Days before the meeting, Eleanor trudged back to the forest during sunset, comforted by Lovisa. She couldn't accept her actions and the harm they had caused.
By then, Eleanor arrived home. Her parents were there, unaware of what was going on. Suddenly, she pounced at them for a hug and sobbed heavily, saying that she was sorry. At first, they were dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. But when Lovisa explained everything to them, they were taken aback.
Eleanor's father, who had spent years making sure that his family got to eat, couldn't believe it. He sat down on a chair, palming his face. He was so overwhelmed by what he had just learned that he couldn't think straight. He didn't know what to do.
"I'm sorry," said the young lady with her grieving voice.
"No. You don't need to apologize, sweetie," said the father. "It's just that I'm thinking of what we're going to do after this... Once the Amir finds out, we'll be in peril. He could crucify us!" He stuttered nervously.
"Melvin!" The mother's voice rang out, sharp and accusing. "Do you place the blame on our daughter for this mishap? Remember, she is but a tender child!"
"Never! Please do not misunderstand me. I-I'm worried about what we're going to do!"
"We have no other choice but to report this to him instead."
"No need," said a mysterious voice. "I've already informed this matter to him."
Looking out the window, a young woman in a green coat was perched outside. She had a blank, unsettling expression and was spinning a dagger in her right hand while her arms rested on her thighs. The parents became protective and paranoid upon seeing her. Arywn gripped tightly on their daughter, Eleanor, as Melvin stood in front with his arms outstretched. Lovisa was frozen with anxiety. It was later revealed that the hooded figure had been eavesdropping on them the entire time.
"No need to be paranoid. I'm not here to harm any of you or your daughter," says the lady with a weapon in her hand.
"Then, what are you here for?" asked a frowning Melvin.
"I'm here to give out a reminder just for those who dare to flee without our permission - There'll be guards waiting on you outside. For now, you will have to stay here and await the Amir's demands."
The woman swiveled to the other side of the aperture and jumped out. She disappeared by the time Melvin peeked through.
"We're going to be here for a house arrest," said Melvin.
On the other hand, Lovisa, standing there the whole time, knowing that she had nothing to do with the situation, left immediately. From the said lady's perspective, the woman in the green coat was correct; There were plenty of guards patrolling around their residence. This left her worrying about the safety of her friend and her family.
A couple of days later, Amir Joralf arrived in the forest after meeting with King Ehrling. His first stop was at a certain treehouse where Melvin and his family currently resided, to check on them. Ignoring the people who greeted him upon his return, he hurried straight to their treehouse. However, before he could enter, the woman in the green coat suddenly appeared in front of the door.
"Nobody has ever managed to slip away from you, Amir," she reassured him.
"I doubt they even had plans to escape in the first place," replied the man sternly. "Now, please step aside," he ordered.
The woman made way for the prince and perched on the fence, a position that Joralf never hesitated to take. Inside the treehouse, he found the three family members doing what they could while isolated: Arwyn was cooking vegetables, Melvin was writing letters to his relatives, and Eleanor was busy tuning her harp. The creak of the door caught the prince's attention, and he met the father's eyes with annoyance on one side and widening eyes filled with anxiety on the other. This urged the patriarch to stand up from his seat and approach the young prince for a discussion.
"Melvin, you're fortunate that I was able to persuade the king to spare you from a punishment that involves death," said the calm and furious Amir.
"I apologize for my daughter's behavior... Thank you for persuading the king on our behalf," Melvin expressed his gratitude with clasped hands. "I promise to ensure my daughter never uses the Blow of Artemis again," he added solemnly.
"However, we still agreed to punish you and your family, as your actions can never be tolerated," reminded the prince.
"Yes, Milord! My family and I would accept any punishment other than death," cheerfully said the father while feeling the weight on his shoulders.
While they were conversing, Eleanor's guilt grew. She couldn't help but reflect on her actions from the day before. Later on, she would brush them aside, not wanting her parents to show concern.
With a feeling of relief, the prince declared, "In that case, then let's not waste any more time; You will be exiled from the land of Svearania."
At that moment, her father was taken aback. He could not believe what he was hearing. His pupils widened in disbelief.
"Milord, I've done so many things for the community. There must be another way!" Melvin stuttered, prompting the prince with a forced smile of denial.
"You dare question me, you naïve fool?" replied the Amir, grinding his teeth. "The catastrophe your daughter has brought upon us is nothing compared to your family's contributions!" he pointed out.
Just mentioning her name gasped the young elf, Eleanor, in shock. She began to tremble, with tears emerging from her eyes, as her mother Arwyn pulled her in for a comforting embrace. At first, Melvin wanted to ask the prince why he involved him and his lover. But because Eleanor was the only child in the family, and he loved her so much, he had no choice but to reluctantly accept his fate. He gazed down at Joralf while suddenly spiraling into depression.
"I-I understand..." said the man quietly, his voice engulfed in sadness.
