Tarì sat on the beach, watching the waves roll onto the shore, steadally taking sand and piling it back on the shore. A sea bird flew low over the water catching its afternoon lunch. A cool breeze played with her flowing balck hair. The breeze was strong and ocationally caused her to sqwint her ebony eyes, almost as much as the bright sun the beat down on her. It smelled tangy and brought with it a mist from the surf. The mist clung to her cloths and body. She licked her lips tasting the salt from the water on her lips. Smiling, she dug her feet into the cool sand, letting the granuals tickle her toes and release the tention in her feet from the journy she was making. She picked up a shell that was close by. It was smooth and cool to the touch. She rubed her thumb over the inside of the shell, the softest place. Sighing she put the shell back in the sand.
She rested her chin on her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs. Rocking back and forth she looked out to sea and thought about home and how much she missed it. She thought about how many friends she had lost and how she would never see any of them again. I remember the autum leaves just turned. The smell of the breeze coming threw the trees. Playing amongst the roots of the great redwoods with my sisters and all our friends. God how i miss it all. Sighing again she sat just letting her thoughts flow with the coming tide. One thought mingling with another. there was no patern. It was as if she were dieing and was seeing her life flash before her eyes. But it was all just the memories. The faces of loved ones and friends, places that she had been and grew up in. Eventually she would have to move, but not yet.

She had known Tarì had left. She had followed in the distance, keeping watch over the little elven girl. Tarì was not skilled in travel, nor was she very strong. Someone had to follow and keep an eye out for her.
She kept her distance, not wanting Tarì to sense her presence. It would have crushed the spirit of the wandering elfmaiden, and that was the last thing Mara wanted to do.
Oh my little one, you have travelled far away from your homelands. I shall keep watch over you, for as long as you shall need it.
Mara had not forgotten her own quest. She had simply put it to rest in the back of her mind. The time would come when Tarì would be able to fend for herself. But until that time, Mara would always be watching.

A cold shiver ran up Tarì's spine. It wasnt from the wind coming off the sea, but a sense that someone was watching her. She had had this feeling ever since she left home. Turning her head she gazed into the trees, not exspecting to see anyone but hoping she may see something that would show someone was out there. Alright my following shadow, where are you. I know your out there. Come on out. She considered screaming out at whomever was following her to come out but thought better of it. She didnt know who her father may have sent out to track and follow her.
Getting up she brushed her self off and walked along the beach, keeping her eyes to the woods, the only place someone could hide. The cold water lapped at her bare feet, intising her to come out for a swim. she stoped and faced the woods, her back to the ocean. Her gaze swept all the woods for any sign of movement. Very well trained she should have been able to pick anyone out of the forest. Unfortunatly whomever was following her was also very good at conseling themselves.

Mara watched from the shadows as Tarì stood up and walked along the beach. She was very careful not to move too much, for the elfmaiden would be sure to notice any movement. They had been trained together, so Mara knew exactly how much skill Tarì had.

Oh Tarì. I hate to deceive you like this. It is not fair to you, or to me, but it must be done. You must be watched over, for you will need help. Our people have sheltered us from the real world, and we are not able to handle what will come. I will protect you, little one. For as long as you shall need it, I will be there.

As she was thinking these thoughts, she shifted her balance slightly. A twig cracked underneath her foot. Stunned, she froze. Tarì would be sure to notice her now. The encounter was one she was not looking forward to either. Tarì would insist that she was there because Tarì's father had ordered her to follow the wandering one. The meeting was sure to be a loud one.

Hearing the snapping of a twig Tarì's head snaped in the direction of the noise. Scaning the woods she saw no sign of movement. She starting toward the woods in hopes that her movement in the persons direction would cause them to move and would therefor show her where they hide. But there were no signs of movement. The person held there ground.

Still advancing Tarì called out to the faceless stranger in the woods. Come out! I know you are out there! I may not be able to see you but I have heard you! After a breef pause she called out again, Do not make me come in and drag you out!

She stoped advancing and stood on the beach waiting for the person to show themselves. She didnt know if they were armed and didnt want to take the chance unless she had to. she stood waiting....

Mara took a deep breath. Tarì had a loud voice when she was irritated, and she was sure to be now. She stood up slowly, gathered her wits about her, and moved out of the underbrush.

She walked slowly down the sands, not wanting to startle Tarì too much. They had been trained in archery, and Tarì was the better of the two. Her arrows flew fast, and straight, and one wrong move could be the end of Mara.

Hello, Tarì, she said quietly.

Tarì watched someone stand up in the undergrowth of the forest. It was a woman and she was hesitating. As she desended out of the trees the freatures of the woman gradually were better determined.

She was obviously elvin by the fluid way in which she walked. Long golden blond hair flowed behind her, the wind playfully blowining it back. She looked so farmiliar to Tarì.

It wasnt untill the woman spoke that Tarì reconized her. Well i knew my father would send someone but i didnt know he would be sending you. What are you going to do Mara? You cant exactly make me go home. Its not like you can force me with the threat of injuring me. You couldnt hit a wall infront of your face my old friend.

Sighing she looked brokenly at her friend. She had said old friend just because Mara had been sent to bring her back. She didnt mean the hurtful remarks but she had to sting back in some way.

Mara smiled sadly. Tarì knew nothing of her quest, not why she had followed the runaway lass. It was no wonder Tarì was accusing her of being sent by her father. The poor thing.

Your father did not send me, Tarì. I followed you of my own accord. I wanted to see where you were headed, and to keep an eye on you. I knew that you had not been out of our lands before, and that you didn't know what you would encounter. So, I followed you, she concluded, shrugging her shoulders slightly.

Tarì looked at Mara with suspition. Well if my father didnt send you than why did you follow me and why have you been hiding from me? So I havnt been away from our land but still you have to understand that I know what I am doing. I can take care of myself. I have been all this time. Youve been through training with me. You know I am a better shoot than you. So tecnically i should be following you and protecting you. not the other way around. No offence Mara but if someone was holding me at knife point id be dead before you put an arrow through him. But come let us walk along the beach and catch up. Why are you here?

Being unalone a new confidence welled in Tarì. She wasnt alone anymore.