Disclaimer: The Enchanted Forest and pretty much everything belongs to Patricia C. Wrede. Princess Jamie, her kingdom, the guy that visited her mother, her mother, and the magical objects that the guy gave the queen to give o Jamie are mine.
Authors Note: Hey! Had enough suspense yet?
"Annoyed with him are you?" I turned to my left and was completely unafraid of the interested voice. A young man with a staff, long beard, and loose robes stood on the other side of a clearing. He had white blonde hair, brown eyes, and pasty white skin that almost matched his hair.
"With whom?" I asked confused.
"With that young man you just met back there at the green glass pool," he said in a matter of fact manner.
"Yes, at the moment. What concern is it to you, especially as to be so rude at the moment," I said deciding I did not like him whoever he was.
He smirked for a second, then said, "I am the wizard Haviheir your highness." He slowly looked me up and down, which made me angry. He was looking at me to interestedly. "If you will excuse me sir, I am in a hurry."
He raised an eyebrow. "But it is dangerous here," he protested. "At least let me escort you to wherever your destination is. I glared at him. I knew what he wanted and he was not going to get it. "If you are going to the castle I suggest you go no further." This made me want to go more than ever.
"No thank you," I said again. "I take my leave of you sir." I walked away stealthily.
I trudged on for a few minutes, taking care not to step on anything but the green carpet of moss. My water jug was almost empty when I spotted something. It looked somewhat familiar. Strange I thought. I had never seen it before. It was a large castle, probably where the royalty lived. This was exactly where I had intended to go. But from what I hear you don't just walk to exactly where you want to go in the Enchanted Forest. I continued to the front entrance and knocked on the door.
Out came a very proper elf and I said, "Climb high and low my elfin friend." He looked startled for a second and recovered.
"That greeting has not been used since the elves all split into tribes," he said more pertinently with every word.
"I beg your pardon sir. I don't know why I said it. I have never said or heard that phrase before now," I replied. I curtsied. What was wrong with me? All of the sudden I am acting so strange. My ring glowed at the new information the elf had given.
He looked at it and blinked. He apparently wanted to say something but didn't know what. Then he said, "Is there anything I can do for you that I would be willing to?"
"Oh," recognizing my rude mistake I introduced myself. "My name is Princess Jamie and I need to speak with their majesties if possible."
He wrinkled his nose and said, "Of course." I followed him in and saw the ugliest tapestry I had ever seen on the floor. No wonder it's on the floor. "Wait here," he gestured toward a couch and I sat down crossing my ankles (not legs, ankles).