Yep, I decided to completely rewrite this chapter.  Due to a lack of reviews I went back and read it over and came to the conclusion that it sucked…so I completely changed it and now it sounds much much much better.  If you read the one that I had before I changed the scene with the guard…and everything that followed.  I hope you like it!!         

The stone walls surrounding the city of Thal-Morian were a welcoming break in the monotony of the flat plains.  While freedom of the open country had been an enjoyable experience, what Carya really wanted right now was a place to call home.  Even if it was only temporary. 

It had taken longer than they had expected to finally reach the city.  Though Agraeltih had insisted that he knew exactly where he was going, he had still somehow managed to completely bypass it.  They had wandered for a few days, Agraeltih leading her, until they had come upon a merchant road.  Any civilization at that point would have been reassuring, and they had followed the trail until they had reached their original destination.  "See," Agraelith said with a grin, "I told you that I'd find it."  Carya shook her head but could not suppress a grin of her own.

The sun was shining brightly and reflected rather menacingly off of the armor of the guards surrounding the open gate.  As they approached it Agraelith reached up to where Star lay wrapped around his neck and gently set her on the ground.  He stepped nonchalantly in front of Carya.  "Stay behind me, don't speak unless you absolutely have to, and don't take the hood of your cloak off unless you absolutely have to."  Having been to Thal-Morian before, he recognized a few of the guards.  He knew them to be fair men, but the sudden appearance of a night elf was not something easily overlooked. 

Carya did what Agraelith had told her.  She pulled the hood of her cloak over her face to hide it, and wrapped it more tightly around her.  Past Agraelith's back, she could see the guards who were heavily armed.  Without thinking she reached out and grabbed Agraelith's arm.  Her sudden gesture surprised both herself and Agraelith, she also felt slightly ashamed.  If her elders knew that she had come to rely on Agraelith, they would be angry.  "Sorry," she murmured and released her grip.

"It's alright.  Just stay behind me and everything will be fine."

Stay behind him?  Those words hurt her.  She was a warrior from a race who prided themselves on their independence.  She knew that Agraelith was acting for her benefit but she almost wished that he would not.

Agraelith could tell from her expression it had been the wrong thing to say.  He could not tell her the truth; he had sworn to her mother that he would not.  "Listen…it's not that I don't think you can take care of yourself.  It's just that right now people are a bit suspicious.  The guards know me and I can explain things to them."  Though if he had any luck at all there would not need to be any explaining.  Hopefully the guards would let them pass without getting a good look at Carya, if not…

They approached the guards and the Captain stepped forward.  "State your name, business, and where you come from."  He was a stern looking man, who regarded them rather sharply.

"My name is Agraelith; my city was destroyed by the undead," he said bitterly, a flash of anger passed over his face.

The guard eyed him for a moment then he smiled.  "Aye, I remember you now.  Came here not long ago," his smile faded.  "Word reached us of your city's misfortune…we had no troops to spare, believe me."

Carya understood.  That was why Agraelith had come here.  He had been sent for reinforcements but none had been given.  She studied the guard, why could they not spare a handful of troops when their own city was obviously well guarded.  She noticed Agraelith twitch slightly and knew that he had been thinking the same thing.

            "I truly am sorry about your city.  I have some good news however, we have had other survivors come here seeking shelter."

            Agraelith looked surprised, "Other survivors?" his voice was hopeful.

            "Yes, not many, but a few.  Had two or three soldiers and a handful of commoners."

            "Do you know if…" he trailed off as the man shook his head.

            "Can't tell you any names.  Go on in and see if you can find them.  They should be at the inn."

            "Thank you!" He made to go through the gate but the Captain noticed Carya.

            "Wait a moment.  Who's that?"

            Agraelith froze, "I am escorting her to safety, she too was without a home."

            The guard studied him as if trying to find the truth, "I'll need to see your face," he said turning to Carya.

            She hesitated and looked up at Agraelith, who nodded.  Her slender hand reached up and slowly pushed back her hood.

            All of the guards stared as her shadowy hair tumbled down over her shoulders.  Eyes the color of the night sky right after the sun had set, regarded them with slight amusement.  They were all gaping at her.

            "B-b-but…they…is that what I think it is?  How?!"

