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Earendil smiled sheepishly. "To be honest, there's not much else to see in the Southland," he admitted. "We could always visit Arwen and Roydon again, I'm sure they would love that. And we could see how Celeb is doing ... but other than that there really isn't much to see at all."

"That would work," Earendil smiled. "We've yet to see the Westland and Northland ... though I wouldn't recommend the Northland until Miyuki is older."

He wasn't sure exactly how fast she would grow, but the Northland required that she at least know enough to hide herself in case something happened.

"For you and me both," Earendil grinned. "I've never been there either. Though you've met my cousin, Wren, yes? That's where she's from."

The land of the Light Elves ... and many of them had not changed in several thousand years, and were very much like the ones that Aerin's people had left. Well, at least they were tolerant of others now. Mostly.

"She was here earlier this year," Haradhel offered. "Came to check up on Shiara."

Shiara was sitting at the far end of the table with Ahren, but at the sound of her name she looked up. "Did you need something?" she asked Haradhel softly.

Haradhel smiled. "No. We were just saying how Wren came here this summer to see how you were doing. Lin's wondering how she is."

Shiara smiled softly. "She is very kind," she murmured. "She was doing quite well when she was here."

"Looks like someone's finally ready for bed," Earendil murmured, reaching over to stroke Miyuki's hair gently. "But it's been a long day for all of us."

"Agreed," Haradhel spoke up. "You all get yourselves to bed, I'll clean up and such."

Earendil chuckled. "Bed," he grinned. "Time to sleep!"

He rose from his seat and smiled at Haradhel. "Thank you for the meal, it was very good."

"Anytime," Haradhel grinned back. "Good night."

"Good night." Earendil stepped out of the way, then smiled at Lin. "After you."

The weeks passed one after the other, and the snow came ... and came and came. For about one day, they were just about snowed in, until Haradhel used her fire magic to melt the snow around the ranch and make things easier for them. For the most part, there were many forts and snowmen made, and even a few snowball fights.

Then, after twelve long weeks, came stirring. The snows began to melt as the days grew warmer, and buds began to appear on the trees. But as the weather continued to improve, Haldia seemed to grow more and more distant from any of the others ... even Kelirahc.

Then, three weeks into stirring, the day came when Haldia announced her intention to leave the following morning. She had been silent at breakfast, and after breakfast, when she had joined Lin, Earendil, Leyenda and Kelirahc outside, she was quiet until Earendil asked her what she was thinking.

"I must ... home go," she told him softly, her golden eyes troubled. Her lessons with Earendil had been going well, but she still had difficulty with the word order when she spoke the common tongue. "I family have who missing me are."