Thank You

I made a promise with Yves that I would send him as many pictures of Nikara as possible. I took this one to send to him. She inherited his reddish-brown hair and my green eyes. It was a strange feeling to see my first child and my youngest child together like this. They are siblings, but are ages apart. Elrun looks even older next to his toddler sister. Although I've spending a lot of time with him recently, I wish I could have spared more time for him throughout his adult years. I was so busy then that I was content with frequent calls and the occasional appearance. Now I never want to let him out of my sight.

Fading Time

Three days have never passed faster. Coming from me, that says quite a lot. I honestly cannot overstate how quickly the time has flown. It's too bad the children didn't have more time off of school since it really takes more than a weekend to enjoy this place. Perhaps, money permitting, we will be able to make another trip during the summer when they have more free time.

I almost wished my parents had taught me this country's language instead of this one. That way I might have been sent here instead. I have grown used to this place in such a short time. It might be the people, the country's laws, or the semi-isolated location, but respect for nature is so much stronger here. I haven't seen a single car- just smaller motorized vehicles which are much more practical. Overall, there are so many beautiful things to see. There is just as much to learn as well. It would probably take many years of my immortal life to be taught all that is offered here.

Trouble at the Museum

Nana woke Anondil, Cadrie, and I up early this morning. Our siblings had been generous enough to pay for this trip so we weren't allowed to waste it by sleeping in all day, she said. I had a bit of trouble getting up. Not so much because I was tired, but vede Eloril might have let me try some of the wine he bought. We took our chance when we saw that nana had gone off somewhere. I really didn't drink all that much, promise. I just had to, uh, sample each different wine of course. Vede told me he used to drink the stuff a lot when he was a kid, so now that he's an adult and I have his permission it shouldn't be a big deal if I introduce myself to the traditional drink of a foreign country. It's merely to experience and learn fully about this different culture, right?

Yeah. Let's go with that.

Foreign Flavor

It is a bit amazing, but ever since that morning where Nadrien cooked us a surprise breakfast I have taken an increased interest in the art of food preparation. Her enthusiasm has rubbed off on me. When she found out I had become just as desiring to know more, she grabbed me by the arm and took me to the bookstore. We were there for hours looking at all of the recipe books. I think I let Nadrien get me too carried away for we bought every single one we touched. At least my children will never again complain that I make the same things over and over again.

I also checked the area where the books I have written would be placed. There was only two copies and a couple empty spaces next to them. I will never known if those empty spaces belonged to my books or the books next to them, but I will be optimistic and think the first is true. According to the company my works have been published through, everything I have written has sold well. Unfortunately, I haven't really started on a new story just yet. Our money situation is comfortable, so there hasn't been a pressing need for me to write. I know I should start it up again just in case something undesirable were to happen.

Forgiveness

Although Eloril has gotten used to handling toddlers, he comes often for my help in teaching Anondil. After all this time, educating the little ones is quite my expertise. In regards to Anondil, I admit I have become considerably more comfortable interacting with him. The others around us have become comfortable with him as well. Anondil certainly garnered many strange looks when we first took him around the town. Eloril, Elrun, and I were all terrified someone would say something. Thankfully, the unusual is accepted quickly here. No one even gives this green-skinned, black-eyed toddler a second look anymore. For that, I am very grateful.

The Enemy

Oh Goddess, I didn't even know where to begin with Eloril's sudden return! So many questions ran through my mind. Why had Eloril returned? Why did he have an infant with him? Why was this infant most likely of the alien race?

Eloril and I did not even exchange any sort of "Hello". Thankfully, the screaming child quieted down and Eloril started right into an explanation. He had been traveling through some woods on his way back home. When he heard a child crying he quickly investigated and found the infant he was holding. Eloril assumed the child had to be so incredibly sick if its entire body was green the way it was. Although he wasn't sure if the child would last until he made it back here, Eloril had no other idea as to what to do and returned to seek my help. I was the only one here he could turn to.

Reluctance

As you might imagine, the mood has been rather poor around here ever since Eloril left.

It is hard for Elerith and Nadrien to smile. It was so difficult for them to understand what had happened. When they went in their rooms, everything was fine. However, when they came out they found their uncle, who had become so important in their lives in such a short amount of time, was gone and never coming back. I'm sure they feel abandoned. I know I feel that way. I knew Eloril was upset and angry, and I feel terrible for being so hard on him, but I did not truly believe those things would drive him away. I thought after he had time to clear his head that he would come back.

It has never been so painful to be wrong.