"Chataya has informed me that you are invited to come with us to Reebal," Lorien blurted out, the first to crack. "And I understand that it's not ideal, leaving everything that you know, but I just can't bear the thought of being separated from you! These last few days have been utter torture, not knowing if you are alright, not seeing your face, not being able to touch you- ah, sorry, that probably sounds extremely inappropriate, especially coming from a person you hardly know, but that's just it! I know I am your Aliel, and you are mine, and being apart is not how it is meant to be! So, if you do not come, then I must stay, and-"

"Wait! Just, wait." Obeying my command, Lorien closed his mouth, a worried expression on his face. "I have been thinking on this decision the last few days. I've been thinking long and hard about all of this." I paused, trying to gather my thoughts. Varen had not been exaggerating about his probable response if I decided to stay. Would he really do that? Leave behind all of his responsibilities, his people, for me? I looked up into his face, and was once again caught in his endlessly brilliant green eyes.

I could see it. The longing, the loneliness, the fear. And a hope of deliverance. The depths of his emotions all laid out for me to see. How much longer do I have to wait?

How am I seeing all of this? Can he see the same in me?

I somehow managed to break eye contact, a little unnerved by the possibility of him seeing those most vulnerable parts of myself. I looked down at our clasped hands. I remembered the feeling of comfort and awe he had awakened with his touch the day we met.

"It's so strange," I said, still looking down.

"What? What is strange?"

"That I believe all of this. Or rather, that I want to believe it. I really do. But I must tell you Lorien... that I am afraid." Lorien squeezed my hand, and I looked up again.

"What are you afraid of?" he asked gently. I let out a sigh.

"I am afraid of this magic. I am afraid that I will not live up to your expectations of me, whatever they may be. And I am afraid that this is all just a big mistake."

"Why do you want to believe it, if you have all of these doubts?"

"Because... I feel your sincerity. I can't explain it. I know that there is... something, between us. Whether it's magic or not I don't know for sure."

"But it is, Claresa," Lorien said reassuringly. "It is the purest form of magic we know of. And I assure you that there has been no mistake. There simply can't be." There was another moment of silence. Lorien began stroking the back of my hand with his thumb, which was oddly comforting. Being so close to him again just felt... right. The thought of being apart was quickly becoming a most distasteful idea.

I suppose my mind has been made up.

"I can't believe I'm saying this... but I want to go. To Reebal."

"Really!?!" Lorien almost shouted. "You'll come with me?"

"Yes, I will." Lorien threw the blankets off of himself and leapt up out of the bed, pulling me up out of the chair, holding me close as he began to dance in the confined space.

"Ah, my Aliel, my dear Claresa! You have made me the most happiest of elves!"

"Lorien! Are you sure you should be out of bed, you still need to heal!" But I couldn't help but laugh as he lifted me off of my feet. I clung to him as we spun around, surprised once again at his strength, especially after being wounded.

"Oh, I'm quite recovered, don't worry," he said, setting me down gently. Some of his long white hair fell forward, brushing my face as he looked down at me. "The healers are just being overly cautious."

"Well, they can't have the Vale-heir dying on them, can they?" Lorien had a puzzled look on his face, then a slow smile crept across his face.

"Ah. You're joking. I understand." I giggled, very much doubting that he did.

"Do you now?"

"I think I am beginning to understand the intricacies of human interaction via humorous statements." I raised an eyebrow. "I am! Why, I made a joke to your Baron just yesterday, and he laughed almost immediately!"

"Wait, what? Baron? You mean Lord Calrieg? What was he doing here?"

"Well, uh... I um... Varen told me, that is, she relayed what you told her about needing an audience with the Baron in order to ask for your hand in marriage, as your traditions dictate-"

"You asked him that? Without telling me!?!" I took a step back, my mind reeling.

"Claresa, please, don't be upset. I just wanted to make sure that everything was in order if you decided to accept the claim of the Alushaliel. And anyways, he didn't give it-"

"What!?!"

"Well, just as we've never heard of a human and an elf being claimed, he'd never had an elf come to him asking to marry a human. He said we needed to go and ask the king himself."

"The king?" Lorien nodded. "Are you serious? You're not trying out a joke on me are you, because it's not funny!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"No, no, I'm not joking. I am telling you the truth. That's what he said, honestly."

"I can't believe this... how are we going to... Why would you do that? Why would you ask him without me? And without my approval?" Lorien looked down at the ground sheepishly.

"Lord Calrieg did let me know that it was customary for both parties to be present. I am sorry, Claresa, I see that I have upset you, and I'm so sorry. I promise, from now on I won't do anything like that ever again. I just..." Lorien sighed, then looked back up at me, remorse etching his features. "If I am being honest, I was getting impatient. I was stuck here," he gestured to the bed, "until the healers said I could leave, I hadn't seen you in days... and I've waited such a long time. That tradition just seemed to be one more thing standing in the way. I thought if I could get that done, there would be less to do once I had recovered. I see now that it was unfair to not give your traditions as much credence as my own. For all of this," Lorien paused to kneel on the ground, "I humbly ask your forgiveness."

"... I forgive you, Lorien." He looked up as I approached him, taking his hands to bring him to a standing position. "But I will hold you to that promise. Do not, ever, do something like this again. Especially not with the king."

"I swear it," Lorien said earnestly. I gave him a small smile.

"Thank you. I know you didn't mean to make a mess of it."

"I suppose my lessons on human intricacies are not complete. It's possible they never will be."

"Well, we'll have plenty of time for more lessons during the journey to Reebal, won't we?"