"Get what you need now. After that it's go time." She said. The twins let loose a cheer.

*****

Lielay wandered around the Glade with Snappy following behind her; she felt more relieved after her visit with Bear. Lielay needed to share her vision and she thought that Bear felt the same way she did. The path she walked led to the cemetery where her parents lay. Joshua came to mind and she missed him terribly. Her Caleb was gone, her husband, her parents, and other dear friends that passed away. This time, Lielay held back the tears and thought of all the good times she had with these people that were now watching from above. She smiled as she remembered, she laughed, a rare thing for her to do now days. She reached the graveyard and she knew instantly where her parents were. She knelt beside her father's grave and chanted a spell. Flowers sprang up from the ground on his grave and Lielay was very pleased with herself. She heard a faint chant in a far away voice, she listened, it was a spell her father would use often, and it would always cheer Lielay up. After spending time at her parents' graves, Lielay walked off to a different part of the graveyard, the part where the poachers were buried. Lielay searched for the headstone, she didn't even know the man's name, but she knew she would know which one it was, that's if he even died.

"Disgusting isn't it?"

Lielay whirled about and faced a human ranger leaning against a tree with her bow at her feet. Her arms were crossed across her chest and her brown hair was done up in a tight bun. Her face was frowning and her eyes stared at Lielay. Her jaw was square, but elegant.

"What is?" Lielay said confused.

"These monsters of men. I'm glad that they're dead. They killed my father." She spat on the grave next to her.

"I'm sorry. My parents were also killed by poachers when I was young."

"How I can relate to you."

"I'm Lielay Liltreehuggr." Lielay nodded her head.

"Joy al'Der." She nodded back.

Snappy jumped on Lielay's boot, " Oh yes, and this is Snappy." The both laughed.

*****

Mirk stood in front of the mirror that Albain stood in a while ago admiring himself. Mirk touched the new robes he wore and adjusted them. Albain stood by the door and leaned against the frame. He laughed while he watched the expression on Mirk's face change. "That's your color." Albain finally said.

"I don't know. Light blue? I like black robesss." Mirk frowned.

"It's time to get you out of the dark and into the light, my friend. And you have me to guide you." Albain joked.

"I'm following you?" Mirk laughed.

"What you don't like my color?" Albain chuckled.

"Red and orange," Mirk shook his head, "and a light cloak to go with it." He tilted his head.

"Hey, I didn't pick it, those halflings did. Well, let's go to the celebration! I'm starved." Albain jumped out the door and flew down the tiny staircase.

Mirk followed and with one last glance at the mirror, he winked at himself. His tail twitched as he walked. Happiness warmed his cold scales as he left the Mayor's house. Albain waited for Mirk a way off with eagerness in his eyes. Mirk didn't understand elves before he met Albain, but slowly he did and he smiled. Joining Albain the two left for the town square where the party was being held. Mirk knew now that he finally had a friend he could trust and that didn't care if he was an iksar or not. Mirk moved his head; it felt lopsided without his other horn. He touched the bandages and quivered.

Albain stared at him. "No one's going to care if you only have one horn."

"It'sss not that, I'm afraid Valamora will come back sssoon and dessstroy thisss village."

"The halflings have lots of deputies stationed around, so let's party!" Albain acted like a child.

The two entered the square, but the celebration had already begun. In the corner a group of halflings played lutes, trumpets, and so on, it was a cheerful fast tune. Food was placed on tables that were spread around and many children were picking at the sweets. Elves, humans, the barbarian, the two gnomes, and a few dwarves were scattered among the crowd of halflings. In the middle of the square there was dancing, the mayor was clapping his little hands gleefully as he watched. Albain and Mirk walked over to him, he smiled as the two approached.

"So, you've finally decided to join us, have you?" Mayor Gubbin laughed.

"Yes, but only for a short time because we really need to find Lielay." Albain clasped his hands together.

"Well, enjoy the party while it last!" he shook Albain and Mirk's hands.

*****

Joy had shown Lielay into her house and sat talking with her around a small stump that was the table. Snappy was busy trying to catch a fly buzzing about as Joy's songbird sat on its perch watching the lion. Lielay and Joy shared their sad stories about their parents and poachers with each other. Once they were done, Lielay started to tell Joy all about her adventures. Lielay had actually amazed herself as what she had done. Joy was overwhelmed with what she heard; she jumped at the more dramatic parts and gasped when danger stuck.

"So where is this Albain you've mentioned?" Joy chuckled.

"He's probably still in Rivervale." Lielay said simply.

"Why isn't he here though?"

"I ran away because I need some time away from him."

"Oh." Joy blushed a bit.

Snappy paced back and forth in front of the door looking at Lielay with big eyes. He meowed. "Time for Snappy to have a walk." Lielay got up and opened the door.

Joy followed Lielay out of the house. Snappy pranced and leaped over bushes to stretch his legs. Lielay smiled as she and Joy watched Snappy try to get Nightingale, Joy's pet songbird. Nightingale flew low, teasing Snappy as he jumped hopelessly around; the little songbird chirped. From behind them, the man that tagged Snappy tapped Lielay on the shoulder.

"Excuse me miss, are you, by any chance Lielay Liltreehuggr?"

"Yes, why?" Lielay stood up.

"A messenger dropped this off," he held up a letter, "said he'd been trying to find you for some time. It's all the way from Kelethin."

"Thank you, sir." Lielay took the letter. Lielay stared at the letter for a while until finally she tore it open. The letter read:

Dear Lielay,

So how are your travels going with Caleb? Has he been a little troublemaker? If so, tell him Uncle Joshua wants to talk to him. Anyway, I would like to inform you that Birria and I are going to be wed next month on the fifth. We would be very grateful if you and Caleb would join us on our happy occasion. Well write back soon, baby sister.

