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Earendil knelt down and put his arms around Miyuki, hugging her close. "I have to, sweetheart," he murmured softly into her ear. "We don't know what they want, and it's best if someone of rank goes."

He looked up at Lin, still holding Miyuki close. The look in his eyes was begging her to come with him - with Miyuki if she had to - but at the same time there was fear that she would do just that.

"You could stay with Amalirahc," he suggested with a hopeful smile, looking at Miyuki again.

Earendil hugged Miyuki again. He honestly didn't know what to say. He wanted Lin to be with him, but at the same time, he wanted her here where it would be safe.

But then the question entered his mind: would she be safe here? The people here obviously had ships of their own, it wouldn't take any effort on their part to simply come out here while he and the others went to the island.

He looked up at Lin. "Perhaps it's best if we stick together," he said quietly. "Just in case."

As Earendil stood up, Arwen looked at him through anxious eyes. "Are you certain?" she asked him quietly.

Earendil nodded. "The ship is no safer than we will be on land," he said firmly. "We know nothing about these people but that they know ships well. I would rather have them with me, where I can protect them, than here where I have no idea what might happen to them."

He took a deep breath. "Come on, let's go."

Holding Miyuki's hand firmly, he headed for the longboat that was about to be lowered into the water.

Once Arwen was in as well, the boat was lowered to the water, and Roydon and Celeb began to row them towards the shore.

Earendil kept his eyes on the shore. The caravels had docked by now, and he was watching the people who were climbing out of them. There was simply no way to classify them ... some had black hair, some brown, some blond, there was even a redhead ... some had pointed ears, short like his, others had ears that were long and pointed, like Lore, and others had the rounded ears of humans. Even their skin tones were all different: pale whites and silvery hues, gentle tans and harsh dark tones - though there were none as black as Haldia and Kelirahc.

"What is this place?" he murmured softly, his tone filled with awe, as they headed towards the dock.

"But ... here?" Earendil was perplexed. How could a place like this exist here in Arda? Not that he was against it - he was just amazed.

When they reached the dock, the dark elf that had ordered them to come was waiting for them - along with a handful of others. None of them was armed, but Earendil felt a little twitchy nonetheless.

"Come," the dark elf ordered them as Roydon tied their boat to the dock. "Our leaders wish to speak with you."

He led them from the docks and along a marble pathway into the city proper. Everything was marble and silver: the walls, the streets, the buildings ... and it made Earendil feel as if he were in a dream world.

They passed all sorts of people as they walked: more varieties of elves and humans of all ages: adults, teens, children. No one seemed to pay them any mind as they passed, not even giving a second glance to Lin's wings or Miyuki's multiple tails.

Earendil was half tempted to ask where they were going, but he had a feeling that the answer would simply be, 'to their leaders'. So he kept his mouth shut.

Haldia on the other hand couldn't help but murmur, "Everything here is so beautiful ..."

Their guide glanced over his shoulder, but said nothing, only led them further on.

The dark elf looked at them over his shoulder once more, and for a brief instant an amused look crossed his face; but then it was gone, and once more he looked serious and stern.

"This way," he told them, leading them through a wide marble passageway to what almost seemed like an enormous gazebo. It was circular, and outdoors, and the large domed roof was held up by several marble pillars. There were nine marble seats at the edge of the circle, just inside the pillars, and each of the seats had a scarf or sash of some sort lying across it. In the middle of the seats was a slightly lowered platform, and steps led from the seats down to it.

"Here, if you please," the elf told them, motioning for them to head down the two steps and wait in the center of it.

Earendil led the way, holding Lin's hand on one side and Miyki's on the other, and then came Haldia, Kelirahc, Leyenda, Celeb, Arwen and Roydon.

The dark elf vanished back the way they had come, and Earendil looked around warily.

"I feel like we're on display," he murmured softly to Lin.

"I just wish we knew what was going on," Roydon muttered darkly. "I feel like we're hostages somehow."

"Technically we are," Earendil replied. "The ship can't go anywhere without us."