Valda fiddled with her new clothes, tugging at the skirts gathered at her waist and huffing at the ridiculous sleeves that fell to below her elbows. She missed her own comfier clothes, but at least she'd saved them. The maids had wanted to throw them away, but Valda had insisted they be returned once cleaned after she'd seen the clothes they had lined up for her.

They may have been considered the height of fashion for Lania, but Valda found the clothes heavy and restrictive. It had amazed her that Mauve had managed their entire journey wearing something similar. Valda only hoped her clothes had been more comfortable. Even her feet were aching from the tiny dress shoes they'd forced her feet into.

"Stop playing with your sleeves. You look great." Mauve chided her whilst Tevin and Carrick tried to hide their smiles.

They, of course, were dressed in their usual style of clothes. Hard wearing trousers, cotton shirts and waxy jackets.

Before Valda could retort, the General marched into the room with his head held high. "I trust you all slept well. There is a strategy meeting this morning. I hoped that Prince Carrick may attend and if Princess Mauve would kindly entertain their partners and families." He only had eyes for the royals, overlooking Tevin and Valda as if they were not there.

Carrick's eyes instantly lit up with the invitation. A desperate need to live up to his father's greatness burst inside him. It was only Tevin and Valda's downcast expressions that stopped him from instantly accepting.

"What about Tevin and Valda?" They looked at Carrick with gratitude before meeting the General's gaze.

It was easy to see that he would rather have nothing to do with either of them, but he still managed a smile in their direction, fake pity lingering in his eyes.

"I'm afraid given... Tevin's," he stumbled over his name as if he'd tasted something foul, "background many would distrust him at such a meeting even with your presence Sire. And for Valda's safety, I do not wish to call even more attention to her."

Valda and Tevin clenched their hands in anger. Tevin's mood soured as once again his parentage was brought into question, and the General's knowing gaze infuriated Valda. She knew she was an oddity in this world. Her clothes, accent, and everything else about her singled her out as someone different. Already, she had endured whispered conversations as she'd walked down the halls and the false smiles of those who lived in the building.

She felt like the General's reasoning was weak. She was already the cause for much gossip and ruffled feathers, and that was before they found out who she really was. Throughout their journey, she had never questioned her decision to come and help free Lania and her mother. But now she wondered whether her mother had been optimistic in sending Carrick and Mauve to get her.

It looked like the resistance was doing well enough without her. For the first time, she felt discarded by the very place she had wanted to save. It left a sour feeling deep in her stomach.

"I suppose that makes sense." Carrick still looked worriedly between Tevin and Valda, sensing their displeasure, but he was unsure what to do. His father had always trusted Hagen, it had been Artair who'd given him the old nickname of the General in the first place, but still he was hesitant.

Tevin was an excellent fighter, even Carrick would acknowledge that, and his knowledge of the castle and Lania's land far outstripped his own. And Valda, well, Valda was the Queen's rightful successor. But not only that, she had proven herself to be tough and resourceful. He was also aware of his sister's unhappiness at having to entertain the families.

Once upon a time Mauve would have loved it, delicate cups filled with tea and tasty little morsels of food to keep the hunger away. But their trek through Lania's wilderness had changed her. She was no longer the delicate princess, but a teenager who wanted to have her say and shape the world. No longer did she feel content with sitting and being the pretty princess. She wanted to do more.

Carrick would have preferred them all by his side during such an important meeting. He could feel their need to be involved, but found it difficult to go against the General's wishes.

"It's okay, Carrick. You need to be there. They'll need your help." Mauve's smile meant to be reassuring, but it dropped quickly from her face.

Tevin and Valda nodded their heads. Better at least one of them go so they would know what was happening than for Carrick to refuse because of them.

He didn't look convinced, but the General seemed satisfied.

"Marvellous," he said, clapping his hands together. "The meeting is in my office in a few minutes. We should get there early, my Prince. The families are gathered in the large drawing room, my Princess." With those few words said, he ushered the two royals out as though he were saving them from two hungry dogs that wished to devour them. Considering his opinion of Valda and Tevin, the image wasn't so far off.

