She could hear panpipes playing as she walked down the fortunately candle lit path. She looked to her right, and all she saw was darkness and a faint glimmer of light every once and a while.

She had been walking down this path that seemed like it led to nowhere for over an hour; or so she thought. She walked left a ways and sat down on a tree stump on the edge of the path that had seemed to appear from her unsaid wishes to rest.

She didn’t know how she had gotten there; the last thing that she remembered was gazing up at the moon from her backyard. She had spotted it from her bedroom window and was intrigued to see it looked different than other nights, unusual perhaps.

‘What had I been thinking?’ she wondered. She pushed her dark red hair behind her ear with a finger and sighed deeply. Her eyes began to take in her surroundings more and saw that little white candles, the ones she’d seen before, lighted the path. Some were also hanging by copper wire from tree limbs. The path itself was clear of branches, and when she looked at her feel she saw green, well-kept grass. The trees were tall and had all their leaves, even though she thought it was winter. The air had a nice feeling, like that of a cool spring night. It also had a wonderful scent, like a whiff of delicate flowers and wood right after a rain. She listened again, and heard the panpipes had changed to a harp melody, a sound that you could hear only if you paused and listened very carefully. She closed her eyes and felt a soft breeze sift through her hair. For a brief moment she did not care how she had came to be in the forest or give a second thought how she was going to get back. She opened her eyes and stood up slowly, now noticing she was wearing a green dress. The bodice was laced up and the gown itself was simple but seemed to eerily float around her, following her moves a second after they had occurred.

She reached a hand up to her hair, which was no longer down, but in a loose french braid and had become a considerable amount longer. A small ringlet hung out, framing her ivory coloured face. She twirled it ‘round a slender finger, then sighed and pushed it behind her ear.

She walked on, all her thought rolling around in her head. She kept remembering all the fantasy books she had read, for many of them reminded her of the forest and the position she was in.

A voice jarred her back to her senses, and she glanced around for the caller. On a path in front of her stood a man, maybe five inches taller than her. He was dressed in a navy blue tunic with silver trim and he had high black boots on. He was carrying some sort of instrument case and she realized he must be a minstrel. His hair was wavy brown, and he wore a smile on his long face. She walked slowly towards him, and when she was closer the man smiled again and offered his hand. She took it, he pulled it up to his lips and kissed it gently.

"I am the minstrel Atrus, here to serve you in any way I can, M’Lady. Is there anything I can assist you in?"

She was surprised at how nice the man was, but then remembered where she was. She smiled back cautiously.

"I am Sienna Marcont," she said. "You can call me Sienna." She paused, then continued. "Yes, I do believe I will take you up on your offer, but I am not sure what I should ask…"

"May I inquire something?" asked Atrus. Sienna nodded in return.

"How did you come across the Forest of Wonders, Lady Sienna? They are not safe, you know."

Sienna narrowed her eyes at the ground, took in a breath, and said, "I have no idea."

Atrus gazed at her as if she was talking gibberish. She looked up at him, then back at the ground, tracing a circle in the soft dirt with the toe of her shoe. "One minute I was at my house, looking at the moon, now I’m here."

The minstrel opened his mouth then shut it, still apparently not understanding her. She sighed. "This is going to sound ridiculous."

The minstrel laughed, a deep musical laugh. "These ears have heard more atrocious things than you can imagine, M’Lady."

Sienna smiled, already beginning to feel comfortable with Atrus. She didn’t know what it was about him…

She told him it was winter where she was last, and she said she remembered nothing of how she came to be in the forest. She shook her head, trying to wake up, somewhat hoping she was dreaming. Atrus nodded and said, "I have a castle with a room you can stay in if you’d like. You look as if you are in dire need of rest."

She smiled, looking up at him, grateful for finding someone so nice. She didn’t know what sort of people inhabited the forest, but from what she gathered from the minstrel, not very many nice ones. "Yes, thank you ever so much," she said to him.

Atrus nodded. "I always help a maiden in distress," he laughed again, his voice echoing around the area where they stood. "The castle is a mile or so down that path…" he gestured behind him. "I do know it will be a walk, I am sorry about that."

She bobbed her head in a nod. "Not a problem. If you’re nice enough to let me stay at your castle," she paused and looked questioningly at him, "It is your castle, isn’t it?"

"Nay, ‘tis M’Lords. He will be more than happy to accept such a lovely creature to reside at his manor." Said the minstrel, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Sienna was still surprised at his kindness. "If you’re sure, but you have to let me do something to repay you."

Atrus shook his head and chuckled. "No favor, but sing me a song."

She smiled. "Now? I was in the choir back…. home."

The minstrel looked to the sky. "Not now, we must get back before sun up, then you may sing it for M’Lord as well, once you have rested. I will take the lead, just be sure to follow close behind." Atrus began down the path he’d come, and Cedar, obeying his command, followed closely.

At this point, Sienna had more thoughts and questions in her head than before She wondered what a minstrel was doing wandering around the very forest he said was so dangerous. And even more so, she wondered about this Lord. What was his nature? His name? Who else lived in this castle? She sighed, and realized it had started to rain. Lightly at first, then with growing intensity, the small droplets growing larger by the second. She looked to her side, and saw the strange candles were unwavering. Atrus seemed not to notice the rain, which was now pouring down. He was still striding at the same pace, not taking any notice of Sienna. She pushed her dripping hair out of her eyes, hoping they’d arrive at the castle soon. She reached down and pulled her dress up off of the muddy ground, and continued trudging after the unstopping Atrus.

‘This is just getting ridiculous,’ she thought, and sighed loudly, hoping to draw some attention to herself. He gave her none, and instead started humming and didn’t even slow his pace. She threw up her hands in exasperation and tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me, Atrus? Um… it’s a little wet back here." He stopped suddenly, which caused Sienna to trip and fall into him. He quickly stepped to catch her and she fell back into his arms. She smiled up at him and said, "Thanks. Anyway…" she paused, standing up and regaining her balance.

"Did you say you were wet?" asked Atrus, eyeing her wet hair and clothes suspiciously. She then noticed that he was completely dry, not one strand of his wavy hair out of place, and his dark colored tunic still as dry as ever. She sighed, still not used to this strange land.

"Sienna? Do you need a cloak?" he asked, and extended his hand, offering her one. She held out her own hand to accept, then drew back, wondering where it had came from. He noticed her hesitation and regarded it with a smile, mirth twinkling in his eyes, seeming to love her astonishment. He moved closer to her, draping the cloak around her shoulders. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt him near her, but she quickly blinked it away. Atrus clasped the cloak, his fingers lingering at her neck a moment longer then usual. Sienna stepped away, backing up slightly. She nodded to Atrus, "Thank you, do lead on."

A flash of disappointment seemed to cross his face, but he replaced it with another smile. He bowed low and elegantly to her, sweeping into it with his arms. "At your service, M’Lady." He chuckled then straightened with much ado, then continued traipsing in front of her. She lifted the hem of her skirt off of the ground – which was more or less hopeless. The bottom was caked in mud. Her eyes drifted to the surroundings again, the trees had gotten more sparsely planted, letting her see for quite a distance. No marvel appeared, just more trees. The candles were still there, unwavering as always. Sienna reached up to push more wine-red hair out of her eyes, and found they were dry strands, not sopping wet. She let a soft sigh escape her lips, confused as ever.