"So..." Arion began as the three of them rode back through the forest. "Is there a story behind the girl who lives in a tower in the woods?"

Zel bit her lip. "Well... My mom's a witch. It's not how it sounds! She's a lovely person!"

"A witch? That's so cool!" Lacey exclaimed from the other horse. Arion would have told her it was not cool, but Zel was right there, and he would hate to appear rude.

"A witch... Like a woman who does magic?" Arion wondered, speaking slowly.

Zel nodded, "Yes, but it's not like the stereotypes say! She really is a sweetheart!"

Arian stared at her. Okay so they just picked up a nutter... Or at least another believer like Lacey and his parents. Still... She seemed nice enough.

"Yeah... And what's the rest of your story? I mean there's got to be than pretty maiden kept by witch in a tower for years right?"

Zel blushed softly. Arion's eyes shot wide as he realized what exactly he had said.

"I meant-"

Zel paid it no mind, carrying on. "My mother has magical friends she visits on occasion. Important business they do. Keep people safe from magic. Normally she returns in just a few days but..." She bit her lip, thinking hard.

"Oh!" Lacey exclaimed. "Well that sounds like a good time doesn't it? A real adventure."

Arion shot his sister a glare. "Lacey, don't-"

Zel laughed. "I suppose it is. You know... I think this might be the farthest I've been outside the tower since... Well since as long as I can remember."

Lacey spoke up. "Wait so you just stay in the tower? All the time?"

Zel brushed a stray strand of hair over her ear as she answered. "Well, yeah... It was normally just my mother and I. Occasionally she'd let me go into town but it was a once a year sort of thing."

Arion stared at her. "Our parents let us go to the village and if anyone has the right to be overprotective it's them."

Lacey piped up. "We were kidnapped as infants!"

"Really?" Zel wondered.

"Lace, that wasn't what I was referring to." Arion groaned.

"Yeah our parents made a deal with this wicked this creature and-"

"Lacey, you know that didn't really happen!"

"It did! And I can prove it."

Zel stared at them. "And I thought my situation was odd."

Gothel had just mentioned before she left, that Estelle had mentioned children being kidnapped by an elf when she'd been gossiping about the prince and princess. Had the twins been in a similar situation?

Arion blushed. "Talks a lot of make believe. Trust me we're annoyingly normal."

Lacey snorted. Arion shot her a glare.

Just up ahead Arion could see the town of Aureros peeking out over a hill. The castle was not far off in the distance.

"We're almost there. Don't worry, Zel. We'll help you find your mom."

They continued onwards to where the twin's called home.

😬 I know it's been a year. I didn't mean to let time get away like that. I was really stuck, hence why this isn't a good chapter. I haven't given up, but no promises for swift updates. I swear it won't be another six months or more before the next chapter though!