I feel like I am being squeezed and my insides are being pushed out through my back, the pain, it is

He could not write anymore. He had to let go of the journal, he had to let go.

He was in a vortex of madness. Pictures swirled by on all sides. The impostors, a strange being, so unlike the Aerin Ishtheh, but also like them. Fires, everywhere. Burning. Blackness. Death. Decay. Poison. And then, suddenly, there was nothing, only gray. Grayness surrounded him, and, for a timeless instant, he was at peace. And then he was swirling again. He felt as if he were being sucked through a tiny hole much too small for his body. He was certain he would die. He knew he would die.

He felt as if he were suspended in time and space for eternity. And then, finally, he dropped.

He was drowning now, drowning in something he recognized, in something that had been familiar while he was alive. Water. He was breathing water. But he was drowning, all the same. His body felt leaden. The prospect of actually having a body was so foreign after being in that darkness for so long, that he couldn't even comprehend it. He couldn't see. He felt, but could not move, or see, or hear. And he was drowning.

And suddenly, he remembered something. Life. There was something out there that was not death or drowning, or being trapped in time. There was a sun. There were plants, and trees, and the Aerin Ishtheh. There was life.

He moved his hands. His mouth closed. He wiggled his toes. Then he was off, swimming upward, upward, not breathing, drowning still, but now trying to survive. And suddenly, he broke the surface. He could feel air on his skin. He spluttered and coughed until he felt like there was nothing left inside him, and then he breathed the sweetest breath he had ever taken.

There was something wrong with his eyes, though, something he could not figure out. Why could he not see? He couldn't be blind. It just didn't make sense. It felt like if only he just opened his eyes he would see, but his eyes were open...Aren't they? he asked himself. He could not tell. He treaded water with one hand and reached with the other toward his eye. He found an eyelid where he expected an eyeball. It was as if his eyelids were no longer connected to his body, would no longer obey his brain's command. His hand pried one open, and he was blinded by a sudden light. The eye snapped shut of its own accord. He continued to tread water, and then began to swim with the tide. He knew it would take him to land eventually.

His knee hit something. He reached for it with his hands, groping blindly, finding a rock underwater. He maneuvered himself around it, swam on, until he hit sand. He crawled forward, up, out of the water, and then collapsed, out of breath, blind, and naked on the shore.

Tarn Va Thaeindor had arrived in Arda.

Walking around the bend she thought she heard something in the water when she turned she saw nothing but the water rippling as if something had fallen in. Watching she didn't see anyone emerge. Shaking her head she thought she must be seeing things and began to walk again. After a few moments she heard something and turned to see what looked like a man pop his head out of the water. Looking like he was trying to catch his breath. She was so confused not sure what had happened she began to walk closer, she saw him playing with his eyes as if he didn't know they were there.

Wondering what was wrong she walked faster watching as he began to swim towards the shore. When he finally made it out of the ocean she ran to him kneeling down next to him she looked down upon him. 'Are you alright?' she said her hands reaching out over his body she could feel heat emanating from them she was trying to warm him.

Looking about she saw that there were the only two out at the time, 'oh my' she said 'please be alright. Can you talk? Can you tell me what happened?' she quried looking a bit shaken.

Tarn Va Thaeindor could feel the touch of a hand on his skin. It was such a strange feeling that at first he did not know what to make of it. And then, a voice spoke. It was feminine, but the language was strange to him. He could not understand what she was saying, and his eyes would still not open when he told them to. His breathing was heavy, is long golden hair was tangled from the time spent in the water. His body was slick with saltwater.

He coughed several times, and then just sat and breathed, conscious of the warmth coming from the girl's fingers. He could hear the quiet lap of the tide against the sand, and he shuddered at the thought of what had almost drowned him.

"Thane yi..." Tarn Va Thaeindor managed after several tries. In his language, it meant thank you. He wasn't sure if she could understand, but he hoped the gratitude in his voice would tell her what he was saying. He wished he could open his eyes to see the girl, but he could not without dishonoring himself with the use of his hands to open his own eyes. It would be humiliating and degrading. But all the same, he wanted to see her.

He struggled to sit upright, conscious suddenly of his nakedness. He curled in on himself. It was the ultimate humiliation. His cheeks burned with shame.

"Draels? Du yi auf draels?" He gestured at himself blindly, hoping the girl would understand. He prayed to his god, but instead of feeling the communion he normally felt, he felt nothing but emptiness. It scared him more than anything else had so far. To be so alone was quite unlike anything he had experienced. His closed eyes beseeched the girl, pleading with her to help him, but Tarn Va Thaeindor did not believe she could tell the agony he was in at that moment.

Looking down at him she could tell he was in some sort of distress but she wasn't entirely sure what that was. Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself she took a closer look and noticed his eyes were closed, wondering if he was okay she had asked him if he could open them but was getting nothing. Her eyes darting everywhere she looked hoping that there maybe someone else, anyone else around but no such luck she was as good as he was going to get.

She was about to say something when she noticed his mouth moving, he was trying to speak but all she heard was what sounded like 'Thane yi. Thinking he might have been trying to say thank you she smiled then realized he could not see the gesture. So she reciprocated with a 'You are more than welcome.' Continuing on she had not even realized that he was in a state of complete undress when he tried to sit up that is when she said quietly so that only she could hear it Oh my. A blush began from her neck and made its way up to her cheeks, and apparently she wasn't the only one his cheeks were just about as red as hers.

She looked away thinking this was more than she bargained for. When he began to speak again, she waited for something she could understand but these words, she did not know and could not even guess their meaning this time. Forcing herself she turned her head to look at him, he was pointing at himself and she realized why. She knew she was being a fool. The man needed her help all she had to do was concentrate.

Closing her eyes and letting all her other senses take over chanting words only she could understand. 'leomitus heim cosahan' she repeated these words over and over soon feeling a breeze pass through her own body as a power from somewhere beyond entered into her opening her eyes they were glowing bright blue and looking upon the stranger she held her hands above his body moving them over him making sure to pass them over every inch and when she was done she slumped back down onto the ground her eyes back to their normal color brown and looking up the stranger he was now fully clothed.

Her breathing ragged and shallow she waited a moment before beginning to speak again, her hand touching his shoulder gently she tried one more time, 'Please tell me are you okay?'

She had understood. He could feel her hands hovering a scant inch from his body, and then he felt them. The clothes were rough against his skin, but she had given them to him, and it was better than sitting naked. He did not know which direction to look, but he lifted his head anyway. He was of the Aerin Ishtheh. He should not be bowing down to anything he could not see. It made him feel subservient, and he was certainly NOT that.

