Author's note: True_Blue, when was your birthday? Get anything good? I won't ask how old you are, 'cos that's rude. Happy birthday!

Ahem. Anyone else who reviewed, thank you.

Words not Meant

["That was the first time I really thought about Thariin." Merrick said. "Before that she was just another person Reeva was trying to help. My sister was always one to help the underdog." Cole nodded patiently. "But that…it made me think. If Thariin could make the trees move…" He shook his head again. "I understand magic, I understood it then. I knew there was no spell that could do that. And that worried me. So as soon as I could, I went to Reeva's house."]

"Thariin!"

Thariin looked up in surprise at the hail. "Merrick. This is a surprise."

He smiled, taking her basket and falling into step beside her. "I had some free time. I was on my way to see Reeva, actually."

"She's at the herbalist." Thariin offered. "Lrona woke up with a sore throat this morning." Merrick nodded, pacing along beside her.

"Tell me something, Thariin." he said finally.

"Yes?"

"What Lrona said. About the trees." Thariin smiled.

"You know children. Big imaginations."

"You didn't answer the question." She smiled again…ruefully, this time.

"No, I didn't. Should have known you'd catch that." She tilted her head. "The important thing, though, is that I mean no harm to anyone here, or to the city as a whole. Does that help at all?"

"Words are easy."

"That's true. So tell me what to do to prove them to you."

"What did Lrona mean?"

"The problem here," her voice changed, becoming very business like, "is that when I explain this to people they almost invariably drive me out of town. The other problem is that you can probably drive me out of town on your own, so I guess I'm not risking much. What Lrona meant was that I talk to trees and control them. I moved them out of the way so she could see the west wall."

"How?" He shook his head. "And why?"

"The why is easy…she wanted to see. Part of the history of the animals is painted on that wall, you know."

"I know."

"Lrona wanted to see it. So I showed her."

"How?"

"The trees move when I ask them. It's not difficult for me." She looked up at him. "I don't want to hurt anyone here, Merrick. I came…looking to get away from my past."

Merrick nodded slowly, absorbing what she'd told him. "And…is it only trees?"

"No." she admitted slowly. "Earth, rock…water, air and fire with difficulty. I don't use those. Earth, rock and wood are my elements."

"How?" Merrick asked again; he was going in circles, and he knew it.

"I'm an Elf, Merrick. Not human." Merrick blinked.

"Elf? Never heard of it."

"I'm not from around here." She took the basket back as they reached Reeva's house. "I truly don't want to hurt anyone here, Merrick." He studied her for a long time.

"Perhaps you should just go." he said very softly.

["As soon as I said it I knew it was wrong. She hadn't shown any signs of harm, after all, and she'd had plenty of time." Merrick trailed off, staring past Cole.

"What happened?" Cole asked after a minute.

"Oh, she lowered her head and agreed, promised to leave the next day. I, of course, didn't bother telling her not to…]

"Good. I'm glad that's settled." He glanced at the house.

"Reeva's back." Thariin said tonelessly. Before he could say anything she turned and went quickly into the house. Merrick frowned, following her.

"Uncle Merrick!" Lrona cried with delight, hurling herself into his arms. He caught her, smiling widely.

"Your throat must be better." Lrona nodded quickly.

"Yes. Mama got me cureded."

"Cureded, did she?" He met Reeva's eyes over the top of Lrona's head, smiling.

"Yes. I had to drink some nasty stuff, but I drinked it all down and the lady said I was very brave!"

"I've known that for years." He grinned at her, swinging her back down to the floor. "I'm very proud of you." Lrona beamed and then spun around and ran into her room.

"Reeva…" Thariin spoke up uncertainly.

"What is it, Thariin?" Reeva asked.

"I just…" she glanced at Merrick. "I'm leaving. Tomorrow." Reeva dropped the clothes she'd been holding.

"Leaving? Why?" Thariin shrugged, deliberately not looking at Merrick.

"Wanderlust, I guess. I've never liked staying in one place."

"But winter's coming, Thariin. You'll freeze."

"No, I'll head back south. I know where to go down there." She put away the basket she'd been emptying. "Thank you so much, Reeva, more than you know. And maybe I could come back, and see you. But I can't…" she turned away abruptly. "I have to go." Reeva looked sharply at Merrick, who gazed blandly back at her.

"Well, I…we can't keep you, Thariin, but I wish you wouldn't go."

"I know. But I have to." Thariin turned and hurried from the room.

Reeva smacked her brother's arm. "Ow! What?"

"What did you do, Merrick?" she hissed.

"Nothing!"

"Really."

"Yes. Really." He glanced away. "I have to go."

"Fine."

"Reeva…are you angry with me?" Reeva sighed.

"No, Merrick. Not if you didn't do anything."

["Thariin left the next day. Lrona cried for a week, apparently. I wasn't around much then."

"What happened?" Cole asked.

"Some months passed. The war started; we lost Animus. Then we raised the Princess and the animals onto the Animarium; and I went looking for the wolf mask."]