<font color=silver> Annoyed with the girl's response, Thhiro just snorted and settled down, allowing her to rest for a time, but not at all happy that Jena wished to rest here.

The snowlion seemed anxious about something, but whatever it was, Jena couldn't figure out what had her on edge.</font>

Jena 33/36

Jena fell briefly into an unrestful slumber. The thoughts or dreams, she couldn't tell which, eventually disturbed her to wake. Groaning, Jena stood up.

<font color= "orange"> "Ok, girl, I can't seem to get any decent rest." </font>

Jena covered her face with her hands.

<font color= "orange"> "Is it so terrible to just wish things would be easy?" </font> Jena glanced at Thhiro with deep, questioning yet hopeless eyes. After another several moments, Jena sighed deeply.

<font color= "orange"> "Thhiro, I just don't know what to do or where to go." </font>

She tilted her head to the side and glanced gently at the snowlion. Silently she placed one hand on her fur.

<font color= "orange"> "Take me where I belong, Thhiro, wherever that may be." </font>

<font color=silver> With a sniff, the snowlion arose, and gently nudged the girl with her head, Thhrio's eyes intent upon the direction the girl had run from. It seemed, that the lion still had faith in the others and in her, even if Jena herself did not.

Butting her gently with her head, Thhiro nibbled at Jena's hand, and licked it until she followed. The lion would lead her back to where the others were, ignore them, and continue on to where Galein was talking to Fai - arriving about the same time Galein was telling Fai about his family's past. Naturally, Thhiro hid within the shadows, so as not to alert the elf...</font>

Jena 33/36

Jena glanced down as a slight flush settled in her rosy cheeks. She looked away, unable to make direct eye contact with neither Fai nor Galein. She wasn’t quite sure what exactly she should say. Jena appeared nervous and uncomfortable as she shifted from hip to hip and she shuffled her feet.

She lowered her head.

<font color= "orange"> "Hi"

[ 02-08-2005, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: TheMuse ]

<font color=silver> Finishing his discussion with Fai, Galein looked up at the sound of Jena's voice, startled. A slow flush crept onto his cheeks, competely out of character for him, and hesitantly, he responded, <font color=skblue>"...Hail..."</font> He didn't look at all comfortable, afraid of what Jena may have heard.</font>

OOC: I'll leave it up to you just how much she did hear, TheMuse.

Jena 33/36

The first thing Jena had heard as she followed Thhiro into the cavern had been the part where Galein mentioned that he still is Galeriah'naroth. She overheard him say that there was a possibility that he was a terrible tyrant and that his family had a dark side to them. Despite all she had heard, she did not step forward until Fai had asked Galein if he was ready to head to the others.

<font color= "orange"> “I’m terribly sorry if I caught you at a bad time. I will wait outside with the others, if you wish. She turned intent on heading outside.” </font>

ooc: ack...blue? :( edit for font color issue

[ 02-08-2005, 02:15 PM: Message edited by: TheMuse ]

<font color=silver> <font color=skblue>"Wait... please... I... you should hear this."</font> Galein forestalled her, and briefly relaid the curse of his blood, and the artifact of his ancestors and their fall to Jena, not trusting himself to meet her eyes during this. Finally, he finished, <font color=skblue>"I'm sorry... but... I felt you should know..."</font>

Without another word, he turned his back on her and stared at the river, his poise downcast. He seemed... so vulnerable.</font>

Jena 33/36

Jena listened silently as Galein explained his position to her. When he was finished, she pressed the fingertips of her right hand against her chin and she extended her left arm and gently laid her hand on Galein’s left shoulder.

<font color= "orange"> “I do not envy the position you are in, Galein.” </font> She seemed to change: from being sad and slightly upset to concern and worry.

<font color= "orange"> “When Aeriah was here, I made a promise to him: that I would be here for him no matter what, and, though it seems strange to me, you, Galein, is Aeriah, so therefore my promise still stands. What you needed was a listener, and shamefully I ran away. I…am sorry. I should have stayed….” </font> She paused as a tear fell from her eyelid onto her cheek.

<font color=silver> Galein half turned away and whispered in reply, <font color=skblue>"Dear lady... your vow... I will not hold you to it. It was made... to another, despite that he lies buried somewhere within me. I could not hold you to it... it... I am also sorry. I wish things were different, but they are not. This is my burden, and mine alone... I could not ask another to share it."</font> And yet, despite his words, there was an underlying pleading within them. It seemed that he desperately wished for companions, despite what he may otherwise say.</font>

Jena 33/36

Jena stepped forward and stood beside Galein on his right side. She allowed her left hand to move from his left shoulder, across his back and neck, and down his right arm to his hand. She squeezed it gently as she stared straight ahead, still not yet making eye contact with him. The gentle squeeze she offered him indicated her sincerity and loyalty.

<font color= "orange"> "We all need friendship, Galein: sometimes it is others who keep us from going mad or doing things we'd regret later. Friendship is the solid rock upon which we lean: and knowing that you have someone who cares is the beacon of comfort when none can be found elsewhere. Friends listen, and offer advice, and show concern and worry when needed the most. Allow me to be your friend, Galein: nothing more, nothing less." </font>

Jena paused briefy and closed her eyes.

The promise he made to another would permit me to be nothing more than a friend, as it now stands.

Raising her head, Jena continued.

<font color= "orange"> "Especially a leader like yourself: you need your people to be there for you, and support you. It takes more than royal blood or even a desire to be a ruler. It takes support and....friendship." </font>

Jena gave Galein's hand another gentle squeeze.

<font color= "orange"> "I am here for you as a friend, Galein, should you need me." </font>

After a shallow sigh and a girlish yawn, Jena finally turned and placed her right hand under Galein's chin. She raised his head gently with her hand until her eyes met his.

<font color= "orange"> "And now, my good leader, you should probably lead us back to the others. No doubt they are worried by now, and we're probably all in need of rest. It's been a long, tiring, emotional day. What say you?" </font>

Jena's stunning sapphire orbs met Galein's in a comfortable, tender gaze and her full, warm lips smiled pleasantly.