Chapter Notes: Written for the Elysian Fields 'Artistic Anniversary Challenge'. This story contains heavy inspiration from The Lord of the Rings.

Once upon a time there lived a Princess with golden braided hair named Buffy, who was a valiant Shieldmaiden for her Kingdom that resided in the Valley of the Sun.

"What's a Shieldmaiden?"

I look up from the book to Emma, who's head is tilted inquisitively. She looks just like her father whenever she does it.

"A Shieldmaiden," I reply, "is a young girl or woman who fights with a sword and a shield like a Knight."

"So she rescues the Knight?"

I smile. "No. She rescues someone else."

Princess Buffy pointed her sword at the evil elf, ready to strike him down. But she couldn't.

His eyes stopped her. They were so blue and so full of love; the most beautiful pair of eyes she had ever seen. Elves were not supposed to love, but this elf could. He loved the she-elf he was protecting – the Seer whom Princess Buffy had been ordered to kill – and it was utterly clear that he would die before seeing her hurt.

Princess Buffy stared at the blonde, determined elf, and then she stared at the brunette she-elf, who was trembling in fear and wailing like a child. Elves were not supposed to feel fear, either. They were not supposed to have any feelings at all.

But they did, and Princess Buffy couldn't deny it.

So she lowered her sword and said one word. "Run."

"Why didn't she kill the elves?"

I sigh. This is going to be a hard one. "The Knights and Shieldmaidens were told that elves couldn't feel anything; that they had no emotion, and couldn't love. Like a computer; you can hit it without feeling guilty because it doesn't feel anything. It was the same when it came to the elves. Princess Buffy didn't feel guilty about killing them before because she thought they were like computers or other things that aren't alive."

"But Princess Buffy can't have a computer. They don't have computers in fantasy lands."

I smile. "What I'm trying to say is… Emotion made them people. Suddenly the elves were people like me and you, and in that moment of realization, Princess Buffy knew she couldn't kill them."

Emma frowns. "Why didn't they find out before? That elves can love like people?"

She's definitely smart for a seven-year-old. "It's not a matter of not finding out sooner, but a matter of not being told."

Princess Buffy sat by her mother's bedside. Queen Joyce was pale and weak; sickened by an illness that was unknown even to the Magic Users Council. She had once been strong, ruling over the Valley of the Sun ever since the death of King Hank, and to see her so weak was painful.

More than anything, Princess Buffy wished for her mother to get better. She didn't want to see her mother die.

Nor did she want to become Queen. At least, not yet. The responsibility was daunting, and she was still so young.

Queen Joyce took her daughter's hand and said, "You know that my time is short, Buffy. I only ask of you one thing when I am gone: If you do not love him, then there is no need to marry Sir Riley."

To which Princess Buffy said, "I know that I do not love him. He is a reckless idiot in battle and does not understand the meaning of a tactical retreat. But everyone else loves him; looks up to him. He is handsome and courageous, and everything a Knight should be. Everything a King should be."

But Queen Joyce sighed and said, "Do not let Travers the Gold or that Lady Cordelia put words into your mouth. Forget what everyone else says. Listen to your heart. If you marry Sir Riley without loving him, you will regret it. You should be happy…and marry someone you love."

"But why did she want to marry him if she didn't love him?"

How many times did I ask that same question? "Princess Buffy was just…confused, I guess," I reply. "She thought she should marry Sir Riley because everyone else liked him. And she thought that someone like her should marry a man like him; that he was the kind of man every woman should aspire to marry."

"That's stupid."

I shrug in agreement. "People can be stupid sometimes."

Emma brightens up a little. "Does she meet her true love and marry him, instead?"

"Why don't you let me finish the story and find out for yourself?"

She pouts, and I laugh at how familiar it looks.

Princess Buffy laid Princess Dawn down onto the bed. She gently stroked her younger sister's hair before turning to ask, "So you are saying that she is not actually my sister?"

