The following morning, Edileth declined the offer of joining her companions for a breaking of their fast with the excuse of another headache. Instead, she spent time pacing her chambers, mulling over her situation and what actions she should take. After agonizing for some time, the rothnak selected a piece of fruit from a bowl that had been placed on the low table.

Absentmindedly, she held the fruit up to her lips and allowed it to rest there, untasted. She moved, as though in a trance, to the small window that was positioned on the right-hand side of the chamber. Edileth gazed out at the expanse of grasses, knowing that far below was the Uliedh River, which wound its way to the lake by the same name that was positioned to the South-West of Filne-Semmit.

Edileth sighed and finally partook of the fruit in her hand. After dispensing of the single, large seed, the rothnak took her copy of Aór Mírnen off the small, round table beside the bed. She moved to one of the two chairs in the chamber and sank into the seat. The rothnak opened her book to a random page and stared at the blur of words. Countless times she attempted to read the same passage, and each time her mind wandered, preventing her comprehension of the text before her. The blonde sighed, closed the book, and leaned back to stare up at the ceiling. Eventually, she succumbed to her weariness and closed her eyes.

She was startled awake by a gentle rapping on the door of her chambers. Glancing about, Edileth straightened herself, feeling a slight ache in her neck and back from falling asleep in such an odd position. She stood and moved to the door, releasing a quick yawn as she did so. The rothnak opened the door a crack and peered out to see Yena standing in the hall.

"Edileth, my dear, are you still feeling unwell? No one has heard from you all morning. Sheem stopped by some time ago, but he thought you must have been sleeping."

The healer brushed past Edileth, entering the chambers. It was at this point that Edileth espied the small basket that Yena held. The elder rothnak, set the woven container on the table that held the bowl of fruit. She promptly removed the cloth covering, revealing an assortment of medical herbs and tinctures and a few small parcels. Yena reached in and sorted through the items, selecting one small, glass bottle, a cluster of dried herbs, and one of the packages.

"Here, take this. It helps with headache." Yena proffered the opaque blue bottle. "And if you tie these up near your head at night, it will help prevent headaches in the morning."

The healer held up the bundled herbs as she spoke of their benefits. She then set them on the cloth that had covered the basket and now draped over the table. Finally, the elder rothnak gave the wrapped parcel to Edileth.

"Since you've yet to eat this morning, I brought some food. You must be famished."

Edileth felt the weight of guilt bearing down on her shoulders. Tears sprang to her eyes, unbidden, and she sank into the chair once more. Yena, noting the young rothnak's distress, drew close and crouched before her.

"My dear girl, whatever is the matter?"

"I don't have a headache. I...I have acquired a problem."

"What is this problem that you have so acquired?"

Taking a shaky breath, Edileth began recounting the previous night's experience. After some hesitation, she even confided her feelings. Edileth looked down at her lap, where she could not seem to stop wringing her hands. Throughout her narration, the blonde never made eye contact with Yena, and the healer never interrupted. When Edileth had finished, the elder rothnak took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle pat.

"Edileth, you've nothing to be ashamed of. Your response is natural, and you did not act on your desire. I believe Joenek is likely quite embarrassed by what he did and regrets it. It will be uncomfortable, but I think you should discuss this with him; nothing good ever comes from ignoring a potential problem. Speak with him and be open and honest."

The mind-speaker sighed, barely restraining a roll of her eyes. After clearing her throat, she looked to Yena.

"Thank you for your counsel."

Yena chortled at Edileth's half-hearted expression of gratitude. The healer stood, readjusting the skirting of her gown. She then selected a few more items from the basket and laid them on the table with care. After moving the bundle of herbs from its place atop the fabric and setting it beside a second, the elder rothnak repositioned the white linen over the basket.

"Keep these, and the tincture. With as much contemplating and agonizing as you have been doing this morning, you may very well end up with a headache. Also, I will leave the remaining food with you."

