Day 148-150 (126th-128th)

Day 148 (126th):
I awoke rather angry. My sisters and the unicorns were awake and staring at me. I sat up, stood up, and yelled for everyone to gather together. Once assembled, I recounted my vision. Everyone got angry, including the unicorns. Lurox suggested confirming this, even though he believed me completely. I opened myself up as fully as I could and pushed a little farther. I felt the cave a few days journey somewhat to the south. We ate and got ready at the same time. We went as quickly as we could. Our deer family followed at the same pace. Lurox and his troop wondered why they were so intent on following us. Alice reported that they had done nothing "undeer-like" as far as she could see. I could not feel anything from them, even the fawns. That was the only other curious thing about them. We ate in the saddle. By sunset, the presence of the cave was like a void in a painting. Callie said the magic was so weak it felt like a bruise on her heart. Anna was quiet as she sorted out the layers of history. She did confirm Baalocs were here a long time ago. Lisa and Sarah stated that some slow infection was seeping through the area. Gretta could feel the crystals, but their song was very faint. Alice said "ghosts" were about this place. Lurox was unsure how to take our input. Kendar said something about "Sister Speak" and Lurox smiled and nodded. I guess we had been the topic of many conversations. We made camp in a small clearing. The unicorns set up a perimeter around us seven. Our deer family boldly slept not far from us. As I drifted to sleep, I swore I heard a male voice say, "Tomorrow brings the answer."

Day 149 (127th):
We were up and on the trail before sunrise. Our whole assembly was on edge. We were at the curtain of vines and roots Lurox told us about. He began a long prayer-like chant, asking for entrance and begging forgiveness for coming uninvited. When he finished, all was silent. Nothing happened. Lurox was flustered and couldn't understand what was wrong.
"It's too weak," Callie stated, "The magic is not there to open the vines."
"But, Starlight is eternal. Her power should not have faded. Kayla's vision is accurate and the portal is gone. We must get inside," he stated as he drew his sword.
"Stop!" I ordered, "There is a gentle way in, right, my sentinels?"
The unicorns stepped forward and touched horns. A ball of light formed at that point. In unison, they stepped forward again. The vines shuddered. When the light nearly touched the vines, it shattered into sparks that dusted the vines. The weak and withered things became strong and green again. They parted for us like a silk curtain. The elves and humans stared.
"Coming inside?" I asked playfully.
We all entered the dark cave. It was the same I had seen in my vision. By memory, I found the hole that let in the light. Asking the plants to move from it, light flooded the cave. The finely honed crystals bounced and reflected the light to focus on a central point. The stone stump was there, rune precisely etched around the flat circle that was its top. A depression hinted that something had been cradled on top of it. Lurox began fuming. While I could not make out all of the words, I could feel the raw anger, the pain of loss, and a mix of other emotions from him and the others. To our amazement, King and Queen had entered with us.
Kendar, finally, asked, "What is with them? Deer do not act this way."
I saw the answer on the wall behind them. Our shadows were firmly painted. The unicorns, Bo, and Larz were the only animals casting shadows. Two people-like shadows stood behind the deer.
"Lurox, Kendar, everyone, meet the lost prince and lady of the elves," I said, smiling.
Understanding bloomed upon my sisters' faces while the rest were utterly confused. My sisters stood with me as I informed the others.
"Remember, when they disappeared, all that was found were deer and horse tracks. When they became separated from the rest, your enemy transformed them, clothes and all, into the animals you see here. For reasons I don't yet know, they have not aged one day since their change. The babies are orphans, real deer, they are caring for until they grow up. They have been following us because they felt the power of the swords and our Faerie pendants. It is their hope either we can free them or know someone who can."
Lurox interrupted, "If they are the Royal Couple, how do we prove it to our fellows?"
"When they are returned to elf form, they will be able to prove it themselves," Alice added, "I can't believe I missed the obvious. The people I saw around them weren't hunters or villagers, they were them in their true selves and their families. I feel so foolish."
"The histories they laid down in the forest make sense now as well," Anna chimed in, "They have secretly or openly aided others to the best of their abilities. I should have see it, so many histories feature a stag or stag/doe pair as aid to a journey."
"Do not blame yourselves, dear girls. We have remained unnoticed for hundreds of years. Even several weeks together may not have revealed us until we entered this temple."
"Was that... did they speak?" Lurox babbled.
"Actually, just him. What little magic is still here has allowed his voice to be heard," I calmly explained.
Lurox and the other elves went and bowed before the two "beasts", "My prince, my King, we have waited so long. Many will rejoice at this news. We will do anything to return you both to your original form and the throne that awaits you."
"Alas, we cannot take either until the portal is returned to this place. You girls and your swords are strong, but there is little you can currently do for us. The Baalocs did steal it, being gold and all. However, outside of here, its magic is faulty at best. The longer it is gone, the less it works properly. Another year or so and it will not work at all. Plus, the spring water can only be called by mermaids or water nymphs. Should all of you manage to find it, getting it back to full power will be a challenge."
"Still, my king, we need to let everyone know you are alive, healthy, and safe. We will get wizards, clerics, anyone we can to convey this to all of our people."
"I volunteer to be the messenger," a sweet female voice echoed in the cave.
From the darkness, the Faerie Queen walked into our area of light. The kneeling elves prostrated in front of her. The stag and doe bent forward slightly. She gave all seven of us a hug and told us how proud she was we had found these two and kept them safe.
"I will tell the chancellor, your people in the west, and these in Brimgrove of the happy news. I will admit that I, too, failed to associate the lost pair with these unique deer. Please, Your Majesties, stay here while they continue into Baaloc Prime. That will keep you safe and save them from searching for you."
"Agreed," the two chimed in unison.
They looked at each other and smiled as best deer can smile. The elves stood and expressed their gratitude to the Faerie Queen for this service. She suggested staying here for the night as, by the fading light through the hole told us as well, it was getting too late to travel. She said good-bye and left. We all went about setting up camp inside the temple cave. Grasses and leaves were gathered for the royal pair and their charges to bed down. Torches were set in dusty holders and a fire was lit in the small brewing pit. The elves were more cheerful than they had been since we met. Their glows were free of the dark spot of doubt and self-pity that had been a part of them and their lives for three hundred years. Even in the dark, I could sense the vines and roots growing in strength and health. Sarah said that just having all of us here, in peace and happiness, and of our own free wills was boosting the health of the plants that shrouded this place. By morning, she guessed, they would be nearly up to full strength. Lisa added that the slow infection had stopped and was reversing itself. Hopefully, the source of the plants had not been too gravely injured. We left only the cook fire burning as we all settled in for the night.

