Faylin and Lyrian emerge from the guest room and Aleena is still sound asleep on the couch, nice and peaceful. Her stomach rises and falls slowly as her body sits still. Merrik is cooking breakfast in the kitchen area and he notices the two.

"Good morning," Merrik greets.

Faylin and Lyrian look at each other, and then back at Merrik. "Is she awake?" Faylin asks.

Merrik turns his head to Aleena, "she's been asleep for awhile now. You two go on, have breakfast."

Faylin and Lyrian are back in their normal clothes all clean and ready. Lyrian wears his black mage robes with a green trim and ornamental buttons. Faylin is in her usual brown leather armor.

Aleena stirs in her sleep. Sizzling spinach and eggs light up the room. They eat breakfast together, but Aleena wakes rubbing her closed eyes and yawning. She groans as she sits up, holding her visible forehead head in a hangover. "Bleh," Aleena let's go of the mushrooms and leaves that was still in her mouth.

Lyrian runs to her, "Aleena, thank the gods you're awake."

"Huh?" Aleena slurs and lazily holds her arms out.

Faylin hugs her, "we thought you were gone."

Aleena cuffs Faylin's cheeks and starts to swirl her tongue in her mouth, leaving Faylin shocked. She holds her, Faylin too surprised to escape Aleena's grasp. "Thank you, you're the best boyfriend ever Faylin," Aleena pulls away and her pupils are as large as cat's eye.

"Uhh," Faylin is frozen, blushing red. Lyrian bursts out laughing and Faylin's eyebrows lower, her face is flushing a deep red. "What?"

"Don't ever change," Aleena chuckles and leans on her shoulder. Lyrian and Faylin look at each other.

"No seriously, you smell like a rock, but I love it," Aleena says.

"Aleena I'm a girl! You don't have a boyfriend!" Faylin clenches her fists.

Aleena starts to drip from her eyes and cries like a innocent child, "but what about our bath last night?"

Faylin's eyes widen further as she keeps her red face, "what!?"

Lyrian laughs at the two and Merrik joins in. "That would be the mushrooms," he laughs. "She may still be a little loopy."

Lyrian and Faylin are confused. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. Please take me back," Aleena begs, holding her hands. Faylin's face turns redder, her head is about to burst from steam, but Aleena's face is full of sadness, like a puppy in the rain.

Aleena turns her attention towards Lyrian. "Lyrian! I want to show you my pet dinosaur," she runs up to him all enthusiastic. "It's big, and it eats trees. Do you like it?" She hangs and tilts her head like a drunk near the window.

Faylin's face turns back to normal, "Aleena that's not yours." Lyrian can't help but continue to giggle. Merrik is sitting on his chair, watching Aleena's chaos. "Did you know she was going to be like this?" Faylin asks Merrik.

"Oh yes, when I was younger, I ate some jurry mushrooms to see what it would taste like, and thought I could talk to animals afterwards. It's quite hilarious really. Not that I don't do that already while sober," the old man chuckles.

"Wait, are you serious?" Aleena asks and her head slightly wobbly.

"What?" Faylin replies to Aleena which catches her attention.

"Mom, I'm going out to see my animal friends. There's a hippo hosting a party down town. Grampa over there said it was okay." She exhales and her voice is airy, "I'm going to go." Grabbing a random shirt that isn't even hers, she stumbles over to the stairs and hangs her head.

"Aleena, no," Faylin grabs Aleena and she struggles, but Faylin holds on tight. "You're not going anywhere."

Lyrian chuckles sarcastically, "well she's doing great." He sits on the couch and watches the two fight.

"No, let me go, I'm tired of this damn farm!" Aleena pulls and stops her foot and Faylin pushes her down on the couch, sitting on her as she pouts and struggles underneath. Aleena starts to cry, "I'm not a kid, let me go!" she whines. "I hate this."

"Maybe you're the one that hates the farm, Fay," Lyrian says with a smirk.

