The girls were in doubt whether to go through that wooden door that had beautifully carved patterns. An exquisite smell of stew coming from inside forced them to go through, they were very hungry and their tummies were growling like an angry cat.

The inside of the house was a bit abandoned, you could see books lying around, some open and some closed. The ones that were open showed some symbols that attracted attention.

Galani approached one that had a thick black cover with golden edges, the drawing that showed on the yellowish leaf was a red circle with a triangle in the center that as she approached, magically appeared thick and golden letters that asked to be recited.

She read attentively

- Circulus ignis ... - Circle of fire ...

But the book closed with force, spitting a little dust with the blow, it rose slowly in the air as if it were a balloon with helium until it reached the height of Galani's forehead, then it left as if it was attracted by a magnet to the bony hand that called it.

Liana clung tightly to Galani, who trembled for a moment with fear.

Before them at a distance of a table and without knowing at what moment he entered the room, there was standing someone who looked like a man but a little smaller, in height he was a head taller than Galani. That little man was wearing round glasses, a big long gray beard, had abundant gray and unruly hair on his head and had a sad face that he hid with a big smile.

- Hello little ones, don't be afraid. I am a goblin and I have lived in this village in the forest for a long time, please see me as a friend, I sent the raven to remove the magic spell that had crystallized them. I'm sorry I didn't go myself to look for them, but I knew my little girl would do well!

The girls almost simultaneously greeted me with a trembling voice and immediately went forward.

- It smells so good in here and we're hungry. - Again their tummies grumbled louder and louder.

To which the elf said

- I am preparing a stew with vegetables and meat, I hope you like it.

After a bath with warm water and putting on the clothes the elf gave them, they sat down together at the table.

The raven also had his place and ate with them with his dried fruits and berries from the forest.

- Mmm...! It's very tasty! Galani said, as he hurriedly dipped his spoon back into his plate of food.

- It's delicious! Liana repeated. - She looked from time to time at her older sister to imitate her.

- I'm glad you like it! I've been cooking just for myself for a long time and sometimes I overdo it with the spices.

- And where are the other elves? - Galani asked intrigued as she watched the tip of the elf's long beard get dirty inside the plate of stew he was eating.

- It's a story I'm too embarrassed to tell, but let's just say that they are now on a mountain not far from here.

And before she could ask him anything else about the subject, he changed the conversation, his eyes had become brighter and tears ran down his cheeks.

- Liana, I've known you for a long time. One day while I was picking mushrooms I saw you scared between two trees. You were alone, curled up and crying sadly. You looked like a little bird just fallen from the nest, helpless. I approached you and gave you a white flower with 7 petals. We played for a while and then you fell asleep.

When I felt that your family was near calling your name, I left. But first I sprinkled some magic light dust so they could find you.

***

The little girls ate until their stomachs swelled up like a balloon. They were clean and warm. The elf's home was very cozy, the fire in the stove seemed to dance an endless waltz that Galani stared at.

The elf stood up and asked them to help him clear the table, after all despite being a magical elf there are mundane things he has to do with his hands.

When they finished cleaning up and putting everything away, he escorted them to a room where there was a wooden bed with someone else's name carved on the back.

- Who is Tiana? - Galani asked in a whispering voice.

The elf ran his finger along each carved letter and in a broken voice said

- It's the name of my little daughter, she....

He was interrupted by the abrupt entrance of the raven that perched on the backrest.

- Today you will not sleep alone Tiana.

The girls looked perplexed at the raven. It took Galani a while to assimilate what the elf said but she would soon understand that the raven was the elf's daughter.

She finished tucking them in, stroked the raven several times and kissed all three of them on the forehead.

- Tomorrow girls, we are going to solve this matter of the crystallized valley, an adventurous journey awaits us. - Said the elf, stroking his beard anxiously and looking defiantly at nothing.