Cadernia peered over the balcony at the grand hall below. The palatial dining room was decorated with trademark elven elegance, draped in white and silver for the celebration of solstice. A large table at the head of the room seated the royals, and each of the elven clans had its own table on the floorspace. Being a new Benywdod, Cadernia was not to sit with her family; she and the other women would sit with the Brynddals at the royal table - an honour for Rhoswen and Alwen, she was sure... Though she was entirely unfazed by the situation. As she scoped the room, she caught Arweinydd's eye as he sat beside his father. He smiled warmly, not displaying the usual level of endearment she was accustomed to, now that he was 'on duty' before his people. 

She breathed deeply and began to descend the curved staircase, her long, sheer trail falling gracefully behind her and caressing each step. It seemed in that moment that the entire room was fixated on Cadernia as she entered; she was a beautiful creature of elegance and mystique and was no doubt the object of many lustful thoughts, but these things did not appeal to Cadernia. She valued power and knowledge above grace or beauty, and had developed something of a reputation for rebuffing the advances of some of the most esteemed elves in Tirannwn. It was assumed by most that her heart must belong to someone else, which was not entirely untrue.

"You look beautiful," Arweinydd said charmingly, as he stood to welcome her to the table. "Please, take a seat." he said, pulling out a chair beside him in the most gentlemanly of fashions. Cadernia felt somewhat uncomfortable by his adopted mannerisms. Arweinydd was naturally polite, caring and eloquent - that much could not be debated. Yet, as Cadernia was one of few people - perhaps the sole person - that he felt comfortable with, she couldn't help but notice something... [i]off[/i] about him. He took his birthright very seriously and Cadernia found it sad, it was as though he was trapped. She equated power with freedom, and yet it seemed in this instance only to restrain the young prince. She entertained him with a smile and gently sat in the comfortable chair, no doubt crafted by one of the Craffach. 

After polite conversation with the royals and a most delicious feast, Cadernia was starting to grow tired of the whole occasion. Not least of her annoyances were Arweinydd's royal duties, prompting him to engage in discussion with the other Benywdods. Cadernia was not perfect and was prone to jealous moods such as this; whilst she and the prince were not a couple, she was fiercely protective of her childhood friend. At least, that was the excuse she gave herself when she began to feel the encroachment of the Green Eyed Monster. 

Alwen Craffach was not similar to the other female elves around the table. Her dress was simplistic and practical, her hair short and cropped and her exposed arms toned with light muscle and tanned through work in the sun. Cadernia was not one to judge on appearances, but the girl's boisterous attitude was enough to make her head hurt as the craftswoman boasted loudly about her many achievements in wood and stone. As interesting as the conversation might have been, Cadernia had but one thing on her mind: that strange discovery out in the forest. As the urge to uncover what lay buried beneath that strange tree was too much for Cadernia's inquisitive spirit, and she knew that she had to move. 

After a tiresome wait for Alwen to pause for breath, Cadernia coughed gently and attracted the attention of her fellow diners at the royal table. "Fascinating, Alwen... Your work is indeed magnificent," she said, gesturing towards the small sculpture that the Craffach had produced from within her pocket earlier on. "I'm sure the prince would love to hear more of your stories." she said, grinning mischievously as Arweinydd tried to mask his contempt. "In the meantime, Your Majesty," she said, attracting the King's attention. "May I be excused? I feel a little lightheaded, all this excitement must have gone to my head. I think I need some air." she said, feigning drowsiness. 

"Perhaps Miss Rhoswen could help you," smirked Arweinydd as his friend's face dropped. 

The King chortled, apparently not hearing his son's suggestion. "Very well, Miss Cadernia. But do rejoin us later on! You've been quiet this evening, and we're all eager to learn of your experiences with the magic arts." he said, humbling Cadernia as the rest of the table nodded in agreement. She assured them she would return, and hurried out into the night, her shimmering trail floating behind her.

As she wandered the dark forests, lit only by moonlight, Cadernia began to realise she was struggling to retrace her steps. Pausing for a moment, she whispered in elven under her breath. As her gentle words caught the breeze, a pale white light formed before her and floated off into the woodland. She grinned with pride, recalling how she had known that learning the spell would prove useful in the future, and set off after the wisp.

Eventually, she arrived once more at the crystalline tree. The orb of light descended slowly into the dry patch of earth, and with another murmur from Caldernia, it began to burrow into the soil, forming a small crater. As it did so, the light from the runes she had discovered earlier penetrated the darkness, and soon something unexpected rose from the ground. Bound in a strange black leather, with some sort of skeletal structure forming the spine and secured tightly with a magical lock... It was a book.