The humans looked at Bolemir, trying to decide exactly what he was. He looked human, albeit slightly rotund, but he obviously used magic to create a powerful portal for them to pass through.

"Thank you for your assistance," Brinn said with a bow.

"Gede insisted I help you. He can be quite persistent," Bolemir chuckled.

"Well, we were in quite a tight spot." The elf told him.

"With your own kind, I saw. What did you do this time?" It was obvious that Bolemir knew something of Brinn's escapades.

"I have stepped in it this time, I am afraid. I rescued these humans from the dungeon and branded myself a traitor." The red-haired elf looked guiltily at her host. "I hope I do not get you in trouble too."

"Brinn!" A little boy with two gossamer wings protruding from his back ran in and hugged the elf. "You made it."

"You didn't think I would?"

"Nope," the boy, Gede, answered honestly. "The odds were not in your favor."

"I always beat the odds, remember?" Brinn pinched the boy's cheek.

"Gede, you are inside! Fix your wings now please," Bolemir scolded. The boy realized his error and retracted his wings so that he looked perfectly human. "We have to put away our wings when indoors or they get caught on things," he added as an aside to the humans.

"Fairies!" Aurora was delighted. Of all the creatures she had read about, fairies were the one that she wanted to meet the most. Since Nanny had told her that she was part fairy, the Empress had wondered what the creatures really looked like. She had seen the fall fairies, but they were in their miniaturized form; now she could get a closer look.

"Fairies?!" Nurlan, who most of his life had been stoic and emotionless, nearly fell over. He owed his mother a most humble apology when he got home. He had once told her that if fairies were real, he would eat his hat. Now he would have to figure out which chapeau to munch and how he would like it cooked.

A blonde, plump female fairy came into the room with a baby on her hip. The room was now very full. The lady gave a gentle nod to her guests. "I am Prem. Perhaps we could all go to somewhere more comfortable, my husband?" She placed a hand on Bolemir's arm. He looked at her as if she hung the stars in the sky.

"Of course, my love, how rude of me! Please follow me." Bolemir and Prem led the way through to a much larger den. It had leafy couches, a table made of branches, and the same characteristic knotty wooden walls.

'Fairies have nature magic. Perhaps that is why they like this rustic motif.' Aurora thought. The company made themselves comfortable on the leafy green couches, which were soft as feathers. Everyone introduced themselves, and Prem brought the famished guests some refreshments. The baby, named Niko, crawled into Aurora's lap and lay down to sleep, giving the Empress a supreme sense of pleasure.

Brinn laid out the order of events of the recent days for the fairies. The elf was so self-depreciating in the tale of their rescue that Aurora kept interrupting to sing her praises. This pleased Bolemir, and the human woman rose in his estimation every moment. Gede laid himself out on a moss rug with his chin resting in his hands. The young fairy hung on Brinn's every word. When she was finished, the adult fairies nodded thoughtfully as they exchanged glances.

"For such long-living creatures, the elves can sometimes be short-sighted," Prem said sadly.

"But…Don't you do things to serve them?" Devrim had heard the royals say as much the day before.

Bolemir chuckled, "We work with them, not for them. We deliver messages and exchange information as it is mutually beneficial." His face became serious. "Though we may have to revisit that arrangement after this incident."

Brinn did not object, and Aurora followed her example. Perhaps it would make the elves rethink their treatment of others. She only hoped that she had not started a war.

"Thank you again for your assistance." Aurora said. "We hope we have not caused you too much trouble."

"I am just glad you were there when I opened the portal. It is always risky when you are not positive who or what will be on the other side." Bolemir responded. "I have had some surprises over years."

"How did you know we would be there?" Junayd asked, speaking for the first time since they arrived.

"Brinn sent a message ball to the house this morning!" Gede perked up as he spoke. "I caught it, and I knew we had to save you!"

Gede's father nodded. "Brinn gave us the location and time. You are very lucky, Princess. That is the very edge of my range from here." Bolemir looked concerned. He had not been sure he could do it.

Brinn turned to the humans to explain. "Fairies can only teleport short distances, about as far as you can see on completely flat ground. And they cannot teleport through the elven wall, so I knew we had to get out."

"Then we are not far from the elves' land," Nurlan concluded.

"I am afraid not, and they will come looking for you. We recommend you stay hidden for now. You are welcome to stay with us as long as you like," Prem graciously offered her home.

Gede jumped up and took his mother's hand. "Can the men stay in my room? PLEASE??"

Prem tousled the boy's thick blonde hair. "That is up to the men, not me."

Gede turned his pleading gaze on the human men, who were unaccustomed to such tactics.

"Fine by me." Devrim agreed

"Sounds fun!" Junayd gave a thumbs up and a cheesy grin.

"Anything is better than a stinky jail cell," Nurlan said. After he was elbowed by Junayd he added, "Thank you for the offer."

Gede was so excited that in the blink of an eye, he shrunk to his tiny fairy size and then returned to full size. "SLEEPOVER!" He screamed!

Prem quieted her son. To the visitors she said, "I will get you some fresh clothes and prepare a place for you."

Boremir nodded and took each of them by the hand in turn. "Now weary travelers, you are safe. Take heart!"

————————

Brinn and Aurora lay on the large leafy bed of the guest room in the fairies' home. Prem had provided two of her gauzy nightdresses for them to wear, and each of the thin girls looked awkward in the plump fairy's garments. But they did not complain. Instead they felt a strange sense of peace.

"Bolemir and Prem seem nice," Aurora commented as they settled down to sleep.

"Mhmm." Brinn agreed.

"And Gede is so sweet! He really thinks a lot of you."

Brinn smiled at the mention of the child's name. "He is pretty special. That boy would do anything to help anyone and he is super smart. Gede can gauge the odds of almost anything and be right…except when it comes to me," she added proudly.

"Did you see the way baby Niko went right to sleep in my lap? It was the highlight of my day." Aurora paused and tried to formulate her thought. "How do you know these fairies so well? Not to be rude, but the elves seem too proud to intermingle with the other magical folk."

Brinn sighed. She knew what her friend meant. "Elves are high-Fey. They think of themselves as only less in power than the Fates. I obviously do not share that sentiment, and these fairies are part of the reason. I ran away a lot as a child—shocking I know— and once I got hopelessly lost. Bolemir found me and kept me safe until the soldiers came to take me home. He was very comforting. That was the beginning of the cooperation between the elves and fairies.

The next time I ran off, I intentionally went to find him. After that, whenever I was hurt or upset, I would come to Bolemir, and he would cheer me up. He taught me the value of kindness. I was present (albeit invisible) at his wedding, and I have known his children since they were born. Prem treats me like her own, too. They are my 'chosen-family', just like you and that Devrim-boy."

"What do you mean?" Aurora was glad that it was dark because she could feel her face burning.

"He chose you. Knowing the risks, he still accepts all of you unconditionally. That is what real family does. Bolemir taught me that."

Aurora liked the idea of 'chosen family'. Her given one had been less than ideal. "I accept you, Brinn. Does that make us family?"

"I would not put my neck on the line for just anyone."

"I have always wanted a big sister," the Empress sighed happily.

'Wait until I get bossy,' Brinn thought with a smirk. But she said nothing and allowed the girl to fall into a restful sleep.