Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil nodded uncertainly. "If you're sure," he murmured softly, turning to watch the procession.

By this time, Cald and the other had reached the elders, and the other man left Cald standing alone in front of the massive bonfire, across from Alaundil.

"Cald," Alaundil spoke, her voice loud enough for the entire village to hear. "You have been brought before us to hear the judgment of your actions. For many years, you have been disrespectful of others, but tonight you have taken it to an entirely new level, one that is absolutely unacceptable. You have forgotten what it means to be a true member of the Night Elves."

In the brief moment of silence that followed, Omarerd, the ancient mark-giver, stepped forward and stood next to Cald. Cald blinked at him clearly confused by his presence.

"Ten years ago," Alaundil continued solemnly, "you proved your strength, and thus earned the right to bear the mark of your family, the wolf. In honour was it bestowed. Tonight, you abused your strength, and dishonoured yourself, your mark, and your family."

She nodded to Omarerd, and the old man put his hands on Cald's mark, then bowed his head and closed his eyes.

"Tonight," Alaundil concluded, "in dishonour, you relinquish the right to the rank of your family."

There was a soft flash of light beneath Omarerd's hands, and then he stepped back and lowered his hands. There was still a mark on Cald's shoulder, but it appeared ... different ... somehow. Alaundil looked at the man who had escorted Cald up there, and the man stepped forward with a bowl of water and a handful of moss. Silently, the man dipped the moss into the bowl, then wiped it across Cald's mark. The mark, no longer a part of him but now nothing more than a fancy painted design, smeared and washed away like a coat of ash.

Haldia's eyes grew wide. She had never seen anyone lose their mark before ... she hadn't even known it was possible. But for it to happen ...

Once the paint had vanished entirely, Alaundil unsummoned her phoenix, and it returned from the bonfire to within her. The fire extinguished, leaving the wood untouched, and as quickly as the trial (if such it could be called) had begun, it was over. For a moment, the elves murmured amongst themselves, but then they slowly began to disperse once more.

Haldia turned to the others, and her eyes were filled with amazement.

"I had no idea that was possible," she breathed, clearly shocked.

Earendil looked up at Miyuki, and only then did he realize that from her perch on his shoulder, she would have had a full view of what had happened.

He lowered her to the ground and held her hand, kneeling so that he was closer to her height. "Well ... you know the marks that Haldia and Kelirahc and Leyenda have, right?" he asked her softly. "The marks that allow them to summon their spirits? Kelirahc and Leyenda have dragons, and Haldia has a roc, right?"

"Well, the reason they have a mark is because at one point or another, they did something very brave, or very good," Earendil explained. "Something that proved they were honourable. When the mark is put on them, they use magic to make it a true part of them, so that it can't be washed away. But when Cald beat up Celeb, he was being dishonourable, and so as punishment his mark was taken away. So that everyone will know that he is not a good person."

He wondered if she would understand. It was possible she wouldn't - but as long as she got the message to stay away from Cald if possible, he would be satisfied.

Earendil chuckled. Of all the questions she could have asked, that was one of the easier ones.

"It is a custom for the Night Elves," he explained with a smile. "Your mother and I are not Night Elves, so we do not get marks. Leyenda does only because she married a Night Elf."

Though he couldn't help but wonder if the night elves would give a mark to an outsider by merit without marriage.

Earendil chuckled softly at Lin, standing up once more. "Well, it's easy to explain when it's a simple explanation," he grinned. "But at any rate, it's really getting late, and we never did get that nap in. We should probably try to find somewhere quiet to get some sleep."

Though he had no idea where that might be. They might have to ask Haldia to return them to the beach or something ...

"I'm amazed at how well Miyuki's holding up," Earendil added with a grin. He looked down at Miyuki. "Probably the excitement, eh? Once things settle down and you start getting bored, you'll be falling asleep, I bet."

He ruffled her hair affectionately.