The hour slipped by, the rhythmic creak of the carriage wheels blending with the muted sounds of the forest beyond. The road wound through an endless expanse of rocky terrain, jagged peaks stretching toward the sky like the fingers of a slumbering giant. Emma sat by the window, her gaze wandering across the barren slopes. At first, the rugged beauty captivated her, but as the minutes dragged on, the monotony set in.

Sighing, she leaned her cheek against the cool glass, her silver hair catching the golden light of the afternoon sun. “There’s nothing to do but look,” she muttered under her breath.

She began to hum—a soft, lilting tune from the Green Festival of Windfield, one of her favorite memories. It was a melody of joy and renewal, meant to celebrate the harmony between the seasons and the people of the land.

Vivian glanced at her daughter, a knowing smile forming on her lips. Without a word, she joined in, their voices weaving together like the soft rustling of leaves in a spring breeze. The driver, a weathered man with kind eyes and a resonant voice, chuckled from his perch at the front of the carriage. He picked up the tune as well, his humming adding a deep, grounding bass to their melody.

Their laughter filled the carriage, a brief reprieve from the weight of their journey. Emma turned toward the driver, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “Sir, did you attend the Green Festival of Windfield too?”

The driver tipped his hat, his smile widening. “Aye, young miss, I did. My family’s lived in Windfield for years, ever since I married my wife.”

Emma’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “Your wife is from Windfield?”

The driver shook his head. “Not exactly. She’s from the elf race.”

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Her surprise deepened. “She’s an elf?”

He nodded, a trace of pride in his voice. “She is. Did you know, Windfield lies close to the borders of the elf lands?”

Emma shook her head. “I didn’t realize it was that close.”

She turned to Vivian for confirmation. Her mother nodded, her expression serene. “Remember what I told you about the Lands Between? Windfield is part of it—a central region connecting the human and elf kingdoms. It’s a meeting place, a passage between worlds, where both races coexist in harmony. That’s why it’s not uncommon for humans and elves to live side by side.”

Emma’s mind raced as she processed the information. Her gaze returned to the driver, and her voice dropped to a tone of wonder. “Does that mean your children... they’re hybrids? A mix between human and elf?”

The driver chuckled warmly. “That they are, young miss. They have their mother’s pointed ears and graceful features but my stubborn streak.”

The carriage fell into a comfortable silence as the conversation tapered off. Emma turned back to the window, her mind swirling with thoughts about what she had learned. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the rocky cliffs in a warm glow, the shadows stretching long and lean across the landscape. Even the sparse patches of grass atop the crags swayed gently in the breeze, their movement mesmerizing in the otherwise still environment.

The beauty of nature was undeniable, but the monotony of endless rock and stone left her restless. She fidgeted in her seat, her fingers tracing patterns on the glass. A question tugged at the edge of her thoughts, a curiosity she could no longer ignore.

She turned to her mother, a hint of hesitation in her voice. “Mom... do you know anyone else who’s a hybrid?”

Vivian met her daughter’s gaze, her smile soft but enigmatic. For a moment, she said nothing, letting the question hang in the air. Then, with a twinkle in her eye, she replied, “Emma, dear... I am a hybrid.”

Emma froze, her mind grappling with the unexpected revelation. “What?” she blurted out, her voice filled with disbelief. “You are?”

Vivian nodded, her silver hair catching the light as the corners of her lips lifted in amusement. “Yes, I am.”

The world outside the carriage seemed to blur as Emma’s thoughts swirled. She stared at her mother, trying to reconcile this new piece of information with the person she had always known.

And just like that, the journey through the rocky terrain became far more interesting than she had ever anticipated.