A/N: Forgive my EXTREMLY late update. Band is being stupid and taking up my social life...and this life. I apologize.

Hdshdsfh: I'm glad you liked Sabine, she was sort of...a spur of the moment decision. What inspired me to do a German them was simply my love for the country I have never been to. I was sitting in class, looking at the Neuschwanstein castle and thought of Cinderella...well to make a not so long story even shorter, I decided to write my own version with my input. I do hope your enjoying the story as I am loving your reviews.

Aerinha: Thank you for bringing that to my attention, as I read back through after your review, I found the same thing.

Priden?

Annika gasped at the pristine beauty of the city. She had always heard tales of the City, but never in her wildest fantasies could she have ever imagined what stood before her. Tentatively, she walked up to the lock of the gate and fingered its pure silver handle. As she placed the lock back in its place, the gate opened.

"Friendly aren't they?" Michael said. Annika smiled at her friend as Schutz nuzzled her. Move! He silently told her.

"I'm going, I'm going." She mumbled.

"What are we here for again?"

Annika turned to him in surprise, "To see if they can..."

"Help you regain what is yours, I was only shying you Milady."

Annika laughed, "I was wondering if your fall had caused serious damage."

Michael looked up to the sky contemplatively. "No...not that I know of."

Annika tapped the crown of his head, "You are a charming one aren't you?" She stated

He bowed, "All the ladies kiss the ground I walk upon."

"Then spit on it once you turn." Annika retorted. Michael glared at her and Annika only shrugged.

"I'll show you. By the time we leave this city, I'll have at least four ladies on each arm."

"A troubling feat, have you ever seen male elves?"

"They're shorter than I, tis all that matters." Michael said as he straightened to his full height.

"Do not be so sure my friend."

"You mean...?"

"Yes." Annika stated, trying to stay solemn when all she wanted to do was laugh.

He groaned, "I'm doomed."

"Now now. What happened to all of those ladies that fall to your feet?"

"They don't count." Michael mumbled.

"Why is that?"

"Have you seen the other gnomes?"

"And...."

"Good point." Annika returned.

"So you see, the ladies fall to my feet because I am most attractive."

"That statement is a little vain wouldn't you agree."

"Probably. But it's honesty all the same." Michael stated.

"You'll find your elf maiden."

"I hope." Michael said dramatically. "Shall we?" He asked, pointing his arm in the direction of the city.

"Yes, lets." Annika walked ahead of Michael, and Schutz followed them both. The city, though very beautiful, was quite sparse. "Where is everyone?" Annika asked as she looked for signs of life.

"I haven't the faintest idea. Perhaps he knows?" Michael stated, acknowledging the dozing elf dressed in a black tunic, his long silvery hair tied back with a black ribbon, sitting on a bench in front of a building of some sort. Annika and Michael walked over to him.

"Sir? Sir?" Annika questioned, feeling rather badly for waking the elf from his obvious comforted rest.

"Hm? The elf said groggily.

"I beg your pardon for intruding upon your sleep." Annika said, stepping closer to him.

The elf rolled his shoulder, "Think nothing of it. How may I be of service to you Milady?"

"Well see...I don't really know. I've heard that perhaps your community could help me gain what has been taken."

"And what is that?"

"My claim to the Terrich name."

"You've lost your name?"

Annika blushed. "Only slightly."

"Explain."

"I'll summarize."

The elf shrugged, "As you wish." He stated.

"My father died quite sometime ago leaving me only with my stepmother, whom despises me for reasons unknown to me, but over the years, I've become a servant to her and her daughters."

"In your home?"

"Yes?"

"Then how are you of the Terrich name?"

"My father was Sir Petar Terrich."

The elf frowned, "I did not know Petar had any children of his own."

"Apparently most people that knew my father did not, but he did, one daughter, me."

"What is your name?"

"Annika."

"A lovely name to be assured, but Annika, I cannot guarantee you will find what you seek."

Annika looked helpless, "Please Sir, I have no other choices." Frustrated tears filled her eyes and she turned her head away quickly.

