Nine Realms

The natives of Alfheim were unbothered by having Twilight and her party follow them around through the woods, and just kept on dancing with no regard for what was going on around them. By contrast, Twilight, who was justifiably irritated that they were being ignored like this, maintained a steady pace behind them, always keeping them in view. Her friends were close behind her, and seemed to be increasingly wary of this group they were following. Was this all an act? Were they perhaps just pretending to be aloof and unsympathetic? These questions and more poured through the ponies' minds as they journeyed, but, a time came when they seemed to finally reach the edge of the forest, much to Twilight's delight. The human-like people left it first, and soon after, the Equestrians followed suit.

"Huh...this is pretty too...I guess."

Spike's words of uncertainty were echoed by Twilight, who likewise gazed out at the meadow they now found themselves in. It was, much like everything else in this realm, lush and bountiful, a place that looked like no conflict of any sort would ever happen. And ever, there were the people. Many were gathered here, and all of them were relaxing or enjoying themselves in some way. Some were dancing together in a circle. Some were lounging upon the grass, eating the fruits that could be found on the many trees they'd passed by in order to get here. Some were sitting by a nearby gentle stream, soaking their feet in its waters. Overall, it was the very image of calm and relaxation, and Twilight, after having gone through so many worlds of strife and difficulty, didn't know how to feel about it.

"Okay...I know these people seem a little...off to us...but we have to maintain diplomacy if we're to gain their help."

The others nodded, even though they were still just as uncertain about these locals as she was. So, letting out a deep sigh, Twilight stepped out of the woodland in earnest, heading into the meadow proper. The whole group passed by the many people who dwelt here, but, as had happened so many times before, nobody paid them any mind. Granted, in was nice not to be viewed with hostility in this place, but at the same time it was as if these people seemed to think that they didn't even matter at all. Like they weren't even worth looking at. Whatever the reason, Twilight couldn't afford to dwell on it, and instead, she found one nearby individual, a male this time, and walked up to him, clearing her throat and gaining his attention.

"Greetings, traveller. Do you wish to partake of our fruit?"

He held up one of the delicious looking fruits in question, offering it to her, but Pinkie, trying to hold back a giggle, leaned over and whispered in Twilight's ear.

"Was that a euphemism or something?"

Twilight frowned to her, then resumed her earlier smile as she once more regarded the man.

"Thank you for the offer, Sir, but I'm afraid I must decline. You see, my friends and I are in a bit of trouble. We're tuck in this world and we're trying to find a way out of it."

After taking a hearty bite of the fruit, the man swallowed, before glancing back to the young Princess.

"Leave? Pray tell, why would anybody wish to leave Alfheim? This is a realm of peace and beauty. All our needs are met, and no hardships come to us here."

Twilight nodded, casting a brief glance around to her surroundings.

"Yes...it certainly seems that way."

Slowly, she looked back to the man.

"But this is not our home...and we're very much eager to get back to that home."

The man blinked, sighing and reclining back onto the grass. A contented smile crossed his face, and for a while, he said nothing, much to Twilight's chagrin. After a while, she cleared her throat a second time, and this prompted the man to crack an eye open.

"Sorry to disturb you again, but...do you happen to know of any way out of this realm?" Twilight asked.

The man considered that, then shook his head.

"I fear not, friend. We Ljosalfar, the light elves, are above such concerns. Our realm is paradise, and it is meant for us to enjoy. The affairs of other worlds are not ours to consider...or to care for."

Here, Twilight frowned.

"You...you can't just ignore the other realms. What...what about Surtr in Muspelheim?"

A brief grimace crossed the man's face.

"An unpleasant beast, to be sure...but even so...his goals and his destiny are of no worry to us. Alfheim is our world...and Alfheim...is all that we care about."

Naturally, such words did not sit well with either Twilight or her colleagues, and it very much looked like they wanted to step forward and chastise him for his uncaring attitude on the matter. But then, before they had the chance to do so, another voice called out.

"You seek a way to another world?"

Immediately, their heads snapped on the voice's direction, and the group watched as a younger female approached them. She had a look of curiosity about her, one that her kin did not apparently share, and as she drew nearer, she titled her head slightly.

"I know it's not my business to bother you...but I believe there is a way to leave this realm."

Having finally been given news of a good nature, Twilight smiled, stepping forward and speaking to this newcomer in a calmer tone than she had with the man.

"Thank you so much! Any help you can offer would be appreciated."

There was no smile on the female's face, but she nevertheless nodded.

"Well...so you understand, it is not I who has ever been to another world. My people do not care for such things."

"Yeah, we noticed," Applejack remarked with a frown.

Twilight gave her a silent look to calm down, which Applejack thankfully did, before looking back to their new informant.

"So...how do you know of a way out if your people don't ever leave?"

Turning, the female gestured off in one direction, towards some hills in the distance.

"Every once in a while...a woman comes. She claims that he comes from another of the nine realms, and that she likes to come here...to visit."

She turned back to the Equestrians.

"All I know of her is that she's always found by the river. Perhaps that is a way you can leave Alfheim?"

It wasn't the clearest of instructions, but it was still the most help they'd been given since arriving here, and as such, Twilight was sure to give an appreciative bow.

"Thank you for helping us. If this river you speak of is a way...we'll see what we can do from there."

The young light elf nodded back, before promptly turning and heading off to join a nearby circle of dancers. Twilight, now alone with her thoughts, glanced over in the direction that had been provided for them. It wasn't much, but, like she'd said, it was something. Sighing, Twilight looked over her shoulder, to her friends.

"If there is a way out that way...we need to get moving."

Hearing that, the group simultaneously nodded to her.

"I think we're all keen to leave, Twilight," Rarity commented.

Fluttershy, nodding in agreement to that, looked around, seeing all of the relaxed, content and disinterested light elves close by.

"Who would have ever guessed...that a paradise would make so few Saints?"