"I've never understood the need to be the strongest or the most powerful," she commented, starting to weave flowers into the braids. She chose big, summer blossoms in soft, pastel colors. "If you're happy in life, what more do you need?" Meliai wasn't the strongest, either. She knew dryads who were much bigger and sturdier than she was, with offensive magic. Perhaps that would have been useful this week, but how often would they be attacked like this?
Her hands stopped playing in Tara's hair suddenly, her body stiffening as she swallowed a yelp. She looked down at her stomach to see dark blood seeping through her silken dress.