Tarn Va Thaeindor felt a touch on his shoulder, and he heard the girl speak, there was concern in her voice, and perhaps fatigue as well. He figured she was querying into his well-being, but he knew she would not understand any words he spoke. So he gave the familiar gesture that meant yes: his left hand grabbed his right wrist and he twisted his right arm. Hopefully she knew what it meant. If she didn't, he had no idea how they would communicate. It would help if he could see. It would help if he wasn't soaked to the skin. He couldn't focus, not after what had happened. His demise was so, so meaningless he didn't know what to do.

He needed some sort of inspiration. He had to get his eyes to open! With all his might he tried to lift his eyelids. He succeeded in raising his eyebrows, and he managed to open them a tiny slit. The light was very bright, so he did not want to keep them open, but he did anyway. He had to see. He would make himself see.

"Thane yi," he told the girl again. She deserved to be thanked for what she had done for him. If he was going to regain any of his composure, he had to be polite first and foremost. Well, maybe foremost after seeing.

((Sorry it's a bad post, I can't think of what else to say. Next post his eyes will open and all will be better. :D))

Watching his head move he was looking in the opposite direction of where she was sitting. The impulse to grab his face and turn it towards her gently crept into her thoughts but she quashed the idea immediately. She still did not know anything about this stranger, who he was or where he had come from she did not want to do anything that may provoke him. So she kept her hands to herself.

She had started to wonder if he was going to let her know if he was okay if he needed any more aid but he spoke no more words. Thinking it a lost cause she noticed him doing something, something she recognized her lips turned upward in a smile when he let her know that he was okay. She breathed a sigh of relief at the gesture. Feeling happy that everything was alright. Her eyes focused on him she watched as he struggled to open his eyes. Wondering why he could not open them she sat and stared at him not really sure what to do. She did not think he was blind but she could undestand what was going on.

Racking her brain she tried to remember if she had seen anything out of the ordinary before finding him but try as she might there was nothing. She was not even sure how he head come to be there it was almost as if...Not finishing the thought because she felt it was a bit too outlandish she saw his eyesbrows raise. Clapping her hands together quietly she said, 'oh that's good just a little more and you've got it.' Wondering if he could even understand a word she was saying.

She was so busy paying attention to what he was doing she almost did not hear him when he thanked her again. Absentmindedly she replied, 'You are welcomed' not thinking that he probably had not understood.

Then something came over her she could see that the man wanted to see was trying so hard to see she felt the need to help him. So getting on her knees she moved towards him and soon was directly in front of him her hands on his shoulder a soothing touch letting him know she meant him no harm then lifting one hand slowly up towards his eye she held his top eye lid and the skin underneath his bottom eyelid and began to part them slowly. Luckily she was sitting in such a way that she cast a shadow so there was not much light to obstruct his view. Then she moved towards the next eye and did the same staying where she was...Her eyes never leaving his.

More words. More straining. More words. More straining. Silence, and then, the touch of her fingers on his shoulder. The pressure released, and Tarn Va Thaeindor waited, tense, for something to happen. And then her fingers were touching his eyelids, pulling them gently apart. The light was bright, but not so much that he could not see. The girl's face was coming into focus slowly. His other eye opened. He could see her, although she was a little blurry. Her eyes were hazel. He felt some strange connection to the girl now that he could see her. He wondered what it was for a second, and then realized that she, too, had pointy ears. But her hair and her eyes were not of the Aerin Ishtheh...the traitors! She must be one of the intruders.

Startled, Tarn Va Thaeindor tried to back up, but fell with an undignified yelp to the ground. He hurriedly sat back up, and then stared with something close to fear in his eyes at his rescuer. She has to be one of them, but why would she have let me live if they wanted us dead? Tern, let me see. Let me understand what is happening. But again, Tarn Va Thaeindor only felt emptiness where once he would have felt fulfillment. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the feeling, but he could not. Where was his god?

"Lees, lees el ein vaor ei g'n..." he pleaded. Please, please tell me where I am! He wanted so badly for her to understand. Perhaps, though, he would have to learn her language. It seemed simpler than his was. This was getting them nowhere. And now, because he had seen her, he could not help but mistrust her. He did not like the feeling, but it was now part of his nature to distrust any of these..."elves".

She smiled when he opened his eyes it was as if they were finally getting somewhere. Her excitement showing on her face and she gazed upon him but then she got the strangest reaction he seemed to be trying to move away from her. Almost as if, he was scared for some reason. She did not want to cause him any harm she had only wanted to help and this was what she was getting in return.

A feeling of hurt made its way through her as she thought what a fool she had been to help him. Moving back slowly she was about to leave him there danger be damned. If that was how he showed his thanks then she wanted not part of it.

She turned to leave when he began to speak once more, again she could not understand the words he was speaking and she realized that was probably the biggest problem they could not communicate. Knowing that she would probably end up regretting this she did the only thing left to do. Closing her eyes once again, she muttered to herself, 'seleath attame' an old spell that would allow him to speak the same language as her so the two of them could finally speak and understand one another. Why she had not thought of it before...There was just so much going on that she failed to remember.

Looking at him she asked, 'Why do you seem to fear me stranger, I mean you no harm all I have tried to do was help you.' Try as she might she was not able to keep the hurt from her voice. 'Had I not found you who is to say what would have happened to you here alone and sightless’,' she said imploringly wanting him to understand that she only wanted to help.

Her eyes were filled with hurt and regret. It made him suddenly feel ashamed of himself, he wanted to say something, but instead, she spoke.

"Why do you seem to fear me, stranger? I mean you no harm. All I have tried to do was help you. Had I not found you who is to say what would have happened to you here, alone and sightless?" Her voice was filled with the same hurt that was in her eyes. Her voice was clear as a cold stream, and he felt as if he was only truly listening to her for the first time.

Suddenly, belatedly, he realized that he could understand her! Her words came in his language now, and he knew that she had powers as he did. Why he had not used them before now was a mystery, even to him. Her powers seemed to be different from his, though, he could not understand how her speech stimulated the reaction with his ears and the clothes he had received earlier.

"Ma'am, I have had a terrible experience with those of your race. I am instinctively fearful of you and your kind because of what has happened to me. You are an elf, are you not?" His voice stumbled over the unfamiliar and hated word elf. Tarn Va Thaeindor licked his lips nervously. It was not proper, asking questions before even giving his name. However, he had to know if she was one of the hated race before he told her anything about himself.

