Toame had left the castle too quickly for Amidal to attach a trail to him. She had instructed some of the queen's best hunters to track him and report back as soon as they had word of his location. Toame knew his mother would have him followed so he took several unknown paths around the forest before finally entering the rose garden. It lay dormant before him as it always had before, though he noticed the lily was beginning to bloom in the morning sun. It truly was an exquisite flower. Its beauty paled anything he could recall. He knelt before the lily to drink in its fragrance. Its aroma filled him with a magical feeling he didn't quite understand but allowed nonetheless. He sighed deeply and breathed out the words "Bayla's beautiful Lily, how I love thee."
"Young prince, forgive the intrusion."
Toame stood and spun to find the skunk reared up on his hind legs. "You startled me, Jacque. How long have you been here?"
"Long enough to know where you heart lies," admitted Jacque. "There is an enchantment of sorrow upon this garden," explained the skunk "Only those whom Bayla approves may enter. Your words are safe here. Come I must show you a secret exit from the forest for there are many eyes in search of you." He dropped to all four paws and padded to the north end of the garden. There at the final rose bush stood a tall tree stump. It was covered in moss and ivy, scarcely recognizable as a stump at all. Jacque knocked on the stump twice and then scratched three times. The stump split open before him revealing a secret tunnel that led to the cellar of the cabin. "You must use this route whenever come here, young elf. It is the only way to escape your mother's spies."
They entered the cabin just as the mid day meal was being served. The old elf looked good for being away from his library and the farmer seemed to be in a fair mood. His eyes panned the home until they met Lily's. She was even more beautiful than the last time he had seen her. He went her and embraced her. "I saw your lily bloom this morning. Though its beauty fades compared to you my love."
"Such brave words from a man so young; to be speaking in such a forward manner to a young maiden." gruffed the farmer. "In front of her father at that," he laughed.
"Brave indeed," agreed the tutor. "Tis the bride's birthday today young elf. That is why the lily blooms."
"Bride?" Toame was taken askew by the word. "Is she to be married?"
"Aye, that she is," piped the skunk. "She's only been waiting for the groom to arrive."
Toame felt his heart sink into his stomach. "Who is she to marry?" Though he didn't really want to know.
Then men burst out laughing at his question. Lily giggled at him and said "You silly. I've been waiting for you." She caressed his cheek with her soft hands.
A smiled beamed across his face. "Me?! You want to marry me?" he exclaimed taking her hand in his.
��Yes, I do. Do you wish to marry me?" she asked.
"Oh, yes!! Yes, I do."
"Very well, then," said the old elf, "Let us proceed." The old elf proceeded with the elfin ceremony to join the young ones in wedlock just as he had done for her mother so many years before. Her father held a rare smile on his face.
She found her future in the eyes of this young elf though she knew their future would be froth with danger and deception. She vowed her life to him and he vowed his to her. She felt as if she were in a dream. Things had happened so fast, she had learned so much in such a short time. Her mind raced with the information she gathered and the experiences she had shared with her father and new friends. She looked deep into the eyes of her husband and felt all would be well.
"Someone comes," warned Jacque. The elves chose to hide in the cellar while the farmer went outside to tend to the visitor. Lily stayed in the living area to watch out the window. It was Philip. ���What's he doing here?' she thought.
"What brings you, old friend?" asked the farmer.
"Bad news I'm afraid. Please let me sit for it has been a long journey for one so old," Philip gasped trying to steady his breathing.
The farmer led him into the house and offered him a seat at the table. Lily gave him some tea making no effort to conceal herself. "What ill news do you have for me that would cause you to leave your shop?"
"My son…" the medicine man took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves. "My family has done great evil to you and yours."
"Of what evil do you speak?" demanded the farmer. Fear flooded his face.
"It was my daughter that…" he began to sob in his words. "…that took your fair bride. I did not know of this until today. She has elicited my son's help in tracking her own son. I am so sorry…"
"It was men that attacked us, not Amri." Recalled the farmer.
"No! It was my daughter I assure you. You don't have to believe me; she will tell you herself when she comes."
"What do mean 'when she comes'?" he stood up looking out the window for signs of her. "She's coming here?" He shot Lily a look of horror.
"I am afraid so. My son saw Lily in town the last time you came through and reported it to his sister somehow. She has vowed to kill her as she killed her mother. Oh dear God, forgive me for the evil that my family has done." Philip wept in his hands.
"You have done a great service in warning us, may your deed be rewarded in the afterlife." Lily consoled. "We must leave at once, Father. It is not yet time to face her."
"I agree. Philip, you must go now. You must not know where we are to go or how we are to get there. It is the only way you can maintain honesty with your family."
"I understand, my friend. I bid you safe travel." Philip left the cabin quickly so that the farmer and his daughter could escape before Amri's arrival.
���Come child, through the tunnel," exclaimed the old elf. "It's the safest way."
"But she will find the opening and follow us," she protested.
"Nay, we have magic and she does not. Now come there isn't much time."
She complied with his logic and followed him through the tunnel after packing some rations of food. They were careful to make the cabin look as if they were only out for the day so Amri would not be suspicious. Once they were in the rose garden, the elf gave Lily the words to say in the ancient language to close the tunnel. She faced the tunnel, let out a deep breath and recited the words "Abri dos elimin". The tree stump closed at her request and sunk down into the ground to be hidden for all time. A sigh of relief was had by all.