"Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines." -
Henri J.M. Nouwen

Where one moment was nothing but dense growth, a clearly distinguishable solid wall made of entangled roots appears. As we pass through the opening, wooden huts patched with grass fill our field of vision.

Small skado children run toward Schatô, but stop in their tracks when they see us. Their excited chatter soon surrounds us as they point to Rorith and me.

Schatô and his company hurriedly greet the little ones, before turning back to us. "You must first come before our chief so he can see you. We never let outsiders in."

The crowd of skados continues to grow as we head to the main hall of the village.

The hall, an enormous wooden structure, stands proudly on the opposite side of the village. Made from tangled roots it has been patched with grass in a similar fashion to the rest of the village.

The crowd swarms in behind us, their feet resounding on the wooden floor. Some ascend stairs to the side of the door to their places on the platform against the walls. The pelts of slain animals hanging on the sides tremble slightly at the movement of so many feet storming to find a place to observe us from.

We head across the hall to a skado, even bigger and more muscular than Schatô. Seated with folded legs on the hide of a black panther, he looks at us with faint curiosity. An elaborate copper headdress stained with verdigris rest on his broad head.

Schatô sinks onto his knees while the other skados sink onto a bow, touching the floor to their foreheads. Luckily Rorith follows their lead without reluctance this time while I only go onto my knees.

From the corner of my eyes, I see Schatô stiffen with the realisation of my status.

Nonetheless, he addresses the leader without any further changes in his composure. "Sjef, we encountered these two in the marshes. We have not interrogated them as to why they are here, but this one invoked our hospitality in the old language."

The chief looks carefully studies us before answering. "You speak the old language. There are not many humans that do. Schatô, introduce them."

Schatô bows again. "I have failed to obtain the name. They asked only to introduce themself to you, and I agreed. So, one-that-speaks-the-old-language, introduce yourself."

"Elarok, Skado, ke a Laelia, wa a alfe elaraki." I hear a few gasps in the crowd. I guess the elves would also react in this way if a skado prince showed up in one of our cities. Nonetheless, I continue begging for their hospitality and ensuring them we bear no ill will. "Ag helam unger sha, set Concilla nov aet helam. Helam alfe ossi ok, ossi Rorith frieda helam ok human. No o darko sha, al nom nono elaraki alfe."

"Rorith frieda no elaraki na?"

"No," I reply - Rorith does not know I am the princess of the elves.

"As what do I address you, alfe elaraki?"

"Laelia."

"I welcome you under my roof, Laelia alfe elaraki. We will eat first and then we will talk about why you are in my domain. I declare you friend, Laelia alfe elaraki."

"As do I, elarok Skado."

The seated crowd stamp their fists against the wooden floor, starting slowly and reaching silence after the overbearing crescendo.

The chief barks a series of commands. "Schatô, show the alfe elaraki to the empty hut. Make sure she has everything she needs for a proper bath. Provide her with some clothes - ask Keta for a dress. Show the human to your hut. I have not declared him."

"Thank you, elarok Skado."

"We will leave the former titles. We are now friends. I am Balok-o."

"Follow me, Laelia and Rorith," Schatô announces, before retreating to the door.

Rorith rises and starts turning around before I grab his elbow and indicate that he needs to retreat backwards.

Once outside, Schatô leads us out of the main hall to the hut next to the largest one in the village.

As I expected, Rorith immediately starts to question me. "Laelia, I thought your name was Fin. How do you know so much about skado culture that you know how to bow and how to address them? "

"I am sorry Rorith, but I lied to you. I will speak to you later. But I will first wash properly and dress accordingly."

As expected, he isn't happy with my dismissal.

"Rorith, you will stay here in my hut. I will ask someone to bring you warm water and clothes as well. Laelia, follow me."

Schatô leads me to a hut in the outer circle on the opposite end of the village.

Although the hut is small, it has been decorated and filled with luxury and comfort. A round bed fills the middle of the room. Thick pelts cover it.

A wooden tub, large enough to bathe in, hides behind a woven grass screen. A small dresser with a polished brass mirror stands just to the right of the door. Thick pelts cover the floor and walls. The lantern's orange light fills the room with a warm hue.

"This hut is yours until you leave. Keta will come with hot water and a dress for you. At sundown, we will expect you to be ready to eat. I expect that you will prefer not to eat meat and that the human will eat his meat cooked properly, yes?"

"Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate it." I bow my head.

"As Balok-o elarok said, we will talk later. I will go to my hut. I do not trust the human."

I laugh. "And you are right not to trust him, Schatô elaroki."

Schatô flinches. "How do you know that?"

"Your hut is next to Balok-o's hut." I have read a lot about skado hierarchy. Schatô is Balok-o's son, which makes him next in line for the leadership of this skado village.

"You are very observant and knowledgeable about our ways."

"I have read plenty of books in my life."

"You have had a long life to read many books," the corners of his mouth draw up, but he does not bare his teeth in the smile.

"I will see you at sunset, friend."

He nods and leaves me alone.

Soon after two skados carry in a bucket of water and fill the tub. They disappear soundlessly after I thank them.

It feels like heaven to take a proper bath in hot water. For the first time in weeks, I can see my natural blonde hair.

While I am taking a bath, the skado called Keta brings me a dress. It is a primitive garment, but I am too grateful that it is clean. It is made of leather, in the skado fashion.

It is barely a dress. I struggle for a while to figure out how to put the dress on. I entangle myself in the web of leather straps quite a few times before I manage to put it on.

Keta comes in, dressed as regally a s a princess. The array of feathers adorning her head like a crown provides her with the stature of a queen.

She hands me a piece of white silk. "I know it is still translucent, but it will help you feel like your dignity is still concealed."

"Thank you," I say gratefully when throwing it over my shoulders.

"No, no. That won't work. It will fall at the first chance it gets."

She removes the silk from my shoulders and wraps it around my chest, under my arms, before securing it with a knot above my left breast.

"There! Although still revealing, it does offer you some protection against those green lustful eyes."

"Rorith?" I say surprised.

"Have you not seen how he devours you with his thoughts?"

A blush creeps up to my cheeks. "No."

She gives me a pitiful smile. "For all their wisdom, elves are quite stupid." Halting at the door, she addresses me the last time: "If I may impart a piece of advice, Laelia alfe elaraki, our wine is strong and known to cause humans to submit to their dark desires. It shouldn't affect you as you and I are kin, but keep heed. And remember that this loneliness is temporary. You are already spoken for and loved."

A shiver passes down my spine as she leaves. The realisation that her words are a hint of prophecy forms a lump in my throat.