Arlhenwe lead both Caliaphy and Serna to the gardens after a five minute walk to western side of the main area of the palace and sure enough there were at least a dozen elven children there playing some sort of game. Not familiar to Serna but Caliaphy had heard of it. "Are they playing Capture the Flag?"

The elven wizard nodded calmly, "If that's what you call it, then yes. It's both a game and a lesson in one to teach them how to undermine and study the opponent."

"Sounds interesting," Serna confessed, "I never played that game before. How does it go?"

"Capture the Flag is fun, Serna," The kurori grinned from ear to ear. "Really fun."

Arlhenwe watched the two groups of elven children finished up a round of the game. Then she turned to Serna, "Do you see the two groups, one on each side. Each has a flag that they must defend from the opposing team. The goal of this is to outwit your opponent, sneak in capture the Flag, and race back to your side of the field without getting caught by a rival team member to your fort to claim victory. If you are caught grabbing the flag by your opponent, you have to start over. The same thing goes for your rival, they will try and take your flag to win the game."

"That does sound like fun," Serna had a grin to match Caliaphy's own, "When can we play? Or more to the point when can we meet everybody? It's only fair that we say hello before we join in."

"The round is over, so you may join at any time, Serna," Arlhenwe said motioning the elven children over, "This is Serna, she is a friend of Prince Willow, and this odd one is a faerie."

"I'm Caliaphy of the Kurori." The kurori beamed ear to ear as her wings disappeared.

Some of the elven children gasped when Caliaphy did that but they were all happy to meet someone new. The leader of blue flag team stepped forward, the boy smiled and extended his hand to Serna, "I'm Aldar, please to meet you, Serna. Want to come on my team? Sorry, no weapons. We play for fun not war."

"Oh! There is no need to apologize, I only use my shield to protect myself and to protect others," Serna removed her shield and handed it to Arlhenwe, "Can you please keep an eye on it while I go play?"

Serna took Aldar's hand and shook it, "I'm pleased to meet you too, Aldar. I would love to come on your team. This is going to be fun."

******

"Earth is very different from the Realm in some aspects but each to their own," The bronze man turned back to the door way to see Alyson coming in, "Where's Serna?"

Alyson glanced at the swordsman and then to the bronze man, "She and Caliaphy are headed to the gardens to play with the elven children while we negotiate and find out what we can to help Willow's people. Also, one of the elf maidens is a wizard, so Serna and Caliaphy will have help if something happens. How are you two doing? It's nice to see the both of you actually not trying to kill each other."

"With or without a Wizard, Serna and Caliaphy really don't need any help," Irzen laughed, "Those two can take of themselves and each other pretty well."

Lazheros extended his hand to Alyson and showed her the full view of the Mallorn Palace, "We've settled our differences after a bit of Q & A as you call it."

"It's like Serna said," The Swordsman added with a smile, "We're trying to understand each other. I think if Serna were here, she would be proud of her handiwork."

Alyson walked right up next to the bronze man peering out over the balcony to take in the breath taking view of the palace at night. She casually leaned against his shoulder for a minute and took a deep breath. "You're probably right, Irzen. Anyway, I am getting hungry and have any of you seen Willow? I would of figured after having a nice chat with his sister-in-law, he would be here already."

"I suspect he is well on his way," The Swordsman mentioned, "If he is being escorted by one of the guards, they are probably taking him to us via the 'scenic route'."

Right on cue, the trio heard an all too familiar voice coming from the doorway, "Greetings, my friends, how do you find your accommodations? Are they to your liking?" Prince Willow stood in the doorway taking in the scene before him.

~So much for some private time.~ Alyson told herself. ~Not even a minute.~ The elementalist turned towards the ranger, "All is well here, Willow. Serna and Caliaphy are playing in the gardens with the children of the palace, unless, you have objections?"

"No! I have no objections whatsoever," The Prince nodded in agreement, "I think it would be good for both Serna and Caliaphy to spend time with others of a like mind."

~In time, Alysiane. In time,~ Lazheros reassured her quietly and turned his attention to Willow, "These rooms are just fine, Prince Willow. It is as it should be when in the company of Elven royalty. How were your talks with Prince Liliandra?"

"Productive," Willow stepped into the room and closed the double doors behind him, "Let me share with you all that I have learned." With that, the Prince nearly told word-for-word his entire conversation with his sister-in-law to his friends, "Well, what are your thoughts?"

Irzen listened in complete silence until the Prince was done and then he said, "Wow, Willow, that's a lot to take in!"

Shortly after returning to Irzen, Alyson, and Lazheros, the royal guardsman approached, "My Prince, my lords, and my lady as is set for you in the dining hall. The Princess awaits you at your convenience."

"Thank you," Willow responded, "Please inform the Princess that we shall be joining her shortly."

Once the royal guardsman left, the Prince added, "My sister-in-law is especially interested in your gauntlets, Alyson. Fear not, she does not wish to take them from you. She only seeks to examine them. Liliandra believes that your gauntlets are a matching piece of jewelry for some that Eilonwy is wearing. So, would you be willing to part with them while she examines them?"