Lord El-melloi did. I am wondering if I can alter it when I learn more to use something else. Pricking my finger is going to be a deterrent if I have to do it too often. And not yet, and I do not expect to if my Unseelie teachers choose not to help me after all.

[She sighs when he responds as he does.]

I am not surprised, I suppose. Merida was acting strangely, and then there are all those grumbles and rumors. I told the Seelie there were troops moving through Nimh Gleanne, and that Hound said it was only a few camps. I feel as if it is my fault, not being insistent enough...

[But she did her best at the time, and resigns herself to learn from the experience.]

And are those things sworn to secrecy as well? If the spell is working as it should, do you not think as I am to be safeguarding this place, I should know?

[She uses that as an excuse, but the truth is worried wife is worried and the loss of him during the hunt is still fresh on her mind. With him barely recovered...]

I am going to try ways to keep the fighting from touching this place. I beg you, Diarmuid, if there is anything that you could tell me or teach me to help me, please. I ask you not just as your wife.

[The Old Grainne wouldn't have ever asked, and even the Grainne that arrived here would have been hesitant. It's a new sign in her, a brand new determination, as if all the heartache and trouble she has gone through only made her that more resolved.]