<b>Allassiel had also noticed the number of children in Greendale and marveled at the thought of so many. Greenwood, for she loathed calling it Mirkwood, had been eerily quiet by comparison. The elves had known their fate diminished and they would soon return to their home to the west. The constant war in her homeland had made the chances, or desire, to go about creating those children slim. She and Hadron had had their daughters long before the worst had started. <i>We were very fortunate, </i>she thought and rubbed her arm.</b><br/><br/><b>Lotharn's suggestion met with a nod, then a second nod and a grin. If anyone would find a library it would be Pegawen. “If she's found one, it is certain she already has her nose in a book and we'll have lost her for the evening.” Before he could ask what she meant, she continued. “Pegawen is quite bright, a true scholar of lore and healing. Ask her, and she can tell you exactly what herbs to make a tincture, or which battle was fought where and who won. Give her a book to read and she will become so engrossed that everything else ceases. I've oft stood in front of her for some time speaking, before she even noticed me standing there. There was only ever one elf who could get her attentions at those times, and he has long been gone.” <br/>
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They entered the library, finding Pegawen sitting on a long bench, a stack of books next to her. Her whole face was animated, her eyes lit up with excitement as her finger moved back and forth along the page. She went back, rereading a passage, her mouth moving as she strove to memorize the words. <br/>
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Next to her, Meliadriel stretched out on another bench, similarly engaged in reading, though she looked up when the two entered. “Mae l'ovannen,” she greeted them.</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel greeted her in turn, before addressing her cousin. “Pegawen,” she called out, but the hiril didn't hear her, her eyes glued to the ancient tome. Giving Lotharn a shrug, Allassiel strode up to the bench and placed her hand right over the page.</b><br/><br/>“<b>What … wait. Why'd you do ...” Pegawen looked up to notice that she now seemed to have an audience and flushed. “Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know ...”</b>