Welcome to Gaia! ::

They stayed at the castle there for nearly a month, visiting the city, getting to know the family, relaxing and enjoying themselves, but finally the time arrived when they would have to go back if they wanted Aerin and the others to be able to make it back to Amon Darthir before it began to snow.

Since the group would have to leave from outside the city, since that was the only place they could summon their creatures without raising alarm, and that was the only space for Skyel to join them, and since the entire family couldn't leave the castle, it was only Amora and Elia who came to see them off. Elwin had wanted to come, but he had meetings to go to, and so he was unable.

Once they were outside the city walls, Haldia and Kelirahc summoned their spirits, and everyone began to climb up onto their steeds.

"Good luck with the temperature change," Elia grinned at them, squinting up into the sunlight as she looked up at them. "Going from desert to near winter is going to be quite the change."

"Could be worse," Earendil chuckled, petting Miyuki on the head. "Though it looks as though someone's getting fidgety."

He knew she didn't like to be in her carrier for long periods of time, but really, they hadn't been out of the city long ... she usually could handle it for at least a bit longer.

Haldia, Kelirahc and Aurin looked absolutely amazed, but everyone else just laughed. It wasn't anything new for them - the one tail turning into two maybe, but otherwise everyone had seen (or Seen) a growth.

"That explains it," Earendil laughed, ruffling Lin's hair. "I guess her carrier won't be of much use anymore." He chuckled again. "Now what? Just hold her?"

He would be more than happy to help with that. After all a wriggling three year old would need more strength to hold than a quiet infant. Especially in the air.

Earendil helped Haldia up onto Riel's back, then held his hands out to Lin. "I can hold her while you climb up," he told her. "It will make it easier for you. Then I'll pass her up once you're up there."

"Well, we need to get back," Amora smiled at them, putting one hand on her sister's shoulder. "But we'll be sure to tell everyone the good news!"

"Come again!" Elia grinned, waving at them all.

Earendil took Miyuki, and though he was expecting her to be heavier, he was surprised by just how much she had grown. "Wow," he chuckled. "If you keep growing this fast you're going to be taller than your mother soon enough."

With Miyuki in hand, he crouched down and made a one-handed stirrup for Lin to climb up onto the roc.

Earendil climbed up with only a bit of difficulty and sat down carefully.

"Do you want me to hold her for you?" he asked, looking at Lin. "Or would you prefer to?"

Earendil smiled warmly at Lin. "You know I would be more than happy to hold onto her," he told her softly. "Really. I would be honoured."

All right, maybe that was a bit cheesy, but still. It was spoken from the heart.

"Are we ready to go then?" Haldia asked, looking over her shoulder at the three of them.