Her people were sick. Her people were sick and it was the queen's duty to relieve them of this foul ailment. The thought guided Guiniveere through the dangerous Seelie paths. The mellow forest path seemed innocent and tame enough, indeed, but the Unseelie queen walked it with caution nonetheless. Pixies' giggles lead her through the quiet path; bluebells twinkled with real chimes, and sunlight kissed the ground where the trees permit it. The scene was idyllic, and had been for too long a time. Guiniveere was beginning to despise it- but her people were sick, and she would be a dead queen before long if they were to suffer much longer. As it was, Guiniveere could see a palace sparkling in front of her; she was near Silari's keep. It would be a waste, if nothing else, to turn back now.

It shone as though made of glass as Guiniveere approached. Two regal guards stood beside a grand door, but made no move to stop the queen as she entered. The first hall inside had mirrors for walls- how vain Silari was- and Guiniveere was met with her reflection as she waited. The woman was tall and stiff; her eyes were green and, as she perfered to call them, determined; her hair was just as fine as the sunlight that she'd just walked in; and her dress was dark green, from her shoulders to the floor, with gold lacing trimming her collar, sleeves, and hem, and more lacing along the center of her bodice, and following that line down her skirt. There was also a sash of gold along her waist, and a gold circlet upon her head.

Guiniveere stood still and waited. Eventually, the doors in front of her swung open silently. Guiniveere walked forward, into the throne room. But for a blue carpet from the door to the silver throne, the room was identical to the last. More fae guards stood in the room; one on either side of the door that Guiniveere had just walked through, and one on either side of Silari's throne. The seelie queen sat in her throne, relaxed, and did not stand for Guiniveere. Silari mocked her by looking similar- the same, but for color. Where Guiniveere had gold hair, Silari had silver; Guiniveere's green eyes were matched by Silari's light blue ones; their dresses took the same pattern, with Silari's having silver trims on a light blue base.

It irked the Unseelie queen, as she knew Silari wanted it to. Perhaps it was lucky, then, that Guiniveere's grimace had been irreplaceable since she set out for the Seelie lands, for she showed no more distaste at Silari's appearance than she had at her own. "Why, Guiniveere, it has been so long," Silari greeted.

"I daresay it hasn't been long enough," Guiniveere retorted. "But I imagine you're aware of why I'm here."

"A sickness has struck yours. How unfortunate."

"I should like one of yours, one well versed in healing, to come with me to find a proper cure. Unbalance would suit none, lest it not spread here and devour yours with mine."

"And what shall I get in return?"

"Protection against blight." Silari looked bored. "And a minstrel of mine to do with as you please."

"Of my choosing," Silari said. Guiniveere nodded; fair was fair. "I have already sent for a nymph. She ought to be here soon, if she is not within the castle already."