Finley and I walked through the forest for what seemed like months, but the light was only just fading so I knew it couldn't be much more than a few hours. Every now and then we would stop and he would put some paste on my wound, and seal it with moss. The walk was exhausting, especially since I was in a recovering state. But we walked on relentless, stopping only to fill our water skins at the small brooks that criss crossed the forest floor. Soon the light coming through the trees wasn't enough to see much more than five yards in front of us. There was no way to see which way we were going, we just had to hope it was the right direction. We decided to keep walking, hoping for a full moon.

It was not long after the moon had risen that I began to feel the surroundings were familiar. It may have been my imagination, but I was sure I had been this way before. And sure enough, we soon saw signs that people had walked this way. The moon was almost at its zenith when we stepped out into the clearing that held the cottage. I sighed with relief, then fell to the floor, completely wiped out.

I awoke in the same bed as I had slept in last time I stayed with Rupert, and his family. Cameron was asleep in a chair next to the bed, his head slouched forward against his chest. He jerked upright as he heard my covers rustling, and sighed.

"Good, you're awake. Your friend told us how long you had travelled. We were afraid that... would you like some water?"

I nodded, feeling unable to speak. I wondered what Finley had told them, of my injury and his own identity. Cameron took a cup of water and passed it me, holding it to my lips when he saw I was unable to hold it steady myself. The water was cool and made me feel a lot better.

"How do you feel now?"

"I'm alright," I said croakily, "Where's Fin... I mean my friend?"

"He's up, eating breakfast. Where did you meet him? He talked to my mother and father but he asked to speak privately," Cameron glanced away, obviously annoyed at being excluded, "The last Alicia and I knew, you had run off into the woods."

"I know, I'm sorry but I just... Anyway Fin is an old friend."

Cameron looked perplexed but didn't question me more. "Look, Shaylee, I'm sorry... about that day when I said... I know you can handle yourself."

"It's just a sore subject." I said, "Everyone always tells me I can;t do things, because I'm a girl. And I just..." I trailed off, not wanting to get into a debate about female rights.

"I'm sorry," he said, and he seemed sincere which was more than most. "Would you like me to get you something to eat?"

"I'm sure I can manage."

"That is a very bad wound, you should let yourself rest and heal," he got up and walked towards the door, then he looked back and said with a grin, "And I would have stayed in bed longer, even if I am a big strong man."

I laughed as he walked out. I knew he probably just felt guilty, or sorry for me, but at least we were getting on a bit better now. More like when I had first met him, before he had known I was royalty.

He came back quite soon with a bowl of porridge and Alicia. She smiled kindly at me and hugged me gently. "How are you feeling?"

"Quite well, thank you."

"I'm so glad you're back, we were all so worried, even stone-hearted Cameron here." She said, giving a fond look to her brother who was giving me the bowl. I was able to feed myself which was a blessing as I don't think my pride would have been able to cope having someone feed me like an infant.

"So, are you going to tell us more about your friend because our parents won't." Alicia said, once I'd had a few spoonfuls of the delicious porridge.

"Leave her alone while she eats, she's not well. I'm sure she'll tell us after."

"I..." I said, "Look, I think we should wait until we are all together so we can discuss things properly."

They both gave me identical looks, with raised eyebrows. "Fine," Alicia said, huffily. But she soon came round and began talking animatedly about nothing in particular. When I had finished Alicia took the bowl from me while Cameron helped me out of bed. I admit I had to lean on him to walk, but not much. We went to the kitchen where Finley, Rupert and Linderen were sitting around the kitchen. Cameron helped me to a wicker chair by the fireside, which I sat in heavily, glad of the rest even after such a short distance.

"I'm glad to see you up and about, we were very worried." Finley said, "I don't know what your sister would have said to me," he had a smile on his face, but he looked worried.

"I'm fine, Kayla will never know," I said with a wink.

Alicia was stood with a frown on her face. She looked at me and Fin and then her eyes widened and she clasped her hand to her mouth. "That can't be possible!"

"What?" Cameron said, looking puzzled,

I glanced at Finley, and he shrugged.

"You can't be... can you?" Alicia said, still standing awestruck.

"Let me introduce myself, Princess Shaylee of Galidren and," I paused, and Fin stood, bowing with a comic flourish "King Finely of Hadanim."

I saw Cameron's eyes widen and Alicia broke out into a smile, "I knew it! When you said your sister was called Kayla! I can't believe it, but I knew it!"

"Perhaps we should let our guests explain," Rupert said, "And I suppose my own story will tie in somewhere."

"Indeed," Linderen said, her voice tinkling musically as always, "But I think tea is in order first. This is a story that lasts over centuries and Shaylee is in no fit state for animation without refreshment."

So once the tea was ready, Finley and I began the tale of my last visit to Hadanim, each weaving our stories together.