Elaina awoke, feeling dizzy and nauseous and yet at the same time, complete happiness. Suddenly a headache gripped her and she, like Edmund, remembered a few events of the previous night. She was now back at the inn, well, cottage she had been staying at before. What was today? Sunday. She would be going home in a few days. Hopefully she would have time to say goodbye to Edmund. She remembered him calling her "Ella" several times the night before. Normally, she could not stand nicknames, but it seemed to have a certain ring to it.

"Now, what shall we do today?" she wondered aloud. "Ugh, I will not do anything if this irritating headache does not go away. Perhaps the market..." she left the shutters closed, herself knowing that the light would be even more of a nuisance, and got ready for, well, nothing really.

"So," Peter snapped as he entered the throne room. "You are up?" It wasn't really a question, more of a statement.

Edmund sat there, on the cathedra feeling slightly lethargic and very young. Although he had had a perfectly goodnight's sleep, there were dark rings under his eyes, thanks be to the wine he had shared with Elaina. Peter always did treat him like this every time he didn't do something right.

"Ed, I need to talk to you. In private." Peter looked at the servants standing near-by. They left with quick bows and shut the doors behind them. "I don't trust her."

"What are you talking about?" He asked sleepily.

"I mean, what if she's a spy? Hmm? What of her then?"

"Oh don't be daft, Peter. She's not a spy." He chuckled.

"Edmund, please! She got you drunk!"

"Well, not exactly..."

"What do you mean 'not exactly'?"

"Alright, so it was really my fault. But what are you going to do about it, huh? Forbid me from seeing her? You may be High King, but I still rule over my own life. And I'm not a kid anymore so stop treating me like it. I can make my own decisions." He stumbled off of the dais and walked out of the throne room angrily. Peter crossed his strong arms across his chest, shook his head, and sighed.

"Will you ever grow up?"

Edmund stared past the horizon as he traveled across the sea. The small ship, well, boat he was traveling on drifted slowly along with the cool night air. They were following a small, bright star that lead them eastward, Elaina had told them to pursue that dwarf star until they came to a densely forested island.

"You really can't miss it," she had said. "All you have to do is trek after Seren, the ever-shining star toward the sunrise."

She had given him a medallion, so he would be recognized as a friend. He looked at it. Inscribed into its bronze plating were the words "NECESSIAS NON HABET LEGEM".

"It means 'necessity has no law'. That is our land's motto." She had smiled as she told him another taboo of her home.

"Well, what if there is a law that one must forfeit his life?" he had asked. "Would 'necessity' have to be relinquished instead?"

"No, it does not matter what the negative consequences for oneself are, as long as one has achieved the greater good." They had continued walking through a barley field that led into Lantern Waste.

The sun was now setting behind them and the moon was rising before him, just barely appearing over the skyline. A few more stars peeked out in the darkness, lightening up the dark twilight sky. There was no land insight, for now. He was already tired and decided to call it a day.

The next morning, he awoke to the sound of gulls, screeching at each other and catching up unfortunate shallow swimming fish. The sun had risen not 30 minutes ago. Already, he could make out a faint line of a small island.

"Land ho!" Cried a voice from the crow's nest.

The smell of the ocean engulfed him and surrounded him. A wave broke on the starboard side of the ship and misted him with water. Quite refreshing. As they journeyed on and came closer to the island, there was a new smell, a sweet smell. A smell of flowers and...something else. Something foreign.

They pulled into the harbor and were greeted by a number of strange creatures, that is, a number of creatures strange to us in this world. Minotaurs, satyrs, a dwarf or two (Black Haired dwarves, mind you), and a willow tree spirit who introduced herself as Elswyth, which is a very appropriate name. Elswyth led them through the small market and up to the castle where again, they were greeted by odd beings. Four large centaurs guarded the gates. When they saw the medallion, he was allowed to pass and went through the barrier into the courtyard. It was an overflowing maze of flowers and trees that filled the place with ambrosial scents and bright contrasts. Fauns were happily at work in the nursery, trimming and watering and inhaling the delicious aroma.

"Edmund! Up here!" Called a voice from an overhead balcony. He looked up and saw Elaina leaning far over the parapet, grinning widely. She quickly skipped down the stairs, her pale, silky violet dress flowing gently behind her. She greeted him with a quick peck on each cheek—which was seen as greeting a friend in their culture. "Wonderful to see you so soon. I really was not expecting you 'til later."

"Well," he said. "Would you like me to leave then come back later, Ella?"

"Oh, stop it." She laughed lightly. She proceeded to lead him throughout the palace, which was filled with color and flowers abundant. Through open shutters, a breeze blew causing the sweet smell of the blossoms to spread everywhere throughout. They spent the day on a long walk really. They walked slowly through the garden, the market, and a strange forest that left one feeling slightly dizzy from the intoxicating smells.

"There is a festival approaching soon, in two nights, in fact. I hope you will be there?" she asked as they sampled a soft, sweet tasting, and smelling, bread.

"Of course," he replied grinning. "I would love to."

"Wonderful."

As night drew near, they made their way back to the castle. Standing on a balcony over-looking the westward facing vineyard, he took her hand, looked deep into her eyes, and said,

"A thousand times goodnight," he whispered and kissed her lightly.

"Goodnight. Will you take my carriage?" she whispered back feeling as if in a trance.

"No, I think I fancy a walk," he grinned. She returned the smile. They stood a few moments more. Finally, he kissed her hands, her forehead and left.