blows to the tops of their heads and a sense of unease settled on the group. A light giggle came from above them in a tree. "You aren't afraid of a little she-elf are you?" Brinn appeared briefly and then disappeared again with a gust of wind. "Your heads make excellent stepping stones for getting from tree to tree." This was an experiment she had always wanted to try, and she was quite pleased with the results. Four more guards in a row grunted as they reached up to protect their heads. The red-haired elf appeared in the next tree to survey the damage of her journey. "Oh dear, I'm afraid my foot may have left a bump on your head. My apologies!"

Now that the soldiers knew their opponent, they regrouped to surround the tree. Their tactics left a gaping hole in their secure perimeter around the city. Seeing their chance, the humans slipped through it quietly with the hoods of their cloaks hiding their faces. Brinn continued to taunt the soldier elves. They had obviously been instructed to capture her but not harm her. Otherwise they could have used their magic to subdue her by force. Those tactics were not surprising; her parents were all about appearances. They wouldn't want to be thought of as parents who would harm their only daughter.

"Come down, Princess," a captain called up. "The king and queen are concerned for your safety."

"You can tell them that I am perfectly safe up here. I think I may just live here from now on." Brinn placed her hands behind her head and pretended to recline on the bough. The captain saw her relax and jumped at the tall branch to apprehend her. The red-haired elf was anticipating his move, and she shoved her heel down against the crown of his head while simultaneously vaulting herself higher in the tree.

Elves were not natural climbers, but Brinn was particularly adept at scurrying through branches like a squirrel. As the captain hit the ground rear-end first, the other soldiers scrambled to help him to his feet. It was during this exchange that Brinn elevated herself to the highest reaches of the tall maple. She was thankful for the fall fairies' visit, for now her golden skin and red hair blended into the foliage and her brown cape resembled the branches. She didn't need to make herself invisible; she already was.

"Where did she go?" the captain demanded to know. When no one could answer, he began to berate the soldiers over their incompetence.

In the heat of the excitement, one young soldier pointed off into the distance. "There! I saw movement. She's that way!" The rest of the company were too relieved to disagree and all rushed in the direction that was indicated. The world around the base of the tree quieted and Brinn climbed down at her leisure. Only a little girl with a red ball remained to see her descent.

"Nena, where are you?" A voice called again. Brinn quickly covered the girl's mouth with one hand and produced a candied apple in the other.

"Sh! Our secret." Brinn smiled sweetly. The girl nodded and took the sweet treat from the princess, skipping back toward home quietly. Brinn sighed in relief. "Whew! Now where have those humans gotten off to?"

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Aurora and the men ran full speed as soon as the soldiers were out of sight. The trees were thick, but far enough apart that running was not difficult. It was growing late in the day, and the group was tired and hungry. They eventually slowed to a measured walk, and Aurora produced some dried fruit from her cloak. "I restocked at the palace," she said. "I am glad I did." They found a small stream and drank their fill before filling up a few containers from Devrim's pack.

"What is this wall we are supposed to head toward, and how will we know when we reach it?" Nurlan asked. When entering the wall the first time, a bag had been placed on both humans' heads.

"It's this nasty little invisible fence that will toast you if you are not supposed to pass through and as for the finding it…" Devrim pulled a long thin branch off a tree and held it in front of him, "Perhaps this will alert us before we get fried."

"Ingenious as promised," someone behind them said as he clapped. "You know it is funny, but humans have the most distinct smell. As soon as you left the city, you were super easy to track." Alvar shook his head sadly as he drew his sword. "Sometimes I wish I were not so good at my job. I actually quite like you two." The elf indicated Aurora and Devrim. His lips pulled to one side as his sword drifted to the others, "I can't say the same for you. I don't even know you."

"Put down the sword and we can get to know each other over tea," Junayd suggested.

"A tempting offer, but…" Alvar was cut off as another elf entered the group.

"Let them go! I command it."

Ithel stood before them looking both dashing and determined. His voice, however, was higher than Aurora had recalled. And as he walked toward them, his gait was strange. Alvar grinned wide and his eyes twinkled. "Of course Your Highness, though I am confused as to which 'highness' I am speaking." With his free hand, Alvar stretched his arm toward Ithel and spread his fingers. Ithel winced and the disguise washed away like sand on a beach. Only a red-haired elven girl remained.

"You didn't even say goodbye this time," Alvar whined to Brinn.

"Would you have let me go?" Brinn rolled her eyes. Surely he knew that she had not planned to leave so suddenly.

"Of course not, and I cannot let you leave now." He used his magic to send a flare of colored smoke into the air. "I don't have the luxury of defying your parents," he gave a shrug.

"I have to get these people to the Fates, Alvar," Brinn said with conviction.

"And it is my duty to stop you. You know protocol. Unless you can overpower me, you have no hope…" Alvar winked.

"…You don't mean…" Brinn shuddered.

"Unfortunately I do, but could you kiss me first? And hurry!"

Brinn planted her lips against Alvar's. He wrapped her in his arms and lifted her momentarily off the ground. When she landed, he let her go. "Thank you," he said. His face was a mix of elation and longing.

"I am sorry." Brinn furrowed her brow. Before he could respond, the redhead punched him across the jaw with all her might. Alvar crumpled to the ground. The girl shook her fist from the impact. The corners of her lips turned up slightly. "That is the he-elf I am going to marry."

"…" the three men all stared as Aurora shook her head and with a grin.

"What?" Brinn could not understand their faces. In the distance the elf could hear the soft thumping of riders in the saddles of approaching unicorns. The troops that Alvar had signaled were growing near. "Let's go, the wall is up ahead!"