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Chapter 11

The journey to Celeste's father's court took 3 days as they had to travel on foot. Veera kindly gave them plenty of provisions. Calaelen carried the bundle over his shoulder, while keeping an eye on Tawny who was now more than ever persistent to sit on his other shoulder, the naughty feline!

Calaelen no longer had the strength or speed he had as a horse, and they had no weapons, so they had to travel more cautiously than before, even though they were now travelling on the king's road, the main road used between the two courts. They kept just out of sight of being seen by travelers. Veera did give Celeste a walking stick, which she supposed could do as a weapon if the need arised…

Luckily they did not encounter other wandering fay or dangerous animals. Celeste's heart became lighter as they entered her father's realm, and the dangerous forest was left behind. Things looked very much the way she remembered it. They passed the orchard of laughter, where trees had bright yellow fruits with orange stripes on them. When one ate of it, it would make you feel so happy that you couldn't help but laugh from joy. It was rumoured that once a fairy ate too many and could never stop laughing for the rest of his life…

The river of calmness was still flowing strongly. Celeste beckoned to Calealen to have some with her. Its light pink water tasted slightly of strawberry. It was true to its name in that it made the things she was worrying about seem far away. She wondered how her parents would react at their return. According to Veera it has been years… It is a good thing fairies don't age the way humans do. They can only die if killed or of a broken heart. They do not get sick or old.

She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the water. Her face had changed. Her features were now less human. She had the higher cheekbones and slightly slanted and larger eyes of the fairy folk. Her hair was a light colour, although it was reflecting with a pink tint because of the water. Her eyes were an unusual light colour as well. She remembered that she had hair the colour of the sun's rays and light hazel eyes. What a contrast she and Calaelen made!

They soon met some young ones who were playing hide and seek in the tall grasses. They stopped their game and followed them. Two strangers were much more interesting than finding their mates. Then the old tree came into sight, the one in which the fairy court of sunrise lived. This tree was unusually large and towered high into the sky. It was not possible to see the top from the ground. Wooden platforms, ladders and bridges tied all the dwellings together. The royal dwelling was right at the top. Calaelen stood breathless for a while, staring at it with awe. Tawny made a little 'huff' sound from where she was sitting on Celeste's shoulder.

"This is home, just wait until you see it inside," Celeste said, feeling not a little proud. She took Calaelen's hand as they made their way there.

It didn't take long for a crowd to follow them. Fairy folk stopped with what they were doing and stared. Others ran ahead to inform the king and queen.

"It's the princess!" some whispered.

"She's alive!"

"Who is with her? Someone from Auberon's court?"

"Are they real?"

They reached the platform that surrounded the royal house. The king waited for them on the stairs with the guard. He didn't look very happy. He looked tired and sad. This confused Celeste. Why wasn't he happy to see her?

"Father…" Celeste said, but it didn't change his face at all. Was he not recognising her?

"Seize them!" he ordered. Calaelen looked like he would fight them, but Celeste gave him a quick glance and pleaded with her eyes that he wouldn't resist. Although he glowered at them, he did as she asked.

Celeste pleaded with her father, but he ignored her, ordering that they be put in separate cells. Tawny hissed at the guard that was trying to grab her. She moved with amazing speed. Several guards were now chasing her around on the platform. Had it not been under such dire circumstances, Celeste would have laughed. When one of them managed to grab her tail, she bit him and then leapt high up, catching hold of some branches. Still hissing at them, she fled. Celeste worried about her little friend. Hopefully they will not catch her…

Later things quieted down, after they had been put into their cells. Calaelen's was next to hers.

"So much for a warm welcome," he said.

"I'm sorry, Calaelen, I don't know what to say…"

"It's not your fault, Celeste. There must be things going on here that we don't know about. Agnus' work, no doubt. I will play along for now, but if things get further out of hand I will do what needs to be done to protect you."

Celeste felt her face warm up at his words.

"Thank you…"

Later that night she woke up from a scratching noise. It didn't take long before an orange bundle of fur popped through a slit in the wall and flew straight into her arms.

"Tawny!" she said softly, not wanting to attract the attention of the guards.

The little feline was purring as she was rubbing herself against Celeste. She was happy to see that her little friend has not come to any harm. With Tawny in her arms she eventually fell asleep again.

They were woken early next morning by the guards. The king came to speak with her. This made Celeste hopeful. Perhaps now she'd be able to get through to him…

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"I'm Celeste, father. Don't you know your own daughter when you see her?"

"You lie. She died years ago! This is surely more trickery from Auberon's court! You even have one of his people with you!"

"He's Auberon's son, prince Calaelen. We've both been victims of the witch Agnus and put under terrible spells. She now lives in Auberon's court and she has deceived him to believe she is have to believe me!"

There was a moment when the king looked uncertain, but his face hardened again.

"You came before, claiming to be my daughter, but was revealed to be only a stranger in magical disguise. I will not risk it. The queen barely survived her heartache. I will not send her to the halls of the departed."

With that he left without heeding Celeste's pleads.

"At least now we know Agnus did have a hand in this," Calaelen whispered to her.

"Yes, but there must be some way I can convince my father that I am who I am…"

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