The patrol leader did little more than shoot the Drow prisoner an unsavoury glare, his fist clenching at his side indicating that the jab had hit a nerve; and yet he made no move towards inflicting any sort of injury on Nathe. 
"We build very little on the ground." Mel answered his question when it became apparent that none of the others were going to. "It interferes with the balance of the forest. Though we have had to have a few buildings grounded for practicality's sake: the infirmary, the meeting room and the armoury, for instance." 

It was one such building that the prisoner was escorted to, standing very near the middle of the village. The door guards halted the patrol as they approached, their weapons crossing to block the door as they queried their motives for seeking audience with the leader. After exchanging explanations (and a few other quips at the Drow's expense), the guards stepped to the side and allowed them to enter the room ahead as the doors swung open. 

The room was largely empty, save for the table at its center with what looked to be a map spread across it. Around the table were a few high-seated chairs arranged so that when necessary, every elf who gathered around would have an unobstructed view of the markers placed on the parchment. Now, however, the room was empty of personnel, save for the lone forest elf who stood at the far end near the ceiling-height window, hands folded neatly behind his back. 
"Eriex, you're late." he commented smoothly without turning to face the patrol. "The patrol before yours went further out and still arrived back first. They reported a large amount of blood found on the main path, I should hope that it doesn't belong to any of our soldiers?"
"No sir." the patrol leader shook his head in confirmation. "However, we do have explanation for it. The blood belongs to this Drow." Stepping aside so that Nathe would be within the leader's eyeline as the elf turned to look upon hearing mention of their dark-skinned rivals. "He wandered as far in as the herb garden, we thought you might like to question him, sir. Find out exactly why he's here, and what he wants."