Farid stood behind the tree where Roxane slept. The night was all but soothing. Beyond the trees, sea could be heard crashing on the shore. Farid remembered where Dustfinger had shown him how to become invisible by the sea… tears came to Farid's eyes and he bit his lip so hard it bled. No, he could not think of Dustfinger. It was too painful. Still, it was why he was standing behind that tree in the night. From his watch, he could see that Roxane was not sleeping either. The martens chattered crossly at one another, presumably arguing over some sort of prey. The Black Prince had lain beside Roxane, but he was now restlessly roaming around with his bear in the woods. Farid needed to talk to Roxane, no, he needed to talk to Dustfinger. But Dustfinger was… he could not bring himself to say it. Perhaps Roxane could at least tell him where she was planning to lay Dustfinger.
Summoning up all his courage, Farid moved from behind the trees. Roxane looked up at him, full of contempt. He felt like a fool, what was he to say? That he missed Dustfinger more than anyone in the world? Perhaps the words would have came easier if she wasn't so beautiful, so terribly beautiful…
"What is it you want? Leave me alone," she snapped. Whatever feelings of sympathy he had felt for her vanished. Anger bubbled inside him. It was so much easier to be angry at her than sad, for in sadness he felt alone.
When Farid failed to speak, Roxane repeated, "Leave me alone,"
Tears welled up in his eyes faster than he could think to wipe them away. He stood there, shaking in the night as hot tears streamed down his face.
"It's not fair!" he murmured angrily.
"Of course it's not, what did you expect?" she retorted.
How his fists itched to punch out at her! Then he remembered how happy Dustfinger had looked with his arm around her. The memory seemed to burn him more than the fire elves. "You miss him don't you?" he heard Roxane whisper to the martens.
Farid nodded, although the question was not directed to him. She turned to Farid, "Where did Dustfinger go for those ten lost years? He… he said he met you when he was away,"
Farid had no answer. "Far away," he muttered. How could he explain it when he himself barely knew?
Roxane sighed. She was completely lost in thought, contemplating many things, especially the loss of her husband. Gwin crawled up next to her and nipped at her sleeve. On any other day, she would have shooed him away, but not tonight. Farid finally managed to say hoarsely, "Will you tell me where…" his voice trailed off.
"Where I will lay Dustfinger? Certainly not. You've caused enough damage for a lifetime now leave me,"
"But I must know!" he cried.
"No," Roxane looked at Farid as if it was his fault alone for Dustfinger's absence of ten years. Crestfallen, he scooped up Jink and walked off into the night. Shortly after he left, the Black Prince returned. Gwin barred his razor teeth at the bear. The Prince leaned against a tree next to Roxane. He said, "So you've turned away the boy again I see,"
"Yes, I have"
"Do you think he's really Dustfinger's son?"
"Who knows? Still, even if he is, he is not my son, just as Jehnan is not Dustfinger's,"
The Prince made no reply.