The quest continues

For three more days they traveled. Lauren was growing tired of this tedious, seemingly endless quest. Sir Lennis offered no useful information. In fact, Laure was fairly certain he had no idea what they were trying to go, or even what this quest of theirs was exactly.

But, what choice did they have? Lauren knew no way to get home from this strange land. She was helpless, and had no choice but to go along with Sir Lennis, riding all day, filthy in her immature outfit, getting snickered at by anyone they passed. She tried to remember the prim, well dressed, refined woman she was. But, in her featureless woolen shift, she certainly didn't feel like the same woman.

On the third day out from the village they stumbled upon a clearing with a serene pool of water in the middle of it. In the pool bathed a beautiful elf maiden was bathing in a moonlit pool. Lauren had never seen an elf, but instantly recognized her by the lithe, tall body, lean face, incredibly fair blonde hair and long, pointed ears.

The elf hear them, her head snapping up. In an instant her wooden bow was in her hand, a deadly arrow knocked and pointed straight at Sir Lennis, who stood just as stunned as Lauren. Lauren's s heart raced as the elf looked her up and down, her eyes narrowing as she drew the deadly bow back, string creaking with strain...

"What is this?" she demanded. "A jest?"