Laesien and Galia were miserable. The other three were, too, but the youngest ones were more so. They were cold, hungry, tired, sore, and scared. Each and every one of the children's hands were bleeding, and Anywien's knees were as well. She did her best to warn the others of sharp rocks and other things, but it seemed as if her warnings never reached the end of the line somehow, and Yrinvan (and Zerameth on occasion) ended up getting surprises. Like the large dip in the tunnel, to name one. There was a sudden 3-foot drop. It wasn't too far, but in the dark when you are on you hands and knees in a confined space, it seems almost life-threatening. Anywien had landed on her knees and ever since she'd had a sharp pain just below her right kneecap whenever she set it down. She wondered if something was in it, but she continued on anyway, telling herself that once they got out she would inspect it further.
The trip took them 5 hours, but it had seemed like an entire day or more. When Anywien saw the sunlight she joyfully announced it, and 15 minutes later they were crawling out of the tunnel and gazed at the first grass they'd seen in hours, breathed the first fresh air they'd breathed in hours, and saw the lovely blessed sunlight that they hadn't experienced in hours as well. But it was not too bright, for it was now dinner time, and Anywien knew that it would be dark soon and they should set out to find the fairy home.
"I don't suppose anyone remembers the directions?" Anywien asked, dreading the answer. She'd forgotten, and she figured that after so many hours the rest would have forgotten as well.
"I do," Laesien spoke up. "Why do you think I've been so quiet? I've been repeating them in my head for nearly half the trip!"
Zerameth laughed. "Oh, blessed Laesien. Where, then?"
"East to the willow tree, then North until we see the a large pile of round rocks. From there it should be within sight, and we need only go in the direction of the white light, wherever it may be. But which way is East?"
A new problem appeared. None of the children knew which way to go.
Yrinvan winced and pointed, unsure. "That way?" he asked.
"After you spend 15 minutes in pitch-blackness, a human looses all sense of direction," Laesien stated. "But maybe the elves know?"
Anywien and Galia shook their heads. "No," Anywien replied. "I do not, I'm afraid. It looks as if we may have to send someone back to our father and ask him for more details."
"Back?" Yrinvan demanded. "We are all of us bleeding and tired. I will not go, and I refuse to send Laesien or Galia. One of the older princesses, perhaps?"
Zerameth smirked slyly at her childhood friend. "I think not, civilian. We are royalty, you are not. You may go."
"What are you going to do about it now that we aren't in the palace, my lady?" he said mockingly.
Zerameth's smirk turned into a full-out smile. "Anywien can go, then," she said.
"I had to lead us here," Anywien replied. "Do you know how hard it is to crawl and not know what's coming in pure darkness?"
"Of course I do, for your instructions never reached me."
"No," Yrinvan said. "They never reached me. Maybe you did not report to me on purpose, hmm? Then maybe you deserve to be sent back."
Zerameth shook her head. "I think-"
"Look!" Anywien pointed ahead at a green glowing light. "Do fairies glow?!"
Each of them knew her point instantly and took off running towards the light. When they got nearer, it dashed quickly behind a bunch of bushes, and it was so swift that none of the children had seen where it had gone.
"Don't go!" Anywien said. "Please, are you a fairy? Maybe you can help us. We are Legolas Greenleaf's children."
Two emerald eyes peered out from their owner's hiding spot. "The Sunlight Elf?" it asked curiously.
Anywien looked to Zerameth and Yrinvan, unsure. Then she answered, "Y-yes, I think so."
"Of the Dark Forest?"
"Mirkwood."
The fairy stepped out of it's hiding spot. From the looks, it was almost impossible to tell if it was a boy or a girl. It was just maybe a foot smaller than a Hobbit, but all of the children thought it was quite large, for they had always thought a fairy was no bigger than a fist. It had pure green skin and was wearing leaves for clothes and a flower crown, and it's hair was a deep, rose-colored red.
"We are friends of the Sunlight Elf," it said. "I am the Earth Fairy. You are all his children?"
"No," Anywien said. "Only her and I." She motioned to Galia. Then she turned to Zerameth, Yrinvan, and Laesien. "They are children of Lord Aragorn and Lady Arwen of Gondor."
"What is your business?"
"We seek the fairy home. Legolas is on the other side of your wall, and we must pass through."
"My wall?" the fairy asked, seeming to take offense. "This is not my wall. If it were mine then I would have it torn down. Walls are cursed, you know. Bloody cursed. They hide things, and block out animals and sunshine and water. Walls are forms of darkness and devastation."
Anywien seemed to be taken aback by the almost-angry fairy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. But please, we are short on time. We must get to the fairy home."
"I will not take you to the fairy home," the Earth Fairy decided. "We need not go there, no. I will summon the Water Fairy, and together we may bring Legolas to our side."
"He is not the only one," Zerameth spoke. "There are quite a few of our company with him."
The Earth Fairy's deep, intense eyes stared at her. At first they seemed angry from the way Zerameth saw them, but then she realized that they were not angry, but interested and surprised, and filled with wonder and majesty.
"I will help you," it said. "The Light Fairy and the Fire Fairy may help. Come." Then it began to lead them away.
