"It's not like you planned to kill him." Nelek said.

"I felt something snap inside. Everything had just been too much over the past few years, and I broke."

"I'm sorry." Nelek said softly.

"It's not your fault, please don't apologize. The past few years have been even harder on you."

"That doesn't mean it wasn't terrible for you." Nelek murmured.

"I know. I just think being abandoned on a rock, away from my family is much worse than feeling lonely and abandoned, despite being surrounded by my children, friends and family."

"Being away from everyone was the hardest part." Nelek admitted. "Millie... Has she any beaux?"

"I wish. She's finally made a friend in Pinja, but no, no beaux. She's almost as lonely as she always has been. I'd give anything to see her eyes sparkle with happiness," Aislyn sighed softly.

"I'm sure she'll find someone if that's what she wants." Nelek said.

"In a perfect world. I think she wants it, but I also think she's given up," Aislyn said, stacking their empty dishes on the tray for when Difyr returned for them.

"Hadn't you given up?" Nelek asked.

"Yes, but I had at least tried. I was never as lonely as Millie was growing up. I had Brie and then Lia. Every effort Millie made in trying to make friends was rebuked. She's hiding behind a lifetime of rejections."

"She has a friend now though, doesn't she?" Nelek asked.

"Yes, she finally has a friend," Aislyn said with some relief. "And that is a good thing."

Nelek squeezed Aislyn's hand. "It will turn out all right."

Aislyn nodded before leaning against him. She wasn't accustomed to so much free time. Her mind was filled with thoughts of what she should be doing and feeling bad for Brighid, leaving all the kitchen work in her friend's hands, especially when she had a wee one to care for. Aislyn sighed.

Difyr knocked on the door before entering.

"Luka this is Nelek and Aislyn Gerthrim, their daughter Kadelyn." Difyr introduced, "Aislyn, Nelek, this is Luka."

Luka looked at the people inside the room and smiled. "Hello there I know I look scary but you have nothing to fear. I'm here to help." He turned to Nelek and examined his body for obvious signs of damage from the elements. Signs of trenchfoot, hypothermia, Pneumonia. He removed his cloak and centered the energy he had into his hand. "This will have a slightly warm feeling but not uncomfortably so."

He ran his hand along the length of Neleks body, pausing on areas where he felt more damage or corruptiuon. He channeled healing natural magics, intending to heal the external physical damage caused by the time in the elements without great shelter. "The Starvation could have caused minor damage on the inside of the stomach. If invasive treatments bother you..." He reached for his satchel and pull out a clump of dried roots. "Boil these into a tea or into a broth. Three times a day should suffice. It wont fill your stomach alone but it should cause further rot and give it time to heal." He staggered back a little as the sudden drop in energy hit him.

"Thank you." Nelek immediately felt stronger. He looked up from the herbs in his hands just in time to see the elf stagger. Nelek jumped to his feet to help steady him.

Aislyn quickly rose to help steady the elf. She couldn't believe the difference in Nelek. "Are you all right, sir?"

Difyr was about to remark on how nice it was to have another elven healer- when he staggered. She remembered how weakened Aalyssa would be after using magic to heal a serious injury or illness and hurried to help Aislyn steady him.

"Sit- do you need to lie down?" Difyr asked.

Millie stood outside the door to the room her parents were in. She wanted to go in and say good morning to her mother, but he was in there. And while she knew it hadn't been her father who had beaten her, and while she longed to greet him, every time she tried to imagine their reunion, all she could see was him raising his fist against her and calling her names. Millie hated the thought of never seeing her mother again, but she couldn't face him. She just couldn't. She let out a cry and walked away from the door, leaning against the wall near the door to the other healing room.

Nelek frowned. "Do I hear crying?"

Aislyn listened for a moment. "I believe so. It sounds like Millie," she said with worry, once again cursing herself for the stupid decision that had her trapped in this infernal room.

Nelek looked at the door. "I want to go to her."