This story is a sort-of sequel and expansion on the events portrayed in both Alex Warlorn's 'Dark World' as seen here: Dark World Apple Tree and WandererD's magnificent fanfic The Changeling Queen

I like to think that it's not 100% necessary to read their works to read this one, but it does help. And those stories are very fine pieces of work in their own rights!

My deepest thanks to both authors for allowing me to reference their works.