Aera listened, still as stone, as Kire mentioned her ideas and suggestions, and asked for what the elves would be able to provide. "Axes, ropes, and buckets of water, as well as quite a group of volunteers who want to see this dead knot eradicated from our close proximity." Aera answered, smiling subtly at Kire. 
Ruli, still sitting near their little fire, didn't turn around, but his annoyance surged. He could earily put magic around the thicket, prevent the fire from spreading, but Aera would never ask. He doubted entirely that she would accept if offered. 
Indeed, when Ysaryn asked aloud, "Would Rulitus not be able to make ward around? Like the gate?" Aera stiffened, until Ruli had to quickly shake his head. 
"It won't work for a natural element." He lied quickly. He had to shoot Ysaryn a glare to keep her from arguing, as she clearly didn't believe him. She kept quiet, but looked deeply confused. 

"The supplies will be brought. If you've need of anything else, Zekiel, please come to inform us." Don't send the elf or him, her tone said. With a polite bend, she turned and strolled back toward the borders, and Ruli exhaled audbibly. 
"[i]What was that!?[/i]" Ysaryn rounded on him, gesturing. 
"[i]She won't accept anything from me, so drop it.[/i]" Ruli mumbled. "[i]Trying will only lose us their assistance.[/i]"
"[i]We don't need it![/i]"
"[i]We do. Stop acting selfish.[/i]" He snapped, passing her by. Ysaryn snarled at him. 

A gathering of nearly forty elves arrived, mostly male, each with a barely-contained look of unbridled violence in their eyes. Whatever they feared about these woods settled deep, their desire to be rid of it causing their emotionless facade to break. Aera led them, still wrapped in fine silks, but they were far more closely trimmed, her gloves made of leather. Still, none of the other elves allowed her to so much as tie a knot in any of the rope, and she was force to stand aside and supervise. 
She only looked disappointed with Zeke, Ysaryn, and Ruli arrived, the lattermost and the princess doing all they could to put themselves as far apart as possible. The elves went to working hauling the broken pieces of wood into small individual piles that were kept as neatly away from the living and unscathed trees as possible. The rest went to help break down the trees that had yet to be cut down. Ten of them were on standby to run back and forth to their well to refill buckets of water, as much of the soil beneath them was soaked to prevent unintentional spread. 

"Empress." Aera said from where she stood on dry floor some feet away. "With your permission, we will begin burning."