"How about you shut it and help me keep Aleena out of danger?" Faylin replies with a glare.

Lyrian sighs, "Aleena, what do you remember about last night?"

"Ugh, we were having a bath and then I woke up here on the couch," she says. "My belly hurts," she complains.

"It's okay, just rest, we'll get you some medicine," Faylin says carefully releasing her and trying not to hurt her.

Aleena nods and lays down on the couch, finally relaxed.

Merrik watches and laughs.

"Alright, I think she'll be okay," Lyrian says and Faylin lets Aleena go completely.

"Why is my belly so itchy?" she feels the bandages and her skin around it, and then scratches it. "And why am I covered in raspberries? Can I have some?" She licks her finger with a bit of red.

"No, that's gross!" Faylin yells. "Aleena, you're not eating that, that's rotten." She holds Aleena's hand away.

Aleena pouts and looks at Faylin, "but mom."

Faylin's eyebrows furrow, "I'm not your mother, Aleena." And she sighs finally giving in to playing along with her fantasies. "We can get you some fresh raspberries from the swamp later, okay?"

Lyrian smiles, "you know, I think you'd actually be a great mom."

"Shut it," Faylin snaps at him.

Lyrian laughs, "that was a compliment. Look at you taking care of her." He points to Aleena who's sleeping soundly, holding Faylin's arm.

"She's my friend, of course I'd take care of her. I'm not her mom though."

"Sure," Lyrian chuckles.

Faylin's eyes narrow, "you're weird Lyrian."

"Says the boy who likes making toys."

Lyrian laughs, and Faylin's face flushes red, "shut it Lyrian!" Faylin rests her face taking in a deep breath and glances at him with a smirk, "thanks though."

Lyrian and Faylin sit with Merrik. "did you see the attacker?" Lyrian asks Merrik.

Merrik shakes his head, "no, but the poison was definitely from a dart frog. It's a strong poison that can paralyze victims and make them bleed out from their body. I've been attacked a few times by rogues, but this one was different."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Who do you think it was?" Lyrian asks.

Merrik shakes his head, "I'm not sure. But it's definitely a rogue. And from what she was after, she's only after Aleena. It seems as if you guys have nothing to do with this, otherwise she would've fought you off, but instead she ran."

"I can confirm. She looked at me, and ran," Faylin replies.

Lyrian looks at Aleena who is resting, "why is she after Aleena though?"

Merrik thinks, "I don't know. But what I do know is that Aleena is safe with us for now. Just keep an eye out, I can protect you guys. No one will mess with an old nature wizard like me."

"I wish we knew more," Faylin says.

"Me too," Lyrian replies.

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Dusk is shining through the clouds on the next day. The swamp is dark but the moonlight shines on the clear areas. Aleena is laying on the couch. Faylin and Lyrian are talking together, chattering.

"I was always fascinated with magic, I wanted to learn all about it," Faylin says. She is holding a pillow and looking up at the ceiling,

"But I'm not a mage. So that's why I took up blacksmithing because if I find the rare materials, I know they have magical properties. That's why I went with my dad to the mines," Faylin explains to Lyrian. She has her hands locked along a pillow, looking to the ceiling. "And I found a special rock when I was young. My dad said it was the greatest find in all the years of mining. It's a special material."

Lyrian looks to Faylin, listening to her. He can sense a bit of sadness filling as she speaks.

Faylin sighs, "but here I am, wasting my time as an adventurer."

"You're not wasting your time, Fay. You're helping Aleena and the people around. You're helping your kingdom, and you're making a difference. And you're gathering rare ore." Lyrian says to her, with a smile.

Faylin rolls her head to Lyrian, and smiles, "thanks Lyrian. But I haven't gathered anything yet."

"You will, you have the potential," Lyrian reassures.

Faylin sighs, "I just feel like a failure, I feel like I can't do anything."

"Well you're doing something. You're helping people. Bibby has a roof over her head and your dad's shop is still intact. That's what matters."