Giles the Grey, the Wizard whom Princess Buffy trusted above them all, replied, "I am afraid she is not. She was created by the Magic Users Council using energy only known as The Key."

Jennifer the Green, the wife of Giles the Grey, was next to speak. "For many ages, The Key has been sought out by the evil Sorceress with many names, though we refer to her as Glorificus the Terrible. Long ago an army of Knights – the Knights of Byzantium – waged war upon her, but she destroyed them. The Council has kept The Key out of her reach ever since by changing its form. This is the first time we have given it a living body."

The body of a girl; a Princess. She looked real and felt real…and yet she was not. Princess Buffy could remember the day her sister was born as if it was only yesterday, but according to the Wizard and Witch before her, that memory wasn't real.

With her eyes closed to hide her tears, Princess Buffy asked her friends, "Why is she showing signs now? The flashing green eyes, the green blood; why is this happening?"

It was Giles the Grey who replied with, "Because it is almost time for her to be used. Glorificus the Terrible comes from another realm, filled with terrifying orcs. She became trapped here long ago, and she intends to use the blood of Princess Dawn to open a doorway home. But she will not stay there. She will come back through the doorway, and with her she will bring an army of ten thousand orcs to help her take over these lands. The Valley of the Sun, the Forest of Angels… All will fall."

Princess Buffy was the best Shieldmaiden the Kingdom had ever seen – and even she knew that a fight against ten thousand orcs would be a fight they would not win.

She looked again at her sister and said, "Dawn is still my sister. I can feel it. And I will do whatever it takes to protect her. What must I do?"

Giles the Grey said in reply, "You must take her out of the Kingdom and away from all the innocent lives. Glorificus the Terrible will not waste her time attacking the Kingdom if she cannot sense The Key's presence here. The window of opportunity for the ritual that will open the doorway lies only a fortnight away, when the stars are aligned. Do not return until after it has passed."

Jennifer the Green added, "Take companions with you for extra protection, but choose them wisely. If Travers the Gold discovers this plan, he will stop us."

While Princess Buffy did not wish to know the answer, she asked, "Why?"

And Giles the Grey answered gravely, "Because in order to prevent the spell from occurring at all, Travers the Gold will destroy the Key. He intends to kill your sister."

"That's horrible!"

"Travers wasn't a very nice man," I agree.

Emma's arms cross in front of her and she sinks deeper into her pillow. "I hope he gets eaten by an ogre."

I laugh again.

Tara the White stepped back in horror as she gasped out, "Willow…"

Willow the Red – her one true love, her everything – was unrecognizable. Her once red hair was black, along with her eyes, and dark magic swirled around her.

The Witch who was once good and innocent screeched, "This is the real me, Tara! My power is unlimited! Think of all the good I can bring to everyone!"

But Tara the White shook her head. "No, Willow. This is not you. They have corrupted you."

Amy the Brown cackled and said, "Face the truth, Tara. You did nothing but hold her back. We set her free." She cackled again along with her husband, Ethan the Black.

Princess Buffy moved to place herself in front of her sister, but was tossed aside by an invisible force with a wave of a hand from Willow the Red.

Travers the Gold appeared suddenly and surveyed the scene, before he turned to Willow the Red and said, "I am impressed, Willow. You have exceeded my expectations. Now save the world by destroying The Key once and for all."

Princess Dawn screamed, and so did Princess Buffy and Tara the White as a burst of flame soared towards the young girl-

The flames were blocked by a gust of wind. Giles the Grey and Jennifer the Green appeared in front of Princess Dawn and began to chant in unison. Winifred the Blue, the apprentice of Giles the Grey, quickly hurried forwards and removed Princess Dawn from the line of fire.

Princess Buffy hugged her sister tight once she was safely in her arms, and almost didn't hear Winifred the Blue say, "We must go!"

