Chapter five

Still looking over the balcony, a bell rings. It's very loud, like a bell that would be on top of a clock tower. Not knowing what it was I step away from the balcony and look around, trying to figure out where it's coming from.

Starting to step back before running into the castle, I look around for Emmet or Charlotte. Even finding Artanis would be fine.

Running through the castle, the bell sounds again. This time a lot closer to me. Taking a left into a hallway, I run into someone. Rubbing my nose, I look up.

It's an elf. Who is a few inches taller than me? He has pointy ears, blue eyes, and blonde hair.

Not knowing what to do, I stand there staring at him. "Who are you and what are you doing in my castle?" He draws a sword and I back up and raise my hands. "Uh. I am Hazel. I fell down a hole." Has he was going to say something, I hand appears on his shoulder and a very feminine but old voice sounds behind him. "Calm down Rafu. (Ra-Fu) It's okay." He glares at me before putting his sword up. "How did you get here?"

"I told you! I feel-"

"Mom!" Not being able to finish my sentence Emmet comes running forward and stops before the very stunned lady. "Lamalas! What're you doing here?" He waves his hand dismissing her. "We fell down a hole. Charlotte, she's here too!" Emmets' mother shakes her head. "I am so glad you're here! But you aren't supposed to! You know there's only one way out now right?" Emmet nods. "I know. I just need a way to get Hazel out. She doesn't belong here." Emmets' mother nods. "Yes... She is no elf." Glaring at her, footsteps sound behind me, Charlotte and Artanis come running forward.

"Queen Esta! It's so good to see you again." Charlotte holds out her arms and hugs her. "You to Charlotte! It's been so long." Emmet looks down to the floor as they engage in a conversation.

Raising my hand and coughing, everyone looks at me. " Um... What's going on? I am a little confused." The queen steps forward to look at me. "Well, I guess since you're here we might as well explain everything. Come. Follow me to the council room. Everyone else, get unpacked, and start on chores!" There's grumbling from behind us as everyone departs into different hallways.

"Now then Hazel, let us go to the council room. I will explain everything there."

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Charlotte comes running up and hugs my mom. Even though she isn't part of my family, she has always been my mom's favorite. I act like it doesn't bother me but it does.

Looking down, the next thing I know is that I am being pushed towards the council room. Not knowing why we are going there I try to ask someone. Charlotte, Hazel, and my mom are involved in a conversation so I just look down and hope I will figure out eventually.

After we get to the council room, my mom closes the door and tells us to sit down. Artanis already left so I am forced to sit by myself in my chair.

"Hazel. The history of the elven regions is very complicated. There are many stories. But for now, let us start with how the latest war came to be..." Hazel stares intently at my mother and I know, she will be my mother's favorite soon enough. Me and Charlotte have heard this story many times, but this time, Queen Esta starts differently than before.

"At the time, there were 7 different regions. Now many stories, including the ones I told Charlotte and Emmet, say there were 10. But no. They said that to cover up the fact that the 7 of the 10 elven regions destroyed 3. They said that 10 was too many! There wasn't enough land. But there was. People started getting greedy! Until one day, there were only 4 regions. Those 4 regions were in chaos. There were fires, rebellions, and worst of all, the damage from the war was still left behind." Hazel leans back and covers her mouth. Still not believing my mom lied to me, she continues. "But, there was a prince of the 1st region and the princess of the 3rd. They met every full and new moon. They fell in love. And soon, their child brought harmony between the two regions. The 2nd and 4th though, they did everything in there power to destroy each other. Soon, the 4th region separated its self from the other regions. A few years ago, we were given a prophecy. When the iron kingdom falls by the hands of three, the golden wall will rise again. We can only guess that the iron kingdom is the 4th region. Who the three will be, we do not yet know." She lets out a sly smile. "Or do we?" Her face goes back to being neutral. "Now then! Who wants food?"

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After the weird storytelling, we all went to the dining room where food is already being served.

Artanis comes in and sits down next to me by the end of the table. Emmet is sitting next to his mother looking very gloomy and Hazel is sitting next to Emmet looking very confused.

For the first time since this morning, I start to think about how to get Hazel's power. I want nothing to do with this prophecy, So, I don't plan to stay long. I could ask Artanis for help but he is to..him. There is one person though.

Standing up, I excuse myself and walk away, saying I don't feel good.

Smiling as I walk out of the dining room and the castle, I head towards the stables. Grabbing a deer, I head towards the caves. That's where they live. Thinking about how fun this will be to see them again, I hop onto the deer, speeding away. Loving the wind on my face, I realize how much I missed this place. The only thing I didn't miss, was the lack of freedom.