Welcome to Gaia! ::

Once the meal was over, the king asked the group if they were interested in going to the city that afternoon.

"After all," he smiled, "it's as good a time as any, and you're all here already. I know not all of you will be wanting to go back and forth all the time."

Earendil looked over at Lin. "What do you say?" he asked her. "Now or another time?"

The king beckoned a servant closer, and requested that Aurin meet them out front of the castle.

"Just to save you a bit of walking," he smiled. "After all, there's no point in taking a roc to the city, especially when, to my understanding, Prince Earendil does not do very well in the air quite yet."

Earendil smiled sheepishly. "Your Majesty has put it very kindly, but you are correct. Riding the roc does not agree with my stomach."

Earendil nodded and smiled back at Lin. "In time," he agreed. "But if we're going to be going somewhere with the intention of enjoying ourselves, I'd rather do it with a settled stomach - especially as we've just eaten. When we go with Captain Striate, I'll make sure to have an empty stomach, just in case."

The king rose to his feet, and Alena did likewise. "Then I will let Lady Alena lead you out," the king announced. "I must consult with my own captains. If I do not see you again before you return to your ship for the night, I bid you fare well, and feel free to visit any time you like."

Arwen, Roydon and the others all rose and bowed their heads respectfully (except for Celeb, who was finishing a cup of drust, and Kelirahc, who wasn't entirely sure what was going on), and Arwen spoke on their behalf. "We will keep that in mind, your Majesty. Thank you for your hospitality."

Kelirahc reached for Leyenda's hand under the table and held it tightly as the king left the room. He glanced at Lin and Senka. "Why do I get the feeling that it would be a very good idea for me to learn yet another language?" he asked, the trace of a smile playing about his lips.

Earendil chuckled. "If we're going to be here a while, it would be a very good idea," he grinned.

Kelirahc laughed. "So when you all speak in a language I don't understand, it's not always the same one?"

Earendil chuckled. "Unfortunately for you, no. Here they speak common elvish. Back home, the language of the land is High Elven."

Kelirahc grinned. "And after those two?"

Earendil winked at him. "You're safe."

"And even if you did plan on traveling around them, others can translate for you," Earendil added. "For you, it's not quite worth learning those two languages. You have no real reason to deal with them, and unless I'm mistaken, Leyenda already knows them."

Leyenda nodded. "At least, I know the human tongue," she added. "I really don't see myself ever having dealings with dwarfs, and since they don't really have a nation ... there's not even really a reason for me to learn their language merely for diplomacy's sake."

Kelirahc nodded. "I'll work on that," he promised.

"With my help, of course," Leyenda smiled, hugging his arm.

He chuckled. "But of course, my dear. How else could I learn?"

Earendil laughed. "Come on you two lovebirds," he grinned at them. "I think Alena is waiting for us."

And indeed, not only Alena, but also Arwen, Roydon, Rhea and Celeb were waiting for the rest of them at the door.