They'd opted for an alternate route back to the castle, at Brangane's suggestion. If they made their way to the river, there was a village nearby, just on the other side of the border where they could procure horses. Killian, Emma and Brandt had made the journey on foot, since horses were scarce in the Northern Kingdom - the famine had seen to that.
They set out shortly after sunrise and managed to keep a pretty good pace, marveling as they walked at the clear and horrifying demarcation between the Northern Kingdom and the land beyond. It was as though someone had drawn a line and poisoned the earth on one side - grass grew, but sparsely and it looked as though it were nearing winter instead of summer. Fruit trees were mostly barren, and not much seemed to flower - a stark contrast to the lush fields and riotous colors of the trees, shrubs and wildflowers that seemed to abound just over the border.
They'd been walking a little over an hour when Finn walked ahead to speak with his father. It wasn't long before Bryony felt someone fall into step beside her. She smiled when she saw Lorelei.
"Enjoying your field trip?" She asked.
Lorelei gave her a curious look. "You take special trips just to visit fields?"
Bryony laughed. "No, it's an expression. When children visit someplace special on a school trip - for educational purposes or entertainment - they call it a 'field trip.'"
"Oh," Lorelei said. "I thought it was some Dryad thing. Visiting a field. Like dancing in the dew." She slid her eyes over toward Bryony, whose step had just faltered.
"You saw me?" She whispered.
"I saw you leave, and I assumed that's where you went. Dryads aren't the only ones who like to be outside, though I must say that fairies prefer twilight to dawn, in general." She made a face.
"I've never met any other dryads," Bryony felt compelled to explain. "And I've never danced like that before, ever. It was wonderful."
"Just be careful," Lorelei warned. "Dryads are very hedonistic creatures. Unlike the naiads, they don't have the calming influence of the waves. Everything is burning sun and blooming flowers and wind gusting them along. They tend to be impulsive and self-indulgent."
"It sounds like you've met some bad dryads."
"Not all of them are bad, but they're not known for their love of humankind," she pointed out. "They tolerate my human half only because of my fairy blood."
"Can I ask you a question?" Bryony glanced over at Finn, then chewed her lip for a moment. "Have you ever gone and spent time with them? The fairies? They're your mother's people, aren't they?"
"Yes, that's right. And I've spent some time with them here and there, but I wouldn't exactly call them family." Lorelei looked at her carefully. "You can embrace your heritage without having to give up the other parts of you, you know. The human parts."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning...be careful. That's all."
Finn had come back to join them, giving Lorelei a friendly bump with his shoulder. "What d'you think you're doing? Trying to scare her away?"
Lorelei smirked. "She's not that easily intimidated."
"You don't have to tell me," Finn agreed. He pointed off into the distance. "According to Brangane, the river is just the other side of that ridge. We can stop and have a meal in the village before we go." He looked down at Bryony with mischief in his eyes. "Do you want to ride with me again, love?"
"I think I can manage by myself now," she said.
"Pity."
They had just started up the ridge when the attack came, and it all happened so fast it was practically a blur. Figures swooped down out of the trees, vines were shooting everywhere, and within a matter of seconds, everyone but Bryony was securely lashed to a tree. A half-dozen dryads stood guard, as Roan dropped lightly to his feet in front of her.
"Who are you?" David demanded.
"Leave her alone!" Finn called out, struggling hard against the binding vines.
"Peace," Roan said, lifting a hand. "We only want to talk to her."
"Then why attack us?" Emma pointed out. "Let us go."
He looked at her as though studying an insect. "We desire a private audience."
"Roan." Bryony said softly. "There's no need for all this."
Finn's face clearly showed his confusion. "Wait - you know him?"
"We've met," Bryony answered awkwardly.
"Is he the one that pulled you up the tree?"
She nodded. "Yes. But he's not going to hurt anyone - are you Roan?"
He raised his brows, giving a distasteful glance around. "Not as long as they don't interfere." He stepped closer to her. "The queen desires an audience. It is customary for anyone of our kind who crosses into our land."
"When?"
"Now." His tone brooked no argument.
"If I go with you, will you release them?"
"You're not going anywhere alone," Finn said struggling again. "Let me go and I'll accompany her."
Roan didn't even bother acknowledging the human. "She'll come alone. The queen's presence is no place for humans."
