"Erre, go sleep. I'll take care of things here and take them to the meadow to play, alright?" Dimitrius says with a warm smile as he picks Dimeria up and sets down in her chair, placing her upon his knee after he sat.

-

"Something warm and comfortable. If you want, pack changes of clothes, you'll have to bathe her in bed, so you can change her then if you want," Hathom called through the door, "Do you want help?"

"You are amazing." Erreminette sighed with relief. "No wonder Ariala is insane over you." She laughed as she walked over to Liah. "Li, do you mind if Dimitrius takes you two to the meadow?" She asked her cousin softly.

"You'll come?" Liah asked softly, her eyes wide as she clutched the front of Erreminette's dress.

"I need some sleep, Li. Cause my crazy little cousin kept me up all night talking." Erreminette said as he touched her finger to Liah's nose lightly. "After I get soem sleep I'll come down." She promised as Liah threw her arms around Erreminette's neck.

"Pinky promise?" Liah asked in a small voice, holding up her small pinky finger.

"Pinky promise." Erreminette smiled as she hooked her pinky with Liah's. "Now let me sleep." Erreminette laughed before giving Liah's forehead a quick kiss and disappearing into the bedroom to fall against the bed.

~~~

"Its alright." Marreck said with a frown as he picked out a few dresses at random along with a couple of jackets. "No idea if this matches..." He sighed under his breath as he put them into a small bag and left out a light blue dress with white leggings and white leg warmers.

Dimitrius chuckled as he looked over at Liah, "Liah, love, finish your breakfast and we'll head off. Ria, love, you can stay here and chat if you like. I'll go do the dishes," he added as he stood from the table and set Dimeria back onto the chair before heading over to the sink and beginning the dishes.

Dimeria grinned as she looked over at Liah, "Want to play cards? Or tag? Or house? A tea party?"

-

Hathom nodded as he called, "Have you decided where you wish to stay, Marreck? We need to get her there soon.. Her temperatures need to be cooled by the air of Winterglade.. I can't do it all on my own," Hathion urged with a sigh.

"A tea party?" Liah said, her face lighting up. "I've never had someone to play tea parties with except my brother." She said, wrinkling her small nose before taking another bite of her toast. "But he always wants to play with Marreck not me." She sighed before finishing her toast and carefully wriggling her way off the counter.

~~~

Marreck frowned at the rush as he hurriedly dressed himself, throwing a few of his own clothes into the bag he was bringing as well. "I think we should head to Lina's." He said as he dressed Emelaide, her dress a bit crooked as he lifted her into his arms. "Hathom, could you grab the bag?" He asked as he cradled Emelaide to his chest.

"Sorry Marreck, I'm doing my best," Hathom apologized as he headed into the bedroom and grabbed the bags. "Is there anything else you need? I can stay here and grab a few things before I leave and catch up," Hathom suggested softly, "And I really am sorry, Marreck.."

-

Dimeria laughed as she nodded, "Aye! I've never had anyone to play them with me for real. Trius, may we stop back at home and get my tea set?"

Dimitrius nodded, "Of course, love."

"Its alright." Marreck sighed as he adjusted the way he was holding Emelaide. "I just want to get her safe." He said softly as he looked down at the sleeping Emelaide.

~~~

"What color is your tea set? Mine's pink with roses." Liah said excitedly as she made her way to the closet near the door and reached for her coat though it was inches out of her reach. Struggling to reach her coat, Liah stood on the tips of her toes with no luck, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Hathom nodded as placed a hand on Marreck's shoulder, "She'll be fine, I promise," Hathom added with a warm smile before heading out of the bedroom and making sure everything in the house was in order before heading to the door and opening it for Marreck and Emelaide.

-

Putting the dishes away, Dimitrius smiled as he got the coat for Liah and Dimeria rattled on about her tea set, "Mine is made of crystal with swirls and snowflakes etched into it. Mama got it for me when we were in the Autumn Kingdom last year for vacation. I can't wait to show you! It is really really pretty. And when you hold it up to the sun? The etchings in it glisten and can be seen on the ground below in a swirl of images!"

Marreck managed a small smile as he followed Hathom to the kitchen and carried Emelaide out the door. Leading the way to the rope ladder, Marreck looked carefully at the ground below. "This is going to be difficult." He said, his brow furrowed.

~~~

"Thank you." Liah said shyly as she put her arms through the sleeve of her coat. "On the ground?" She said, turnng back to Dimeria. "Mine is china its from a man who was visiting and he sold us the set cause it was my birthday." Liah grinned proudly.

"Not necessarily; not if you can make rain. If you can make rain, I can turn it to snow and give you a snowbank to walk down, if you'd like?" Hathom offered with a smile.

-

"You're welcome, Liah," Dimitrius said warmly, "Come on girls, you can chat on the way to the meadow."

