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Haldia's eyes lit up brightly. "And now? How are things standing now?" she pressed. Her tone was excited, and it was clear that she was hoping for the best for her friends.

She had after all, seen how Earendil had suffered, keeping it to himself, and she knew just how deep his love for Lin went.

Haldia nodded slowly. "Tell me if I am going beyond what is my business," she murmured, "but ... I know that Earendil is quite certain of what he feels, and if you also are ... then why take things slow? The courtship part, is that not ... complete?"

She didn't understand. She didn't know much about courtship rituals outside her own culture, but what she did know, she knew from watching Rhea and Aurin - and that had been more like what she had been used to. She would be the first to say that Kelirahc and Leyenda had 'jumped the gun', so to speak, but by most standards, if they had been courting for a few years already, wasn't it time to make the bond?

Haldia followed Lin's glance and looked over at Earendil. She watched him for a moment as she listened to Lin's words, then looked back at Lin, her lips pursed thoughtfully.

"Knowing him," she murmured softly, "he wants to do something specific. Something special. Something that perhaps cannot be done while you are still traveling."

She smiled. "Like my people have our marks, like your people have your ... promise feather ... perhaps there is something he needs that he cannot acquire while you are not home."

She tilted her head slightly, then nodded again. "That is my guess."

Haldia smiled warmly at her. "Then I will not pester him, either," she winked. "Fun though it would be."

Soon, they were all filled, and they stood up to continue on.

"Kelirahc," Haldia spoke up, "if we are going to go to the river, will you lead the way?"

Kelirahc blinked at her. "Of course. Are you not coming with us?"

She nodded, then motioned towards Celeb. "It is just ... I would like to talk to him," she murmured softly. "It is easier if I am not leading."

Kelirahc nodded. "Of course." He took Amalirahc from her and grinned at him. "Come on, come with us. We will go see the river."

Amalirahc looked up at his father. "Miyuki is coming too, right?" he asked dubiously, looking over at his friend.

Amalirahc grinned at Miyuki. "Come on!" he urged her. "Ada told me about the river, I think it will be lots of fun!"

He glanced over his shoulder at Haldia and Celeb, then looked back at Miyuki. "I think their talk is going to be a sad one," he confided quietly.

Earendil took Lin's hand and followed after the others.

It took them a while to get to the river, since they had to go around the village in order not to wake anyone. By the time they got there, Haldia and Celeb were talking together like they used to - apparently their talk had gone well.

"Oh boy, I'm thirsty!" Amalirahc exclaimed, running forward for a drink once they got to the river.

"Be careful," Kelirahc called after him.

Leyenda giggled and tugged on her husband's arm. "He'll be fine, you worry too much."

Earendil chuckled. "Go ahead, Miyuki. It's not deep here. Just don't go too deep, all right?"

Amalirahc grinned at Miyuki. "Come on, the water's nice and cool!" he urged her, forgetting for the moment that he was supposed to be speaking the Ancient Tongue. He splashed into the river until he was in up to his waist, then turned and splashed some water at Miyuki. "It's really nice!"

"Ease off there, Amalirahc," Celeb called as he and Haldia caught up with the others. "Don't make me come in after you!"

He was grinning widely, and in his tone it was clear that he was teasing.