Guardian Elves

The Ice Witch nodded. "Right...Peter." she sighed. "Go ahead."

Peter ducked inside the tent, where Natas' throne had its back to him.
"My lord," Peter addressed him reverently, as he bowed low before him: "I must speak with you."
Natas smiled as he arose from his throne, and faced his spy:
"Tell me what you know."
**********
The next morning, Shoun woke up, and watched the sunrise. His eyes were full of morning beauty, but his stomach was full of evening gloom--and danger.
Who HAD Monique really seen the night before?

Mereneth, on the other hand, woke up and was dancing everywhere as she got ready for the day. Once dressed, her hair brushed, and shoes on her feet, she twirled out of the room and down to the library before breakfast. I was so interested in seeing Monique last night that I forgot my book that I was reading! She laughed a little and opened the door to the library.

Shoun finally had enough of staring blankly into the morning, and decided to get some breakfast.
Without bothering to watch where he was going, he ran into Mereneth, who had just come out of the library.

Mereneth gasped and dropped all ten books that she was holding her eyes. She winced when she saw them scattered on the floor. "Ah...good morning Shoun!" she laughed.

He grinned awkwardly.
"G-g-good morning, Mereneth!" He quickly gathered up all of the books for her, and handed them back to her: "How are you?"

Mereneth laughed a little and took the books. "I'm doing good," she smiled. "You?" 

"Tired..." He sighed as he rubbed his eyelids: "And worried about your sister."

OOC: *Glomps back* Hey girl!
BIC:
"I just--I don't know--her friend seems very eerie to me." Shoun shrugged: "From what I can tell at least...I mean, who plans sleep-overs in the middle of the night," He cocked his eyebrow to emphasize his point: "WITHOUT telling anyone?"

Mereneth paused. She hadn't even considered that. "Uh..." she shifted her weight and her hands gripped the books in her arms. Something really is going on...isn't it?

Shoun continued his train of thought:
"I mean, if she IS a friend of Monique's, why would Monique try to hide the fact that she was this friend of hers?...Unless..." A disturbing thought struck him.

Mereneth glanced up at him. "U-Unless what?" 

"Unless Monique was with someone she wasn't supposed to be with," Shoun's eyes narrowed as they pierced Mereneth's being: "Do you know of anyone she's not allowed to see?"

Mereneth's eyes widened. Someone she isn't supposed to see? She shook her head slowly. "No..." she whispered.

Shoun sighed:
"I'm really not supposed to pry into familial matters, but..." His hands took her shoulders: "You ARE like family to me--and I want to help, so PLEASE try to remember: is there ANYONE that Monique is forbidden to see?"

Mereneth sighed and thought hard. After a minute of silent, she looked up at him. "I think there was this one guy...but I don't really remember who he is..."

Shoun raised his eyebrow:
"I think you, your sisters, and your parents should have a talk with Monique. I'll eat in my room, so I won't be eavesdropping, and make you feel uncomfortable."

Mereneth swallowed hard. "Um...right..." she mumbled, starting to walk down the hall.

Monique overheard their conversation, and started getting knots in her stomach.
She COULDN'T let them know where she was last night, or she'd be grounded for eternity.
Think Monique THINK! Come up with a plan...!

Mereneth set her books down outside of her door, then continued on to the dining place. She sat down in her usual spot and folded her hands in her lap, waiting for everyone else. How am I supposed to do this? Merenth closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Monique entered the dining room; looking sickly and pale...
"Merenethhhh," She managed to slur: "I don't feelll very well this morning."

Mereneth glanced over at her sister and her eyes widened. "Monique?!" she stood up. "Are you alright?! What's wrong?!"

"I don't-" Monique coughed as Rowen walked in: "kkknow-"
And then, Monique fainted; sending everyone in a panic.
"MONIQUE!" Rowen screamed as she ran over to her

Mereneth's eyes widened and she ran over to Monique. "What's wrong with her?!?!"