Nodding, Dimeria took Liah's hand and led her outside as she chattered on, "Yepyep! Wait until you see it, it's really pretty. Then next time we can use your set! What's china?" Dimeria asked as she tried to picture what it was.

"Ria, let me go down the ladder first, love. That way I can catch you if you fall, Dimitrius said softly as Ria prepared to go down the ladder.

Nodding, Dimeria stopped and led Dimitrius go ahead of her before climbing down the ladder.

"I can't." Marreck sighed, disappointed. "But come this way." He said, leading Hathom towards the bridges near the Palace where Ariala would be practicing her magic. "Ariala should be making it rain up ahead." He offered, gesturing to the bridges where a light rain was beginning to fall.

~~~

Liah followed Dimeria down the rope ladder. "Its like glass only its white." She said, trying to explain and doing a poor job of it. "And mine has roses and leaves all over it." Liah said.

"I'll run ahead and get it started," Hathom said with a smile before doing just that. Reaching the young woman making rain, whom he assumed was Ariala, Hathom called out, "Ariala Cadei? I need you to make more rain. I need to make snow so that Marreck can get down from the bridges with Emelaide. She can't do it herself. I'm very sorry for the intrusion but I'm afraid Marreck can't make rain."

-

Taking Liah's hand and leading her towards the meadow, Dimitrius following close behind, Dimeria smiled, "It sounds pretty! I can't wait to see it. You will show me won't you? Please say you will!"

Marreck blushed a light pink as Ariala looked up at the trio. "Friends of yours?" Ariala's master asked, causing Ariala to blush as well.

"I'm sorry, sir. But would you mind?" She asked softly.

"Go ahead." Her Master said, nodding to the elves on the bridges. "And do me proud." He added with a warm smile.

Ariala smiled proudly as she turned to the bridges and forced her magic to cause a heavy rain in front of them. Focusing, her brow furrowed in concentration, Ariala trained her magic forward, refusing to let it break.

~~~

"I promise." Liah said as she followed Dimeria towards the border. "But I only have two cups because my brother broke my other one. He says it was an accident but mommy made himn do dishes anyways and she said she'd buy me another cup to replace it if the man ever comes back." Liah smiled.

Hathom grinned as he spoke, "Perfect! Thanks, love," Hathom called to Ariala as he went to work with his magic, turning the rain to large snowflakes. Once there the pile was high and not to steep, Hathom called down, "Alright! We're good. Thanks again!" All the while, his magic was keeping the snow from melting and keeping it packed, a foot below the top layer of snow becoming ice to keep them from falling in yet keep them safe enough not to slip and fall.

-

Dimeria frowned, "That's no fair.. I'd be angry if Trius ever did that to me! I'd make him to search for that man and buy a new one," Dimeria said decisively.

Dimitrius chuckled, "I'll make a note never to break your set, love. Now hurry up girls if you want to make it to Lina's before she starts working on the wedding clothes. She'll be too busy to find the set if we don't be quick," Dimitrius encouraged as he pointed towards the woods up ahead.

Ariala smiled as she released her magic, feeling a moment of headrush causing her to stumble back into her master's arms. "Careful, Ariala." He master warned. "If you stop your magic too quickly it'll take its toll." He warned, looking at his student warily. "Perhaps you should take a few minutes break." He suggested.

"I'm fine." Ariala protested though she sank to the ground and spread back, letting her eyes shut for a moment.

Rolling his eyes, her master waited patiently, amusing himself to grow a few flowers dfuring their break.

~~~

Marreck followed Hathom down the snow bank, Emelaide safely in his arms. "Sorry for the long way around." He said to Hathom. "But only a few elves have the talent to both grow plants and affect the temperature." He explained.

~~~

"My brother was just mad cause I was asking him to play tea party with me." Liah said, her red hair bouncing against her back. "But he did feel bad afterwards. And he bought me a teddy." Liah said happily.

Hathom nodded, "It's alright, Marreck. We'll just have to be quick about getting her to at least the Gladen Woods," Hathom said as he quickened his pace, a worried look upon his face as he glanced quickly at Emelaide, his magic struggling to dominate her own.

-

Dimeria giggled as she started skipping, "Teddies are wonderful gifts! I have a whole bunch of them back in Winterglade. They were my only tea party companions until now!" Dimeria added excitedly.

"Are you having trouble?" Marreck asked with a worried tone. "I can run faster if it'll help." He said, his stomach starting to twist in panic as he thought of something going wrong with Emelaide.

~~~

Liah couldn't help but giggle excitedly as they reached the border, her hand tightening slightly around Dimeria's. "My brother played with me sometimes and Errey does but they're all old." She said, wrinkling her nose slightly.

Hathom sighed as he massaged his temples as he nodded, "Yes, run as quickly as you can without dropping her. I'll go on ahead once we're in Winterglade. I need to go to the Master's Villa and get the other temperature elves to help me. I can't keep doing it alone every day," Hathom said quietly, "I'm not as strong as Em.."

-

Dimeria giggled as she nodded as she whispered through giggles, "Trius and Ari are old too, but they're still fun to play games with!"

Marreck nodded before taking off across fields, his feet running nearly as fast as Erreminette's yet only a second slower. Marreck was a blur across the meadow, his feet carrying him into Winterglade before he finally rested against a nearby tree, taking in sharp breaths before forcing himself to trudge forward.

