“The messenger knew a union with the neighboring kingdom of Westera would serve Eastan's political ends, but he doubted Prince James would settle for Princess Gracia, if she was half as ill-tempered as her reputation.
“The messenger continued on his way the next day, and the innkeeper rejoiced. 'A coronation! A ball! Why, all the traffic will go between Eastan and Westera will give us so much business!' Margaret May also grew excited for the event. She had often heard the story of how Princess Garcia was born beside her, and had always dreamed of meeting the girl. For the next few days, Margaret May worked hard to help prepare the inn, and dreamed of all the interesting dignitaries and glamorous nobles they might host. During her chores, she fantasized that the royal family would stay at their inn again on their way to the coronation.
“One day her father sent her out to collect more wood, for they did not want to run out while they had guests. Margaret May had already gathered all the branches she could along the forest's edge, so she ventured deeper into the forest to look for wood. She might not have dared to set foot in the deep and uncharted forest, but she had the lucky feather her parents had given her and she did not worry.
“However, the woods were more confounding than she ever imagined, and her lucky feather did not prevent her from getting lost. The more she tried to wander home, the deeper into the woods she wove, and nothing looked familiar in the least. Very afraid, she started to run, until a croaky voice startled her: 'Hobiddy ho! Who goes there?'
“She turned around and saw a stout man with pointed ears in a suit of downy moss. Other men and women of his stature crept out of the brush, and Margaret May realized she'd stumbled onto the forest elves.
This was no good fortune, for forest elves were wary of people and did not like to be disturbed. They made horrible threats and told her, 'We have a treaty with the old, old King of Westera—the only good and kind human that ever lived, rest his soul—and he promised no person would ever trudge through these woods that belong to us alone. Now tell us, where are you from? If you are from Eastan we will send you back with a message for your king, but if you are from Westera, we will turn you into a rock and put a curse on your kingdom for breaking our treaty.'
“'I'm not from either kingdom,' Margaret May told them. 'I was born and have lived my whole life, such as it is, at a small inn between the two.'
“This surprised the elves. 'Are you then the innkeeper's daughter?' one asked. Another exclaimed, 'Look there in her pocket!' for he noticed the feather poking out of her plaid dress. 'She has the raven witch's feather! She's the changeling princess!'
“This made no sense to Margaret May, but the elves fast explained what had occurred the night of her birth. The old raven witch had bragged about switching the babies to all the birds in the forest, and birds never kept secrets from elves. This news startled poor Margaret May, and the elves amazed her by offering to help her regain her royal destiny.
“'We owe a debt to you and all the royals of Westera since their treaty has treated us well all these years. We would like to help you, but we cannot leave the woods. We would die as fast as men do without air if we abandoned our forest. But we can show you a shortcut through this great wood that will take you straight to Eastan and let you attend Prince James's coronation. You may meet your blood-parents there at the ball.'
“'But I have no gown to go to a coronation, and no proof that I am a princess,' Margaret May objected.
“The elves whispered amongst themselves for a minute. They decided to take Margaret May to the eldest of the elves: a short wise woman, with silvery hair almost as long as she was tall. The mysterious old wise woman knew what to do, and gave Margaret May an ancient music box. 'The old, old King of Westera gave us this music box. It will prove you are his great-grand-daughter, and that you have our elfin blessings. As for a gown, simply find the raven tree before you leave the woods, and you shall have all you need.'
“Margaret May had many more questions, but a bird's shriek startled her. The ominous cawing continued as the elves exclaimed, 'The raven witch! Hide! Run! She hates all elves and the Westera royals! Don't let her catch you!' The elves scrambled to their secret hiding places, but Margaret May could only run. She ran far away from the witch's cawing, deeper into the forest. Away from the witch, she was safe but hopelessly lost. She gave up running and she sat down under a willow tree.
“Out of ideas, Margaret May decided to wind the music box and listen to its song. The music box didn't make a sound, but she heard music in the distance. She stood up and followed the sound of the music until it stopped, then wound her box and heard the music start again. She followed it until she found a tree in the middle of the forest, full of sparkling black egg-fruits, brimming with feather-leafs, and covered in tiny snapping beaks. She plucked one of the glittering fruits out of the tree and cracked it open, just like an egg, to see what lay inside. From
