<strong>~Lorna with 4 of her 5 children preparing mid day meal.~</strong><br/><br/>Unable to sleep Lorna had woken up well before sun up dressed and made her way through the storage area's to gather everything she would need to prepare a large pot of Mammoth Stew.  The water had only began to boil when she was joined by her 13 year old daughter Dalia who had been keeping a secret vigil on her mother who had seemed to be rather depressed lately to the young woman.<br/><br/>"Ma what are you doing up so early?"  Lorna turned at the sound of her daughters voice and painted on a soft smile.  "I couldn't sleep so I thought I would prepare a large pot of Mammoth stew for everyone's mid day meal."  Not able to find any fault in her mothers logic Dalia shrugged her shoulders asking if she could help with anything and was soon busy cutting up carrots and potato's which would be added to the stew once the Mammoth meat had been cooking for a couple of hours.<br/><br/>Not long after Dalia's arrival at the cooking hearth Dustin followed on his heals by the twins Thomas and Tamarah soon joined in at the cooking hearth as well.  Dustin was put to work along with Dalia in making the flat bread which would be served with the stew.  The twins just sat down out of the way and began playing a game with the knuckle bones of various animals to help pass the time away.  With Thomas pipping up every 20 min to ask if lunch was ready yet.  To which Lorna would reply, "Not yet Thomas but don't worry you'll be the first to know when its ready so you can run and tell everyone else."  Thomas loved this idea of being able to help out in some small way and became even more excited and looking forward to the time lunch was ready.<br/><br/>As the morning hours passed by the fragrance of the cooking stew had made it's way throughout the lodge.  Tamen hard at work on in the Crane Hearth was working on his latest carving when he lifted his head and sniffed the air and smiled knowing exactly what was being prepared for lunch.  Vanyel who had been busy sorting herbs also smiled thinking about how good their mid day meal was going to be.<br/><br/>When the stew was finally finished Lorna turned to Thomas, "Ok Thomas you..." but she had hardly begun to speak and Thomas was already springing to his feet and running towards the Lion Hearth prepared to deliver the good news.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Thomas's journey continues here (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=167127.msg7909829#msg7909829)