Yena lifted the basket from its place upon the table. Then, turning to face Edileth, she gave one last piece of advice.

"Sheem seemed to be quite worried about you. You might consider visiting with him."

"Thank you, Yena. I shall certainly do so."

"Well, I'm off. I must meet with the healers of the palace. I shall see you when we gather later for our meeting with the Fíthni."

Edileth stood and moved toward the entrance with the healer. She gave a word of parting as Yena started down the hall, before allowing herself to be closed in her chambers, once more. The blonde sighed, her back against the door. At last, she moved back to the table that held all of Yena's gifts.

Edileth unwrapped one of the small food packages. She smiled as she pulled the corners of cloth aside and espied Lennwridh. Common fare in Kerindh, Lennwridh was made from wridh – a somewhat oblong root vegetable – that was partially hollowed out and stuffed with an assortment of vegetables.

The young rothnak took a bite, savoring the delightful tenderness and buttery flavor of the wridh. She felt the sting of tears threatening to fill her eyes and spill over. She was filled with longing for her home among the cascades. After giving a little sniff, Edileth finished chewing her first bite and moved to the wardrobe that stood between the door and the window.

Within the wardrobe was a small array of dresses. One appeared quite resplendent; chiffon in a rich hue of royal blue, with a bodice that was covered with delicate gems and beadwork, and almost gave the illusion of having no sleeves. Another gown was rather elegant, though not quite as much as the first. This dove-gray garment sported feminine layers of organza with short, fluttering sleeves. An assortment of small pearls adorned the scooped neckline, and faded down the bodice. The third and fourth dresses were of a simpler, more practical design, though still not as sturdy as Edileth would prefer.

Heaving a sigh of resignation, and taking another bite of Lennwridh, Edileth took hold of one of the unadorned gowns. She draped the dark-periwinkle garment on the back of the chair and turned back to the wardrobe. In one of the little drawers, she found the necessary underthings. Holding these in one arm, Edileth moved back to the linen dress – realizing as she did so that she needed the use of her other hand. After a moment's pause, the rothnak stuck the Lennwridh in her mouth, and picked up the gown with her now-free hand. She shuffled toward the bed, where she lay her clothes out.

After taking another bite of the food, Edileth set it on the bedside table and changed out of her nightclothes. She slipped into the new attire and finished the Lennwridh in haste. Then, taking another food parcel, she left her chambers and wound her way through the halls. Edileth followed the sense of Sheem's níadh, until she came upon the entrance to a large sitting room. The rothnak paused outside the archway, taking a moment to observe the two elves seated inside.

Sheem was perched, cross-legged, on a richly-cushioned settee. Gentle laughter rose from the chair to his right, where Adhraena sat. A smile played at the corners of Edileth's mouth as she watched the youth finding joy in one another's company.

With practiced stealth, the rothnak snuck toward the two. Adhraena saw Edileth stalking, as the chair she occupied faced the archway. The blonde held a finger to her lips and Adhraena gave the faintest of smiles before shifting her gaze back to Sheem. Prowling toward the oblivious youth, Edileth fought back a surge of laughter. When she finally stood behind him, the blonde glanced at Adhraena and winked. She then leaned close and simultaneously grabbed Sheem's shoulders and whispered.

"I've caught you."

The young lad tensed under her grasp and whipped his head around with remarkable speed. Edileth felt a painful, prickling sensation in her hands and released her grip.

"Golly, Edileth, you really scared me! I didn't even feel your níadh."

Sheem exhaled, as if to dispel the fear that had so affected him.

I apologize for using my hannolle on you.

Nay, 'tis I who must apologize to you. I suppose I received my due punishment for playing a trick on you.

The two mind-speakers laughed, leaving Adhraena in bewilderment.

"What's a...níadh?"

The raven-haired elf looked back and forth between the two.

"It's an elf's mental presence."

Edileth looked to Sheem, feeling a small sense of panic rise within her.