"But is it enough? Am I doing it right?"

"Yes. You are a good person. I know you are." Lyrian puts a hand on her shoulder.

Aleena stirs awake again. "Guys?" She rubs her eyes looking better.

Faylin and Lyrian turn their heads. "How are you feeling?" Faylin asks.

Aleena smiles to her and the three look at each other, "better, a lot better. My head feels a lot clearer." She looks down and pulls her shirt up, seeing the bandages. "What happened to me?" Aleena asks.

Faylin puts her hands on her hips, standing over her, "you kissed me, that's what happened." Lyrian giggles to himself.

"Sorry?" Aleena is a little confused, but then it hits her. Aleena's eyes widen, "wait, what?"

"You were on some mushrooms and you were calling me your boyfriend," she explains with a smug look.

Aleena's face deepens red, "oh," she looks away.

They both enjoy seeing Aleena in her embarrassed state, and Lyrian says to Aleena, "we're kidding. You were drugged and poisoned. You were hallucinating and delusional. You thought you were going to a hippo's house party."

"Wait, a hippo's house party?" Aleena asks and raises an eyebrow. "That's a weird hallucination. I mean I have been around hippos before but not in house."

"Yeah, we know. You were a mess. But the good thing is, you're okay now," Faylin says to her.

She smiles, "thank you."

Faylin smiles back. "no problem. But you are never going to live that kiss down. You dug deep, with your tongue. And it was slimy Aleena," Faylin's eyes narrow at her with a smirk.

Her eyes widen, and her face turns red again. "Ew, Faylin!" Lyrian laughs at the two, and Aleena playfully pushes him.

"Can you guys not," Aleena says embarrassed.

Faylin smirks, "oh come on, you liked it."

"No I didn't, it was weird," she argues.

"Right, and that's why you were begging me to marry you," she teases.

Aleena smacks her lips to cover her mouth, "shut it, Faylin." She closes her eyes trying to let the emotional torment pass.

Lyrian and Faylin laugh.

"Seriously, what happened to me?" Aleena asks, rubbing her belly. "My wound still hurts."

Laughter stops and the mood gets serious once again.

"A rogue attacked you. It was a woman. She was too fast and escaped," Faylin explains.

"Oh, I see. A rogue..."

"Don't worry, you're safe. Merrik helped us out, he healed you and got rid of the poison. He's very skilled," she continues.

"Thank you."

Faylin smiles, "yeah, we were worried for you."

Aleena's voice is soft, and her face turns serious, "but why did she attack me?"

"I'm not sure. It seems like someone wants you dead. But we're here for you. We'll figure it out together," Faylin says to her. "No one is going to get their hands on you like that while we're still alive."

"Thanks," Aleena replies, not knowing how to react at all the kindness.

"Come here Aleena," Lyrian hugs her and teases, "I need my kiss too." Lyrian leans in and Aleena punches him in the gut.

"Not even in thousand years Lyrian," she says firmly with her arms crossed.

"Okay okay," Lyrian says trying to laugh, but holds his stomach in pain.

Faylin laughs, and Merrik walks into the room with some tea, "ah, I see the elf is awake. How are you feeling?" He sits down next to Faylin and takes a sip from his tea.

"Better, thank you," Aleena smiles.

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In the front yard of the mage tower, Merrik is outside next to the garden. Glowing bright green as the leaves are rising from the floor, his arms are above his head, and a large willow grows instantly. "There you go Tilbert, more willows for you to eat. Oh, I have to work twice as hard now since you came. But I guess I can't stay made at that face, can I?" The dreadnoughtus moans and starts eating some ferns a long the ground.

Merrik walks to the house and looks into the horizon, seeing the sun setting, "oh dear, it's getting dark, I better start a fire for dinner."

"Hm," he thinks to himself staring at a smoke flaring in the village from afar. "That is much larger than any old campfire or chimney. This can't be good."

Merrik heads inside.

