Roses and Thorns ~ The Tale of Roses and Thorns 1.

It's been a month since Ivelle's mother had died. The police closed the investigation, because there was no cloue nor evidence. She tried to move on and live her life, but she couldn't. Her thoughts wandered back to her mother's letter from time to time. Like on that beautiful Friday afternoon, when she was sitting in her room, studying for her history exams - well at least trying to study- since her gaze wandered to wardrobe where she hid the journals and the letter. Finally she went to the wardrobe and opened it. She rummaged until she found the letter. She opened it up then went to her laptop. "It's a very bad idea." she thought. All of a sudden she decided to check the train schedule. "One leaves tomorrow at 10.30. That'll be perfect."

Saturday morning she got up early. She packed her things, and ate some breakfast.

"Are you going somewhere?" her grand-mother came into the kitchen. Her expressions were still sleepy. She pointed at the packed backpack.

"Umn... Yeah..." she wasn't able to look into her grand-mother's eyes. She felt ashamed that she didn't tell her earlier. She just couldn't. "But just for today. You won't even notice that I left..." she wanted to explain herself, but her grandmother stopped her.

"And when did you want to tell me?" she raised an eyebrow. Ivelle could see the disbelief and disappointment on her face.

"I...I don't know." she admitted. She didn't know what she was thinking. She knew that her grand-mother wouldn't let her go, but she had to go.

"I see." Silence ensued. Heavy and long silence. "And where are you going?"

"Naunton." she stopped for a second. Should she tell her grand-mother about the letter? It would just upset her, and she was already upset enough. "Mom had a friend there. I thought, I'd go and see her. Maybe she knows something about what happend." she lied to her grand-mother. That had never happened before. She felt terrible, but she knew that it will be the best.

"And if not?"

"Then, she deserves to know, that she's dead." Silence. Again. She hated it.

"Fine. Go." That was all she said. Then turned around and went to her room.

Two hours later she was standing at the train station. "Now. Platform 3." She had never travelled by train before...alone...Never. She paced up and down until she saw a board with the number 3 on it. "Found it. Finally." She looked at her watch. "I still have 30 minutes. " She put on her earphones and turned on the music. She turned on her favourite playlist. She was listening to Black Blade by Two Steps From Hell. She lowed that song. She didn't know why, she just loved it.

20 minutes later she got on the train. She sat down next to the window. What she really liked about travelling was looking out the window with music on. It was the best feeling ever. She was sitting there when a tall guy came to her. He had really, really light, frizzy hair, which covered the top of his years. She would say his hair was white, but he was too young for white hair. He was light skinned. His skin looked white just like his hair. "How is this possible?" She examined him longer. He had beautiful emerald eyes. He was muscular but not too much.

"Sorry for interrupting you." he had a strange accent."But the train is full. Would you mind if I sat down here?"

"No, not at all." She must've been staring at him.She blushed and turned the other way. She felt his gaze on her.

"I'm Cirillo, by the way." He smiled.

"Ivelle. Nice to meet you." that was all they said to each other. On the rest of the trip they sat in silence, glaring out the window.

It took the train 3 hours to reach Naunton. Cirillo got off the train at Burford, so she sat alone for the rest of the time. As they got closer to Naunton she got more and more nerveous. When they arrived toNaunton she got off the train and looked around. It was charming town with old-fashioned houses. "Breakers ahead." She still had to find Margharet. Her mother left her the adress, and she was grateful for that. She opened the map on her phone and wrote the adress in. "So... It's not far from here."

She managed to get to the house. It was a small, old-fashioned house with a nice garden. She went to the door and knocked. Noone answered. She waited and then knocked again. Still no answer. "Maybe she's not at home." She looked around. What should she do now? She's in a completely unknown place. She heard steps from behind her.

"Can I help you?" an old lady stood behind her. Her grey hair was in a thight bun, she was small and thin. She smiled at Ivelle.

"Yes, I hope so. Do you know where Mrs. Lloyd is?"

"Depends on who's asking." the old lady gave her a suspicious look.

"My name is Ivelle Preston, and my mother sent me here. Her name is Voctoria Preston."

"I see." the smile came back to her face. "Then you found Mrs. Lloyd. I am Mrs. Lloyd. It's nice to meet you Ivelle."

"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Lloyd."

"Please, come in."

Mrs. Lloyd led her to the livingroom. It was spacious with two big windows, and filled with different plants and flowers.

