The tree smiles, its bark creaking oddly, as it replies to Bella, "That is a spellbook, of course. You are a wizard, here, in this world. There are two worlds, yours, and ours. Sometimes people from your world get brought here by the Whispered Ones, usually when a new Queen is to be crowned."
The tree shifts its gaze to Miriam, "Well...I...it would not do to speak poorly of the Queen. You understand, I trust? As to how long ago, well, time doesn't work the same here as it does in your world, or so I'm told. I really don't know how much time may have passed in your world since Queen Miriam arrived. Its been nearly 100 years here."
The tree continues, "English? Oh, your language. Of course. Our worlds are connected, you see, so languages have a tendency to cross over as well. Its been thousands of years here since the first person who spoke, what was it you called it? English? Yes, since the first who spoke English came here. Most everyone here speaks it now and has for quite some time."
As the family prepares to leave, the tree offers parting words, "Remember, its not wise to speak out against the Queen."
After about an hour, the family emerges from the forest and can see a large lake with a medieval looking town on the shore as they crest the top of a small hill. To the east, a grand palace glints in the sunlight, seemingly made of crystal and gold, situated on a high plateau overlooking the entire region.