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"I wish I could go," Shael admitted, "but I'm house-bound until Stirring. Adonai could go ... perhaps he could ask Aragost to come here, I wouldn't want to miss the conversation ..."

And strange though it was, Rhea hadn't yet met Aragost, and she wanted to make sure that her daughter would feel comfortable with him. Sure, Shael had no problem with the man - he had been her mentor, in a way, and had helped her out throughout all of her troubles - but she knew that most people were terrified of him, and with reason.

Shael's smile resembled Cindy's own.

"He tries to make everyone believe that he wants nothing more than to be alone in this world," she said softly, "but he has one of the warmest hearts that I know. He gave me comfort when no one else could ... and it was he who gave me the encouragement I needed to talk to Adonai."

Shael giggled softly. "Miyu is such a sweet girl ... and she's so much like Adonijah that it's amusing. I know you haven't seen him since he brought you here those weeks ago, but ... he's amazingly shy. Until only a short while ago he would speak to no one ... even his siblings. He would simply hide."

"I can well imagine," Shael giggled. "She hasn't changed since the first time I arrived at the ranch ... though I would imagine that the same can't be said for me. Still. As for Adonijah ..."

Her smile vanished, replaced suddenly with a serious look. "From what Aliya says, he was really changed when he came to the funeral of that one girl ... that so many strangers came to see her off meant a lot to him, and he started talking about his own death, and who would come to his funeral ..."

She lowered her eyes. "He used to only want to be alone ... now I think he might fear it ... as shy as he still is."

"Probably," Shael agreed. "He's trying to make a point of talking with people, even though he's so shy ... I'm sure you'll get the chance eventually. Probably in Stirring, or Spring, when it's possible to be outside more. I don't know what the boy does all winter, but he's never around, it seems."

Even now that he was trying to talk more to people.

"I suppose there is also that," Shael admitted, "but you have to keep in mind that there is much that we elves can see that other races cannot ... though Adonijah is especially adept at keeping himself hidden."

If he was trying to remain hidden, then it was possible that no one would see him ... but if he were simply difficult to see, then he would still be visible. But really, it wasn't like Shael had the time (or the energy) to sit outside during the winter just to see if she could see her nephew in the snow.

"You're quite right," Shael grinned, "Adonijah does prefer to be outside. And yes, you should visit Aliya - she loves visitors, and they are all too few and far between. How old were the children the last time you were here? I cannot even remember how long ago it was now ... before Adonai returned with my brother and sister, at least ..."

Shael winced. "Ouch. Adonijah will be sixteen next month ... it has been a long time. Yes, you should definitely pay them a visit ... Aliya will be happy to see you, and I'm sure you and Alyse would get along well. Alyse is much like Adonai ... a reader, researcher ... but not at all shy. She actually helped him to write some of the books in his study - I'm not sure if you've had a chance to glance over them ..."

She paused. "But you can't yet read our writing, can you?"