"I'm part human," Bryony pointed out. She looked around at the others. "Maybe it's best if you don't go - especially if humans are unwelcome there."
"All the more reason you shouldn't be going alone," Finn pointed out. "How do we know they won't react to your human blood?"
Roan's lips thinned. "If we wanted to hurt her, we could have already. The queen merely wishes to greet her."
"So it's a matter of protocol," Killian said. "And Bryony, being partly dryad, needs to pay a diplomatic visit."
"Yes." Roan didn't bother looking at this human, either.
"Well then," Killian continued. "As a visiting representative of the royal family of the Enchanted Forest, you'll understand if Prince Finn would like to pay his respects, as well."
"Prince Finn?" Bryony couldn't help it, it popped out of her mouth.
"I am a prince, love," Finn noted. "I just don't invoke the title often. And my father is correct. If it's a matter of protocol, then I should pay her a formal visit."
Roan finally turned to look at the rest of them, and his eyes swung to Lorelei. "Perhaps the fairy. No humans."
"You know they're right," Lorelei said, lifting her chin. "And by your own laws, his royal status grants him an audience - your prejudices notwithstanding."
Roan's face clearly showed his displeasure. "You confirm this?" he asked Bryony. "They are the royal family of the Enchanted Forest?" She gave him a nod.
"King David," David replied by way of introduction, then he gestured with his chin to each one. "My wife, Queen Snow, my daughter, Princess Emma, her husband, Sir Killian, and their son, Prince Finn."
Roan glared at Lorelei. "Very well." He looked over at his people. "Let them go."
The vines released, and Finn stepped forward, putting his hand on Bryony's arm. She didn't even notice, but for the look on Roan's face. His eyes moved down to where Finn's hand rested.
"Some humans," he murmured softly, giving her a smug look.
She pulled her arm free of Finn's grasp. "Where do we need to go? How long will we be gone?"
"She is nearby. Not long." Roan extended his hand, and she felt Finn tense next to her. She turned to David and Snow.
"We'll meet you in the village."
David gave a nod, turning his gaze to Roan. "If they're not back in an hour, we're coming to find you."
"No harm will come to them," Roan said evenly. "So long as the human behaves himself."
Finn could feel his parent's eyes on him even though he kept his own eyes steadily on Roan. "Let's go."
Bryony gave a nod, stepping around Roan's hand, and Finn followed close behind her. "I don't like this," he said in a low voice. "My gut tells me this isn't a good idea."
"You're just uneasy," she whispered back. "I've met some of them, and they were perfectly nice to me."
"To you," he pointed out.
"You should have stayed behind," she hissed. "Or have you forgotten I can take care of myself?"
"Are you mad? I'm not letting you walk off with some strange dryad," Finn replied.
"It's good that he let you join us," Roan said, not bothering to turn around. "The queen doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Bryony squared her shoulders, picking up the pace. They made their way through the trees until they began to thin, opening to a meadow. A lone figure stood at the center, with her back to them.
"You may proceed," Roan said, inclining his head. Bryony started forward, but before Finn could take a step, a vine shot out, looping around his foot and anchoring him to the ground. "Not you," Roan added. "You wait here."
"How am I to pay my respects?" Finn asked, tightly.
"You can respect her from a distance," Roan said coldly. "She has no need to speak with you. I'll allow you to watch from here, since you appear to be...concerned."
Bryony looked back at Finn, whose eyes were telling her plainly that he did not like this one bit. She gave him a reassuring nod. "It's fine, Finn."
She stepped around Roan, who put a hand to the small of her back, guiding her forward. He turned to look over his shoulder at Finn with a slightly taunting smile.
Finn nearly tipped his hand then and there. It took all he had to keep from using his magic - which he could easily do - to get out of his bonds. He could feel it welling up inside him. He'd started to do so back with the others once he realized that Bryony was their target, but his mother had caught his eye and given a subtle shake of her head, signalling him to wait. It was a sound strategy. His every instinct was telling him that these dryads weren't to be trusted, but it was always best to leave something up your sleeve. So far, they seemed to have no ill intentions - toward Bryony, anyway.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, and waited.
The queen remained as she was, waiting for Roan to direct Bryony around to the front of her. Bryony wasn't sure, but she felt like she ought to kneel or something. She settled for a curtsy, remembered from when she took dance classes as a child.
