It all felt like a strange blur to her, but she was fairly certain she passed at least a dozen rooms and went up a few flights of stairs. Edwin walked with her, holding her up each step of the way. She remembered the kitchen and the smell of the food being prepared. She also saw a few of the female guests crowding around the guards barracks.

Snow yawned loudly as they entered the room that was to be hers. She didn’t notice a thing about it, not even the bed. Edwin helped her lay down on it and before he could say good night she was already out. He blew out the candle and shut her door, returning to his room.

Snow dreamed vividly that night. In her vision she was being chased by Simon, he was fast but she was faster. They weren’t inside of a castle, but in a forest. The woods of her people. She hid away from him but he wouldn’t stop searching for her. His cries for her we’re loud and distorted.

As she runs from tree to tree, Simon spots her and lunges forward, grabbing her ankle. Snow cries out hitting the ground. Branches crack as she lands hard on her stomach. He laughs madly and straddles her waist, sitting on top of her. She tries to push him away, but he’s so heavy. He’s suffocating her with his presence. She screams into the forest for help.

Edwin arrives on a white horse, sword drawn. He then challenges Simon to a fight. Snow takes this opportunity to run away as the two duel. Deeper into the forest the mist grows thick. Why does it smell like death here? She then sees the bodies of her people, all massacred before her.

The young elf jolts out of a sound sleep. Tears flowing from her eyes. The dream sticking with her deeply, she wonders if any of her family members still live. The early colors of dawn can be seen from her window. Snow gets out of bed and looks outside, admiring the sunrise. She had never been able to see it before now.

“Good morning my lady.” Edwin said softly. She turned around suddenly, not expecting his presence. “I am sorry my lady, I did not mean to scare you.” He apologized bowing gently.

Snow bowed back, it wasn’t Edwin’s fault she was on high alert. It was the vivid dream she had and the castle that took her away from her home. Edwin approached her, “Would you like a better view of the Sunrise?” He asked a kind smile on his face.

She quickly nodded with enthusiasm. Edwin laughed and reached his hand out for hers, she eagerly accepted. On the other side of his master bedroom was a hidden door. Inside was a library of considerable size and it had a big, beautiful window. Edwin approached the glass, opening it up for the young elf. She followed him and saw the metal roof top terrace.

The sunrise reflected off the metal roof. She stood in awe at the bright, glowing colors it displayed. Edwin waved for her to follow as they approached the top of the tower. Snow realized as she stepped onto the terrace that it didn’t just show off an amazing view of the sunrise but the entire premises. Her jaw dropped from all of its splendor.

“This is where I spend most of my time, I use it especially inbetween study sessions.”Edwin said playing with his messy hair. He then sat down on a gorgeously carved wooden bench. Snow followed and sat down next to him. She felt the smooth, cold touch of the engravings in the bench. Then she turned her attention back to the sunrise.

They sat for a moment in silence, just taking it all in. Edwin finally broke the silence, “My lady, can you speak?”

Snow took a deep breath and opened her mouth, “I can.” Her voice was soft, spoken like a melody, there is a forgotten accent in her words.

Edwin wasn’t expecting a response. He focused on Snow intently. “I would love to learn more about you.” He inched closer to her on the bench.

“Well, I guess I’m most curious, why do you keep calling me ‘my lady?’” Her eyes asked him just as much as her tongue did.

Edwin blushed, “Well uh-it came to my attention that your real name most likely is not Snow. I did not know what to call you in the interim, so I decided to call you ‘my lady.’ I guess it felt natural.” He said trying not to sound too nervous.

This caused her to blush as well. His consideration of her well being was starting too confuse and attract her. This was such a new feeling. She never had a protector, no one who doted on her or even made her feel remotely like a lady before now.

“M-my name is Fána.” She finally spoke after a moment of silence. Her eyes were looking down at her hands while she said it. She felt too embarrassed to look at him directly right now.

“That may be the most precious name I have ever heard.” Edwin blurted out. “The way you say words, it kind of tickles me. In my ears and in my brain. It is like a lulaby mixed with a symphony. When I pronounce it, is it more like fah-nah or fay-nah? I want to make sure I say it correctly.” He was entranced by her wholly and utterly.

Fána giggled. “It’s pronounced Fay-nah by my people. It means cloud. When I was born, there were huge fluffy clouds in the sky. My mother looked up with me in her arms and knew it was a sign. It’s actually how a lot of our people are given their names, from the world around us.”

Edwin was tearing up as Fána explained the story of her birth. She was surprised at his emotion. Almost all elves believe humans to be quite emotionless and disinterested in things that didn’t concern them.

“I-if you are to call me ‘my lady,’ would I be able to call you, ‘my lord?’” Fána pressed her two pointer fingers together as she asked. Her cheeks were bright crimson.

Edwin looked somberly at her, “I am not sure I am fit to be a Lord.” He said, a deep sadness in his voice.

Fána put her hand gently on top of his. “I am but a snow elf, and the kindness you’ve shown me is absolutely worthy of Lordliness.” She wasn’t sure if that was a word, but she thought it sounded nice. English wasn’t exactly her first language, after all.

Edwin chuckled at her use of lordliness. “My family and I are sort of at odds. You see, in order to be a Lord you have to be handsome, strong and able to lead. I am none of those things. I feel that I am awkward, small and certainly not a leader. My father gifted you to me, hoping that my male awakening would bring out a man in me.”

Fána’s hand was tightly holding his at this point as he continued talking about his family. Edwin let out a long low sigh. “Even though I am next in line for the throne, I know I will never get a chance. Simon is competing against me for my Fathers favor. He is everything I am not, after all. He has given my Father heirs, he has married my sister and given the man an entire army. I am surprised my Father has not gotten rid of me at this point.” He hung his head and she saw a steady stream of tears fall on his lap.

His golden brown wavy hair hung in front of his eyes as he cried. She could tell this had been heavy on his shoulders for a long time. He was so young, she couldn’t imagine that kind of pressure.

“Edwin, you don’t need to be any of those things to be a good King. You can lead in any way you want and I think that you are so much more than Simon could ever be. A good King needs to only care for his people to make an impact.” Fána said this with unwavering conviction.

Edwin lifted his head up just far enough to look into her eyes. They sparkled into his with passion and determination. It made him feel like he could do anything.

“You may be the greatest birthday present I have ever received.” Edwin said laughing and squeezing her hand. He still had tears in his eyes, but they were happy now. Fána instilled in him compassion for himself and it helped him understand that he wasn’t alone. They sat in silence again staring out at the gorgeous sunrise, the sun slowly moving high across the sky. It wouldn’t be long before the day started for the rest of the castle.