[Dear sisters:
I'm sorry. I don't want to keep things from you, but I don't want you to worry even more... Please forgive my selfishness.
Second Sister said you liked long poems about violets. I couldn't think of a fitting verse, and Star-Moon Bay has nothing but Sea water and cold... But I found a violet.
Don't worry about me. Everything is fine here.]
Lia held a vase and arranged the Violet the Fire Crow had brought back, then set it before Idelia, who had just put down the letter.
"Look at the flower little Annan sent back. Please forgive him, Big Sister."
"That Violet could feed a hundred of our people."
"There you go again." Lia helplessly turned Idelia by the shoulders toward the Violet in the vase. "It's a gift our little brother prepared to cheer you up. He couldn't exactly send back a cartload of grain."
It took Leila ages to coax Idelia out of her anger at Annan. She wiped the faint sweat from her brow.
She had given so much for this family.
"Hurry and write back to tell little Annan you've forgiven him."
"No... He has a territory of his own now. Why would he still think about Ossulund Territory? Let him make his own way out there."
"So that's why our Eldest Sister is angry? How adorable. Then let's have our little brother come home for a visit."
Idelia pushed away Leila's hand as she pinched her cheeks. A red mark appeared on her delicate, pale face. "Annan's territory is only just getting started. He has plenty to do."
Leila folded her arms and scoffed. "What can he do besides cause trouble? For all we know, he's found a whole crowd of elves to warm his bed..."
Leila pictured Annan returning one day