I'll post the next chapter next week, and it has Aaron.

Joan, is it okay that I gave your charrie a sister? And I WILL NOT POST ANYMORE OF THE STORY! 

It's because I want to get it published, but I can't if I've published it elsewhere. 

After dinner, Brúnel showed the girls to their room. It was pretty small. Two beds sat, each in their own corner, a threadbare blanket and pillow covering them. The floor was very filthy, and the once white walls were marked with something which was either dark dirt or soot. There wasn’t any fireplace in the room though.

  “I have to drop something off at a friend’s house quickly. I trust you girls will be alright?” Brúnel asked. “Yes, of course Ferîdana.” Evy said, a pleasant smile on her face. “Good. I’ll be back soon! About an hour or so.” She said, leaving the room.

  The girls heard the front door slam quite loudly, leaving them alone. “Evy,” Ruineth said, sitting down on one of the beds. “Listen. I think that Brúnel is plotting something. I don't know when, how, or why, but I heard her whisper: ‘Eat children, and enjoy your freedom while you can.’ I don’t like it. I think we should leave.”

  “This is troubling. But do you know this for sure? We shouldn’t flee for no reason. I trust you, but I want to be sure.” Evy said, holding her head in her hands. “Evy, you must listen to me. I heard her!”

  “Ruineth . . .”

“I know you’re going to tell me I'm too headstrong, and I should listen to reason,” Ruineth snapped, standing up. “Well I won't! I left to get away from this!” She yelled defiantly. “Ruineth. I trust you. I trust your judgement. I have a — friend who is more trustworthy than Brúnel.” Evy said, bowing her head.

  “Then why didn't we go see her?!” Ruineth spat. “Him,” Evanlyn corrected. “Because-because I could work yarvîn here.” She stammered.

  “Right.” Ruineth growled. “We must move quickly,” Evanlyn said, seeming almost as if she was just waking up. “Grab your things. We're leaving now.”

  “Evy?” Ruineth breathed. There's something up with her. “What? We need to go!” Ruineth bowed her head. “You're right of course.” She said quietly. She ran to the door, as all she owned was the clothes on her back and a dagger.

  Evanlyn soon swept out the door, a small pack slung across her back. Ruineth followed her into the dark night.

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They soon reached a small house next to a blacksmith's shop. Evanlyn knocked on the door softly. A few moments later the door opened, a girl of about eighteen standing there. Tall, skinny, long blond hair, thin nightdress, and she seems a little … I dunno …sad? And the eyes …They look like the dark sky with stars. But somehow different. Sadder. Ruineth shivered. The girl's dark blue eyes stared at her for a moment more, then turning to Evanlyn.

  “Evanlyn, what are you doing here? It's the middle of the night. Alani and Inala are asleep! And Aaron.” The girl said. Evanlyn nodded.

  “I guessed that, but I need a place to stay. For me and Ruineth. If you would please let us stay, just for one night —”

  “Evy, I'll let you stay, but I don't know if Aaron will be happy.”

“I'll make him happy.”

  “I know you will.”

Evanlyn nodded, then turned to Ruineth. “Oh! I'm sorry. Ruineth, this is Trisa Stormcloud. Trisa, this is Ruineth Sharia.” Evanlyn said, introducing them to each other.

   “Greetings.” Trisa said, dipping her head in greeting. Ruineth nodded in acknowledgement. “Come inside. Quickly! We can't have the neighbors think that they might have to be suspicious about us.”

  Evanlyn and Ruineth followed Trisa into the house. The room was small, with a table and six chairs in the middle of the room, stairs leading up to the next floor, a dish cupboard, and a hallway leading elsewhere. The room was a little dusty, but neat.

  “I'm afraid we don't have enough beds, but we have a cot up in the attic and another bed in my room,” Trisa said, turning to Ruineth.

  “It used to be Aaron’s.” She explained, waving her hands about as if she was shooing something away. Trisa started walking towards the stairs, talking about some dishes when Evanlyn grabbed Ruineth's arm.

  “Don't talk about dragons or knights while we're here.” She hissed in Ruineth's ear, then walking ahead as if nothing had happened. Ruineth followed, frowning at Evanlyn behind her back.