"Beautiful Annika, I said there were no guarantees, but there is a chance. It is true that the elves hold the power of man nobility. Follow this street north until you reach that building atop the hill." The elf stated, pointing to the building.

Annika looked at the building, then back at the handsome elf. "What will I find there?"

"Deter. If there is someone to help you, it is him."

"Danke. One more thing."

"Yes?"

"Do pardon my audacious behavior. I started a conversation without bothering for your name. Please tell me what it is."

The elf laughed. "It is Robert. It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Annika." He said bowing.

"And an even greater pleasure meeting you Robert." Annika said, curtseying.

"Auf Wiedersehn Annika."

"Auf Wiedersehn, and Danke." She replied.

Annika and Michael then turned to follow the directions tat Robert had given. Michael grinned up at her and Annika looked straight ahead, finally she grew agitated by his school-boy behavior. "What?" She exclaimed.

"Found him attractive did you?"

"I suppose." She stated, brushing off his question entirely.

"Your thoughts are clearer than this city."

"It is quite clear isn't it?" Annika stated, directing the conversation to that of the city.

"Trying to be sly?"

"I don't know. Is it working?" Annika stated. "Where is everyone?" She asked again, so far the only other presence of life they had seen was that of Robert.

"Vacation perhaps?"

She shot him a look, "Unlikely."

"It was a thought." Michael stated, defending what he had stated as though it were quite logical.

"Why would-Oh never mind." She said, throwing her arms up in frustration. They walked in silence for two miles until they had reached the doors of the mansion. Annika walked up to the door and knocked lightly, fearing to touch anything of that caliber of beauty, The door opened and a very strict elf maiden stood in the entrance.

"How may I help you?" She asked in a snobbish, high pitched voice.

Annika looked down to Michael before answering the elf. "We are looking for Deter."

"For what purpose?"

"We...I need his guidance."

"Let me guess, you are some lost soul in search for a step up in life. Perhaps in search for a 'lost crown?'"

"No...not...not quite." Annika replied, shocked by the elf maiden's pessimistic view of her.

"Listen Miss, we've had enough of your kind here." The elf maiden stated firmly, angrily.

"My what?" Annika asked, genuinely confused.

"Men. Mortals. You think you are superior to the entire world, and for what? Nothing! Your kind is not special, you are greedy. Heed this, leave now and don't bother to return again. Deter has enough to deal with and he does not need selfish mortals with selfish requests wasting his time!" The elf maiden stated before slamming the door on Annika.

Annika stared at the door for a moment, then knocked again. The door opened once more and the elf maiden looked at Annika in disgust. "Are you stupid? I told you to leave!" She said, reaching to slam the door once more, except Annika wedged her foot in front of the door.

"I am not stupid," Annika stated, "nor am I planning to waste anyone's time. But I do need your help. My father is dead, as is my mother. I have nothing, no home, no family, nothing, and yet all I wish for is the dignity of my name. I don't want money, or land, or a crown, all I want is what is rightfully mine, what has been promised to me since my birth."

"And what is that?"

"The right to bear my name."

"I do not understand."

Annika's shoulders slumped. How far would she have to go until she received what she needed. "My father was Petar Terrich, he died sometime ago and since then I've been in servitude to my step mother Lady Gisela." Annika began.

"And you wish to harm them." The elf stated as if that ended the conversation.

"No! That isn't it. Although they are rather awful, I wish harm on no one. Besides, I'm sure they have their good points...somewhere. No all I wish is to be recognized as Sir Petar's daughter, not Lady Gisela's maid. I will take things from there."

"Why are you not recognized as Sir Petar's daughter."

Annika shrugged her shoulders, "I do not know."

The elf maiden looked at her with suspicion, "I do not know whether to believe you or not, but you might as well enter. I will tell Deter you are here." The elf maiden opened the door wider and walked away from the door and down a hall. Annika and Michael walked in and Michael whistled.

"Rather fancy." He stated.

"I agree." Annika stated. The maiden returned.

"He will see you," she stated, "he knew your father very well."

Annika followed the woman into the office that Deter occupied. When Annika entered she found a rather tall male figure standing at the window. Her breath left her immediately.

"Priden?"

A/N: REVIEW!!!