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Aerin's eyebrows rose in surprise. "A nice dragon?" she repeated. "I've never heard of such a thing ... and I have seen many. Yes, I am a dragon-killer, and I firmly believe that I shall always remain so." She paused. "As long as I keep up my training," she amended, clearly thinking of her arm after this particular fight. "But if there was a dragon who showed itself kind rather than attacking all within its reach ... I believe I would not kill it."

Her mouth hardened into a grim smile. "I would like to believe that I would not kill it, anyways." She looked at Miyuki sadly. "Unfortunately, I have been killing dragons for so long ... whenever I hear of one it still fills me with rage."

She took a deep breath to calm herself and smiled at Miyuki once more. "Where did you meet this nice dragon?" she asked her. "Perhaps I should meet with it just to overcome my instincts."

"Sad to say," Aerin shrugged sadly, "I believe their thought this time was 'easy prey'. It has been nearly five hundred years since I killed the Great Dragon here, and these dragons were not nearly so old. They would not remember. And there is not much game on this island: the three of you probably looked quite delicious to them."

She pondered over Miyuki's first reply. Did that mean that the dragon was one of the people traveling with them? Her guess would be Lancaeriel, if anyone - she didn't know much about the woman, but she could tell that she was old and powerful, both of which were indications that she could, at one time anyways, have been a dragon.

"If you see this dragon again," she said softly, keeping her thoughts to herself, "would you ask her if I may speak with her? That way it is her choice."

Aerin smiled. "Thank you."

Her attention was diverted when Aurin returned to Skyel and climbed up with the others.

"We are ready to leave, Your Majesty," he told Aerin, bowing low to her on the roc's back.

Aerin nodded. "Good. Then let us hurry and get the children back to their families."

Aurin strapped himself in and signaled to the other Riders, and as one, the six rocs took to the air. Their flight was a bit slower than usual, hampered somewhat by the cargo they were transporting, and they did not fly as high; but still it was not very long before they had arrived at the castle.

There were many people waiting for them out in the yard in front of the castle, people who had heard that something had happened, even if they did not know what it was, and who were eager for word of their family or sovereign.

Earendil and Lin were foremost in the crowd, and Andarien was in Lin's arms and refused to loosen his grip on her no matter what. Ponydash was next to them, standing tall and alert.

Jess and River were there with River's family, and of them all River seemed the most anxious. Her face was pale and her body tense, and Jess had one arm around her shoulders.

The rest of their group was also present, anxiously waiting to see what had happened.

Lancaeriel paled when she saw the dragons that were being carried back, and her first thought was for her friend. She looked over at Iorlas, who had turned as white as a sheet and who was clinging tightly to Daeron's arm.

The six rocs landed together, carefully letting their baggage hit the ground first. Then Aurin helped his passengers to the ground.

The moment Eon's feet hit the ground, he was running - running towards his master, whom he was overjoyed to see was quite safe. He nuzzled his head against Andarien's leg, though Andarien didn't release his grip on his mother.

Aranxia was still shaking with shock, and she found, once she was on the ground, that she didn't quite have the coordination to walk. River broke free of Jess's arm and ran to help her cousin.

Earendil also ran forward to get Miyuki and threw his arms around her the moment she was close enough. "Thank the Valar you're safe," he cried, holding her tightly.

Earendil stroked Miyuki's hair calmingly for a moment, then knelt to her height and looked anxiously into her eyes.

"Are you hurt?" he asked her quietly.

Yes, she was here and she was safe, but that didn't mean that there wasn't necessarily any damage.

Earendil stood up again and held his daughter close to him.

"Come, let's get you inside," he murmured. "A hot bath and some rest will do you wonders, I'm sure."

River was already taking Aranxia inside, presumably for the same treatment. Daeron, Iorlas and Lancaeriel had already disappeared as well, though many of the others - now that they knew that everyone was all right - were crowding around the dragons to get a glimpse of the creatures.

Tears streaked Andarien's face, and he was still crying, but when he heard Miyuki's voice, he turned to look at her, his eyes wide.

"MI!" he cried; and finally he let go of Lin and threw his arms around his sister instead, holding on to her as if for dear life.