Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Me too," Rhea grinned. She headed to the door and held it open for Lin. "Off we go!"

She was looking forward to dinner. She wasn't sure what it was going to be, but she was indeed very hungry.

Mostly everyone else had already arrived and were already eating, and Rhea went with Lin to Arwen for their portions. When she looked around for a place to sit, the only empty seats were at the table where Kelirahc sat, alone. She headed over to sit with him, smiling at him as she set her plate down and took a seat.

"So, did you have a good afternoon?" she asked him brightly as she began to eat.

Kelirahc smiled faintly at her. "Hello, Rhea," he greeted her. "It was busy, I suppose."

Kelirahc looked at the empty seat next to him, his eyes anxious. "Leyenda is not well," he murmured softly. "She does not want to eat. So, this afternoon, I was busy with taking care of her."

He blinked up at the girls. "I do not mind it," he said quickly, so that they wouldn't take it the wrong way, "I am only worried for her."

"Yes," Kelirahc nodded immediately. "Arwen says it is nothing to worry about, that it should be expected ... and that it will pass, perhaps in a few weeks, perhaps in a month ... but it will pass ..."

Just then, Haldia joined them, and she raised one eyebrow at Kelirahc when she saw the empty seat next to him.

He smiled faintly. "We can wait for Earendil, then I will only have to explain one more time," he said patiently. "I believe he is the last to come for dinner ..."

At least, he didn't know of anyone else not there.

It was just a few short minutes more before Earendil joined them as well. He sat next to Kelirahc, clapping one hand on his shoulder as he sat down.

"Sorry I'm late," he apologized with a grin. "But I see you've all started without me. Where's Leyenda?"

"Sick, apparently," Rhea replied, eying Kelirahc. "Something serious, it seems."

Haldia tilted her head slightly. "I had noticed she seemed tired lately," she murmured. "It can't have started today suddenly."

Kelirahc smiled and shook his head. "No, no, it was not sudden," he said softly. "She has been using malek for a few days, and it has helped. But today she simply did not have the appetite to drink any of it, so she is staying in bed this evening."

Haldia smiled at her friend and looked at him intently. "And just how far along is she?" she asked.

Kelirahc dropped his fork and blinked at Haldia, his golden eyes wide with surprise. "You knew already?" Clearly, he had wanted to surprise everyone.

Rhea laughed. "Come on, why else would a married woman be sick?" she teased him. With a giggle, she reached across the table and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Congratulations, Kelirahc. You will be a wonderful father."

Haldia also leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Congratulations, my old friend," she said warmly.

Kelirahc flushed and looked at the two, and as Earendil moved slightly, he looked at him, almost suspiciously.

Earendil laughed. "You're not getting any kisses from me, don't worry," he grinned. He held out his hand and shook Kelirahc's warmly. "Congratulations."

Kelirahc beamed at everyone. "Thank you," he murmured, a little self-consciously. "I will pass it on to Leyenda as well."

Earendil grinned. "So I guess it's a good thing we're going to be here for a while yet, eh?" he said brightly. "Leyenda won't have to worry about giving birth at sea, and we won't have to worry about not having the necessary supplies around for her."

"This is exciting," Rhea giggled. "And can you imagine when we go back home? I bet none of Leyenda's friends expected her to come back married, or with a child!"

"Not likely," Earendil agreed with a chuckle.

"I am looking forward to meeting them all," Kelirahc said, though his tone was a little shy. "But also I am nervous."

"Really no need," Earendil grinned. "They're quite nice, very supportive of Leyenda. I'm sure you'll be fine."