If she is, what shall I say? 'Oh, I thank you for saving my life, but I must hate you because of what your race did to me.' That would be irrefutably impolite and selfish, and I will not be like them. Tarn Va Thaeindor peered at the woman, awaiting her response.

No one had ever referred to her as a different race before; it felt very odd someone thinking of her that way especially a stranger. A stranger she assumed was new to her land, new to Arda. Her eyes looked at him as if in shock this was not how she pictured their first coherent conversation would go. Shaking her head she answered him, 'Yes I am an Elf,' she said the words proudly. She was what she was and she would not make apologies for it.

He went on to tell her I have had a terrible experience with those of your race. I am instinctively fearful of you and your kind because of what has happened to me. Feeling upset that someone of her kind would hurt another she still did not understand why he was treating her as if she were enemy number one. 'I am sorry for whatever has happened to you at the hands of my kind although I do not know what you endured I do know that I meant what I said before. I mean you no harm.' Lip quivering she was doing her best not to cry. She was so angry she wanted to yell and scream at him but then that would just make things worse so the only other thing left to do was cry but she did not want to shed a tear in his presence.

Moving further away from him she said, 'if you dislike my race so much perhaps it would be prudent for me to leave you here, alone, I wish you no ill will or displeasure.' She stopped looking at him, did not want him to see how his reaction tore her apart. People genuinely liked her but to have someone feel for lack of a better word disdain for her without even knowing her it was too much. Waiting for his response she felt her eyes betraying her as a tear slipped free from her eye and slipped down her face as if in slow motion, as if mocking her. She wiped it away quickly ashamed for allowing it to happen in the first place.

She was an elf. It had been her kind who sent him to that place...that place of utter hopelessness, utter darkness, utter silence. But she was also the girl who saved him. He was desperately confused. His blue eyes studied her as he awaited her reply.

I am sorry for whatever has happened to you at the hands of my kind although I do not know what you endured I do know that I meant what I said before. I mean you no harm. Lies. She had to be lying. How could she not know of what had happened to the Aerin Ishtheh? It was the elves who thought of it in the first place. He wanted to yell out with fury. This was so wrong! He should not hate his rescuer, yet he should not love his enemy.

Her expression cut him like a knife. The sadness, that anger, and the...dislike? Was it dislike there, or was he imagining it? Whatever it was, it hurt him, almost physically. As she moved farther away he wanted to reach out and pull her back toward him. He did not hate her. Yet at the same time, he wanted to thrust her away, tell her to leave him alone and tell her people that the Aerin Ishtheh would get revenge...

If you dislike my race so much perhaps it would be prudent for me to leave you here, alone, I wish you no ill will or displeasure. She turned away from him.

"Wait, ma'am, I do not...I do not mean to judge you by your race. I know it is prejudiced. I thought that, since you - your kind are the ones that, well..." Tarn Va Thaeindor paused, unsure how to continue. Should he tell her what she very likely knew already, or should he just send her off and be done with it? A decision clicked in his mind, and he reopened his mouth.

"Ma'am, before I came here I was in the high society of - " Tarn Va Thaeindor struggled to say what he needed to say. Aerin Ishtheh kept coming out as something like ‘tru-raes.’ Finally, he pronounced it syllable by syllable. "A-er-in Ish-theh. That would be the best of the scholars, mages, archers, and lords. My race was the only living beings on our planet. We cared for our land as if it was our children, and there was never a time when any of us were defiled by crime. We lived as well as we could, and given the circumstances, that was reasonably well. But then...well, then it changed. I was sitting in the highest boughs of a tree when I saw them, coming from the distance. I was always recording things, and so I had my journal with me..." His voice trailed off. He had dropped his journal right before that dizzying journey. He gulped, trying to hold back tears. It was only a book. I should not cry over a book.

His voice sounded choked now, but he went on, "I thought that the shapes were perhaps a new species of bird, but then I heard news from one of the sailors that they were boats coming toward us. That didn't make any sense, though, because we were the only ones on the planet. It was true. It was all true. The elves came in those ships. They came and with them, they brought a terrible magic. In it, my people were taken to a place so terrifying that I do not even want to think of it. I fell..." He did not know what else to say. He fell into the water, almost drowned, then suddenly found he could remember life and swam toward the shore? That degraded him. It degraded him enough that his entire race was defeated by those worthless, murdering elves.

"I fell into the ocean. I swam here, and now you do not even know what I am. I feel gratitude to you for saving my eyes, and giving me clothes and warmth, but you must understand why I feel this terrible distrust. I don't know where my people are. All I have known since I opened my eyes is an unfamiliar landscape and an elf, the very type of person who took me in the first place. You may not understand, but I cannot find it in myself to trust you." With this, his throat clogged up and he turned away from her. His people were not shy about expressing their emotions, but in front of an elf was another thing. His shoulders shook with silent sobs.

Every word was taken in, and she looked shamed. She had heard of the quest some of the elder elves were taking but she had no knowledge of what they were doing. She felt so embarrassed by her race at that moment, 'I did not know what they were going to do I swear it, I am not an important enough elf to have information of that caliber divulged to me. These are things that others of a higher station feel do not concern me.'

The tears falling freely from her eyes now she forgot what she had said before and turned to look at him, 'please you must believe me, I can understand you not trusting me but I knew not what was done to you or your people and I am repulsed by the news you have just given me. I do not know why my people went after yours but I am nothing, I repeat nothing like them. I am my own person I do as I please and unlike so many of my kind I do not follow.' Which was probably why she was shunned by most, but that was neither here nor there.

Moving closer she stood behind him and touched his shoulder making him turn to look at her, 'stare stranger stare into my eyes, for these are the windows to my soul, here is where you find the answers you seek in regards to me and my character. Look long and hard and you tell me what you see,' she said her voice strong and forceful now. Her eyes were still glistening with tears but this was not the time for her to let pride get in the way. She needed him to know he could trust her.

No. No, I mustn't cry. Everything will be fine. It is not my fault they took me. It is not my fault she does not understand. It is not. It is not... Tarn Va Thaeindor tried to reassure himself. He did not want to blame himself as he did. He should have realized, he should have fought, he should have...he could have...maybe if he had...

The list went on. He needed to stop before he fell into a depression so deep he could not get out of it. He lifted his head and looked out across the ocean. An unfamiliar ocean, just as the land was unfamiliar. Was he on some other continent of Keehrr? What was this place, anyway? What had the elves done?

