[Day 16, late afternoon]

When Merissa and Adeliannae returned to the med center, Corra met them just 
inside the doors.

"Well, I'll leave you in capable hands, Adeliannae," Merissa said in 
farewell.  "I'll make sure my mother knows that you'll be released today and 
to come for you after she finishes the children's afternoon lessons."  With a 
wave, Merissa left her.  

"I was beginning to worry about you, dear."  Corra looked sternly at 
Adeliannae.  "You've been gone quite some time."

"I'm sorry I made you worry," the girl retorted contritely.  "I walked 
further than I'd planned."  

Corra sighed.  "I suppose you couldn't resist after being cooped up.  You 
look a bit peaked, though.  You'd better get plenty of rest tonight."

"I will."  She looked at the floor, feeling she'd let the healer down.

Corra smiled.  "Don't worry, child, you'll be fine.  Now, my Xanni asked to 
talk to you before you leave.  Will you come with me?"

"Yes, I'll go see her."

[snip of Morgan's post]

<Xanthia smiled sheepishly as the young woman she'd met earlier in the 
corridor entered the room with Corra.

<"Corra said you wanted to see me?" the girl said shyly.

<Yes...Del..." Xanthia shortened the impossibly long name and hoped she 
hadn't offended.  "I..." she looked over to Corra who nodded for her to 
continue.  "I want to apologized for making a scene earlier... I was... 
upset... and frustrated."  She sighed, having gotten it out, defining 
emotions was so difficult.  she fussed with the cover, plucking fuzz off of 
it, in an effort to cover her discomfort.

[end snip]

"I understand."  Adeliannae's voice was soft.  "This is a difficult time for 
you."  She paused.  "I sometimes feel like making a scene, too."  The 
confession did not come easily.  "I'm upset and frustrated about what 
happened to my father."  Anger was resurfacing and beginning to glint now in 
the deepening green of her hazel eyes.

"Your father?" Xanthia questioned.  

"I guess you haven't heard about what happened."  Adeliannae took a bracing 
breath before putting the horror into words.  "My father and I were on our 
way to Lord Fowler's Searching party with a supply caravan."  Her eyes closed 
as the vision of that night filled her mind.  "It was dark, and we were going 
to make camp for the night.  We didn't even hear them coming."  Her voice was 
raw with pain. "One of the men stabbed my father...then he tried to...to...." 
 Her hoarse whisper trailed off.  

Corra patted the now weeping girl on the back, stroking her long, honey-brown 
hair.  "It's all right, child.  Don't say anymore about it.  The important 
thing is that you're safe with us now."

Xanthia was silent as the young woman tried to sniff back her tears.  Then 
she told her, "I'm sorry, I didn't know, Del."

"Thank you."  Adeliannae wiped her eyes.  "He was a good father.  I'll always 
miss him."  She looked thoughtful for a moment.  "You know, he had a special 
name for me.  He called me Lia.  No one else has ever called me that."  
Looking up at Xanthia, she continued, "I think it would be all right if you 
called me that, though, if you'd like...since you seem to have trouble with 
my full name."  A tremulous smile flashed briefly.  

"Lia...that's pretty.  It suits you.  I'd like to call you that, if you're 
sure it's all right.  It won't be too painful, will it?"

Adeliannae hesitated.  "No, I don't think so.  I think, maybe, it will help."

"Ok, Lia.  I'm glad you came to talk to me.  Will you come back again?"

"I'm going to be staying with Merissa's mother, but I think I can come back 
here
for a visit."  Turning to Corra, she asked, "Will that be all right?"

"Certainly, child."


[Tag, Morgan]

****

After leaving Xanthia, Adeliannae returned to her own room to await her 
release.  She no longer had any belongings, so she didn't have any packing to 
do.  She looked down at her mended dress and sighed.  She would love to have 
something else to wear.  And it was difficult being so idle.  In the past, 
she'd always had a book to read or some needle point to keep her occupied.  
Now she had only her thoughts--and they were not at all amusing.

