[Nuranar]

"Well, you seem to be pretty close to your own sister--she is your sister, isn't she? I imagine that you probably know how I feel, a little bit."

Tarondo nodded. “We are brother and sister. And yes, we’re...pretty close.” He smiled, somewhat sadly. “Not that all brothers and sisters are close. But you cannot live and work with someone, day in and day out for years, without growing close. You cannot save someone else’s life, and have her save your life, without growing close. We have faced death together.

“Several times I have faced the prospect of life without her,” he continued in a low voice, his face grim. “It was hard – very hard.” He fell silent, eyes gazing into the past.

Talômi shifted slightly, and Tarondo came back to himself. “I apologize, your words brought back many memories. Now, about Rie: Why did she run away? Is there a particular reason she would hide from even you?”

* * * *

"Excuse me! I don't mean to be rude, but I seem to recognize you and I'm quite sure that I've never met you before. I'm Talmérië, or Rie...what can I call you?"

Luinien’s eyes widened in surprise and recognition as the red-haired girl addressed her, but her expression betrayed nothing. “Oh, Rie! My name is Luinien. I saw you when we first arrived here. You were up in the rafters attacking cobwebs, right? Do you remember my brother Tarondo?” Her voice held only warmth and friendship. Tarondo, she’s here! she thought urgently. Stay back and let me handle it!

[ February 20, 2003: Message edited by: Nuranar ]