Page 29 of Apples Dipped in Gold
“Would I know them, fair maiden?”
“I am certain I would not know,” she said. “For I do not know you.”
I gritted my teeth but tried not to show my frustration.
“If the maidens are practicing their dances and the old elf king has invited many distinguished guests, then there must be much to celebrate,” I said.
“Oh, there will be, but only if every maiden ends the night betrothed,” said the fae.
“Are there many eligible maidens?” I asked.
“Oh yes, for the music you have heard will only reach the ears of those who are unwed, even mortals.”
I no longer had any doubt as to where Samara had gone.
“Tell me, fair maiden, who is invited tonight?”
“Anyone may come to the ball, which will take place after the banquet, but the banquet is only for the elfking’s honorable guests,” she said. “Now, I have delayed too long, and there is much still to do. I must be on my way as I have yet to send the invitations, and the night raven will wake soon.”
“Fair maiden, you have been so busy. Allow me to assist you,” I said. “If you tell me who is invited, I will go to the night raven for you.”
“What a dear,” she said. “If you will do me this favor, then you may come to the ball this night!”
“I am at your service,” I said, bowing very slightly.
The old elf maid smiled so wildly and with much relief and then began speaking. “His first visit must be to Nereus and his daughters, who will likely not stay long, for they do not want to be gone from the sea. Still, we shall try to make them comfortable. We must ask the brownies, though it is nighttime, and they may not want to abandon their chores. Oh, and do not forget the trolls—not the giant ones, for they will stomp on the ground and cause much strife, but the ones with tails who are smaller and can fit beneath the hilltop.”
The longer the fae rattled on, the more I regretted my decision, but I thought about Samara dancing beneath the moonlight for men who were not me, which reminded me why I needed to do this.
“I am hesitant to ask the ghosts, but I fear they will haunt our guests if I do not. But if we invite the ghosts, we must also invite theglosonand keep him well fed, or he will seek food among our guests.”
“Of course, fair maiden,” I said quickly, interrupting her before she could add more creatures to her list of guests. “Is there anything else you may need? You sosmartly mentioned food. Perhaps there is something I could fetch for the old king’s distinguished guests.”
“What a blessing you are!” she said. “I daresay, our guests of honor—the goblin king and his sons—would enjoy a few rusty nails, but they must be from the foot of a bone horse, for those are a delicacy. If you return with them before sundown, you may have a seat at the banquet.”
“Does the goblin king seek a wife?”
“For his two sons,” she said. “Though they are rumored to be careless and rude.”
“Pity the women they choose,” I said.
“Nay, good sir,” she said. “For the maidens shall become princesses, and their husbands will inherit many castles and goblin gold.”
“I’d rather the castles and gold,” I said.
“Well, perhaps the goblin king’s sons will like the look of you, and then you will have castles and gold. Now off with you!” she said and called out as she turned. “The night raven will wake soon!”
There was silence for a few seconds, and then the fox spoke.
“Surely, a prince of your rank would be an honored guest? Wouldn’t it have been easier to tell the old elf maid who you were?”
“No,” I said. I was lucky she had not recognized me, and I hoped the same would be true tonight at the ball. Otherwise, I would fail to rescue Samara. “Trust me, it will be far easier to pry nails from the feet of a bone horse.”
Chapter Five
The Elfin Hill
Samara
