The morning sun broke through the window panes of Toame's room. He had always been awakened by the dawn. This morning would be no different in that respect. But this morning he found the necklace from his dreams lying on his nightstand. He picked it up and stuffed it in his pocket to conceal it from his mother. He would try to find the old elf and ask him about his dream and the necklace Bayla had gifted him.
He hurried with his breakfast and went to the library to meet his new tutor. He entered and sat in his usual spot when an elfin matron came in from the rear. He recognized her as his mother's closest confidant. She had been in the castle most of his life though he hadn't really known her before. "I shall have you sit nearer to me I think." She said gesturing to a chair on the far end of the room. He complied with her request. "Very good," she said when he sat. "My name is Amidal and I shall be your new instructor."
"Yes, ma'am," responded Toame. She appeared to be in her thirties and carried herself with nervous tension. She was tall and beautiful like most elves, but seemed to carry fear as her demeanor. She would be strict in her tutoring and otherwise emotionless. He thought she was very much like his own mother and he hated that.
"We shall study the mathematics of science today, young master. Won't you please obtain the books you will need?"
The lesson ended on time and he was free to leave the castle on his own bidding. He left just after the lunch hour and headed for the rose garden. He wanted to see if they were really in bloom as he had seen in his dream. He entered the garden to find his old friend kneeling at the lily in the center. "Master Elf," he said surprised. "I'm so glad you are here. I was afraid I would not get to see you again my friend."
"Alas, my dear boy, I too feared that. I have been banished from the palace and I am afraid my life is in danger."
"Why? What has been said of you?"
"This forest is full of ears. Reports of our meeting in the berry patch reached the queens ears, I fear." The old elf bowed his head as he touched the leaves of the lily.
"A great wrong would be done to have harm come you Master Elf. A great wrong indeed."
"That may be true, son. But many a wrong have been committed in these dark times of war."
"Excuse me, Master and Young Elf," interrupted Jacque. "I deliver a message from an old friend."
"I bid you speak it, skunk. I have little time," stated the tutor.
"The farmer wishes to meet the young one. He has learned of his relationship with his daughter," reported Jacque.
Toame's heart threatened to seize with fear, though the excitement of seeing Lily again surpassed said anxieties.
The old elf stood up in surprise and shot Toame a wonder filled stare. "So this is the secret you keep? You have fallen in love with Lily of the Rose Bed?"
"You know of her? She really is the daughter of Bayla?" Toame seemed surprised at the old elf's secrets.
"Yes, I know of her, though no other elf in the palace does. Those who did know of her believed she perished along with her mother that fateful night. She is our the true heir to the throne and I fear if your mother knew of her..." The old one's voice trailed in pain. "Speak of her to no one for in doing so you shall endanger her life."
"I have not spoken of her to anyone. Not even you, my most trusted friend, as you well know. I shall keep her life a secret for as long as I am able."
"Good. Let us be going then. I long to visit with my old friend, the farmer."