Ten, maybe fifteen minutes, that's how long it took us to get out of the forest and into a sunny plain. He slows the horse down and leads it at a simple walk. Fields as far as the eye can see, golden under the sun. Wheat, I suppose. There is a tree here and there, providing shade for the workers cultivating the soil. We then pass a hill, and there a small village stretches out. It is far from being like Tean. Real half-timbered houses, typical of Alsace, are adorned here with sparkling crystals that shine under the sun. These crystals are not only decorative like in Tean, they are also a source of energy for the elves. Each house is surrounded by lush gardens or small groves of flowers where plants and flowers I've never seen grow, adding a touch of color to the whole landscape.

The cobbled streets wind through the village, passing a fountain that stands in the center of a large square where the elves. We dismount from the horses. Everything is so picturesque. A small being the size of a three-year-old child, with earthy brown skin that seems to blend with the surrounding woods. His eyes are like two sparkling pearls of mischief, a deep green, reminiscent of summer leaves. His nose, resembling a potato, is sprinkled with freckles that add to his rustic charm.

He wears a hat made of straw and dried leaves and twigs, which seems to be an extension of his tousled and unruly hair. His sturdy body is clad in a coarsely woven wool coat, dyed with berries and herbs, which hangs down to his knobby knees. At his belt hangs a satchel, filled with seed and straw tools. He plunges his hand into his bag and gives a reward to the animals before taking them away. So... Is this the camp? I remain silent and bring my hand to my necklace.

-We need to treat you. Quickly.

-It's nothing, she declares curtly.

-Rainn, don't play the commander now. Even if you are. I'm going to take you to see the professor.

-Don't bother him for a minor injury. I can heal myself, she grumbles.

Well. What an understanding! At least I know the woman's name. Rainn. She withdraws and heads towards a house. The man turns to me.

- As she wishes, he says, lowering his arms. He looks at me from head to toe, and I feel my cheeks flush. I feel like a real curiosity under his insistent gaze. He frowns.

-Come. We won't stay here.

He then moves away from me. I don't move. Should I really trust him?

-Don't be shy.

I then follow him. We enter a house. A delicious smell of cinnamon tickles my nostrils. Everything is so warm. An elven house in its splendor. It is a sanctuary of tranquility and natural beauty. A gentle warmth seems to emanate from the walls themselves, built from a mixture of living wood and ancient stone. We reach a large open space. The house seems larger inside. I suppose this is the main living room, with a vaulted ceiling supported by columns carved in the shape of trees. Vines and climbing plants wrap around the columns, adding a touch of greenery to the interior of the house. In the center of the room, a hearth dug into the ground emits a gentle and constant warmth, the flames dancing merrily on the logs. Two large solid wood bookshelves decorate the wall. A veranda extends into the garden, containing magnificent plants, flowers of a beauty. I have never seen roses so beautiful. As red as blood. Some are as white as snow.

An elf with long red hair comes out of an adjacent room. She is carrying a pile of white linen. She hasn't seen us. The elf clears his throat.

-Hello Nonna.

She jumps and drops what she was holding.

-Oh, by all the gods, damn it Arasel! she exclaimed. Has no one ever taught you to knock on a door ?

Arasel, that's the name of my "savior" if I can say so. Nonna is an elf, to say the least, magnificent, her hair is like fire, shimmering in the light. It falls in a long wavy cascade down her back. Her eyes oscillate between a very light brown and shades of gray depending on the light. Her face is very fine and soft. Nonna has a small upturned nose and many freckles that gravitate like stars on her face. She is dressed very simply in a long white blouse with laces at the front and blue overalls. Her ears are very pointed. Much more than Arasel's and Rainn's. No doubt, she must be older. I know nothing about elves, their life expectancy, their way of life. And that's quite normal, we don't have them in my world. They don't exist. They are simply the fruit of our imagination, those we find in books and movies.

-You are back so soon... Did something serious happen? Where are the others?

-The rest of the troop is on the way, they shouldn't be long. Don't worry Nonna. We just took the lead with Rainn when we learned of the trolls' return to the forest. It didn't fail. We caught them trying to make a new victim.

He emphasizes the word victim. I feel at the center of his words' attention. I dare not say anything. And just listen.

-Oh no, again. This is becoming more and more frequent now that they have allied with the dark forces of the palace.

-Yes, and they are hard to control. Can you check on Rainn? One of them managed to hurt her. She says it's nothing but I'm not convinced by her argument. I would like to convince her to see the professor.

I will. Tell me Arasel, who is this young person?

-Here is... Here is, um, I didn't ask your name. Who are you exactly? he asks, turning to me.

-My name is Elisabeth Chevalier, I murmured, intimidated after a few seconds.

-I really thought you were mute! he laughs. So here is Miss Elisabeth, she is the one who had the misfortune to encounter the trolls.

-My poor child, you must be exhausted from such an encounter. Are you hurt? She approaches me a little too quickly and takes my face in her hands. She looks at me from all angles.

-I'm fine. I was more scared than hurt.

-So much the better.

-I would like to know what you are doing alone in this forest. Without a weapon.

-It's a very long story.

A gnome appears, the same as earlier.

-Sir, Madam Rainn is asking for you.

-We will continue this discussion later. Nonna, can I leave her with you?

-Of course!

With these words, the elf leaves without looking at me, leaving me with this almost stranger who offers me a warm, broad smile.

-We need to find you some clean clothes! she said, pointing at my outfit covered in dust, dirt, and curiously, troll blood stains. She invited me to follow her.