I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! bangs head repeatedly Ugh… I can't win… BUT IT'S SUMMER! YAY, FOR SUMMER! And summer means faster updates! HOORAY! Please forgive me! I'll make up my forgetfulness and business to you, I promise! Oh, and just to let you know, since I've noticed that not all of you like the turn of events in my story coughcoughElisa&Rileancoughcough er, yeah, so I'm going to make an alternate ending that I'll just attach to this story when it's done so as not to confuse you! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED!

flammingirl: "Action"? panics It's boring! freaks out Hopefully it's better now… maybe?

E J Riddle: Read to find out!

dancrchick: thanks, I'm glad I'm still doing a good job!

HottStuffMelv: I'm sort of updating soon… maybe…

Lela-of-Bast: You were inspired! Hooray for inspiration!

Africa: Thank you for reviewing! Read to find out and if you're not satisfied, I'm making an alternate ending so keep reading!

analea: I can always use encouragement and praise! Thanks!

I: HOORAY! Someone noticed! I've read the Chronicles of Narnia at least three times! Can't wait 'til the movie comes out!

daja-7: Thanks! Ella Enchanted is my favorite, too. I've read 'The Wish' – it was great!

Fall was upon us. The leaves were falling from the trees in a cascade of fiery colors. John and I sat watching the setting sun shine on the leaves still left on the trees, making them all turn golden in the dying light. Emma brushed Ginger's light chestnut coat, also watching the brilliant sunset.

"Four months," John sighed.

I raised one eyebrow. He glanced at me and explained, "It's been four months since we've ran away from that God forsaken villa."

"Oh. Wow, you're right." I hadn't really thought about it. It had been slightly less than four months since we began to deliver mail for Rilean and Caspian, and slightly less than that that I had been visiting Rilean on a regular basis. I had to smile to myself. How far our friendship had come in four month's short time!

The next morning, Moonlight and Ginger pranced on the cobbled streets of Frell as we approached the castle once again. I tried to remember just how many times we had gone to the castle to deliver the mail. I concluded that we had done it a lot and left it at that.

When we reached the princes, I could tell immediately by their excited looks that there was a surprise waiting for us. When I looked at them in question, Rilean winked.

"You know," Prince Caspian started. "We were wondering…"

"Would you like to be our royal mail carriers? For us and our brothers and sisters?" Rilean finished for him, "Because we need regular carriers since we write letters so often. We'll give you a room in our house, and you'll be paid well with money, food, and clothing."

Emma and I would have accepted the offer right away, but Caspian said quickly, "We'll give you the night to think about it. Come back tomorrow and tell us your answer."

When we told John, he shouted, "What were you thinking! If you had accepted the offer, you would have left me behind! Not that I care," he added quickly. "But also, you'll be around them all the time, and you can't possibly keep that kind of a secret from them when you are around the royal family so often! You would be attending balls most likely, and you know darn well that Amelia would be there with Lou, and one of them would recognize you! You know what they do to people who have deceived the royal family? WHOOSH! There goes your head!"

Emma and I did not look up, for we knew that this was true.

John calmed down after a long silence. "Just tell them you can't, okay? We'll – we'll think of something. I'm going to bed. Good night."

I couldn't sleep. What the heck was Rilean thinking? Or maybe he wasn't thinking. I mean, did he really think that his family would welcome me with open arms? Did he really think that I could get away with looking like a guy for a long time! He knew about Amelia – I had poured my heart out to him about how much I hated her – so why would he ask me to do this? Next time I saw him, we'd have a long talk. A very long talk.

The next morning when we set off to the castle, I was ticked off.

"There you are!" Rilean grinned at both of us. "My mother and father have come back from the Athourian Grounds. I want you to meet them."

Before either Emma or I could say a word, Rilean and Caspian steered us through the main hallway towards the throne room. I panicked on the inside, while trying to smile at the two princes as we went through the castle. I couldn't meet the king and queen. They were – well, they were the king and queen. And meeting Queen Ella? For a dragon's sake, I had practically idolized her, admiring her strength to break the curse and I was going to meet her? I started to think I was going insane. What if I slipped on a word in Elfian? What if they asked us a question about elves that we couldn't answer? Should we make it up?

By that time we were in the throne room. Queen Ella and King Charmount were seated on the thrones, waiting for us.

"Father and Mother!" Rilean bowed in respect. "Our new friends, Joshua and Elisha!"

We bowed low. Queen Ella smiled. Then she began to speak in almost perfect Elfian, "I hear you are to be the royal mail carriers, as Rilean says."

I thought quickly. In Elfian, I spoke, "Your Majesty, I don't believe we can accept the offer your sons have proposed." I had never sounded that proper before. It surprised me, and I choked up before I could continue.

Emma stared at me as if to say, "This better be good!" Great. No pressure, right?

"And why not?" Rilean asked sharply. I winced. We would definitely be having a long talk later.

"Because we would like to stay with our brother in the regular mail-carrying business." What kind of an excuse was that? I wondered to myself. Oh well. I was the one who made it up.

There was an awkward silence.

"You may bring him with you." King Charmount said generously.

"But-"

"No excuses. I would like for my sons to have some companions. You will come with your belongings to the castle tomorrow morning."

"But-"

The king raised his hand for silence.

He continued, "Ella and I will not be here, but Prince Caspian and Prince Rilean will. You are dismissed." I heard him mutter, "Maybe they'll learn Elfian better."

"But-" I said softly. My heart sank. We had been ordered. What was I going to do now?

Emma and I bowed again, and left. Rilean and Caspian walked beside us, happy, but thoroughly confused.

Rilean told Caspian loud enough for me to hear, "I'm going to take a ride in the woods now, alone, all right?"

As soon as we were away from the castle, Emma said, "Way to go, Elisa!"

"Well, I didn't hear you giving any bright ideas!" I snapped.

Emma said angrily, "Well thanks to your big mouth, we've been ordered to come and be the royal mail carriers!"

"We'll figure something out!" I shouted.

"Why are you shouting at me!" She shouted back.

"I'm not shouting! I'm talking really loudly!" I… shouted (again)

"Well stop talking really loudly!" Emma screamed, then quickly regained her composure as many people on the streets stared at the two shouting elves on horseback.

Emma sighed. "Now what?"

"Now, I'm going to ride away and let you and John work this out. Then, I'll come back and see what you two think. Talk to you tonight!" And I rode off without an explanation.