A/N Okies first chapter of my first attempt at a fanfic. Please read and review, all your comments are welcome (except flames please), I'd really like to try and improve on my writing style.

Only Aelora, Eloise, Ethan and the plot are mine, everything else belongs to the wonderful Marianne Curley!

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Chapter One

Aelora

One thing that always struck me as strange about this place (and it still does!) is the weather. It's always sunny and warm, except when the Immortal is in a rage or something. Then the weather shifts drastically, usually to a thunder or lightening storm and there have been a lot of them recently, I should know!

Smiling I slide off the window seat where I had been sitting, gazing out across the central courtyard. Yet again the day was warm and bright, but there was a hint of a storm in the air, a kind of semi-hostile feel floating about the palace. Everyone could tell that we were in for another Immortal rage.

'What have you done this time?'

Startled, I spin around and see a young woman coming towards me, her purple eyes glittering in amusement.

'What makes you think I did anything?' Pulling as innocent face as I can, I bat my eyelids at her, but it doesn't fool either of us. Soon we're laughing heartily together.

I follow the new comer to a set of chairs to one end of the comfortable room she had found me in. Once we are seated I look around, expecting to someone else to follow. When no one turns up I look back at the purple-eyed girl opposite me.

'Where's Ethan?'

She smiles and tucks a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. 'He's staying with Grandpa Jimmy for a while.'

'Oh.' I know that Ethan had become somewhat bored and restless living in the palace. Going to live with Jimmy in the mortal world would be good for him. Still, I'll miss having him around.

'So what did you do?'

'Eloise...' I look at her, innocence plastered on my face. 'Why would you suggest I had anything to do with the present weather conditions?'

Eloise just raises her eyebrows and a knowing look enters her eyes. I smile. I can't help it. Every time Eloise pulls that face it makes me smile, no matter what. The truth is, I'm not sure what I could have done to make the immortal mad, but there is no question that it was something to do with me. No one else had create the immortal to anger quite like I can. I guess that should explain something about our relationship.

'Well, weather aside... I wanted to talk to you about Elenna.' Eloise's voice is quiet and laced with concern. I frown, trying to remember what I know about the situation. Elenna is one of the tribunal members, leader of the House of Isle, but lately she has taken a sickness that no one can seem to cure, not even Isabel, whose powers as a healer far out weigh those of anyone else. Eloise, as I understand it, seems to have taken Elenna's welfare to heart and is personally taken on the responsibility of looking after the Tribunal member.

'Has something happen?'

Eloise's forehead constricts slightly and she begins biting her lower lip. Not a good sign. From growing up with Eloise I know that this habit means that she is worried.

'No ... but I believe I know what is making her ill.'

My eyes open wide. If she has found out what it is then her powers have grown more than any of us knew. But something in my friend's manner has me thinking again. Surely if Eloise had found a cure or source she would be more happy and joyful? Surely she would be coming to me and saying that she had cured the lady. Suddenly it clicks what she is trying to say.

'The order? You think someone from the order is making Lady Elenna ill?'

She nods.

'Impossible.' My voice is filled with certainty. The order has not been so bold in 18 years. They are just a ragged bunch that gives us only the small amount of trouble now and again. 'The order couldn't be behind this. For one thing they could not have got to Elenna, she rarely leaves the palace and now with her sickness she doesn't leave at all.'

'Still, something is making and keeping her ill.'

I pause and sigh. Somehow I sense what it is that she sought me out for, even though her thoughts are completely screened to me. 'What is it you want me to do?'

She hesitates, but only for a moment. 'Can you talk to your father for me? Ask him to investigate this?'

'Why don't you do it yourself?'

'Because it would hold more weight coming from you. Plus he's busy at the moment, too busy to see much of us, but not you. You are his daughter after all.'

I consider it for a moment, before finally conceding. 'Fine. I'll talk to him. Can't promise anything mind!'

I see the relief fill Eloise's face, her purple eye's gaining a look of happiness and relief that makes me realise had been absent from them. I smile and settle more comfortably in my chair.

'So how long is Ethan away for?'