Princess Liliandra stood tall and fair before the party. Long dark hair, with blue eyes wearing a light green robe. This beautiful elf maiden glanced about everyone from the child to the drow. "Welcome to Westfall. My heart is gladden that Prince Willow has returned, yet I do not see my husband, Prince Yew. I fear he may have been captured by the horde, or worse. Please tell me you have brought word of what has become of him?"

"My eyes see with joy, Princess Liliandra," Willow placed his hand over his heart, "I have no word as to the whereabouts of my brother. I had hoped that he was here by your side."

Turning back to the others, the Prince added, "However, it would be rude of me not to introduce you to my friends." Willow introduced each of them to Liliandra and Irzen and Serna greeted her back in return.

The elementalist approached bowed respectfully, "I am Alyson Khyng, elementalist and friend of Prince Willow."

Alyson's last name sounded familiar to her, "Khyng? Are you related to King Madeous?"

"I am. He is my uncle, your highness." Alyson said.

The bronze man stepped forward, "I am Lazheros, cleric of Bahamut, your highness."

"The Guardian of Asylum?" Liliandra gasped, "We are most grateful that you have come in our hour of need, especially with the return of Prince Willow."

"I am Serna the Shield Maiden," The girl performed a perfect curtsy, "I am honored to meet you, your Highness."

"I am Lord Dy'var Irzen the Swordsman," The Drow took a courtly bow, "Any friend of Prince Willow is also a friend of mine."

"Caliaphy, say something," Serna hissed at the fairy, "Don't just sit on my shoulder like a silent chip or something. Say hi!"

Caliaphy fluttered up and off of the shield maiden's shoulder and in a flash of light revealed her true form to the elven princess. The kurori was flushed with emotion and awe by the sheer beauty of Liliandra's grace. "I'm Caliaphy, of the Kurori, and you are so pretty!"

The elves gasped again at the sight of the Kurori before them. Hearing tales of the fabled race of child-like elves of the faerie did not compare to seeing one in person. The princess clasped her hands together for a moment and knelt down before Caliaphy, more so out of curiosity and wanting to hold her.

The Kurori blushed again and sauntered up to the princess with a smile, "When this mess is all over with pretty lady, would you like to come to the Ancient Oak and meet the Elder?"

Liliandra gazed warmly at the Kurori for a long minute, "I would like that little one. Thank you." She stood up once more and addressed the party, "You must be wary and tired from your journey here, please join us for a meal and rest. Tomorrow, we will discuss the invading horde and perhaps find out what has become of Prince Yew."

"Thank you for your generosity," Irzen was the first to speak, "I could stand to take a load off of my feet."

"And a meal would be nice," Serna's stomach rumbled loud enough for all to hear, "I am hungry."

"And while we dine, Liliandra, mayhaps we can dicuss the invading horde," Willow eagerly pressed, "To wait until tomorrow to talk about this threat to our lands would be ill-advised. The sooner we can come to some plan of action to deal with this threat and find my brother, the sooner we can end it and restore peace to our lands."

"Hear! Hear!" Irzen spoke up in support of his friend.

"Of course, Prince Willow but please do not be as hasty as your brother. I sense it was his haste that lead him astray and away from Westfall. Still, I can only hope that he is well, or hold up in one of the outposts hidden along our borders." Liliandra sighed heavily.

"I have no intention of being as hasty as my brother, Liliandra," Willow replied, "But both my brother's disappearance and the invading horde are matters which require our immediate attention. I do believe that my brother still lives, though I know not what his condition may be."

"The meal will be ready in twelve minutes, one of my guardsmen will show you your sleeping quarters where you can unload and freshen up," The princess motioned to the royal guardsman.

Irzen and Serna began to follow the Royal Guardsman as he lead them to their sleeping quarters. As they walked along, the Swordsman caught what he believed to be an all-too familiar sight. As they were walking down a corridor, Irzen spied an Elven maiden with green eyes, fair skin and auburn hair dressed in an equally green yet form-fitting dress holding a giant tome in her hand and writing in it with a quill pen. She appeared to be interviewing Captain Andaerean who was telling her all that had transpired beyond Westfall's borders. As they walked by, the She-Elf gave Irzen a friendly wink of the eye before she returned to her work.

Irzen just groaned as he shook his head.

"Huh?" Alyson saw him shaking his head in disbelief and noticed a very inconspicuous chronicler. ~You have got to be kidding me!~

"What's wrong, Lord Irzen?" Serna asked as she examined his countenance.

"Once again, everyone's favorite bad penny has just turned up," The Drow moaned, "And incognito this time."

The elementalist rolled her eyes adding her own groan to the swordsman's groan.

"What?!"

"I'll explain later," The Swordsman sighed, "Just keep walking."

The bronze man was taking in all the sights of the magnificent tree palace when he too noticed the chronicler in a form-fitting outfit. He sighed but said nothing.

The guardsman stopped at three doors, "These are the guest chambers my lady referred to you. I will return shortly."

"Thank you," Irzen replied before he opened the doors and entered his room, "Not bad! Not bad at all. This is pretty spacious."

Serna was the first to enter her room before she came to a full stop, "WWWOOOWWW!!!"

+++

Willow did not immediately follow the others. He hung back and waved them onward until they disappeared from view. Then he turned towards the Princess as he took her hand into his own, "We are alone now. Is there anything more I need to know? Is there anything you can tell me now that you could not tell me in front of my friends?"