"You shouldn't give up hope. Lairiel can still pull herself out of this. I believe in her. If only she would sort through her pain, instead of dulling it momentarily." Holly sighed again. "No, Lairiel is strong. She will pull through this." She said with true determination.

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"Lairiel likes to appear strong. I have my doubts as to how strong she really is, or if she just puts on a brave face for the world...but enough of this depressing talk. Let's speak of your plans with Morohtar?"

Holly shrugged her shoulders. "We have none," she answered. "I assumed we would find ourselves a home, get married and grow old together. Maybe even have children. I just do not know where or how to fit that in."

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"It will in time, Holly. Be patient, and don't try to fit it in. When the time is right it will happen." she patted her shoulder gently.

"It just seems impossible to be a ranger and married at the same time. I would never be home." She shrugged her shoulders. "Off course we can cross that bridge when we come to it."

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"And you are not a ranger yet." Mariel reminded her. "To place your dreams, to place all your eggs in one basket, so to speak, is foolish."

"You're right," Holly conceded. It was going to be a long time before Holly had to make any such decisions. "Are you happy Mariel?"

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"Happy? Of course! I couldn't ask for more. Even though the girls' father is gone, I can be happy. This place, this home and my children...it is everything I need or want." The widow did indeed have a content peacefulness about her.

Perhaps family life was all that Holly needed. Perhaps Lairiel needed the same thing. Off course she was not going to get anywhere if she continued to beat up men in bars. Or maybe, Lairiel had turned herself from the affections of men altogether, in which case, she did not know what would draw Lairiel from her depression.

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Mariel stood. "It is late, and we should all be getting sleep." she patted Holly's shoulder. "All will be well." she said, then stepped into the house. She glanced at the love seat. Lairiel was gone. That was to be expected. The woman could sneak about without being seen or heard, and had gone our the back way. "Damn it, Lairiel..."

Lairiel trudged the streets until she found another tavern. Plopping herself down at a seat, she ordered coffee. The bartender looked at her strangely, but came with her order and she payed. She looked around the room, her face a blank sheet of paper. She held no emotions there.

Holly nodded idly and followed Mariel inside. It did not surprise her to see that Lairiel was gone. Maybe she was a lost cause after all. If she would not accept Holly's help, what was Holly to do? Holly wondered if she was doing the right thing taking Lairiel's teachings. Would she end up the same way? She looked around the empty downstairs floor. Morohtar was nowhere to be seen. "Sleep well Mariel," she said before making her way to the guest bedroom, where she found Morohtar. Holly crawled under the covers silently, she bunched herself close to him, her arms wrapping around him. "I love you. Marry me?" she whispered before falling asleep.

A man with long red hair in rangers garb crossed over to the bar beside Lairiel. "A glass of water for me please. And some food for my friend, here." He motioned to Lairiel.

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Mariel retired to bed after going to check on the girls. Her mind was shifting between thoughts, not focusing on anything.

Lairiel sharply looked him over. "I am not even your acquaintance, let alone your friend, Ranger." she warned, sipping her coffee. "No food, thank you." she looked at the bartender, sending another warring scowl to the stranger.

"Forgive me. You looked in need of food. Clearly I was mistaken. I meant no offence to you miss. Just a ranger helping out a fellow ranger. As you need no help, I assume you need no company." With that, he picked up his water and walked back to his table. From his pocket he pulled out a book and began to read.

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Lairiel grumbled, then called grudgingly across the room. "I am sorry. Forgive me. I am just hungover and not in the best of moods." shedidn't look at him as she said it.

The man placed his book on the table. "Food should make you feel better," he said dryly. Shaking his head dismissively he returned his attention to his book. His brown eyes flew over the pages, his smile broadening in delight.

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Lairiel rolle her eyes and then stalked from the bar, right into a rock hard body.
"Well if it isn't our small Lairiel, returned to us." a smooth voice purred. Lairiel jerked back as though burned.
"Bloody hell!" she exclaimed.

"That's right." the tall, broad chested man leaned against the side of a building. Though the alley was dark, she could still see him. She scowled, her lips curling in open disdain.
"Darok, get out of here! I have no business with you!" she turned, brushing past him. He followed.
"Oh, yes, you do. Have you forgotten the debts you need to repay?" she stopped, cold ice forming in her veins.
"I have no debts." she hissed. Her trembling voice betrayed her shaken mental state.