[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"If its any help, neither have I"Galein replied softly, "I feel guilty for having robbed Aeriah from you, and yet, though I do not share his feelings... I... do sense a bond with you; a friendship of sorts. It is odd what fate brings..."


Slowly, Galein whispered, "I do not know what the future holds, nor do I know your part in it, but..." he smiled, his glass-green eyes warm and caring as his smile lit up his face, "I would have you by my side, as a companion, if nothing else... and, perhaps, together, we can discover and forge our own destinies and places? At least, we can be friends, if nothing else, and I for one, am glad to have known you, since my awakening." The elf smiled again, his eyes charming Jena despite her feelings of confusion. He sounded so much like Aeriah, and those eyes, those gorgeous eyes... so deep, as though, she could see to the very depths of his soul as they swallowed her whole. Kindness, love, compassion, tenderness... all were present, as well as a true desire to heal rather then destroy. In her heart, Jena knew that Galein was good and trying to do the right thing; the thing that was best for his people - the only way he knew how. She saw friendship, companionship, and felt a yearning to be with him, at his side. Something about him was powerful and compelling, and yet, he was so selfless; his soul was pure, and he would not try to take advantage of her as many might. He still regarded her with respect - respect for Aeriah, even though, Aeriah was not present in the flesh. He would not violate the relationship the two of them had forged. No, here was a rare soul indeed, even for an elf. Noble, but dark, as he hid himself away in shadow, and yet, the presence of light within him was too compelling to just hide away, and his aura was powerfully attractive. No, one day, he would make a fine king, if he ever assumed the mantle of rulership... and yet, for all that, he was troubled, his inner feelings in conflict and turmoil. He was as confused as Jena was, yet, he tried his best to be strong for all their sakes. Jena knew that he would carry this burden alone, sparring the others from as much as possible... unless they forced him to share it. Such was his nature. And so serious, so unlike Aeriah's light-hearted, and yet, there was such... similarities - as many differences, subtle though they were, they shared the same basic principles of righteousness and justice - in their own way, neither would allow evil to befall the land. Jena discovered that she was deeply troubled, for as much as she wished Aeriah back, she was unsure of the cost - Galein's cost...

And yet... was there such a choice? Even if she could, would she choose to sacrifice Galein over Aeriah? Would it be selfish? She knew, deep down, it would, and yet, she still wished for him... but... she sensed something was amiss within Galein himself; he seemed to have changed, subtly, changed, from what Kyr had said... he and Aeriah increasing shared the same aspects, or so, it seemed. Maybe he was just always like that, or maybe, Aeriah wasn't as lost as everyone thought... maybe, he lived within Galein yet. She did not know. From the look in Galein's eyes, as they swallowed her, his soul was pondering the same questions, and for the briefest of moments, she felt her soul touch with his; his fears, doubts, hopes and dreams touching her mind; his thoughts inside hers, and she felt a change, a subtle change... something of Aeriah was inside Galein; she knew it, she could feel it. It was so faint, she almost did not believe it, but it was there, and it was something, that even Galein himself did not know yet, nor did Aeriah. Perhaps, it was a side effect, or perhaps something more... Then the bond, the link, evaporated, as Galein's eyes released her, and suddenly, Jena felt the need to breathe. It seemed, that he had not realised the depths of his own eyes, nor that they could touch like that... it seemed... almost something only elves could do. Jena recalled tales of such perfect understanding between certain elves; a kindred knowledge, or knowing, a linking, a bonding, without words, but with thoughts, emotions and pictures. It was a myth though, surely... a legend. And it could only happen to those of elven origin. Maybe... the elves of this world were different... but, Galein seemed equally as shocked, his eyes widening slightly, though, he was as silent as ever... and no one else could have seen this exchange. It was over in an instant, and yet, to Jena, it felt like an enternity... and she had only begun to percieve the true depths of Aeriah's feelings, and those of Galein's. Even though she had touched his mind, his soul, there were still walls; things that she knew were hidden, sealed away, just as she knew her own barriers were in place... but for an instant, they had touched, and shared an understanding that went beyond words, beyond... anything she had ever known.

And shattering the moment, Galein suddenly yawned, breaking her concentration, and rubbing at his eyes, promptly smiled at her and passed out.