Back in the council room a few guards remained at Sterliths request. They wanted to be with the rest of their people defending their home, but Sterlith had a obligation to the tree as well. He could not in good faith leave it unguarded after what happened to the princess.
The guards were talking about this to each other.
Tall guard - " Only the royals can use the tree. Why do we have to stay to guard it? "
Yellow guard - " Do you want to be burried in the ground? Sterlith will find a way to... "
There was a loud crack from the tree. The both approached carefully. One of the roots of the tree reared up like a snake as if to strike them, but hovered in mid-air and started to expand like someone was filling it with water. They both took a step back as the root was growing as big as an ale barrel. There was another loud crack. The root opened up like a flower. Revealing their princess. Covered in water and sap. She was curled up and unconscious. The guards loomed a little closer and she opened her eyes. They jumped back again. She rose and tried to clear her face of sap. Both guards dropped to one knee.
Yellow guard - " Princess. We thought you had entered the root to join your ancestors? "
The princess smiled at them and said " I was. And it was wonderful. "
She seemed to drift back to the root and looked so peaceful and radiant that the guards were in awe of her as if experiencing a miracle through seeing her so content and untroubled by her recent loss of family and friends.
She came from the root. No one had ever seen this before except the chief and his wife. They had revered the tree for so long, but the people never knew why.
The princess looked back at the guards. They met her gaze wide eyed.
Princess - " What you have just seen. You must never repeat. Hold your questions for now and know that all will be explained afterwards. "
The guards rose nodded their heads and the princess called upon one of them to get the crystal bowl with her fathers ashes. He was gone only a moment and returned with the bowl held reverently in his hands. She took it from him. Walked over to the root and emptied the ash into the pod that she had just appeared from. The ash seemed to sink into the wood. The princess waved over the guards and said
Princess - " Do as I have just done. With every bowl that was filled from this room. Wait until the ash settles into the root before placing the next. When you are done join me at the gate. "
She looked puzzled for a moment.
Princess -" Where is Sterlith? "
Yellow guard - " He and the prince of the Palm are at the gate preparing for our defense. "
Tall guard - " The armies are close princess. We have hours left at the most. "
Princess - " Then I had best get there soon. " Thinks for a moment and looks back to the pod. " You must carry out my instructions. Meet me at the gate when you are done. " She looks at the first guard. " Did you say the Prince of the Palm? "
Yellow guard - " Yes. My lady. He arrived while you were in the root. He has helped us prepare."
Princess - " Has he? I will have to meet the prince. "
Yellow guard - " Will you also be preparing to be sworn in as the new queen? "
Princess - " The bodies of my family are barely cold. I will not become queen. The tree has an errand for me first. After that is completed. Then maybe I will be worthy to stand in my mothers place as queen. "
With that said she nodded at the two and left the room. No other Elves were around. Which she was thankful for because at that moment she realized that she was almost completely naked and still covered in sap. She calmly walked to the closest bathroom and washed. She could feel the water sweep away her thoughts for a moment.
Finishing she went to her room and dressed. Then headed again to the gate.