Her people were sick. Her people were sick and it was the queen's duty to relieve them of this foul ailment. The thought guided Guiniveere through the dangerous Seelie paths. The mellow forest path seemed innocent and tame enough, indeed, but the Unseelie queen walked it with caution nonetheless. Pixies' giggles lead her through the quiet path; bluebells twinkled with real chimes, and sunlight kissed the ground where the trees permit it. The scene was idyllic, and had been for too long a time. Guiniveere was beginning to despise it- but her people were sick, and she would be a dead queen before long if they were to suffer much longer. As it was, Guiniveere could see a palace sparkling in front of her; she was near Silari's keep. It would be a waste, if nothing else, to turn back now. It shone as though made of glass as Guiniveere approached. Two regal guards stood beside a grand door, but made no move to stop the queen as she entered. The first hall inside had mirrors for walls- how vain Silari was- and Guiniveere was met with her reflection as she waited. The woman was tall and stiff; her eyes were green and, as she perfered to call them, determined; her hair was just as fine as the sunlight that she'd just walked in; and her dress was dark green, from her shoulders to the floor, with gold lacing trimming her collar, sleeves, and hem, and more lacing along the center of her bodice, and following that line down her skirt. There was also a sash of gold along her waist, and a gold circlet upon her head. Guiniveere stood still and waited. Eventually, the doors in front of her swung open silently. Guiniveere walked forward, into the throne room. But for a blue carpet from the door to the silver throne, the room was identical to the last. More fae guards stood in the room; one on either side of the door that Guiniveere had just walked through, and one on either side of Silari's throne. The seelie queen sat in her throne, relaxed, and did not stand for Guiniveere. Silari mocked her by looking similar- the same, but for color. Where Guiniveere had gold hair, Silari had silver; Guiniveere's green eyes were matched by Silari's light blue ones; their dresses took the same pattern, with Silari's having silver trims on a light blue base. It irked the Unseelie queen, as she knew Silari wanted it to. Perhaps it was lucky, then, that Guiniveere's grimace had been irreplaceable since she set out for the Seelie lands, for she showed no more distaste at Silari's appearance than she had at her own. "Why, Guiniveere, it has been so long," Silari greeted. "I daresay it hasn't been long enough," Guiniveere retorted. "But I imagine you're aware of why I'm here." "A sickness has struck yours. How unfortunate." "I should like one of yours, one well versed in healing, to come with me to find a proper cure. Unbalance would suit none, lest it not spread here and devour yours with mine." "And what shall I get in return?" "Protection against blight." Silari looked bored. "And a minstrel of mine to do with as you please." "Of my choosing," Silari said. Guiniveere nodded; fair was fair. "I have already sent for a nymph. She ought to be here soon, if she is not within the castle already."

Her hair, which hung all the way to her hips and was decorated with flowers and small, tinkling bells, blew in the slight wind as she ascended the castle steps. She wore a white dress made from soft silk that was embroidered with green and yellow flowers. The material brushed against her the tops of her bare feet. Her wrists and ankles were brandished with bells, much like the ones in her hair, that sang gently when she walked. The sunlight danced off the building, sending beams of light in ever direction making it seems as though the home of the Seelie royalty was made of sunlight itself. Something in her stomach clenched, not fear, not angst. Excitement was as close a word as she could come up with as she stood outside the grand building, staring with wide, green eyes that were deep and complicated. “You may proceed.” The young nymph looked over towards one of the large, intimidating guards who was watching her with a queer expression. “They are waiting for you.” She swallowed, nodding at the guard who then leaned over to grasp the golden laden handle and push open the beautiful door with a medallion design surrounded by small, silver faeries. It was a beautiful piece of work done thousands and thousands of year ago by a revered merman who lived alone in the middle of the sea, somewhere where no other fae could reach him. Or so the story was told. The door had been given to Queen Silari in honor of her coronation. With a calming breath the fair skinned lady nodded towards the guard, gracing him with a lavishing smile. "Thank you." She had a nice voice, warm and grounded. “Godspeed.” She had already entered the castle, a shiver running through her body as she passed through the threshold. Ignoring the ominous whisper that wafted towards her as the heavy door slowly banged closed, sealing her fate. The nymph prepared herself for what may await inside. She hadn't been told much, only that her expertise was needed and it was an errand for the Queen. It had been made perfectly clear, though, that she was not being politely asked a favor. She had no hand in deciding her future, and the thought made her stomach feel squeamishly eager. Even if she had been more nervous, it was impossible for her to leave. Whatever was waiting for her on the other side of the door could never have been as fearful as what would happen to her if she had the audacity to just leave. Suddenly the two double doors slowly opened to reveal her Queen upon her throne, guarded by two more faerie nights even more stern looking then the two at the front door. The nymph stepped inside, the bells tinkled gently in the silence. As Queen Silari smiled down at her. The woman was almost painfully beautiful, and she had to fight to not look away. Slowly, she bowed at her waist towards her queen. "Ah, and here she is. Arethusa. Stand up child." Ary did as she was told, standing to face the queen and her guest who Arethusa hadn't noticed at first. However when she did her eyes widened and her lips parted gently. Queen Guiniveere. The Queen of the Unseelie Court. What was she doing here? As if Silari could here the question in her mind, the woman began to speak. "There is an illness in the Unseelie Court. If this gets too out of hand, it will begin to affect us." The woman's voice was honey-like. "You're going to help." "Going to help...? You're sending me away?" She tried to keep the shock out of her voice. "But -" "No buts. It is for the best." She opened her mouth to argue more, however the look in Silari's eyes silenced her. Arethusa looked towards the other queen, the one who she had heard nothing but the most horrific tales about. The one who she would be leaving with on this very day. She gave a shallow, curt bow towards her. "If it is for the best, then I suppose I must go."