And so they fled, running towards the door while the Witches and Wizards were distracted. Tara the White looked towards her fallen wife one last time before she too turned and ran.

"It wasn't Tara's fault," Emma says. "It couldn't be."

"It wasn't," I tell her. "Good people can be corrupted by evil. Before she discovered her talent for magic, Willow the Red felt that she had no purpose in life. She wanted to help people, but didn't know how. Amy the Brown and Ethan the Black preyed on her insecurities ad corrupted her into their own image. She thought she was doing the right thing, but instead she had become a servant for Travers the Gold."

Emma looks thoughtful. "You know what I think? Tara should give her a true love's kiss. That'll make her better. Does she do it? Do they kiss?"

My eyebrows rise. "What did I say?"

"To let you finish the story. Sorry."

Princess Buffy knelt beside the fallen Shieldmaiden and said, "Kendra, stay with me."

But Dame Kendra shook her head and said, "I am sorry, my Princess. I have failed you. I followed Travers the Gold…so blindly…"

The wound was deep, and Princess Buffy turned to Princess Anya and asked, "Can you do anything for her?"

The Fairy Princess with broken wings shook her head. "No."

Princess Buffy looked around them. Tara the White and Winifred the Blue were holding up a magic shield to protect them from the attacks of Ethan the Black; even if they were not busy, Princess Buffy knew that their magic couldn't heal mortal wounds. Xander the Bowman was firing arrows, while his faithful wolf Oz barked and growled. The Knight, Sir Gunn, had joined their side after seeing Dame Kendra fall, and was locked in battle against Sir Forrest.

Princess Buffy turned back to Dame Kendra and said, "Do not be sorry. You fought bravely. You shall feast tonight in the Halls of Heaven."

Dame Kendra smiled a little, but then her eyes closed and she moved no more.

Princess Buffy let out a sigh. She climbed to her feet, took her sister's hand and ordered, "To the horses!"

They all ran towards the stables. But when they arrived they were stopped by Sir Riley, who pointed his sword at Princess Buffy and said, "I have no wish to hurt you, my love. By orders of Travers the Gold, you must-"

With one strike, Princess Buffy hit him harmlessly aside and continued walking without saying a word.

"Why did Dame Kendra have to die?"

I sigh. "She died heroically; saving lives. It was how she wished to die, and no matter her differences with Princess Buffy, it was one thing they both had in common."

Emma looks down. "It's still sad."

"It always is."

"At least Princess Buffy clobbered Sir Riley."

I smile again.

The companions were overwhelmed. The orc attack had come so suddenly that there was no time to plan a counter attack, or do anything other than fight back at random. Princess Buffy kept herself positioned in front of Princess Dawn, but did not know how long they would last.

Then suddenly more orcs were falling, and there was a flash of long blonde hair as someone moved so fast it was hard to see him. Princess Buffy soon realized, to her shock, that it was the elf who had been protecting the Seer; the one she had spared.

The fighting became less chaotic, and more orcs were killed until those that remained fled in terror. Princess Buffy didn't put away her sword, however, and instead spun towards the elf – who did the same.

They stood with their swords pointed at one another, waiting for the other to strike. Being closer than she was before, Princess Buffy could examine his face and build. He was not just handsome; he was beautiful, like all elves were, for there was a reason their home was named the Forest of Angels.

There was silence as the tense seconds passed, but then to the great surprise of everyone, the elf began to laugh. It was not an expected evil chuckle; it was light, genuine, and filled with amusement.

The elf put away his sword and said, "It is fun to fight orcs, is it not? The thrill is much greater."

Princess Buffy didn't know what to say; she could either agree with his words, or tell him that he was even more beautiful when he smiled. She blushed at the thought.

Instead, Xander the Bowman pointed an arrow at the elf and demanded, "What is your business here, elf?"

The elf was not intimidated by his threat, and he said to Princess Buffy, "I was out exploring with my brother when I heard the fight."

