It was pitch black as Valda followed the female giant and Nisog. Her once aching feet were now like two pulsing blocks of fire attached to her legs. Every part of her body was groaning, and she grew envious of her friends. They may all have been unconscious, but at least they were being carried.

They approached a giant sized hole in the mountain, with two guards standing outside. They both bowed as the female passed and sneered at her. If Valda hadn't been so tired she was sure their looks would have terrified her, but she was beyond it now.

The hole led into a dark tunnel which amplified all sound. She could hear her footsteps and that of the giants. She could hear her friends' quieter breathing compared to the laboured breaths of their guards. And now and then she could hear Carrick muttering in his sleep.

It felt like a lifetime later, when they exited the tunnel into a massive cavern, or at least that was what Valda thought it was until she examined the ceiling more closely. What she had assumed was rock was actually the night sky. It made her realise she was actually in a large hole in the mountain's side. She wondered whether it had formed naturally or if the giants had carved into the stone, but she didn't get to ponder on it long.

They were heading towards light, passing huts along the way. Giants peered out at her, with varying expressions that ranged from curiosity to anger. Valda even spotted a few baby giants that were even smaller than Nisog.

"My Queen, what will you have us do with these?" Bifgar said, looking at his shoulder with disdain.

The female giant turned and considered the three Fae. "Take them to a tent and have them guarded. They are to remain unharmed until Kadtius says otherwise."

It was clear Bifgar and the other giants were not happy, but they followed her orders, regardless. Valda's heart sank as she watched her friends disappear.

"Come, we best not keep my husband waiting."

Valda, once more, fell into step behind the female giant.

The light was in fact a large bonfire which many giants were gathering around.

"Ahh, my beautiful son has returned to us." Boomed a rumbling voice that seemed to shake Valda's bones.

Nisog demanded to be put down and ran towards another male giant sat atop a chair carved directly from the stone floor.

"My King." The female giant bowed.

"My Queen." He smiled back at her.

"I have brought the Fae that were found with Nisog. I believe you should speak with this one." The giant Queen swept her hand to show Valda a few steps behind her, trying to not cower under the giant King's unreadable eyes.

"Step forward halfling and explain why you were travelling with my son?"

Whispers accompanied the giant King's words, even the giant Queen looked shocked.

"Halfling?" She said uncertainly.

Kadtius smiled with a mischief smirk. "The creature is half Fae, half human. Is that not right?" His eyes bored into Valda's, whilst the whispers turned to mutterings.

Valda cleared her throat, only now realising how thirsty she was. "Yes, King Kadtius." She hoped using his proper title would keep him in a good mood.

"There, now that is cleared up. Can you explain why you were in the company of my son, seeing as he has been missing for the last four days?"

All eyes seemed to stare at her, waiting.

Valda began recounting the last few days since finding Nisog stuck in the mud pit.

Kadtius listened silently, whilst the other giants tutted or made some other remark at her words. The giant queen sat next to him, on her own throne, which was covered with many animal pelts and furs.

"Why would you save my son and try to bring him home? Fae have never been tolerant of our kind?" Kadtius asked, whilst others called out for Valda to answer.

She gulped, trying to gather her thoughts together. "As you've said, I am half fae but also half human. I don't share the same ideas as the Fae. My father is human, and he believes that all lives matter. I couldn't leave your son behind." Valda tried to explain.

Kadtius stood, making Valda flinch back ever so slightly. "Walk with me, Valda." It was a command and Valda was quick to follow him, running in order to keep up with his much longer legs.

The light of the fire disappeared gradually as they walked away. No other giants followed them, but that didn't make Valda feel safer.

When she had first seen the giant Queen, Valda had thought she would be the tallest giant, but Kadtius stood over twelve feet tall, with wide shoulders and powerful arms. Arms that could easily crush her if he had so wanted to.

Kadtius led her to a waterfall and basin that seemed to shimmer with light. He folded himself so that his feet dipped into the cool water and motioned for Valda to do the same.

"I know the companions you travel with. Princess Mauve, Prince Carrick and Lord Blaan's son. Lorcan and his army would pay handsomely for them."

"No! You can't!" Valda expected Kadtius to react to her outburst, but he only watched her.

"What would you offer me instead?"

Valda shook her head. "I have nothing except what you've already taken."

Kadtius snorted. "I doubt that. But like I said, I know your companions, however I do not know you." He looked her up and down. Taking in her wiry bushy hair and striking blue eyes.

