The babe's laughter set fire to her own soul. Like embers, something deep within her glowed and flickered, and the innocence and freedom that poured from every corner of the little Hyzenthlay took place where coldness had settled. Had she once been so full of questions? She still had a desire to learn, but had she once been a cup that begged to be filled with the secrets and lessons and nuances of this world? When had her light been snuffed, and her head filled with lies and darkness? When had she been told that her questions were ridiculous and unwanted? The blue desired to answer every question, give the little one every answer she desired.

No fear sank into the hide of the girl. More questions escaped her as she took in the sentinels. Rust had chipped away at their edges, and frost had stolen their luster. She honestly knew little of the metal beasts. "Well," she began, tipping her head to the side. "Magic is what makes them come to life. They know when those who live here are in danger. At least, that's what I've been told. They're machines, they're not really alive." She laughed out loud at the last question, a bright laugh that retorted off of the metal frames of the beasts. "I don't believe they have names, no," she said, silver eyes glittering as she looked at the girl. "Though, I suppose they do need names. Maybe you could think of something good?"

Their solitude was interrupted by a lithe form bounding towards them. Though not large enough to threaten the blue, the suddenness of the newcomer was enough to draw the corporal's attention from naming the sentinels to setting into a defensive stance. But a quick assessment was all she needed to recognize the cerndyr as a companion. Though the companion seemed familiar, she could not place him until the golden stag came into view. The warrior relaxed ever so slightly, but stood at attention until the Lord of the Basin was nearly upon them.

Sharing with him the same gesture she showed to all of her leaders, she dipped her head low, the tip of her horn nearly grazing the white of the ground. She folded a leg upwards, completing the neat bow. "Lord Thranduil," she greeted, voice steady and strong. She left her gesture, returning to stand tall, though she stood considerably shorter than the Laurelin."It is an honor to see you again, sir."  It seemed to be ages since she stood beside him briefly and watched the young Haldir play among the fireflies. She did not know him more than brief meetings in passing, and did not expect him to know her beyond her rank.

No expression crossed his face. She watched the stoic king evaluate the girl, the silence festering in the air before he finally spoke. And though she was not one to speak against her superiors, she certainly did not appreciate his gruffness.

"This," she began, finally dropping her sterling gaze from the stallion, "is Hyzenthlay. I found her wandering through the Threshold alone. She says she was with her parents, and somehow became separated from them. We looked for a while, to no avail. So, I brought her here." She frowned, looking back to the buck. "I brought her home to provide safety. The Threshold is no place for a lost child. I was hoping she would be granted permission to stay."

And what if he said no? Surely he would provide refuge to the babe. She couldn't imagine the girl, so full of questions, with not enough answers to get her by on her own, facing the wilderness by herself. "Hyzenthlay, this is Lord Thranduil. He is the Lord of this place, and he protects us. I told you a little about him earlier. He leads us beside Lady Hotaru and Lord Deimos." She smiled softly at the girl, showing no concern, though she desperately hoped that perhaps the blank-faced buck before them, deep down somewhere, had mercy to show.

Talk
OOC// @Hyzenthlay @Thranduil ~

I’ll taste the night sky —
     AND FEEL ALIVE AGAIN