Gandalf leaded him to the spacious room, in the farther part of the house. What a fantastic place! From the outside, it looked like an ordinary, tiny country hut, but the interior turned out to be enormous. John had an impression, it looks differently every day - as if the rooms could just multiply themselves, when were needed. Yesterday, he asked the wizard about it.

"How is it possible?!"

"What, my dear boy?"

"The house - it's bigger on the inside! How you did it?"

"Oh... the condensing spell and stuff..."

"You are really mighty, aren't you?"

"Well, I wouldn't like to boast..."

"How many rooms are here?"

"It depends..."

The Prince smiled under his nose. The sorcerer still surprised him. The room, to which they came in, seemed rather big, however so full of different things, it made it difficult to move in, here. His attention drew a small table in the corner. There was something, in a round shape on it, carefully covered with a dark fabric. The Prince approached it, suddenly very curious about the hidden object.

"Better, don't touch it, John! It can be dangerous."

"Why? What is that?"

" The magical artifact, called Palantir. Thanks to it, I can contact with a few of my friends, however in improper hands can cause a lot of pain and evil. An enemy could see you, through it..."

John wondered for a while. Not for the first time, somebody mentioned about some evil powers, enemies, even the war. What enemies? What war? Apparently, he was living peacefully in a castle, completely not aware of the danger from outside. Or maybe some people, were hiding it from him...

"Gandalf, I must ask you... all these talks about an enemy, coming darkness, some evil spirits...what is actually happening?"

"You have no idea, have you?"

"Not at all. Honestly, I feel like a complete fool, hearing your conversations..."

"Oh, there's no need. Many people don't realize it yet. Sadly, I'm afraid soon they will..."

"So this is true? We are in danger?"

"I tell it with a heavy heart, but yes. Strange things started to happen, during last few years. There are many signs..."

"What do you mean?

"Different worlds are colliding with one another, the borders between them slowly disappearing... the evil forces are gathering, spreading desolation, fright, suffering and death. Probably, the war awaits us..."

"The war? But what they want from us? And... what different worlds? I didn't know there are more of them..."

"Of course, there are! Do you think, I belong to this one?"

"Well..."

"In fact we are not quite sure yet, what they want... presumably, to gain the whole power, destroy everything good and pure in this Universe."

"Oh..."

For a moment, John became speechless. He didn't expected something like that. It looked very seriously. However, why the hell, he, as the future king, got no messages about it... As if, the whole counsel and royal officials were in collusion...

"I know, it may be shocking for you, my dear boy. Unfortunately, I suppose sooner or later, we all will be forced to fight. I truly believe, you'll choose the right side..."

"You doubt it?"

"During such a long life, I already learned, that people, whom you trust, the most, can change into the worst enemies. But, I have a lot of faith in you, dear boy. That's why I want to give you something..."

Gandalf came to an old, wooden chest and pulled out oblong object, wrapped in a grey material.

" A sword."

"Not some unexceptional sword. I fought in many battles with it. Not once, this weapon saved my life. Maybe, it will save also yours, help you to find the courage, which will now be our best defense, against the storm that is at hand..."

"I... I have never used a sword in my life. I mean, to kill somebody..."

"And I hope you never have to. But if you do, remember this: true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."

These words really moved him. Gandalf was so incredibly wise, good man. Suddenly, John felt very negligible and pitiful. He didn't have enough bravery to reveal his true identity. Could even compare himself to the Sorcerer?

"Thank you, I don't know what to say..."

"I think you know it very well, dear Boy..."

"But, what..."

"You wonder, if you should tell me who you really are. Am I right?"

Did Gandalf learn how to read in other people's minds? Or only John was so predictable?

"How did you know?!"

"Well, I'm quite smart, you know?"

"Quite smart? Very funny... I'm sorry, I haven't told you before... I thought, the less people know, the better for them..."

"I hope, you are aware, that you can trust me?"

"Yes... it's just not so easy..."

"I will help, then. You are from the royal family, aren't you?"

"HOW..."

"Oh, I won't be teasing you anymore. I know your Grandfather. You are very similar to him, when he was young, John. I suspected it before, however today made sure myself.."

Wow. That was the biggest surprise of the day. The Prince couldn't believe his own ears. At the same time, felt a warmth in a heart, thinkinkg about beloved Grandfather. He missed him so much...

"You know my Grandfather?! And... am I really so similar?"

"More, than you think. Many years ago, we had a lot of great adventures together. He always was a dreamer like you... what a wonderful, extraordinary man. Good, old Wifred. Does he still spend so much time, watching stars?"

"Oh... he..."

"Don't tell me, that..."

"No, no... Just... one day, he simply disappeared. We were searching him, for many weeks, but unsuccessfully. Probably, he was kidnapped. Sincerely, we are a little hopeless..."

"You know what? Don't worry, I will find him."

"Aren't you too busy for that?"

"Obviously, I am busy! However, I have my own methods and different volunteers to help... John Wilfred is my friend, I couldn't leave him in need..."

"I would be very grateful... I really need him now..."

"So, you are..."

"The future King, yep.."

"And.. if I may ask, why are you here, not in your castle?"

"Well..."

"Are you afraid? John... you will be such a great King as your Grandfather, trust me!"

"I doubt it, Gandalf and... it's not only that..."

"Let me guess: a forced marriage with some stranger Princess?"

"You surely can read in minds, admit it finally!"

The sorcerer smiled widely.

"Believe me, I can't. It's just experience and good intuition. Anyway these royal traditions are terrible. It should be changed, at last... "

"I couldn't agree more..."

"Summarizing, you've escaped from a princess. What now?"

That was a good question...

"I have no idea. Probably, my sister already wants to kill me..."

"You have a sister?"

"Yes. She's awesome. You must meet her, one day!"

All of sudden, John realized how much missed Donna. In fact, behaved very selfish, forgetting about all the troubles, which his escape could cause. And she was alone with all that mess, he left behind.

"I must, indeed! And... what about Rose?"

"Rose?"

"How did it happen, that you started helping her?"

"Well... it just happened. Honestly, I don't know how exactly...

"I think, I know..."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh nothing, nothing..."

Gandalf looked at him, with a smirk. In the blink of an eye, his face expression became very serious.

"John, I want to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Rose... please. don't ever hurt her. She has already experienced, way too much pain and cruelty, in such a short life..."

"I would never hurt her. But... what happened?"

"She is the one, who may tell you this story, I have no right..."

"Gandalf, she has magic right?"

"John, you must talk to her about it, not me."

"If she would just say anything about herself to me..."

"One day, she will. Anyway, did Wilf tell you the story, how he met your Grandmother?"

"NO!"

"So, you must ask him, when you'll meet. I'm quite sure, you will find it very interesting... "

"I hope, he is alright... "

"We must have hope, my dear boy. Remember, never loose it."

"I'll try... Gandalf, I wondered... how we will get to this place, we're going to?"

"Oh, in a really unusual way. Between us, I cannot wait to see Rose's face..."