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"Gen'oo," Andarien repeated cheerfully, stretching up on his tiptoes to reach the fluffy cat. He had just succeeded in touching one finger to her forehead and giving her a tiny little stroke before the wagon hit a bump in the road, sending the boy lurching forward.

"Aah!" he squealed, his eyes wide with surprise as he fell against Miyuki, his fingers closing instinctively around what they were touching - his one hand, the edge of the wagon; his other, Senka's leg and Miyuki's hair.

"Oh dear," Earendil murmured, though he couldn't quite hold back a smile as he reached forward to lift Andarien off of Miyuki. "You all right?"

Andarien was crying, but he didn't seem hurt. If anything, he was probably crying because Senka had screeched, a sound that he really didn't like.

Earendil held the boy close and stroked his head softly. "Miyuki? You all right?" he asked, holding one hand out to her to help her up as well.

Earendil made sure Miyuki was steady before turning his attention back to Andarien.

"Senka will survive," he murmured, holding Andarien close. "And Senka, you know it wasn't his fault. You went through the same thing with Miyuki when she was little - at least Andarien doesn't try to eat your tail."

He was sure that eventually, the cat would come to tolerate Andarien - even if Earendil had to threaten her to accept him. He was family after all, just as much as Lin or Miyuki or Earendil, and he wouldn't tolerate Senka treating him like the other men that she knew. On the other hand, he was probably going to have to wait until Andarien was older and more steady on his feet before he started trying to get the cat to spend some time with the boy.

Earendil chuckled softly. "Yes, Andarien loves you, too," he assured Senka. "And really, the only reason he fell and grabbed you was because the wagon hit a bump. That could have happened to anyone, it wasn't his fault. Just wait, once he grows a bit, stuff like that won't happen anymore."

At that moment, the wagon began to slow as they approached the guard booths at the edge of the bridge.

The guards were wearing gold-plated armour with red cloaks and boots as well as a golden helm with red crest, the colours of the Westland. Each of the booths had a banner and standard mounted on them, with the design of a griffin in flight. The background was gold, as was the body, and the outlines, wings and tail were all in red.

"Whoa," Elros called to the horses, pulling the wagon to a stop.

One guard stood in front of the bridge, blocking the travelers from entering, though he didn't draw any weapons, which showed that he wasn't threatening them. The other moved to the front of Elros's wagon to talk to him - seeing as he was the only male Light Elf there, it seemed to him the appropriate place to begin.

"Good afternoon, travelers," he called out in a friendly tone. "What business brings you to Chansond'eau?"

Elros smiled easily at the man. "No business, only pleasure," he replied. "My friends and I are simply on a journey to explore the Four Lands. We have just come from Ebonscarp, and before that, Tavari."

The guard smiled at Elros. "Then you chose a good path for your journey, Spring comes later here than in those places. The waters are still cool here, but the trees and flowers are in blossom."

"We had hoped that would be the case," Elros chuckled.

The guard chuckled with him. "Where do you plan to stay while you're in the city?" he asked. "Do you know?"

Elros looked over his shoulder. "Well ... if necessary we do have the necessary materials to sleep outdoors, though I think I can speak for everyone when I say we are hoping for beds. I suppose it depends on our reception."

"Reception?"

Elros looked to Earendil, since he was closer than Daeron, and Earendil smiled at the knight. He patted Miyuki on the head and murmured, "Be careful," before hefting the still-whimpering Andarien in his arms and heading to the front of the wagon to talk to the guard.

The guard was confused when Elros passed the conversation over to Earendil, but he remained respectful in his demeanor.

Earendil hopped carefully down from the wagon and held Andarien against his shoulder.

"Allow me to introduce myself," he smiled at the guard. "My name is Prince Earendil Aldrich. Her Majesty Queen Amalthea is my neko-thel."

The guard blinked in surprise, and Earendil went on. "Also traveling with us are my family, my brother, Prince Daeron Aldrich, my cousins, Princess Leyenda Aldrich Aleanath, Prince Kelirahc Aldrich Aleanath, and their son, Prince Amalirahc Aldrich Aleanath; Aethos-sola of the Kingdom of Amon Darthir; Senator Luk of the Republic of Caras Galadhon; Sir Elros and Lady Alena, and their daughter, Lady Shiloh."

The guard blinked, stared, and blinked again. That was a lot to take in all at once ...