After that, Amir gave the family some time and space to pack up their belongings as he left. With no choice but to comply, Melvin asked his wife and daughter to help him prepare the needed items and put them all in their respective bags.
As they were busy with the prince's tasks, a man unexpectedly visited their treehouse. He entered and looked around, leaving the couple dumbfounded, especially Eleanor, who recognized him as the host of the previous bout. She wondered why he had come.
At first, the young elf's nerves were on edge, as the host's expression remained stoic, almost like a glare, giving the impression that he might be angry with her. However, he approached gently and knelt to pat her shoulder. His eyes shimmered as if on the verge of tears. A wave of sympathy engulfed him, as he was among the rare few who understood Eleanor and believed that she didn't intend to wreak havoc upon half the city.
He recounted yesterday's incident painfully, with Eleanor's parents watching as the conversation unfolded before them. Later, he emphasized that she was a decent child, regardless of anything else.
"I am aware that it wasn't your intention to desecrate half the kingdom," said the man, his voice heavy with grief. "And although I can't convince the prince to spare you and your family, there is one thing I can do," added the wealthy man.
Reaching into his bag, he withdrew a sack filled with a dozen shining gold coins and offered it to Eleanor, who hesitantly accepted it.
"Use it wisely wherever you go," he said before he stood up and left.
After three hours of packing, the elven family finally departed from the forest. The locals watched silently from a distance before resuming their daily routines. Sadly, the family was not only banned from the forest but also from the entire country.
With only a few days left before being branded as outsiders, they faced the reality that the cost of living outside the country would be much higher than they were used to as citizens. Fortunately, the same woman in the green coat had informed them of this earlier, saving them from wasting precious time.
One afternoon, in a city near the docks, Melvin sent multiple letters to his and his wife's relatives, hoping to find a place to stay. As the sun set on the second day, he grew weary as he received plenty of responses. There, at an Inn, he carefully read the letters sent by their relatives from across the world.
Sadly, all he received were rejections due to their circumstances. Nevertheless, he persisted. His lover, Arwyn, had just finished reading a bedtime story for their daughter when she noticed her husband busy with the letters that accepted their request. Concerned, she entered the room to comfort him.
"My love, I think you need some rest. Let's not worry about this for now," she said, her voice filled with concern. "We still have time to figure things out later."
The agitated husband turned his head, feeling exhausted. "You're right! We only have a few days before King Ehrling and the others consider us outsiders. We can't afford to be penniless by the time we leave..." he said wearily. "I'm sorry."
"Just get back to bed before midnight," sighed Arwyn before leaving the room.
Melvin returned to the letters and skimmed through them. Everything felt hopeless until a gust of wind blew through all the messages, revealing one letter that stood out from the rest. He frantically picked up the ones that had fallen off when his eyes became glued to that distinct note. Unlike the others, which were written on the usual colored paper, this one had a unique hue of its own.
As Melvin opened the mail and read through the message, it read:
"Dear Melvin,
I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and high spirits. I was delighted to receive your recent correspondence, and I am writing to extend a heartfelt invitation to you and your loved ones to join me in the Homelands of Columbia.
As you know, our land is a place where magic and rugged lifestyles intertwine, evoking a unique and enchanting atmosphere. The lush-occupied forest that I call home is nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, where creatures roam freely, and adventure awaits at every turn. Here in the Homelands, the government encourages every citizen to take control of their own lives, and the people are driven by a deep-rooted notion of liberty. This sets us apart, allowing individuals with immense potential to express themselves without being shackled by the circumstances imposed by higher powers—a restriction that other kingdoms rigidly enforce.
I am aware of the challenges you currently face in your land, and it saddens me to hear of the unfortunate incident that has led to your family being branded as outsiders. In the Homelands of Columbia, I assure you that you will find solace and acceptance. We place great value on family bonds and understand the importance of supporting one another through difficult times.
You and your family are most welcome to stay in my humble abode, nestled deep within the heart of the forest known as Greenwood. It is a place of tranquility and safety, where the whispers of nature will soothe your troubled hearts. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourselves in the wonders of our enchanted land, explore its hidden treasures, and forge new and cherished memories together.
I understand the urgency of your situation, and time is of the essence. I urge you to make haste and join me in the Homelands of Columbia within the next few days. Once you arrive, we can work together to ensure that you and your family find comfort and stability amidst the challenges you face.
Please be aware that, like in any community, there may be certain prejudices against those who seek refuge, but rest assured, most of us will stand ready to embrace you and your family as our own.
I eagerly await your arrival and look forward to the joyous reunion of our family. May your journey be swift and safe as you make your way to our enchanted realm.
With warm regards,
Calen."
After reading the letter, Melvin couldn't help but smile with relief. The message brought a renewed sense of hope, and he carefully slid the letter back into its envelope, gently placing it in his bag. He took a moment to rest and gather his thoughts, feeling grateful for the opportunity that lay ahead.