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"Maybe we should ask Wren if we could borrow her lady-in-waiting," Earendil joked, watching as Lin and Miyuki hurried to get ready. He was slightly amused. Of course Miyuki would choose something that's hard to put on by herself.

Earendil chuckled and scooped up Andarien again. "Somehow, I've a feeling that it's probably well enough that Andarien doesn't have proper formal clothes," he grinned at Lin. "It's hectic enough just trying to get you and Miyuki ready!"

He laughed, then leaned down and kissed Lin lightly on the forehead. "Off we go, then."

Earendil opened the door for everyone and let them lead the way out into the spacious hallway.

Some of the others were waiting for them there, but it seemed that some of the group had already gone ahead without them. Daeron, Iorlas, Aethos and Alassëa were talking quietly in the hallway. It seemed as if Alassëa had borrowed one of Iorlas's dresses, because Earendil couldn't remember Alassëa having any dresses or skirts of her own - and the skirt she was wearing looked very familiar.

"Took you long enough," Daeron teased the four of them. "Lord Jaxon took the others ahead, I knew I'd have to lead you so the others stayed with me."

Daeron fake-sighed at Miyuki. "Forever!" he told her, though he made it clear he was exaggerating. He winked at her. "But it was worth it. You look lovely, Miyuki."

"Why did the rest of you wait with him?" Earendil asked the others curiously. "Did you take too long to get ready, too?"

Iorlas nodded. "Alassëa and I were put in the same room, and I was helping her to get ready. Aethos-sola was waiting for her, so that's why he's still here."

Daeron chuckled at Miyuki. "I see. I admit, it does look a bit complicated," he smiled. "But come, we need to go see our hosts. They will be waiting for us."

He held his arm out for Iorlas, and Aethos took Alassëa's arm, and Earendil shifted Andarien to one arm and held his other out for Lin to take.

"My dear," he grinned at her, his eyes warm with affection.

Daeron led them back down the stairs they'd come up and down the wide hallway that was so brightly lit with the magical orbs. They passed several doors, until at last Daeron led them to a door that was open. Inside was a large hall, and in it was the rest of their party along with three others - Wren, whom they had already run into, her father, Ander, and her grandmother, Amalthea, who was also Daeron and Earendil's great-aunt.

Of course, there were also servants and attendants and guards, but in the grand scheme of things, they usually weren't counted.

Daeron spoke to one of the guards that was beside the door, and the man cleared his throat and announced, very formally and loudly, "His Highness, Prince Daeron Aldrich, his Highness Prince Earendil, her Highness Princess Lin, her Highness Princess Miyuki, his highness Prince Andarien, his Highness Aethos-sola, mistress Alassëa, and mistress Iorlas."

The members of the Westland royal family looked over at the group and smiled.

"Welcome," Queen Amalthea greeted them warmly, rising to her feet and spreading her arms in a welcoming gesture.

Daeron, Earendil, and Aethos bowed low, and motioned for the others to do the same.

"Thank you, your Majesty," Daeron said, speaking for the group. "You honour us by allowing us lodgings in your palace."

"Rise," the queen invited them, smiling warmly at all of them. "And you are always welcome, my family, and my friends. Come, join the rest of us."

Earendil ushered Lin and Miyuki forward again, leading them to where the others were already seated, and as he led them he looked around. As much as he was accustomed to seeing Dark Elves, with their black hair and dusky skin, he was very quick to realize that his great-aunt was an oddity here. Both Prince Ander and Princess Wren were golden-haired Light Elves, as were every single one of the guards, servants and attendants in the room - and very likely, in the entire city.

"You know my son, Prince Ander, of course," Amalthea said, still being proper.

The prince rose and bowed to the latecomers. "Welcome to our home," he smiled at them. "It has been a long time since we last met."

"Thank you," Daeron smiled back at the man.

An amused look crossed the queen's face briefly as she introduced her granddaughter next. "And my granddaughter, Princess Wren."

Wren grinned at the group, then rose and bowed in a masculine fashion. "We meet again," she winked at them as her father stifled a groan.