"I did not know what they were going to do I swear it, I am not an important enough elf to have information of that caliber divulged to me. These are things that others of a higher station feel do not concern me." Her voice interrupted his thoughts. He still did not know her name, nor she his. He did not look at her. How could he, knowing what her kind had done, knowing that the tears he shed were clearly visible on his face. "Please, you must believe me. I can understand you not trusting me but I knew not what was done to you or your people and I am repulsed by the news you have just given me. I do not know why my people went after yours but I am nothing, I repeat nothing like them. I am my own person. I do as I please and unlike so many of my kind I do not follow." He still did not look at her, he still did not quite believe her. He could see the wicked glint in that elf's eye, not the girl before him, but the one who had approached him toward the end of his past life.

He felt a light hand on his shoulder, and could not help but look up at her. Her words then startled him, and he did as she told him. He looked into her hazel eyes, and she into his crystalline blue ones, until he thought he would drown in the intensity of that look. Her eyes were so strange and foreign. None of the Aerin Ishtheh had this color eyes. They were all bright blue, green, silver, or white. How could such a color even exist in eyes?

And then he went below the surface, into her mind, or a semblance of it. He saw..."joy. Joy in your world. Life that runs as a river through your soul. Kindness as great as I have ever seen. Love. The love of a child for their mother, or a mother for their child. Love as a friend loves a friend. And light, light as I have never seen." His nose was almost touching hers. And deeper still he went. "Selflessness, but selfishness as well. Envy. Hatred. Regret. A sorrow that runs as deep as you can feel. A map of you...your being on all levels of reality...and I see myself, reflected in your eyes." His eyes broke away from hers, and then returned.

"I no longer doubt what you say." That was all, as simple as that. He felt a connection with this girl. He knew her now, more intimately than he had believed was possible. "What did you see?" He asked. She had looked at his eyes, but had she gone as deep as he had? Did she know how? Did he want her to know him like that? Had she wanted him to know her like that? Tarn Va Thaeindor accepted her gaze into his soul, as she had accepted his.

Her eyes stared deeply into his. He spoke of his mistrust of her and her kind then the thought came to her, how was she to know that she could trust him. She knew nothing about him all she knew was the story he told her and how was she to know if it was true or not? How was she to know if he meant her harm?

Standing stock-still, she started to stare into his eyes trying to read him but his words broke through her thoughts. She listened intently as he told her that he saw..."joy. Joy in your world. Life that runs as a river through your soul. Kindness as great as I have ever seen. Love. The love of a child for their mother, or a mother for their child. Love as a friend loves a friend. And light, light as I have never seen." Soon he got closer to her so close she inhaled the scent of the sea on him but pushing that thought from her mind she allowed him to continue deeper still he went "Selflessness, but selfishness as well. Envy. Hatred. Regret. A sorrow that runs as deep as you can feel. A map of you...your being on all levels of reality...and I see myself, reflected in your eyes."

When his eyes looked away from hers she had let out a breath, she had been holding then he turned to her again. She shivered because he had looked so deep inside her that he now knew her better than anyone else ever had, he knew what she had never allowed others to see. She said nothing all she did was stare into his eyes wanting to see as he had seen. 'I see a contentment that fueled you. An effervescent lust for life. Seeking knowledge anywhere and everywhere. Great love of family. A passion deep within. Power so much power behind those eyes.' She never broke contact, 'kindness, anger, disdain. Revenge oh my yes revenge so strong almost overwhelming you. I see light, there was always light, but now it is being replaced by dark.' Her hand reaching out she placed it on his shoulder, 'I see a man in need of help. I see all of you as you see all of me. Now I know what I must do, and that is whatever it takes to help you gain the answers you seek.'

Closing her eyes, she shook her head to clear her mind, knowing that now she was connected to this man in a way she never thought possible. Turning her back on him now was not an option.

Tarn Va Thaeindor felt her moving around inside of his mind. Her thoughts probed his very essence. It was strange, and hard to accept. Yet somehow he did allow her to search through him. She looked into his eyes, he looked into hers, and she spoke, and he listened. She did not go quite as deep as he had, perhaps, but he would not complain if she did not want to.

Finally she finished her tirade. He had not known what that strange feeling was inside of him. Was it really the need for revenge? He had a hatred of that race, but that was now compromised by his liking for this girl...whose name he still did not know. He might want revenge for his people, but was it really taking him over? Was the light in him really turning to dark, as she claimed? Could it be that his loss had cost him more than just his family, but his holiness as well?

Her eyes were closed, and she shook her head. He jerked his head to the side and stared dully at the sand underneath him. It was course sand that scraped his legs when he moved. It was nothing like the sand he was used to, the fine white sand that fell through your fingers as silk would? Wherever he was now, it was not his continent. Perhaps not even his world.

"Ma'am, what is your n -" He could not say the word he wanted to. It did not start with an N, as was coming out of his mouth, it started with an H. What is your hirean?" A hirean was not a "name" it was who you were. He shook his head, and tried again. "What is your name?" So much for hirean. Speaking in this girl's language was difficult. Some of his words did not translate well into hers. Their languages were similar though, with the same sentence structures and such. It was very strange.

Then, suddenly, a thought came to his mind. She must know of her race's invasion, for all of the elves' families came with them. Every single elf was on those ships, so how can it be that she does not know of it? I must be somewhere else. A different world...and that is why I cannot speak to my god. He is not here. The thought sent a chill up his spine. How far away from his world was he?

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and then listened to the elf's answer.

So much left to explore but yet she could not bring herself to delve any farther into his mind. This was a skill she was not adept at using but she had seen enough to see why. Why he was how he was with her. She could sense movement and when she re-opened her eyes, it was to see him looking down at the sand. Wishing the answer of what to do would just come to her, she stood there and thought of what to do next.

Her mind wandering thoughts and images popping in and out of her head she was at a loss for once. Arylia was usually great at solving problems but for some reason this was beyond the scope of anything she had ever had to deal with. Again, his voice broke into her thoughts and her head snapped to his attention as he asked her for...At first she had no idea what he was asking for. It was as if he was having trouble translating the word. She started thinking that her magic was wearing off when finally he said in words she could comprehend, "What is your name?".

'All this time we have been around each other and we have not even exchanged names. I am Arylia, Arylia Dumas,' she said and she added because she assumed he had no idea where he was, 'you are in Arda.'

He thought around the strange word. Arda. Arda. He definitely was not in Keehrr, then. It was terrifying to think about. How far had he traveled in that nothingness? Had he only traveled to a different Where or a different When as well? His mind reeled at the thought. It was not right. It simply was not right. Suddenly he remembered that she had also told him her name. Arylia, wasn't it? Arylia Dumas.