  They followed Trisa up the stairs to her room. It was fairly large, but it may be have only seemed that way because of the fact that the only furniture was two beds, one against each wall.

  “It's not much, but one of you can sleep here.” She offered, gesturing to the neatly made bed. “I'll sleep up in the attic. After all, I'm used to it.” Ruineth said.

  “Alright, if you're sure.” Evy said. “The cot should be leaning up against the left wall in the attic. The ladder to the attic is at the end of the hall.” Trisa said.

  “Can you tell me about your travels?” Trisa said excitedly as Ruineth left the room. “Not now. It wouldn't be fair to the twins.”

Evy said gently.

  “I know.” Trisa said with a sigh. Ruineth climbed up the ladder to the attic carefully. It was a little rickety and the wood looked old.

  The attic was full of old antique furniture, piled high to the ceiling. Ruineth found the cot quickly, pulled it off of the wall and laid it down on the ground.

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Ruineth awoke confused. What's going on? Where am I? Am I dreaming? Then she remembered. Right. I'm here …

  She clambered down the ladder, turning the corner to Trisa’s room.

“Evy?” She whispered, tiptoeing into the room. The beds were empty. She ran down the stairs to see two dirty-blond haired girls rushing to sit at the table next to Evanlyn, and a man peering out from the kitchen, an unpleasant expression on his face, like someone just stole his cat and threw it onto his head, claws and all.

  Ruineth raised an eyebrow. He kept staring out into the middle of nowhere, ignoring Ruineth.

The little girls kept chattering away to Evanlyn, so Ruineth turned her attention to more important things.

  Trisa swept past the man out to the table, several plates balanced on her arms. Yenian eggs, gufu bacon, bread lathered in cheo butter, lisha muffins, and yera juice. Ruineth thought, relishing the smell with great delight.

  “Aaron? Aaron?” Trisa called as she ran back into the kitchen. “Yes? What?!” The man called, startled out of his daydreaming. Or thoughts. Whichever he was doing.

  “Wake up sleepyhead.” Trisa called fondly.

“Um, yeah. Sorry, Trisa. I guess I fell asleep on my feet.” He admitted sheepishly.

  “That's fine, but you’d better sit down. It's time to eat. Ruineth? Would you please join us?” Trisa said, nodding to a chair as she flew by, placing cups, plates, knives, and spoons at each person's place.

  “Yes, please.” Ruineth said, sitting down.

She grabbed a little bit of everything and then some. It all smelled so glorious.

  Evy had warned her not to speak about dragons or knights last night, so Ruineth felt she should. What could go wrong? The most she could do was upset the hosts.

  Ruineth picked up a bit of gufu bacon and tasted it. Somehow it tasted even better than usual. Slightly more peppery and fatty.

  And annoying people usually worked out just fine in the end. She got a discount off of a dagger last time.

  Ruineth tucked her hair behind her ears, picking up a bit of gufu bacon and tasted it. Somehow it tasted even better than usual. Slightly more peppery and fatty.

  Trisa gasped, dropping a plate. Aaron's face turned hard. The little girls shrieked. Evy turned pale.

  “What?” Ruineth asked cautiously. “EVANLYN TROPIA!” Aaron roared.

“Yes?” Evy squeaked.

  “What is going on?” Ruineth demanded.

“I'll go get a broom. Twins, how ’bout you come with me?” Trisa offered, dragging the twins after her.

“Evanlyn,” Aaron said, his voice more steady. “Why did you bring another elf into this house?”

  “He knows you're an elf?” Ruineth asked, astonished.

“Um,” Evanlyn whimpered, scrunching her nose up. “Because we needed shelter?” She said, shrugging her shoulders as slowly as possible.

  “Evy,” Aaron said, his voice gentle. “I can't take all the elves in all of Ruwen in.”

“I know.” Evanlyn said with a sigh. Ruineth sat there, glaring at Aaron, her arms folded across her chest.

  “Listen … I, I need you to leave.” Aaron said.

“What?” Evy gasped, gaping at him. “Aaron …” She protested, a sob spilling out.

