A week passed with no excitement, except over the fact that the elves had set up their camp just outside of Splethantown. Everyone had expected them to move on to the castle at Reebal, where the king lived, and then go on to... somewhere. Wherever it is that elves go after winning a war for someone else. No one really expected them to stay in the country of Halet. But apparently they either liked Splethantown, or were just resting up for the remainder of their journey.

I hadn't seen any of them in all that time. In fact I'd barely been outside of the bakery at all. Adeem insisted that he do the morning run to the mill and back, and whenever there were other errands to attend to he always volunteered to go. Renai said that he was trying to make up for being gone, and I didn't mind letting him, as it meant that I could stay inside.

Spring was upon us, but the past few weeks had been slightly chillier than was usual for this time of year. I was constantly grateful that I worked in a bakery where ovens ran non-stop. I was just taking out a pan of rolls from one of the said ovens when I heard the front door open and close again. I then heard Renai get up out of her rocking chair and greet whoever had come in.

"Oh, oh, welcome, welcome! Yes, please, come in, is there something specific that you need, or would you like to look around?" I thought it must have been some noble that had just walked into the bakery, with how Renai was speaking. She always got nervous when someone like that came, and I could just imagine her with a giant, friendly smile on her face, fidgeting and wringing her hands.

"No, thank you, I am not here to buy anything," I heard the seemingly important person say. Then what could he possibly want? "I am looking for a young woman named Claresa. Do you know her?" I froze, the pan of rolls still in my hands. Who was he, and how did he know my name?

"May I ask your name, and why you want to see her?"

I heard a change in Renai's voice. She was suspicious, and so was I. I quickly put the pan of rolls on a cooling rack, then peeked out of the doorway separating the shop from the kitchen. I couldn't believe my eyes.

It was the elf that had helped me with the flour last week, standing right there on the other side of the shop counter. Renai was facing him, her back to me, and the elf woman I'd seen with him before was standing behind him. Her dark eyes glanced my way, and she cleared her throat, catching his attention, and nodded at me.

As his bright eyes settled on me I felt that same sense of timelessness, like we could both stay that way for ever. It was making me slightly nervous that he seemed to possess the power to completely stop me in my tracks.

"Claresa?" Renai asked, the sound of her voice breaking the spell. I looked at her, grateful for the excuse to avoid his captivating eyes. "He says that he's been looking for you. Do you know him?" She was glancing between us warily.

"He's the one that helped me with the flour the day Adeem came home," I explained.

"Lorien," he said, introducing himself again. He sidled down the length of the counter so that he was standing in front of me instead of Renai. I tried not to get caught in his stare this time, but it was very hard. "How are you? Well, I hope."

"Yes, quite well."

"I apologize for how long it's been, but, well... there was a lot of discussion about what happened, and then after everyone was convinced I had to come and find you again, and that was no easy task believe me. But now everything can move forward, isn't it fantastic!"

He said all of this at such a fast pace I could barely keep up, let alone understand what was being said. ...How long it's been... discussion about what happened... everyone was convinced... everything can move forward...??????? He was looking at me, expecting an answer. And I said the only thing that was going through my mind.

"What in the world are you talking about?" His face fell, but what else could I say? I had no idea what he was going on about, and the only way for me to know was for him to explain himself.

"What am I... the Alushaliel, of course." He said the strange word with such reverence.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what that is." He face fell even more, if that was possible.

"I knew that humans were ignorant, but I had no idea it was this bad..."

"Excuse me?"

"No, no, Claresa, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry, this is not going at all how I thought it would..."

"Perhaps we should come again when there is time to explain everything," the elf woman said.

"I think you'd better explain now," I said, a bit frustrated and impatient to know what was going on.

"The Alushaliel is not something to be discussed in this manner," the elf woman said sternly. "Come Lorien. It is time to go."

"But-"

"You asked me to be your shapar, did you not?" Lorien nodded sullenly. "I am only doing my duty. Please wait outside."

Lorien caught my eye for just a moment, then turned and went out the door, leaving Renai, the elf woman, and myself alone in the shop. As soon as the door closed the elf woman took a step towards me.

"Please forgive Lorien. He's always been excitable and impulsive, and, well... circumstances have not helped in those areas."

"What circumstances? Will you please tell me what is going on?"

"As I said, the Alushaliel must be spoken of with the utmost care and respect. This situation is quite unusual for it to have to be explained. But you will know, soon, I hope. Do you live here?"

The question was so abrupt, I could only nod in the affirmative. "Then we shall come again, tomorrow, perhaps. If you are agreeable?"

Again I only nodded. None of this was making any sense to me, but it seemed that the only way to find out more was to see these strange elves again. The she-elf took another step towards me and reached her arm across the counter. "I apologize, I never did introduce myself. I am Varen of Valenass." I was hesitant to return the gesture. What if what happened with the other elf happened with this one? The feelings were confusing and unnerving, to say the least. But could I really refuse to shake hands with one of our elven saviors? Reluctantly, I gave her my hand, and to my relief nothing out of the ordinary happened, although instead of shaking my hand she just squeezed it firmly. "Lorien has asked me to be shapar for the both of you."

"Shapar?"

"It means that whenever you and Lorien are together, I will also be there, to make sure that all customs and proprieties are kept. Are you married?" Again an abrupt and seemingly unrelated question, but this one warranted an actual response.

"No, certainly not!"

"Very good. Do not worry, Claresa. Everything will be brought to your knowledge in full. And please, give Lorien a chance. He only wants to make you happy." With that she released my hand and left out the front door. I caught a glimpse of Lorien trying to peek inside before the door closed, and was yet again trapped in his green eyes for just a moment.