"I am sto - " Tarn Va Thaeindor stopped, utterly perplexed. When he tried to say his name, it came out as storm. His name was Tarn, not storm. How to get around this? Sure his name meant thunderstorm, but he did not want to be called that. He was Tarn Va Thaeindor, nothing else. "My name is spelt T-A-R-N V-A T-H-A-E-I-N-D-O-R. Your spell will not let me say it." He smiled ruefully, and then looked at the surrounding landscape. It was unbearably unfamiliar, and the air seemed to be more opaque than Keehrr's air had been. It had a strange consistency. It was more moist and thick than what he was used to. He was only just now noticing it. He had only just now become aware that he was certainly on a different world.

The sun was glaring up in the sky, and it was hot, even for being sometime past noon, judging from the sun. Unless their sun worked differently from his own. Somehow, though, he doubted that. How else would a sun move? Tarn Va Thaeindor was still not completely dry or recovered from his dousing in the ocean, and the salt was crusting on his body. Would it be safe to use magic here? Did he even have magic here, or had that disappeared with his clothes, his journal, and his world?

A terrible bitterness descended on him, and his shoulders hunched in a gesture of defeat. How could he do this? How could he start his entire life over in a new world? He did not know the language, he did not have any money, or status, and he had not gained himself any respect. His ears were different from the elves', would that be recognizable? Were there other races on this world whose ears were as elongated as his? He did not know, and he dared not ask, for fear of seeming rude. He did not even know their culture, or what they expected of him. He did not know their laws, or their gestures, or anything. He would be lost here.

A lonely tear trickled from his eye and fell into the sand, where it was absorbed as if it had never been.

The tear slipped down his face and fell into the sand, the gesture simple but somehow it caused a strong emotion within her. Hoping she pronounced his name right she said, 'Tarn please talk to me, let me do what I can to help you. Let me, let me do something more,' her shoulders slumping almost as if she had been defeated. Feeling helpless was not something she was akin to her nerves warn and frayed she decided that right now she needed a very large glass of elf wine to calm them. Thinking that was not such a bad idea she said, 'liovia somarta' and a glass appeared in her hand filled with blood red liquid. 'Sorry but this has been a very long day for me and as early as it is…' around 1 in the afternoon by the look of the sun ‘this is overdue’ she took one large sip letting the liquid wend its way down her parched throat. Once it made its way through her system she could feel warmth in her belly comforting and soothing her.

Sitting back down on the sand, she looked out at the water, seeing it as if for the first time. To have just been dropped in like Tarn, not able to see, not knowing where he was, the thought causing her to shiver. Looking back up she shielded her eyes from the sun, 'That drink hit the spot. Would you like some, or perhaps some food,' closing her eyes she worked the spell in her mind and when she re-opened them there were all sorts of dishes plated and encircled around her. 'Eat eat.' She coughed when she realized how much like her mother she had just sounded. That was her way of solving all problems.

Lifting her legs up under her chin she wrapped her arms around them and began to rock slowly back and forth wondering how this had happened, how her people could be so cruel, how this man lost everything dear to him. Quietly she said, 'I am so sorry for all of it. If I had the power to take it back, I would. If I could give you back all you have lost I would but I cannot.' Tears falling again from her eyes she went on, 'but I will do whatever you need me to do to help you through this no matter what it is. You have to know this...'

Tarn Va Thaeindor heard her voice, but did not comprehend her words. How could he, as swamped as he was in depressing thoughts? All he could think was how terrible his life was. It disturbed him somewhere in his mind, but the rest of it was devoted to self-pity. He detested it, but also found nothing wrong with it.

Suddenly he heard Arylia speak again. This time it was in the different language, and a goblet of red wine appeared in her hands. She certainly did have strange magic. Perhaps now he should try his own? He concentrated, felt it, and lost it again. No. No. It must work! He tried again, with the same results. He shook his head in despair. Even his magic could not help ease his way in this world. He would have to do it relying entirely on himself.

Then, plates of food appeared around him. Was she mocking him by using this magic? Did it even matter anymore? Did anything matter? What was the point of living? There was nothing. Tarn Va Thaeindor stared at his hands, and began to weep bitterly. How could his life have changed so drastically just because of those boats he had seen?

"Please forgive me, Arylia." He sobbed as he cried. It was rude to cry in front of a person who you had just met. Coupled with not using her full name, he was being downright insulting.

"...I will do whatever you need me to do to help you through this no matter what it is. You have to know this..." Tarn Va Thaeindor did not know why she would want to help him, someone so lost and despicable and self-pitiable as he was. He needed to stop. He needed to move. He needed to see trees. He needed...he needed...he needed home. He needed somewhere to go. He did not move to wipe the tears off of his face, but he slowly stopped crying.

"Arylia Dumas, please, I..." he glanced around at the food, and then stood up. He towered high above her now, and it felt awkward. "I think...well, I need to see something familiar. Trees, grass...anything. I feel so sickened." Tarn Va Thaeindor did not know what else to say. He did feel sick, almost physically sick. It would be better if his god was there, but he wasn't. He had been abandoned completely. His only companion in the world now was an elf. Arylia Dumas. He looked at her with a tender expression on his face. He had to love her for what she had done for him. For the determination she put forth, although she may well be as confused as he.

His plea caused more tears. She felt for him, felt so strongly, she sensed that he felt weak because he was showing her his emotions but after everything that happened she thought he was actually handling himself pretty well under the circumstances. He was doing everything he could to hold it all together.

Standing up she stood in front of him placing her hand on his cheek caressing his face gently so he would know that she was not trying to harm him. 'You have no need to ask for my forgiveness Tarn you have been horribly mistreated you and your people everything you are feeling is natural perfectly natural. I would never think any less of you for crying I would think less of you if this did not affect you.'

Realizing that her contact was a bit too intimate she removed her hand from his face and placed it limply by her side, feeling slightly embarrassed. 'Um you said that you wanted to see something normal trees perhaps we can go into the forest it is full of trees we...' she was about to begin talking of her elfin brethren but stopped herself for fear of upsetting him further. 'I will take you wherever you want to go.'

She stood, and reached her hand up to touch his cheek. She spoke softly to him, her words like water after a trek through the desert. Everything he was feeling was natural, perfectly natural. She did not think little of him because of his tears. Tears. But he would not cry.