Day 150 (128th):
A nuzzle woke me. The unicorns informed us that the sun was rising. We gently woke the rest, bid the royal pair good-bye, and got back on the trail to Baaloc Prime. Our diversion to the cave had not lengthened nor shortened our travel time. Our elf partners were in much better moods this day and we seemed to sail through the forest. I could sense the few settlements and the joy as they received the news. A few began packing for the return trip home which, they were certain, would be soon. The forest this way was thinner than the western part. We were informed that Baalocs had harvested many trees in this area, but had not for sometime. The growth told us no tree had been taken in over a decade. The stumps left also told how long any had been cut down. The unicorns continued to join our journey. The lack of deer took a little getting use to, but we knew they were safe. Sarah's guess was dead on as the vines and roots were thick, strong, and green and covered the entrance well. They moved aside for all of us, even the fawns, who were natural deers.
As we traveled, I noticed Alice kept looking around. Finally, I asked,"What troubles you?"
"I feel someone is watching me, not us, just me. It doesn't feel threatening, but it is a little frightened. What should I do?"
Looking at Bo, Lisa, and Larz, remembering that Alice was part elf, I suggested asking it to show itself. Nearly everyone else agreed. We stopped and let Alice separate herself from the group. Not a word was said. Before our eyes, a large bird drifted from the trees and landed on Alice's leg. As big as a rooster, yet its tail was twice the length of its body. I had seen rich gentlemen have feathers like this bird's tucked in their hats.
"It is a King's bird. Their feathers, males and females, are prized by nobles and lords. You are lucky such has chosen to pair with you, Alice," Lurox stated proudly.
"Pair? Like Bo and Lisa? We're a set?" she inquired.
"It appears to be, sister," Lisa smiled and stroked Bo.
"Well, it could be worse. Your name, please?" Alice asked the bird.
We could sense it pondering the question. When it realized what was being asked, it fluttered and danced a bit. We guessed it assumed we would force a name on it. A picture of sunrise flitted through our minds.
"You are a girl named Dawn," Alice said cheerfully.
Dawn danced some more then hopped on the pommel of Alice's saddle and settled in to join the journey. Alice was calm now and we resumed our travels. It seemed Bo and Dawn could also hear Gluttony and Envy. Bo's tail wrapped protectively around Gluttony. Dawn peeped and chirped and nuzzled Envy every so often. Near sunset, I had just begun sensing the Baaloc's presence. Fortunately, their nearest settlement was still days away at a gallop. The elves had loosened up enough to share folklore and song from their western land. The night sounds were quieter in this region. We decided that the less dense forest meant fewer animals.