Finally things had calmed down enough for the elven queen to rest in her private clearing of the Vallenwoods. She needed a quiet place to think. So much had happened over the past few days. The attack on Regent Martic and Tessalyn, issuing a warrant for Lyan and Nactonees Ka'vanth, and now all the complications with Matron Ursah's surrendering herself to Shalonesti in exchange for a pardon on Nactonees...

Rhiadora took a deep breath and plopped down on her couch. Lendach stood closeby, watching her. She layed out on her stomach on the couch, one arm hanging down to absently flick at the blades of grass with her fingers. Immersed in deep contemplation, she remained silent for several long minutes. She felt as if she were single handedly trying to rein in an entire herd of wild horses. Not only all of Shalonesti screaming for Ursah's immediate death, but also her own thoughts tornadoing in her head.

Time and time again Rhiadora stayed the hands of of the elves and silenced their protests to her demand that Ursah be left alive for the time being. She understood their anger, their years of suffering and frustration. She hated the dark elves for that as much as any in Shalonesti, however she knew it very unwise to act in the heat of a moment.

Lendach pulled her out of her silence by asking what was on her mind, so Rhia began speaking her thoughts while he quietly listened. She was glad for times like this because in organizing her thoughts into words, it kept the thoughts from becoming too jumbled and chaotic in her head. Ursah would face trial and many elves did not agree. Why waste time? Just kill her now. Trial will not make a difference either way. But obviously they had to keep up appearances. Besides, it gave Rhiadora more time. Time. Her worst enemy yet best friend. But time for what? For Ursah to plan escape? For the Ka'vanth to plot rescue? No, time to think things through rather than rush in like a swarm of drunken battleragers.

What of punishment? THere were several options, but she felt damned if she did and damned if she didn't. Each had drawbacks. Negotiation? Accept offer of a trade for another dark elf? No, not the same as keeping the Matron. Accept offer for the disbandment of the Ka'vanth? How absurd! They would just reorganize dispite reassurances that it would not happen.

They simply cannot be trusted.

Lifetime imprisonment? Perhaps, but that would be invitation for the dark elves to continue raiding Shalonesti because they would always seek to free Ursah, or just come to cause trouble like they always do anyway. They would come regardless so why not just kill her and be done with it? Even more reason for the Ka'vanth to keep up with their antics, not to mention it would most likely invoke a strong response from outside Ka'vanth as well. Rhiadora did not want to make a martyr of Ursah, but wasn't she seen as one anyway so why not get something out of it, right? They will come against Shalonesti regardless.

Rhiadora took a deep breath and fell quiet again, staring at the surrounding trees. So much to think about. She looked over at Lendach, and he asked a simple yet still complex question. "What will you do?"

"I must ponder on all of this more."

Lendach smiled with a nod, "We must keep up the daily quota of ponderings."

Rhiadora chuckled.