There was a rustle in the bushes nearby, and Oz the wolf growled until a younger elf appeared. His hair was long and brown, his eyes were blue, and he looked to be around the same age as Princess Dawn. Princess Buffy returned her sword to her side, suspecting that the elves meant them no harm.

The young elf's eyes fell upon Princess Dawn, and he proclaimed to her proudly, "I am Prince Connor of the elves that reside in the Forest of Angels!"

With a smile, the older elf bowed and said, "And I am Prince Spike, at your service."

"The elf was a Prince?"

I nod. "And a handsome one."

"Why did he help them?" Emma asked.

"He was grateful that Princess Buffy spared the lives of himself and the Seer," I explain. "He felt that he owed her a debt. So when Princess Buffy explained their predicament, he offered his help."

Xander the Bowman made sure that no one was listening before he turned to Princess Buffy and said, "Why are we accepting his help? You know what he is, and who. The eldest elven Prince is well known for killing two Shieldmaidens in single combat. And not just any Shieldmaidens; Dame Xin and Dame Nikki were among the best in your father's army."

Princess Buffy sighed and said, "I know what he is and what he has done. But there are larger fates at work here. I must protect my sister, and I will not let Glorificus the Terrible get to her. We need all the help that is offered to us."

But Xander the Bowman was not convinced, and he said, "Do you not remember what an elf did to Jesse? I do not care if they can love, or if he owes you a debt because you idiotically decided to spare his life. I will not forget everything the elves have done to us."

He walked away, and Princess Buffy was left to contemplate his words.

The death of Jesse the Bowman had affected them all, but none so much as his best friend and fellow bowman. And for that very reason, Xander the Bowman hated the elves more than anyone, with maybe the exception of Travers the Gold and Sir Riley.

It would be easy for Princess Buffy to tell herself that his words were fuelled by his prejudice. But she could not deny the point he was making; the elves were still their enemy, whether they could feel or not. Was it right to trust Prince Spike, the one who had already killed two Shieldmaidens? Was it right to accept him and his brother after everything their race had done?

The more Princess Buffy thought about it, the more she realized that it was the same for Prince Spike, as well. He was trusting them after everything they had done to the elves. War effected both sides, as Princess Buffy was only beginning to learn. Prince Spike had just as much right not to trust them as the other way around…and from what she could see, he did trust them. Enough to offer his help.

So they were accepting that help. Princess Buffy only hoped that it was the right choice.

"She shouldn't worry," says Emma. "I think she made the right choice."

"Princess Buffy couldn't help but worry," I tell her. "She was a leader, and it was her responsibility to make sure that everyone following her stayed safe. If one of them died because of a choice she made, then she would blame herself. The weight of responsibility can make even the greatest of leaders doubt and second guess themselves."

Emma once again looks thoughtful. "But everyone makes mistakes sometimes. She only needs to say 'sorry', and her friends would understand."

"It's a bit harder when making a mistake can cost lives."

When the companions stopped to rest for the night, Princess Buffy took the first watch.

Though she soon realized that she wasn't the only one still awake. Prince Spike was sat upon a nearby high rock, and he was gazing up at the stars. The starlight illuminated his face, making him look even more unearthly than he already did.

And more beautiful. Princess Buffy tried very hard not to blush again.

She jumped a little when Prince Spike suddenly turned to her and said, "Are you going to stare, or are you going to join me?"

After regaining her composure, Princess Buffy climbed up the rock, sat beside him and said, "There is no need for you to stay awake. I have the first watch."

To which he said, "I know. But elves prefer the night. We feel most at home when it is dark."

Curiously, Princess Buffy asked, "Then when do you sleep?"

And he replied, "We do not need as much sleep as you mortals do."

She was about to point out that his brother was sleeping, but when she looked down at the camp below them, she saw that he too was awake – and so was her sister. Prince Connor and Princess Dawn were sat next to each other, talking, and both were smiling.

