Being mute had taken not only a vital method of communication from Lerith, but also made him a bit of an outcast for a long time in the villa. As she brings up a hand, Lerith moves his own, gently holding it out in case she reached in. Not that the halla would attempt to harm her, but-

"-wait. Let me ask." Which probably sounded strange to an outsider. But he turns to address the beast, asking for the permission to touch her. The permission is granted it seems, as she tosses her head in a clear up and down motion. "Do not pet her head or above, but she al...lows it. The hal-la are not pets to the Elves. They are brothers and sisters to us." A distant look to those yellow eyes, as though reciting something lurking that he couldn't reach for himself.