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Andarien wrapped his arms around Lin's neck and snuggled into her, laying his head on her chest.

"I didn't expect it to be like visiting Lothiriel," Earendil quipped, knowing Lin would understand what he meant. "We came straight here once we entered the city ..."

When would they have had the time to prepare anything? How would they even have known that the group had arrived?

"It's possible, I suppose," Earendil admitted, watching bemusedly as Andarien yawned and closed his eyes.

The others were already making their way into the palace, and Earendil put one hand gently to Lin's back to lead her forward after them.

Inside, the entryway was as large and impressive as the outside of the palace. Red carpet rolled a path before them down a long, wide hallway lined with marble pillars, as well as to the left and right of the door, where a flight of stairs led in each direction up to the next level of the palace. For light, there were no candles or torches; instead, large skylights allowed sunlight to light most of the entryway, and what shadows there might have been from that were chased away by brightly glowing orbs that were set in round brackets high on the walls.

"It echoes in here," Alassëa commented, tapping her staff a few times on the floor as if to make her point.

It didn't sound that echo-ish to Earendil, but he didn't say anything. He knew Alassëa's hearing was finer honed than his own.

Earendil blinked down at Miyuki. "What?"

Kaito burst out laughing, and Shiro kind of chuckled to himself.

"Miyuki, they're probably the same kind of magical orbs that your mother and I saw River's Uncle Adanedhel make when we were younger. There is no such thing as electricity here."

But he had to admit, he liked the orbs much better than electric lights. They gave off a white light, like the sun, rather than the annoying yellow glow of electricity that changed the colours of the things one saw.

Their guide led them up the stairs to the right, towards the next level. "Be careful of the edge of the stairs," he warned them softly. "There is no railing, and by the time you get to the top, it is quite a fall."

True enough - the second level was so high it could have been a third level instead.

Their guide looked back at Miyuki over his shoulder, blinking slowly at her as if she had asked something very strange.

"You know," he murmured, "I don't believe I've ever thought to ask that before. I'm afraid I really have no idea."

He looked forward again as they continued up the stairs. "My wife might have an idea."

The man laughed unexpectedly. "Pardon my amusement," he chuckled as they reached the top of the stairs. He started leading them down a wide corridor. "No, my wife is not a historian - at least not officially. She knows far more than I do, of that I'm certain, and yet it is I, not she, who am the historian of our land."

"If she knows more than you, though, why does she not also have the title of historian?" Earendil asked curiously.

The man smiled warmly at him. "She is a woman of many talents. Fear not, my Lord Prince, she is in a position worthy of her knowledge and abilities."

"She is the Captain of the Home Guard," the historian replied, his expression proud, though his tone was humble. "She leads, organizes, and trains the Home Guard, and has the honour of serving as Their Majesties' most trusted bodyguard. Her knowledge serves her well in that position, so her knowledge does not go to waste."

Alena smiled warmly at Elros. "My husband's position," she said softly but proudly.

"I'm sure you will," the man smiled back at Miyuki.

He was about to say something, more, but before he could, a female voice up ahead of them exclaimed, "Well! If it isn't my cousins!"

Earendil blinked and looked to see who it was. It was a woman with boyishly short, curly hair, wearing a long blue gown.

"Wren!" Daeron greeted her warmly, arms outstretched.

She laughed and hugged him, then kissed him on both cheeks in greeting. "It's about time you came back here!" she said in a teasing tone of voice. "It's been a while!"

Daeron grinned at her. "Apparently so. How did they bribe you to wear a dress?"

Wren's hand flicked out and she smacked Daeron upside the head. "Hush you," she scolded him, and though she was smiling her cheeks were red. "I am a woman, after all."

"You've never acted it before," Daeron teased her again, ducking to avoid a second blow.