  “You can't do this to her!” Ruineth snapped. “Whatever you're doing,” She added in a mutter.

“But—I can't just dump you out onto the streets. I'm far too kind for that. You can stay for breakfast and then — a-and then leave.”

  Evy nodded, her face firm. Trisa peeked out of the kitchen, broom in hand. She smiled half-heartedly at Evanlyn, then dragged the twins after her into the dining room.

  The twins sat in their seats, grinning from ear to ear. “Evy, can you tell us one of your stories now?” One of them piped up. Evanlyn sighed regretfully.

  “I'm afraid not, Inala,” Evy said, then noticing the other girl's mouth opening to question her she added, “And no, I don't have the time to explain why, Alani.” She turned away, staring at Ruineth.

  Ruineth picked up her gufu bacon again and tore off another bite. Now it tasted cold and salty, like tears.

  She poked her yenian egg with her knife and let it run all over her lisha muffin.

It was cold and missing a hint of savoriness. I guess I just lost my appetite. She thought mournfully.

  “I might as well know what you're doing while you're here.” Aaron finally said.

Evanlyn sniffed with an injured flair and stuck her nose up in the air.

  “Well …” Ruineth's voice trailed off into silence.

“We're searching for my mother.” Ruineth finished.

  Evanlyn squirmed as if she didn’t know what to say.

Trisa brushed her hair out of her face, interested.

  Aaron raised an eyebrow, and the twins stopped squabbling over the last piece of gufu bacon.

“Who is your mother?” Aaron asked. “Aglardis Silleveth.” Ruineth said, looking Aaron in the eye.

  “Hm, never heard of her before.”

Ruineth tossed her head arrogantly. “And dragons recently destroyed Silverspring and my foster parents.”

  Evanlyn let out a small “Eep!” Of surprise and cowered.

Trisa gasped and ran out of the room, tears welling up out of her eyes.

  “Don't talk about such things under the roof of this house.” Aaron hissed, his voice dangerously low.

  “And why not?” Ruineth demanded loudly.

“Because the king refuses to take larger action against the dragons!” Aaron roared.

  “Wait!” Evy called. “Wait,” She added when she noticed Aaron turning to her.

“Twins, go with Trisa. It's time to go to school anyways.” Aaron said, his temper cooling.

“Aaron, what if I told you there was an underground organization and they were fighting the dragons in secret?”

  “Well, I I don't know.” Aaron said, his eyes shining with hope. He turned away.

“No. Don't give me more false hope, Evy.”

  Evanlyn glared at him. “And Ruineth, what if I knew your Mother, Aglardis, was still alive? And I knew exactly where she was?”

  “You have to be lying. Nothing in this world is that easy.” Ruineth spat, full of fury.

How dare she present me with this false sense of hope?!

  “No one believes me, do they?!” Evanlyn shrieked. “Fine! Just fine! See if I care!” She wrapped her arms around her head, near to sobbing.

  Aaron stood up, stepped forward, then stepped back, unsure of what to do.

Evy looked up, tears in her eyes.

  “You have to believe me,” She hissed desperately. “Please Ruineth. Aaron.” She sobbed. “I can help you. I want to. Ruineth, haven’t I helped you? No matter what the goal has been?”

  “Evy, I don’t know what to do.” Ruineth said, close to tears herself.

Ruineth ran out of the house, an internal war starting.

  She took a deep breath and turned back to the house when she heard something. She whipped around.

  A cloaked man emerged from the alleyway. “Please ma’am, can you help me? My brother is in that alleyway, dying.” He said.

  “I will help in any way I can.” Ruineth promised. “Thank you.” He said, nodding his head in thanks.

  Ruineth nodded, following after him. Another cloaked man stood at the end of the alley.

“I thought you said he was injured. And dying.” Ruineth said suspiciously.

  The man in front of her sighed in annoyance. “Arndir, I thought you said we weren't going to lie to her.” He said.

  “Well, Angoldir, how else were we going to get her here?” Arndir asked incredulously.

Angoldir and Arndir. Sounds familiar … I can’t place the names. Ruineth thought, confused.

