Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ulrich nodded and started back in their original direction. Only a few doors down, he knocked and waited for an answer.

"I think we may have to consider expanding the barracks a bit this summer," he commented to Ulrich as they waited.



Elros chuckled softly. "Well, I can't say exactly," he replied amusedly, "but I would guess sometimes in late winter, early stirring."

He watched the butterfly interestedly. "I think this could be quite amusing, watching them bring you news," he commented.

"Or when there's too much snow," Ulrich quipped even as the door opened, and there stood Halmir.

"Donovan and Ulrich!" he exclaimed, a wide smile twisting the scar at the corner of his mouth grotesquely. "Well, this is a surprise! To what do we owe this visit?"

A brown hand reached around the door and pulled it open even further, and Arthael stood behind Halmir, her dark hair framed in the sunlight from the windows on the wall.

"Take a guess," she quipped, pushing him gently to the side so that he wasn't blocking the door anymore. "Come on in," she smiled at Ulrich and Donovan, motioning for them to enter.

To most people, Arthael really didn't look pregnant yet - she hadn't even begun to show at all. On the other hand, her face did have that glow that seemed somehow to be associated with the condition.



Elros pretended to be astonished. "You mean the butterfly hasn't told you?" he asked incredulously. "Perhaps you should find out what else it has to say, perhaps it will still tell you."

He hadn't had fun like this in a very long time indeed.

"Thank you," Arthael smiled, her single eye softening a bit. "It's nice to see you again, too ... it's been a while."

"A while?" Halmir repeated incredulously. "It's been years!"

"Yes," Arthael said crisply, raising her good eyebrow at her husband. "Quite a while."

Ulrich grinned at the two of them. They would never change.



Elros laughed aloud at Lin's expression. "Indeed, quite a bit has happened," he agreed. "You have after all been gone for a few years, one must expect that changes would occur. Yes, Halmir and Arthael are married now, and have been for over a year, and yes, they're expecting a child. Is there anything else you would like to know about them? Or is your little fluttery friend telling you everything?"

Arthael laughed softly. "If we had changed, I wouldn't trust myself - or him," she replied, smiling at Donovan. "After, that's the beauty of love, isn't it? Putting up with people even with all their faults?"

"Are you trying to imply something?" Halmir questioned, folding his arms across his chest.

Arthael raised her good eyebrow at him again. "You do realize that it goes both ways, right?"

"You? Faults?" Halmir seemed astonished.

Ulrich chuckled. "Halmir, don't forget, you're already married ... you don't have to flirt anymore."

"But that's the fun part," the gristled fighter protested.

Arthael rolled her eye. "Anyways," she said, turning back to Donovan, "you're welcome to stay for a bit, if you'd like. I can't promise he won't drive you nuts, but there's always a chance, even if it's just a small one."



Elros smiled gently at Lin. "You might be surprised," he replied softly. "I've known some butterflies here to live quite a few years. There is a chance that you may someday meet some of the older ones."

"Well, come in and sit down, then," Arthael invited the two of them again. "I'll get you something to drink."

The room they were in was a fairly sizable one, like a kitchen and living room all in one. There was a fireplace in one corner, though there was no fire in it at the moment, a counter and cupboard, shelves for dishes and the like, a table with six chairs around it, and a couch and a few comfortable chairs for resting. There was a door in the side wall that led to another room.

Arthael headed over to the shelf of dishes and started to take down some mugs, but Halmir, who had been sitting at one of the chairs, rose to his feet and protested.

Arthael just rolled her eye at him. "Halmir," she said flatly, "I'm pregnant, I'm not sick. Seriously."

Halmir sighed at Ulrich and Donovan. "She never lets me do anything for her," he told them dramatically.




Elros raised one eyebrow curiously. "Hide and seek?" he questioned. "I haven't heard about your fox butterflies ... do they tell you things as well?"

"No," Arthael called from where she was pouring water into the cups, "wait until I can't walk. And if that doesn't happen, then don't get overprotective at all."

She turned to face them, the cups in her hands now. "I've never been babied in my life," she said firmly, "and I don't intend to now."

And she headed over and handed the cups to Ulrich and Donovan, her expression halfway between a smirk and a grin. "I've been told that's one of my greatest faults."



"Magic flowers?" Elros asked interestedly. "What kind? Did you grow them?"

"Shades, no," Arthael chuckled. "As long as I can do things for myself, that's what I'm going to do. I swear, if Halmir had his way I'd be laying in bed doing nothing for the next year in its entirety. I've never had anyone help me before, and I won't start now."

"Arthael," Halmir pouted. "You're supposed to let me take care of things for you ..."

"You will," Arthael nodded, grinning smugly. "When I can't take care of things myself."

She took a seat as well and looked back at Donovan. "Enough about us though, how have you and your family been?"



"Maze?" Elros questioned, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "Oh ... the labyrinth beneath the Southland palace, you mean? Then that's Prince Earendil you're referring to?"