<b>Allassiel thanked Haldir, waving him off before striding towards the doors to the courtyard. <i>I need to think. If what Haldir said is true, then … Then what? <br/>
</i></b><br/><i><b>What is it that he wouldn't say? He'd been adamant that whatever it was, it was Allasea to share or not. But what if she refused? Well, that was easy enough at least – I'll just get Pegawen to tell me. She's my cousin after all. Isn't she?</b></i><br/><br/><b>The frown on her face deepened at the new thought. Pegawen was all the family she had left and now, with a few words, she didn't even have that. Hugging herself, she headed towards a bench near the gardens. <i>Does it matter? She's been my kin as long as she's been alive. I'd not more abandon her than I would have abandoned my own daughters. </i>Hadn't she done that, though? Letting her children sail west without her? <br/>
<br/>
She rubbed her arms and stared up at the sky before but the evening sun held no answers to he questions. Before she could sit down, a movement tot he side caught her attention. Silindrial was leaning into the bushes, watching something, her husband next to her equally intent on whatever it was they were studying. Changing direction, she joined then, quiet to not disturb whatever it was, but as she drew close she heard Allasea's voice from the other side. Quirking an eyebrow, she gave the couple a questioning glance and opened her mouth to admonish them, when Silindrial lifted her finger to her lips. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>... found the elves to begin with. So, in a way he's the father to all of us,” Allassiel heard Allasea say.</b><br/>“<b>But that's not the same, is it? It's not why he followed us – followed me – here.” <br/>
<br/>
Followed her? Araw? What was Pegawen talking about? She leaned in further to hear the conversation better.</b><br/><br/>“<b>No, in that he's being as any of our male relatives would be – nosy and interfering. A trait surely learned from the humans. But he means well, and I would heed what wisdom he shares with you.  For your sake, as well as those around you.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>I only wish he'd not speak in riddles as he did that night when … oh!”</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen's exclamation sent Allassiel reaching for her dagger, even as she peered through the bushes. The sight that greeted her, Pegawen sitting with a large, white lynx in her lap, caused her to relax again – but only just – as she watched the delighted grin spread on the other elf's face as she stroked the cat's back. “Why she's lovely!” Pegawen exclaimed. “Where's the other one?” <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Ani is nearby,” Allasea responded, motioning towards the bushes where a slightly smaller version of the lynx crouched, his eyes never wavering from the spot he was staring at. “Likely hunting a fat mouse for their supper.” She tilted her head, watching for a moment. “Hunting … but not mice. Something else.” She stood and glided over to where Ani stood guard, parting the bushes and looking through, even as Allassiel jumped back, embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping. “Oh, several somethings, in fact. May I help you with something?” </b><br/>