"It turns out humans are not welcome here." Dan couldn't resist making his remark as William led him and Elizabeth along the paved road away from King Eolan's palace. William was deeply preoccupied, contemplating the conversation with Eolan and his suggestion about a mysterious 'she'. But Dan's words snapped him back to the present.

"It's true," William replied. "But the fairies won't harm you. My brother Edward and his wife Niamh will be more than happy to welcome you."

"So, your brother married the fairy princess?" asked Elizabeth, her curiosity piqued. "How did the king allow such a union? It seems he's angry about that."

"It's a long story."

"I'd like to see them," she said.

"We're on our way to them now."

Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. William had never mentioned his past or his family, only the existence of a brother. Otherwise, his personal life was still a mystery.

As they left behind the city, the road wound through verdant groves, following a cobblestone path. Soon, they found themselves surrounded by the countryside. Here, houses from wood blended with the greenery, some nestled within the mighty trunks of ancient trees.

Before long, they approached a grand, double-tiered house set within a colossal tree. Despite its location, it bore all the characteristics of a welcoming home. Surrounding it, colourful flowers thrived, their scents saturating the air. A lone lantern swung gently beside the door, while whimsical windows complemented the house's otherworldly appearance.

They dismounted, and William knocked at the wooden door adorned with floral carvings. As it groaned open, a woman of striking beauty stood on the threshold. Her large eyes, a brilliant green with golden sparks, made her appear slender and graceful, like all the fairies they had seen in this land. Golden hair with delicate flowers cascaded down to her waist. A gentle radiance emanated from her skin, giving her an ethereal charm. The green hue of her elegant dress mirrored the colour of her eyes.

Surprise flickered in her gaze upon seeing Dan and Elizabeth, strangers to her. The fairy froze momentarily, but her face lit up with recognition when she saw their companion.

"William! I'm so glad to see you. Come in!" She invited them with a wave of her hand.

Inside, the house was even cosier. Wide wooden stairs stretched toward the second floor, and everywhere, homemade decorations and intriguing objects filled the space. All were crafted from natural materials: wood, grass, and stone.

From one room appeared a tall figure of a man. Unlike the other male fairies, he had facial hair, and his overall appearance was more grounded. There was no doubt he was human, and Elizabeth realised that the man standing before her was Edward, William's brother. He greeted William with a warm smile, his grey-green eyes shimmering with life.

"William! It feels like ages!" Edward's voice, youthful and vibrant, contrasted with William's deeper tones. The man's lively charm made him seem younger than his brother. They embraced, clapping each other on the back, their joy evident in their broad smiles.

"I thought you'd shave off that beard to look more like a fairy," William said with a smile.

Edward chuckled. "I've kept it so I wouldn't be mistaken for one of them."

Their laughter erupted—Edward's was hearty and contagious, while William's remained more subdued.

While both were tall and sturdy, there was a stark difference between the two brothers. Edward's sunny disposition and fair locks stood in sharp contrast to William's reserved nature and dark hair. Edward's smile only added to his allure, and Elizabeth couldn't help but smile back. It was clear now how Edward, with his good looks and charisma, had captured the heart of the fairy princess herself.

Niamh, his wife, observed their reunion with a gentle smile. Elizabeth wondered how a human and a fairy could cross paths and fall in love. She felt there was a deep story behind Edward and Niamh's bond.

From the shelter of the house, two children, a boy and a girl around five years old, timidly emerged. Their wide, curious eyes observed the newcomers. The slight points at the tips of their ears, hinting at their fairy lineage, contrasted with the more familiar features of human children. The boy's eyes were violet, and he had auburn locks just like his grandfather Eolan, while the girl's eyes gleamed with a unique blend of emerald green and golden hues, and she had more of her father's features.

Niamh stepped forward, guiding the children toward William. "Meet your Uncle William," she said. "Do you remember him?" The children looked up, their eyes filled with apprehension and childlike wonder as they took in their uncle and his companions.

"My, they've grown so much!" William said, looking at them with surprise.

"Of course they have! That's hardly surprising, given your rare visits," Edward replied with a mild reproach. "We'd love for you to visit us more often."

"I know, Edward. I wish I could." But as William continued to look at the children, his initial smile dissolved, and a veil of sadness crept across his features.

Edward, sensing his brother's change in mood, shifted from light-heartedness to concern. "You can hold them if you like," he said, his voice soft and understanding.

"They remind me of... happier times," William whispered. Then he shook his head. "No, Edward, I can't. I'm not the same man I once was."

Elizabeth looked at William, puzzled, wondering why he hesitated to embrace his niece and nephew. He had mentioned someone during their interrogation in the prison—a male and a female name. Those mysterious two would have been around her and Dan's age by now. Could it be that he had lost someone dear to him?

She wondered if he might have children of his own. It was difficult to tell William's age for certain. Perhaps it was just his weathered face that added years to him. Still, he could have become a father quite early.

Edward sighed heavily. Eager to lighten the atmosphere, he turned his attention to Elizabeth and Dan. "Would you introduce us to your friends, William?" he said with a warm, inquisitive look.

William's expression relaxed, grateful for the change in the subject. He eagerly began introducing Elizabeth and Dan to his relatives, while Niamh had already set the table, and their conversation continued over a hearty meal.

At the table, William shared how he had met Dan and Elizabeth. His brother and the fairy princess listened intently, eager to learn about the strangers and their world. Elizabeth added details to clarify William's story, but Dan remained silent, eyeing Niamh and Edward with suspicion and arrogance—William's friends couldn't be his.

Meanwhile, Calum and Elara, the fairy-human children, approached Elizabeth with curious eyes. Tentatively, Elara took her hand, inviting her to join in their play. The children spread their toys on the floor—small animals and fairy figurines. Elizabeth eagerly joined them, sharing in their joy and laughter, and for a moment, she forgot all her troubles.

As Elizabeth's laughter mingled with the children's, her gaze unexpectedly drifted to William. He was speaking at the table but paused when their eyes met. Her radiant smile—born of the joy from the game—seemed only for him at that moment.

Her heart fluttered. In the deep blue of his eyes, she saw something tender, something meant just for her. Their gazes locked, and everything around them faded, as if they were the only two in the room. Realising she was smiling at him, Elizabeth's cheeks warmed. Her laughter faltered, but the children's carefree joy still filled the air, as they remained unaware of her embarrassment.

Across the room, William's eyes widened. A flicker of confusion crossed his face before he quickly masked it. His pause in conversation was too obvious, and a brief silence fell over the room. Regaining his composure, William continued, though Elizabeth hadn't missed his reaction. She felt a slight pang of guilt for disrupting him, though she thought the awkward moment was just a coincidence.

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Niamh:

Edward:

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