"Take a seat." the old lady went to the kitchen and came back with a teapot and two cups. "Tea?"

"Yes, please."

"Sugar, milk?"

"Just sugar, thank you."

"Here." she took the cup from the lady. It was warm. " So why did your mother sent you to me? I haven't talked to her for... For 18 years."

"Well... My mother died a month ago. She was murdured. The police says it was a robbery, but... I don't think so... She left me this letter." she handed it to the lady. Mrs. Lloyd took it from her and read it.

"Oh, darling... You know nothing! That's bad."

" Nothing about what?"

"About everything. It's time for a history lesson. Follow me." she led Ivelle to the basement. It was dark and chilly the shelves on the walls were filled with plants. There was a large, old book on the table. "Now... What I am going to tell you will sound...well at least crazy. But please try to believe me."

"Okay." she had a very bad feeling.

"Well... Where should I start? Your parents... Well they are from another world. About 25 years ago there was a war. Many died, more was taken prisoner. Your father was a soldier. When your mother became pregnant, they decided to leave this world. Now, before you were born your father had to go back. He fought. And he died. We don't exactly know when. All we know is that they won. But... Now the enemy is back. And it's bad. "

" What war? What world? "

" A world where magic is real, and where magical creatures, such as elves, dwarfs and others live. They lived in this world until they were expelled by humans. They hunted and killed them. So they created a portal and escaped to a new world. Magical creatures and humans lived in peace for a long time, until the Dark King called Erebos, and his dark elves separated and made a deal with some of the humans, to destroy the Sanctuary and its inhabitants. That was the war where your father fought, and died. They won, but it looks like not for good. " she looked at Ivelle.

" What you're talikng about... that's impossible. Magical creatures only exist in fairy tales and legends..."

"In every legend there is something true." Ivelle raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry but..."

"You don't believe me."

"Yes."

"Not a problem. Maybe you'll believe one of my friends." she looked at her watch "He must be here soon. Let's go upstairs." Mrs. Lloyd went to the stairs. Ivelle followed her.

As soon as they sat down in the livingroom someone knocked on the door. Mrs. Lloyd hurried to the door and opened it.

"Margita" said a familiar voice " Gaudeo te videre."

"Gaudeo quod salvus advenisti. Venit intro." Ivelle was astonished. They were talking in latin. Her astonishment deepend when Mrs. Lloyd's guest stepped into the room. A tall light haired and skinned man was standing next to the old lady. "Cirillo. Impossible." Next to the old women Cirillo looked even younger, and way more youthful. Mrs. Lloyd, however, looked older and more fragile. "Cirillo, this is Ivelle. Ivelle, he's my friend Cirillo."

"Yeah, we have already met." Smiled Cirillo." Nice to meet you...again."

"I thought you went to Burford."

"I indeed got off the train at Burford, but I came here."

"Why?"

"It's harder to follow."

"Hm." she had no idea what to answer.

"Cirillo, you should tell Ivelle where are you from." said Mrs. Lloyd.

"What do you mean?" Cirillo looked confused.

"Tanith filia." Cirillo's frown deepend. And a surprised look appeared on his face.

"Fine." he said " I came from another world. A magical world. Which can be reached through a portal in London. The country where I live is called Etalia . It's the home of the elves."

"The elves?" She gave an unbelieving look " Really? What's next? You're going to tell me that you are an elf too?"

"Indeed."

"Okay. Sorry, but I think it'll be better if I leave now." She stood up, but Cirillo stepped in fron of her.

"You don't believe me."

"No I don't." Cirillo pushed her hair behind his ears. And showed his ears to Ivelle.

"Your years! They're..."

"Pointed. Yes. Because I'm an elf." Ivelle frose.

"No. Elves do not exist."

"In your world." Cirillo looked frustrated. "But in mine they do exist. I am the living proof." He must saw that Ivelle still didn't believe to him, because he did something unexpected. Reached out his hand, and flames appeared in his palm.

"Impossible." She wondered." Wow." Cirillo closed his fingers and the flames disappeared.

"Do you believe me now?"

"Yes."

"Good." He gave a wicked smile. "Then, come with me. To my world. "

"But...my grand-mother..."

"I will tell her everything." Mrs. Lloyd smiled.

"O...okay. Fine."

"Great. We're leaving tomorrow."

"Okay."

"You'll love it I promise." Ivelle didn't respond. She didn't know what to respond. This is going to be either the greatest adventure or the worst idea of her life.