"But... you're one of them.  Surely they wouldn't turn away from you like that..."  But even as the words left his mouth he knew it was true.  Lauralana's voice had no doubt and he had heard how unforgiving the fair folk were of failure or weakness within one of their own.  She was dead to them, worse than dead.  Tristan couldn't begin to imagine how terrible that knowledge must be to her.<br/><br/>"You're not alone," he said softly, unable to offer anything more to the elven woman, "As long as I draw breath, you will not suffer alone."<br/><br/>Then he fell quiet, the ache in his heart threatening to drown him.<br/><br/>