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Iorlas's first instinct was to contradict Lin, but she could see what Lin meant by her comments. She simply nodded, feeling a bit uneasy still that her friends could still end up in the middle of things, but at the same time grateful that they were willing to do so, and that they weren't sending her away.

"You are true friends," she said softly, allowing herself a small smile. "Thank you."

Earendil smiled back at her. "We could do nothing else," he said gently. "We have seen too much to push anyone away, especially for things that they can't control."

Iorlas smiled, but it was a doubtful smile, as if she didn't quite believe Miyuki's words. "Again, thank you," she murmured.

Earendil smiled widely. "Come on, let's order some food now and forget about it at least for now."

He was a bit slow in suggesting it, as the rest of the party had already ordered and some of them had already received their food. He flagged down their server so that they could order, and it wasn't long before they had their own dinners.

In the middle of the town square, sitting on the edge of the water fountain, Alassëa was sitting, her face turned up towards the sunlight. She was smiling faintly, and for all intents and purposes, she seemed to be at peace. It was only when one looked more closely at how tightly she was gripping her staff that one might realize that she was still quite alert.

She was alone at the moment: neither Aethos (who seemed to stick to her like a magnet most times) nor her falcon were with her. In truth, Aethos had taken her falcon to get some supplies for it - jesses and gloves and such - and as far as she knew, she was going to be spending the morning alone. Not that she minded: she was used to being alone, and she had much to think about - more than she'd ever had when she'd been living on her own.

Alassëa turned her face towards Miyuki and leaned her staff against her shoulder, and smiled warmly at the child.

"He went to find things for my bird," she replied. "He said that he wants to get me some things that I will need if I am going to have her around people who are not used to her. He used words that I have never heard before, but I'm sure that I will learn what they are eventually."

She tilted her head curiously. "And what about you? Are you not with your parents and your brother today?"

"It is good to do things on your own," Alassëa said softly, "but it is also good to do things with other people. But you, you can see very well, so it is better for you to be by yourself than for me."

It was the first time she had spoken about her blindness, but there was no anger or bitterness in her words. If anything, she seemed ... amused somehow.

Alassëa giggled. "It certainly is," she agreed cheerfully. "My bird is good company, and a very good help, but to be with people again ... it is wonderful. Very wonderful. I feel ... I feel like I'm not me anymore, like I am someone new."

Clearly she was talking about her time with the group since they had found her. She had known since they'd found her that she wanted to be with people again, and that she wasn't going to stay in the swamp. But now the decision lay before her once more - to stay here in Ebonscarp, where her old life had been, or to continue with her new acquaintances - her friends.

Alassëa turned her head towards Miyuki. "Would you want me to stay with you?" she asked her softly.

She knew Aethos wanted her to. He hadn't said so explicitly yet, but she knew that he wanted her to stay with them. He had really taken her under his wing, taken it upon himself to care for her and make sure she had what she needed, that she was comfortable and happy.

Alassëa had to laugh at that. "Well, thank you," she giggled, "but I'm not sure I would call this home. I haven't been here in forty years, after all. And I never really did belong here - my father lived in a different place, Ardruin, I think, and I only lived here because this is where Adar, the healer, lives. He taught me what I know about healing, and helped me to expand my gift. But his life has continued without me, and I no longer have a room with him, either. And truth be told ... I never had any other friends here. I was different, and the elves do not like things that are different."

She leaned back and dipped her fingertips into the water of the fountain. "No, this is not the place for me," she murmured. "I think I will find a place eventually where I will want to stay, but this is not it."