Towering over her was a tree.

At least, it looked like a tree.

Had it not been standing directly behind her, taking up the space through which she had just run, she would have thought nothing of it.

Instead, Claire was beginning to wonder if perhaps hit her head a lot harder than she initially thought.

This situation was strange, even for this place.

Taking a step back, Claire tilted her head back, trying to get a better look at the large conifer that seemed just slightly out of place amongst its brethren, though she couldn't have told you why she thought that.

As she did, the needles seemed to vibrate resulting in a soft, rain like whooshing that sounded to Claire like a soft sigh. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought the tree was breathing.

Which, of course, was impossible.

Trees didn't breathe.

Right?

It was just the wind, Claire concluded, had to be the wind. Claire ignored the fact that she hadn't felt this breeze, that was unimportant when her sanity was in question.

Another step back was taken, followed by another, and then another. Claire's initial goal was to put some distance between her and the supposed tree. She would decide what to do next when she was certain the tree was just what it seemed -- a tree.

Each step she took was slow and careful, not wanting to trip over some unseen root or rock. She was unwilling to take her eyes off the evergreen. Each step she took seemed to result in another, vibrating sigh like response from the tree itself. Aside from the strange breathing, however, it never seemed to act in a manner Claire deemed unusual.

Once she was satisfied she had put enough space between herself and the tree, Claire stopped and crossed her arms over her chest. She felt silly, but she had spent enough time in this strange, unpredictable world that she also felt justified in her new found sense of caution.

If it turned out to be just a tree, well, she alone would be witness to her paranoia-driven foolishness. If it turned out to be something else, then Claire would not be caught unawares.

Or so she thought.

Nothing could have quite prepared her for what happened next.

The tree moved.

It started as a shuffle which Claire quickly realized was really a strange, uneven gait that resulted from twisting, gnarled roots that took the place of feet. The pine needles began to vibrate, faster and faster as the tree hobbled closer.

Claire hurried back a few steps and felt the heel of her boot catch in dip in the terrain. She landed hard on her backside, the impact with the hard ground was jarring. She couldn't help but stare in wide eyed awe as the tree drew closer, the vibrating pine needles beginning to fall away and the gnarled roots and rough bark merging into what Claire could only describe as arms and legs.

By the time it reached where she had fallen, towering over her, the tree was no longer a tree, but a humanoid creature of some sort. Its brownish gray skin still bore the telltale signs of bark, and the hair spilling from its large head was a vivid green and reminded Claire of moss. The eyes, which were dark as the night sky, but bright as though illuminated with the light of thousands of stars, were its most striking feature.

They were large and wide and filled with what Claire realized was curiosity.

The creature regarded her a moment, its large head tilting one way and then the other before it reached towards her. Claire choked back a cry of alarm which caused the creature to jerk its reaching arm back.

She saw its expression shift to one of fear, those clear, brilliant eyes growing cloudy. It was in that moment that Claire realized the creature, whatever it was, meant her no harm. It seemed to be just as afraid and curious of her as she was of it.

Taking a deep breath, Claire offered the creature a smile and reached towards it.

The creature hesitated, regarding her with obvious trepidation. She turned her palm up and spread her fingers wide. "It's okay," she said softly. "I was just startled. I won't hurt you."

The cautious expression faded at last and the creature reached out again. A hand began to form from a twisting array of roots and vines, mimicking fingers which came into contact with her own moments later. Claire was surprised to find warmth in the creature's rough touch, a welcomed warmth in light of the cold of the forest.

"It's nice to meet you," she said, not sure if it could understand her or not. "My name is Claire."

It watched her and said nothing, the vines in its hand seeming to shift continually, pulsating against her palm.

With her free hand she tried again, pointing to herself as though she were Jane and the creature standing before her was Tarzan. "Claire." She said again and then pointed towards the creature.

It stared at her for some time and Claire was certain that it simply did not understand.

"Rin," it said at last, its voice gravelly.

"Rin?" she repeated, pointing at it.

"Air," it said, pointing at her. Claire couldn't help but laugh and nod.

Her laugh prompted the creature to smile, the shift in its expression resulting in a soft creaking sound as its rough, bark-like face accommodated the display of happiness.

"Rin, I am looking for my friends," she said slowly, unsure of just how much the creature could understand. "Do you think you can help?" Rin watched her for a moment, and then wordlessly reached down as though to pluck her from the ground.

Its arms, which were comprised of the same, thin branches and thick vines, wound around her and lifted her up before she could even think to protest. Rin proceed to place her back on her feet and then turned, exposing its moss covered back to her. With that same soft creaking sound, Rin knelt and then went still.

"Air, ride," Rin said.

It didn't take long for Claire to realized that Rin wanted her to ride on its back. Was it possible that it knew where Alek and Draz were? Did Rin intend to take her to them? She supposed if it wanted to simply eat her, it wouldn't go through all of this trouble. Taking a deep breath she climbed onto the creature's back, the occasional branch or vine rising to aid her.

