Ellana lifts her eyebrows a little, having not expected that. She shakes her head a little, to hopefully reassure Katniss.

"This is a harsh world, and I can't always rely on others to protect me. I can't expect everyone everywhere to treat me with kindness, and I need to be ready. If I'm going to go out into the world on my own someday in search of elven ruins, I need protection. Being able to shapeshift is a good safeguard, but I want to learn many different ways. I want to be prepared."