Chloe shyly let it be known she wished to speak with her grandmother. It was so hard to imagine the elegant High Enchanter as the grandmotherly type. How did she manage it? Was this, too, one of her spells?
She had no idea what Lilah would say about her situation. Perhaps she would not be interested in advising Chloe. Not really knowing Chloe, Lilah may feel no obligation to help her. A bit of genetic involvement may not mean much. Still, Chloe had to try.
Lilah came to meet her and led through narrow hallways to a small office in the back, and waved to her to sit down.
"What can I help you with?" Lilah gently said, smiling as she looked in Chloe's eyes. There was something about that gaze that was very intimate, pleasantly so.
Even so, Chloe began by stuttering, ''I - I - I . . .'' ''Rats! Stuttering! What a way to impress her!'' Chloe thought to herself.
''Relax, sweetie . . ,'' Lilah continued her gentle gaze and smile. Chloe didn't know how else to begin but abruptly, ''It's my mother. She's been calling. She wants Kaaldar and I to visit her IN FELWITHE! What shall I do? She insists!''
''Well, you know you should be truthful with her. She may be more receptive than you think!'' Lilah began. She continued, ''I will tell you something about your Mother I know you'd like to know. Your Mother is an unusual woman in her own right. My son has gotten quite a few pale Elves pregnant, and my usual solution, after being midwife at the birth, is to do a memory blur and take the child with me to raise.''
''The young women completely lose all memory of what's happened. It wasn't so with your Mother. Her bonding with you was so great, she could not be made to forget you. I had no choice but to put a permanent illusion on you. For as strong as her love was for her child, it could have lessened when she got a good look at your rather blue skin. Even if it didn't, life among the pale Elves would have been very hard for you growing up.''
''Remember, she had no idea of your father's true nature. He prefers to wear the veil of a Wood Elf Bard!''
Chloe smiled, and interrupted, ''That must be why Momma's always warned me about bards and enchanters.''
Lilah continued, ''Knowing of the possibility of illusions, your Mother should understand what has happened when you explain it to her.''
''Do you think so?'' Chloe asked, no where near entirely certain, but considerably more hopeful than she'd been.
''I don't think my Father, ER, um General Jyleel will be so keen to the idea . . ,'' Chloe said, her voice quivering a bit.
''I don't think you need to be so worried about HIM! You have no blood tie to him. You've never felt an emotional attachment, have you?'' Chloe asked with curiousity.
''No, indeed I've not. He's always preferred my sister Lisa to me. I could NEVER please him and it's always been a source of great heartache to me. I've spent many nights with my tears soaking the pillow for it. So, no, I don't feel any fondness for the man!'' Chloe revealed, feeling some bit of catharsis in doing so.
''How do you get along with your sister?'' Lilah gently inquired.
''We tolerate each other is about it. We don't fight much, but there isn't any warmth, either. We are too different in temperment,'' Chloe explained.
''Is there anyone else in Felwithe you're close to?''
Chloe thought hard. ''Not especially. My Mother's Mother moved abroad, to the land of Odus, and lives with an Erudite enchanter, so I've never really known her,'' Chloe said flatly.
''Well, the only one you need to be honest with is your Mother. The others aren't worth the bother, unless you feel particularily moved to,'' Lilah determined.
''You'll want to meet with your Mother, alone as yourself . . .'' Noting Chloe's worried look, ''Don't worry, you'll do fine.''
''Thanks for all your encouragement, and letting me know about my Mother. It means a lot to me . . ,'' Chloe said, still with a hint of trembling in her voice.
''Of course, dear.'' With that, Lilah rose up from her chair and came around to hug Chloe. ''Whoever was it that said Dark Elves are so cold and heartless . . ,'' Chloe wondered to herself, as she relaxed in Lilah's arms.
''Be sure to tell me how it goes, dear,'' Lilah said, with an extra tight squeeze of her arms.
''I will,'' Chloe said, as she let herself loose from the embrace. As she turned to go outwards, she waved goodbye.
''Such a young girl, yet, in so many ways . . . One thing this encounter will do is let her discover some of her inner strength . . ,'' Lilah thought, with deep concern and a growing affection for her granddaughter.
Chloe padded gently out of the High Mages offices, and down the twisty paths towards home. She badly needed a hug from Kaaldar. She'd do this difficult thing, but it wasn't going to be easy . . .
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