Thailyn woke up and took human form. The entire time they had been in the glen, he’d slept outside in true form. The treehouse was crowded and he wasn’t fond of sleeping in a hammock, though if Pisha wanted him to join her in one, he’d gladly do it. He barely dared to hope. He went up into the house to check on Pisha. She lay on the bed while her hip healed. Ann slept in the hammock. He wondered how late Ann had been up that she was still sleeping. At least she was sleeping this time. Pisha hadn’t woken yet. He knew it could take time. He wondered if she would need help finding her way out. If she hadn’t woken by lunch, he’d tried to go in and help her. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before she did wake. “Thailyn.” She smiled when she saw him. His heart jumped that she remembered who he was. “You remember.” “You look different. Your eyes are more purple and you don’t have a scar.” “A scar?” “By your eye.” She touched her cheek to show him where. “Oh, that showed up? I haven’t had that in centuries. Miramar scratched me when she was being born. It took a while for me to shed it away. How are you feeling?” “Like I haven’t moved in ten years like I won’t be able to for another ten.” “It’ll take a bit, but you’ll be up and about by tonight. Several years ago, Shunati convinced Queen Deyama to allow you to receive a potion that prevented bedsores. Somewhere along the line, he started adding ingredients to help reverse the muscle atrophy.” “Shunati doesn’t make potions. He didn’t add anything,” Ann said from her hammock. “You’re telling me Andy added it without Shunati’s knowledge?” Thailyn frowned. Ann shook her head. “The original recipe got messed up. Something spilled on it. Andy got a new recipe from another potion maker. It wasn’t the same, but Shunati said it would work.” Thailyn nodded. “Whatever happened. It’ll still allow you to be up quite soon. “Pisha, I’d like to introduce you to my daughter, Annlonna.” “Pleased to meet you, your highness.” “Pisha, we’re family. You don’t have to use my honorific. Just call me Ann.” Thailyn laughed. “I’m going to change your name to ‘just call me Ann’. I swear the only reason she claims family like a dragon is so she can tell them not to use a title.” Ann laughed too. “It’s not as if I am half dragon and seem to be related to everyone.” “How about I make some breakfast?” He suggested. “Sinta taught me a few elven recipes.” *** Thailyn and Ann worked with Pisha and by the end of the day, she was walking, sort of. She still had a lot of pain in her hip and couldn’t put much weight on it. She was happy with her progress. She was pushing herself as much as possible so she could see her son sooner. Thailyn had gone outside so Ann could help Pisha wash up and change. There was no room for privacy in the place. Ann hadn’t minded the last time she’d stayed there. “Andy and I spent a week here after our wedding. It’s a tradition among his people. They call it a honeymoon.” Pisha smiled. “Thailyn spoke a lot about the two of you. He cares quite a bit about you two, and he’s proud of you.” “He cares a lot about Ruzi too,” Ann said. Pisha nodded. “I know. I’m so grateful to all of you for helping him. I hated to leave him alone. He was so little, but I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t stay and I couldn’t take him with me. Nobody knew he existed. I left him with enough food and water to last until I got back. When I realized I couldn’t get back, I imagined the worst.” Ann nodded. “Ruzi told us. He stayed hidden as long as possible. He did what he could to make the food last longer. When he couldn’t stay hidden any longer, he went out at night and in the worst weather so no one would pay attention to him. “When he got sick, he sought out another child, figuring he would be less likely to turn him in.” “But he did,” Pisha guessed. “No. Chormi did what he could to help him on his own. He snuck food out to him every night. He tried to get Ruzi to go to the home, but he thought Pt’this and Dae were elves.” “Then what happened?” “The neighbors’ nurse caught them. She was a full-blooded immortal that was curious about the home so she was always watching it.” “An immortal acting as a nurse for humans?” “It’s a long story. But she helped keep an eye on the kids. She caught them and brought them in. Pt’this is the last person you could ever convince to put a child into a situation that would likely lead to their death.” Pisha nodded. “I met him when he was in Erilu once. I got that impression.” “Most dragons are that way. Thailyn is no exception.” “I gathered. He even defended your sister.” “He cares a great deal for her.” “Is she still here? He said she helped get me healed. I’d like to thank her.” Ann shook her head. “She couldn’t stay. I’ll let her know, but I’m sure you’ll see her in Sen-gan too.” “Thanks. I’ll watch for her. Should we let him back in?” Pisha asked. Ann nodded. Pisha seemed to have the same interest in Thailyn that he appeared to have in her. Ann wondered what went on in there. Thailyn was usually quite professional. Thailyn, you can come in now, she sent. I’ll be there shortly. Pisha’s not the only one who needed to get cleaned up. “He’ll be in shortly,” Ann relayed. “He was washing up too. He’s probably bathing in the lake. He’s the only dragon I know that swims.” Shades. Did you see what I thought I saw? Drepal asked in the back of her mind. Oh go back to sleep, Ann grumbled. We’re imagining things. It looked like Pisha was intrigued by the thought of Thailyn bathing. What went on in there? Drepal asked. I’m sure nothing. Go to sleep. We’ve been away from Andy too long and are projecting. Perhaps. Then Thailyn entered and Drepal retreated.