After the celebrations at Devil's Lake, Alan, Hannah and the Kelpie continued their journey. They had crossed deserts, survived shipwrecks and defeated creatures that had terrorised entire communities. Yet Alan knew that his greatest task remained unfinished.
He had to return to Avonland.
Before doing so, however, he remembered the story King O'Neal had told him about a traveller who had received a magical shield from a fairy. If the story was true, such a shield might protect him in the battle he knew was coming.
They travelled north until they reached an ancient forest. The trees were enormous, their branches interwoven so closely that the sunlight barely reached the ground. Strange flowers grew along the path, and tiny lights flickered between the leaves.
The Kelpie stopped.
"This place is enchanted," he said. "We should be careful."
They soon discovered a small woman lying beneath a tree. Her clothes were covered in mud, and one of her wings appeared to be injured.
Hannah rushed towards her.
"Are you hurt?"
The woman opened her eyes.
"Please, help me. I have been attacked by a creature from the forest."
Alan examined the surroundings. There were deep scratches on the trees and enormous footprints in the mud.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
The woman shook her head.
Alan lifted her carefully and carried her towards a nearby clearing. Hannah cleaned the wound while the Kelpie searched for water. They gathered medicinal leaves and prepared a small bandage for her wing.
After some time, the fairy began to recover.
"My name is Lyria," she said. "I belong to the kingdom of the fairies. You have shown me kindness, even though you did not know who I was."
"We would have helped you regardless," Hannah replied.
Lyria smiled.
"Then you deserve to see our kingdom."
She touched a small golden pendant around her neck. The trees began to move, revealing a hidden passage. Beyond it lay a magnificent realm filled with crystal streams, silver bridges and glowing flowers. Buildings made from pale stone rose among the trees, while hundreds of fairies flew above the gardens.
Alan had never seen anything so beautiful.
They were escorted to the royal palace, where the Fairy Queen received them. She thanked them for rescuing Lyria and offered to reward them.
Alan explained that he was preparing to return to his homeland and feared a great battle awaited him.
"I seek a shield," he said. "One capable of protecting those who stand against darkness."
The queen considered his request.
"Magic is not a substitute for courage, Prince Alan. A shield cannot save someone who has forgotten what they are fighting for."
"I have not forgotten."
"Then tell me what you seek."
Alan hesitated.
"For years, I have wanted revenge for my parents and my kingdom. But I have seen what hatred does to people. I want justice. I want to protect those who cannot protect themselves. And I want to return home without becoming the monster I have spent my life fighting."
The queen looked towards Hannah.
"And you?"
Hannah stepped forward.
"I want to stand beside him. Not behind him. He has spent too long believing that he must carry every burden alone."
The queen smiled.
"Then perhaps you are both ready."
She led them into a chamber containing an ancient shield. Its surface was silver, with a golden emblem at its centre. Strange symbols covered its rim.
"This is the Shield of Aurelion," she explained. "It was forged from celestial silver and protected by fairy enchantments. It can withstand fire, steel and most forms of dark magic. But it has one limitation: it cannot protect a heart consumed by hatred."
Alan accepted the shield.
The queen then presented Hannah with a small silver blade.
"You have shown that courage does not belong to princes alone. This blade will never harm an innocent creature, but it will cut through enchantments and illusions."
Finally, she gave the Kelpie a silver charm that would allow him to cross dry land without losing his strength.
Before they departed, the queen spoke once more.
"Your enemy is not merely an ogress, Alan. The darkness that destroyed your kingdom has been gathering strength for years. The creature who demanded the nine knights was searching for something hidden beneath your father's castle."
Alan's expression changed.
"What was hidden there?"
"The Heartstone of Avonland. An ancient source of magic. Your ancestors used it to protect the kingdom. The ogress wanted it for herself."
"Then she is still alive?"
The queen nodded.
"And she knows you are coming."
Alan tightened his grip on the shield.
He had finally discovered why Avonland had fallen.
He also understood that his journey had brought him to the beginning of its true purpose.