Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil waved to Cindy as well. "See you later," he grinned.

As they started off towards Aerin's study, he grinned down at Lin. "Well, that's a pleasant surprise."

"Maybe we could ask him if we run into him again," Earendil chuckled, remembering the way the boy had simply squeezed through them without really acknowledging their presence. "I'm glad they're here, though. For Rhea's sake. I had no idea she felt homesick at all ... though it's understandable, having her first children and not being able to share it with her parents."

"I can only imagine," Earendil smiled. "I'm sure she really loved that her parents came out here."

They started up the stairs, and Luk looked around curiously. He didn't really know what to contribute to the conversation: his parents were dead, and he knew what it was to miss them. He would have loved to see them again, though he knew it wouldn't happen.

There was only a brief pause before the door was opened for them, revealing Aerin and Alena talking together at Aerin's desk. Their conversation halted, however, when the door opened, and Aerin looked over to see who it was. She blinked with surprise when she saw them standing there - she hadn't expected them back for a few more weeks at the earliest! - but then she smiled and rose to her feet.

"Come in," she told them, beckoning for them to enter the study.

Earendil led them in, Luk bringing up the rear. The senator remained silent, but he bowed deeply to Aerin to show his respect.

"Luk," Earendil introduced him, "Her Majesty, Queen Aerin of the Sky Elves. Your Majesty, Senator Luk of the people of Caras Galadhon."

Aerin smiled. "Rise, Senator Luk," she told him gently. As he did so, she tilted her head at him curiously. "You are human?"

"Half, Your Majesty," he replied. "My father was human, but my mother was an elf."

"Arthael's half brother?" Aerin was surprised. "That is ... unexpected. She will be very surprised to learn that she has any family at all."

Let alone family that wasn't elvish, but she didn't add that part. She had learned tact.

"Oh, I forgot," Earendil blinked. "You worked with her for several years, didn't you?"

Aerin nodded. "Twenty years we worked together."

"I see," Aerin smiled. "Then I'm sure, Luk, that you must have had some interesting conversations with Princess Arwen on the voyage here?"

Luk blinked. "The Lady Arwen?" he asked, confused.

Aerin's brow furrowed slightly. "Yes, Princess Arwen was born and raised in the same place where Arthael works, on the ranch. She lived there for all her life until she married. Did no one tell you of this?"

Luk shook his head.

Luk stared at Lin. "Why do you use such a word?" he asked her. "It makes no sense in that context ..."

Apparently swearing was not a part of his people's culture.