Chapter 9

I woke to clattering noises.

I looked around at the room, blinking rapidly. The events of the last night came flooding back to me.

I was in the rebel camp. In Birch's house. And it was - oh, Nalvia. I bolted straight upright.

It was my sixteenth birthday.

My sixteenth birthday. A day I'd never thought I would live to see. And a day none of my sisters had ever had. Strange, really. That I out of all my sisters would get to experience this day.

Something banged outside.

I jerked, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I already felt on edge - at least I was well-rested. I'd be prepared for whatever happened.

What can you do, even if something happens? You can't defend yourself.

I shut out the doubtful voice inside my head and pushed the sheets to the side. It was the best night I'd ever had, given the bed and the blankets. I stepped in front of the mirror, smoothing my dress and fixing my hair, trying to look presentable. Whoever they were, these people were my hosts, and I'd be polite.

Swallowing once, gathering all my courage, I stepped outside, and walked down the hall to find Birch in the kitchen, picking up a stone bowl from the floor.

He looked up as I came in, "You're awake, Princess."

I looked at the bowl in his hand. His eyes followed mine.

"I'm dead clumsy. Keep dropping things," he said, gesturing to the pan. I only nodded.

Then I heard footsteps. I looked to the side to see a woman walking in. Her dark hair was in a loose bun, strands framing her face.

"What's all the noise?" She asked, looking at Birch. Then her eyes fell on me. They widened, wrinkling around the edges, the dull green in them sparkling. "Oh my, are you - her?"

"I'm the Princess," I supplied.

"Welcome, Princess. I'm Grove Poplar." she said, finally smiling. Her eyes lit up, and I smiled back. Birch's wife? "I'm sorry I wasn't up when you came last night, it was very late - "

"Don't think of it. I wouldn't expect anyone to be up," I said, nodding at her.

She smiled wider before turning to Birch, "And don't think I don't see you trying to hide that."

Birch's eyes widened as he sheepishly held out the bowl, which he'd been hiding behind his back.

Grove huffed, taking it and walking past him. She smacked him on the rear with it before putting it in a drawer.

A door opened and closed again, and a boy walked in.

It wasn't Aiden, though he looked very much like him. He had the same dark green eyes and features, but his hair was a few shades lighter. "Good morning, Dad, Mom," he said, albeit with a yawn, dropping a kiss on his mother's cheek.

I watched, pursing my lips, as his eyes turned to me with unrestrained curiosity. He blinked once before saying, "I'm Arden. And you must be the Princess."

I nodded, "Pleased to meet you."

"He's Aiden's twin," Birch said. I eyed him with new doubt. Did he share his twin's distrust of me?

"I'm making breakfast, sit down," Grove said, her back to us. I followed Birch and Arden to the table, sitting opposite them.

We didn't say anything. The uncomfortable silence hovered until Grove set the honey cakes in front of us. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat too many, so I took one, while Birch and Arden piled their plates.

"That's all?" Arden asked, glancing at my plate.

I nodded, "I'm not that hungry."

Grove joined us finally, sitting beside me. "Did you sleep well?"

I almost laughed at the irony of the question. Grove had said it like she wasn't sure how I'd like house, but it was the best night I'd ever had. I settled on nodding at her. "Very well, thank you."

Grove opened her mouth to say something else, but she was interrupted when someone else walked in.

It was a small girl, a white nightdress hanging around her small frame, with long blonde hair.

"Daddy!" she squealed, throwing herself at Birch, who picked her up and whirled her around with equal enthusiasm. He set her down with a kiss on the forehead.

"This is Meadow, our daughter." Grove said.

"Hello! Who're you?" Meadow asked, perhaps not as politely as she had intended.

"I'm Elvina," I smiled.

"Ellie!" She proclaimed excitedly.

"If you say so," I agreed, chuckling a bit. What it was like to be so young and innocent. I'd never been so carefree.

"Ooh! Honey cakes?" Meadow asked, climbing onto her father's lap.

"Mm-hmm. And if you want some, tell your daddy he'd better stop eating before there aren't any left," Grove said, bending down to whisper to Meadow, even though we could all hear.

Meadow giggled before turning around and telling Birch sternly, "Mommy says to stop eating now or there won't be any left for me!"

"Yes, ma'am," Birch said with a mock salute. Meadow giggled, helping herself to a cake from her father's plate.

After an hour, we had all washed up. I was wearing one of Grove's old gowns, from her 'before marriage' days - something Birch scoffed at and refused to believe was true.

I was sitting in my temporary room when Arden swung his head into it. "Dad's calling you." I nodded and followed him to the hall, where Birch was waiting.

"So," he began, before he was interrupted by a door creaking open. This time, Aiden walked in, yawning. His hair was completely messed up, and he hadn't even tried to look presentable like his brother. "Our late riser." Birch snorted.

"I went to bed late, Dad," Aiden retorted. His eyes flicked to me. They darkened. I chewed the inside of my cheek. The mark on his cheek had faded, but I doubted the same could be said for his memory.

"Well, make yourself presentable and come out," Birch said. I turned to see Aiden's dark eyes boring right into me before he walked away, back down the hall.

Birch turned to me, his face devoid of any humor.

"Princess, I think it's time to explain everything to you." I gave a nod, and Birch continued, "As you already know, we are working for the removal of the Queen and the Prince from the throne. If it works, rest assured, it will be you on the throne."

