Having completed my magical education, I returned to the home of my parents to begin the training considered necessary for a woman of my rank.
Most of my time was taken up with my education as a noblewoman of marriageable age. I did find time, occasionally, to get away from the more inhabited areas; it was on one such occasion that I met the man who introduced me to the True Gods of our world.
It started off simply enough, considering the fact that it was strictly forbidden by the religion I was born into, something so harmless that I could never understand why it wasn't allowed. Walking barefoot, I took off my shoes and walked through the forest, to a pool of warm water. I sat down, next to it, watched the sunrise over the mountains and listened to the wind.
"Greetings this morn," I heard a mans voice behind me and leapt to my feet.
"Good morn to you, Sir," I managed to reply, trying not to stare, he was a very handsome man, even among our kind, I swear I nearly fainted; of course I was rather shocked at being discovered.
"What do you here?" he asked curiously, I faltered what possible excuse could I give that would not result in my being reported to the Priests? I decided to try bluffing my way out of it.
"What business of yours is it?" I replied haughtily. "Why I do not even know who you are!"
To my immense irritation, he only looked amused by my manner.
"Galeorhin Galues Shalarhi," he replied blandly, at that point I seriously considered passing out as a way to escape further embarrassment, he was a member of the royal family, the second son of the king!
"My sincerest apologies, My Lord," I curtseyed as low as I could, as was proper.
"Accepted, though unnecessary, may I have the honour of knowing who I am addressing?"
'Oh wonderful', I thought, 'he probably wants to report me!'
"Lady Lheora Yhanni Nikaria."
"Ahh, Lady Lhanni and Lord Larius youngest daughter?"
"Yes, My Lord," I replied politely, wondering what his point was...
"The one who has been punished for breaking religious laws on at least 8 occasions."
... And there was his point.
"Yes, My Lord, but that was when I was a child," I replied pointedly.
"Of course, tell me Lheora Yhanni, have you mended your ways or," he pointed to my bare feet not quite hidden by the hem of my dress, "have you simply stopped admitting to them?"
I stared at him in combined shock, anger, and the Gods only know what else.
"Why, do you intend to report me?" I asked sarcastically, as I stood up. "And would you be reporting yourself at the same time?" I added pointing to his own, bare, feet.
"You're a snarly little kitten aren't you," he remarked mildly.
'A kitten am I, the nerve of him comparing me to one of those fuzzy little humans' pets!'
"Humph", not so much a reply as a sound of disapproval, it occurred to me that my mother made that noise at me when I didn't pay attention - how depressing!
"In answer to your question, I have no intention of reporting either of us." Well that was a relief. "However I am curious to know what a daughter of the Second house is doing so close to the mountains?"
"I was, well I", how could I explain it to him? "I feel close to the elements when I am here," I finally replied, in complete honesty, hoping this was not some elaborate trap.
"Fire and earth, water and air."
"Yes," I agreed, emphatically, could it be that he understood what I could barely explain to myself?
It seemed that he was equally suspicious of my being there, he fell silent and I wondered what could be wrong.
"Are you well, My Lord?"
"Quite well, Lady Nikaria, if you will excuse me, I must return now. Perhaps we will speak again, later?"
"Yes of course." Even as I agreed, I sensed that we were both wondering if there would be a later.
He disappeared, into the forest, as silently as he had appeared in the first instance. I sat down again, a wiser or perhaps less trusting person would have left as soon as she could. I was not wise then, I am most definitely not wise now, and for some instinctive reason - and I feel obliged to point out that among the Elven race trusting one's instincts is frowned upon - I felt I could trust him, as it turned out I was right.