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Earendil shifted a bit so that he could look at Lin over the top of Miyuki's head.

"I think that the best sleep I've ever had was when I was sleeping outside," he smiled warmly at her. "I don't know ... maybe because it's so open, it doesn't get stale or stuffy ... I just always feel the best after I've slept outside."

Earendil nodded. "It is quite a pleasant evening," he agreed. "Perfectly conducive to sleeping, I hope."

He reached across Miyuki and brushed Lin's hair away from her face gently. "And it's nice to be back here. See Haldia again. Know that she's all right, even if she's having trouble here."

He chuckled softly. "It's like Tinuviel all over again, except without the position of power."

"Well, I'm not sure we can say that for sure," Earendil pointed out. "I mean ... there are a few of them, at least one of them could possibly truly love her."

Maybe he was being optimistic, but he wanted to at least give the guys a chance before he discredited them entirely. Cald was the only one they had even met yet, after all.

Earendil shrugged. "If you think about it, she was always with Kelirahc before, wasn't she?" he pointed out. "He was important in his village, I wouldn't be surprised if they felt as if they didn't have a chance before he left."

He smiled faintly, half amused. "I think I should be grateful I don't have to worry about that. There are upsides to a culture as unaccepting as mine."

No competition - which suited him just fine. He didn't envy Celeb at all.

"Just the one," Earendil replied, his fingers still playing with her hair. "You know her."

He laughed softly. "I can just imagine the look on her face when she finds out about us ... it might be the first time I'm actually looking forward to talking to her again."

He grinned. "I haven't seen her in a few years, not since we first came back from our first trip and was showing Haldia the city. She hated Haldia too, couldn't stand to be civil to her, either."

"No, pity the man who ends up with her, if she should be so fortunate," Earendil quipped. "Her father is a good man, but wow, is she ever a piece of work. I still find it hard to believe that he's the man who sired her."

He smiled bemusedly. "It's awful tempting to suggest that we - all three of us - go render her a visit when we get back."

"Maybe," Earendil grinned, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "Or maybe I just want to shut her up once and for all. You know how much she drives me mad. Besides," he added, brushing his thumb across her cheek lightly, "there's no reason why we shouldn't. I don't want to act as if I'm trying to keep us a secret. I have nothing to be ashamed of, I shouldn't act as if I do."

"Exactly," Earendil nodded in agreement. "How could I keep it to myself? You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. By the Valar, I love you so much ..."

His voice caught in his throat, and even in the darkness his eyes were filled with emotion.