Because I tried to greet you when you first entered the garden, Krako said, but you could not hear me. Aldrec said that it was because you were an android, and so I tried this way, and found that it works.

"So do you come here often?" Mericlou said.

Quite often; only you have never been here before.

"As a matter of fact," Aldrec added, "I'm surprised you're here now. Why have you come so early?"

His question had brought her back to the main reason why she had come. And so she happily explained the favor her brothers had done for her.

I will leave you two be for the time, Krako said, with another polite bow. He scampered off into the garden, vanishing instantly into the foliage.

"He sure is strange," Mericlou remarked.

"Some might say that," Aldrec said, "but he's also a good friend. I was lucky to have come across him."

"How do you mean?" Mericlou said.

"It was after a storm three years ago," Aldrec explained. "I found him near my home, badly injured by a bolt of lightning. I took him in, and nursed him back to health. We've been close friends ever since."

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"It seems fortunate for you, but not for the dragon," Mericlou said with a light giggle.

"It was lucky for me in the sense that normally no one ever sees a baby dragon. They're usually quite shy, and are excellent at hiding. And dragons guard their broods fiercely. So when you saw Krako, that was quite literally the experience of a lifetime. Many elves consider it good luck to see a baby dragon, as a matter of fact."

"According to your words," Mericlou said, bringing herself close to Aldrec, "I may have a very long life too."

"Okay, it's the experience of two lifetimes," Aldrec said with a bemused laugh. "So anyway, we're going to have more time together, now that it's only you, right?"

"Divine willing," Mericlou replied, and then after a moment's thought, smiled. "You know, I've never seen your house," she said. "In all the time I've known you, I've never even known that much of your personal life. Is it still a secret to me?"

"So you want to see where I live?" Aldrec asked, taking her by the hands.

Mericlou nodded enthusiastically.

His face suddenly fell, and for a moment, Mericlou had the disheartening thought that he was going to refuse. But his warm smile returned.




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