Maia and the king were deep in conversation in the corridor when they heard Ebony approach, Maia evidently upset and walking away from her up the corridor, causing the king to sigh.<br/><br/>"They think I don't know but I knew they loved each other before I knew Maia's name," the king said, watching her vanish around the corner. "They are more alike than either will admit, and yet..." he sighed, closing his eyes. "My sister thinks I blame her for what happened to Maia, for the fact..." he paused. "I don't, I never blamed her for it, we have never spoken about it because we elves do not handle grief well." He turned to leave and then turned back. "If my sister lied, she did it to protect you, that illness she suffered, I've...I've come across it before. Elves live long lives because of the magic of this place, the longer they stay away the more our long lives are shortened. If she is willing to marry you, that means..." he paused again. "My sister would give up a long life to be with you, I know many of my own kin who would move heaven and earth to find someone who cared so much for them."