The crisp morning air carried the scent of pine and damp earth as Lloyd Briar brought his horse to a halt before an ancient, moss-covered archway. The pathway beyond seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light, marking the entrance to the fabled Eastern Forest.
"At last," Lloyd murmured, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. As he dismounted, a shadow beneath the horse writhed and coalesced into the form of his trusted retainer, Carac.
Lloyd's lips quirked into a wry smile. "That's quite the convenient skill you have there, Carac."
Carac stepped forward, his face etched with concern. "It has its limitations, my lord. I can only travel through shadows cast by objects capable of bearing two people or more, and with substantial endurance. Moreover, once submerged, I must emerge from another shadow, lest I remain trapped in the darkness."
Lloyd nodded thoughtfully, weighing the merits and drawbacks of Carac's unique ability. With a hearty chuckle, he gestured towards the forest's entrance. "Well, shall we venture into the unknown?"
As they approached the threshold, Carac's brow furrowed. "My lord, humans are forbidden from entering the Eastern Forest. How do you propose we gain entry?"
Lloyd's eyes twinkled with mischief. "That much is clear, but we can't deduce anything from out here. Let's proceed, and we'll devise a plan as we go."
The two men stepped into the forest, immediately enveloped by a world of vibrant greens and shifting shadows. Ancient trees towered above them, their gnarled branches reaching towards the sky like grasping fingers. Vines and bushes obscured their path, but Lloyd had cautioned Carac against cutting any of the vegetation, wary of offending their elusive hosts.
As they pressed deeper into the forest, both men watched in awe as plants seemed to move of their own accord, leaves rustling without wind and vines coiling like serpents. The legends of Yggdrasil, no longer seemed like mere fiction in the face of such magical display.
After an hour of careful navigation, they found themselves before an imposing barrier of intertwined roots. Lloyd and Carac exchanged a knowing glance, realizing they had reached the limits of their uninvited excursion.
Suddenly, vines from the surrounding foliage began to gather before them, weaving together in an intricate dance until they formed a face-like visage. Light pulsed from its eyes and mouth as it spoke in a voice that seemed to emanate from the very earth itself.
"Humans!" it boomed, the sound reverberating through their bones. "What do you seek in these forbidden lands? Return now, and I shall overlook this trespass."
Lloyd stepped forward, his posture radiating confidence. "I am Lloyd, head of the Briar estate, and this is my retainer, Carac. We seek an audience with the elves, specifically with Queen Frey—"
The entity cut him off, its voice laced with indignation. "Such impudence! A mere human dares to demand an audience with our Queen? On what grounds do you make such an outrageous request?"
Carac, bristling at the perceived insult to his lord, began to draw his blade. Lloyd, however, raised a hand to stay his retainer's action. Before he could speak again, a melodious voice rang out from beyond the root barrier.
"Sir Lloyd? Is it truly you?"
A smile of recognition spread across Lloyd's face. "Lady Freya, it has indeed been some time."
The root barrier parted like a curtain, revealing a breathtaking sight. Before them stood Queen Freya, resplendent in her royal attire. Her long, pointed ears and shimmering blonde hair marked her as unmistakably elven, while her statuesque figure and piercing blue eyes exuded an otherworldly beauty.
As the group made their way through the now-open gate, a wondrous civilization unfolded before their eyes. Elegant structures seamlessly blended with the natural landscape, their architecture far surpassing anything in the human empire. Magnificent creatures of the forest served as transportation, and Lloyd noted with interest a nearby teleportation embassy.
Freya's lips curved into a teasing smile. "I imagine the journey was quite taxing... four days on horseback, was it not?"
Lloyd sighed, a rueful expression on his face. "Indeed it was. The empire's restrictions on teleportation to the east left us with little choice."
A resplendent carriage, its design a perfect fusion of nature and craftsmanship, arrived to carry them to the castle. As they traveled through the elven city, Lloyd marveled at the advanced technology on display. The quality of goods rivaled, if not surpassed, those of the human nobility. Elven citizens paused in their activities to wave at their beloved queen as she passed.
Finally, they arrived at the castle—a structure of such breathtaking beauty that it left both Lloyd and Carac momentarily speechless. Two colossal trees flanked the building, their vines intertwining with the stonework in a display of natural artistry.
As they entered the castle grounds, Freya turned to Lloyd, her expression thoughtful. "Sir Lloyd, are you familiar with the tales of our god, Yggdrasil?"
Lloyd nodded, intrigued by the sudden change in topic. "I am indeed acquainted with the legends surrounding the elven god Yggdrasil."
Freya's eyes sparkled with an ancient wisdom as she continued. "This castle and these great trees have stood for over seven centuries, since the time of the war between your ancestor Regulus and the Northern King. It is said that Yggdrasil himself intervened in that conflict, playing a crucial role in the Northern King's demise. That intervention elevated the elves to our current status as a major power in the world."
She paused as they reached the magnificent castle doors, which swung open at their approach. "Since that war, Yggdrasil has slumbered. I am the third queen to reign since those tumultuous days. You, Sir Lloyd, have been a great aid to both myself and my kingdom. I know you have come seeking my help, and I shall honor the promise I made to you. But first, let us have breakfast."
Lloyd's eyebrows rose in admiration of Freya's perceptiveness. "As you wish, Your Majesty. I look forward to our discussion."
With that, the trio entered the castle, the doors closing behind them with a soft thud that seemed to echo with the weight of history.