Welcome to Gaia! ::

Haldia hesitated. "I ... I don't know ..."

Earendil smiled and reached for the pendant, holding it up where she could see it again. "Look at this. Could people who are cruel and evil design something so beautiful?"

Haldia looked thoughtful, but she still clearly doubted him. "I don't know if I can go back ..."

At the reminder of the candy, Haldia smiled softly. "Celeb did seem excited about it," she murmured softly. "Still ..."

"Haldia, you can't allow yourself to judge an entire race from the actions of just one person," Earendil pointed out patiently. "Think if we had done the same for you. The first time we saw you, you were furious about Leyenda and Kelirahc's marriage. You threatened her. We were all frightened. But once we got to know you, you turned out to be someone we all like very much."

He smiled warmly. "I understand that being thrown in prison is not pleasant, and that a night with the gnomes would be horrible, but Aethos-sola, the man who ordered it, has changed. He is almost a completely different person now ... as you were once you got used to the idea of Kelirahc and Leyenda being married."

Haldia bit her lip thoughtfully. Her expression was confused, lost. She wanted so desperately to believe him, but she still had dreams now and then about the creatures she had been imprisoned with. How could she overlook that?

"And if at any time you feel threatened," Earendil added soothingly, "you can escape without any hindrance. You wouldn't even realize that there were gnomes on the same island, there are none in sight or in hearing range. And if you like," he added, seeing that she was still hesitant, "I will go with you for a flight over the area first, so that you can see for yourself."

Haldia's hand rose to the necklace that hung around her neck, and her fingers closed slowly around the roc pendant. She closed her eyes and touched her hand to her mouth, thinking deeply. Conflict warred in her expression, raging between fear and hope.

At last, she opened her eyes and nodded ever so slightly.

"I will come," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "But only if you promise not to leave my side again. For anything."

Earendil smiled warmly and reached forward, putting one hand on her shoulder. "That is a promise that I am most happy and willing to make," he said quietly. "I will not leave your side while we are on the island."

"Boots," Earendil corrected her. "And I think it's just Leyenda who wanted to see about the bags. But she and Kelirahc were back so late last night, I don't know if they'll be awake yet ... Lin, are you planning on accompanying us?"

He turned towards Haldia. "Kelirahc can take Leyenda when they're ready. But for us, Haldia ... I was hoping that you would take us ..."

Haldia looked at Lin, then looked at Earendil, her eyes thoughtful. She licked her lips slowly, moistening them, and then took a deep breath and nodded.

"I will," she said softly. "Just ..."

She hesitated a moment, and then nodded again. "I will take you. And ... thank you. For the necklace ... and for helping me like this."

She knew after all that it was for her own benefit, more than for theirs. And they were right - they were going to be here for a while, it wouldn't be good at all for her to be afraid of the place where they were going tob e staying for the next who knew how long.

Haldia blinked at Lin, surprised by her words. "Fun?" she repeated, bewildered. "What do you mean?"

Was there going to be something special about this trip? Was there something waiting for them?

Haldia smiled. "Then perhaps I shall enjoy it more than I expect. I hope that is the case."

Earendil chuckled softly and slid one arm around Haldia's shoulders, drawing her in for a light embrace. "I'm sure you will," he said warmly. "And thank you for giving it a try."

Haldia blushed hotly, but again it was hidden by her black skin. She fidgeted out of the embrace and cleared her throat softly. "Um ... give me a moment to get dressed and ready," she murmured, "And I'll be out, all right?"

Earendil chuckled again and let her go. "We'll be waiting up on deck for you, then." He rose and squeezed her shoulder slightly, then turned to Lin and grinned triumphantly as he started towards the door.