"What's the catch?" I asked, folding my arms.

"What makes you think there's a catch?" Arden asked. I raised an eyebrow at him.

Birch exhaled. "It isn't much. Just that you abolish the Law that states that no elf can question the Monarch and let us elves choose who should be in the Council."

I blinked. Their requests were things I'd been planning to do for years, had I ever become Queen. I was so stunned, I nodded immediately. "Of course."

"Thank you," Birch said, a flash of surprise flying over his face, "Now, it's not going to be easy, taking down the Queen. Most elves are too afraid of her to join us. However, if you come with us to recruit them - "

"I see," I said. I did. They were using me to lure in elves, my people, to fight against Ivy. While I didn't approve of innocent elves being used as soldiers, even I knew that there were no other options.

"What about the Caves? The Clouds, or the Waters?" I asked.

Birch shook his head. "The Dwarves, Fae and Merfolk refuse to help both us and the Queen. It's an internal matter — they won't interfere."

I sighed heavily. Except for trade, we had little contact with our neighbors. As it was, we would refuse to help if they were facing a rebellion as well. Of course they wouldn't help us.

"Do you know how to fight?" Birch asked.

"Fight," I repeated. I'm not sure how he even thought it was a possibility. I was so young when father was murdered. After that there was no chance of me ever getting my hands on a weapon. My older sisters did know, but they never taught me how.

"Or use your powers?" Arden asked.

I blinked at him. My powers. My -

"What?"

Birch winced, "Princess, I know you think you have no powers - "

"How did you know that?" The words came out quick and sharp.

"Spies," Birch said, his tone apologetic. "But Princess, what you need to know is that every elf has power."

"Right. That explains why I'm the only one who hasn't so much as been able to lift a small patch of dirt," I said, my tone more bitter than I had meant it to be. I looked down, pursing my lips.

"Your powers can be suppressed. Sometimes, elves who come in contact with iron often, who are under much fear - the powers don't show for them."

I looked up at Birch, biting my lip slightly. I'd been beaten with an iron rod before. And I certainly harbored quite a lot of fear, especially when I was younger.

My sisters, the more powerful ones - they were older. They hadn't spent as much time in the dungeons as I had - Juniper and I had practically grown up in those dingy cells, but Laurel and Sylvan had spent most of their life in luxury.

"Princess, elves came from Nalvia. The Forest Spirit. Our spirits are tied to her. So, in a way, we have control over the whole Forest. Not just the earth."

"Which is how you used the trees, and the vines," I said, realization dawning on me.

Birch gave a sharp nod. "Yes. And you, being the rightful heir to the Forest now, should be stronger than I. Stronger than anyone else, truly - except your mother."

My eyes narrowed. I, who had never shown a hint of magic, stronger than anyone else? But - Ivy had never used the Forest in the way Birch had.

"So, why aren't the other elves, like Ivy, able to use the trees like you?"

Birch's fingers clasped together. "They can only use these powers when they are aware of them. Only the rebels know it is possible, and since it takes much more effort to use it, most are only able to manipulate the dirt and soil. I believe that Ivy was first exposed to these kinds of powers only when I defeated her."

"Why didn't you kill her then?" I couldn't restrain the question.

Birch sighed, "I wish I could. But the Queen would surely have retaliated, had I tried. I only caught her by surprise - she is much stronger than me, and I'm sure I only stunned her. I left too soon for her to follow. But one day, several of us might overpower her."

The uncertainty in his tone made me aware of just how unlikely it was, us defeating Ivy. She was the Queen - she received the powers that came with the throne and was the strongest elf in the Forest. It would be nearly impossible for any of us to overpower her.

"But we have reason to hope." At Birch's words, I looked up. He looked at me, opening his mouth to continue - just as another set of footsteps padded on the floor.

I turned to see Aiden walking towards us, looking clean and dressed in fresh clothes. His face was still wary, still unreadable as he looked at me. I didn't think he'd ever trust me - not, at least, until I fully trusted him and the rebels.

"As I was saying," Birch said, drawing my attention back to him, "We believe that in light of recent situations, Nalvia's favor might have gone to you, instead of Ivy."

"So - you're saying that I might be the most powerful?"

Birch nodded, his face set grimly.

"That isn't possible," I said, trying to make them understand. I'd always believed I had no powers, that I was the weakest of my family. How could they say that I was possibly the strongest?

"We'll see, Princess. Now, the reason why you're here - before you meet with the rebel leaders, you will have to learn how to control the Forest like us."

I bit my lip hard, willing myself not to say anything.

"Aiden and Arden will teach you," Birch said. I tried not to look back at Aiden. I could clearly feel his gaze still piercing into me. "I have to leave, but I hope by the time I come back, there will be progress."

He gave me a nod. "Thank you," I said, barely remembering my manners, before he walked out through the front door, into the trees.

"You'll have to come outside, Princess," Aiden said, his tone full of contempt at my title. I hadn't hit him so hard that he'd be that bitter.

I only turned and nodded, following the twins outside, through the back door, into a small glen.

A miracle! The second chapter over 2000 words XD No, but really, how are the twins? A little different, right? But this seemed more real to me.

And what, 300 views in like a week? You guys are awesome!

Also, did you see what I did with the other non-human species? It's in case I get an idea for any of them and I want to write it. Probably won't happen, so I might end up deleting it later :)

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