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

It took them another day to reach Lordell, the capital of the elven kingdom. During the journey, Ivelle learnt, that the country is called Kingdom of Etalia, and is ruled by Allerick the elven-king and his wife Reyna. She also learnt that the elves were really different than the humans. Their architecture was just one of these differences. The elves made their houses of wood and they always adapted to the nature. If there was a forest they built their houses on the trees. Their towns and villages were cleaner, thanks to their close relationship with nature. Another difference was their alimentation. While humans loved meat, elves mostly ate vegetables, fruits, or other natural food, and they rarely ate meat and if they did, it was usually fish. Their religion, however was the same, what's more, the humans took over their religion. And this was the main reason why they were hunted in the Other World. In their mytholgy there were three gods. The first and most powerful one was Ryuu. His power covered everything, and he was the leader of the gods. Ryuu had two siblings: Llyr and Keres. Llyr was the god of the waters, air, earth, and peace while Keres was the god of death, fire and war. Although elves believed in all three gods, they only honoured Ryuu and Llyr. In their cultures there were no sanctuaries nor temples. Cirillo tried to teach her everything about the elvish culture, but after a while he had to admit, that it won't work, so he decided to only tell her the most important things.

The sun was already going down, when they reached Lordell. The capital was widely different than the other elvish towns. The buildings were made of stone, and it was surrounded by a town wall. The city was full of with plants, trees and flowers, it looked like a small forest surrounded by a wall. In the middle of the city was a bigger building, according to Cirillo it was the palace, where the nobles, the king and the queen lived. Just like the whole city, the palace was modest, but respectable.

They approached the gate of the palace. It was guarded by two guards. They wore gold-red armor and they had half-up hairstyles. As they passed by the guards bowed. Suddenly Cirillo stopped her and made her look at him.

"Listen to me." Ivelle looked into his eyes. He looked nervous. "Just do what I tell you and there won't be any problem. "

"Okay. Why are you so nervous? " They stepped into the palace. The long corridors were made of white marble and was decorated with flowers and paintings. The floor was made of wood. Cirillo hurried up and didn't answer to Ivelle.

"Cirillo what's wrong. I know that you're not a talkative person, but you usually answer my questions. Would you please wait for me? " For a moment he stopped and looked into her eyes. Then turned away and resumed his way towards a large wooden door. Cirillo had never acted like this before. He was very strange, and Ivelle could feel that something was off. They stepped into the room, which she assumed to be the throne room. The commissioners bowed and closed the door behind them.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness. " Cirillo bowed. Ivelle could feel how odd she looked like. She didn't know the decorums and habits. She looked at the throne. A tall light skinned, white-haired man was sitting on the throne. He had a crown on his head. The crown was gold and decorated by gold leaves and jewels, and it had a star on its front. The queen was sitting next to the king. She was high and slim. She had light skin and brown hair with blue eyes. Her hair was braided into a very comlicated braid. She had a crown on her head. Her crown was more solid, itt looked like it had been made of golden leaves.

"Cirillo" said the king "You don't have to bow before us, Son. " Ivelle jerked up. "Son?! Why didn't he told me? " Though it made sense. All of the guards bowed before them, and Cirillo resembled to the king. How couldn't she notice it?

"I know, Father. "

"Who is this girl? " asked the king.

"She's Ivelle Preston..." he took a deep breath "the daughter of Gavril and Tanith. " The king now became more attentive and started to examine Ivelle.

"Impossible. As far as I know Tanith didn't have a child."

"I didn't know it either, but it makes sense." Cirillo took a deep breath "Tanith escaped to the Other World with Margita. Why else would she done this, if not for protecting her child?"

"Allerick..." the queen said "I can feel the magic in her. I know you can too."

"Look at her ears. If what you said was true, she should have elf years."

Ivelle was confused. Elf ears? Why would she have elf ears? She's a human not an elf. The queen went closer to her.

"She's under a very powerful charm. " she examined her face "That's why we can't see her real self. They hid it from us. "

The king was sitting deep in thoughts. He beckoned to one of the guards. The guard walked up to him in a hurry. He whispered something, the guard nodded, bowed and then rushed out the room. Silence fell upon them. The queen went back to the throne and started whispering with the king.

"Cirillo." she whispered.

"Hm? " He turned his head towards her.

"There must be a misunderstanding. I am not an elf. "

"Yes, you are. " he looked at the king "well... Partly. "

Someone knocked on the door. Allerick motioned to the guard. He opened the door and a young elf came in. He had shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes.

"Father, Mother. " he bowed.

"Son." The king nodded his head and smiled.

"You wanted to see me? "

"Yes. Let me introduce you to lady Ivelle. She's from the Other World and claims to be the daughter of Gavril and Tanith. Please show her around and give her a room. "

"As you wish Father. " he turned to Ivelle " Lady Ivelle, please follow me. "

Ivelle looked at Cirillo - who visibly refused to look at her - then nodded, and followed the prince. They walked the corridors in silence. The palace felt like a maze for Ivelle. After 10 minutes of walking they reached a large ebony door. Two guards were standing in the door.

"Your room. " he motioned the guards to open the door. "After you! "

"Thank you. " she stepped in and looked around. The room was large and spacious. There was a large bed in the middle of the room. The furnitures were made of ebony, and there was a huge mirror in the corner. The walls were painted white, and decorated with paintings and plants. The room had large decorative windows and a balcony, and was lit by many candles, which were floating in the air.

"I'll leave you alone."

"No... wait!"she said it a bit louder than she wanted." Sorry. "

"Can I help you with something else? "

"I just have a question."

"Then, ask it."

"Why does everyone call my mom Tanith?"

"Because, it was her name. "

"No. Her name was Victoria Preston. "

"Listen. I didn't know your mother as well as Cirillo. Maybe you should ask him. "

"Maybe... " she said thoughtfully.

Someone knocked on the door. The prince opened the door and a brown haired and eyed elf stepped in.

"Lady Ivelle. " he bowed "I brought you clean clothes. "

"Put it on the drawers. " replied the prince.

The man bowed again and did as told.

"If you need anything," said the prince " just call Niran. "

"Okay... but how? " Niran stepped to her and gave her a necklace. It was nothing special, a simple white mineral on a silver chain.

"Just touch it, and say my name. "

"O-Okay, thank you. "

"If you forgive me, I have to go. " he bowed " Prince Hagan, lady Ivelle. "

The man left the room.

"I should go too. See you later lady Ivelle."

" Please, if it's not a problem, call me just Ivelle. "

"As you wish, Ivelle. " he nodded. "Good night. "

"You too, prince Hagan. "

"Please, just Hagan. " Ivelle nodded and the prince left.

She was left alone. She hadn't realised until then, how tired she was. Ivelle changed her clothes and slipped into bed. She was tossing and turning for hours, until she could fall asleep. Her thoughts kept her awake." The very first thing I'll do tomorrow, is go and find Cirillo...and demand answers..." Finally she fell asleep, although she had a superficial and restless sleep.