What–

Trust me.

Sheem gave a wide grin.

"Huh?"

"I can sense other elves' minds. Normally, I can tell when Edileth draws near, but this time I couldn't. She must have been quite focused on not being detected."

"Oh."

I feel poorly about not being entirely honest with her, but I get the feeling that she's not ready to know the whole truth, yet.

Mmm...how wise you are...

Again, the two mind-speakers snickered at their mental conversation. Edileth moved around the settee, choosing to seat herself next to Sheem. He readjusted himself, so that he could more easily look between Edileth and Adhraena.

"How have you been enjoying Filne Semmit?" Edileth asked her two younger companions.

"It's wonderful! I've been exploring all over the keep. Did you know, they have three different bathhouses here? And I heard there are more in the city, itself. Also, the kitchens are massive. They have chefs from every country in Greater Naine Mithale."

Edileth chortled at Sheem's enthusiasm.

"Does your mind ever ponder things other than food?"

Edileth reached over and mussed the lad's hair.

"I do think of other things."

Sheem glared in the rothnak's direction, fixing his disheveled mane with a few quick swipes of his fingers. He turned his gaze to Adhraena who had quietly observed the interaction between the two mind-speakers.

"What of you? You joined me on a few excursions, but you seem to prefer spending time in here. Do you not care for the keep?"

"It's not that I don't like it. It's only that I've never seen anything so grand. I'm afraid I'll get lost. And...I don't feel like I belong. Are we staying here for long?"

Edileth felt sympathy for the girl. She, too, struggled with a sense of being out-of-place. She imagined it was far more difficult for Adhraena, who had never known anything save the rowdy halls of the tavern, and its harsh patrons.

"The duration of our stay has yet to be determined. We must need meet with the Elders again, to have a better understanding of what is to be done. A promising turn of events has occurred, though. It may be that we shall all journey home, soon."

A shadow clouded both children's faces.

"What is the matter? Why look you so glum?"

"I can only speak for myself, but...I haven't a home to journey to. What will happen to us when our group is disbanded?"

Edileth felt a surge of emotion fill her at Sheem's words. She fought back tears and cleared her throat before speaking.

"I'm not certain what will happen. But you need not fear being abandoned. We all care about you – both of you – and will ensure that you are looked after."

"Can I go with you? Where is your home? I shall make it mine, as well."

Again, Edileth felt a strong wave of heartbreak, compassion, and joy. Perhaps it was their mental connection, or his lighthearted nature despite facing much hardship, or some other, unknown reason; but whatever the cause, the rothnak felt a special bond with Sheem. Once more, her throat seemed to close, and she had to resist dissolving into tears.

"I live in Kerindh, at the northern border of Gael-Narenth."

She could manage nothing more; she did not need to. Edileth felt Sheem's níadh embrace her own. Without quite realizing it, the rothnak took the boy's hands in her own.

A soft rustling caught Edileth's attention and she shifted her gaze to see Adhraena draw near. The girl knelt beside the two mind-speakers, joining hands with them.

"Might I come, too?"

"Of course; when all of this is over, we shall all go to Kerindh. You two will love it there. We have hundreds of waterfalls, and nigh the entire mountain range is protected by the soldiers of Baron Veshmón Dhainson. That's right; I almost forgot..."

Edileth removed her hands from the pyramid, and reached for the small, belted bag at her waist. She removed the food parcel that she had brought from her chambers and unwrapped it. Inside was another serving of Lennwridh. Taking care not to make a mess, the rothnak broke the piece in half. She handed one half to each of the children before her.

"This is food that is found in Kerindh. It is one of our favorites; everyone loves this. It's called Lennwridh. Lenn, of course, comes from the Sélidhan word for vegetable. And wridh is the name that was given to the root because it only grows along the rocky crags where waterfalls flow. You can find Wridh near almost any tall waterfall, but Kerindh is the only location where they are found in such abundance."

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