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"The funny thing is," Earendil smiled ruefully, "Kelirahc isn't worried in the least. His people are so accepting of ... everything." He laughed softly. "If only our people could be more like theirs ... yes, we may seem to have more, by way of economy or goods or luxuries ... but somehow, I envy their lifestyle. Very simple. Very ... good. That's how I would describe it, good. Not a single remnant of the evil they had to endure."

He was jealous, in a way. It was clear that they didn't worry about thieves, or murderers, or unfaithfulness in their spouses. He couldn't help but wonder if their own people had once lived so fearlessly.

"True, true," Earendil murmured. "And we can't forget, they still haven't decided where they're going to settle down. There's a chance they may even return to Kelirahc's people to live, especially if Kelirahc just can't get used to our way of life."

He knew Leyenda would do well there, though he wasn't sure how well Kelirahc would do in the Four Lands. They were so different, and the Four Lands was filled with so many problems ...

"It would be better for them, as much as it pains me to say it," he added.

"Indeed," Earendil murmured, raising one hand to knock on the door.

They were greeted by a brief, "Come in," and Earendil opened the door for them.

Alena was sitting at her desk, looking over the building plans for the city. She had taken Haldia's advice to heart, and the king had approved the idea, and now it was just up to her to make sure the plans were complete before the work could begin.

She smiled at the two and motioned for them to come in. "It has been a while since I've seen you two," she said warmly. "How may I help you?"

"Ah, that is good news," Alena smiled warmly, rising from her desk. "Thank you very much, I will inform Aethos-sola, and then I will go speak to Shiro. I expect that you will be leaving soon, then?"

Earendil nodded. "I'm afraid we must. We have been too long from home already. But we will return, someday," he added with a warm smile.

Alena smiled back. "Then before you leave, you and your people must come here for dinner," she said firmly. "Tomorrow, then. As many as can and will come. I insist. It has been wonderful to have you here, and it is only right that we give you a farewell feast."

Earendil bowed low. "Your ladyship is too kind," he murmured. "Thank you. I will tell them."

The next day and a half were spent getting supplies for the journey home, and when it came time for the feast, Arwen, Roydon, Celeb, Haldia, Kelirahc, Leyenda, Amalirahc, Shiro, Kaito, Ura, Storm, Starr, Rhea, Earendil and Lin were the ones to head over to the castle.

They were invited in and asked to take a seat. As they were working on finding their places, Aurin also entered the dining hall. Rhea spotted him right away, and she smiled brightly and headed over to him immediately, inviting him to sit next to her, which he accepted with a warm smile.

Alena was the next one to enter the room, and she took her place to the left of the king's seat. Once there, she held out her hands and said, "All rise for the king."

Everyone stood up as they were asked, and the king and Aethos entered the dining hall, heading towards hteir seats at the head of the table.

Once the king was in his place, he motioned for everyone to sit down. When he was the only one left standing, he smiled at everyone.

"My dear friends," he said warmly, "I cannot tell you what great pleasure it has given me to have had you with us for these past two years. You have given much to this kingdom ... knowledge, aid, and most of all, hope."

As he spoke, some servants came around the table and began pour wine into everyone's glasses. Amelirahc, nearly a year old by now, reached for Leyenda's glass, but she pulled him away from the table so that he couldn't reach it.

"Since there is nothing that I could give you you or do for you that could ever repay you for the hope that you have given to me, and to my kingdom," the king went on, smiling at the infant, "I would like to give you this final feast, in gesture of the eternal friendship that shall forever remain between our people."

He picked up his glass of wine and raised it high. "May the Valar protect you on your journey home."

The others raised their glasses and stood as well, then sipped a bit from them before sitting again.

Once everyone was sitting again, the king smiled at them all. "Now, I really have no intention of spoiling this feast with a long speech, but I am afraid that I do have one more announcement to make."

He nodded at Aurin, who stood up straight, looking as if he were standing at attention.

"With Prince Roydon and Princess Arwen's permission, Captain Striate will be accompanying you to your home with the purpose of passing on a message to my daughter."

Rhea squealed with excitement, then clapped her hand over her mouth, blushing hotly. Aurin smiled at her and put one hand on her shoulder, then stood at attention once more.

Arwen laughed softly at the two, then turned to the king and smiled warmly. "We welcome him aboard, with all our hearts," she replied.

"Especially Rhea," Celeb quipped, grinning until Roydon elbowed him.