At this point the kurori fluttered up in the ranger's face, "As much as he might appreciate you defending Serna, I don't. Let her speak for herself. Now, I know why Alyson gets mad when people interrupt her."

"As you wish?" The Ranger held up his hands as though to ward off the clearly irate kurori.

Caliaphy settled back down on the other side of the shield maiden, "So, are you going to ask him the same questions you asked Mertul and the beholder, or what?"

"I will, Caliaphy, what is your hurry?" Serna asked before she turned her attention to the Elder, "Good sir, why don't dwarves like fairies? Why is there so much hostility betwixt them? And why does it have to be this way?"

The Eldar smiled at Serna, "Naugrim na incapable eni using arcane templa, hin. Ron di ere rely ne ie divine, or kerta kur."

"He says dwarves can't use arcane magic like wizards, mages, or sorcerers. Kinda like Alyson. They have their own gods and can use divine magic. They also have their rune magic. Something to do with their nature and such. I've even heard of dwarven druids but they're extremely rare." The kurori told Serna.

"Oh, okay now I think I'm beginning to understand." Serna nodded her head as she took in this new information.

"Serna, we like how things are. The faeries have always been chaotic, mischievous, aloof, and troublesome." Caliaphy smirked, "It's how we are. Dwarves, like things structured and orderly. So, that's why we butt heads so to speak. It's something you will learn about as you grow, Serna. You don't have to like it but you can't change a people who don't want to change. We tolerate each other and we respect each other's space to keep the peace especially here in Asylum. The Ancient Oak has been here for thousands of years, Serna. Some even call it the World Tree, or at least an aspect of the World Tree. I hope that helps you a little."

"It helps me a lot, Caliaphy," Serna smiled at her friend, "It really comes down to the difference between order and chaos. It's just that simple."

The Shield Maiden turned towards the Elder, "But, sir, does everything in the end boil down to this conflict of order versus chaos?"

"Lle cannot cael er avaene ie n'at. Ellera must na eua meiv." The Elder held out his hand and a pendant appeared in his hand in the shape of tree on a silver entwined leathery cord with charms on it. "Serna, sina il te'en lle."

"He says, you cannot have one without the other. There must be a balance between them." Caliaphy's eyes widened, "Wow! Oh wow! Serna, the Elder wants to give you a charm bracelet. Do you accept it? He must see something within you that no one else has seen. It is an honor."

"He does?" Serna with a wide-eyed look turned towards The Elder, "Thank you, sir, I humbly accept your gift. Is there anything that I can give you in return that you would desire?"

The Elder nodded to the shield maiden, "Keep ta vee eua show eni quel faith."

"Serna, the Elder only gives he does not receive things. He's too old for such things. He has seen much but he does not require a gift from you." The kurori gestured, "Besides, you have nothing he would want from you. It's your friendship with us and the others he values and such things are hard to come by."

"If it is my friendship that he desires, then he shall have it," Serna replied eagerly before she turned to the Elder, "Thank you, sir, for entertaining my questions and having us here. And thank you for your gift as well. If there is anything that I can ever do for you, please don't be afraid to ask. Okay?"

The Elder merely nodded in reply to the shield maiden.

Caliaphy crossed her arms in protest, "Oh man! Why do you get a charm bracelet?" She glanced at the Elder who narrowed his eyes at her, "Joking. I'm joking. Serna for each good deed you achieve it will be recorded on the bracelet. Each of those charms are blank at the moment. And he will remember what you said cuz he's that good."

"WOW!!!" Serna gasped as she took the charm bracelet as she held it before her eyes, "It's so beautiful! And its magical too! Oh, thank you, sir, I will treasure it always."

The Elder bopped Caliaphy on the head with his staff enough for her stop being a pest.

"Oof! Okay. Okay I get the idea," She stuck her tongue out at him and got bopped a second time.

Serna did their best to stifle a giggle but she was having a very hard time doing it. Willow, for his part, was stoic as ever but his eyes conveyed his merriment at the hilarity he just witnessed.

"Ooof! Oww! Oof!" Caliaphy ran around behind the ranger, "Okay! I get the idea! You're no fun! Anyway, we can head back to the city but no more questions to Mertul or that scary beholder."