Prince Aidan's head drooped.
Annan had not known the young prince long, but Aidan had left a deep impression on him. Now he lay still on the lush grass at the Foot of the World Tree. His long golden hair, once bright as sunlight, had turned dull and dry, as though years of hardship had stripped away every trace of his radiance.
The House-Elves gradually gathered, avoiding Prince Aidan as they clustered around Annan, who felt familiar to them, and the sleeping Tadel.
Before long, the House-Elves in front of them scattered as if startled, revealing a Magic Gate taking shape.
The Magic Gate flickered unsteadily, struggling to form. Only after Annan bent to pick up the Eye of Rudolf did it stabilize.
The Kingdom's Third Prince appeared beyond the Magic Gate. Then he saw the grassland, the World Tree, and... his younger brother's body.
"Aidan..."
The Third Prince tried to remain composed, but grief broke through.
"I'm sorry. I did everything I could."
"It's all right. I'd prepared myself... Even if he'd returned, the Elves wouldn't have let him live..."
He looked at his younger brother one last time, then turned to Annan. "Mr. Annan Reeves, may I ask you a favor on behalf of the Royal Family?"
"Go ahead."
"Please return Aidan's body to us."
"Can the Kingdom bring him back?"
"No. I only want to bring him home..." The Third Prince shook his head. "If he remains with the Elves, they'll use him against the Kingdom."
After considering it, Annan lifted Aidan's body and carried him to the Magic Gate.
"Thank you..."
Looking at the face so like his own, and at Aidan's gray hair, the Third Prince could not hide his grief. It took him a long while to steady himself. Then his gaze fell on