He suddenly realized she was very close to him, and that her hand was not just touching his face, but caressing it. He pulled back just as she did, and when he saw her blush he had the grace to do so as well. She stammered out a few words, paused, and then continued in a slightly more confident voice. Was there a reason for the breathlessness he was feeling? The air here was thick, but he did not think that was the reason. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, and then spoke.

"Trees would be nice. How far are they? I do not know if I am strong enough to walk very far. I haven't really used my legs in...However long it was." In fact, his legs did tremble slightly as he stood there. It was all very worrisome. How he could suddenly be doubting legs that had supported him for more than a thousand years made him worry as much as anything else had recently. He sighed, and the looked at Arylia Dumas's face.

((Sorry it is so short, I don't have much inspiration (:grr:) and I am tired :zzz:, but I felt like I should reply...))

((It's okay not a problem))

Arylia was not sure what she was feeling but there were stirrings going on inside of her that both scared and thrilled her at the same time. When she noticed him blush, she wondered if he was warring with his feelings as she was. Her eyes on him for a moment before she turned away looking out at the ocean, a strong breeze had begun to pick up causing her blond locks to blow recklessly. Looking through the pocket in her dress, she found something to tie her hair back with. It was not as if it was really bothering her but she was just trying to find something to do to occupy her mind for a moment or two, and she made a big production of twisting the band around her hair, finally she had it up in the ponytail.

His voice rang out again and she jumped slightly not expecting him to speak. Slowly she moved her body turning it so that she stood face to face with him. In answer to his question she said, 'yes there is a forest not far from here if it will help you to feel more comfortable I will take you there,' but as she spoke she noticed that his legs were a bit wobbly it was almost as if he could not remember how to use them, but that surely...No...'Are you okay to walk?' she threw caution to the winds and asked.

((Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, I was away on vacation.))

Tarn Va Thaeindor glanced down at his tremulous legs and grimaced. And suddenly a memory forced its way out of the locked cabinets of bad memories. It was when he was younger, around 500.

"Tarn Va Thaeindor, where are you going?" He turned to look behind him. Giyd Teim was following after him, hopping on his one leg and crutch, trying to catch up. Tarn Va Thaeindor rolled his eyes. "I'm going to commune with my god, Giyd Teim. Please let me alone." Giyd Teim looked crestfallen. When Giyd Teim was younger he had fallen out of a tree and broken his leg. Ordinarily, one of the Aerin Ishtheh would have been able to heal it right away, but Giyd Teim had been alone. He suffered the pain in unconsciousness until someone else showed up and took him home. The leg had become infected and was swelling and oozing puss and blood. Unknowingly, Giyd Teim had put up a block around his leg so that it couldn't be touched by magic, so it had needed to be amputated.

Tarn Va Thaeindor felt guilty. "Cheer up, Giyd Teim. I hate to see you like that." Giyd Teim looked at him with watery eyes. "You would let me come if I had two good legs, wouldn't you? Wouldn't you! I hate it. I hate it! Do you have any idea what it is like? Not being able to run, or climb, or ride a horse, or do much of anything else? It's like if you had run for too long. Your legs collapse under you and you fall. I fall all the time. My leg trembles all the time, from the strain of holding up my entire body. And it hurts...it hurts like the fires of Hieryn Tel's forge!"

Perhaps Tarn Va Thaeindor's leg did not hurt that much, but he felt as if he would fall the moment he took a step. He could imagine Hieryn Tel's forge as if it were right there in front of him. Hieryn Tel, the god of fire.

Tarn Va Thaeindor lifted his leg and placed it in front of him, then swung his other leg forward. His legs felt wobbly, but he did not collapse. O god... His thoughts cut off abruptly. His god no longer existed. He was in a different world.

"Arylia Dumas, what gods have you here?" He asked as he took another tentative step.

((Well, that was a pretty awful post...hopefully my next one will be better...))

Arylia was about to start walking when she suddenly stopped in her tacks turning to see if Tarn was okay, she caught him staring at his legs. She wondered if he was having trouble walking, whether he would need her help. Walking slowly over to him, she stopped short again as she saw his face, his attention suddenly elsewhere. A memory she assumed was coming back to him and his mind transported him there. Wondering if she should take a peek she decided against it. She had no right as curious as she was.

Standing she watched and waited for him to return, her own mind wandering for a moment to thoughts of how this came to be. All she had wanted to do was take a walk and now she was trying to help this stranger. A stranger her own people had brought to harm. Shame began to fill her once again but she pushed it back down, because she had no reason to feel any shame she had not done anything, she felt for him and his people but she had no part in what happened. She would help him in any way that she could, but not out of guiltl. No she would help him out of friendship.

Hearing his voice her thoughts turning back to the present, listening to his question she wondered. In all honesty she had never been very religious altough most of her family was, it had been so long she had to stop and think about it for a moment, then it came to her, 'Yes the god my family has looked upon was Luieheim. I do not know much just that he was a merciful god who looked after all and protected so long as he was shown allegience. Why have you a need to know this?'

((It wasn't bad you keep me on my toes lol))

"There are more, surely?" Tarn Va Thaeindor asked, surprised. Only one god in their entire land? Where he came from, it was said that there was a god for every person, and more besides. To have only one god...

Tarn Va Thaeindor took another step and another, and soon became familiar with the feel of earth under his feet. It hurt, to be sure, but at least he could move about. He thought of how shamed he would be if he were among the other Aerin Ishtheh and walking like this. Compared to an Aerin Ishtheh's normal gait, this was, well, not even considered walking.

How arrogant they all seemed now, how prideful and confident. Perhaps they weren't bad things to be, but if they saw him now how they would pity him. Pity. He had never before been pitied. He had been looked up to, imitated by his younger brothers and sisters, appreciated, and loved. That was his life before, and now this strange land, language, and face. He looked at Arylia Dumas's face and for barely an instant; he was at peace, his old, normal self.

But then he was back again, and his doubts wandered around his mind, searching for something to cling to. He watched them move about and attach themselves, and felt ashamed. Females were thought of as equals in his world, but here he could not help but feel protectiveness over this girl. And girl she was. Young and innocent. How many years had slipped by her? One hundred? Less? He was well past his thousandth year, and what with his time spent in the darkness, he was probably even older now. If only he could see himself. Would he look different from before?

Tarn Va Thaeindor smiled slightly, imagining the oldest Aerin Ishtheh he had ever met. The man had been twenty thousand years old. He had been alive since the world began, the oldest and most respected and cherished man in all of Keehrr. Twenty thousand years was a long, long time.

