Welcome to Gaia! ::

The others had left one by one when they had finished their meal, but the table where Kelirahc, Lin, Earendil, Haldia and Rhea sat remained full right to the very last. After all, working and being in different places all day meant that they hadn't had much opportunity to talk, and especially with their thoughts of the future and the baby, they had much to talk about.

Just when Earendil was finally starting to feel as though he really needed to head to bed, however, Leyenda appeared in the doorway. She smiled and made her way over to their table, taking a seat next to Kelirahc as if there was nothing wrong. And she seemed fine - a bit tired, perhaps, but that was it. Otherwise, she was the same as ever, if not for the paleness of her face.

"So you decided to come join us after all," Kelirahc said warmly, pulling out the last empty chair for her to sit down.

Leyenda sat next to him and leaned against his shoulder. "I was getting lonely," she teased him. "I'm still not hungry though."

She smiled at the others. "I hope you had a good afternoon."

"What about you, Leyenda?" Earendil asked, leaning his elbows on the table and looking at her intently. "How did you like riding Skyel?"

Leyenda blushed. "Well ... it was all right, but I think if I'm going to be doing any flying, I'll stick with Kelirahc and his dragon," she murmured. She put one hand lightly on her stomach. "I don't know if it's that or the baby, but I have never felt like this before."

Kelirahc smiled warmly and held her closer.

Leyenda giggled as Earendil flushed hotly. "He really can't take it," she replied to Lin, teasing Earendil. "Actually it makes me feel a bit better, that way. Still, I had taken malek before we left this morning ... but by the time we got back I couldn't even stomach that anymore."

"If this island had the same plants as our home," Haldia said anxiously, "I would make you something to keep the sickness away, that you would not have to eat or drink ... but I have not seen any plants that are the same as our home."

"It's a completely different climate," Earendil nodded. "That stands to reason."

"I guess we'll find out," Earendil quipped. He pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. "At any rate, I'm going to bed now. Rhea, did Captain Striate say when he would return?"

Rhea nodded. "First light."

"Excellent." Earendil smiled. "Then good night to you all, and I shall see you all in the morning."

He bowed his head to everyone and headed towards the door.

"Good night," Leyenda smiled. "I'm going to stay up a bit longer, I think I've seen enough of my bed for today."

"And I will stay with her," Kelirahc added. He glanced over at Rhea and Haldia. "You should rest as well, you are also leaving in the morning again."

Rhea nodded and pushed her chair back. "Sleep well then, when you go," she waved to the others. "Good night."

"Good night," Haldia echoed, following after Rhea and Lin.

As they stepped outside, Rhea drew her cloak close about her shoulders. "Cold," she commented, looking up.

At that moment, it began to snow gently. Large, fluffy flakes drifted downward from the sky, melting seconds after they landed on the warm hands of the elves.

Haldia stared. "What ... is this?" she asked, her breath visible in the cold night air.

Haldia held out her hand and caught a snowflake and looked at it, fully expecting to be able to examine the white against the contrast of her black skin; but the flake melted almost the moment it landed against her palm, and she blinked at Lin in surprise.

"It's gone!" she exclaimed, astonished.

Rhea giggled. "It's frozen water," she explained. "When it hits something warm, like your hand, it melts into just regular water."

Haldia looked up at the sky, where the snow contrasted so beautifully against the blackness of the night. "It's beautiful," she murmured, "but it is very cold ..."

Rhea smiled and nudged Haldia gently, startling her out of her reverie. "Come on, Lin's right," she murmured. "It is cold outside, and we do have to get up early in the morning. Come on."

"I'm coming," Haldia giggled. "I'm coming."

And they headed inside and to their beds.

By the time the mapping was finished, Earendil had grown quite fond of flying with Haldia. Celeb had spent much of the month in the city, and just as Rhea had predicted, he had learned some people skills, and he didn't annoy Earendil anymore - at least, not as often. The only thing he still insisted on was the blowing out of the candles when he was ready to go to sleep, which, Earendil finally conceded, could be a valid complaint.

As predicted, Leyenda got over her morning sickness - or afternoon sickness, as she liked to call it, since that was when it hit the most often. She and Kelirahc spent a bit of time in the city as well, at first just keeping an eye on Celeb, but once they stopped having to worry about him, they just relaxed and enjoyed themselves as well. They spent quite a bit of gold on things for the baby, since they knew they were going to be there for a good long while, and that the baby would be born on the ship.

Rhea continued to fly with Aurin while Lin and Earendil flew with Haldia, and she was the only one who wasn't relieved when the mapping was complete.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Earendil muttered to Rhea when they arrived back on the ship and Aurin had left again. "As much as it made it easier for me, I'd rather walk if I can next time. I feel so lazy now!"

"I enjoyed it," Rhea shrugged. "Aurin is quite nice to talk to, when he's not all stiff and proper around you."