The air was chilled, but not unpleasantly so. Trees surrounded me, and a forest floor covered in fallen leaves cushioned me. I realized I was on my back on the ground. A face stared down at me from the trees. "Awake?" They said. I nodded, but it caused pain to shoot up my spine. I screamed and nearly blacked out. The person hopped to the ground, taking the form of a boy. A boy with long, pointed ears. "You're..." I managed.

"An elf." He replied. He lifted me off the ground. I blushed furiously. "I'm taking you to Melendan, my home. They can heal you."

I noticed the sharp pain in my back again. Everything faded for a second, and I let out another cry of pain.

"Your back is b.roken." He informed me.

"I think I know that." I replied bluntly, wincing. He gently put me down.

"I will give you a little bit of elvish painkiller now to help with transport."

"O...ok." I let out a heavy sigh, watching as the elvish boy pulled some herbs out of his pockets and began to crush them into a paste. "Wait, before I go to...whatever that elven place was, could you tell me your name?"

"Haenir. Yours?" He added a bit of something growing nearby to the paste.

"Aenith." I replied. Finishing the paste, he ( )ought the bowl of herb smelling goop to me.

"Aenith...a good name. Now eat a bit of this." A shadow of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. I slowly extended a finger, but jerked it back because of the pain in my spine.

"Here. Let me help." He reached into his pocket and ( )ought out a wooden spoon. Then he proceeded to scoop up a glob of herbal paste and ( )ing the spoon up to my mouth. I blushed again, this time even hotter and redder, but took the foul-smelling stuff. To my surprise, it tasted wonderful. The pain subsided, now a dull ache.

"This will wear off in about thirty of your minutes. Do you feel well enough to ride?" He asked me. I was shocked, but nodded.

"Yes."

"Then I will take you to my horse." He swept me off the ground again. A shiver went through my body at his touch. I really hoped this was going to be over soon. He carried me over to a dun horse, with a beautifully long black mane. It stamped its hooves in greeting, neighing softly. Haenir put me onto its back, and jumped up behind me. My cheeks burned. This was SO awkward...

"How long of a ride, Haenir?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"Not long." The ghost of a smile flitted across his face. He flicked the reins, and his horse started to gallop. His pale red hair streamed behind him as we flew among the trees. I was glad my black hair was in a snood, because I would be super embarrassed if it hit him in the face. A bit later, I was beginning to enjoy the ride. It didn't feel so awkward as Haenir and I chatted about this and that. I had made him smile once, and it felt wonderful to see him happy. But our ride was coming to an end.

"Here we are." He nodded at me, turning his horse, who I had found out was named Dunthiel, and was a girl. I gasped, seeing the most beautiful city before me. Everything shimmered as if it was diamond, and waterfalls cascaded down jagged cliffs into a crystalline lake. Dunthiel slowed to a trot so I could take it all in. There were elven ladies dressed in the finest silks and chiffons, and the men, fair skinned, unlike normal humans. We soon arrived at the grandest sight of all: the palace. Haenir carried me in after having me take more of the herb paste.

"Mother, I am back, with the girl." He called out. A gorgeous elf with long white blonde hair came forward.

"Aenith! We've been expecting you."

"You...you have?" I asked, confused, as Haenir set me down on a chaise lounge fit for a queen.

"Yes. Let us say that God spoke to me, and told me to send Haenir to find you. I am Lady Lossengwen." She smiled. Then she placed one hand on my heart. "Karn he either, amin atar. Karn he eithel ent karn he coi an."

Instantly all pain subsided, and I felt a warm feeling inside me. I was healed.

"Thank you, my lady." I got up, bowed, and walked over to Haenir.

"What did she say?"

He just smiled. "Come, let us go outside. I must ask you something."

I blushed, smiling back. I had to admit, I had a bit of a crush on him...ok, a big one. We went outside after Lossengwen had had me dress in a beautiful midnight blue elven gown.

"Aenith, is this not a beautiful place?"

"Mmhmm." I looked out over the rolling green hills.

"I know of your parents, and I am most sorry about your loss." He cast his eyes down. I smiled. "It's ok. I'm not sad anymore."

"Well...how would you like to stay here? To become elvish? Immortal?" He asked, a bit shyly, a bit awkwardly. I gasped. "Haenir! Yes, I would!"

"Well...how about staying here by my side as a princess of Melendan?" He dropped to one knee and held out the most magnificent diamond ring I had ever laid eyes on. "I know you're only 18, but we can wait a year or two. I...I've fallen in love with you, Aenith."

"And me with you, Haenir." My heart skipped a beat, and I gazed into his blue eyes. "My answer is yes."

Two years later, I was walking down the aisle on the arm of Haenir's father, and I had pointed ears under my long black hair. My white dress rustled as I took my place beside my husband-to-eternally-be. Vows were said, and when the priest announced the time for us to kiss...I cannot describe my joy. It was the best time of my life. Officially.