Earwen was spellbound by her sister's tale of escaping the goblins. Magic was draining and dangerous. Use it for too long and you could deplete your life force to the point of literally withering away—like Amara nearly had. Earwen had not been blessed with magic, and she had always envied her sister's abilities a little. She watched as Eramire's expression sparked with excitement over her newfound ability of nature magic, but something was different. Her once solid blue eyes were now shattered with gray fractures, unnoticeable except to someone who knew her completely. Small circles lay beneath her eyes, a sign of her well-hidden exhaustion. Earwen feared her sister had been changed forever.

Then she mentioned the creature that had visited her cell and the dark words it had spoken. Earwen's blood turned to ice. She had never heard of a morhatar. Her sister's description of the earthen golem sent her mind reeling. They could warn Taiman when they reached the city, but what about Celeblas?

Thorindir looked concerned. He shared a glance with the elf princess. They would have to send news to Celeblas about this new threat. But this thought was pushed away by Faleon entering the story. He relayed how he had tricked the goblins, and panic bubbled in her. She glanced at Thorindir and watched realization and alarm spread over his face.

"So you can make people see things or trick their minds?" Thorindir's voice was filled with mistrust.

Faleon clearly saw the danger. "Goblins are lesser beings. Their minds are easily influenced," he soothed, as if talking to a foolish child.

Thorindir stood, furious. "You did not answer my question. Can you influence people?"

Faleon's smirk had vanished at the vehemence in the elf general's voice. "Tread carefully, my friend, lest you say things you regret. Did I not just save your queen? I don't understand why my loyalty is still in question."

"Because you keep important information such as fire drakes and magical abilities a secret."

"Are you so devoid of all secrets, my good man? Am I to believe you don't have your share of things you're holding back?"

Earwen watched the two men stare at each other. She waited for Thorindir to reply, but the two seemed to be having a silent war.

Eramire stood and fixed both men with a disapproving glare. "We need to put aside our differences and agree to work together. If we don't reach Taiman united, how can we possibly persuade them to help us?"

Thorindir looked at Eramire in shock. "So you want to just continue to allow this man to travel with us? He may be on our side now, but does rescuing you prove his trustworthiness?"

Eramire placed her hand on Faleon's shoulder. "I believe it does."

Her obvious declaration made Earwen's heart sink at the devastating effect it had on Thorindir. How could her sister be so oblivious? Part of Thorindir's resistance was from jealousy, though she doubted he realized it himself.

"There was a time when you never would have questioned my judgment," he said, and Earwen watched the knife hit low as sorrow spread on her sister's face, but it was quickly replaced with anger.

"I won't throw away valuable allies because you are unnecessarily cautious."

Earwen winced and watched as Thorindir strode away, furious.

Eramire moved to follow, but Earwen caught her hand.

"Don't. You'll only make it worse."

The elf queen jerked her arm away and walked in the opposite direction.

"Well, that was very interesting," Faleon said, an impish grin on his face.

Earwen glared at him. "We would have fewer interesting conversations if you were less cheeky."

"No promises" was the reply.

Earwen rolled her eyes, vexed by his nonchalant attitude. She went after Thorindir, hoping to undo some of the damaging words.

***

Thorindir walked through the trees, smacking hanging boughs and branches out of his way. Since when did Eramire disregard his opinions—and not only that but take the side of a complete stranger?

He slowed his angry pace through the sun-dappled woods. Everything was vibrant green, brimming in the peak of life. Wildflowers dotted the ground. Butterflies and birds floated through the air. He came to a long-decayed stump that better fit his mood and sat on it, putting his head in his hands. Ever since Eramire had returned, his life and emotions had been thrown into chaos. He groaned, rubbing his forehead. And with Amara and Faleon in the mix...he was at a loss over what to do with two untrustworthy, unpredictable loose cannons sharing their quest. Amara was so reckless. Lashing out, inflicting wounds heedlessly.

But Faleon he mistrusted for a different reason. On top of the fact that he had trained Amara in her violent ways and that he worked for Goroth, he always seemed to know more than he said, and this made Thorindir all the more uneasy.

"Hey." Earwen's soft voice broke into his racing thoughts.

He looked up.

"Hey," he replied somber.

She was smiling at him sadly. "Some people are blind to the feelings of others," she said gently.

Thorindir smiled and shook his head. Sometimes Earwen was so wise. She always knew what he was feeling.

"I'm losing her more now than when she left all those years ago. At least I had the memory of the look in her eyes, the sorrow she felt at leaving. But I never expected her to forget me so easily."

He looked up at the young elf. "I never forgot."

Earwen knelt before him, cupping his face with tender hands. "I know, but don't think for a second that she doesn't care for you. We still need you. I still need you."

Thorindir laid one of his hands over hers. "You have grown so wise and strong." He searched her face. "Where is the young girl who climbed trees to avoid balls and went to training with me in secret?"

Earwen laughed, and the sound was like balm on old wounds. "She is still here. I just hold back my wildness better now."

"Better than Amara, anyway."

Thorindir quickly regretted his words as Earwen grimaced and sat on the ground next to him.

"I didn't come to talk about Amara. I came to talk about you and Eramire."

Thorindir looked away, studying the trees.

"You're jealous."

Earwen's simple words had an instantaneous effect.

"Jealous!" he cried out, indignant.

Earwen gave him a knowing look. "Yes, jealous."

"I am not jealous of that criminal who's somehow worked his way into our midst."

"Thorindir," Earwen said patiently.

"I knew you both so well, Cricket. I thought it was going to be like it was before. I never expected—"

"She would look at someone else?" Earwen finished for him.

Thorindir glared hard at the grass, as if it were suddenly highly offensive.

"I don't think she even realizes that's how it appears. But I promise you that she doesn't feel anything for Faleon," Earwen tried to reassure, but his scowl did not lessen.

"I am not blind, Earwen. She never said she loved me. Not even in the end." This admission cost him.

"I know," she replied, then added, "but that doesn't mean she doesn't."

Thorindir stared at her, his expression miserable. "She doesn't," he said, a hint of finality in his tone. "Not the way I want her to." He stood, agitated, and paced, boots squishing in the thick grass.

"I've lost you both once. It feels like I'm losing you all over again. She plans to leave as soon as the quest is finished." He paused. "If we survive."

"I will not go back."

A knowing smile spread over Thorindir's lips. He turned back to the young elf, taking in her stubborn expression. "Ever rebellious."

"I love Rhovamben. If I'd had a choice, I never would have left. You remember how I begged?"

Thorindir nodded sadly. "Oh, I remember. I remember feeling as if my very heart were being torn in two."

"You hide your feelings well," Earwen said.

Thorindir smirked. "Yes, well, I could never hide them from you."

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"Love her anyway." Thorindir sighed.

Earwen stood and hugged the elf man. "My sister is foolish."

Thorindir rested his chin on the crown of her head. "I am foolish. At least I know I will still have you when this is all over."

Earwen drew back and smiled up at him. "They will have to drag me kicking and screaming from this land. I will not leave a second time."

Thorindir shook his head. "Fate help the man that turns your head. He will have to be very special to get by me." He tipped her chin. "And handle you."

"Good," Earwen replied. "For then I shall have only the best." She gave him a mischievous look. "And no one will ever be able to handle me."

Thorindir laughed. "Come," he said, looping her arm through his. "Let's go back to the others."

Just as they turned away, a large black horse burst through the trees only a few feet away.

"Amara!"

Thank you so much for reading!

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