Sincerely,

Joshua Liltreehuggr & Birria Stargazer

P.S. Marcus is dying to play with Caleb and hear what he has done.

Lielay folded the letter back up and put it in her pant pocket. A tear fell down her face and splashed to the ground. Joy stood up and patted Lielay's shoulder. "Bad news?" Joy asked.

"Huh? Oh. No, my brother is getting married to my best friend next month."

"That's wonderful, but why are you crying?"

"The letter. it mentions my son. My brother, Joshua, wants me to bring him."

Joy bowed her head, "I'm sorry Lielay."

*****

Hours later Albain, Mirk, and everyone else were gathered around the mayor. He summoned the crowd to quiet down so he could speak, "I would like to present two gifts to Master Albain for his heroic deed."

Albain interrupted, "You don't have to do that." His pointed ears turned a dull pink.

"I insist. First, I would like to award him with this medal," he placed it on Albain's neck by standing on a box, "and I would also like to present him this parchment of paper." He smiled. There was confused looks on every face, the mayor laughed, "Since I know the stable-master very well all the way at Shar Vahl in Luclin," the crowd grew excited, "this is a letter granting Albain a horse of his pick. Shar Vahl has bred some of the best horses ever." The mumble from the crowd was like bee's buzzing loudly, they then broke out into applause.

"Thank you very much." Albain's smile was now a grin that covered his whole face. He shook the mayor's hand again and again.

An hour later, Albain and Mirk left Rivervale with their packs bulging with supplies. They stopped at the fork in the path in Kithicor, deciding what path Lielay took. The two took their chances and headed towards the Pass. As they were walking, a crunching of leaves and running feet was heard from behind. Albain turned his head around and saw Kanoldar waving his hand at them franticly. Albain groaned and turned his back to him. Mirk eyed Kanoldar and spotted his clumsy air element pet gliding behind him.

"Albain wait! Wait for me!" the magician shouted.

Albain waited until the high elf caught up, "What do you want?" Albain sneered.

"I'm coming with you." He panted.

"Why?" Mirk added.

"Because I'm heading that way. I'm going to Qeynos."

"And that makes you special or something." Albain said coldly.

"Well, I just thought I could go with you since your headed in that direction, aren't you?"

"Yesss, but how do you know if we are going to Qeynosss or not?" hissed Mirk.

"OK, the places don't matter anymore. I just want to go with you till as far as you go, then I will leave." He brushed back his white-blonde hair.

"Fine. Just don't slow us down." Albain stalked off with Mirk on his heels. Kanoldar walked beside him and his element following behind.

*****

The next day, Lielay and Joy were outside again watching Snappy pounce on anything that moved. The gentle breeze made the leaves sway and flutter to the ground. Light penetrated the forest floor and the sun gleamed bright on the yellow flowers that grew by Joy's house.

"I think I have to go back and apologize to Albain." Lielay said.

"You have to talk to him sooner or later."

"Yes I know. say would you join me to go to Rivervale?"

"Sure why not. I've been dying to leave here anyway. When do we go?" Joy smiled.

"Today if possible." *****

Valamora, Durk, Puma, Palou, and the twins were moving very fast and slyly through the Commonlands. Valamora's temper was on the edge due to the twins. They thought it would be funny to tick off a puma; the cat attacked and wasted their time. Valamora didn't want to lose any time because Mirk and the elves could have left Rivervale by now. Erin walked behind everyone whimpering, his hand was wrapped in bandages. When Valamora lost her temper she sliced his hand to show him she had no mercy and wanted to continue without interruptions.

"Quit your blubbering, Erin, or I'll give you something to cry about. Next time, don't slow us down."

Almost instantly Erin was silent; Aaron looked at his brother and shrugged. Puma was ahead of the group scouting; he would run ahead, look around, wait until the group caught up, report what he saw, and do it all over again. Palou still carried the long sword that he used to kill the elf he stole it from; it slapped his thigh as he ran. Durk knew that blood was going to be spilt once they found Mirk and the wood elves. His green eyes now had a glint of red burning in them. They moved as if they were like a wolf pack, Valamora the leader and the others the underdogs. Valamora took great pride in being the leader and the most feared; at the moment Erin was the one that feared her the most.

"How much longer?" grunted Palou. "I don't know, it all depends on how fast you fat asses can run." Valamora took off he black cloak.

*****

"No." Albain sat firmly.

"Come on, its just one small stop." Kanoldar pleaded.

"No. You said you wouldn't slow us down."

"Fine, Nevermind. It's just one spell." The high-elf sighed.

Albain rolled his eyes as he, Mirk, and Kanoldar left the Pass. He expected to be well into the Karanas by now, but they had delays. Albain and Mirk had caught lots of attention while traveling through the Pass; they were still dressed in their brightly colored party clothes. Men shouted at them calling them "pretty boys" and such. Women were also as bad, but they would walk next to them and say it. Mirk felt like he was being paraded in front of the people for an entertainment group of some sort. He hissed at Albain telling him that black was his color, not blue. Albain wished he had, had some darker clothes given to him or otherwise changed before they left. Kanoldar laughed the whole time, sometimes even egging the people on. But they were out of the Pass and were far away from all the mocking citizens. Albain hoped he would find Lielay somewhere ahead of him. He bit his bottom lip and continued on.

*****

"Are you done?" Lielay asked Joy.

"Just about, got to get Nightingale." Joy hurried around her house, "OK, I'm done." She came out and locked the door. Nightingale sat on her shoulder.

"I guess I'm ready too." Lielay sighed and patted her leg for Snappy to come.