Chapter Twelve: One Long Night

"What?"

With a jolt, Sarah jumped out of bed, grabbing the knife that she kept under her pillow. Unable to hide her surprise, her mouth dropped open as he recognized the person who had spoken. Standing in front of her was the elf that had broken into the palace. He seemed just as surprised to be there as she was to see him.

Quickly regaining her composure, she whispered, "What are you doing here?"

The elf looked even more confused. "You can see me?"

"Of course I can see you. You're in my bedroom." Without realizing it, she pulled her sleeping robe tighter around her body. "Why are you here?"

"I'm not. Or at least, I shouldn't be." He looked around the room. "This isn't normal, is it?"

"How should I know? You're the one who's in my room."

"Well its not like I planned on being here. Last thing I remember was falling asleep, then there was the dream with the shade, and then I was here."

Sarah's face turned white. "What shade?"

"Oh don't play dumb. Your shade. The one leading the human forces. I know all about him, so there's no point in denying it."

"I'm not playing dumb. And you would do well to remember who it is you're speaking to. If there was a shade, I think I would know."

The elf scoffed. "Ha! Like the king would tell you. You may be his daughter, but that doesn't mean he'll tell you everything. And it certainly doesn't earn you my respect. So how about you just stop with the attitude, ok?"

"Attitude?! Why I never... You sir are the most... ugh!"

At the moment, a knock resounded in the room, and a faint voice could be heard. "Mi'lady, are you alright?"

Sarah turned white. "I'm fine. You can go back to bed."

"Are you sure? I thought I heard..."

"No, no. Everything is alright. Thank you."

"Alright. Goodnight mi'lady."

"Goodnight." She turned her attention back to the elf. "You need to keep your voice down."

"Me? You're the one who was screaming. I'm not even technically here."

"Well, you're here. So keep your voice down."

The elf snorted and bowed as obnoxiously as possible. "Of course, your highness."

"You are aware I have a knife, right?"

The elf seemed to notice the weapon for the first time. "Actually I was not. Thank you for pointing that out. You going to stab me?"

She lowered the knife. "No."

The elf looked relieved. "Ok then. Glad we got that straightened out." The was an awkward pause until the elf said, "Did you get caught helping me?"

Sarah was surprised. "No. I'm shocked you care."

"Why? Elves aren't savages you know."

"Oh I'm well aware. Believe it or not I'm actually one of the few voices against the war. If you even care."

The elf seemed to change his attitude. "Really? Who all is against it?"

Sarah opened her mouth to speak, but before she could another knock sounded at the door.

"Sarah," she could hear her uncle say. "Who are you speaking to?"

"No one uncle.'

Her uncle sighed. "You haven't gotten much better at lying, I see. I'm coming in." With that he opened the door.

Sarah quickly stood in front of the elf. Her uncle looked around the room. "Seriously, I know you weren't talking with yourself." Before she could stop him, the elf stepped out from behind her.

Her uncle, however, seemed not to notice. Very slowly he walked out of the room and closed the door, only paused to say "Go to sleep Sarah."

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. "I guess no one else can see you."

The elf looked confused. "I guess not. I never did ask you your name."

Sarah looked the elf in the eyes. "It's Sarah."

"Pleased to meet you Sarah. I'm Christopher." As he said that, Christopher's body began to disappear.

"Wait." Sarah stretched out her hand.

"Goodbye Sarah."

And with that, his body fully disappeared, leaving Sarah alone in her room.