Ellena paused for a while at the base of the tree, simply soaking in the sights and sounds around her. The trees traveled into the sky for hundreds of feet from her perspective. Lush, green, and leafy above, her sandaled feet standing on enormous leaves that had fallen to the dirt floor below. A mere twig was a log to her. In the distance, fireflies danced, the aroma of the forest met her senses, and she heard the chirp of crickets. A smile played across her pouty lips.
"I did it." She whispered to herself with pride. "I really did it!"
In truth, she had envisioned this journey to the surface for many years, but now that she had done so anything seemed possible. Gone were the drab candlelit venues of her world. The dull stonework, repetitive scenery of the caverns, the pompousness of her people. She was free! For the first time in her life, truly free. There would be no advisers to tell her what to do. No wardrobe or dresser to pick her clothing. No King or Queen to demand her be wed, no insipid princes or suitors to try and win her hand with riches and status.
It was her. And her magic.
She grinned wider, seeing the stars in the sky above. The bright moon overhead. Did this world know of magic? Had man forgotten the power of the ancients? So many questions...
Ellena wandered for a time, surveying the surrounding area and finding a river, perhaps a small stream to others, berries from an enormous bush. She would not lack for sustenance. At last, after some time, the late hour of the night began to take its toll on the princess, and she found rest under an enormous wildflower. As the night faded to early morning, she stirred, stretching and yawning.
The princess awoke, opening her eyes, to find something had been waiting for her!