Tara felt she had heard all the reassurances she needed.  Parne had made promises that seemed to her to be encompassing and she had seen the regret in his beautiful face.  With silent steps she went to her aunt and wrapped her arms around the old woman, hugging her from behind.  “I know you’re worried Aunt Mary Lin, but it sounds like it will be alright, and if it will help the village I think I need to try and help Parne.”<br/><br/>The old woman’s shoulders slumped slightly and she patted the girl’s arm with a trembling hand.   She hoped that Tara was right and that the binding was truly spoken, but though she was touched by the fae, it was not in any way that could make her aware of their magicks.  “Ah dearie, I’m hopin’ ye be raight. Fer nae matter how the Folk speak, thare’s layers thare tha’ cain’t be seen by any mortal.” For a moment she laid her graying russet head on the girl’s arm, the concern and love plain on the aging face.  She lifted her head to stare into Parne’s deep blue eyes with own green ones, and though she knew that the fae were cold hearted, she hoped he would understand how much Tara meant to her and would hold to his promise to see her home safe.<br/><br/>“I won’t hold ye responsible fer me lass here, if’n ye die doin’ wha’ needs ta be done.” Her lips thinned and those self-same emerald eyes cooled, “but ye best be speakin’ true, and if’n I find out ye abandoned her to some fate, than I’ll make sure’n thare's a wage ta be paid, an' you'll be payin' it."<br/><br/>Blushing in embarrassment over her aunt's vehemence, Tara hugged her tightly and let her go.  Straightening up she looked Parne in the eye, "What should I bring?  A coat?  walking boots maybe?"  She wasn't sure what she was about to walk into, and she certainly didn't know the rules like her aunt, but she'd do her best.<br/><br/><br/><br/>