Welcome to Gaia! ::

"On the ... semi-bright side," Earendil added with a frown, "Ninako hasn't lost the respect of her people over this. She's treating them as she would treat anyone else - fairly. Lamthanc had a fair trial, with the traditional number of witnesses. The usual sentence for stealing is the loss of one hand, so that at least the thief would have a chance to still make an honest and respectful living ... but because of Lamthanc's lack of remorse, and his open proclamation that he would readily do it again, he had both hands removed, so that he would be reduced to the shame not only of people knowing what he was, but being forced to beg for the necessities from the very people that he stole from."

He sighed. "And apparently there's a third half-brother, who feels the same way but who is at least smart enough to stay out of trouble ... or out of sight, at the very least. Though no one's heard from my uncle either, for that matter."

Earendil looked down at Lin, startled, and then he burst into laughter. "You certainly have a knack for changing the subject when it's needed," he chuckled. "Honestly, Lin, you really are good for me."

He laughed again and patted her hand on his arm. "Is there anywhere in particular that you would like to go? Anything you would like to see? Anyone you would like to visit?"

Earendil chuckled. "Then we shall do all sorts of visits today," he grinned, "though I think we'll have to invite them all to the castle to see Uncle Lore and Aunt Elnara as well ... and perhaps I could also introduce you to a few of my friends, would you like that?"

He asked his last question hesitantly, as if afraid that she might not want to.

Earendil's eyes lit up, and he walked just a little bit faster.

"And who would you like to see first?" he asked her happily. "Aranhil, my greatgrandparents, or the others? They're all pretty much in the same area, so it makes no difference to me."

"Aranhil it is, then," Earendil chuckled softly. "Second level."

It didn't take long for them to reach there, and almost before they knew it they were entering the shop owned by Aranhil's father.

"Good afternoon!" Aranhil's voice greeted them from behind the counter, bright and cheerful as always.

Aranhil's dark face lit up when he saw Lin and Earendil, and he smiled brightly at the both of them.

"Well, well!" he exclaimed. "If it isn't Lin Winters! Quite a bit bigger than the last time I saw you, though it's been an awfully long time." He chuckled and reached one hand across the counter for a shake. "It's wonderful to see you again."

"Shame on you," Aranhil chuckled. "But at least you're here now."

He turned to Earendil and bowed his head respectfully. "My Lord. It's nice to see you in the city for once. It's not often that you come out here."

Earendil smiled back at the man. "Well, you know how it is ... duties and responsibilities and all that. Besides, it's easier to avoid the pressure of looking for a future wife if I don't go anywhere where I might run into one."

Aranhil laughed again. "Very true, my Lord! Though to be honest, I would have thought your parents might have given up by this time."

Now it was Earendil's turn to laugh. "Not until they have grandchildren from at least one of us," he grinned. "So ... not for a while yet, I'm thinking."

Earendil chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I have to admit, I feel a bit sorry for all of them ... Mother is going to be making such a fuss ..."

He turned to Aranhil, grinning widely. "You should come to the palace sometime soon," he invited the man warmly. "Uncle Lore and Aunt Elnara are here for a visit for about a month or two, and they have their twins with them."

Aranhil's eyes shone brightly. "Yes," he murmured softly. "I'll talk to my father ... how I long to see them both again ..."

He could never tell anyone, of course, but he still loved Elnara as much as he ever had ... but he was not a selfish man, and his love was of the sort that he wanted her to be happy, more than him, and he would never envy Lore his place in her life. He was glad for her - for both of them. Admittedly, news of the twins had surprised him for a while, but he had been happy for them, and proud.

"Soon," he nodded. "Perhaps within the next few days."