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And so Ulani showed Celeborn where they would have to go, and thus began their planning.



And it was just at that moment that Kanis returned to them with Corrah and Armus in tow. For several moments, none of them spoke, but then Armus stepped forward and hugged Aras tightly.

"You've grown so big," she murmured in disbelief. "I can hardly believe it's really you ..."

Aras giggled. "We've been here a long time, Armus," she smiled. "We're all grown up now. All of us."

Haradhel watched them thoughtfully. It was very clear that the girls got along with these two far better than Donovan and Kara, or especially Toshiro ... she could only conclude that one had to get to know them better before one could truly get along with them.

Now that Aras was the one talking with them, Kanis turned to Haradhel. "Where will they be living?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

Haradhel shrugged. "I don't know," she admitted. "I would assume the barracks, but there are no empty rooms right now, let alone two ... it's too cold for them to be outside ..."

"They can't sleep outside," Kanis mused. "Perhaps we can ask Father if they can stay with us until we can build a home for them. Ruran's room is empty now that he's gone."

Elnara tilted her head slightly. "Gone?"

"He built his own place, about half an hour's walk from ours," Aras explained. "He prefers to be alone."

"And we prefer him to be alone," Ulrich deadpanned. "So it all works out."

Elnara was confused. "But I've met Ruran," she murmured, "he was a perfect gentleman ..."

Ulrich rolled his eyes. "I don't know when that might have been. He's tolerable now, he's finally realized he's not the top of the world, and that he's not the biggest and the strongest, but he used to be absolutely horrible."

"I hate to admit it," Haradhel spoke up reluctantly to Kara, "but it's true. I know of no word in your language that would accurately describe how he used to be. Even now, it can only be said that he is truly awful."

"Not entirely true," Armus spoke up, leaning against the wall. "Ruran doesn't like humans. He views us as inferior beings. He hates humans and all with human blood. He also hates women, thinks they're good for one thing alone. Of course, being both human and female, he really hated me." She smiled ruefully.

For the first time since entering the room, Corrah spoke up. "He's a fool."

"No argument there," Haradhel nodded.

Ulrich shrugged. "Not really much of an anything person," he replied. "As I said, we do prefer that he keep to himself."

He paused. "Perhaps I could more clearly illustrate my point. What do you know of Adonijah's personality?"

Ulrich nodded. "Very shy, wouldn't hurt anyone, probably didn't even seem as if he knew how," he agreed. "Ruran's second day here, Adonijah flipped him into the river and just about knocked him senseless. It's the only time I've ever heard of him fighting anyone ... even I didn't know he knew how, and I'm his grandfather!"

"There was also the time Ruran was kidnapped by slavers," Haradhel added with a faint smile. "I think that might be when he really changed."

"Or at least when his change began," Ulrich conceded.

"Needless to say," Ulrich smiled, "he doesn't go with on hunts. He figures, if the kids were stupid enough to get themselves kidnapped, they deserve it - and yes, I know that makes no sense, especially as he himself had once been kidnapped, but still. That's just the way he is."

"Aunt Haradhel," a voice called out suddenly: and a moment later, Ruque walked into the room. He beamed brightly when he saw everyone. "Hello! I didn't know there were so many of you this time, when-"

He stopped abruptly when he saw Corrah and Armus, and he rubbed his eyes and looked again. "Wh-what-"

Aras laughed. "Look, Ruque! Now they're here too!"

Ruque smiled at Kara. "I'm Ruque," he said, not quite shyly, but a little self-consciously. He beamed at Elnara and Lore. "Hi Grandmama, Grandpapa," he said more warmly now. "Grandmama, you look exactly how you did the last time I saw you ... when I was just born."

Elnara laughed and stepped forward to hug her grandson. "You've changed a great deal," she smiled at him. "You've got to be as tall as your father now!"

Ruque chuckled. "A bit taller, I think."

Ruque blinked. "Ah ... right! Um, Uncle Elrohir says that he and Papa will be back shortly for dinner, and ah ... Papa's picking up Cindy on the way, so Cindy will be eating here as well."

Haradhel nodded. "Then I'd best get dinner prepared," she murmured. "Excuse me, everyone." And she slipped past everyone and across the hall.

Ruque turned to Kara. "You're our great-grandmother, right? Cindy is your daughter?"