I opened my eyes, blinking in the bright light.

I was lying down in a tent, the sides waving in the wind. I tried to sit up and groaned when my stomach flipped. "Careful, El."

I tried again, sitting up finally and looked to the right to see Maple, blinking at me in concern.

The situation was too familiar.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I think so," I managed. Nothing was hurting. I was just tired. "What happened?"

She pressed her lips together. "After you made the fire vanish - you were amazing, El - and the soldiers retreated, we brought you here. The healer had a look at you and said you were fine. The boys are getting healed as well."

"They're hurt?" I asked, my eyes flying wide.

She shook her head quickly. "Nothing severe, but almost everyone was hurt in when they fought the soldiers. Honestly, the boys are fine."

"How - how did they find us?" I asked.

"It was just luck," Maple said, shrugging, "we managed to catch one of the Queen's soldiers - they were on their regular patrol. She's sent several soldiers out in different directions, to find us - they got lucky."

Ivy had incredible luck.

I nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's go see the boys."

"Can you stand?" Maple asked.

I nodded and pushed myself up, swaying on my feet but ultimately staying upright. "Come on," Maple said, handing me a cloak. I pulled it on, glad for the warmth.

We walked slowly, because my head was spinning, and I was dizzy. Finally, we reached another, large tent. In it were rows of cots, elves lying on each one.

I felt nauseous as I took in the injuries. I pulled the hood of the cloak over my face, hiding my signature red hair. I couldn't shake off the guilt - but Ivy wanted to kill these rebels anyhow. This wasn't directly my fault, unlike the first attack.

We finally reached the twins, lying side-by-side.

"Elvina," Aiden grunted, eyes falling on us.

"Hello, Princess," Arden said. I gave him a smile.

"Are you two hurt?" I asked. I couldn't see their injuries, given they were covered with a thin sheet.

Aiden scoffed. "Not at all. They're just keeping us here - "

"To make sure your wound doesn't start bleeding again," Arden said, giving his twin a pointed look.

"Wound?" I echoed, looking at Aiden.

"It's not that bad," Aiden said, "They said I can leave by the end of the day. I'm just enjoying lying here."

The humor didn't get me to laugh as I remembered how Aiden had stumbled over his own feet during the attack. "What happened?"

He exhaled. "Some soldier got in a good cut before I killed him. He attacked from behind while I was fighting someone else, it was unfair."

"Not due to your lack of skill, of course," I said, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded firmly. "Of course."

He seemed fine, the color returning to his face, his gestures animated. "And you?" I asked, turning to Arden.

He lifted a hand, showing me the white bandage wrapped around his forearm. "Just giving my brother company."

"You got injured for him, did you?" Maple asked.

"Of course I did," Arden said, grinning. Aiden rolled his eyes at him.

"How are you feeling?" Aiden asked, turning to me. His eyes had sharpened, turning dark green.

"Better," I said. He narrowed his eyes. "A bit tired," I admitted.

He nodded. "There's no way you wouldn't be."

"That was amazing, what you did," Arden said, grinning. I smiled at him.

"Dad was right. You are more powerful than most of us," Aiden said. I couldn't find bitterness in his voice, only a strange sort of awe. Was Aiden Poplar...impressed with me?

"I'm not, not really," I said, shaking my head.

"You are. No need to be modest," Aiden said, rolling his eyes lightly. I swatted his arm. His eyes brightened, head lifting up slightly. "Look at that, no pain! I can leave this place now!"

"Aiden," Arden said, glaring at his twin. Aiden huffed and dropped his head back onto the cot.

"Overprotective little - " just then, a woman in a white gown walked by, and Aiden's eyes shot to her. "Nurse!" She turned around, walking up to us.

"Yes?"

"Could you please tell my friends here that I am fine and can leave?" He asked.

She sighed. "How are you feeling?"

"Absolutely wonderful."

"If you come back twice a day, I suppose you can go. And no exerting yourself," she said, eyes stern.

Aiden nodded violently. "Of course." The nurse walked away, and he turned to us triumphantly before shoving off the sheet and standing up straight. "You see? I am fine!"

Arden snorted and stood up as well, stretching. "Come on, let's get out of here."

We walked back to the house. Fawn, Meadow, Grove and Fawn's mother were sitting outside, talking. "Birch wants to talk to you," Grove said. We nodded and walked inside, to see Birch sitting on a sofa, head in his hands.

He looked up as we came in. "There you are. I need to talk to you."

"What about?" Aiden asked, the twins sitting down on either side of their father. Maple and I exchanged a look.

"Since the Queen probably knows where the camp is by now - "

"We're leaving again?" Aiden asked, eyes darkening.

"Yes. We're dispatching small bands of rebels, who will travel to the palace. We have a plan for our final attack, to kill the Queen and the Prince. The non-fighters will go somewhere else."

