Fears

"Fanella! I am back!" Iona called out as a large water panther comes from behind a tree. She heard its large steps. Turning around slowly she saw Fanella on this massive creature.

"Wow, a Water Panther!" She slowly raised her hand to it.

The Water Panther sniffed her hand and then allowed her to pet it.

"I thought it might be faster than a Darang…" She nodded as she spoke more human like.

"Oh it will. I just didn't know there would be any near here." Iona looked around.

"Normally, they aren't but this one was in captivity. I can show you where we will make camp." Fanella put down her hand and with the help of the Water Panther ducking down was able to reach and pull up Iona.

"Fanella, I brought you a cloak." Iona took it out of a bag and handed it to Fanella who put it on. The Fire Otter climbed down from Iona and climbed around Fanella's neck. The Water Panther began to move fast but smooth.

"Thank you. Saundra said you were worried about something." Fanella held onto Iona as the Water Panther began to jump up into the trees. It wasn't like riding any other creature, they almost didn't need to hold on, as it was like the Water Panther wouldn't let them fall.

"I think it will be alright now. I think they got the wrong person. I don't really understand it, but they said that there was a prophesy that Elven royals know about. Without this half human half elf there will be a lot of blood shed."

"Prophesy?"

"Fanella, they are preparing for a war, that I don't think they can win. They are scared." Iona choked on the last words.

"Well Damon is seeing what else he can gather. After we get back to my home maybe I can find this prophesy and figure out how we can stop this." Fanella takes a deep breath.

"Do you promise?" Iona asks.

"I promise I will do everything in my power to not let anything else bad happen. I need you to know that the Light Elven Kingdom isn't ruled like Human territories. I can only do so much as the princess, and I cannot do anything outside the border when I become Queen." Fanella explains hoping she will understand it won't be easy.

"I don't understand." Iona says as the Water Panther comes to a stop in a desolate campsite.

Iona looked around and was very spooked by the place Fanella had brought her. It was like anyone that was here vanished.

"Fanella, I don't like it here."

"Dark elf magic, you should feel scared. That is how they protect themselves." Fanella smiled sadly.

"Is this their territory?"

"I guess it once was. I think its the place from the fable I was always told. Where my family got cursed, at least it has the same feeling. There are some dark elves here now, but they cloaked." Fanella looked around, she could see it all.

"Cloaked?" Iona's eyes widen.

"Elven Magic is so much bigger than anything you could imagine. This may be the strongest magic the Dark Elves can do. It mirrors how the Light Elven created their border. I would help you see, but until I find some more pure energy I won't be much help." Fanella smiled sadly.

"It's ok. Don't over do yourself. I trust you if you say this is a safe place."

Fanella smiled. While it was true, this was a good place to camp as humans stayed away, it would become a very dangerous place if the dark elves decided to uncloak and go home.

It took a long time for Iona to feel like she could close her eyes, despite cuddling up against both a Water Panther and a Fire Otter. Fanella couldn't sleep either, she was terrified of what the Dark Elves would do if they saw her. Maybe not all the rumors were true, but the ones about the light elves were and the dark elves were just as bad.

They would take away your emotions and your memories. They would make you live out your greatest fear on repeat in your head. Between what the Light Elves did to traitors and what Dark Elves did to Light Elves, she would take the Light Elves punishment in a heartbeat.

It did make her wonder why she didn't feel frightened when Damon was around. Maybe because he saw himself more as a human than a Dark Elf. All these thoughts were able to drown out her fear and finally allow her to catch some sleep.