Chapter 3:

Sonja was already sitting at the edge of the forest and waiting for Ina and Kairam when she saw two figures approaching. "Oh! You are sure of that! I'll run towards you!", She thought, and got up to walk in the direction from which the figures came, but it wasn't Ina and Kairam. It was two scared-looking older elves who hesitated to get closer. "Hello, who are you?", she asked confused, because Kairam and Ina's family had said that all other elves would not dare to go into the part where people are. "We come to apologize for making such a huge scandal out of it when the three elves brought you to our village. We happened to hear Kairam say that he wants to introduce Ina to you today, and so we thought If you are around anyway, we can take the opportunity to apologize for our hasty and very stupid actions.Ina's family will always be cherished, we promise! Will you accept our apology, miss? ", the older-looking elf rattled down, as if he had to tell her as soon as he could." Excuse me for what? I understand that it was a shock to you that I just came without your being prepared. And what does 'always hold Ina's family in honor' mean here? Thought they went on a trip that they won't be back from for 2 weeks! At least that's what Kairam told me! So, I really don't know what's so bad about the whole thing! ", Sonja shouted confused, who now didn't know her way around at all. It was quiet for a while until the other elf said quietly:" Oh, we thought you already knew. " - "What shall I know??? ", Sonja interrupted him gradually annoyed." I just know that someone here is not telling me the truth! ""Well, and this 'someone' is probably me.", A familiar voice penetrated from the bushes. "It was a very nice move of you, Mayor, that you apologize to our friend. It's really appropriate, but she doesn't know everything yet. Thank you, but it would be nice of you both if you Ina, Sonja and Leave me alone now. But thanks for the apology. At least you can see the mistake you made now. ", Kairam said to the mayor and his deputy without looking at Sonja. He couldn't look at Sonja.
"What does that mean, Kairam? What do you know, and I don't? Tell me!", Sonja shouted desperately. "I can't!" He said, staring at the floor. "OK, then I just have to tell you.", Came a voice from behind Kairam. Ina had just sat on a treetop and was just floating towards the ground. Sonja noticed that she was exactly as Kairam had described her: fragile and delicate, with long, brown, wavy hair that hung down to her waist, and sad, but still a little shining eyes."My parents and my brother were hanged trying to show you our village."
"WHAT ?! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? IS THAT TRUE? OH MY GOD! THAT'S TERRIBLE! NO!", Sonja shouted, shocked, sad. "Yes, that's exactly how it is." Ina said in a serious, firm voice. "I got up that day, didn't find anyone, and went to the village square. There they hung next to each other on the gallows. I didn't know anything about you, otherwise I would probably have hung there with Baal and my parents, and Kairam was in not there tonight ... ", she ended. "That's exactly how it happened."

When Sonja had recovered from her shock, Kairam said, embarrassed: "I just couldn't tell you! Last time you were so happy and you can't help it either ..... and after the thing with your aunt .. ... I just couldn't have the heart to do it! "-" But you should have told me anyway! At some point you would have run out of excuses anyway. ""I know, I know ..... but didn't you want to get to know Ina?" - "Yes, yes, but not under such circumstances!"
Then the little elf intervened, who had previously stayed in the background. "I also hoped for other circumstances, but now at least I can see your real face. Kairam did not tell me that you did not know it yet. But at least I now know that Mama, Papa and Baal have gone to the afterlife for a good soul You were worth it. At least that. ", she said calmly.
"Thanks, I can't even imagine how difficult it must be for you! I'm really sorry! If I had known something like this would happen, I wouldn't have done it! I didn't want to! I'm so sorry ! ", Sonja cried, but Ina had already stopped listening. She just said "YOU would have done it anyway, no matter what.", And had just sat down, cross-legged, and concentrated to gather her strength.What she was up to requires a lot of energy, and she could just muster that.
Nobody noticed, as Kairam just stood bent over and stared at the floor while Sonja cried to herself. Suddenly the surroundings were filled with a strange light that was suddenly everywhere. It filled everything that was around Ina with joy that couldn't really be expressed. Every sadness was wiped away, there was only joy. Kairam had had this feeling before, but he no longer knew when and where. Sonja was also familiar with this feeling. It reminded her of how she was in her mother's womb, without worries, just that comforting feeling. Sonja and Kairam looked up and Ina's family stood in front of them. "But how does that work? How can that be? You just said they are dead!" Sonja wanted to call out, but she was interrupted by Baal. "We don't have a lot of time! Bringing three souls here from the afterlife is not child's play!", he said calmly, and pointed in the direction of Ina." There are four of us. Turn around, Sonja! "-" Aunt Karin! How is that possible? How can that be? ", she asked, confused and delighted at the same time, while she threw herself into her aunt's arms." Ina can explain everything to you later! Now let's just get one thing straight! You are NOT to blame for our death! It was OUR decision! We knew it was happening! We did it for our village and for you! If you feel guilty about us, the whole wonderful time with you was in vain! You must always think of the good that the event carried with it! You are not to blame, and you will never say that again, or think, will you promise me that? ", Ina's mother asked urgently." Yes, I promise! Aunt! I want to come to you! I don't have anyone here anymore, here! Let me with you! ", Sonja called." No, child, you mustn't do that! Ina would miss you very much!Believe me! You will still become good friends! What happened connects you. But we have to go back to the afterlife! Keep in your hearts all of the joy that you are feeling now! Then everything is easier. Just think about it and it's back. Believe me! ", said Sonja's aunt kindly." She is quite right! Do what she says! Especially you, Sonja! Keep the joy, but don't keep it to yourself! Pass them on to people and you will get them back many times over. So, Ina is slowly losing strength. Goodbye! ", Ina's father said in a friendly but firm manner." Goodbye, "mumbled Kairam, who had stayed in the background most of the time.

Ina startled and sagged. She had no more strength. It was unnaturally quiet in the forest. Sonja and Kairam thought about it; the appearance of some of the most important people in their lives so far had come so unexpectedly, and everything that had happened had to be digested first.When Ina began to move again, Sonja said absently: "I think that was the best experience in my life. Thank you for letting me experience that, Ina. Without you, none of this would have happened." - "Yes, it must I'll join in, but you probably used tons of energy, you felt it, and stopped before it got too much. Come on, let's go home. Everyone should sleep on it for a night, and most of all, you should rest . "
"All right," Ina yawned while trying to straighten up. "Don't, you don't need that, I'll fly you back! You are still too weak!", Kairam said with concern in his voice.
So the three said goodbye to each other and each went (or flew) home. The joy in their hearts that they had felt in the presence of the deceased was no longer so strong, but it was still there.
"Kairam, I don't want to sleep alone today.Can I come to you? Your bed is so big anyway, we both have space ... ", Ina asked tiredly.
"Yes, of course.", Kairam said until he realized what that meant. But before he could really think about it, Ina was already lying next to him and snuggled into the blanket. She fell asleep immediately, but every time she moved, Kairam startled. He just couldn't have a quiet night next to this girl. "But if I go now, she'll be alone in the morning, and she didn't want to sleep alone ..... ok, I have to stay here.", Thought Kairam restlessly. Then he thought again about what had happened, and again he felt this joy, which finally let him sleep calmly.