Several days had passed since Elli awoke to find she was a princess. Though Her memory was still a blur, Elli found herself being able to do more and more things she hadn't recalled ever doing before, It was as if it all just came naturally. Elli was adapting fast to the life of a princess and was seeing to her duties in an orderly fashion. Though she couldn't stop thinking about the kingdom that hers would soon be at war with. Elli wanted to see it with her own eyes, she wanted to see just how different it was from her own. She would often be found sitting by her window looking into the distance, imagining what it was like.
'But how...' Elli sighed, feeling a little down. She didn't know how to leave the kingdom without being caught. 'I wonder...' Elli suddenly had a thought, a excited smile crossed her lips and she hurried from her room. Elli located Ota and Baba and brought them to a quiet corner of the castle, "What is it, Milady?" Baba asked, looking a little perplexed from seeing Elli act so skittish. "I want to see Hylin." She said, her voice barely a whisper. Ota and Baba's eyes immediately grew wide from her outrageous words, "I must advise against such a foolish idea." Ota said, looking a little solemn. "Please. I need to see it with my own eyes." Elli clasped her hands together as she begged. She puckered out her lips a bit and gave them the puppy dog eyes in hopes it would win them over. "Pleeeease." Elli repeated herself once more and the pair sighed in resignation, "Fine..." Baba's shoulders dropped and he shook his head. "Yay!" Elli quietly cheered, jumping a little as she threw a fist into the air. Baba and Ota couldn't hide their smiles as they watched her, "You act far from a princess, Milady." Baba said, though he couldn't hide his amusement. Elli immediately straightened up before leaning forward, "There is more than one way to 'act' as a princess." She said, playfully tapping Baba on the chest with a cheeky smile. "So there is." Baba said and then his face got serious, "How are we to get you to Hylin?" Baba asked and Elli smiled confidently, "I have it all worked out." She said with her hands on her hips.
Elli's plan was to tell her brother she would be training out in the forest for the day with the help of Ota and Baba. She didn't know if it would work but that was the only plan she had come up with at the time.
Elli immediately went to find her brother. Prince Yamato was currently in his study going over vital paperwork. Elli knocked on the door and not a moment later she could hear her brothers voice respond from within, "Come in." Elli opened the door and stepped inside, Yamato looked a little surprised to see her, "Elli. Do you need something?" He asked, putting his pen down and focusing straight on her. "Well... Um, I was wondering if you would let me train in the forest? I thought it would be good training." Elli nervously asked, her body was slightly trembling but she forced herself to keep eye contact with Yamato. Yamato's head immediately jerked back, his mouth opening and closing as if he didn't know what to say, "It's too dangerous for you to go alone... I-" Elli knew he was about to reject her idea, so she quickly cut him off, "Ota and Baba agreed to accompany me. I won't be alone." She said, now with a look of determination in her eyes.
Yamato leaned back in his chair, raising his hands in front of his chin, seemingly in thought, "I see. You never cease to surprise me with your wild ideas. ...Very well. You may go. But you are to stay with Baba and Ota at all times, do I make myself clear." He said with an air of authority. "Yes, of course." Elli bowed in thanks and a kind smile spread across her lips before she left the room. "Heh, she sure looked happy. ...That makes me happy, too." Yamato muttered to himself and got back to his paperwork. Not knowing what Elli's really intent was. Elli felt bad for deceiving her brother but she didn't know of any other way.
Elli immediately informed Ota and Baba of what happened and they were to set out the next morning at sunrise. Elli went to sleep that night with excitement coursing through her body. She couldn't wait to see the kingdom with her own eyes. Elli still didn't understand the reason why the kingdoms hated one another so. She hoped if she saw the people of Hylin for herself that she might be able to change her own kingdoms views. Though little did she know it wouldn't be so easy. The kingdoms hatred stemmed back for many years and only a few people know the real reason behind it.
The next morning, Elli awoke with a spring in her step. Knowing she couldn't wear her usual attire because walking into the enemy kingdom wearing the princess garments of Etra, her own kingdom, would be suicide. Elli adorned a pair of baggy pants and a leather tunic. She placed her sword in a sheath and went to meet Ota and Baba by the stables.
Elli saw Ota and Baba idly chatting as they waited at the stables, "Hey!" She waved at Baba and Ota as she ran up to them. They both turned to her and immediately their expressions turned to one of shock, "I've never seen you dressed like this." Ota said, he too was dressed differently from normal. They had to pass as travelers rather than a pair of knights and their princess. "How do I look?" Elli tugged on her tunic and did a little twirl. "Haha, I think you'll pass for a traveler splendidly." Baba grinned. "Great. I hope all goes well." Elli said. "Let's get going." Ota said and he and Baba jumped on to their horses. "Your horse is over their, Milady." Ota pointed to the other corner of the stable. There Elli saw a beautiful pure white mare. "She's gorgeous." Elli smiled and gently made her way up to it. She saw the name Mira written on a nameplate on her door. "Mira... Hello, Mira." Elli smiled and held out her hand, Mira immediately responded by nuzzling her head into her hand and neighing happily. "Hehe." Elli stood besides the horse and looked ready to mount it when it seemed she recalled something, 'Wait. I've never ridden a horse before. Or have I? No, no. I can't be scared now. It may be the same case as with the sword. I just have to try.'
"Princess Elli, is everything okay?" Elli could hear Ota calling out to her and she turned to them with a smile before turning back to Mira, "Everything will be fine." Elli assured herself, steeling her nerves, she jumped onto Mira. 'I did it!' Elli smiled happily to herself and immediately rode up to where Ota and Baba were. "I'm ready. Let's go." And with that, they were off. They would have to traverse the wild open field and a huge forest before reaching the kingdom of Hylin on the other side. Elli was bursting with the thrill of excitement the whole way. She couldn't wait to arrive at their destination. Just what would be waiting for her in Hylin?