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fall and felt vulnerable and embarrassed. She hardly ever cried and certainly not in front of anyone but this time she couldn’t help it. All the while, she was glad they were alive...at least it seemed they were, anyway.
                     “So, let me get this straight, my dad wouldn't kill dragons or me so my mom took me to the orphanage to keep me safe and she left a note with me and they are trapped in the castle somewhere that is being ruled by Princess Karina?”
                    “Yes," The three of them said, simultaneously. “And in a way, you are like my sister....a few species removed?” Nikoleta asked Kibbie. “I suppose you could say that.” They smiled at each other. Then Bosh offered, “Nikoleta, stay with us. You are more than welcome and we will help you get your mom and dad back.”
                     “Thank you. I just worry about the girls back home. I'm sure they are wondering where I am...” Nikoleta paused, “...but I can’t leave now . I need to find my parents. I'm sure they would all understand.” They all nodded.
                    Day stood up and said, “Nikki, would you like to go for a walk?” “Um, sure,” Nikoleta answered. “OK let's go."
     
                      The two of them left behind the curtain that was actually the front door, which, Nikoleta now noticed was made of vines tightly intertwined together. They headed left. On their right there was a tunnel that led to a place where five small children were playing. Two of the children had pointy ears and long white hair. Nikoleta thought maybe because these people lived underground that they looked different. Perhaps it was an evolution thing. The other three children looked human.
                    “What are the two with pointy ears?” Nikoleta asked. “They are ground elves. They are who built Grundon long ago. These particular children don’t have parents. They were ordered to be killed by the princess. They live here now with Manaya who takes care of them.”
                    Nikoleta studied them closely. She never saw another orphan outside of her orphanage before. She suddenly felt guilty for looking at them. Perhaps if it were about a half an hour ago before she even knew she had parents, she wouldn’t feel this way. She had parents somewhere, unlike these children. Then they heard Manaya say, “Come, children, it’s time for bed.”
                    Day started walking again and Nikoleta followed. They came to an underground spring that was sparkling blue and despite the darkness, the water looked very clean and clear. There were a few women who were collecting water in clay pots and a dragon was drinking. Nikoleta and Day sat on a boulder.
                     “Nikoleta, Kibbie asked me to give you something." It was quiet now, the women and the dragon were gone. Day reached into her small cloth bag and handed Nikoleta a small, brown envelope.
       Nikoleta carefully o pened it. It was a letter addressed to her. She felt herself shaking as she began to read to herself:
     
    Dear Nikoleta,
     
    I hope this letter finds you well. I am deeply sorry for how things turned out. My heart is breaking as I write this because I don’t know when I will see you again. It may be many years from now, but believe me it is for the better. The necklace will come find you at the right time. It has its way of knowing things. Just know that our lives will never be the same. We long for the day that we will see you again. We had to protect you. If you are reading this I am sure you know what happened. Your father and I hope you are not angry with us. We didn't have much of a choice. We did not abandon you. This was the hardest decision either of us has ever had to make but we know it was the right one. We would do anything to keep our child safe. I hope you are doing well.
     
    We love you,