<span style="color: #408000">Levainlain stood over the warming cider and opened cupboards, filing through them and preparing snacks for his guests. He could not seem to stop thinking about Lilu's sudden quest and silently hoping that he and Mulberry would return soon and safely. In any case, he was indebted to the fairy for his aid. He was listening to Stacy, and almost attempted to answer him, but before he could he heard Jeremi announce that the creature had awoken and looked over to see him facing the group, and then him, exclaiming at the sight of the confiscated satchel and continuing to note other facets of the circumstance.</span><span style="color: #0000FF">"Please don't tell me you read those..."</span><span style="color: #408000">Levainlain turned his head to the side. <span style="font-style: italic">Should</span> he have read those? He was relieved when the creature, who then introduced himself as Powland, turned his attention away from him and began rummaging through the books across the room, though he cringed when he threw a literature book over his shoulder. The elf mumbled a few words and a small patch of moss sprung through the floorboards just as the book was landing, cushioning it slightly from the fall. He would put the books back later this evening, when everyone else was in bed, but for now he would take advantage of the temporary distraction which Powland's excitement presented. <br/><br/>The elf handed a tray of assorted fruits, baked goods, and whatnot else along with the cider kettle and tea towels to Stacy and covered his own mouth with a single finger, indicating his need for secrecy, turning to the far end of the kitchen. There he withdrew a cast iron key and inserted it into a lock on the wall which he revealed by pushing aside a rugged tapestry. He pushed the door open, walked into the small hallway beyond it, and locked the door behind him. "And this," he whispered to himself, "is why I have lived here for fifty years." He followed a series of ill-fitted stairways, small rooms, ladders, and doorways until he found himself in the one place where he felt safe and comfortable: his bed chambre. He set Powland's satchel on a shelf in the corner nearest the doorway which would exit him into the small hallway off of the hearth room and covers it with a small blanket--he would give that back as soon as he reasonably trusted the creature. The map, on the other hand, he was not so sure about, and he tucked it away elsewhere. He was not sure that anyone but the inhabitants of the forest could be trusted with a map of it. He returned to the satchel and withdrew the assorted papers within, reading through them but not understanding their content, thus he sighed, replacing them and lying down on his bed to rest a moment before rejoining the crowd.</span>