When Th'rin walked through the door, it was a welcome distraction, even if he 
would probably poke and prod her again.

"So, you're leaving us today.  I can't say we'll be sorry to see you go."  He 
smiled at her dejected expression.  "No, I don't mean what you're obviously 
thinking.  I'm just very relieved that you've recovered.  Your injury was 
quite severe, and someone else might not have been as fortunate.  Now, I'm 
just going to give you a brief exam, and then when Analise gets here, you can 
go."

The healer had a gentle touch, and Adeliannae was grateful for his skilled 
care.  "Thank you for all you've done for me, Th'rin," she told him solemnly.

"You're very welcome."  He put down his instruments.  "Everything looks good. 
 Just take it easy for a while and be sure to let me know if you have any 
more headaches."  He patted her hand before heading through the door.

Once Th'rin had gone, she settled in to wait for Analise.  Although she and 
her father had lived many places, and stayed with many different people, they 
had always been together.  Now she was going to live with a stranger.  She 
wondered how she and Analise would get along...and if she would ever feel as 
though she belonged in this place.

At long last Analise arrived.  "Let's get going, then."

No greeting, just a command.  It wasn't very encouraging.  "Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, please!  None of this ma'am business, just call me Analise."

"I'm sorry."  This certainly wasn't starting off well, Adeliannae frowned.

"No need to be sorry.  Just come along."

"Please, Analise, may I say good-bye to Corra first?  She's been so kind to 
me."

"All right.  I'll wait for you by the doors.  Don't take too long."

She found Corra in the corridor near Xanthia's room.  "I'm leaving with 
Analise now, Corra, but I wanted to say good-bye and thank you first."  She 
gazed shyly at the older woman and tentatively raised her arms.  She was 
quickly enfolded into a solid embrace.  For a timid, motherless girl, it was 
sanctuary.  "I'll miss you, Corra."  Her voice was barely audible.  "But I'll 
come back and see you and Xanthia.  Please tell her good-bye for me.  Analise 
will be getting impatient, so I'd better go."

"Good-bye, child."  She smiled warmly at the young woman.  "I'll look forward 
to
seeing you again."


[Tag again, Morgan?]

****

Adeliannae headed for the doors, then followed Analise from the med center.  
Analise looked thoughtful for a moment.  "I really think we should get you 
something else to wear before we do anything else.  You simply can't go 
around in that old, shredded dress any longer."  With that she marched off in 
search of the tailor.

Tandra's shop was empty except for Tandra herself working busily in the back 
room.  At Analise's imperious summons, she appeared in the doorway between 
the rooms, an unfinished garment in her hands.  "May I help you?"

"We're in urgent need of some new clothing for this young woman," Analise 
told her.  "What do you have on hand that would be suitable?"

"Let me see....  You're of average height, which is helpful.  I think we can 
find something here for you."  Tandra picked out a number of items, then led 
Adeliannae to a curtained area, where she hung the clothes from several 
hooks.  "Try these on and let's see how they fit."  The curtain swung closed 
behind her leaving Adeliannae alone in the small cubicle.

Adeliannae was disappointed to see that none of the items was a dress or 
skirt.  She'd never worn anything else herself.  As a little girl, the ones 
she'd worn had been knee length.  Over the years the hemlines had lowered and 
now nearly brushed the floor.  

With a mental shrug, she slipped out of her dress, pulled a tunic from its
hook, and tried it on.  It revealed a shocking amount of leg.  That would 
never do.  She added a pair of close-fitting pants.  It was certainly more 
modest, but she still didn't feel comfortable in it.  She wasn't used to her 
legs showing at all.  But it would have to do for the time being.  

Lifting the curtain, she stepped in front of Analise and Tandra.  The deep 
emerald green tunic set off the young woman's light honey-brown hair and fair 
skin, accentuating the green of her hazel eyes.  It made a marked contrast 
with the drab hue of the dress she had removed.  The snug pants in a rich 
shade of gold highlighted her slim legs, while the tunic did nothing to hide 
her slender figure as the soft fabric clung to her gentle curves.  The 
transformation was almost astonishing in its effect, like a butterfly 
emerging from its cocoon.

