Two elves silently made their way through the dense brush of the forest, the five year old princess of their recently attacked kingdom following close at their heels.
One of the elves, a young woman, stopped and kneeled before the girl, gently placing her hands on the crying princess’ shoulders. "Sarah, I am so sorry you had to watch that. But our parents did not give up their lives to those Atharians for no reason. They wanted you to live. Your uncle and I have found a place for you to hide out for a while, but you need to protect our people and keep your background a secret. Can you do that?"
Sarah sniffled as the elven woman lovingly fussed with the girl's hair, tucking it gently over her pointed ears so they no longer showed. "But I don’t want to, Beatrix," Sarah pleaded. "Why can’t I go into hiding like you and Uncle Ambrose?"
Ambrose knelt down beside Sarah and put his hand on her shoulder on top of Beatrix’s. "Sarah, your parents death was difficult for everyone, including your sister Beatrix. You need to stay strong and trust us. You will be safe here. The people we are leaving you with will protect you, so that you might one day return to protect your people. I know you are a little young to understand this concept, but please try to."
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Ambrose held his hand out to Sarah. She pushed his hand out of the way and looked deep into his eyes.
"Will you trust us?" Ambrose asked.
"Will I ever see you again?" Sarah questioned, a note of begging in her voice.
Ambrose sighed and stood up, brushing off dust from his knees. "You will not see me again. I must go into the magic lake once I complete this mission. But you will see your sister again. Please, Sarah," he begged, "trust us."
The little elf wiped away the tears streaming down her face and nodded resolutely. "Yes, Uncle Ambrose, I will trust you."
Ambrose smiled down at his young niece and helped Beatrix to her feet. "Good. Now, my darling Sarah, be off, and always remember that one day you will return to the home you came from. Never forget you are an elf. That is and always will be your heritage."