"Wait - so soon? We're not ready," Arden said, eyes narrowing.

"We have no choice. The Queen is getting more powerful. She's learnt how we can use the Forest, and she's starting to do it too. And there are reports that they are planning to hold the coronation, again."

"Wait - the coronation?" After everything, I'd nearly forgotten about how Forreston was to be crowned. It hadn't happened yet. But he was to be King.

Birch nodded sharply. "They postponed it after you escaped, but we've heard that they might hold it soon."

"So, what do we do?" Aiden asked, glancing at me once.

"I wanted to ask if you would go in one of the groups, to the palace. Princess," he said, glancing at me, "I'm afraid you'll have to go. If our theory is correct, you will be more powerful than the Queen - we'll need you there."

I nodded slowly, "I will come."

"And I will too," Aiden said quickly, like it couldn't be otherwise.

"And me," Arden added.

"I will," Maple said, giving me a soft glance.

Birch nodded. "Good. I - I was hesitant - you're not quite old enough, but we need the soldiers."

"We're almost eighteen," Aiden said dryly. I blinked at him. They were nearly two years older than me.

Birch glanced at me. I shrugged awkwardly. "In any case," he said, "You're going. I'll introduce you to your group tomorrow - we leave at dawn the day after today."

"Where will mom and Meadow go?" Arden asked.

"Another camp - they will be protected," Birch said firmly. "Now, eat and then rest. I'll tell you everything else tomorrow."

We nodded and went outside. Birch walked to the meeting tents, for some more strategy planning, while we ate with the others.

I sat outside for a while, when we were done, and the others went to bed. I just wanted to have some time to myself. Everything was happening so fast - it had been mere weeks since I'd been locked in those dungeons, convinced I was going to die.

It was a quiet, peaceful night, unlike the situation we were in. The wind blew over me calmly as someone settled beside me. I looked to the side.

Grove.

"Princess," she said, smiling at me softly, "I know we haven't gotten to talk properly."

I nodded.

"But I just wanted you to know that no one here blames you for the attacks. I've spoken to most of them, and they don't think like that."

I opened my mouth, but she cut me off. "I can see how guilty you feel, and I wanted to let you know."

"Thank you," I said, blinking at her.

"So, you're leaving soon," she said, looking ahead, into the dark mass of trees.

"We are," I replied. How did she feel about that? About her husband and sons leaving, possibly never returning? My stomach clenched at the thought.

"I used to fight, once," she said. I turned to her in surprise. Her face was still turned ahead, serene, calm. "That was before Meadow's birth. It was complicated - I wasn't able to fight after that."

"That must have been hard," I said, putting a hand over hers.

"It was, at first," she said, "But I accepted it. I'm not telling you this because I want sympathy." She turned to me, eyes wide and honest. "I could see how it bothered you, not having the power we did, or your mother did."

I nodded, looking away.

"But I want you to know that there are other kinds of power. I can't fight anymore, but I do as much as Birch does. We keep our husbands strong, we support them. We do all the things needed for these camps to run."

"And we're all grateful," I said, still not quite meeting her eyes.

"When you leave, don't be discouraged if you're not progressing as easily as you hoped. We believe in you, all of us."

"Thank you," I whispered.

If only my real mother had as well.

"What's wrong?" Grove asked, probably sensing my darkening mood. I let out a shaky breath. Could I really confide in her, a near-stranger? But one look at her large face, and I knew I could.

"It's just - I spent my entire life as a prisoner. Ivy - the Queen - she wanted to kill us all. She didn't succeed with me, because of you all. I don't know why she was so cruel - you all are kinder to me than she has ever been, and you barely know me."

Grove rested a gentle hand around my shoulder, pulling me in to her warm body. "Whatever her reason behind it, it does not excuse her for treating you, and your sisters, like that."

I sniffed softly, leaning into her. I'd never experienced comfort like this. "I know, but I want to know what happened - I need to know why she did all that."

"I'm sure she had her reasons, but it doesn't change what she did. There's a reason we want to overthrow her," Grove said.

I looked up at her curiously. "What's your reason, if you don't mind me asking?"

She exhaled, shoulders caving in. "My father. He was executed on her orders, though he was innocent."

"I'm so sorry," I murmured. These people had lost their families too.

"It's fine. It really affected Aiden, though," she said, twisting her lips. "But I really wanted to say, good luck for when you leave. I won't be there, but my thoughts are with you."

"Thank you, Ms. Poplar. It means a lot," I said.

"Call me Grove, dear," she said.

I nodded. "Thank you, Grove."

"Now, you'd better go to bed." She said, standing up. I nodded and followed her inside, collapsing on my bed.

I was more tired than I'd thought, and sleep found me instantly.

I really like this one. Some new scenes, Grove and El time and the plot changes from here. This one is more realistic, I think. How did you like it? Don't forget to:

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