~~~

"They're too tall for my little tea table." Liah laughed. "Its just my size and my teddy's size." She said. "Errey doesn't fit right in my little chairs." She giggled.

Hathom darted after Marreck, unfortunately staying always a yard behind him until they reached Winterglade, where he passed him and didn't bother stopping for a breather, knowing he had a longer distance to run and less time to run it.

* * *

Reaching the Villa, Hathom explained breathlessly what was going on to the Masters and gained clearance to alternate the temperature elves to take care of Emlaide with him each day. Careon would be the first.

Both elves then made their way to Cindalina's and waited outside for Marreck and Emelaide.

-

Dimeria giggled as she nodded, "Mama is the same way when she used to play! We used to have to sit on the floor and make a tea picnic 'cause of Mama's belly being so big with my younger brother or sister."

Marreck took in a few long breaths, forcing his heart to calm before taking off again. Reaching Cindalina's where he saw Hathom with another winter elf outside the door. "Does Cindalina know your here?" He asked, afraid to knock unless they already had been inside, not wanting to seem like a dolt.

~~~

"And now Ariala won't be able to play tea when she gets big with her baby girl." Liah laughed. "Her stomach will be out to here." she said, sticking her arms out in front of her stomach to mimic a pregnancy.

Hathom shook his head, "No, not yet. We were waiting for you. Come on, get Em inside. I'll talk to Lina," Hathom said as he opened the door and ushered Marreck and Careon inside. "Cindalina? Lina! We need your help! Emelaide needs to stay in Winterglade while she's knocked out. Can she stay here?"

Cindalina came out from the kitchen, her eyes wide and her hands shaking, "Knocked ou- oh Marreck! Yes, yes, come, let's get her into my bedroom. We can make up the spare bedrooms later," she added as she quickly led them to her room, "Is she alright?"

Hathom nodded, "Yes, Lina, everything's fine. It was just too hot in Elimlee for her temperatures. She needs to be in Winterglade for us to be able to keep her and their children safe."

-

Dimeria laughed as she nodded, "But won't it be funny to see her try? We'll have to sit on the floor and then Trius will have to help her up!"

Dmitrius chuckled, "Alright, alright, quit picking on Ariala. She isn't here to defend herself."

Dimeria giggled as they made it through the forest and into the village.

Marreck forced the panic away with a hard swallow as he carried Emelaide into the bedroom and laid her across the bed. "Will she be better now?" He asked in a shaky voice as he crouched beside Emelaide's head and took her hand in his.

~~~

Liah felt her eyes widen as she looked around the Winterglade village. "This is where you live?" She asked as she looked around the snow-covered village. "There's so much snow." She added as she put her arms around herself.

Hathom nodded as he explained softly, "It'll help. An when she gets too cold, it's easier just to put blankets on her and warm her up quick than it is to try and keep her cool."

"You guys go ahead and get something to eat and relax, I'll stay here with Emelaide," Careon said with a warm smile as she bent down beside Marreck and placed a hand upon his back, "She'll be alright with me, I promise. I'm in her rank and my magic strength is tip-top shape, I can take her," Careon joked with a wink, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

Cindalina sighed as she headed for the door. "I'll go make something hot to eat and drink," she said softly before heading out to the kitchen.

-

"Would you like my jacket Liah?" Dimitrius offered as he slipped it off and held it out for her.

Dimeria giggled as she smiled and nodded, "Yep! Isn't it pretty?"

Marreck nodded warily as he placed a kiss on Emelaide's forehead. Standing up, Marreck gave her cheek one last caress before leaving the bedroom and running his fingers through his hair. Leaning against the wall, Marreck let out a long sigh as he urged his breathing to slow.

~~~

"I'm alright." Liah smiled at Dimitrius. "Thank you." She added politely before facing forward again. "I've never seen so much snow." She said as she gazed around. "Is it always snowy here?" She asked.

Following Marreck out, Hathom sighed as he called softly, "Let us know if her condition changes."

"I will," called Careon as her magic steadied Emelaide's temperatures and she herself checked on the twins.

Resting a hand on Marreck's shoulder, Hathom offered softly, "Marreck, she'll be alright. Don't be so hard on yourself. Trust us, we'll keep her safe. She'll be back with you at home in no time," Hathom promised with a warm smile.

-

Slipping his jacket back on, Dimitrius chuckled as Dimeria explained with a grin, "Uh-huh! There's lots of snow and ice! It's really pretty in the morning and evening when the sun rises and sets!"