"You accompany the Fae nobility, and yet they listen to you. You mean something to them. So just who are you, hafling? Why are you here?"

Valda fidgeted in her seat, not enjoying Kadtius probing glances. She looked away, focusing on the ripples in the water. It was cool and soothing against her aching feet.

Despite the danger she was in, she felt relaxed there with Kadtius. Part of her felt like he didn't mean her or her friends any harm, though her brain was trying to overrule that feeling. Trying to convince her she shouldn't trust the giants that her friends had warned her this could happen.

The ripples in the water flickered just for a second and Valda almost jumped at the person staring back at her from the bottom of the basin. In that moment, she would have sworn the girl from her dreams was smiling and waving at her beneath the water. She blinked, and the image was gone.

"Who are you, Valda?" Kadtius looked up from the water and stared at her.

She wasn't sure if he'd seen the girl like she had, but right there she made a decision.

Valda filled with a sudden understanding of what she had to do. She smiled at her reflection before fixing Kadtius with a steely look.

"My name is Valda Taylor. I was born to Kenneth Taylor and Queen Orlaigh. And I am travelling with my friends to the rebel stronghold to help the fight against Lorcan and to free Lania." Though it was nerve-wracking to speak the truth, but it was the only choice left.

Kadtius just nodded his head as if he'd been expecting it. "So what will you offer me, Valda Taylor, true heir to Lania?"

Valda shook her head frantically. "You don't understand. I'm not a Queen or a Princess. I have nothing to offer. I'm just me," she tried to reason.

"What I want is something you have the power to give." His eyes bored into hers, trying to convey more than his words.

Valda tried to think, but her mind was blank. All she had was herself and her friends. What could she possibly offer the giant king so he would turn against Lorcan? She thought back to what the others had told her about giants. But all that she could remember was their warnings.

It suddenly hit her. Her Dad had always said if you wanted change then you had to be the one to start it. That's what she was going to do. She would offer him the possibility of change.

"All I can offer you is my friendship and respect. I can not promise you change, but I will fight for it." The water flickered in front of her and the face of the girl from her dream smiled up at her before disappearing.

Kadtius smiled widely. "That is all my kind has ever wanted."

"That's why you joined Lorcan's forces." She nodded in understanding.

"Yes. My people have craved change for decades, and many believed Lorcan was the only one who could offer it. But now that you are here, we have a better way. Lorcan's word is not trustworthy, so I only hope yours is better." He fixed her with a hard look.

"You have my word."

And they both knew he could trust it. If she survived long enough to save Lania, then she would make sure the giants were better understood.

"My rule as King of this clan stretches across this mountain. No other giant will stop you from getting to the rebel stronghold, but you will have to pass through dragons' territory. Until then, you and your friends may rest here and be safe."

Valda had known about the dragons, but seeing them up close and personal didn't exactly fill her with a warm, fuzzy feeling. If her friends had thought the giants were bad, they had said even more terrifying things about dragons.

"Come, let's reunite you with your friends and ensure they are still alive."

Valda hopped up, looking nervous. She hoped that he was joking, but his expression gave nothing away.

They walked back towards the light, though it was much dimmer than it had been before. The giant Queen, Bifgar and a few other giants remained, the rest had disappeared.

"Be at ease, Aurog, my love." Kadtius smiled at his Queen. "As for the rest of you." He turned back to his patrol. "This one and her companions have my word, they are not to be harmed now or by any giant of this clan across our territory."

"But Kadtius why? Lorcan was very specific. If we found the young royals or any other traitors, we were to hand them over." Bifgar was insistent.

Kadtius lounged in his throne, unconvinced. "I know what Lorcan said, but I've had a better offer."

"What offer?"

"An offer made from Queen Orlaigh's sole heir and future Queen of Lania," Kadtius said smugly as all eyes turned to assess Valda. "Your friends are in that hut over there. There is food and water already inside. Sleep well, Princess."

Valda walked towards the hut, feeling the stares pointed at the back of her head. She pushed the bark door aside and found her friends laid out comfortably on furs but still unconscious. Big carved bowls were on a rug on the floor.

After scarfing down some food and draining her chalice of water, she tested out one of the free beds. The furs were smooth and inviting as she clambered into place. It was difficult given the bed's height, but eventually she managed it.

Her body melted into the softness, and she let out a contented sigh. Usually thoughts of her father crossed Valda's mind before sleeping, but that night sleep claimed her quickly. She barely had time to pull some furs over her before everything went dark.