Author's note: Well, here I am again, a year older than I was the last time I posted…I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year. Let's pick up where we left off, shall we?

Trouble Starts

"Thariin?" Reeva called softly. Thariin looked up, startled, and slid the door closed behind her.

"I'm sorry…did I wake you?"

"No…I was worried. You've been gone a very long time."

"Oh. Sorry, I was just…I didn't realise I was so long. I won't do it again."

"Thariin, it's all right. I just didn't know you wanted to go off. Just let me know in future, ok?"

"I will. I'm sorry." She looked hesitantly towards the bedrooms.

"Go on. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Good night."

Left alone, Reeva sat back down and stared into the fire. She'd been sitting for only a few minutes when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" she called softly, trying not to wake the children. Merrick slipped into the room, waving her back to her chair and hunkering next to her.

"Merrick…is something wrong?"

"No…" He looked up at her. "Where was Thariin tonight?"

"Out. She took Alos his supper, after you left, and she's just come back a few minutes ago. Why?"

"Princess Shayla and I were at the temple. And I saw someone on the west side. It looked like Thariin."

"The west…Merrick, there's no way through on that side. The trees grow like a wall. No one could get through."

"I know that." Merrick agreed. "But I know I saw someone." He looked back at the fire. "Where did she go?"

"She didn't say. Merrick, I don't think she means us any harm."

"No. I don't think she does." Merrick agreed, rising to his feet. "I have to return to the palace. I'll come and see you when I can." Reeva nodded, also rising.

"Be well, Merrick."

"Thariin?"

Thariin looked up. "Yes, Lrona?"

"Can we go out of the city?"

"Why?" Lrona sat down beside her, dropping her doll.

"I want to see what's out there." Thariin shrugged.

"Trees, grass, the temple."

"Can we go to the temple?"

Thariin frowned. "I don't think we're allowed go to the temple. Are we?"

"Just out of the city, then. Please? I want to see the trees." Thariin smiled faintly.

"We'll ask your mother. All right?" Lrona pouted.

"Mama will say no."

"Why?"

"I don't know. She never lets me go out of the city."

"Perhaps she would if I were with you." Lrona's face lit up.

"Do you think so?"

"Won't know 'till we go ask, I guess. Ah…" she reached out and snatched Lrona's hand. "Come and help me tidy up."

"Oh, but…"

"No buts, Lrona. You played with the dolls, you have to tidy them." Lrona sighed loudly and bent to pick up the dolls. Thariin followed her towards the house, picking up the dolls she'd dropped in her haste.

"…please, Mama? Thariin says she'll look after me and we won't be long, please? We'll be careful." Thariin smiled as Reeva looked up.

"Your idea, Thariin?" Reeva demanded.

"No, Reeva. Lrona came up with it on her own."

"Oh, did she." Reeva looked back at Lrona, who concentrated on looking angelic.

"Please, please, please, Mama? We'll be very careful. Please?"

"Oh…" Reeva sighed. "I suppose the scared animals won't let anything happen. Stay within sight of the city, understand? And don't stay out too long."

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Thariin caught Lrona on her third circuit of the room. "Settle, Lrona. I'm not taking you out if you're going to be like that." Lrona sobered and stood calmly. "Reeva, may we take a basket?"

"Not this time. Prove you'll be back on time, and next time you can take a basket. Understand, Lrona?"

"Yes, Mama." Lrona said obediently.

["And that started their trips out of the city." Merrick shifted slightly. "Reeva told me they'd been going for a month or more before I found out. Always towards the temple."

"Why the temple?" Cole asked.

"Don't know. Thariin said Lrona was picking the direction, since she didn't know the area well enough." He shrugged. "I didn't ask. I didn't care. They were safe where they were, and I…"

"You had the princess to think about." Cole said softly. "Then what?"

"I met them one day."]

Merrick was surprised to hear the voices.

It wasn't unknown; people did come to the temple, to leave gifts or thanks for the animals who dwelt there. But it was unusual for anyone to come while he and the princess were there. So he left the courtyard to see who it was.

And found Thariin and Lrona sitting outside. At least, Lrona was sitting. Thariin was standing over her.

"What are you two doing here?" he demanded.

"Don't ask me." Thariin said in some disgust. "This was Lrona's idea."

"I want to see the Princess." Lrona said calmly.

"Today is not a good day." Merrick glanced back at the temple. "Go home, Lrona, and I'll bring you to see her another day."

"Thariin does a trick." Lrona announced out of the blue.

"Does she." Merrick wasn't really listening.

"Yeah. She can make the trees move."

"Really."

"Yep. We went all the way up to the west wall. It's pretty." Merrick turned to look back at her, frowning.

"The west wall? Thariin?"

"Doesn't she have an active imagination? Lrona, we have to go now. 'bye, Merrick." And before Merrick could say anything she'd hustled the girl away.