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"But I don't know ht there You've told iven you at least a clue," Aldrec replied "Think back, Tulyr"

Mericlou began to understand, and res she disregarded in their tiely un-elfish behavior, the way he seemed inexplicably different from others of his kind And then of course, there were the various ano the plants in his garden, as well as her inability to guess his age

It was crazy … it was ludicrous … but in the end, it was not at all illogical It all truly did seeh elf," Mericlou said, still skeptical, "then that would make you about five hundred thousand years old … or soht?"

"Actually, I'hty-two thousand, three hundred and twelve years old," Aldrec replied instantaneously

"Uh … okay," Mericlou said, htforward, exact, and rapid answer "I suppose I ay off with all hed nervously, and then licked her dry lips "Then tell me this: Why don't you look like one?"

Aldrec did not react in the way she expected, but then again, she was not certain about hoould react Still, she had not anticipated this She watched in surprise and confusion as two tears placidly rolled down his cheeks

"Aldrec, what's wrong?" She said, and reaching over to wipe the tears away "It at last coaze "Now, I can no longer turn back"

"What are you talking about?" Mericlou said

Aldrec sain But this s else for soht, Tulyr," he said "I don't look like a High elf Tell ends say about them?"

"They say that they were creatures of both wonderful and terrible beauty, both horrible and gorgeous to look upon" Mericlou said, her words co-dormant memory files "They said that when you looked on one, you were never quite the same"

"Tulyr …"