"You have a lifetime ahead of you to explore, Elariel." came a voice to Elariel's left, barely louder than the wind that carried it to her ear. It was Tae'lo'ren's druid ally, walking calmly beside them, pale golden eyes focused forward. "Tae'lo'ren, I specified for you to send her to me alone. Do you doubt my ability to protect her?" There was a surprising lack of accusation to the druid's words, instead they hinted at the hunter's need to remain by Elariel's side.<br/><br/>Tae'lo'ren remained silent for several moments. He knew how he wanted to answer, knew that the druid's ability to protect Elariel without him was not the subject. Did he want to admit his true motives, though? While he knew that he loved Elariel, he felt his admission had been premature, and even more so, it didn't feel as though it was just Tae'lo'ren, himself, that had encouraged the elicited emotional attachment. "You know I don't, my friend." "Then depart from us; you have gone as far with her as you need to." The druid didn't miss a beat and his voice left no room for discussion or debate. Tae'lo'ren did pause a moment as though to protest, then stopped all-together. He took Elariel's hand and smiled. "Be safe, Elariel." He kissed her hand and turned to leave, in his mind intending to pursue them from a distance.<br/><br/>The druid knew the intents of his friend as though they were his own. A slight smile split his lips as he guided Elariel a few feet away in the opposite direction. If Elariel turned around, she would not see Tae'lo'ren, or anything familiar about the grove, though they were still in the grove. The druid required privacy with Elariel, and he would have it.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>