Both Carrick and Mauve wore apologetic expressions as they were dragged out, and although Tevin and Valda felt excluded, they didn't blame the other two. After all, it wasn't their fault. But in reality, neither was it Tevin and Valda's.

Valda and Tevin wandered aimlessly around the building, but the frequent disapproving looks sent their way made them reassess their plans. In the end they found themselves a small, sparsely furnished room, much less grand than the others to settle in. Tevin knew that the general untidiness and diminished grandness would keep any other high Fae out. But Valda didn't feel so sure.

Still, as the hours ticked by, not once were they interrupted.

They talked about what Carrick and Mauve were doing, about their initial view of the stronghold and of those who lived there. Before Valda finally voiced the question that had been burning her up inside.

"Is this how the people of Lania always are?"

From her dejected tone, Tevin knew instantly what she was referring to. He too had heard the snide comments said not just about him but also Valda. The high Fae were jealous of them. Of their position so close to the crown Prince and Princess.

They, like many others, believed that Carrick would one day be King, given Queen Orlaigh's refusal to marry and provide an heir. What they didn't know was that her refusal had been because of her love of a human man, and now the heir they had so desperately wanted was being snubbed because she was openly different to them.

He loathed the way they were treating his friend and wished he could speak up, but he worried over the General's warning of spies in the stronghold. It almost hurt Tevin to agree with him, but it was best not to draw any more attention to Valda.

He thought about what he could say to ease her doubts. But his brain could think of nothing.

"Not all Fae are alike, your Mother and Uncle always treated me with kindness. The rest you just learn to live with," he said, after a long pause.

Valda looked at him in sympathy. "You've had to deal with this your entire life?" She asked, already knowing the truth.

"Like I said, you just get used to it and try to ignore them."

Valda felt rage building up inside her. "It's not right. They should never have treated you that way. Not then, when you were only a child, and not now. It's wrong." She closed her eyes, feeling angry tears spill down her cheeks.

Tevin patted her arm gently. "Valda, it's just the way things are. Yes, their words hurt, but I learnt a long time ago to not to let them get to me, to stop me being who I am. Are things different in the human realm?"

Tevin had only been to the human realm a few times with some guards who had taken pity on him. He'd found the world too loud and chaotic for his liking. But still he pondered over the differences.

Valda wished she could tell him that the human world was different, but it wouldn't be entirely the truth. Tevin could see the indecision on her face and guessed her answer before she could say anything.

"People, both Fae and Human, don't like what they can't understand."

"Not every human is like that." Valda was quick to explain, but Tevin already suspected that. Just like the Fae, there was good and bad to everything.

"At least the humans are trying to change." Valda felt a need to defend the human realm. For all the Fae's mightiness, they could learn a lesson or two from the humans.

Tevin only shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe the Fae can as well."

It amazed Valda to hear the genuine belief Tevin still had. After everything he'd been through, he still thought the Fae could change, that they could be better. She silently vowed that she would try to make it better, she wasn't sure how, but some way change would come.

"Why don't we see if they've finished up so we can get some lunch?"

Valda's stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly at Tevin's suggestion, which broke the tension their conversation had created.

They moved towards the door, suddenly spurred on by the thought of food, when it was thrown open violently and Etna came scurrying in. She closed the door swiftly behind her. The bag on her shoulder slipped, spilling food over the floor.

It was only when she went to pack it back up did she realise she wasn't alone. Her small round eyes became bigger, and she shook where she stood.

"Etna! Etna! Where is that damned girl gone?" Came a thundering voice from out in the hall.

Tevin was the first to react, picking up the food and pressing it into Etna's quivering hands. "Quick, behind the tapestry." He took the bag from around her shoulder and placed it behind his chair.

Etna only blinked her eyes at him, but then came to senses and followed his instructions as the sound of footsteps neared their door.

