Hanna bargains

Hanna gulped and stepped nervously forward. She bowed her head in respect to the elves.

"Noble elves," she said. "We mean no trespass. We are merely mortals on a rite of passage."

The male elf cocked his head. "And where does this rite of passage take you, human?"

"Into adulthood, by the journey's end," Hanna said.

"Intruding on sacred ground?" the female said. "Is this what you humans do in adulthood?"

"Of course not, immortal one," Hanna said, dropping to one knee. She glanced back to the others, and they all did the same. "We offer ourselves to you, in the sight of your sacred stones. You are ancient and mighty, and perhaps our rite of passage has delivered us to you. Perhaps we are meant to learn from you to earn our glory."

"Interesting," said the female. She lowered her bow and turned to the male elf beside her. "My love, what do you think of them?"

"The sight of them is aggravating to me," the male said.

"Oh, but do you not long to have a new plaything in our home?" she said.

"This one who speaks has promise," he said, finally lowering his bow as well. "I sense much power in her. Let us take her and kill the others."

"What?" Brudd shouted. He stood and drew his axe. "I'll cut off your pointy ears first!"

"No, Brudd!" Hanna said. She stood and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay."

Brudd growled and stepped back. Hanna returned to the front of the group, and opened her arms to the elves.

"Noble elves," Hanna said. "I wish to learn your magics. I wish to learn all you have to teach me. I offer you... I offer you myself as tribute, if you let my friends go."

The male elf smiled at this.

"Very well, new pet," he said. "Come with me, and learn of my people's ways."