Analise and Tandra exchanged glances.  "I believe that one will do nicely, 
Adeliannae," Analise told her.  "Why don't you try the other as well."

When she reappeared this time in a fitted rose-colored blouse and royal blue 
pants, the results were nearly as pleasing.

"We'll take both outfits as well as some undergarments," Analise stated 
decisively, leaving no room for Adeliannae to object.  

But Adeliannae wouldn't insult Analise by rejecting the clothes she was 
providing.  Although not what she would have chosen on her own, Adeliannae 
could see that the garments were well-made and of good quality material.  
"Thank you, Analise.  I appreciate your generosity."

"Nonsense.  You needed something to wear, and I could provide it.  That's all 
there is to it."

Once Tandra had wrapped up their purchases, they headed down the street.  As 
the breeze ruffled Adeliannae's long hair, it reminded her of the scarf she 
had lost in the attack on the caravan.  "Analise?"

"Yes?"

"I hate to trouble you, but...well, I wonder if I might ask for something 
else."

"There's something else you need?"

"Well, you see, I've always worn a scarf to cover my hair.  I lost the one I 
was wearing during the attack, and I wondered if I might get a new one."

"I'm surprised that father of yours didn't just lock you up," Analise 
muttered under her breath.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Just thinking aloud for a moment.  It's getting late.  We'll talk about the 
scarf another time."

"Yes, Analise."  Her disappointment was obvious.

When they arrived at her apartment, Analise showed Adeliannae to a small, 
sparsely furnished bedroom.  "I have some things to do, but when I'm finished 
I'll take you to the dining hall.  In the meantime, why don't you put on one 
of your new outfits and put the others away."  She closed the door behind her.

Adeliannae decided on the emerald and gold, then stowed the other items in 
the wardrobe.  With nothing else to occupy her, she wandered out into the 
main room of the apartment.  It was fairly large and tastefully decorated.  
Beyond a closed door--Analise's bedroom, perhaps--was another that was ajar.  
Through the opening, Adeliannae could see numerous musical instruments placed 
around the room.  The one that caught her attention was a beautifully carved 
lyre that reminded her of her father's.  Drawn to it like a child to a toy, 
Adeliannae cradled it carefully in her arms and gently plucked the strings.  
One of her favorite compositions of her father's came to mind.  Softly 
humming a few bars, she closed her eyes and pictured him performing, the 
lilting tones of his lyre filling her head as she ran her fingers over the 
instrument.  It sounded so real that tears began welling in her eyes.

"That was beautiful, Adeliannae.  I didn't know you could play."  Analise had 
appeared suddenly in the doorway.

"What?"  Adeliannae was startled out of her reverie.

"Your playing, it was wonderful."

"My playing?  But I don't play.  My father never wanted me to perform."  She
lowered her voice.  "He thought it might draw unwanted attention toward me."

"But you were playing," Analise insisted. "I heard you.  That's why I came 
in."

"I don't understand.  I was just holding the lyre and remembering how my 
father used to play."  She looked at the instrument in her hands as if it 
might be possessed.

"And you sounded very much like him.  Play it again."

Hesitantly, Adeliannae strummed the strings again, then, hearing the notes in 
her head as her father had played them, she wove an enchanting spell with the 
music she produced.

"Well, you've certainly inherited his gift."  Analise frowned.  "And in all 
these years you've never used it?"  She shook her head.  "What a waste....  I 
certainly won't allow you to ignore it now that we've discovered it.  Once 
you've rested a few more days, we're going to begin playing together."

Adeliannae merely stood staring at her in stunned silence.

****

[later that evening]

Adeliannae had been lying on the bed resting, when an anguished keen 
resounded throughout the warren, echoing as it passed from one to another.  
Bolting upright, she flew from the room.

"Analise, what's happening?"  The despairing cries wrenched her heart.


[Tag, Arlene]

****


Submitted by:

Dana Zuhlke

Adeliannae