There was barely enough time for the tapestry to fall back into place and for Valda and Tevin to resume their seats before the door was once again thrown open.

A well-dressed woman appeared with another young servant behind her. Her mouth curved in a cruel snigger as she took in Tevin and Valda in the untidy room.

Despite her disdain, she was still perfectly polite as she questioned them. "Have either of you seen a young girl, red hair, name of Etna?"

Valda forced herself not to look at the tapestry, which slightly moved as Etna shivered behind it, and shook her head along with Tevin.

"Sorry, my Lady, but no one has been in here in all the time we've been sat," Tevin answered humbly, though he wished he could tell her to just leave.

The woman seemed unhappy with his answer but believed it. "Hmm, very well." She picked up her skirts and flounced from the room, her servant scuttling out the way.

A minute ticked by before they moved. Tevin tiptoed to the door and checked to see if the woman had indeed left.

"All clear."

Sheepishly, Etna came from out behind the tapestry and stood in front of them.

"Why was Lady Dylynn after you?"

Etna stared at Tevin's voice, even though he'd spoken to her gently. She tried to form words but nothing seemed to come out.

Valda went and retrieved her bag, feeling the weight of it. Peering inside, her eyebrows rose when she found it filled to the brim with food.

"Did it have something to do with this?" Valda held up the bag, noticing Etna turn pale.

"P-please Miss, please don't tell anyone." Etna begged, tears running down her chubby cheeks.

Tevin peered in the bag and then looked back at Etna in shock.

"Why do you have so much food in here?" He took the bag from Valda and began sorting it through.

The bread was stale, and the vegetables were only just good enough to eat. Not to mention the half eaten cakes and biscuits that were all squished together. In truth, it was the most unappetizing food he'd ever seen, even after their hunting and forging.

"P-please Sir, it's not really stealing. No one wants that food. The cook throws it out and the others leave it on their plate when they can't eat no more." Etna hiccuped.

"Then why do you want it?" Valda couldn't understand. They provided all the servants with their meals, so it was unlikely that Etna was going hungry.

Etna shook her head. "It's not for me. My family, they need it. Others need it. This place has so much food, but out there, there isn't enough." Etna pointed in the vague direction of outside, her other hand twirling a plate around her fingers.

Valda and Tevin looked at each other in shock.

A silent conversation passed between them. They both knew they couldn't just let this go.

"Etna, can you take us to your family?" Tevin asked, but Etan only wailed.

"N-no please Sir, my family has done nothing wrong. It was my fault."

Tevin looked appalled, and Valda quickly crouched down to the little girl's level. "Etna, it's okay. Your family is not in trouble. We just want to see how bad things are so we can tell our friends."

Etna rubbed at her eyes as she looked at Valda. "The Prince and Princess?" Valda nodded her head. "Okay, I will take you. But I don't want my family to get into trouble."

They both assured her they wouldn't. Tevin helped Etna pack up the rest of her food whilst Valda grabbed his travelling cloak and borrowed some of his clothes.

She decided she agreed with Arlie. If people already thought she was different, why was she trying to pretend otherwise.

Tevin's clothes were big on her, but with the help of a belt at least the trousers wouldn't end up around her ankles. There was nothing she could do about the shoes, but somehow Etna disappeared and reappeared a few minutes later with a smaller pair.

"Your shoes are too pretty to get dirty." She said as she handed Valda the other pair.

Deciding it was best not to question where they'd come from, Valda slipped them on.

"How do I look?" She said raising her hands and twirling.

"Not like a Lady." Etna replied, tilting her head with a frown.

"But somehow more like you. Maybe you should have the tailor make you something in your size. Somehow I don't think they'll be getting you back in those dresses." He stifled a laugh at Valda's look of loathing at the gown she'd discarded.

Though her new outfit would make the high Fae stare, with her hood up and face concealed, Valda could easily pass for any other male.

Satisfied with their deception, they followed Etna, as she led them through the servant's quarters and out into the stronghold.