Prologue of the Prologue: Nelora Mahariel

Chapter 7: Talking Things Straight

Summary:

Mahariel has had it with Tamlen acting strange. It is time to work things out.

Notes:

"Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better." - Dr. Steve Maraboli

Seriously this little drama between her and Tamlen and some part Merrill must be over soon because it is just stooped and it gets in the way of normal life. But what does she have to do?

The other day by the river Fenarel suggested that she'd simply talk things straight with him, but how? What should she say?

She sits under a tree on the edge of the camp. Sun shines through the leaves leaving beams of light coming through the branches. It is a lovely summer day. Temperature outside on the scale of glacial to burning alive - is hot. The camp's calm today, no one really bothers doing something because they may risk getting hot and sweaty. Even the animals are calm and try to avoid excessive movement.

She loves the summer and this lazy and hot weather greatly due to not being made to do anything.

Snapping of few twigs can be heard from the forest. Mahariel turns to see what it was and sees a beautiful wild halla. The creature has the poise of a king and elegance of the wild vines. It isn't unusual for the wild halla to be so close to the camp but still mostly the younglings come because of their curiosity. It would be grand if this beauty would just come a little closer so she could win its trust.

It is like the creature could read her mind. The glorious halla is slowly coming closer to her. Don't look intimidating, be relaxed or you'll scare it away. No fast movements. It is s few steps away from her, she has her hand reached out. Just a little more then they'll make contact. The halla takes a weary step closer and suddenly runs away.

Nelora is confused, it was going very well. The creature sort-of trusted her and then it just ran away. What happened? Something must've scared it. She can see someone moving from the corner of her eye. It was this person who scared it away. She looks back to where the halla was, hoping that it would come back. But the gallant creature is gone. She is going to give this halla scarcer a piece of her...Someone trips on her feet.

Her eyes are open wide, she is surprised. An elf lay on the ground in front of her- the halla scarcer. She opens her mouth to give them a good scolding but upon realizing who the elf is she says "Tamlen?"

The other elf jumps as if spooked too. He gets up at a comical speed. His face is white as if he had seen a ghost "Nelora?! What are you doing here?"

What an odd question, can't he see? "Sitting."

He desperately tries to explain himself "Actually I thought you were some roots that I stumbled behind. I...I couldn't see you, sorry." He begins to walk away.

This is her chance to talk things straight with him. "Tamlen, wait!"

He stops in his tracks. Tam just stands there and doesn't even look back. So it is up to her to make the first move.

Nel stands up and walks over to him "I was actually hoping to catch you. We have to talk."

He seems to be really uncomfortable and eager to go away. "It really isn't the best time...I..."

"Just shush and listen."

He closes his mouth and nods.

She tries to look into his eyes but he is avoiding her gaze. "You've been acting very strange since that night with Mer."

"Well...I..."

She raises her hand "Hey, I'm not done yet. Ok I do understand that it was very awkward and stuff but it is no reason to avoid people and act strangely. It was just a little smooch between two elves that you walked onto. And it was a one-time thing, you know."

He seems to be surprised. He's voice is quiet and soft "It was?"

"Yeah, it was."

He looks at her "So it didn't work out between you and Merrill?"

"What?! That is absurd. Where would you get an idea that me and Mer...?"

He is awkward once more. Tamlen looks of into the distance and rambles "I thought that you two were together together, like a couple."

So that is what it is about. She laughs out loud. "There was never a me and Merrill as a couple, we are just friends, that's all."

He blushes slightly "But I saw you two there, kissing."

She smiles brightly "It was nothing serious, we were just having a little fun experimenting. As I said it was a one-time thing."

"Oh is that really so?"

"It is so."

There is a brief moment of silence between them. She can see Tam-Tam thinking about something, it is like some gears are moving but she just has to be patient and wait.

Finally he asks "But why?"

"Hey we are young and curious; better us than us and some stranger."

He's face changes color to a lovely shade of pink. "Well this was...is awkward."

"You're telling me that...But are we alright now?"

"I think so."

She reaches out a hand "Let's shake on it. Friends?"

He takes it "Friends."

"As a future reference when you go to give someone surprise visits then do knock. You can never know what you'll walk onto."

"Don't rub it in."

"What, it is just some friendly advice."