  “So you were lying to me?” Ruineth spat, turning around.

“Well, what do you think?.” Arndir said, sounding vaguely disgusted.

  Ruineth sighed. “I don’t have time for this.” She said.

“No!” Angoldir said, alarmed. “And why not?” Ruineth spat, furious.

  “Well, because we need you to come with us to Vagilîni.”

“No!” Ruineth shrieked. “Evy!” She screamed, pushing past Arndir and running out into the   deserted street.

  “Evy!” She yelled again, pulling out her dagger.

She ran back to the house. Evanlyn burst out of the house, whipping her head around wildly.    “What’s going on?” She asked.

  “Angoldir, Arndir.” Ruineth panted. “What?!” Evy shrieked.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered as Arndir and Angoldir ran around the corner.

  “Um, and, who are they again? I know you said something about them, but I forgot.”

“The Tharon twins!” Evanlyn screeched. “Go! Get inside!” She whimpered, pushing Ruineth in.  “Is the sack of food ready Trisa?” Evy panted.

“Almost, why?” Trisa asked. The sound of someone pounding on the door filled the house. Evanlyn gaped at her for a moment before saying, “Seriously? Okay, I’ll take it, because we need to leave, now. I don’t know where we’re going, but we need to leave so that none of you are put in danger.” Evanlyn snatched up the small sack.

  “Ruineth, we’re leaving for the alley, so go out the back door.” Ruineth nodded in response. “No, wait. I’m going to negotiate with them. I’ve been putting off joining the Renegades for too long.” Ruineth gaped at her for a moment.

  There’s something wrong with Evy. She’s worrying me now. Talking riddles and nonsense, giving people false hope …

  “You stay inside and be careful. One of twins might attempt to come inside.” Evanlyn said, stepping towards the front door.

  “Evy, no! I don’t know what you’re doing, and frankly, I think you’re going a little crazy, so please don’t try anything crazy!” Ruineth wailed.

“I am going crazy, but please bear with me.” Evanlyn snapped sarcastically.

  “So what are you doing for Arodon’s sake?!”

“Just trust me and stay inside.” Evanlyn said with a sigh. The sound echoed again.

  “I’m coming with you.” Ruineth insisted.

“Fine. I didn’t really think I could change your mind.” Evy said. “Do you still have money?” She asked.

  “Yes, about four gold thrupes.” Ruineth said.

“Not enough to do anything. Besides, I don’t really think that either of them would accept any bribes.”

  “Well, that’s a pity.”

“Yes. Now, are you coming, or not?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss this for all of Nambia.”

“Then let’s go.”

  They stepped out into the street, where Arndir and Angoldir were waiting for them. They had taken their hoods off. One was a little lanky, wearing light armor. His eyes were angled, and very elfian.

  The other was shorter, wearing a strange combination of armor and cloth that seemed to be lightweight. A quiver full of arrows was slung across his shoulder, and a bow hanging at his side. A scabbard for a knife hung at his side along with a leather canteen, a horn, rope, and a small leather pouch.

“You realize you are now under the custody of the Keepers?” One asked.

  “Ha, ha. Arndir, cut it out. There’s nobody nearby. Talk to us normally.” Evanlyn said dryly.

Arndir snorted. “I am talking normally. Unless you want me to speak in gîlarin.” Arndir said sarcastically.  

  “No, I don’t. Now, why are you two here?” Evy asked.

“You seriously don’t know? Fine. Long story short, your father is after you and he is very displeased with your behavior, and wants to know why you have declared yourself a fugitive.” Arndir said dryly.

  “It’s not that bad.” Angoldir said.  

Evanlyn rolled her eyes. “Now listen you two. You want this war to end, right? Well, I know how to fix this. But you have to trust me. Maybe even get in trouble with King Ardaer. But, I need you two to cooperate.”

  “No, you need to cooperate Evanlyn. You can come peacefully, or not.” Arndir said sharply, his eyes flashing.

  “Peace, brother.” Angoldir said calmly.

“Evy, what are you doing?” Ruineth hissed.

  “Attempting to make them leave us alone.” Evanlyn hissed back crossly.

