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Leilani smiled at Lin as they rode into the village. "And since then we've all preferred to live that way," she murmured. "I always thought Ulani and Ulrich would settle in a city, they used to visit Tor Karad every chance they had ... I was a little surprised when they decided to stay in the valley as well."

The village was reminiscent of one of the human Southland settlements, save that everything was a bit bigger (elf-sized), and clean and beautiful. The elves took pride in their homes, as they did in everything. The paths were cobblestone, the houses made of planks of wood, and everywhere was green: ivy growing on the buildings and fences, beautiful yards and flower gardens, large trees growing even at the sides of the roads ...

"I think I like it here," Luk grinned, looking around.

Elros glanced at Lin. "It is indeed your first time in the Westland," he said with a hint of a smile. "All of the villages, towns and cities in the Westland are ... how shall I say it ..."

"Shrines to nature?" Halmir supplied.

"Elves were created with nature, and it is in the nature of elves to preserve what they can," Alena spoke up. "It's more difficult in the Southland because of the type of land ... but here in the forest ..."

She looked around and smiled warmly.

Around them, scores of light-haired elves were going about their daily lives, working, playing, heading to the market, returning from it ... and many of them were looking at the traveling group (or at least some of them) with curious expressions on their faces.

Kelirahc and Leyenda were riding horses (they were using the ones that Shiro and Kaito had been using originally, as the nekos were riding in the wagons today), and they led the group through the foliage-lined streets towards the livery and inn.

"We should probably wash before we go see Celeb and Haldia," Leyenda grinned at the others as she dismounted in front of the livery. "It's been a while since we've had the chance."

"I'll take care of the horses and wagons," Halmir offered, a grin stretching the scars on his face. "I know the liveryman well. Or at least, I used to."

"You used to know everyone," Arthael quipped. "I'll come with you. River, go with the others to wash up."

"Yes, Grandmama." River was also riding, but she dismounted and headed to the wagon to grab her bag.

"This could take a while, with so many of us," Earendil couldn't help but comment as he dismounted carefully, making sure Andarien didn't get jostled about too much (even though he was bigger and stronger than he had used to be).

"Maybe you're not, but I want to see my niece," Leyenda laughed, helping Amalirahc down from the wagon.

"I have a cousin!" Amalirahc grinned. he was so proud of the fact that he had a cousin, he hadn't stopped thinking about it since he'd been told.

Daeron chuckled. "Come on, I'll take all of you to the inn," he said, motioning for everyone to follow him. "Hopefully they have enough room for us."

"If not, at least some of us will be able to stay there, and the rest of us could keep sleeping in our tents," Leyenda shrugged. "It's not as if it would be new. Besides, whether they've room or not, at least we can wash."

"True," Earendil agreed. "Still ... to be in a bed again ..."

He wondered if Miyuki wouldn't mind rooming with River, if that was possible. He and Lin would have to keep Andarien with them, he was too young not to stay with them, but at least it would be closer to privacy than otherwise.

Inside the inn was just as cheery and nature-y as the outside. Flowers grew in a trough of soil that circled the entire room, about halfway up the walls, ivy grew around the edges of the windows, and leafy green plants grew in pots in every corner. The windows were large and let in so much sunlight that it was nearly as bright inside as out. The first room was the dining room, and there were tables and chairs and lounging chairs and cushions, and in one wall there was a fireplace, though with the weather being so warm, it was not lit. The counter was near the far wall, and the wall opposite the fireplace had a doorway that led to the back, where the rooms were for letting.

"It smell good in here," Alassëa said when she entered the inn on Aethos's arm. There was a faint smile on her face. It had been such a long time since she had been in a building of any sort.

"It looks as good as it smells," Earendil grinned, looking around.

Andarien stretched his fingers out, trying to reach one of the colourful flowers.

Earendil glanced at Lin, and the distraction gave Andarien the chance to grab one of the flowers and rip off a petal, shoving it into his mouth. He chewed on it and made a face, then spit it onto his father's sleeve.

"Your old home?" he asked Lin curiously.

It was only when Andarien started chewing on Earendil's sleeve that he realized what his son was up to, and he set about trying to get the mushed flower out of Andarien's mouth.