"Forgive me, Arylia Dumas, my mind was elsewhere." Tarn Va Thaeindor said suddenly. He had been so immersed in thought that he had not heard her answer.

He questioned whether or not there were more gods and Arylia stated simply, 'I am sure that there are but I only know of the one my family, worship. Also, as I have told you I am not an overly religious elf there may be more that I have not heard of, not attending services and things of the sort. Looking away she started to feel like a petulent child all over again. Her mother constantly upset with her over her decision not to worship as the other elves do. Oh but Arylia you must show praise, you must worship or people will think there's something wrong with you, her mother would say. Arylia did not care though because she was determined to be an individual. Looking back up at Tarn, 'I'm sorry in this area I cannot be of any more help than I have been.'

Standing still she watched him as he began to take some steps, she had to admit it was odd almost like watching an infant walk for the first time, the first few steps were unsteady, the child had to learn to balance themselves before continuing on, and watching Tarn he was pretty much doing the same thing. She winced whenever he did take a step almost like a mother, because she could see it caused him pain, and she was fearful he might fall. So she made sure she was poised and ready should he need her.

He looked at her not for long but for just a moment, and Arylia could feel her face reddening slightly, her heart racing just a bit. He did have an effect on her but what it was she was not sure, but she smiled widely none the less.

He hadn't spoke for a long time, his mind was working overtime though and she took a peek just a small peek, shaking her head she looked at him, 'I am young yes only 110 to be exact,' but realizing that she was wrong for peeking she stopped and changed the tone of her voice immediately, 'I am sorry I should not have taken liberties with your thoguhts but you have been so quiet I let my curiosity get the better of me, but Tarn even though I'm young by elven standards I am still old enough to look after myself, and I am what your god has given you in the way of assistance, so please do not let my age make a difference. Let me help you.' A plea in her voice, as she realized now that she could not let him just walk away from her at this point.

Eleven decades old. Eleven decades! Tarn Va Thaeindor was astonished. He had almost been joking when he said 100 or less. He was ten times as old as her! Still, perhaps elves aged differently from Aerin Ishtheh.

"Arylia Dumas, I would not think less of you because of your age," he stated, slightly perturbed that she would think that he would. It was strange, to be sure, but age was merely a trifle to him. It did not truly matter. Although he was curious to know how long her people lived for. Surely they did not live as long as the Aerin Ishtheh, but long enough, he supposed.

Curiosity! She had looked into his mind out of curiosity. It was offensive, and rude. He had not given permission. Though, truthfully, I did...I did give her permission when I let her look at me. I should not keep secrets from her. My memories, though...at least she cannot read my memories. That would be beyond offensive. That would be a downright disregard for everything the Aerin Ishtheh had been taught. A man's memories are his own. No one has any right to look at another mind without explicit permission. Respect a man's decision. Respect and integrity above all else. Those lessons had been taught to him and all of his brothers and sisters when they were very young.

Tarn Va Thaeindor laughed bitterly when he heard her next words. "My god...my god no longer exists. Not in this place, Arylia Dumas. My god is far from here...in Keehrr, still. I shall never speak to him again." Tarn Va Thaeindor suddenly began to cry again. Tears trickled down his face, which was the picture of righteous misery. How could he ever live without his god? The god he had known since his first breath. The god he had spoken to in times of sorrow, happiness, guilt, and doubt. Why did he let it happen? Why did he let the elves attack us, when it caused him to lose all of his followers?

'Well I am glad that my age does not trouble you,' she said as seriously as she could, all the while she wondered how old he was, but thought it best not to ask. Taking a deep breath she sat down once again suddenly feeling aged, and tired. This was more than she had bargained for, willing to help this stranger might prove to be more than she alone can handle, but she had no one else to turn to right now. She was very much alone, most of her people had left Arda some time ago, her family was scattered all over, friends she once knew made their way to new lands. Suddnely she felt as if the weight of the world had fallen on her shoulders.

When she glanced up at him after mentioning her little peek she could tell he was none too pleased with her, and although she felt bad she did not know what else to do since he had not been forthcoming with information for such a long period of time. But she did realize that what she had done was a complete invasion of his privacy, and she would not do it again. 'I apologize again for the peek it will not occur again I just wish you would be able to share with me what is going through your mind. I am trying with all my heart to help you in any way that I can but it helps me if you talk.' Glad her spell was holding up so they could communicate, she wished he'd use the gift she gave to him.

Closing her eyes for a moment to clear her head a bit, she heard his voice break through and it sounded angry, apparently the thought of loosing his god was troubling him greatly. This was probably something Arylia would never really understand completely, her lack of faith something she had lived with for years. Staring at him squarely, she just told him the truth, 'You have lost a lot yes, and for that I am sorry, unfortunately I do not see any way of gaining it back at this point you are going to have to start life all over Tarn. Letting go of the past is the first step in doing so.'

Arylia Dumas's harsh words made him stop crying abruptly, and he looked at her with a fierce expression on his face.

"You do not know what it feels like, Arylia Dumas. Do not condemn me for this, if you condemn me for everything else. My family, and even my world, I can live without, but my god...he was closest to me. You cannot understand. He was my life, Arylia Dumas, and he has been torn from me so violently, and by your own people. You have no right to speak to me so. No right!" He turned away, trying not to become exceedingly angry with her for stating what he knew to be true. It didn't hurt any less for it. She really did have no right at all. I probably didn't need to mention her race's part in it, though. She will be displeased with me for that, certainly. I am wrong. I should not have spoken to her like that. It is not her fault that she does not understand what it is like. I could never wish my fate upon anyone. Poor girl. Why is she alone, anyway? Do elves not travel in groups like Aerin Ishtheh, or did something happen to her? I know nothing of her memories either. I know nothing of her life. I know her, but not her family, her friends, her world. Strange…

Tarn Va Thaeindor shook his head and turned around again. “Forgive me; I apologize for my irrational behavior. It is only I am distraught, but you are correct in that I need to put the past behind me. I just do not know how to let it all go.” He looked at her with an odd expression on his face, as if trying to puzzle out something unfathomable. Suddenly his expression changed and, miraculously, he beamed. His bright blue eyes glowed with the light of life. “But you know, Arylia Dumas, I believe you have just showed me. I do believe.” A silly grin etched itself on his face and he took a few ponderous steps for doing a stumbling little dance of joy. A breeze picked up suddenly and blew his golden-silver hair in his face, blinding him so that he fell, laughing and astonished, to the ground.

