The forest Lady Gisela saw ahead of her was the exact opposite of the snow she was treading through. The snow beneath her feet was white and fluffy, like clouds on the ground. The forest however, was dark in every aspect, the black leafless trees towered high above her, casting dark shadows on the ground. 

Well, she thought, Gethin said he left the leaping crystal somewhere around here.

Lady Gisela looked around and saw a small bead necklace hanging on a nearby tree.

There it is! Good thing Gethin didn't put it in the snow, Lady Gisela thought as she made her way to the tree.

As she carefully took the necklace from the branch, she saw someone run behind the trees. She placed the necklace around her neck and carefully walked towards the tree the person was hiding behind. 

"Hi," Lady Gisela said in a soft voice. "I'm Lady Gisela. Who are you?"

A young girl walked slowly from behind the tree. In a shaky voice she said, "Krystal. Krystal Shay."

Lady Gisela was slightly surprised when she saw that the girl wasn't wearing a birth pendant, which every elf wore.

Something behind the girl, Krystal, growled. Krystal yelped and jumped, turning to face a bear. 

Lady Gisela put a hand on the girl's shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry, it's going to be okay."

She walked forward and started speaking, but not in Enlightened Language, in Bear. The bear looked at her skeptically but calmed down, and eventually, walked away, no longer interested in eating the girl or Lady Gisela.

Lady Gisela smiled and turned to the young girl. "Are you okay?" The girl nodded. "Come with me." Lady Gisela held out her hand. Krystal took it immediately. "Let's go to your new home."

She held the tiny leaping crystal on one of the beads up to the dim light and the light swept them away.

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