“Come now, it’s not polite to whisper.” Arndir said humorlessly.

  Evanlyn closed her eyes. She waved her hands around, mumbling something under her breath.

  “She’s casting the Yîfrin spell.” Ruineth heard Angoldir whisper urgently to Arndir.

Ruineth’s breath caught in her throat. The Yîfrin spell would take them somewhere. But where was the question.

  Angoldir started muttering under his own breath. Ruineth let out a shriek of fury, pulling out her dagger.

  Arndir grabbed Ruineth’s arms from behind her, taking away her dagger. “Hey!” She protested. She attempted to struggle out from his grip. Arndir said nothing, but when Ruineth twisted back to look at him, his gaze was full of fury.

  Evanlyn and Angoldir kept muttering to themselves, in some sort of contest of their own.

“Can you do magic?” Ruineth asked. Arndir grunted.

  “Well, that’s not a response.” Ruineth protested grumpily.

“You fool!” Arndir hissed. “Of course I can! But you and I must remain silent, otherwise risking them dying!”

  Is he telling the truth? Or is he just saying it to keep me quiet? Ruineth wondered. Better play it safe. She told herself.

  Evanlyn suddenly collapsed, obviously drained of energy. “No!” She yelled. Angoldir staggered up on to his feet. “I barely had enough manna.” He said to Arndir.

  “Manna?” Ruineth asked.

“Yeah. You know what manna is, right?”

  Ruineth glared at him. “Well of course I do. I asked you what manna was.”

“Oh. Um, well, it’s what we use to channel our magic. ‘Witches’ use wands since they don’t have access to manna. And ‘witches’ actually have some elf blood in them.”

  “Thank you. Now can you let me go?”

“No,” Arndir said. “Absolutely not.”

  Ruineth tried to glare at him unsuccessfully. “Well, you didn’t have to hurt Evy!” Ruineth roared.

  “I did what had to be done.” Arndir said.

“I didn’t hurt her,” Angoldir explained. “All I did was take away her manna. It won’t hurt her. It’ll just leave her exhausted. If we hurt her … let’s just say her father wouldn’t be the happiest.” Angoldir said wryly.

  “Well, I’m not exactly the happiest either,” Ruineth growled. “Now let me go!”

“No. I’m sorry. Arndir, can you please use the Jari spell?” Angoldir asked.

  “Yes, but after I tie them up.” Arndir replied.

Angoldir nodded. “That would be best.” Angoldir handed his brother a couple of segments of rope which had been tied around his waist.

   Arndir grabbed Ruineth’s hands, tying the rope so that it dug into her wrists. “Ow!” She exclaimed. He propped her up against the wall. “So, am I going to be punished once we get to Vagilîni?” Ruineth asked dryly.

  “Well, yes?” Angoldir said. “But we don’t know what it will be, so don’t expect that type of an answer.”  

  Arndir held Evanlyn’s hands behind her back, tying the rope so that it started cutting into her hands a little. Evy groaned as her head bobbed around. She appeared to be unconscious, but Ruineth quickly decided she was only sub-conscious.

  The door of the house flew open. It was Trisa. She screamed at the sight of Evy tied up. “Oh, Arodon.” Arndir cursed. “Aaron!” Trisa screamed.

  Aaron ran out, his face pale. “No.” He whispered huskily. “No. This can’t be happening. First—” He stopped, unable to speak.

  “This is not what you think it is!” Angoldir cried, alarmed. “Evanlyn Tropia is the daughter of— somebody important. She won’t be harmed. You must trust me sir.” He said gravely.

  “Arndir, Can you use the Jari spell on all three of them?” Angoldir asked.

“I think so.” Arndir said, nodding. He started mumbling something under his breath. Suddenly, Trisa collapsed, Aaron barely catching her. Moments later, he also collapsed.

  Then, everything went black.

Top!

Swift says "bynh." Bye now? I TOLD YOU THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO WAY YOU ARE LEAVING STOP IT NOW!!!

Oh cool! Thanks! 

P.S, Halflings are basically the same things as Hobbits, if you've ever read/watched that.