Ella clung to the horse as they galloped through the woods. She had never been an experienced horse rider and found it extremely bumpy until she found how to move with the horse. She felt strange, actually she felt almost nothing at all. She felt not fear, no panic, no sorrow, and the only thing that she was certain of was that she was confused. How did she know they were after her? She was certain they were. And if they were, how would they know she was even there? She came from a different world and yet these ogres were already looking to kill her.

Ella knew in her heart that she should be afraid but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't put fear there. She felt her life was worthless and she had never accomplished anything nor did she have any amazing skills. She was just a plain teenager and hadn't the ability of knowing her own emotions.

"Where are we going now?" Ella asked Avery once they had slowed to a trot.

"I don't know, but I'm sure the east wood elves might take us in."

"Elves?" Ella asked.

"Yes, like us. We are the west high elves." He said proudly, "But you should know that."

"And why should I know that?"

"Because you are elf yourself. Did you think you could fool the king of elves?"

"I am not." Ella said.

"Your name says it all," Avery said as if it were that obvious.

They continued at the same pace for some time. The woods drifted by slowly and Ella took it all in. When she wasn't on the run, the forest would have looked beautiful, like a painting. Once again she heard the laughter, but this time everyone strained to hear it.

"You heard that too?" Ella asked.

"Yes, of course. The nymphs are about." Avery said.

"Have you ever seen one?" she asked.

Avery nodded no, but Zandra spoke up, "Yes, once, my Lady."

"Really?" Avery and Ella said together.

"Just once when I was a little girl. I got lost in the woods and a nymph lady came and helped me find my way back home. She was very kind. I believe nymphs will be nice to anyone who is friendly enough." Zandra had a dreamy look, "I do hope I meet one again."

"Maybe you will," Ella said, "This is the second time I've heard their laughter since I've arrived."

"Many people go through without ever hearing their laughter at all," said the steward who rode behind Avery.

Ella looked at him and he seemed to remember he had not introduced his self yet.

"Pardon, my Lady, I am Pomeroy," he said attempting to bow while on his horse.

"Pomeroy? Can I just call you Roy?" Ella said. It sounded much better than Pomeroy, Ella thought.

"If it pleases you, my Lady,"

"Enough with this my Lady stuff," Ella said, "Just Ella."

The steward seemed to hesitate, but in the end said nothing.

"These wood elves," Ella said after some silence, "What are they like?"

"They are very kind," Avery said, "I believe they associate with the nymphs, so that says something."

"Do they look like y'all?" Ella asked.

"They are taller then us, maybe from living in the forest all there lives, and climbing trees and all."

Ella became quiet as she thought of it. Her horse trotted endlessly below her, but after a while began to move faster. All of the horses did this and their riders noticed right away.