hope doesn't exist. she thought bitterly, but kept it to herself as she lit her pipe and shouldered her pack. Soon, they were on their way. Lairiel kept silent for the hours they walked, until she spotted smoke rising from chimneys. "There." she pointed. "We are finally here."

Holly could not fathom the silence that had rose between Lairiel and Morohtar. However, like most things, she was sure the issue would be brought up eventually. "Thank you Lairiel," Holly said softly as she looked to the city that would hopefully give them shelter.

Morohtar cast worried gazes at Lairiel from time to time. He was saddened to see such little hope in a woman so young.

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They reached the city, Lairiel keeping her stony silence as they passed through to the other side. She stopped at a little hut, where a petite, very pregnant woman was hanging out laundry to dry in the wind. "Mariel." Lariel spoke quietly. The woman turned her eyes to her, and upon recognition, she gasped and her jaw dropped. "Lairiel!!" she suddenly squealed and ran to her, clutching her close in a fierce hug. "We thought you to be dead! Oh dear gods...oh gods!" Lairiel coughed as the air was squeezed out of her. "Yes...yes.."

Holly and Morohtar chose to linger behind while Lairiel reunited herself with her friends. Morohtar watched the scene before him. He almost felt rude, intruding on such a tender moment. He knew it would not be as tender for Lairiel as it seemed to be for this Mariel. He cast his eyes away, trying his best to keep a smile from his face. Lairiel would not be best pleased to see that when she turned around.

Holly shared in Morohtar's kindness and cast her eyes to the ground. As cheery as Mariel's welcome to Lairiel had been, there was no cheer for Holly. She tried to smile, but it could not reach her eyes. Holly felt tired, even though she had just woke from slumber. Her body was weary, but of what she did not know. A snap decision found Holly slipping away, wanting to give Lairiel time alone with her friend.

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"Please...Mariel..." Lairiel set her hands on her friend's shoulders and gently pushed. "These are my.." she stopped and her eyes narrowed. "Where the hell is Holly?" she thundered. Her patience ran thin when she was tired.

"I believe she wanted to give you two some privacy. I am sure she meant no harm. You two will have alot to catch up on, don't let Holly and I interfere. We'll find an inn of some sort or other and wait for you there." He smiled softly as he turned to find Holly. She was quick when she wanted to be. He groaned inwardly, wishing he had been paying attention.

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"Morohtar, find her and bring her back here. We are all staying here." Lairiel spoke firmly, not leaving room for any arguments. "Mariel and I will have time later tonight."

Morohtar nodded, sensing that there was no room for argument. He shuddered slightly and struck off to find his other half, at least what remained of her. It wasn't long before he found her peering into a nearby stall. It housed many fascinating ornaments and necklaces. He snickered faintly. "You are going to give Lairiel a migriane if you keep disappearing like that," he said, nudging her playfully. "Come along. Lairiel wants to introduce us to her friend."

Holly looked up from an amethyst pendant and nodded idly. "Fair enough. I just assumed that..."
"I know," Morohtar answered smoothly, as he led her back to Lairiel.

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Lairiel saw them approaching, and had to bite her tongue. "Honestly, Lairiel, you shouldn't curse like that. It's not lady--" Lairiel interrupted her. "How many times have I told you? I'm not a lady or a woman. I am a ranger." Mariel closed her mouth in a tight line, but pasted a bright smile on her face as the other two got closer.

"Holly, Morohtar, this is Mariel. A childhood friend of mine. We will be staying with her for the time being, until things get settled down." she said with a pointed look at Holly.

"Aunt Lairiel!!" two girls, twins, about Holly's age came running from the cottage, then stopped and stared in curiosity as they saw Holly.

"This is Holly." Lairiel said to them, "And Holly, meet the twins. Alleah and Alishia." the girls grinned and did quick little curtsies.

Holly simply stared at Lairiel, her brow raising. "Tired?" She asked shortly before turning her attention to the twin girls before her. "It is a pleasure to meet you both," she smiled warmly. "I cannot thank you enough for putting us up in your home. I know it must be quite a burden," she said politely, addressing Mariel. "If there is anything I can do to repay you, let me know."

Morohtar grinned at the twins. They were so courteous and polite. They were endearing qualities. Qualities he hoped his own children would have one day. He wondered when that day would be for a moment. He looked to Mariel. "Yes it is indeed kind of you."

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Mariel smiled. "It is no burden at all. I have much to be thankful to Lairiel for, and this is one way I can help repay it. She practically raised my girls." Lairiel mumbled something at that and turned away, hastily lighting her pipe.

"Please! Come in! Dinner is just about ready!" Mariel motioned them to come inside the quite spacious cottage. "Lairiel even bought this place for us."

Lairiel, however, remained outside. The twins had followed Holly, and began dogging her heels with questions.
"Is aunt Lairiel teaching you?"
"It's called training, not teaching, Alleah you dolt. Is she training you, Holly?"
"I knew that, Alishia! What is she teaching you? Can you sword fight? Or hand to hand combat?"
"Quit bugging her, Alleah!"

The questions shot back and forth between them and Holly.

Lairiel watched them all enter, then took a seat on the porch.

Morohtar hesitated at the threshold. "Not joining us Auntie Lairiel?" He asked, teasing her lightly. It seemed that her worries from this morning, were still weighing her down. He grimaced slightly.

Holly chuckled at the flow of questions. "Lairiel is training me in many areas. I do not want to claim I can do anything, for fear I am not yet good enough. Maybe one day she will train you both too." Holly looked around the picturesque cottage in awe. "Would you like any help with dinner?" she asked of Mariel.

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Lairiel sent a sharp look his way. "No. I'm going to the tavern." she abruptly stood and began walking away.

"Don't mind her." Mariel spoke up. "And no, thank you Holly. You two cuties just have a sit on the love seat and relax." she winked. "Don't be surprised if you don't see much of Lairiel while you are here. She tends to go to the tavern and disappear a lot. She gets into fights, gets drunk...she's a regular man." Mariel calls cheerily from the kitchen.

Holly rolled her eyes slightly before taking a seat. She relaxed her head back and closed her eyes. She only stirred when she felt Morohtar pull away from her. "I'm just going to check on Lairiel...I'll be back soon," he frowned deeply as he stood and left. Holly watched the door, as though waiting for his return. Her eyes were narrowed, her brows raised with suspicion. Her lips were pressed into a tight line. Rather than sit and do nothing, she thought it best to do something to help Mariel. She gathered plates and began to set the table quietly.

Morohtar searched for some time, before he found Lairiel's tavern. He entered silently and crossed over to her. He ordered an ale from the barman and continued to sit beside her silently.

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Lairiel was already hunched over her third ale. "Whaddya wan', Morohtar?" she slurred slightly. "y' shhould b' with H'lly." she took a long drink with a shaking hand.

Mariel pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Alleah, Alishia, go finish the laundry before dinner."
"Yes, mom." came the dejected chorus.
Once they were gone, Mariel turned to Holly. "What's that look for?" she leaned against the table, her arms crossed.

"Come on Lairiel...after all we've been through together...do you really think I am going to let you skulk in a shady tavern?" He drank from his ale. "What's going on?" He asked, slightly more stern than he had been this morning. He peered at Lairiel, concern evident in his expression.

Holly looked up from the table. "What look?" She asked innocently, turning to set the cutlery. "I guess i'm just tired..." she added as an after thought, as she straightened a knife. She straightened her back and looked to Mariel. "Nothing to worry about," she smiled faintly.

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