"It is so," Eshalu breathed, nestling close to Aeryn, finally allowing her muscles to loosen and relax, "once held in a story, nothing dies and it lives in the minds and words of the people and spirits of a place."<br/><br/>It seemed strange that her human lover did not wish to claim her pleasure, but the morning, with its pressing duties, called and perhaps it was best that they conserve their energy.<br/><br/>"Then it will be for another time," Eshalu said and her conscious gave way to the dreaming trance of elven sleep.