She Enters the Elf Territory

"Indeed, there is a practice we have for young elves who live around the ancient tree. If they are feeling overwhelmed by a sudden influx of mana, they can channel the excess into one of the tree's leaves." Tyrstle agreed, then gave them a warning.

"I do not recommend casting a spell in this environment. As the scope is not easy to determine, it is easy to run out of control. Although there are failsafes, try not to do anything which might harm the Great Mana Tree."

Robin could understand. It was like oxygen. If there was too much of it in the air, then you might feel like it's hard to breathe and damage your lungs. And if you struck a match, it would catch fire and explode.

"We'll be careful." she promised.

"Your words may be honorable, however I cannot bend the rules." Tyrstle shook his head. "The tree is that precious to us. That's why, you'll be wearing these."

The elf went to a seemingly ivy-covered tree and gathered several items before coming back to them. in his hands were several intricately and artfully woven circlets made from leaves. He passed them out to the group. Even Skye had a small crown.

Fairy Elise declined, saying she had no need of such a device. Tyrstle nodded. As a fairy, who was mainly made up of wind mana elements, Elise had far more control over herself than humans. To a fairy, a tree like this was the greatest source of nourishment. It had a near fatal attraction, as it could help them create a medium for their power: fairy dust.

So, there would never be a single fairy who would even think about doing anything to harm this tree. Thus, fairies were one of the only exceptions to the rules set in place.

"I don't mind...but why leaves?" Robin asked.

"These aren't normal leaves." Tyrstle shrugged. "You might understand better if you just wear them. "

Robin blinked before placing one on Skye, who had tagged along.

"Oh!?" Skye looked surprised.

"Is something wrong?" Robin asked.

"No. These leaves smell really nice..." Skye replied. It doesn't feel as stuffy next to them."

"Is that so?" Robin observed Skye, who suddenly seemed much more lively than earlier. Then she placed a crown upon her own head. They felt cool to the touch, and she also blinked in surprise, as she felt more awake, like she had entered a large space after walking for a long time in a narrow passageway.

"These are made from mana leaves." Tyrstle showed a hint of a smile at Robin's surprise. "But they are immature ones, still in the accumulation stage. once they reach saturation, they make for a very lovely mana rich tea. We elves usually take it along if we're going to mana deficient areas."

Robin nodded. "I see." She turned to her comrades, who had each donned a leafy crown. Liam and Chelsea didn't really need it, but they wore one anyways to show their respect for the rules.

"Then, shall we go?" Robin tilted her head with a faint smile.

------

The elven citadel was unlike others in that it had one main feature. It was built in the sturdy trees around the ancient arbor. The flowers and plants beneath the city were cared for and cultivated by those who were best at nature magic. Indeed, despite there being a city overhead, the plants were thriving below with the seeds of light mana helping them to thrive.

"The plants...are singing..." Christian muttered, puzzled, as he felt the thrum of a song passing through his connection to nature.

"If you stay long enough, you'll find that everything here starts singing." Tyrstle smiled faintly, a merry gleam in his eyes. "Especially during parties and celebrations."

There wasn't really much of a distinction between houses, as they were all trees of a similar size and height. But, generally, the closer the dwelling was to the great tree, the higher the prestige. In fact, only those who could dwell next to the great tree were eligible to become leader of the elven council. The current leader Elder's house was built upon a tree of familiar golden leaves.

Robin recognized it in the distance. "Is that..."

"Yes, it's where your leaf token came from." Tyrstle nodded. He motioned down a side path made of the interwoven branches of a flowering ground bush. this path twisted upwards through some taller bushes and small trees until it reached the height of the city levels.

"Is that the Elder's dwelling?" Robin asked.

"Yes, among other things. But for now, someone wishes to meet with you to help you get ready for the celebration." Tyrstle gave a polite smile. Thus, the company followed Tyrstle up the beautiful pathway into the city.

They were led into the first building they came to. Robin blinked a bit to get used to the golden light that suddenly dazzled her eyes. When she could finally see who was there, she suddenly realized.

"Dirk! Dewtre! I should have known it would be you!" Robin laughed.

"Indeed." Dewtre nodded gracefully in greeting. "Yet, we are not all who wish to meet with you." She turned her head as a small figure rushed forward through a nearby doorway.

"Robin!" A small elf child smiled innocently as she hugged Robin's arm. Robin blinked in surprise before recognizing the girl from the group she had rescued earlier. She smiled and tucked a strand of hair away behind the ears.

"Well met. Is your mother doing well?" Robin asked.

"Mmmn! Mother is feeling much better today!" The elf girl smiled. She appeared to be around four years old, but her eyes gleamed with intelligence.

"They all wish to give their thanks," Dewtre explained. "However, even with healing magic, we cannot replenish the weight that was lost. Many of them are still in recovery currently."

Robin patted the elf girl on the head with a smile. "That's a relief, isn't it?" She looked up at Dewtre, with a less cheerful face. "...I'm just sorry I couldn't have arrived sooner."

"Don't be. If you hadn't arrived when you did, then the whole group may have been lost." Dewtre shook her head. "You've already destroyed the slave crest artifact and caught the two responsible for this tragedy. While it is indeed tragic that their lives were lost, you brought the elves enslavement to an end. And...you gave their families the opportunity to avenge their deaths according to our laws. Earlier, we could only wish for such a good ending to this issue."

Robin shook her head. "No amount of revenge could possibly be a recompense for the loss of a life." She smiled bitterly. "Each one who died: whether a father, a brother, a son, whether a mother, a sister, or a daughter- nothing can replace or bring them back."

Robin's eyes dimmed along with her smile. "Nothing can fill the hole that they left behind in the hearts of their family and friends."

She closed her eyes and drew in a long breath. Then she opened it and looked down at the little elf girl who was patting her hand innocently with a look of concern. Robin smiled. "We can only make new friends, and keep their memories fondly in our hearts, Right?" She asked the elf girl.

"Mnn!" The elf girl smiled cheerfully again and rain back into the other room, happy.

Dewtre observed Robin's behavior mildly, as she considered the words that had been spoken. "You're right." She admitted. "In order not to dwell upon the wrongs they had suffered and lose yourself to rage, it is better to cherish their memory and remember them when they were happy."

Robin took a moment to adjust her mood. "Well, something like that."

"So, you've lost someone important to you, too?" Dirk asked.

It was an innocent observation, but it hit Robin where it hurt. Jasmine looked at Robin, worried. She didn't know how badly Robin felt, but she knew that Robin must have felt hurt hearing that.

"Hey, Dirk!" Dewtre cautioned. It was not a good practice to bring up old wounds in a person. To upset someone after they had helped so much, wasn't that returning good with evil? This sort of behavior would offend many potential allies.

Robin winced. But then did something unexpected. "Oh, you got me. Was it that obvious?" She asked, with a chuckle. "Man, you sure are sharp for your age, aren't you, Dirk?"

"Er, sorry about that. He asked a rude question." Dewtre apologized, feeling embarrassed. Robin obviously bore no ill will towards Dirk, despite it.

"It wasn't like I was hiding it." Robin shrugged. "Well, I suppose I knew we would have parted company eventually. After all, no one lives forever." Robin sighed. "I just...never anticipated it would be so soon. My parents both died suddenly in an accident six years ago."

"You have my condolences." Dewtre acknowledged.