"Tam, dear, I need you to help me with this." Skyla said as she carefully peeled back the skin of the buck she was carving.

"Coming." the lass said as she finished pulling her hair up in a tight ponytail, mirroring the look her mother wore. "What do you want me to do?"

"Well, I want to use this buck's hide to make some new leathers for your father. I need you to hold this piece right here while I separate this section over here."

"Okay." she answered, following the instructions given to her. As they worked, Skyla began to hum, something the elf lass had been known to do whenever she was cleaning or carving or berry picking, or just about anything she did, there was always a melody in her heart that ached to escape its warm confines. Tam found herself lost in her mother's song, enjoying the sweet sound of her dulcet tune. Above her, nestled quietly in a tree overlooking the two toiling females, crimson eyes shown down upon them. Eyes full of admiration and adoration soaking in the sight of the one who brought a lilt his soul and a joyful step to his stride. A quiet sigh whispered from his chest as he continued to delight in the vision of beauty his eyes beheld.

"...so...you do want her, then?" a voice whispered directly over the spying elf.

A harsh gasp escaped him as the newcomer interrupted his thoughts. He looked up, sharply, surprised to see an elf hovering above him suspended by nothing more than the power of his own thoughts.

"Windspirit, what are you doing?" he rasped.

"Same as you, Skimmer." he replied, not as softly as his rock shaping friend. "It's a lovely day and it's only made lovelier by the sight of-" he started, but was quickly silenced by Skimmer's hand as it fell over his mouth, muffling his speech.

~*Would you be quiet!*~ he sent, his mind hissing his thoughts into his.

~*Why?*~ he asked with mock innocence.

~*Because, she'll hear you!*~ he snarled.

~*Is that all?*~

~*YES!*~

Windspirit regarded his agemate through large, azure eyes for a moment before he brought his hand up to Skimmer's where it was still securely over his mouth and gently brushed it aside. "Then, you have nothing to worry about." he whispered.

"What?" Skimmer asked in genuine confusion.

Without a word, Windspirit lowered his gaze to the ground, a playful grin adorning his features. Skimmer's gaze followed his chief's son's line of sight, down to a pair of viridian eyes staring right back up at him.

Oh by the twin moons! he thought as he stared down nervously at his secret beloved. "Ah...ah..." he stammered, trying to think of what he could possibly say to her in the precarious situation he had found himself in. "H-...how goes it?"

"It goes well." Tam replied, suspiciously. "And you?"

"Oh? I'm doing great. How are you doing today?"

"You...ah...asked me that already." she pointed out.

"Yeah, you sure did." Windpsirit teased as he hung from a branch near his tall companion.

Lance glared at the wind-talking elf. "You can go now." he growled.

"Go? That's a great idea! Come on, Skimmer!" he said, dropping down to the branch Skimmer sat upon, tugging at his arm.

"You wind-whispering elf, let go of me!"

"Oh, so you can get down the tree on your own, then?"

"I have no intention of getting out of the tree."

"No?" he mused, still tugging on his arm.

"I said no!" he snapped.

"But, before you said 'no' you said 'go'."

"I SAID YOU GO!" he roared, nearly knocking Windspirit out of the tree with the booming sound of his shout. It was uncharacteristic of the amazingly calm elf to grow so enraged and truth be told, Windspirit was usually the one who brought that hidden side of him out to the surface.

Windspirit blinked his surprise, his expression faltering for only a moment before he regained his usual casual composure. His face lit up with his easy grin as he gathered his thoughts. But, before he could say anything, another voice rose to catch the wind.

"My, I didn't think that there was anything at all that could rouse you to anger, Skimmer."

Oh High Ones! he thought. He had lost his temper and at the worst possible time and in the worst possible company. His eyes wandered, reluctantly down at she who had addressed him, a feeling of self-admonishment sweeping over him. How did this happen? How could he let this happen? Why did he show her that dark side of him, that side he fought so hard to suppress, that side that deep down, he was afraid of. He couldn't look at her a moment longer.

Tearing his eyes away from her radiant visage, he dropped down from the trees and stormed away, disappearing into the wood.

"Hey, Skimmer, wait!" Windspirit called, starting off after his friend.

"No, Windspirit, leave him be." Skyla said, halting the elf in his tracks.

"But-" he protested.

"No, Sweetheart. Leave him alone for now. He needs to sort out a few things within himself. Your company, as well meaning as it may be, would offer him no solstice."

Windspirit opened his mouth to protest further, yet know that there was wisdom in the maiden's words. He honestly didn't mean to anger his friend, yet it seemed to be something that he was well practiced in and had an uncanny knack for. He sighed, deeply, feeling guilty for his part in his companion's hurt. "I guess his father is with him...even when he's not."