Write a story that starts with the line,

"Where did you find that?" I jumped, but it was only my father. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, I was digging in the forest and found it under a tree," I said innocently.

He marched over to me and stood in front of me. "Maylee, no lies. Where did you get that?"

"Fine. I was in the courtyard when a dragon appeared and said, 'Princess, do you-'"

"Maylee!"

I sighed. Usually Father enjoyed my outrageous stories, but today he was in a mood. The other king was coming to visit with his daughter, my best friend Laia. Her being my friend didn't stop the palace from being scrubbed to within an inch of it's life. I had gotten bored.

"I was out in the woods and a human was eating his lunch. He gave me some bread but I didn't eat it, and then he gave me this bow. I was trying to get a bulls-eye."

Father sighed and reprimanded, "May, I told you to stop making up stories. Now, give me that bow! You're the elven princess, you need to behave like one."

"I'm telling the truth!" I protested. "Plus, it's not fair if Lord Grimwald's sons get to shoot arrows and I don't."

"Life isn't fair, darling," Father knelt and took my free hand. "But shooting arrows is unbecoming. As is pouting," he added, tweaking my bottom lip.

I drew it back in and scowled. "I'm not five anymore! Stop treating me like a child, just because I'm the heir to the throne." I dropped the bow and ran off, not looking back as Father called after me. I wasn't going to listen to him. Even if he was the king.

I ended up in the kitchens, stealing scraps here and there. The staff all chuckled at me fondly; they were used to my antics.

I brought an apple up to my room and hid it in my pocket as I dressed in my best blue gown, the one Father always told me to wear when we had visitors. I was reasonably certain Laia was getting sick of seeing it, but what could I do? All my other gowns were usually mud-stained or torn.

I ran downstairs, bumping into Father at the bottom of the grand staircase. He grabbed my arms. "May, they're arriving soon, so go change into your nice gown."

"I did," I said, pointing at myself.

"Good, good," he said, distracted, and rushed off again.

I smiled to myself and went outside, waiting again. A page-boy rushed past and called out, "Princess, you might want to do something with all that hair!" He winked at me as I gaped.

I rushed back upstairs and quickly combed my dark hair, braiding the front bit back. and leaving the rest down. I surveyed myself in the mirror and scrubbed under my nails, then finally was ready. 

I peeked out the window and saw, over the forest, a platoon of horses. I grinned. 

"They're almost here!" i called out as I walked regally down the stairs. I spread the call everywhere.

The castle came to life as people finished last minute scrubbing and mving furniture. I stood outside, and Father blew out a minute later, looking ruffled. His hair was all over the place and his waistcoat was askew. 

He ran a hand through his hair then changed his mind and smoothed it down. "Maylee, do I look okay?"

I forgave him for our earlier argument. "You look fine," I said, adjusting his collar. "Now smile!" I said as Laia and her father's carriage rolled up.

The king stepped out first and strode to my father. "Alistar!" he boomed and shook Father' hand.

"It's good to see you too, Leowin," Father replied.

Laia was helped down next and waved excitedly when she saw me. She was wearing a much less confining dress. It was shorter, looser and in a pretty aquamarine.

I itched in my blue dress as the formalities were gotten over with and we all marched to the parlour.

"Get in any trouble lately?" Laia whispered as we were walking. 

"I met a human and he gave me his bow," I said, satisfied to see her eyes grow wide.

"You know, Alistar, it's interesting how different our girls look." King Alistar remarked, studying the two of us whispering.

"Well, you are Light Elves," Father replied with a laugh.

Laia and her family were Light Elves; they took care of the daytime creatures in the forest. My father and I were Dark Elves; we were in charge of the nighttime escapades. Laia had white-blond hair and gray eyes, while I had dark hair and eyes. We were almost opposites, except in our personalities.

We let them talk for a few minutes, until I finally said loudly, "Father, may Laia and I go for a walk on the ground?"

"Of course, but don't get into any trouble."

"Well of course not Father," I replied innocently.

I walked properly until we got out to the hall, then I broke into a run. Laia followed giggling. "What're we doing first?" she called.

"We're going to the kitchens." I stopped to pick up the large wicker basket I had hidden behind a curtain.

"Why there?" Laia asked, blinking.

I stopped with a hand on my hip. "Because-" I lifted an eyebrow mischeviously "-where we're going we won't get back in time for lunch."

Laia shrieked with laughter and followed me to the kitchen. I walked up to Cook. "Could we have some apples and bread? We're having a picnic."

"Oh, my dears. Well, I can't say no to you now, I've been sayin' yes to you for years. Go on, you know where they are."

I beamed at her and went into the pantry, where Laia and I filled the basket with fruits and rolls. I grabbed one and bit into it, then called out, "Thank you!" as we left the kitchen.

I swung the basket lightly as we raced down the steps. I won. "OK, so now we're going. . .where, exactly?" Laia questioned.

"Into the woods," I ran towards them.

"I thought you said we were talking a walk on the grounds?"

"No, I said ground. And the forest has ground."

"May, you're so tricky." I could imagine Laia shaking her head as she always did when I dragged her into one of my schemes.

I ran through, the woods, my sleeves getting caught on branches and bushes until I wound them up and knotted them. I also hiked up my ridiculously long skirt. "Come on!" I yelled to Laia, who was following more carefully.

"Where are we even going?" Laia puffed. 

"Don't worry, we're almost there."

After a few more minutes of sprinting, we ended up in a clearing with large white stones all around. The ground was carpeted with plush moss and we moved silently.

"This place is creepy, May," Laia said in a hushed voice.

"Shh!" I ordered and kept walking forward until I was in the center of the glade. I set down the basket of food and unclipped my cloak, spreading it out on the ground.

"Help me set all this out," I gestured to Laia, who came forward and helped me lay out the extravagant picnic.

"May, can we please eat and will you please tell me what's going on?"

I ignored her and called out to no one in particular. "Come on out. Laia's nice, I promise."

"Who are you talki- Oh!" Laia exclaimed. Out of the trees a man had materialized. He sat down next to me and said, "Care to share?"

"Of course," I said and offered the human a pear. He crunched into it delicately, while I turned to Laia. "This is Cedric. He gave me the bow I told you about. He's human."

"Oh, my," Laia breathed.