When he finished with the bandages, he said to the man in the blue vest, “I must take her to Umplidore now, can you manage?”

When the other man nodded, he gently lifted me up to his horse’s saddle. As he raised me up, I noticed that the other man was taking care of Blue. It comforted me to know that my only friend would be alright.

The man held firmly onto me, made promises once again, and spurred his horse into a full gallop.

After that I pretty much gave up. I must have fainted because I couldn’t recall the ride; I only remember waking in the arms of someone. I couldn’t force my eyes open, but I could feel the up and down jolts of the person running. I also noticed that it became warm and dim, meaning we were probably inside a building of some sort. Every step echoed off the walls, so it must’ve been someplace big.

I sensed the person holding me slow down to a halt, then urge, “Hurry, let me in! I must speak with her Majesty!” I recognized the voice as the man who rescued me in the woods.

“No one, not even you sire, is permitted to–”

“Now!” the person holding me demanded furiously.


A moment of pained silence passed before I heard a pair of huge doors creak open. The person holding me burst into the other room.

“Why, it’s you!” exclaimed a cheerful voice farther in the room. “I thought you wouldn’t be back until–” started a women’s voice. She must’ve dropped short when she saw that she had more than one guest. “Who is that?” She asked with grave concern.

The man caught his breath while I listened to the swishing of a skirt as the woman ran towards us.

I felt a hand brush against my skin. It felt soft, delicate, and deliciously cool against my hot face. I managed to open my eyes a slit. The lady was gorgeous, and somehow familiar. She seemed young, but had an aura of authority and wisdom. She had light skin with a rosy complexion. She wore the most beautiful light green dress that perfectly matched her pale green eyes. It seemed as if there were stars embedded in them, always twinkling. Finally, a lovely silver crown rested upon her strawberry blonde curls.