Vaeron studied the man for a while. True, he liked this fellow, with his brave soul and good company. He had been through trials - finding out how much of a failure his father was was s truly disheartening one. It was cruelty for anyone to do that, to go against his clan and family and dishonour them as Halm had done, to actually be a traitor rather than one who was captured.

Elthas was strong, that was clear, and someone that Vaeron could see being an asset not only to the whole of the Gilded Lily but to Philomel herself. She was a beacon for the women to follow under, but more than that a worthy priestess and a brilliant fighter. She had the mind of a key strategist, was a leader of truly mythical proportions and had a good heart. Very like the elf that Vaeron looked at, in a way. If she and Elthas met, under the right circumstances it was clear that they could make some wonders occur.

But what Elthas proposed was ... difficult to say the least. Few had the priviledge of coming to the fortress who were outside of the Gilded Lily - her friend the Huntsman was an immense exception to the rule, and it had largely been because he had been needed to save the girl Celandine's life. Vaeron rubbed his chin, thinking slowly and carefully about how to address what Elthas was asking. True, if Vaeron did bring the elf there would be annoyance for a while, but because of who Vaeron was, there would be forgiveness. Else, Philomel would be tempted to kill or imprison Elthas, because the secret of her fortress was a truly wonderful one. For the safety of all the women ultimately under her protection, she needed it to be such.

"My ... patroness, is not an eager one to allow an outsider she has not chosen into the fortress," Vaeron admitted. "Not one of her choosing. I admit, I find you a good man, and one worthy of meeting her but ..."

He thought then of Shinsou, another man in Philomel's life - the man in her life, in a way - who was allowed to come and go as he pleased. But he was entirely trusted by her, wholly and absolutely. There was also the problem that if Elthas did come to the fortress, then he would very likely meet Tarrimar. And Tarrimar, being Vaeron's partner of the heart ... well. He had no idea what the elf thought of homosexuality but did not want to risk it. Not yet.

"I can arrange a meeting with her," he suggested. "Then she will know you." He nodded, more certain of that. "That is the way it should be."