            Agraelith spoke, "Her name is Carya and she is of the night elf kind.  She found me wounded on a river bank and saved me…at her own expense."

            Carya disregarded what Agraelith had said about speaking only when spoken to, "I was exiled from my lands for helping him," her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

            The Captain stared at her a moment longer, then blinked.  "Well…I suppose that if you're with Agraelith then it's alright to let you pass…" he was looking at her with a look of both awe and suspicion.

            "Thank you," Agraelith said.  They walked through the gates, Carya scooping up Star.  The guards parted to let them through, all eyes on Carya.

            Carya stopped short and stared.  Having never set foot in a human city before, she had not known what to expect.  What she saw before her was not something she could have imagined even if she tried.  Great building made of stone and timber rose up, high above their heads.  The path they were on was paved with smooth stones and all around them people were bustling.   Carya held Star closer to her.  It was all so different from what she had known.  She had been warned against humans all of her life and now she was surrounded by them.  A sudden thought occurred to her.  She could never go back.  Of course she had been exiled so it was not as if she could go back, but being there in a human city seemed to confirm it.  She was snapped out of her reverie when she realized that Agraelith had moved on.  She hurried after him, the last thing she wanted to do was be left alone surrounded by unfamiliar faces. 

            "Let's find a place to stay and then I can show you around," Agraelith said.  He saw the astonished look she wore and grinned, "Quite different from what you're used to."

            She nodded.  Someone ran straight into her, anyone else would have been knocked over but Carya was a night elf.  She retained her balance and moved closer to Agraelith.  He took her hand.  As her guardian he knew that physical contact was something that was frowned upon, but this was different.  He could not imagine how it must feel to be thrown into a completely different world.

            Scared.  That was how she felt right now, she had never been afraid before.  Even in her first battle she had not been afraid.  It was all so different, so big and artificial.  There was only a small scattering of trees and they were small and spindly.  Agraelith helped a little.  He was tall and powerful, his hand holding hers was a small comfort to her.  She had to admit that she did need him, as he had needed her with the night elves.  This was his realm and she knew that he would take care of her.

            Agraelith stopped in front of a large building.  "I'm guessing this is the inn," he muttered.  He turned to Cary, "Wait here, I'll get us a room."  He did not want to tell her why he wanted her to wait outside.

            She watched him as he disappeared inside the building and wished that he had not left her.  People glanced at her as they passed and most wore the same shocked expression. 

            "What's this?  Has my long lost kin left her haven?"

            Carya whirled to face the speaker.  Her eyes widened in surprise.  A descendent of the high-borne stood watching her.  He was tall and slender, long blonde hair was pulled back out of his haughty face.  She had known that humans and elves had reached some sort of alliance, but she had not expected to see one.

            "I'm surprised, so you've finally decided to come out of hiding?"

            Carya stiffened, "we were not hiding," she hissed.

            "Oh…alright, if you insist.  Though why anyone would want to live in darkness all their life is beyond me."

            "It was you who drove us there."

            "See, I knew you were hiding.  Scared of us were you?"  He was sneering now.

            "Night elves fear nothing."  He was trying to anger her and she knew it, unfortunately it was working.

            Agraelith stepped out of the inn, "Carya, I…" he looked from her to the elf.  He had forgotten to warn her about that and he regretted his decision to leave her alone immediately. 

            The elf grinned, "I see…become a human's little pet."

            Carya glared and Agraelith stepped forward, a hand resting on the hilt of his sword.  "I suggest," he said quietly, "that you leave her before I am forced to do something that you would rather not have happen."

            The elf looked him over and decided against it, "Alright, I'll just be on my way.  Nice to meet you night elf," he said with a smirk.

             "Remind me to never leave you alone ever again," Agraelith said, trying to lighten the situation.

            "You could have warned me," she looked up at him with an accusing expression.

            "I know…I forgot, and I'm sorry," his voice was almost pleading. 

            She shrugged.  She was not really angry at him, though a warning would have been nice.  Then she might have been more prepared for an encounter with the free elves.

            "Come on, I got us a room," he said after a moment.  She followed him inside and was met by cool air.  It was a much welcomed change. 

Please read and review!!!  You can tell me if you don't like my story but I got a rather…interesting review…and would appreciate it that if you think my story sucks then just say that and please at least tell me why.  Thank you!