"Your majesty." She said. "It's an honor to meet you."
"You may rise."
"Thank you." She stood up again, and was very surprised to note that the Queen couldn't have been more than five years older than she was. She was beautiful, with dark red hair and the same bright green eyes all the dryads seemed to have.
"I am Alona," the queen said, introducing herself. "How is it that you came to be here?"
"I'm traveling with the royal family from the Enchanted Forest," Bryony replied. She looked back at Finn and gestured toward him. "Prince Finn is with me - he'd like the honor of meeting you personally, if he may."
"Unnecessary," She said dismissively. "It's you that I'm interested in. How many winters have you seen?"
"How many...?" Bryony was confused a moment before she realized what she was asking. "Oh. Twenty-five."
"And your people?"
"My father was human, but my mother was dryad - at least partly, we think. I don't know - I was taken from them shortly after my birth."
"And they royal family took you to the Enchanted Forest?" The queen asked sharply.
"No!" Bryony said, alarmed. "No, it wasn't like that. They're responsible for finding me and returning me here. We're hoping to help with the curse that's fallen over the Northern Kingdom."
"Really?" The queen drew herself up, looking Bryony over in a very calculated way. "Interesting."
She studied Bryony in silence, and Bryony did her best not to squirm out of sheer nervousness. Her head snapped up at the queen's next words.
"I knew your mother."
"Isolde?" Her eyes brightened. "I was going to ask, but I wasn't sure if I should."
"What do you know of her story?" The queen asked.
"I know she was taken against her will to the Northern Kingdom by King Markus."
"Hmmm." The queen acknowledged. "Your mother was loved by all among us," she added quietly. "We didn't find out who had taken her until it was too late. Not long after, the fish fled and the lands of the Northern Kingdom went fallow. And it is no less than they deserve," she added coldly.
Bryony's eyes widened with realization. "You cursed the land."
"Yes."
"Well, you need to remove the curse. People are starving because of it."
"Humans." Alona made a scoffing sound. "They foul the soil and try to claim pieces of the land as if it is theirs to own."
"Please...your majesty...they need to be able to plant their crops. You need to lift the curse."
Alona looked amused. "Your human blood is affecting your judgement. However, it is your dryad blood that interests me." She inclined her head, ever-so-slightly. "You have a place here, with us. We will have you."
"I - " Bryony struggled to find words. "I appreciate that. But I promised to help the people I'm traveling with. I need to honor that promise."
"You owe them nothing."
"I owe them more than you know." Bryony lifted her chin, refusing to back down.
"Very well. Enjoy your stay in a barren kingdom. When you tire of it, we'll be here. We are your family, after all." She reached out, stroking Bryony's cheek softly. "You will always be welcome among us."
Bryony felt an unexpected lump in her throat. "Thank you."
The queen nodded at Roan, and he guided Bryony back across the meadow to Finn. He gave a command to the nearest dryad, who released him from his vines.
"There. As you can see, we honor our word. She's fine." Roan said, smugly.
"Let's get out of here," Finn reached for Bryony.
"Wait." She threw up her hand, stopping him. "Roan, you need to talk to the queen. Convince her to lift the curse."
"She cast the curse?" Finn asked.
"The one on the land," Bryony nodded. "I tried to appeal to her, but I didn't get far."
"What makes you think I would go against my queen?" Roan said. "None of us will. Not for the humans."
"Let's go," Finn bit out.
"You'd better do what he tells you," Roan said, his eyes holding Bryony's. "Otherwise you might be tempted to visit with your family. Maybe even get to know us."
She stared at him until Finn's voice broke in once more.
"We're going." His hand reached down, and with a tug, he pulled her along. She looked over her shoulder as she walked away, and Roan stood silently, watching her go. He turned at last, making his way back over to the queen's side.
"She looks like her mother," Alona said. "Save for her human eyes."
"And she didn't stay," Roan pointed out. "What now?"
She slid her eyes sideways to look at him. "Convince her. Call to her blood. Make her yours."
"I have your blessing?"
"She is yours by my decree. You need only seal it."
"Thank you, your majesty." He gave a short bow as she started to go, but she turned back to address him once more.
"You know what to do, Roan. We need her gifts among us. Seal her to you - by whatever means you must."