Chapter 17: Green Haven

Crossing the enchanted part of the realm is where the gate to Green Haven lies. If one looks back towards the valley, the fields are still visible but will appear like a thin layer of fog is separating it from the Haven. This is the enchanted mist. It conceals the realm of the Earth fairies beyond the valley.
There is a bridge that they crossed to get to the Green Haven.
The Green Haven is where the Earth fairies dwell. A variety of trees can be seen all around; willows, oaks, elms and elders.
The haven may seem to appear plainly like an ordinary forest but these trees are fairy houses.
Caspian and the rest of the rangers from the valley walk wearily towards the Elder tree, which is the abode of their Queen and King. It stands at the centre of all the different trees in the haven.
They head straight there to let their Queen know of their arrival, as well as to report all the events of the day. Aramir surely has already made known the earlier events of the day. Now, it is their duty to give them the rest of the details, especially the arrival of the humans bringing all sorts of help.
The dwellings of the Earth fairies stay close to the basic qualities of earthen habitats. Leaves and flowers fill the surroundings as they enter the halls of the Queen and King. The simplicity of the place may lack the usual majestic appeal for Kings and Queens but the Earth Haven still exudes grandeur in the fairy sense. 
The Earth fairies feel closer to nature in dwellings made of leaves, flowers and other plants. 
The rangers bow with reverence to their Queen and King, seated on wooden thrones decorated with an assortment of colourful flowers.
"Greetings, Queen Alina, King Merlion. We came straight here from our patrolling in the valley. However, we made sure first that our fellow Earth fairies farming there are protected by additional enchantments before we left."
"As expected, some of the humans arrived. They did not come just out of curiosity on what the loud explosion is about but also to bring food, medicine and other supplies for our people there. They are genuinely concerned with our people there." Jeera narrates carefully.
"Good tidings Jeera, Cleo, Orin, Bran, Alcon and Caspian." Queen Alina replies, acknowledging all the rangers who arrived. The King merely nods and stares at them with his piercing green eyes.
Tranquility generates in the Queen's aura. Queen Alina's expression is a solemn one. Her face is as pale as the rest of her people but has an air of elegance and beauty incomparable to anyone in her realm. King Merlion, beside her, is a handsome counterpart for his Queen and exudes a sense of strength and power. Both appear young, like all the rest of the fairy folk but everyone in the Green Haven respects them for their wisdom and compassion.
Aramir stands beside King Merlion's throne with his head bowed in fealty. The rest of the other rangers stand side by side at the right side of the hall, all in their warrior's stance dressed in brown. They are the protectors of the Green Haven and the surrounding towns in the human world.
On the left side, the rest of the Earth fairies stand wearing green of different shades. These are the fairies who nurture the flowers and every plant in the realm and beyond.
Everyone in the hall remains silent, awaiting their Queen and King to address them. Each one is aware of the gravity of their present situation.
The unexplained escape of the Dark Fairy and the explosion early in the morning only proves that the Dark Fairy can toy with them anytime he likes.
The fairy folk's fear of Alirion, the one they refer to as the Dark Fairy, is not irrational. He is not just a fairy but the greatest Fire Fairy that ever lived.
The memory of the havoc of the fire he unleashed, which burned the valley so many years ago has left such a great pain in the hearts of most fairies, especially the Earth Fairies because of their innate caring for nature.
The death of Marion, their formidable ranger, in the hands of Alirion, added to their unforgettable sorrow. The fairies have seen how skilled Marion is, but he was no match for the Dark Fairy.
When Queen Alina stands from her throne she immediately gets their attention. The fairies snap out from their dark reverie of the past. All of them stare at their Queen.
"My people, I am saddened by the news that I have just learned from our neighbouring Water Fairies." the Queen pauses to make sure that everybody heard her.
"The swiftest messenger of the Water Fairies came here before Jeera and our other rangers came back from the valley."
"The Water fairy has confirmed that the Dark Fairy Alirion has crossed the Blue Haven and returned to the Orange Haven to claim leadership of the Fire Fairies." the queen stops unable to control her sadness.
Instantly, King Merlion approaches his Queen and guides her back to her throne. He remains standing and says, "The Fire Fairies remained our allies after the tragic events in the valley years ago."
"They have denounced Alirion then and handed to us the fanatics who were helping Alirion at that time. If the Dark Fairy is truly in the Orange Haven, he might have forced the Fire Fairies into submission. He must have other allies now."
"My King, like what I have suggested earlier, we must send envoys to the Orange Haven to see for ourselves what is presently happening there." Aramir interrupts politely.
"Aramir, i know we have to do something but we must coordinate with the other Fairy Realms too. This issue is not just about the Fire Fairies. Whatever action we take will affect the other Fairy Realms."
"Your Queen and I have already sent the messenger of the Water Fairies to the White Havens to inform the Air Fairies that our envoys will join together to device a plan before heading to the Orange Haven."
"The realms of the Air Fairies and the Water Fairies must coordinate with our realm too so we can have a strong chance of defeating the Dark Fairy once and for all." King Merlion announces with conviction.
"Now, we are only waiting for the envoys of the Air and Water Fairies to arrive." Queen Alina speaks again.
"For now, please take a bit of rest, rangers. You need your strength for the battle ahead of us." she says with determination.
Queen Alina and King Merlion stands. All the other fairies bow, acknowledging the departure of their Queen and King from the hall.
Whispers arise from all the fairies left in the hall. Some of them are still in shock that a war is upon them again. Most of them hope that there will be a more lasting peace between the realms. Unfortunately, the Dark fairy is bound to break that peace once more.
The rangers gather around Aramir to await their leader's instructions. Aramir makes certain that each of his rangers is listening.
"Like what our Queen said, we shall rest for a while. We shall join the envoys of the Air and Water Fairies upon their arrival." Aramir announces.
Aramir also exits the hall. The rest of the rangers follow.
The hall starts to empty. Caspian and Bran are among the few left there.
"What are you thinking about?" Bran asks Caspian.
"I have to see Anna before I go. Cover for me okay? In case Aramir asks. I will not be gone for long." Caspian replies.
"But you were just with her today!" Bran shouts after him hurriedly.
Caspian sprints to leave even before Bran agrees to his plan. His mind is already elsewhere.