To The World Tree

We woke early in the morning and bathed at a nearby pond then ate breakfast at a longhouse were we were served several elven dishes. Some of them were pretty good but the elves wouldn't share the recipe no matter how much we asked. It was an hour later that a royal procession arrived. A beautiful female elf rode to the front. She looked fairly young but carried herself with a touch of maturity.

"Hello sister." She smiled. I was a little surprised to hear Willow had a sister though I don't know why. Willow walked over and they gave each other a hug. "Sorry we had to pull you from the war."

"It will still be there when I am done. If they are smart they will surrender before I make it back." Willow shrugged.

"Yes. I am sure they tremble at your return." Willows sister teased and then walked toward the Arch Magus.

"Arch Magus, a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well Princess Harmony." The Arch Magus bowed.

"Ah, and the the goblin slayer." Princess Harmony looked at me and offered her hand..

"My lady." I bowed and kissed it.

"If you will please follow us. Arch Magus I am afraid your students must stay behind. My mothers orders."

"Very well." The Arch Magus nodded.

"I didn't know you had a sister." I said looking at

"Two actually. I will see you when you get back." Willow smiled.

"Take care of Aurora for me."

"You know I will."

"Not what I meant."

"I am only kidding. I will make sure she keeps the ring on."

They loaded the arch mages chest onto a small cart and we headed on our way. We rode for about a half hour before we reached the city though I could not see it. What I could see when we got close a magical barrier before us but more powerful then anything I had seen and far larger It went on north and south as far as I could see.

"How can anyone make a barrier that large?" I looked at the arch magus.

"No one person could. It was cast by hundreds of elves using who knows how many stones." She replied

"Yes. A thousand years ago to protect the world tree during the elven war." Harmony looked back at us and slowed her horse so that she rode alongside us.

"It draws its power from the world tree?"I said looking at Harmony.

"Yes." She nodded. I rode a little ahead to get a closer look. I could feel the magic as I put my hand close.

"Only the children of the mother goddess can pass through unaided." Harmony said. I decided to test it anyways and reached out and my hand passed through.

"How in the?" Harmony looked at me. I smiled and shrugged and slowly passed through the barrier. When I did I saw the elven city before me. Hundreds of elder trees encircled a large lake that even in the daylight had a soft glow. On a large island in the middle of the lake stood the world tree. It had been tall enough that I had been able to see it over the top of the barrier during our trip as it got larger and larger but now I felt like an ant looking up at a human.

"Beautiful isn't it." Harmony said as she rode up beside me.

"Very." I nodded and smiled at her. We got in boats and rowed towards a castle that encircled the world tree. A small gate seemed to be the only way in or out of the island. We passed through and docked along the shoreline.

"I will take you to see my mother Arch magus. These men will take you to see the princess." Harmony said and pointed to two of the eleves.

"Thank you princess." I nodded. They took me to the south of the island into a huge tower. I was led into a large hall were I saw Araseli.

"Hello my friend." She smiled and offered her hand. I grasped her wrist and she grasped mine. I looked past to see Araseli to see Princess Seren standing next to an older elven woman in robes. They stood in front of a pedestal with an apple on top of it. I saw other students and teachers watching her as well.

"Ianuae magicae brevis." She said and I heard a rush of air as the apple vanished and then reappeared on a pedestal across the room. She jumped for joy though her teacher shook her head at her. I began to clap. She turned and saw me and came over at a fast pace.

"Your highness. It is good to see you again." I bowed. She came up to me and hugged me tightly.

"It's good to see you to." She slid off of me and smiled.

"That was impressive magic." I smiled and she blushed slightly.

"A minor spell, she has a long way to go to master the skill before she can travel herself." Her teacher said as she came over.

"Want to try? From what I heard you are quiet a mage yourself now." Seren grinned.

"I wouldn't go that far."

"I do not think that would be wise my lady, it took you dozens of tries before you could even move the apple." Her teacher shook her head.

"Oh come on." Seren took my hand and led me to the platform where she had sent the apple.

"Very well." I nodded.

"Picture the other platform in your mind were you want to send it and focus on that spot. You want to focus your mind on where you want it to go while you focus your magic through your hand. Then touch the apple with your palm and say the words Ianuae magicae brevis." She said showing me the steps of the spell she made it sound easy but I was sure there was more to it then that. I took a deep breath.

"Ianuae magicae brevis." I said and the apple vanished and reappeared at the podium across the room as it exploded. Students and teachers shielded themselves but it was more past then chunks.

"Sorry." I said looking at the others.

"Out with you human." Her teacher pointed. The two of us made a quick exit out of the hall

"Maybe a little less power next time." Seren blushed. "Though you found an easy way to make apple pudding." I couldn't help but smile. She led me to a small platform and an elf blew a horn. Next thing I knew we were rising up into the air. I grabbed hold of the side.

"Relax. I take this trip everyday. It was built by a skilled Gnomish Artificer." Seren smiled and touched my shoulder.

"If it falls Araseli will catch you. Me I am not so lucky." I grinned. "How far up does this go?"

"Hard to say. The palace sits on the strongest branches. Maybe three fourths of the way up but their are higher structures above it. " Seren smiled. As we cleared the treeline I could see for miles though most of it was more trees bordered by distant mountains. I saw some plains to the northeast and some rivers as we rose higher but nothing I could use as a landmark.

When we finally reached the top the lift stopped at a large platform. We climbed out and I marveled at the sight of the palace. It was hard to tell what was tree and what was elf made. Seren led me toward the palace and into the main hall.

"My lady I was just coming to get you to let you know your escort had arrived but I see you already know." A familiar voice said. I looked over to see Arwen. She smiled at me and blushed slightly. It had been around two months at least since I had seen her.

"Yes he did." Seren smiled back.

"It's good to see you lady Arwen." I nodded.

"You as well." I nodded. We headed into the throne room were the queen sat on her throne. She looked every bit as beautiful as I had imagined. We blended in with the other elves as we watched.

"We thank you for this knowledge you have brought us, and in return we offer the same." The Queen nodded and a small chest was brought forward and sat down in front of her and opened it to show several books and scrolls.

"And what of the elder seed your grace?"

"I am sorry but I cannot give it to you because it is not in our possession. It hangs from a distant branch. Each of the nine have tried and failed to acquire the fruit."

"I brought a Valkyrie with me surly she could reach it with ease."

"Sadly no. I tried myself. Only an elf can pull the fruit from the tree." Araseli said stepping out of the crowd.