"I can explain…" Aurora spoke quickly. "I am sorry that you were deceived. We do not know who are friends and foes in the land of magic. We did not mean harm or offense."

"We shall let the matter pass for now," the King said magnanimously, "and hope in time this insult will be remedied."

Aurora was relieved. The tension in the room lightened. Queen Lanassa spoke next, "How have you found your accommodations? Do they meet with the standard of your palace?"

"They are quite wonderful," Aurora answered candidly.

"And have you found the elven people…inviting? I believe Prince Ithel and Lord Alvar personally attended you last night." Zoltan motioned to the prince on his right.

"Everyone has been most kind," Devrim answered.

"I was told you were rescued from the gnomes by an elf yesterday," Lanassa added.

Aurora looked toward Brinn, but the elf was staring ahead stoically. Except for the outburst at Aurora's title, she had been still as a stone. "Brinn saved us, Your Majesties. We owe her a great debt."

Now the king and queen smiled. The king said, "As you say, you owe a debt. And yet I am told you would like even more help."

The Empress swallowed hard. "We are on a mission to see the Fates. I need help to find them."

The king nodded as if he expected this. "I have a solution. It will pay both your debts: the one you have incurred by being saved and the one you will incur by being escorted safely to the Fates."

"You want payment?" Devrim was not shocked. He knew that the elves must have a hidden agenda. It was better that it came to light sooner rather than later.

"We require payment of all our guests and allies. The nymphs give us information and occasionally help our crops. The fairies deliver us news from afar and make deliveries for us. Even the unicorns give up some of their young for us to raise and ride. Unfortunately, you humans cannot offer much beyond your manual labor. But you do have one thing we would like from you: creativity." Zoltan opened his arms proudly.

"You want…our creativity?" Aurora was confused. Her brow furrowed.

Queen Lanassa nodded in assent. "Ingenuity, inventiveness, imagination: call it whatever you like. Elves are not born with a sense of how to make something new out of nothing. That and love are what set apart humanity from all other beings. We would like to cultivate that advantage."

"But…how?" Devrim was afraid to know.

"A union." The King said simply.

"I cannot marry an elf…" Devrim began.

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"Not you!" The queen almost laughed. "Of course we mean the Empress."

"If you know I am the Empress, then you must know I am married to this man right here." She grabbed Devrim's hand.

The king narrowed his gaze. "We assumed after your last deception that you would not try it again. I can see we were wrong. You humans may change your records to suit your purpose, but we have our own history-keepers. We know your real age and that you are unmarried. Your children are not yours. Brinn assures us that you and the 'Emperor Consort' are not intimate."

Brinn cried out in indignation. "You may not speak from the wall. You know protocol," the queen scolded.

Aurora was at a loss for words. The king tried to reassure her, "You will be well taken care of. Your offspring will be a new breed of elf. It is an honor to be selected. And so that you will not think we are taking advantage of you, we will offer you the best husband that the elven kingdom has. Ithel has volunteered to fulfill this role."

Devrim's face grew red with anger, though he was unsure whether he should direct it toward the monarchs or the prince. Whose idea had this been? "That is ridiculous!" Someone voiced the man's thought. He looked over to see Brinn was also fuming.

The ever-patient queen smiled coolly toward the elf. "If you want to speak, you must take your proper place," she said. Brinn stomped over to the empty throne and plopped down into it dramatically. She adjusted the silver circlet on her head.

"Are you satisfied?" she asked sarcastically. The king and queen smiled tolerantly, and so Brinn began again. "As I was saying: that is ridiculous! Ithel is far from the best that the elves have to offer. (Sorry, brother, but you know it is true.) You cannot force the Empress to marry. Mother, I would think you of all people would be opposed to such an arrangement," Brinn said meaningfully. The composed demeanor of Lanassa broke for a moment as she bristled at the princess's words.

"You will not speak to me in such a manner!" the queen boomed. She remembered her audience too late. Collecting her thoughts, she added calmly, "And no one is forcing Empress Aurora to do anything. The decision is completely hers." Lanassa looked down at Aurora from her elevated throne. "You will have until tomorrow to give us your answer. Perhaps you can spend time with Ithel to see the advantage of such an arrangement."

The monarchs and Ithel exited quietly as Brinn refused to follow. Instead she came down the steps to the humans and motioned for them to follow her out. When they had reached the main hall, Brinn screamed in frustration. "I promise I did not know that they would do this. When mother wanted to chat yesterday, I foolishly assumed she actually wanted to talk. She was just pumping me for information. Ugh, I am an idiot! Please know I tried to steer you clear of this place. Nothing good happens around here." Brinn finally stopped to take a breath.

Aurora also took a deep breath. "I believe you." She accepted the elf's words. "But can we backtrack for a second. Are you a princess?"

Brinn blushed slightly. It was strange to see her embarrassed. "In name only. I keep trying to deny my title. I will never inherit the throne or anything, and I hate the lifestyle they lead. I hope you will not think less of me."

Together the three walked toward an outer garden where it was more secluded. "Are you kidding? If I could have found a way to get out of being Empress, I would have done it in a heartbeat." Aurora told her.

Brinn chuckled, "Ah, that's right! I never would have pegged you for an Empress. Hoity-toity noble lady? Sure! But not THE Empress."

Aurora was not sure if she should be flattered or offended. She chose not to react at all. "If you did not know, how did they find out who we were?" Devrim asked.

"No idea," Brinn answered, "but elves have many avenues of information. Did anyone else know you were here who could tell them?"

"I do not think so," Aurora said. They all paused to think. There was a collective sigh. "I cannot marry your brother," the Empress spoke at last.

Brinn scoffed, "No one should marry him! Ever! Ithel is the favored child. He gets what he wants and in return does whatever mother and father ask. But they have gone too far. I will do what I can to help."

"Thank you," the humans said together.

"Do not worry. I will find a way for you to repay me. That is how we elves work, after all." Brinn was only half joking. She gave a lopsided smile.

"I hope your price is more reasonable than the alternative." Aurora said seriously. "What do you require?"

"For starters, I would like an actual friend…not just someone who is nice to me because of my position." Brinn rolled her eyes upward. She pushed boundaries constantly, and no one said anything because she was the princess. It was frustrating and lonely.

"I have no problem being mean to you." Devrim said with a grin. Aurora pushed him away.

"That is a boon and not a payment. I need a friend as well." Aurora jerked her finger to the man. "Other than this fool, I have no friend at all. Only servants and advisors."

"It is settled then," Brinn said with more than a little relief. "As your friend, I advise you to play along with my parents' crazy scheme for now. Buy some time and do not let them pin you down for an answer. Whatever you do, do not make them angry. Humor Ithel, but see if you can change his mind. If he does not consent, perhaps this plan will fall apart on its own."

Aurora nodded. It was a lot of information, but she thought that she could handle it. Devrim made a low whistle. "Do not look now, but your future husband is coming."

Aurora turned and could see Ithel coming her way. "That is not funny," she said to Devrim, only to realize that both he and Brinn had disappeared somewhere into the garden. She was alone. Aurora gave a wry smile. 'With friends like this, who needs enemies?'