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Alena nodded. "Just about half full, please. It should be plenty. Then put it next to me and give me the bread."

She waited for Miyuki to do as she asked, taking Andarien's hand from his mouth before he could cut himself on his teeth.

"Thank you," Alena said softly, sitting Andarien in her lap and tearing off a bit of the bread. She dipped it in the water, and when it was good and soggy she held it against the side of the bowl so that it wouldn't drip, then put it Andarien's lips, just hoping that the boy would try to eat it.

The moment the sop touched his lips, Andarien stopped fidgeting, and a look of surprise crossed his face. He licked his lips, then leaned forward, closing his lips around the bread - as well as Alena's thumb and finger.

"So far so good," Alena laughed as the boy started to suck on it.

"So it seems," Alena smiled, taking her fingers from his mouth as he sucked the bread out from between them. She prepared another bite for him as he sucked on it, waiting until he had swallowed it down before giving him the second one.

"He's going to need more than just this, though," she mused. "We'll have to think of a way to get him the vitamins he needs."

Bread and water alone were enough to keep from starving, but they were no good for becoming stronger, or staying healthy.

"Probably not," Alena murmured as she continued to feed Andarien. "When we get to ... I believe Tavari is our next stop, we will be able to pick up more for him, but for now this will have to do."

Unless they soaked the bread in ale instead, though she would have to get Earendil and Lin's opinion on that.

"Less than a week, once we get going," Alena replied. "Or so I'm told. Of course, we have no idea how long we're going to be staying here. At least until Alassëa can tell us what she wants to do."

And though she knew that Alassëa had said a few words, she was as yet unaware as to how quickly the woman was regaining her speaking ability.

"For that, you would have to ask those who can fly," Alena smiled. "Haldia or Kelirahc. And of course talk to your parents. Though really, I believe that Andarien will be fine for a week."

Or more, depending on how long it took Alassëa to learn to communicate again.

Alena smiled. "In the meantime, I'll show your parents how to feed him this way. It should make things easier for everyone all around."

It took a while, but at long last, when the half-loaf was almost gone, Andarien finally seemed as though he didn't want any more of it, and it was at that point that Alena held him up to Miyuki for her to take him back to their parents.

"If they have questions, tell them to come talk to me," she told Miyuki. "See you later!"

Andarien was a very full baby now, and by the time they got back to their parents' tent, he was yawning and looking very ready to fall asleep.

Earendil for his part was pleased that they wouldn't have to bother Alena all the time anymore - though at the moment he was just plain pleased, having his arm all healed up (though still a bit weak) and having had some time alone with Lin.

"I would say we should let Andarien play in the wagon for a bit, so he can crawl around, but it seems he would rather sleep at the moment," he chuckled, amused, as he held his arms out to Miyuki to take the child from her.