Princess Buffy did not know why, but she found herself asking, "How is the Seer?"

Prince Spike looked surprised that she had asked, but replied anyway with, "She has recovered from her ordeal. It was her who told me to find you, and offer my help."

She frowned and said, "You told us that you were exploring with your brother."

To which Prince Spike said, "If I had told you the truth – that our Seer had foreseen this – would you have trusted me?"

Princess Buffy admitted to herself that she still would have trusted him – but the others would not have done. They were already wary, perhaps with the exception of Princess Dawn and Tara the White, and if the Seer had been mentioned, Princess Buffy suspected that it would have been too much for them.

Instead of voicing these thoughts, she said, "At least she is well. I know what it is like, seeing someone you love hurt…or unwell."

She thought of her mother, and wondered what Queen Joyce would think of her for running away so suddenly. She doubted that Giles the Grey and Jennifer the Green had time to explain everything before being undoubtedly locked away by Travers the Gold.

Unless, of course, she already knew what Dawn was.

Princess Buffy felt a hand take hers, and she looked up to find Prince Spike closer than before.

With his blue eyes glistening in the starlight, he said, "You must have faith that things will be better. The darkness of pain and fighting can only endure for so long, before the light of love breaks through."

His words raised her spirits, and as their gazes held, Princess Buffy found that her heart was beating just a little bit faster than it was before.

"Are they in love?"

I smirk. "Not quite yet."

Princess Buffy wished she had not listened when Princess Anya suggested they seek refuge in the Fairy Kingdom.

Or what was left of it.

The giant trees had been burnt hollow. No greenery grew. Charred skeletons of fairies were scattered everywhere. Whatever had happened to the Kingdom, it had happened some time ago.

Princess Anya ran through the ruins, and the companions followed her until she came upon two bodies lying outside a particularly large tree that was almost the size of a castle.

She knelt before them and said, her voice barely a whisper, "Father… Hallie…"

Prince Spike explained by saying, "King D'Hoffryn and Princess Halfrek."

Princess Anya cried out in sorrow, tears falling down her cheeks. Xander the Bowman stepped forwards and encircled his arms around her in comfort, rocking her gently.

Princess Buffy surveyed their surroundings and asked, "What happened here?"

Prince Spike scoffed and said, "You mean to say you do not know?"

Sir Gunn asked, "How does no one know of this?"

The elven Prince scoffed again, but it was Winifred the Blue who replied. "Some do. I…only discovered this recently. Right before we left. It was kept a secret."

Suspicious, Princess Buffy asked, "Why?"

Winifred the Blue hesitated before she explained. "The destruction of the Fairy Kingdom was ordered by Travers the Gold. He believes that Man is the only race that deserves to exist. So when the Fairy Kingdom least suspected it, he and a number of other Witches and Wizards attacked. Everyone was killed…with the exception of Princess Anya. Travers the Gold spared her in case she ever became useful, and he wiped her memory of what had happened."

All were horrified by the story, and Princess Anya cried harder.

Tara the White was the first to speak. "Who else was involved?"

To which Winifred the Blue replied, "All but Travers the Gold and Ethan the Black are dead. It was a long time ago."

Princess Dawn asked, "Then why does Anya look so young?"

And Prince Connor replied, "Because fairies are immortal, like elves."

Princess Buffy looked down at the bodies around them and said, "This is evil."

Winifred the Blue nodded and said, "This is but a taste of what happens when hate and war is left unchecked."

Prince Spike added, "And there is more that he has done. But you are not ready to hear the rest just yet."

"Can Travers be eaten by an ogre yet?"

I try not to laugh again. "They couldn't get rid of him yet, sweetheart. He was the Head of the Magic Users Council; people looked up to him."

"Why?" Emma asks. "Why did people like him if he was evil?"

"Because he made people believe that he wasn't," I explain. "There are many monsters in the world, Emma – but not all of them look the part."