The three are sitting together on the couch. Faylin is reading a book, Aleena is polishing her bladed bow, and Lyrian is reading a book of magic.

"Hello, younglings," Merrik says, walking up the stairs.

"Hey Merrik," they reply in unison.

Merrik's eyes are wide, "the village is burning, someone has to help them."

Lyrian jumps up from his seat. "That's ridiculous, why?"

"I don't know, but someone needs to check it out. I thought it might have something to do with Aleena's assassin," Merrik explains.

Aleena looks at him, "I'll go check it out."

Faylin stops her, "no, you're hurt. You can't go. You have to rest."

Aleena shakes her head, "I can't. This assassin almost killed me, and it's time I return the favor."

Lyrian jumps in, "I don't think it's a good idea, Faylin is right. What if it's a trap?"

"Then let's all go together," she replies. "I'm not going to sit here and let her get away with this." Aleena stands up, grabbing her bow and quiver and heading downstairs.

Faylin and Lyrian stand, and look at each other.

"And with that, it looks like it's time for my guests to part ways with me," Merrik sighs. He walks with them downstairs to the door. "Be careful, young ones, don't get into any trouble you can't get out of."

"Thank you, Merrik," Lyrian replies.

Merrik looks at Faylin, "and Fay, don't forget to use your head."

"I won't," Faylin replies with a smile.

He then turns to Aleena, "and Aleena, keep the forest safe. You and I depend on each other, even though we may be miles apart." Merrik places a hand on her shoulder.

Aleena nods, "I promise I won't fail."

Merrik pulls out a small salve containing a mixer of sparkling balm, "take this, I brewed it up while you were asleep. Just in case that assassin tries it again, it should heal you and give you a little resistance. It's not strong though and her poison is some of the toughest out there, so be careful. This is best I can offer for now."

Aleena stares at the small container held out to her, then takes it. It shines a fog with the magic of nature and smells like fresh eucalyptus. "Merrik, I can't thank you enough for all you do for the forest."

Merrik looks at her sternly in the eyes, "Aleena, you must count on the forest, nature always heals it's protectors. You are strong with it, and you always have been. Even with these new creatures, the forest is teaching you a lesson. Listen to it."

"I have not fallen apart from the forest Merrik," Aleena lightly argues.

"You have been caught off guard many times Aleena. You observe Tilbert not knowing what he is doing and how he is effecting the forest and other animals around. He is unknown to you and you are afraid of an animal minding his own business as my other animals do the same. It is a lot simpler than that, and you make it much more complex. That is not a normal wood elf Aleena."

Aleena looks down, realizing her wrongs and listening to the old green wizard. She has been caught emotionally, thinking back to the unknown calls and sounds of dinosaurs and how they react. Guilt tightens in her chest and she trembles.

Merrik continues and grips his cane, "sometimes there are sacrifices, and know that it is not your fault Aleena. You are strong and smart with the forest."

She thinks back to the Ankylosaur under a spell. An innocent creature it was to her. Even the spinosaurus, trying to protect her young, only to be shattered to find out her egg was crushed. And the pack of dilophosaurs that attacked her clan, only trying to survive by finding food and even to possibly feed their own families.

Aches form in her arms. She hates that she has to take the lives of animals which was once a rare occurrence. "I feel like a killer Merrik," she tells him with a sniffle and watery eyes.

"Don't, you have no access to this magic, and just because Tilbert is fine now, doesn't mean the others are. It doesn't mean that the forest won't regress," he explains. "Do what you must, but you must rely on the forest and have trust, in yourself and the magic around."

Aleena nods and gives the old man a hug with a few tears. "You'll always be welcome in my clan Merrik. It's rare to find a human like you with much respect."

"I'll be sure to come visit."

"Keep Tilbert safe," she says.

"You can count on it."

The old man smiles to the group after he has his hug, "you all be safe, and come back soon. I'll keep an eye out for your assassin." He waves to them, and the group leaves into the swamp, following the path to the burning village.