Once she was in place, a seat of sorts was crafted as Rin slowly rose to full height.

"Hold, Air," Rin grunted, its arms twisting backwards to encircle her and keep her secure before it sprinted forward into the trees. Claire let out a shriek of surprise, ducking close to Rin as branches went flying by. Rin never slowed and as Claire peeked over its broad shoulder, she swore it never altered its path. It was as though any tree that was in its way seemed to move to avoid being run over.

After a few minutes, Rin slowed and finally came to a stop at the base of a ravine. At the top of the ravine was a cave whose dark opening lined with jagged, broken rocks reminding Claire of a gaping maw ready to swallow her whole.

She looked around, searching for some sign of Alek or Draz, but saw nothing to indicate that they were there, or had ever been there.

"Rin, where have you taken me?" Claire asked, a sense of hopelessness welling within her chest. How was she supposed to find them now? Who knew how far from the wreckage Rin had taken her.

"Rin home," Rin declared, sounding proud.

"No," Claire choked out at last, her frustration getting the better of her. She knew it wasn't really Rin's fault, but she couldn't help but feel angry. "No, Rin, Air needs to find her friends."

Rin grunted in response, but didn't seem to care about her distress as it carried her up the steep slope towards the cave entrance. They were nearly there when Rin suddenly stopped, its body twisting as its gaze swept the forest behind them. Without warning, the vines and branches holding Claire in place, suddenly retracted causing her to tumble downward. She landed hard on her back and lay there a moment trying to catch her breath.

Somewhere above her, a low hissing sound erupted from Rin who seemed to be growing larger with each passing moment, wood creaking and groaning in the process. It wasn't until Claire staggered to her feet that she caught sight of what had caused Rin to get so upset.

"Alek! Draz!"

While they certainly looked as though they had seen better days, they also looked to be in one piece. Draz was perched casually on the low hanging branch of a pine tree, a flickering ball of flame bouncing between his fingers, no doubt the primary source of Rin's distress. Alek stood at the bottom of the slope, arms crossed, his expression passive as ever.

Despite his calm demeanor, the relief in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Seems like you've made a new friend," Alek called up to her, which prompted Claire to look towards Rin.

"It would certainly seem that way wouldn't it?" Claire agreed. "Are you okay?"

"Would you be surprised if I told you that wasn't the first time I've crashed a hot air balloon?" Alek replied, slow, casual steps carrying him closer.

"No," Claire replied, unable to keep from smiling.

"Are you alright, Claire?" Alek asked, his tone growing softer, more serious.

"Yes," she replied, glancing sideways at Rin. "I was stuck in a tree, the cards helped me get down. I found Rin while I was looking for you."

"Rin? You named it?" Alek asked, sounding a bit bemused.

"No," Claire protested. "It told me its name."

"It spoke? Forest guardians aren't known for their great conversational skills, or talkative natures," Alek smirked. "You really are full of surprises, Claire."

"Is that what you are?" Claire asked, glancing towards Rin who was watching every move Alek made with an unmistakable air of suspicion. "A forest guardian?"

"Rin," the creature grunted.

"I imagine he's not too pleased with us for crashing into his trees," Alek continued. "Can't say I blame him. We made quite a ruckus."

Rin let out a low growl as Alek came within a few feet of where they stood. Claire felt the ground vibrating beneath her feet and looked down to see small pebbles and stones skipping about in response. This gave Alek pause and Claire reached up to touch what she presumed was Rin's arm. The creature fell silent and looked down at her.

"Friend," she said. She pointed at him. "Rin, friend."

"Friend," the creature repeated.

"Alek," she motioned to Alek. "Alek, friend."

Rin looked towards Alek and grunted. "Air, friend," he seemed to grumble before turning and shuffling towards the cave once more. Alek remained still until Rin had disappeared from sight. Once he was certain the creature wasn't coming back out, he rushed over and pulled Claire into a tight hug.

"Are you sure you're alright? Your head is bleeding," Alek said quietly.

"Yes, Alek, I'm fine," Claire assured him. "I was worried I would never see you again."

"Stupid girl," Alek murmured, placing a soft kiss against her forehead. "Didn't I promise I'd always come for you?"

"I hate to break up the moment," Draz called as he dropped out of the tree. "But we have company."

Alek and Claire both turned just as the forest came alive with activity. Men and women came pouring out of the trees to surround the trio, pointing all manner of weapons at them from swords and spears, to arrows nocked and ready to fly.

"Who are they?" Claire whispered as she took stock of the new arrivals. They were tall, slender and pale as the snow that covered the ground. Their hair was black as midnight and drawn back in thick braids while their eyes seemed to burn like embers.

It was the ears, however, that made them truly stand out. They were long, narrowing at the ends to sharp points which then curve back behind their heads. They were decorated with bands of silver, gold and all manner of gemstones.

From the bands hung long, delicate chains.

"Winter Fae," Alek replied grimly, "and they don't look happy to see us."