His mention of what her people did to his was like a slap in the face to her. She stared at him briefly before turning away, tears forming in her eyes. No matter what happened between the two of them he would always see her as one of the ones who hurt him and his people, and his comment just proved that.

Maybe it was best to leave him let someone else take care of him, she did not think she could bear to see the look of hatred in his eyes. Tears feel freely now, she could not seem to make them stop his words had hurt her deeply and she could not understand why. All she had tried to do was get him to move on. He would not be with his god here again, that was not her doing or her wish for him, but it happened and he needed to try to move on, that was all she had been trying to say.

When he spoke again she did not turn around right away, she did not want him to see her crying. She took time to wipe her eyes and then turned to him her eyes immediately finding his and locking. He had apologized for what he said but Arylia could not forgive so easily simply because she felt as if this was something, he would not be able to get past. She was about to suggest parting when his expression changed, he smiled such a beautiful smile and despite what she was feeling, she could not help but to return it. Whatever she had said caused him some kind of happiness even if it was just for the moment. He had started to do a silly little dance and she laughed in spite of herself. Not knowing what it was she should say, she stared for a while longer and then watched as he stumbled to the floor. Running to his aid, she heard him laugh as if it was funny. 'What has gotten into you Tarn? Just moments ago you were saddened by your plight and now you are laughing as if you haven't a care.'

Tarn Va Thaeindor struggled to stand, slightly embarrassed by his display. He had a small smile on his face, as if he were laughing inwardly at some unheard joke. He looked at Arylia's confused and slightly concerned face, and his smile grew wider.

"Arylia Dumas, you see this terrible darkness hanging over me, do you not? All I have to do is block it with something bright. Bright like the sun, shining like the stars in all their glory, living, breathing..." his eyes glowed with an unmistakable reverence and love of life. "How could I ever let that darkness destroy it all? It is precious, Arylia Dumas, it is life!" His mind thrilled with the words, and he straightened with a broad grin on his face. "My life is in your debt, Arylia Dumas. I will pay it off all my life if need be." He inclined his head slightly to her. A wave of laughter rolled around inside of him, and he gripped her arms in the hug of great friends.

"Now, where is this forest you were speaking of? I see naught but hard, course sand." He smiled at her and then looked more carefully, searching with his sharp eyes and listening with keen ears. He heard it first, and then saw it. The wind, whistling through trees, albeit strange ones. Then he saw it, a curious smudge on the edge of his vision, which he guessed must be it.

"Ei tsi iyt! Ae air vair vrim iyt," he stated, although she already knew. "Aede kif kol." With that, he began to walk toward the forest. He did not hear her following him, so he turned around and said it again. "Aede kif kol, Arylia Dumas." Her expression was confused again, and he realized with a jolt that he was speaking his own language again. He tried desperately to think of the words he had been using. "I...I..." that seemed to be all he could remember. Tarn Va Thaeindor racked his brains for the words. He would have to learn the language if he was going to live here. "I am..." he gestured toward the forest dispiritedly, then he beckoned her to him.

He started trying to get up but it was proving to be a bit of a challenge, bending down she attempted to help but he was a bit too heavy for her, and she was feeling a bit weak at the moment. She had used her powers and that always drained her a bit, and she still had not fully recharged, but then he smiled at her and she forgot what she was trying to do. At least for the moment. Regaining focus, she just stared at him smiling and somewhat happy. The fact that he could smile in spite of all he has had to endure made her feel that there was hope, made her feel as if he would do well here in Arada.

His optimistic remarks about blocking darkness with light made her smile because now he understood; he understood that it was not wise to dwell on what happened to him or his people only because it would drive him mad if he did. A tragedy like that would do nothing but eat away at you and cause you nothing but grief all the days of your life. 'I am glad that you have decided to see the light instead of the dark, and you are in no debt to me. I am helping you because I want to not because I expect something in return. It's the least I can do,' she said honestly feeling again a pang of guilt.

When he hugged her she took in the scent of him, which caused a shiver, it had been a long time since she experienced any kind of physical contact friend or otherwise. Laughing along with him, she was glad that he was feeling better.

'Oh the forest right right,' she said as he asked about it yet again, it's not that far just up there a bit, she said feeling the breeze begin to pick up as the tide started to roll in for the day. The forest was her other home away from home, often it called to her summoning her to it. It was where she went to rejuvenate, which is what she would need to do soon her powers wearing thin at the moment.

He moved from her and began to walk on his own as if he knew exactly where he was going; she wondered if he could sense it. Standing and watching she heard him speak in that unrecognizable language of his. Her spell must be wearing off, she was not sure she had enough power to recast it. He tried and tried but could barely get the words he needed to out. When he summoned her, to him she got an idea of what he meant and walked to him. 'Tarn can you still understand me?' she asked.

She seemed to understand what he meant, and came to walk beside him. He was beginning to recall some of the words she had spoken, and was translating them in his head. He could not hope to learn the whole language, but he could at least start. It helped that Arylia Dumas's language had the same sentence structure as his own. That was one blessing, at least.

"Tarn, day yi - " The rest he could not understand. He bit his lip, concentrating, and then spoke. "I can." I can. I can try and understand. I will try, and I will succeed. He searched his mind with fresh determination. "I can speak in...in your...your..." he gave a sigh of frustration. What was the word he was looking for? He smiled and shrugged it off, grinning at Arylia Dumas. He gestured again in the direction of the forest, and continued walking at a slightly faster pace than before. He wanted to see trees around him once more. How he longed to be in his own home...but that could never be. At least, not until he learned the magic of this land. Then he would see. Perhaps, if he ever did learn, he would take Arylia Dumas back with him and show her how he lived.

They were pleasant daydreams, but the reality was much more important. He had to learn Arylia Dumas's language, and then any other languages he needed to learn to survive here in...what was this place called again? Arda? A comical name. In his own language, Arda meant aardvark. He gave a short bark of laughter at this, wishing Arylia would understand what he was saying. Apparently, her magic didn't last as long as she would like. She looked frustrated and oddly expectant and hopeful. It pleased him to see her like that.

"Ei g'n leest. I am...pleased?" He was unsure if that was the right word. It actually sounded somewhat similar to his word for it. He was pleased, though. It thrilled him that he would being seeing trees soon. He could hardly wait. Also, he was learning her language more quickly than he had thought possible. He had a scholar's mind, and so perhaps was more adept at comprehension than others of his race might have been. He smiled at Arylia Dumas, and then looked ahead, toward the forest and the beginning of his new life.